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Fanfic Chapter 166: The Final Battle Pt 4: Odion's Redemption
Episode Basis: The Final Face-Off Pt 4

Marik: I expect nobody to grieve for me. Not Yugi, not my sister, not even Odion, what is happening to me is my own fault. I gave birth to my dark side when I received the Tomb Keeper's Initiation. And through my hand, my father was killed. Through my actions, I put lives in danger! I gave people who have done nothing wrong nothing but despair and anguish. In short, I have nobody to blame but myself. Yugi… Pharaoh, I must atone for my sins, you must destroy my dark side! I will be sucked to the Shadow Realm where I will spend eternity being tormented but I deserve it. Farewell, Ishizu, Odion.

Yami-Marik celebrated getting Monster Reborn thanks to his magic card with maniacal laughter. "One more turn," he said. "Then I'll activate Monster Reborn and I'm sure you know what happens after that. The Winged Dragon of Ra will return to the field."

(Y: 1000)
(M: 700)

"I'll still break through your defenses," Yami declared. "Not only will I beat you, but I'll free your good side from the Shadow Realm!"

"It's impossible! For every life point I lose, a piece of my other half goes to the Shadow Realm and the same goes for your other side."

I'm not sure what to do, Yami thought. Even if our light sides weren't at stake, he has that Immortal God Slime which can't be destroyed.

"What the heck is he talking about?" Harold asked as Duke and Tristan shouted words of encouragement.

"They are playing a Shadow Game," Tea-Marik pointed out. "And the stakes are the light sides."

"I place one card face-down and summon Swallowtail Spike Lizard (1) in defense mode," Yami-Marik was saying. "As long as this monster remains in defense mode, I gain 1000 life points per turn."

"Yugi and I are in danger of being sent to the Shadow Realm," Tea-Marik explained. "For every life point lost, a piece of us goes to the Shadow Realm."

Joey growled and grabbed Tea-Marik by the collar of her shirt. "This is your fault, you stupid spook!"

"Joey!" Ishizu chided.

"No," Tea-Marik said calmly. "Joey's right, I've done nothing but cause them misery. They have every right to be angry."

"Darn right, so get out of there so Yugi can kick your butt once and for all," Joey shouted shaking Tea-Marik.

"I was only trying to help Yugi," Tea-Marik protested. "And I needed Tea's body to speak to him. There's still a way for Yugi to win, he just has to find it." And with those words, Marik's spirit left Tea's body. "Huh, what?" Tea looked around confused. "Did I doze off or something? Joey, why are you grabbing my shirt?"

Joey let go of Tea. "Oh brother, Tea," he groaned. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"What are you waiting for? It's your turn," Yami-Marik said.

Why is Yami so hesitant to attack me? Marik wondered as he stared at the spirit of the Millennium Puzzle. After I caused him such misery? I sent my Rare Hunters to attack him…

"Welcome, Yugi Moto, I am the illusionist known as Arkana! And soon, your Dark Magician will belong to me!"

"What is it you want?"

"Isn't it obvious? I want a duel of course and the winner shall take the loser's Dark Magician."

Yami turned around startled. "I sense someone coming!" He faded back into Yugi just as the mime leapt down from a bridge.

"Greetings, Little-Yugi," the mime greeted, the Millennium symbol glowing brightly on his forehead. "Are you prepared to lose your puzzle forever?"

"Marik!"

"Correct, this is another of my Rare Hunters: Strings, the Quiet One."

I took control of his friends and turned them against him.

"Joey, are you all right?" Yami-Yugi asked. Joey was silent. "Joey, what's wrong?"

"He doesn't look so good," Mokuba observed.

"Looks like he always does," Kaiba cracked.

"Joey, what's going on?"

Finally, Joey raised his head. There was a sinister look in his eyes. "Joey isn't here," he said in a dual-tone voice.

Yami-Yugi and the Kaiba Brothers were taken aback. "Okay, that's scary," Mokuba commented.

"Marik! Let Joey go now!"

"Sorry, Pharaoh, your friend is now mine!"

"I suggest you do what he says, Pharaoh." Tea walked down a gangplank. Her eyes were also dark and she was wearing a Duel Disk. "Master Marik does not fool around."

"Tea! Leave her alone, Marik, she's not even a Duelist!"

"Maybe not officially, but for this duel, I've chosen to make her an exception," Marik said through Joey. "You'll have to duel both of us!"

"Two on one isn't fair!" Mokuba protested. "Yugi, you're not going to do this, are you?"

"It seems like I don't have much of a choice, Mokuba," Yami-Yugi said as he followed Joey and Tea out onto the square dock.

How can Yugi be so forgiving after everything I have done? I don't deserve it.

"I have an idea," Yugi said to Yami. "Remember when Marik fused himself with the Winged Dragon of Ra?"

"Yes."

"Well I think he's planning on doing that again. But when he does, Marik himself will become a monster with all the weaknesses of a monster. Get my drift?"

"I do, thanks for the tip. I place two cards face-down and summon Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts in defense mode. That ends my turn."

"Have you forgotten about Bowganian? He takes 300 life points away from you now." The little monster fired an arrow hitting Yami in the side.

(Y: 700)
(M: 700)

Yugi's body had by now had mostly disappeared. He was in the same boat as Marik.

"Yugi, I won't lose you to the Shadow Realm," Yami promised.

"You don't have any other choice," Yami-Marik pointed out. "In a few moments, Yugi will be gone. But in the mean time, I have some other business to take care of. First I gain 1000 life points thanks to Spike Lizard's special effect."

(Y: 700)
(M: 1700)

"Now I'll activate Monster Reborn to bring back Ra again in its phoenix mode!" The giant firebird once again rose from the ground "Next I pay 1000 life points to activate Ra's special ability to destroy Obelisk the Tormentor!"

(Y: 700)
(M: 700)

The God Phoenix launched a fierce fire blast at Obelisk.

Yami activated his face-down card.

Yami-Marik thought he triumphed. "Now that Obelisk is destroyed, I can…"

"What makes you think Obelisk was destroyed?"

"Huh?" Yami-Marik peered threw the smoke. Not only was Obelisk still there, but another monster had appeared

Slifer the Sky Dragon.

"I activated my own Monster Reborn while you were showboating," Yami explained. "It took the blast allowing Obelisk to remain on the field." Yugi's friends cheered and even Kaiba had to admit that Yugi's move to save his self was impressive, but how long this good fortune can last was anyone's guess.

Slifer crashed to the ground in front of Obelisk and Obelisk roared.

"Wow," Mokuba gawked. "Slifer was hit by Ra and Obelisk escaped without a scratch. And from the looks of it, Obelisk isn't too happy."

Obelisk's anger is the key to its power, Kaiba thought. If Yugi's smart, he'll tap into it.

"Ra may be in the graveyard," Yami-Marik said "But he'll be back. I play a magic card: Surprise Attack from Beyond which allows me to replay my last attack!"

"That's a cheap shot," Joey commented.

Now Marik has another chance to wipe out Yugi's defenses with the Winged Dragon of Ra, Kaiba thought.

Amara was outside getting a drink. "I could've spent my vacation in Aruba or in southern France or on my uncle's dude ranch, but no, I had to participate in a Duel Monsters Tournament," she grumbled mockingly. "A Duel Monster Tournament complete with soul-stealing psychopaths, mind-control and magical jewelry. When am I going to learn to stop listening to myself… or talking to myself for that matter?" She heard a thump and turned just in time to see the corner of a purple fabric disappear around the other corner. "What the heck?" She quickly followed it and saw who it was attached to.

It was Odion. He was walking (more like crawling) along the hallway using the wall for support.

"Hey, I know you," Amara said stepping up besides him. "You were Joey's opponent during Battle City."

"I… must… get to… Marik," Odion staggered.

"Marik? He's dueling Yugi!"

"I have… to get to him… before it's too late."

Amara sighed. "Come on." She lifted his arm and let him use her as a crutch. "I swear, you men can be on your deathbeds and still be walking around."

Ra appeared again, this time as a big sphere. "This form of the Winged Dragon of Ra should be familiar to you all." He cast a side-glance at Joey. "Especially to Joey Wheeler."

Joey scowled in his remembrance.

Everyone stared with shock and awe at the giant golden orb that was floating above the field. Yami-Marik chuckled, "What are you waiting for, my dear? Now that you have stolen my Egyptian God Card, why don't you try using it against me? It would be the ultimate irony."

"That's… the Winged Dragon?" Mai asked.

"To release the Winged Dragon of Ra, the ancient chant must be recited. Your friend, Mai, tried but couldn't and now look at where she is, spending the rest of her miserable life in the Shadow Realm. But in case you don't remember the chant, allow me to recite it for you." He crossed his arms. "Great Beast of the Sky, please hear my cry, transform thyself from orb of light and bring me victory me in this fight! Envelop the desert with your glow and cast your rage upon my foe! Unlock yourself from deep within so together we may win! Appear in the Shadow Game as I call your name… WINGED DRAGON OF RA!" As Yami-Marik spoke the chant, the ball unfolded itself to form the Winged Dragon of Ra in its original form. "Next I sacrifice all but 1 of my life points to fuse with the Winged Dragon of Ra!" Just like before, most of Yami-Marik appeared on top of the Winged Dragon of Ra. Only an eye remained on the ground.

(Y: 700)
(M: 1)

(WDR: 0-699)

"Next I'll sacrifice the attack points of all my remaining monsters to increase Ra's attack points further!"

(WDR: 699-6899)

"Obelisk's attack points are only 4000," Harold said.

"Marik and Ra have enough to finish Yugi off ten times over," Joey complained.

"A little weak on the math, Joey, but basically right," Harold responded. He noticed Tea's arm jittering. Was she still under the control of Marik or was she just worried for her friend… or was it…

"Nothing can escape the fury of the Winged Dragon of Ra!" Yami-Marik cried out.

"We'll just see about that," Yami said. "I've been waiting for the moment you become what you truly are: a monster. I activate my face-down magic card, Soul Taker!"

"Soul Taker will grant Marik 1000 life points," Kaiba explained.

(Y: 700)
(M: 1001)

"While at the same time giving control of one of his monsters for Yugi to use as a sacrifice." But which one will he choose?

From the worried look on Yami-Marik's face, "You want to control the Winged Dragon of Ra?"

"Since Marik is connected to the Winged Dragon of Ra," Kaiba deduced. "When it goes, so does he."

"You may think that, Marik, but Ra isn't my target. The monster I want is your Egyptian God Slime."

"Why did Yugi do that?" Mokuba asked.

"Since your God Slime is made up of two monsters: Revival Jam and a duplicate Obelisk, it basically counts as two monsters so I'll sacrifice it to Obelisk activating his special power giving him infinite strength!"

(O: ∞)

This is the true power of Obelisk's anger, Kaiba thought. Now Yugi can destroy all of Marik's monsters.

"Obelisk, attack with Fist of Fury!" Obelisk's hand was energized and he slugged Ra which countered with a fireball. Smoke engulfed the field again but when it cleared both Gods were still standing.

"What happened?" Tea asked.

"I couldn't see, there was too much smoke," Joey complained.

"It looks like the attack failed," Kaiba analyzed.

"But Obelisk was at infinite strength," Tristan argued. "No matter how many times he powered it up, there's no way Marik could've withstood Obelisk's attack."

"What did you do, how did you withstand my attack?"

"I activated a magic card called Class System. Now Ra can only be destroyed by a monster with more stars than it."

"That's totally unfair," Harold argued. "Only fusion and ritual monsters have more stars than the Winged Dragon of Ra and their attack points are all too small for something of that magnitude."

(O: 4000)

"Obelisk's attack power just dropped, didn't it?" Tea asked noticing Obelisk drop to one knee.

"Yeah," Kaiba confirmed. "Yugi missed his chance."

Yami just set a face-down card.

Odion, with Amara's help, reached the base of the Duel Tower. "Just curious," Amara said. "But what did you mean by saving Marik? If you meant from Yugi…"

"I meant from his self," Odion revealed startling and confusing Amara. "I must save Marik from his dark side."

"Ra, attack Obelisk with your Blaze Cannon," Yami-Marik commanded.

"I activate my face-down magic card Magical Dimension. Magical Dimension can only be activated when there's a Spellcaster-type monster on the field. Dark Magician Girl should do nicely." A gold casket wrapped in chains within a box rose up. The female Dark Magician stood next to it. "Magical Dimension allows me to sacrifice two of my monsters to escape your attack." Obelisk and Gazelle disappeared into the casket which descended back into the ground. The blast went over Yami's head and disappeared into the wall of the dome.

In the elevator, Odion leaned against the wall for support.

"You don't look so good," Amara commented. "Then again, logic says you shouldn't even be standing."

"It was Marik's words that allowed me to awake. He told me that I was the one keeping his evil side in check. It's my sworn ability to protect him; I must not allow his dark side to prevail!"

"You were a fool to sacrifice your Obelisk," Yami-Marik said. "You have nothing now."

"I have plenty left," Yami said. "I still have my friends supporting me and the heart of the cards to give me strength. And…" The golden casket returned. "I still have Magical Dimension which allows me to summon a Spellcaster-type monster from my hand. And I choose my favorite… the Dark Magician!" The casket opened up and the magician leapt out, did a flip and landed by his female counterpart. "Next I activate the magic card Ragnarok."

"Ragnarok, what does that do?" Yami-Marik asked.

"Ragnarok only works when there are two magicians on the field. It destroys all monsters on your side of the field. And since you are currently fused with a monster, when Ra goes so does you."

"But if you destroy me, then the other me will not survive," Yami-Marik pointed out.

Yami hesitated.

"All my life, I wanted to be a Tomb Keeper and now I will have my chance."

"By doing what?" Amara asked.

"By saving my Master!"

"Go ahead and attack, Pharaoh," Yami-Marik dared. "If you want to break your promise to Ishizu."

If we attack, will the good Marik be sent to the Shadow Realm, Yugi wondered.

"What are you waiting for, Pharaoh, attack! Attack and crush an innocent soul!"

Amara struggled to carry Odion up the stairs. "I hope it's not too late," Odion said. "If I let Marik fall to his dark side now, I'll never forgive myself."

"Cheer up if anyone can bring Marik around, I'm sure you can." They stepped from the entryway onto the roof of the tower. By this time, Odion had regained enough of his strength that he didn't need Amara's help. "Good luck."

Odion took a deep breath and a step forward. "Marik!" He cried out attracting everyone's attention.

To Be Continued

Duel Monster Database

(1)
Name: Swallowtail Spike Lizard
Level: 4
Type: Reptile/Effect
Attribute: Earth
ATK: 1700
DEF: 1000