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Fanfic Chapter 167: The Final Battle Pt 5: The End of Battle City
Episode Basis: The Final Face-Off Pt 5

Odion: Ever since I was old enough to remember, I wanted to join my adopting family as a Tomb Keeper. But Marik's father would not even think about it. To him, I was a monstrosity, unfit for being part of his family. When he was killed when Marik's dark side first emerged, despite my fear at seeing the dark apparition I saw my chance, by suppressing Marik's dark side, I was protecting not only him from it but everyone else from it as well. Over time, I kept my protection duties a secret in the disguise of servitude. But when I was struck by the Winged Dragon of Ra allowing Marik's dark side to emerge, I thought I failed my master…. my brother… but then Marik came to me. I don't know how but he did to make amends for his past transgressions. I realized that he intended to throw it all away. I couldn't stand it. If nothing else, I had to convince him to make one last try to break through his dark side. And so, enlisting the help of another Battle City participant, I made my way to the top of the tower. I only pray it's not too late.

"Marik!" Everyone looked at Odion who had emerged onto the tower.

From the top of the Winged-Dragon of Ra, Yami-Marik grunted, "So you're still alive. Well we were doing just fine without you but if you can stay on your feet for a few moments, you can witness my triumph over the wretched Pharaoh and the demise of my weak side!"

"What's he doing here?" Harold asked as Amara came over to them.

"This guy was literally crawling to get here," Amara explained. "He probably would still be on the ship if I hadn't lent him a hand."

Odion started to stagger up to the dueling platform but fell onto his knees. Joey started to run up to him but Ishizu stopped him. "Odion must do this," she explained. "It may be the only way to save Marik."

"Evil Spirit," Odion called. "Release my Master now!"

"It's too late," Yami-Marik replied. "I have already claimed his body and the Shadow Realm will soon claim his soul!"

"That's not true! I've returned to make sure Marik's gentle spirit prevails."

"You'll do no such thing," Yami-Marik said and used the Millennium Rod to slam Odion into a wall.

Harold took a step forward but then turned to look at Yami. The look in Yami's eyes said that the time was not right. Harold retracted his step.

Odion got up. "Marik," he called again. "You must fight the evil within! We've done it once before and we can do so again!"

"No you can't!" Yami-Marik used the Millennium Rod to plow Odion into the wall again. This time, the impact left an imprint in the wall. Again Harold looked at Yami and again Yami shook his head. "You can do nothing to stop me!"

"Odion!" Ishizu ran over to him. "Are you all right?"

"I'll be fine, Ishizu." Odion stood once again. "Marik, I beg of you, fight this evil side with all your might. You're the one who created it and you're the one who can destroy it!"

What was left of Marik faded away.

"Be silent!" Yami-Marik commanded. "Let's see how well you fair when you're under my control!"

Harold looked at Yami for a third time. This time Yami nodded his head. Harold nodded back and fired his Armlet at the ground. The pressure built up and shot Harold into the air towards Yami-Marik. "I'll take that," he said and laid a hand on the Millennium Rod. The two started a tug of war over the Rod.

"Let go, you fool!" Yami-Marik shouted. "I'm the only one who can master the Millennium Rod."

"I don't think you deserve it, three-eyes," Harold said. "As the Avatar, I'll fulfill my mission to protect the Items from the hands of creeps like you!" Harold twisted the end of the Rod that he was holding, the ball end. The Rod came apart and Harold was flung over the Winged Dragon and, unfortunately for Harold, the edge of the Tower.

"HAROLD!" His friends cried as Harold disappeared over the edge.

"He's gone," Tristan said solemnly.

"I can't take this any more," Tea said turning away.

"Anyone lose a contact lens?" A voice called from the edge. Kaiba and Mokuba, who were the closest to the source, looked over and saw Harold holding on to the Millennium Rod dagger which was embedded in the side of the Tower. "And you thought Joey was the only one with luck." He pulled himself up until he was standing on the Rod and then vaulted himself onto the top of the tower. He then reached down and pulled the Millennium Rod dagger out. "Sorry, Kaiba, but I think I nicked your precious Dueling Tower."

Yami-Marik held out his hand towards Harold. "Imbecile, the Rod must be combined and since I hold the other half." The dagger started to drag Harold towards the Winged Dragon of Ra.

"One chance left," Harold said and slammed his Armlet against the dagger. In a flash of light an orb of glowing symbols appeared where the dagger was.

"What have you done?"

"I locked the Rod's power away. No more mind control, no more sending souls to the Shadow Realm."

Yami-Marik screamed in outrage then he screamed again, this time in pain and surprise. His hand went up and covered the spot where his eye was missing. "No, this can't be happening… I've come too far to lose my grip now. I'm the true Marik and I won't be overpowered by my weaker side."

"Yes," Marik agreed. "I won't be overpowered by my weak side." With a scream of pain, Yami-Marik's hand lowered. Original Marik's eye had filled the gap. "Pharaoh, attack me quickly!" The voice also belonged to Original Marik.

"I won't," Yami refused.

"Please, Pharaoh, I'm begging you, attack me! I don't know how much longer I can hold on and I need your help to banish my dark side forever. I'm sorry for everything I put you and your friends through. As a Tomb Keeper, I was responsible for guarding the secret of your memories until you return and I always resented that task! But that resentment gave birth to my dark side. Now I'm finally ready to accept the repercussions for my actions and correct the wrongs I've committed!"

"It's not your fault," Harold called. "You couldn't control the circumstances around you!"

"Please, Pharaoh, you must attack me!"

"We can't," Yugi told Yami. "If we do, we could risk sending the good Marik side to the Shadow Realm!"

"We have no choice, we must trust him. I call upon Dark Magician and Dark Magician Girl to activate the magic of Ragnarok! By removing all the monsters in my hand, deck, and graveyard from play, I can destroy all of my enemy's monsters!"

The spirits of all of Yugi's monsters appeared. The Magnet Warriors, the Knights, even Joey's dragon, all came out and formed a circle in the air.

"I never seen this before," Mokuba admitted.

"No, this can't be happening!" Yami-Marik cried as Kuriboh scoffed him.

"You and your Egyptian God are through," Yami told Yami-Marik acidly.

Slifer wrapped his coils around Ra's lower section. Obelisk got Ra into a sleeper hold. The monsters formed a circle in the sky. The two remaining monsters, Dark Magician and Dark Magician Girl, crossed their staffs and shot a combined dark magic attack. The black energy orb struck Yami-Marik and he disappeared from sight. The explosion engulfed Yami-Marik's side of the field. Obelisk and Slifer emerged from top of the smoke and carried Ra into the glowing circle. The circle exploded in a big flash of light.

"He did it," Amara cried. "He finally defeated Ra!"

"Does that mean he won the duel?" Tea asked.

"Not yet," Joey answered.

For once Kaiba agreed, "Marik still has one life point left so it's not over."

(Y: 700)
(M: 1)

"Destroying the Winged Dragon of Ra should've destroyed Marik's dark side," Yami commented.

"But what about his good side, did it go as well?"

"We're about to see."

Slowly, the dust cleared on Yami-Marik's side of the field. The outline of a full body could be made out. Soon, the smoke was fully cleared and the person was revealed.

It was Marik.

Original Marik.

"Is that… the good Marik?" Tea asked.

Odion smiled, "Yes, my Master has succeeded."

"But if that's him then where's the evil Marik?" Harold asked.

A single eye appeared hovering over the field. It was Yami-Marik's eye.

"You did it, my Pharaoh," Marik said grasping his chest in pain. "But it is not over; there is still one more thing the two of us must do." He threw off his cloak. "I still have 1 life point left."

"No, wait, you can't," Yami-Marik's voice protested. "We can still win this! He has only two monsters left while we still have a whole deck. We should work together to beat Yugi and have our revenge! We can take the infinite power of the Pharaoh and rule the world together!"

Ignoring his darker half, Marik said to Yami, "Pharaoh, I must again apologize for my actions against you and your friends. It was my duty to help you but instead I turned my back like a coward. I'm proud of being a Tomb keeper." He cast a side-glance at Odion and Ishizu. "Just as I am proud of my sister and brother."

It took Odion a second to realize that Marik called him brother. Not servant, not friend, but brother. "Thank you, Marik."

"My family has waited three thousand years for you to return and now I must fulfill my destiny by helping you fulfill yours."

"No, don't tell him anything!" Yami-Marik commanded.

Again, Marik ignored him, "I hold the key to helping you unlock your memories. The secret is implanted on my back. But before I reveal it, you must be in possession of all three Egyptian God Cards. I will honor the Ishtar name by surrendering the duel."

"No, stop, you need me!"

He laid his hand on his Duel Disk. "I surrender the duel."

"NOOOOOOOOO!"

(Y: 700)
(M: 0)

What was left of Yami-Marik disappeared. The shadow dome also disappeared. Yugi was restored to his rightful place at Yami's side.

"Well done, Pharaoh, you saved the world."

Yami shook his head, "It wasn't just me it was all of us." He looked around at the others. "I wouldn't have been victorious without all of your help."

"The Battle City Tournament is now over. The winner is Yugi Moto!" Roland shouted.

"Finally, he says something I agree with," Harold said as he, Joey and the others crowded around Yami.

"That was amazing the way every monster came out of your deck," Amara said.

Yes, Yami mentally agreed. My monsters, I couldn't have won without them… without all my friends.

"That was sa-weet, Yug, you're the man! Up high!" Joey and Yami high-fived.

"Ishizu, I'm so sorry for everything I put you through," Marik said.

"It does not matter," Ishizu said. "All that matters is you're safe and you've returned to the way you were."

"Can… can the three of us start over and build a new life for ourselves?"

"Yes, it's time for our family to step into the light and live with the rest of mankind." She cast a side glance at Odion. "All three of us."

"Thank you," Odion said. "I am honored to finally be part of your family."

"You were always a part, Odion," Ishizu said. "Even though our father did not say so, Marik and I say so and that makes you a full-fledge member of the Ishtar family."

Odion sniffed and wiped a tear from his eye.

"As the organizer of Battle City Tournament, I guess I should say a few words to the victor," Kaiba said. "Yugi, congratulations on your victory, even though it was only due to Marik's forfeit."

"Kaiba…" Yami threw the Fiend Sanctuary card to Kaiba. "Did I pass your test?"

"You weren't able to use it to beat the Winged Dragon of Ra," Kaiba pointed out. "But you were able to use its abilities to their maximum potential and for that I commend you. You truly deserve the title of King of Games. But be warned, with the title and championship status also comes with a heavy burden. People will stop at nothing to duel you and take that title away from you including yours truly. But don't worry I won't try to take away that title today."

"There are things I need to do," Marik said. Harold swatted the glowing orb and released the Millennium Rod. It flew into Marik's hand. Marik reconnected the Rod and held it up. "Millennium Rod, I beseech you, release the spirits of Yugi's friends trapped in the Shadow Realm." Two specks of light came out of the Rod and disappeared. Marik went over to Yami and his friends. "All of your friends who my dark side had sent to the Shadow Realm are now free."

Joey and the others cheered. "That's great!" Joey cried.

"Thank you," Yami said.

"Yes, thank you indeed," a sinister voice said like a whisper in the wind.

"Pharaoh, as per the rules of the Battle City Tournament, I now turn over the third Egyptian God Card to you." He handed Yami the Winged Dragon of Ra. Yami held it next to the other two.

"Awesome," Yugi exclaimed. "We now have all three. But now that we do, what do we do with them?"

"I have one more mission to perform before my mission is done," Marik said taking off his shirt.

A/N: I should point out that this episode of Avatar now features free buckets for drooling fan-girls at the sight of Marik's mild form of nakedness.

"Here is the secret of the Pharaoh's memory. These markings engraved onto my back have been passed down through my family for the past 3000 years." Everyone gasped. The markings covered most of Marik's back. It looked strangely familiar.

"We were taught long ago that when the Pharaoh saved the world from eternal darkness, he wiped his memory clean in the process," Ishizu explained. "The reason for this is not known to us or our father. Our ascendants predicted that one day he would need his memories and with it, the ultimate power concealed within the Millennium Puzzle. To do it, all you have to do is read the words."

"Can you read that chicken scratch, Yug?" Joey asked.

"I'll try," Yami said. He leaned in and stared at the mark. Oh no, I can't read a thing! But something about it… wait a minute that looks like the stone tablet. Perhaps the key to unlocking my memories has to do with the stone tablet and the three Egyptian God Cards. But it still doesn't explain the relationship between the two. One thing's for certain, the stone tablet is the key to unlocking my memories.

"My mission is now complete," Marik announced and put his shirt back on. "Pharaoh, I have one more thing to give you. As per the rules of the Shadow Games, I turn over all of the Millennium Items in my possession. The Millennium Rod and the Millennium Ring." He handed the two items over.

"Four items," Yami muttered.

"You will receive the other three soon enough," Ishizu assured him.

"All right, this victory celebration has gone on long enough," Kaiba said harshly. "The Battle City Tournament is now over and if you want a free ride home, I suggest you board the ship now. Because if anyone is left behind Kaiba Corp. will not be responsible for their safety. In one hour, this tower and the entire island will be destroyed!"

Everyone including the Ishtars gasped. "Are you serious?" Amara asked.

"Perfectly serious," Kaiba returned. "In one hour, this tower will explode so get on the ship and go home."

"But the engines haven't been fixed yet," Tea protested.

"I'm sure they're fixed by now," Mokuba assured her. He turned to Roland, "Right?"

"Uh… well… actually…" Roland stuttered.

As the Kaiba Brothers left, Joey and Tristan crossed their arms. "Can you believe that sore loser?" Joey asked.

"Tell me about it," Tristan agreed. "He loses so he decides to trash the place."

"Kaiba needs to go through with this," Ishizu told them. "To bring his own ghosts to rest. He has helped save the world, now he needs to save his soul from being consumed by hatred. He needs to do this to save himself and his brother."

"Well when you put it that way…" Joey trailed off.

"Hey, don't you have some friends to see?" Amara asked.

"Mai!" Joey cried like he just remembered her. He ran off with the others following.

Kaiba and Mokuba arrived at a control panel deep within the tower. "Activate the detonators," Kaiba instructed.

"Roger," Mokuba acknowledged. They began activating the consol. "Is an hour enough time to get away?"

"The ship leaves now," Kaiba said decisively.

"Fine by me, everyone should be a good distance away by that time." Two small panels opened to reveal a thumb-size platform and a card slot. The Kaiba Brothers each placed a thumb on one of the platforms causing it to light up.

"Mokuba, are you sure…"

"Seto, you proven that you can rise above our step-father's teachings. For doing that, I'll gladly aid you in putting our step-father's spirit to rest."

"Then it's time for the final command." The Kaiba Brothers took their lockets and inserted it into each of the two card slots. They turned them like keys. A time appeared on the screen.

59:57:11

"Let's go," Kaiba said. He cast a side glance at the control panel. "Rest in peace, Gozaburo." He then left.

Joey ran into Mai's room. "Mai…" He skidded to a halt. Mai was still lying in bed. Kevin was facing a corner and Serenity was crying into her hands. "Mai… Kevin, Serenity, is… is she…?"

Kevin shook his head.

Joey's face paled. "No, we… we were too late?… But Yugi won, she should… Mai…" Joey fell across Mai's bed. "Mai, I'm so sorry. I would do anything to have you back," he sobbed.

"Aww, all this over little ole' me, I'm flattered," a bubbly voice said. Joey suddenly felt himself grabbed in a head lock.

"Huh, what, who, where…" He looked up to see Mai smiling down at him and holding his head at her hip.

Serenity took her hands away from her face. Her sobs were really laughter. Kevin turned around, a goofy grin on his face. "I can't believe you were worried about me," Mai said to a flustered Joey. She looked at Serenity and Kevin. "Thanks, you two, you played your parts perfectly."

Harold's jaw dropped. "You mean this was an act?"

"We just couldn't resist," Serenity said.

"That wasn't cool," Duke said.

"I know, but it was worth it to see the look on his face." Mai nuzzled Joey's head. She then looked up at Yami-Yugi. "Hey Yugi, congratulations on your win and… thanks for the loan."

Yami-Yugi nodded knowing she was talking about the Millennium Energy he gave her so she could summon the Winged Dragon of Ra to the field. "Thanks, Mai, and you're welcome."

"Uncle," Joey called tapping furiously on the bed.

"Oh, sorry," Mai said and released his bed.

"Well that was a lot of nerve," Joey said as the group left and headed for the kitchen.

"I'll agree with her on one thing: it was worth to see the expression on Joey's face," Amara said.

"Don't encourage her," Joey said. "Hey Yugi, what was that loan she was talking to you about?"

"It's a long story, Joey," Yami-Yugi said. "I'll explain later."

"Remind me not to ask," Joey whispered to Amara who nodded.

They entered the kitchen and came upon an unusual sight. Bakura was sitting on the floor surrounded by food. "Bakura!"

"Hi, guys," he greeted.

"What are you doing raiding the refrigerator?" Joey asked.

"I was gone for a long time," Bakura said between bites. "There's not much food in the Shadow Realm."

"Looks like things are back to normal," Harold said.

"Yeah, but is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Tea asked as Tristan and Duke tried to snitch a crumb from Bakura's pile.

They left and went to the bridge. "So Captain, what do you say we blow this pop stand?" Harold asked Roland.

"Mister Kaiba and Mokuba are not aboard yet," he said apprehensive. "We're not leaving without them."

Immediately Tristan and Duke cornered him. "Have you forgotten this island is set to blow in less than an hour?" Tristan asked sternly.

"You don't think…" Amara began.

"I don't think Kaiba was that upset about losing to Yugi," Harold said

"Kaiba's not that dumb," Joey said. "I'm sure he's probably hopping his own private jet right now."

"We can't take that chance," Roland said.

Tristan sighed frustrated, "Fine, we'll go look for them. In the mean time, start those engines so we can make a last second getaway."

"Don't leave without us," Duke called back as they left the bridge.

Roland turned to the pilot and nodded. The pilot pressed the start button.

Nothing happened.

The pilot tried again but still nothing happened. "Nothing's happening," he cried. "Now what?"

The timer reached 45 minutes.

The End