A/N: Here's the alternative ending (I'm warning you now, I think this chapter's longer than the usual) since most of the reviewers really want me to write one. I just hope it's good enough to please everyone. I swear I'm going to kill my computer (if it was alive) for malfunctioning for a couple of hours; reason for me to lose all the work I've been doing for the past days! Stupid computer… argh

Okay, on with the chapter!

Chapter 23: The Final Stand

He knew the moment he opened his eyes that something was wrong. He knew that somehow, Hasan made a miscalculation. The young monarch rose from bed, ignoring the desire to snuggle back to his still-sleeping cousin. No sunray has reached the window of the balcony yet and he knew everyone was still asleep.

No matter how he denies it, he couldn't help feel as if something horrible will happen. It was his last day on Earth—tomorrow, when the sun will rise; he will die. He will finally stop the last of the plagues of his kingdom. He will save his people—his Seth.

With a sigh, Atemu stared at his dozing cousin solemnly, feeling his depression heighten with each passing minute, before reaching for the door. He needs some time alone to think.

Isis raced through corridors, darted passed hallways, controlling herself from running in panic. How could this happen? How can Hasan perform the wrong calculations? Did he not know the danger of such mistakes? She was headed to the other priests' chambers to inform them of the bad news when she heard a blast and her blood ran cold.

Atemu, who was sitting in front of the stone tablet of the Dark Magician, sat up immediately the moment he heard the sound. His heart started pounding madly as if he knew what was going on. Before he comprehended what was happening, the ground beneath him shook and his temple started to collapse on him.

Seth opened his eyes with a jolt and sat upright the moment he realized his cousin was not beside him. It wasn't even daytime yet! The sound—that seemingly blast—woke him up. Curiosity took over and he stole a glance at the balcony, his eyes widening in horror as he caught sight of the pharaoh's temple collapsing. By instinct, he made a dash towards the building; somehow knowing his beloved was there.

The pharaoh stared at the falling rubble, unable to move. Was this how he was supposed to die? The entrance was barricaded shut and he didn't know of any other possible ways to escape. So this is goodbye, then…

As he squeezed his eyes shut before impact, he felt himself being lifted in the air, saving him from the rather untimely death bestowed upon him earlier. Feeling the need to find who (or what) saved him, his eyes widened in surprise, which turned to relief, as he gazes at brown eyes.

"Thank you, Mahado," he said, "Thought I was doomed back there," he added. Mahado gave him a small smile before landing in front of the panting Seth, who obviously ran all the way to the palace.

"Atemu, you're safe!" Seth cried in relief before pulling his cousin into his arms. He was beyond relieved, really. It scared him. He knew he wouldn't know what to do if his Atemu would die without him doing something.

The pharaoh returned the affection although his mind, now full awake, started to race. What had caused that earthquake? Surely it wasn't the wrath of the gods. They didn't do anything that might have offended anyone of them.

"My pharaoh, High Priest Seth," Mahado acknowledged even though he hated ruining the moment, "This is not the perfect time or place for that," he explained when the two young lovers looked at him.

Although confused, the couple broke away and waited for the other to continue. Mahado met his pharaoh and priest's confused gaze before answering, "He has been resurrected, sire. It has begun."

Isis and Karimu searched frantically from room to room for Shadi, who was still nowhere to be found. They knew Zork has been resurrected and that the ritual must be performed soon. Hasan has miraculously vanished, much to their dismay. And the pharaoh and High Priest Seth have yet to be informed. What had they done to deserve this?

"There must be a way to stall him until the ritual is performed," Karimu breathed as they closed the last door in the hall. Isis met his gaze, "I wish I knew, High Priest Karimu," she answered. Where can that priest be?

The other priest sighed as they ran to look for their pharaoh, instead. Shadi would just have to wait. From a distance, a lone rider raced through time as he nudged his horse to run faster. He did it! The pharaoh will be glad.

"How is it possible?" Atemu demanded as his two priests appeared just in time before they entered the throne room. Seth was scowling at the news, and so did Mahado. He figured it was a bad thing since he never saw the two scowl at the same thing ever.

"We know not, sire, except that Hasan might have miscalculated," Karimu said, getting used to the tone of voice their pharaoh was currently using. Even he was surprise when he learned of the same thing. One must not commit mistakes about something as big as this!

Isis sighed, if only she knew a way to stop this. Everyone knew how clearly upset she was, she was, after all, closest to the pharaoh next to Seth and Mahado. She couldn't help but slightly despise Hasan. How could he make a mistake? Did he not know of the consequences?

Atemu sighed in defeat. What else can possibly go wrong? What else! This wasn't funny; he wanted the gods, every one of them, to know that. He was beyond angry. He was furious! First he gets a doomed fate and then he finds out the ritual has to be performed a day earlier! What else!

Seth didn't know how to react. What can he say anyway? 'Don't worry, we'll figure out something'? Crap. This wasn't what he was expecting. He had the day planned. He had everything figured out. Until they found out about Hasan's big mistake. Damn him. How could he make a freaking mistake? Didn't he care about the pharaoh? He was supposed to be the pharaoh's guardian. How can he miscalculate something like this?

"Leave us," Atemu ordered, indicating for everyone to leave him and Seth alone. He must do this. Seth has to understand… again. He found himself unable to meet his cousin's gaze. How can he meet the other's gaze only to tell him that he has to perform the ritual now? After everything has been well thought of and carefully planned?

"I know what you're going to say, Atemu," Seth said, breaking the rather awkward silence enveloping them. The monarch met his gaze as if waiting for him to approve something, which obviously will not be agreed to. But did he have a choice? They were after all mere pitiful victims of the gods' wicked sense of humor.

"I do not have the heart to agree with you, Atemu," he added, noticing how the other's face fell, "But I know I have no choice but to perform whatever I was assigned to perform."

Then silence ruled again. He didn't receive a response from the pharaoh—it was as if his cousin was expecting him to decline. It was as if the pharaoh wanted to back out now. He eyed his crimson-eyed cousin, who was refusing to meet his gaze, "Atemu, please, look at me," he whispered gently.

Uncertain blood-red eyes met soft cerulean ones, exposing every raw emotion he was feeling: uncertainty, defiance, confusion, fear, concern, and the list goes on. "You know you're the only person who has to make the decision, right?" Seth asked, his voice neutral, taking no sides, whether to encourage or discourage the other from the sacrifice.

"Yes, I know that, cousin," Atemu whispered before burying his head on the other's chest, "I wish we can just stay like this," he added quietly.

"Sire!"

The couple broke away at the sound and turned to the door, where the sound was coming from. There came Shadi, who was gasping for air, with Isis and Karimu behind him with a triumphant smile on their faces. Does this mean—?

"What is it, Shadi?" Atemu asked, his heart racing. What news can Shadi bring? Shadi made his way towards the throne, where his king stood. He had done it. He had found a way to—

"Come on, Shadi, must you let us all wait?" the mentioned priest stopped midway to look at their fallen friend, who was casually playing with his staff. "It's nice to see you again, Mahado," he answered, pleased to see the other smile, before announcing, "I found a way to defeat Zork."

"What?" Seth and Atemu cried.

"It turns out, sire, that Hasan, although he made a mistake in predicting when Zork wil be resurrected, was partially correct about Zork having a weakness," Shadi explained.

"Which is?" Seth asked, his impatience getting the better of him.

"Darkness is cast upon the world when all the light has vanished," the priest said as everyone looked at him, "But at the same time, it can also diminish when all that is good—light—has returned."

Everything seemed to make sense. All they have to do is figure out which light was needed and Zork can be stopped. "What do we need?" Atemu asked.

"Only the person whose soul is pure and full of hope and light can defeat an entity void of any beacon," Shadi said, knowing how Seth hated him talking in riddles, "You must defeat him in terms of battle, sire. You are the beacon of hope, whose soul can be compared with the purest of those of the gods."

Atemu felt his smile slowly vanish, his mind going back to what Bakura did to him. How can he be pure when he was already dirty when he was still young?

"How much time do we have?" Seth asked, frowning at the lack of response from his pharaoh, however, he failed to notice the other's expression, "And this time, give us the correct one."

"We have until before sunset," Shadi replied, dropping the riddle-talk. It was beginning to be very exhausting anyway.

Atemu said or did nothing but agreed to whatever plans his priests were planning. He will face his fear. He must do this, no matter the consequence. A few hours later, he found himself waiting for the so-called "dark lord" to appear. Seth and the other priests were behind him with the entire army.

Mahado hovered protectively above him with Mana's ka, the Dark Magician Girl, as they wait for the enemy to arrive. And then they felt it. They felt every tremor and every quake as the ground beneath them shook, as the sky rumbled and roared. This was only the beginning. Darkness slowly covered the land, eating the setting sun and marking a constant fear.

"Ready, Mahado?" Atemu asked. He must take control of the situation, just like his father would have done. He has to be strong and make sure the enemy will not find his weakness.

There, with two intertwining snakes hissing dangerously coiled on his body appeared Zork with all his malice and evil. "Fools, you cannot defeat me!" he howled.

"I will not allow you to taint this land with your darkness. Be gone, Zork!" Atemu ordered. He got a bellowed laugh in return, "Do you really expect me to be afraid of you, pharaoh? You, whose powers, cannot compare even to one-half of mine?" Zork taunted before laughing again, which only caused Atemu to narrow his gaze.

"We'll see," Atemu whispered before calling on the three gods of Egypt. Everyone looked in awe as one by one, majestically the gods appeared. "Attack!" the pharaoh ordered, pointing at the offender.

He, however, failed to see a blast fired upon him by Zork until he was pushed away, his eyes widening. "Karimu!" he cried as they ran to the fallen priest's side. Karimu smiled weakly, "I am glad to have performed my duty," he coughed, "I am glad that I have come to meet you all… and to have served you, your majesty," and then he fell limply in Shadi's arms.

Atemu bowed his head, offering a silent prayer and a promise to avenge the other's death. Why must they all sacrifice themselves for someone who wasn't as pure as they expect him to be? Somehow, he'll find another way to defeat Zork.

Shadi, in anger, called out his monsters, followed by Seth, who called upon his own. Together they called an attack along with the three gods, fate be damned. Isis watched in horror as the two priests were thrown back when Zork humiliatingly threw the priests' monsters away.

Atemu, whose anger was blazing hot, felt the sudden urge to kill. "Mahado, help them!" he ordered and satisfyingly watched as his friend charged with the others. Where was the Winged dragon of Ra?

A dying roar caught his attention before he fell to his knees, gasping in pain as he felt Slifer being slammed to the ground. His chest constricted painfully as he coughed out some blood. This isn't good.

Seth was immediately at his side, helping him stand up, "Thanks," he whispered before ordering his monsters to attack again. The battle continued for hours, neither dark lord nor pharaoh surrendering to exhaustion. Deep inside, Atemu's heart raced, why couldn't he call on Ra? Was he not worthy to call on the sun god?

A laugh caught his attention and he turned towards the origin, wondering why Zork had the will to laugh when it was obvious no one was winning. "I know you're wondering why you can't call on your god," Zork answered. Atemu's eyes widened.

"I am darkness, which was created by all evil that resides in your hearts, especially yours, pharaoh," Zork said. The pharaoh was confused. "You cannot destroy me for I am the darkness in you," he added.

"I am not evil, unlike you!" Atemu retorted.

"Whoever said you are? As long as you're not that good as everyone sees you to be, I am alive," Zork answered with a laugh, "Your thoughts created me—"

"No! I never thought of killing my people!"

"But you did thought of killing anyone when your priest died, did you not?"

Atemu was taken aback. How—? He could feel Seth's confused gaze boring holes at the back of his head. Zork hollered. This was going to be easy. All it took was to break the pharaoh into tinier pieces and he will be victorious.

Mahado met the pharaoh's gaze, as if indicating him to continue the battle. He frowned, however, when Atemu refused to do anything. "Atemu, what are you doing? We must defeat him!" Seth said in worry. What was going on? Why was his cousin reacting badly to whatever Zork said?

"Defeat me? You?" Zork answered, "No one can defeat me!"

"Atemu can! He has the purest of souls—" Seth argued.

"Purest? Ha—that weakling who can't even fight off the one who took all that was left in him? You're making me laugh, priest!"

Seth gasped before his surprise turned into anger. How dare that monster insult his beloved? No one, definitely not even this ugly deformed monster, insults the one he loves. Reciting a small incantation, he concentrated on calling on the Blue Eyes White Dragon.

"Blue Eyes, attack him!" Seth ordered.

"Fool, you will die of your stupidity!" Zork counter-attacked with one of his own. The blast, however, was stronger than that of Blue Eyes, and Seth found himself facing his death.

"No!" Atemu cried before running towards his cousin to block the attack. Mahado, seeing this, closed his eyes to perform the quickest of spells. The blast repelled and hit the only person who was nearest the couple—him.

Atemu's eyes widened as he saw Mahado taking the attack. "No, Mahado!" Before he knew it, he was already by his fallen best friend's side, "How could you be so foolish to take that blast, Mahado!" he reprimanded, tears forming in his eyes.

"Don't worry, Atemu… I trust in you, you will defeat him," Mahado manage to say before turning to look at Seth, "Take care of him for me, Seth," he said before vanishing like all monsters who fall in the battlefield.

Atemu fell on his knees, every emotion that was bottled up inside flowing through his veins, giving him enough energy to resolve into anger. "Aww… how truly sweet," Zork mocked, "Can we proceed now? I really want to end this now, you know."

"You will pay, I promise you; I will make you pay!" Atemu shouted, pulling himself to his full height, "Obelish, attack!" he ordered, seeing the god obey his order immediately. Zork blocked the attack and blasted something at the god, resulting for the pharaoh to fall and cough up blood. Seth ran towards him, "No, stay away, Seth!" he ordered, Seth abruptly stopping.

"I will not give up," Atemu whispered as he slowly dragged himself up.

"You're pathetic," Zork said before aiming at the vulnerable pharaoh. Shadi, seeing this, immediately called on his monster, the Curse of Dragon, to attack the other. He, however, wasn't strong enough as the blast hit him.

"Shadi!" they cried. Isis ran towards the priest's side, "Are you alright, Shadi?" Said priest tried to control his breathing as he gasp for air, this was his end. "I am sorry, your majesty," he said before he breathed his last breath.

"No, Shadi!" Atemu cried, this cannot be happening. He cannot lose them all. There has to be a way— a miracle of some sort.

Are you really that wimpy, Aoujii?

Atemu's eyes widened. There was only one person who called him that name and as far as he was concerned, that person was already dead. How—?

Don't tell me you already forgot everything about me. Just because you're pharaoh doesn't mean you can forget everyone who helped you along the way, you know.

It was definitely him! "Bakura, what the hell are you doing here?" he said as the Tomb robber's soul appeared in front of him. Bakura shrugged nonchalantly, not caring if everyone can see him. He had a mission to fulfill anyway.

Fine, if you don't want my help, just say it. I can just help that oversized elephant there, you know.

"No, I apologize, now tell me, what are you doing here?" Atemu asked, forgetting the fact that here, in front of him, was the main reason as to why he cannot call on the Winged Dragon of Ra.

I told you I'm helping you, didn't I or should I shout in your ear to make sure you hear it? That big oaf there—Zork—he's telling you lies, I was expecting you know that already, guess I was wrong.

Atemu met Seth's gaze, recognizing how furious the other was, "Well tell me now how I can defeat him!" Atemu said.

Fine… geez… didn't know you could be that impatient! Just concentrate, that god was probably testing you or something.

Atemu saw the other starting to vanish, "Bakura, you're—"

I know. Bakura answered before whispering in the other's ear, I'm sorry for what I did years ago. Just so you know, I loved you even if you loved that arrogant priest of yours. And then he was gone.

The pharaoh gaped at the vanishing form before gathering his composure. Before he knew it, Seth was already beside him, "What did that tomb robber do? Did he harm you?" he asked in concern.

Atemu shook his head, "No, he didn't do anything to harm me," he answered before facing Zork again. "This time, I'll make sure you won't kill anyone anymore," he said.

"Words are cheap, show me what you've got, weakling," Zork retorted.

Atemu closed his eyes, chanting the prayer, deeply hoping it would work. A few seconds later, the sky began to sing with thunder as light slowly appeared from above. He opened his eyes, glad to see that he was finally succeeded on calling the last god.

"NO! I will not allow this to happen!" Zork said before blasting at the pharaoh. Atemu watched as the blast aimed for him, it was over then? Before he knew it however, someone had already blocked it for him.

Why must you always get yourself into trouble, Aoujii? Bakura retorted, This is goodbye… have fun with your priest, pharaoh.

Atemu blinked as finally, the tomb robber vanished, just in time for him to see the last god attack Zork, who slowly faded away with the coming of the light. Zork was lying, he figured it out.

Everyone cheered as Zork died. It was over. They had defeated him. But with a terrible price. Seth ran towards his cousin, pulling him into an embrace, "I'm so glad you're safe," he whispered. Atemu embraced him back although he couldn't help but feel responsible for the death of his comrades.

"Seth?"

"Yes, Atemu?"

"Why aren't you angry?"

"And why must I be angry?"

"I was the reason why they died."

Seth smiled, although that sad look was still slightly present in his eyes, "Every war has its risks. Every miracle has its cost, and us, we're just one of the many witnesses to that."

Atemu smiled before burying his head on the other's chest, smiling to himself when he felt the other kiss him. All was done now, "Seth?" he asked again.

"Yes, dear Atemu?"

"Do you still want to kill Bakura coz' I don't think I want to kill him anymore. He did help me in defeating Zork and –"

"Atemu?"

"Yes, Seth?"

"Shut up," Seth said before sealing the other's lips in a kiss. They both know what the priest's answer was…

Well, if they still didn't…

What's the use of the years before them if they didn't have anything to think about, right?

"Love, wake up," Yami was awoken by the sound of his husband's voice as he moan and pull himself into a sitting position. Seto smiled at him brightly, he didn't know waking a pharaoh was this hard!

"Where are we?" the former pharaoh asked.

"We're back in the hotel," Seto answered.

"Hotel? Weren't we in Egypt?" Yami asked.

"Yes, and we're still are," Seto replied.

Yami smiled before remembering that odd dream, "Hey, Seto, did you have a dream about—"

"Let me guess, us in Ancient Egypt? Where we have to fight Zork and stop him from destroying the land? Yes, what made you ask?"

"You're annoying and charming, do you know that?" Yami said.

"Tell me something I don't know."

"Hn. Jerk."

A/N: Oh yeah, the part where Bakura asks Atemu if he was that wimpy... hehe... I was inspired by Wolfram of Kyou Kar Maou... Finally! It's over. Don't ask why I suddenly changed the mood. I'm really, really sleepy plus I have school tomorrow so please, do me a favor and don't ask. Although yeah, I kind of intended to include Bakura here. I want this to be a happy ending so therefore, I made our sadist of a tomb robber apologize. Hehe…

Oh man, I just realized. This chapter's 15 pages long… wow! I wasn't expecting that. Maybe this is the effect of facing the computer with no ideas or whatsoever with only the previous chapters as your guide. Oh well…

Can't think of anything else to say only:

Once again, thank you for reviewing and reading this story. Thank you for waiting patiently for me to overcome that damn writer's block and for supporting me all the way.

Yami Val, Aura Serene, Toxic Hathor, Shining-tears, Cherry fantasy, and everyone else, I owe you guys. Love ya:hug: Okay, time for me to think of a new plot before I go to sleep. Night!