Wow. this chapter was hard, especially the end. You pokemon fans may know the reference from the title. 'The time has come' song really does make me cry when I think of this duel (i saw an AMV with this song). Also, 'Friends Never Say Goodbye' from 'the road to el dorado' movie fits way too well too. A suggestion if you guys want some extra feels I suggest listening to those songs.

ok, boring stuff. I don't own Yugioh, just Airi, and my OCs. Special thanks to battousaisgirl16 for proofreading.

Enjoy :)

Chapter 71

The boat docked outside a stretch of desert leading towards a line of rocky hills. The noon sun shone as the group headed into the desert. Item bearers held their items as well as several other members of the Ishtar and Karnak families standing in with the rest of the items.

Despite the sun beating down on them to Airi it felt like everything was in shadow. She walked with the others in a procession leading to a stone building carved into the side of a stone cliff. She had no idea how Yugi look so calm. She thought she was the one with a poker face.

Airi kept checking the two pouches on either side of her belt. Yugi had given them to her before they left the ship. It was Yami and his decks they had created the night before.

"I want you to hold on to these until we're ready." Yugi had said, giving Kaiba a side look as he did so. "I want to eliminate any appearance of tampering with the decks."

Even Seto couldn't argue with that. He'd hovered next to her since they left the boat, to check on her or watch the decks she wasn't sure.

They descended down the stone steps of the temple. The cavern stretched out before them dim and cold like the grave. Airi glanced at Yami standing detached next to Yugi. His eyes wandered to a damaged pillar to the platform steps where the millennium stone rested. Something about his manner was agitated. She wanted to ask, but something in his expression made her stop. He must have noticed her looking at him because he gave a half-smile.

"It looks better then I remember."

Airi glanced around the room. She didn't have any references. But from her training, she could guess at some changes made to the structure through the ages to keep the building up. Despite this, she could still make out some dark stains on the stone floor. She shuttered.

At the far end of the room was a raised platform in front of a gold eye on the wall. A stone with a mummy-like figure in the center stood on this platform with slots in the shape of the different millennium items.

"Each of the bearers must place their item in the stone." Ishizu directed.

The other holding the millennium items approached the stone. First, Ishizu placed the necklace into its slot on the stone. Then followed Marik, then Kelilia. Ryu approached the ring shaking in his hands as he placed it. Nasira had offered to place the millennium eye and she was the fastest to place and return to stand with the others, wiping in hand on her jeans. Odion finished the ritual by placing the key.

At last, it was Yugi's turn. He approached the stone, lifting the puzzle from his neck. He held it in his hands for a long moment before sliding the gold pyramid into place. He back up standing in front of the eye waiting. Airi heard the Ishtar's chanting softly but didn't pay attention. She noticed Yami had taken a position standing next to Yugi.

The stone began to glow than with a rumble the stone sank into the floor. The chanting grew louder as the light spread across the floor. A light erupted below the standing teen. Yami's transparency slowly solidified. Airi heard Tea gasp next to her and she guessed they could now see Yami. There was a moment where the two of them stood like twins. Without warning, there was a sound like a string breaking and Airi shuddered as a chill ran through her body. She realized with horror her connection with Yami was severed. Judging from the slight jerk from Yugi his was gone too.

Another gasp came from the others as Yami changed before their eyes. The line of black hair in the multi-colored hair grew, swallowing the colors like a spreading ink stain. His skin tanned and the clothes shifted until he was left with a black tunic and sandals. The next moment he had become the Yami Airi had seen yesterday. Airi swallowed, refusing to let her emotions come to the surface.

"Now we see him," Kaiba muttered. "Let's see if your brother has what it takes on his own."

Joey handed both of them their duel-disks, lending his to Yami for the duel. Airi detached the two decks from her belt. The first she turned to Yugi holding out one. He accepted, sliding the cards out and placing them in his duel-disk before looking at her. Both shared a nod.

She turned to Yami, holding out the second deck holder. Her fingers brushed his skin as he accepted, his touch feeling just as invisible and lifeless as he had when he was translucent.

Both duelists slipped their cards into their duel-disk, clipping the empty cases onto their belts in mirroring motions.

Both duelists turned and moved to the opposite ends of the platform. Both activated their duel-disks. At this motion, a gold eye appeared on Yami's forehead. Airi swallowed.

Yugi motioned for Yami to go first.

It was dueling on a level Airi had never witnessed before. It was more battle than a game. For each card, one duelist had there was a counter card waiting to deflect. Yami drew and set cards without glancing at them. Despite the ferocity of the plays, Yugi was always ready with his own cards to combat them. She glanced at Kaiba. Even behind his scowl, she could tell he was impressed.

"I'm about to take this duel to the next level," Yami said.

"Knew it," Kaiba said. Airi nodded, guessing what was next.

"I sacrifice three of my tokens to summon Obelisk the Tormentor."

The god monster towered over Yugi's monsters.

Yami ordered Obilik to attack. The joined monster separated and Yugi's life points fell to 1400.

"I told you I wouldn't go easy," Yami said.

Yugi grinned. "When did you ever go easy on me? My turn."

"Wait, he's having fun?" Tea said. "But if he loses Yami can't progress to the afterlife."

"It's still the duel of his life," Joey said. "Let him enjoy it."

Yugi placed three cards face down. "And now I summon Silent Swordsman in attack mode."

"What the heck?" Tristan said. "If he gets attacked by Obelisk the duel is over."

"I end my turn," Yugi said.

Yami cocked an eyebrow. "Obelisk, attack Silent Swordsman."

Airi stiffened as Obelisk wound up his fist for a strike.

"I activate my face down cards, Ground Erosion and Turn Jump. Turn Jump skips both of us three turns ahead without making a move."

Obolisk's fist stopped a few inches from Silent Swordsman's face. Three turns passed making the level Yugi's monster rise from level 0 to 3.

"Impressive Yugi," Yami said. "But it's still less powerful than Obelisk."

"That's what Ground Erosion is for." Yugi motioned to the ground beneath the god monster. "Your monster loses 500 attack points every turn. Three turns have passed and now your monsters are now 2500 attack points the same as mine."

"Big deal," Kaiba said. "So it's at a standstill. He is still fighting a god card."

"Does anything impress you?" Airi said.

"I'm impressed that he's lasted this long without his crutch."

Airi bristled but stayed silent. She couldn't argue with how Yami and Yugi's relationship looked to outsiders. Having two teens playing against one would be considered cheating. None of them saw Yami save Yugi and taking over when it got too overwhelming against monsters. Yugi playing by himself and Yami standing behind him to help. No matter how it looked, this was the here and now. Yugi had to win this. For his and Yami's sakes.

Gasps around them made her look back to the field to see Slifer had join Obelisk along with all three of the card themed knights. Her mouth dropped open. Two? Yugi let Yami have both Egyptian gods in his deck.

Yugi was already ready for this new monster. "I activated my trap card Ambush Shield, by tributing my Red Gadget I add his defense point to my Silent Swordman's attack points." the monster rose to 4000 attack points.

Yugi's friend cheered. His monster was stronger than both the god cards. Airi didn't cheer, watching the playing field closely. There were more monsters in this fight.

"Well played," Yami said. "But your other gadget monsters are vulnerable. Queen's Knight, King's knight, attack Green and Yellow Gadget." both robots were cut down in two swift strikes. Still, Yami wasn't done. "I sacrifice my three knights to summon one last monster."

"Is he?" Kaiba said.

"He is," Marik said

"All three of them?" Airi said.

Yami began to chant. His baritone voice let the ancient chant ring through the chamber. The eye on his forehead glowed as he chanted.

"He knows the chant?" Ishizu said.

Airi could only watch as the light on the field grew brighter.

Yami's voice grew louder as he drew closer to the chant. "I beseech thee, grace our humble game. But first I shall call out thy name, WINGED DRAGON OF RA."

Ra erupted onto the field, hovering above the other two god monsters. Even then Yami still wasn't done. "I play Pot of greed, rising Slifer's attack points to 3000."

"There is no way Yugi's going to make it," Nasira said in awe.

Airi tried to think of a possible way Yugi could face off three god cards at once, but her mind kept coming up blank.

"I've seen enough." Kaiba turned to leave.

"Where do you think you're going?" Joey demanded."

"It's obvious." Kaiba paused but didn't turn back. "One of those twins got all the skills, and had the superior deck."

"You can't leave," Airi said. If Kaiba left now she knew he'd never accept the outcome of the duel if he didn't see it for himself. "I've seen Yugi defeat each of these god monsters. I'm sure he'll find a way to defeat all three of them."

"Save your breath, Airi," Kaiba said. "Even if you can't deny how this duel is going to go. Tell your friend if he wants a rematch I'll be waiting."

"Kaiba!" Yugi's voice sounded through the room. "Give me the decency of watching my defeat. You'll want to know the victor for yourself."

Kaiba turned, giving the duelists another look. He still didn't look impressed but turned back to face the game. "I might as well watch three gods standing together."

Yugi drew his next card. The silence swordsman rose to level 4, now 3000 attack points, still insignificant-looking compared to the god monsters. "I summon my magnet warriors to summon Valkyrion the Magna Warrior."

Slifer's second mouth opened at the appearance of the new monster.

Yugi was ready for that. "I activate my spell card Mirage Spell, which negates Slifer's attack and raises my life points by 2000. Now I place two cards face down and end my turn."

Yami cocked an eyebrow at this move but drew his card without comment. Slifer's attack points rose to 4000. "Slifer, Attack Silent Swordsman."

"You activated my trap." Yugi started to say but Yami shook his head.

"Trap cards don't work on Slifer."

Slifer's blast disintegrated Yugi's monster, dropping his life points to 2400.

"Where's his strategy," Kaiba said.

"Just watch," Airi said.

Yami wasn't finished with his turn. "Ra, attack Valkyrion."

Yugi's life points dropped to 900. Yugi's side of the field was void of monsters and there was still one more Egyptian god to attack. Airi dug her fingers into her arm to keep from cursing. She wouldn't give Seto the satisfaction knowing she was worried.

"Well dueled Yugi." Yami's voice betrayed his sadness. "But this is the end. Obelisk, attack Yugi directly."

"No." Tea voiced all their horror as Obolisk's fist came for Yugi. Airi closed her eyes. Gasps from around her made her look back to the field where both of Yugi's monsters had reappeared and his life points had returned to 3400.

"What?" she said.

"How?" Yami said.

"Remember my trap card?" Yugi said. "Mirage Ruler activates whenever all my monsters are destroyed in one turn. All my monsters and life points return to how they were at the beginning of the turn, costing me 1000 life points." his points dropped to 2400.

Yami smiled. "Well done Yugi."

Airi cheered with the other, turning to Kaiba to see his reaction. Kaiba noticed her watching him and gave a slight shrug. "So he saved his life points for now."

Smiling, Airi turned back to the field. At least Kaiba was starting to admit Yugi was talented.

Yami ended his turn. Yugi let out the breath he'd been holding, along with most of the audience. Yugi drew. Silent Swordsman rose to level 5. He dissolved Volkyrion into the original three monsters.

"Never mind. He's lost it," Kaiba said.

"Yugi knows what he's doing," Airi said, hoping she was correct.

Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Magnet Warrior appeared next to his Silent Swordsman. Again Slifer's second mouth opened to blast the monsters away.

"I activate my Magnet Force Trap card, turning your attack against your monsters."

The attack struck Ra and Obelisk, dropping both of their attack points.

Still Yugi's turn he sent his Silent Swordsman against a weakened Obelisk.

"No," Airi couldn't help saying, seeing the face-down card on Yami's side. Like she suspected Yami activated Mirror Force, blasting Yugi's side of the field and destroying all his monsters.

Everyone gasped around them.

"Idiot," Kaiba muttered.

Airi couldn't believe it. Yugi didn't notice the face down. It was so obvious.

Even Yami looked disappointed. "Great effort, but it's over Yugi. If only you'd predicted my face down card."

Yugi grinned. "I did. Actually I'm ready to take down all your monsters now."

Airi stared between the two, hope returning.

"But that's impossible," Joey said. " He doesn't have any more monsters."

Yami smiled. "Really, Yugi? How?"

Yugi started with Magnet Reverse, allowing him to bring Valkyrion back to the field. Slifer again attacked but the Magnet Force card, still in play, redirected the attack to Obelisk, destroying the god monsters. Kaiba gave a slight groan at his favorite god monsters being destroyed first.

Again Yugi split Valkyrion into three separate monsters and again Slifer had to attack the new monsters. Three blasts meant for Yugi's monsters were blasted back by Magnet Force towards Ra. two blasts took out Ra and the third destroyed Slifer.

There was a moment of stunned silence.

"Wow." Joey finally spoke.

Airi didn't realize she'd been holding her breath until she released it.

Yami's smile was proud. "Well done."

Yugi gave a giddy smile, probably from realizing he'd actually pulled off his plan successfully.

Now it was Yami's turn, and even with the gods gone from the field, he was far from done fighting. He played Polomarization fusing Gazelle and Berfomet to form Chimera the flying mythical beast. The powerful monster had no trouble taking out Alpha magnet warrior.

"The duel is far from over."

"You think Yugi's going to make it?" Bakura said.

"He's got what it takes," Kaiba said.

Yugi looked up, shocked that had come from Kaiba. Airi gave Seto a grateful smile, but he pretended not to notice.

Yugi drew. "I sacrifice Beta and Gamma Magnet warriors to summon Buster Blader." The armored warrior appeared. The fight was already decided as Buster Blader sliced through Chimera.

Yami was ready for this. "I activate Chimera's special ability to bring back one of my fusion monsters, and I bring back Berfomet and sacrifice him to summon Beast of Gilfer. I place a face-down end my turn."

Yugi frowned, eyeing the face down with suspicion as he drew. Airi also felt her anxiety rising. She didn't doubt Yugi, but why had he given Yami the god cards? What else did Yami have in his deck?

"Why would he summon a monster weaker than his past monsters?" Joey said

"It's got to be a trap," Airi said. But there didn't seem to be any other option but to attack Beast of Gilfer.

Yugi set a face-down and sent Buster Blader to slice through Beast of Gilfer with easy. As Airi suspected Yami activated Beast of Gilfer special ability. Buster Blader's attack points dropped by 500 points to 2100 attack points. At least it wasn't anything more than that, Airi thought. Yugi ended his turn

Yami drew then activated the card Awakening from Beyond, allowing Yugi to draw two cards while Yami retrieved a card from his graveyard.

"Have you guessed the card I've brought back?"

Yugi frowned and shook his head.

"I summon Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight."

"But that's level 7," Yugi said. "How did you summon that?"

"Part of its ability, because it was the only card in my hand."

Yugi frowned. "But I didn't put that in my graveyard."

"I placed it there myself." Yami's gold eye flashed.

"How would he know?" Kaiba said. "He already had the most powerful cards in the world. How did he know Yugi would make it."

"He's been playing weird all game," Joey said. "He's not looked at a card he's drawn this entire time.

"Swift Gaia, attack Buster Blader!"

Yugi's monster vanished and his life points dropped to 2200, but he wasn't done. "I activate Soul Rope and summon Witch of the Black Forest from my hand by giving up 1000 life points."

Airi flinched as the life points counter dropped more.

"He's desperate," Tristan said.

"He's not going to win is he?" Tea looked between her fingers.

"Yugi's not stupid," Joey said. "He's done it for a reason."

"To sacrifice," Airi confirmed.

It was Yugi's plan. "I sacrifice my Witch of the Black Forest to summon Summon Skull. When my witch is sent to the graveyard I can transfer a monster from my deck to my hand." he then sent his monster to destroy Swift Gaia. he motioned for Yami to take his turn with a smirk. "Good thing I'm ending my turn now, that your life points are wide open."

Airi's jaw dropped. Is Yugi having some swagger? That was weird. He better not get cocky.

Yami smiled, clearly proud of Yugi's expert moves. He seemed to be the only one seeing the duel as something positive. Airi didn't know how he could be so calm when his soul was at stake, but this was probably less terrifying than most of their ordeals.

He drew and again placed the card without looking at it. "I summon Big Shield Gardna in defense mode."

"He can will his cards into being." Ishizu's voice was in awe. "He's channeling all his power for this duel."

"He can make is cards appear when he wants?" Tea asked. "How is that fair?"

"Yugi still has his cards," Airi stated. "He's been able to hold his own."

"Interesting," Kaiba said. "This pharaoh isn't giving your brother any breaks."

"It will make his victory that more impressive," Airi said.

"We'll see," Kaiba smirked.

Knowing Yami had the power to summon cards to his hand made the game more tense for the viewers. Yugi kept holding his own and even seems to be getting the upper hand. Airi's excitement at Yugi's victory made her heartache at the idea that this was the last time she was going to see Yami. it seemed to be affecting the others too. The boys seemed to be watching the duel with the composer. Tea, however, turned around so she didn't have to watch. Airi and Joey exchanged a look. Airi moved over to the other girl and took her hand.

"It's going to be alright."

"No, it's not." Tea barely held onto her emotions. "We need to stop the duel. The Pharaoh doesn't want to leave."

"We can't. It's the only way to free Yami from the puzzle."

"How can you watch?" Tea hissed. "You're so heartless. Don't you want him to stay? I thought you cared about him?"

Airi dropped her hand and had to keep herself from shaking the other girl for what she said. Did she even understand what was happening here? Thankfully Joey stepped in.

"It's not easy for any of us, Tea. You know we can't stop the duel even if we wanted to."

"I guess so." Tea still didn't turn around. "But why?"

"They've had to face each other. Everything had led to this moment. Every duel, every enemy, every time they've saved our lives. It has to be against each other."

Tea's eyes widened.

Airi continued for Joey. "You've seen how much Yugi's changed over the last few years. Both of them have changed." she took a calming breath and leaned forward so only Joey and Tea could hear. "I don't want to see him go. But I'd rather know he's in the afterlife then trapped in that puzzle forever."

Joey and Tea both looked back at the millennium stone in horror. Joey put his hand on Tea's shoulder. "Come on Tea. Let's support them. No matter how it goes."

Tea nodded, turning back to face the duel. Both girls glanced at each other and Tea slipped her hand into Airi's.

Looking back at the field Airi could tell something was different about Yami's expression. He kept glancing at his deck as if expecting the cards to start moving on their own. Airi caught Yugi's eye. Even he seemed to sense Yami was going to bring out the big guns.

Yami drew. "I play Dark Magic Curtain, allowing him to pay half my life points to summon Dark Magician."

"I thought so," Yugi said.

Airi swallowed. He had the Dark Magician too? It made sense considering their history together, but somehow Yugi facing his favorite monster in the hardest duel of his life seemed unfair.

"This should be good," Kaiba said. "Glad I stuck around."

Yami wasn't done yet. "I play my facedown card Book of Secret Arts raising Dark Magician's attack by 300. Dark Magician, destroy Summon Skull with Dark Magic Attack!"

Yugi's life points dropped to 800. Airi clearly saw the Dark Magician look back and seemed to be talking to Yami. Something in her heart leaped at the thought of the monsters in this game were the real spirits that had been with the Pharaoh from the beginning of all this. She inwardly smacked herself. Of course, it would be the real spirit. This was a shadow game after all.

"He has to go against Dark Magician to win?" Tristan said.

"Why does this seem harder than the God Cards?" Marik said.

Airi felt Tea's handgrip tighter. She squeezed back hoping that was reassuring.

Yugi drew. Placing a monster face down and switched the Curse of Dragon to defense mode and ended his turn.

"That's it?" Kaiba scoffed.

No one contradicted him. It did seem like a desperate move to buckle down Yugi's defenses for an attack.

Yami frowned but didn't comment as he drew. "I activate the magic card Thousand Knives."

"The perfect card," Airi muttered. Getting his memories back made Yami the scariest opponent they'd met so far. He was able to move a card to the top of the deck as he needed. How was Yugi going to beat this?

The knives chopped through the face-down card destroying it and then went Dark Magician to destroy Curse of Dragon.

"He's toast," Tristan noted the lack of monsters on Yugi's side of the field.

"There is away," Kaiba said. "Let's see if he has the guts to pull it off."

Airi hoped he was right.

Yugi drew. "Good move Yami. I summon Blockman in defense mode. I place a face down and end my turn."

"How is he so calm?" Tea muttered.

Even Yami seemed taken aback by Yugi's moves. "I was expecting more from your turn."

Yugi shrugged. "It's what I've got."

Yami drew. "I activate Dark Spear, which allows me to cause damage when attacking defense monsters. Dark Magician, attack Blockman."

"That's going to wipe him out." Tristan yelped.

"I activate my trap card Soul Shield, paying half my life points to negate your attack."

Airi let out the breath she'd been holding. Yugi was alright for the next turn. She gripped Tea's hand harder, willing herself to watch. She hoped Tea didn't choose to run away now. Airi was sure she'd be right behind her all the way to the door.

Yami nodded. "Well done Yugi."

"Thanks," Yugi said. "Now it's time to send Dark Magician packing." he drew. "I play Gold Sarcophagus. I place a card from my deck in this box. If you activate the same card as I placed in this box it will negate it.

Airi's mind raced, trying to figure out which card could be in the box.

Yugi wasn't finished yet. "I activate Blockman's special ability Deconstruction. Since two turns have passed since he's been summoned Blockman splits into two monsters. I sacrifice them to summons Gandora the Dragon of Destruction.

Both Airi and Yami gaped at the giant black and red dragon.

"When did he get that?" Airi said. Yami also voiced the question to Yugi.

"It was in my second deck," Yugi said. "I've had it for a while. It just never really had a reason to have it in our main deck until now."

"A monster like that wasn't in the main deck?" Kaiba scoffed. "Is he really that stupid."

"Shut it." Airi snapped.

"Unfortunately Gandora can only stay on the field for one turn," Yugi said. "But that's all he needs. I sacrifice half my life points to activate Gandora's special ability, Boundless Giga-Rays." red beams shot from the dragon right for Dark Magician.

"I activate Dark Illusion, protecting Dark Magician."

The attack was deflected and Gandora disappeared from the field.

"That was pointless," Kaiba stated.

Yami's turn started. "Dark Magician, attack Yugi's life points directly."

"I activate my trap card, Magician's Circle, allowing me to summon Spellcaster to the field. I summon Silent Magician."

"Smart move," Yami said. "But it doesn't keep me from attacking you. I summon Dark Magician Girl. Dark Magician, resume attack of Silent Magician."

"No." Airi gasped. "He can't end it now. Not this way."

"I activate Spell Textbook," Yugi shouted. "By discarding every card in my hand, I can draw one card from my deck. If it's a magic card I can use it right away."

"He can't guarantee that," Joey said.

Yugi sent his hand to the graveyard and drew. His face lit up in a relieved grin. "I activate the magic card Card of Sanctuary, allowing both of us to draw until we have six cards in our hands."

"How does that help?" Nasira said.

Yugi answered the question in the next move. "I activate Silent Magician's special ability, increasing his attack points for every card you draw." his attack points grew to level 5. "Now, I believe you were attacking."

Airi's eyes widened. If the attack went through Yami was done for.

"I activate Magician Unite, combining my two magicians to attack together."

"But that's still not enough," Joey said.

It wasn't. Even with the attacks combined, the two magicians were destroyed and Yami's life points dropped to 200.

Both duelists were tied with 200 life points. The ending was near. Both seem to know it.

"This will be my final turn," Yami announced.

Everyone looked around in shock.

Airi swallowed. She looked at Yugi, mentally begging him to fix it.

"Thank you for trying Yugi." Yami continued. "You are a gifted duelist. I'll always remember you tried to help me."

Yugi coughed, possibly hiding a sob. "It's not over until the last movie." his voice cracked. "You taught me that."

Yami smiled. "Very true."

Yugi took a deep breath. "Well then, I'm not giving up until the end."

"Well said." Yami nodded. "I activate monster reborn to bring back Slifer the Sky Dragon."

Airi closed her eyes.

Through her eyelids, she noticed a bright light. Gasps around her made her open her eyes to see that the Gold Sarcophagus glowing.

"The card in the box is the same one you just played," Yugi explained. "You played Monster Reborn, which is what i put in the box."

"No." Joey gasped.

Yami stared at the card in disbelief.

Yugi again swallowed. "This negates your spell card, preventing you from summoning Slifer."

"He beat a god card twice in one game." Kaiba sounded impressed despite himself.

While the others around her gaped at what Yugi had just pulled off, Airi's eyes locked on Yami. He stood alone on his side of the field, eyes closed. He seemed at peace despite open to Yugi's final attack. He opened his eyes, smiling as he bowed his head to Yugi. "I end my turn."

Yugi stood motionless, shaking as his eyes shone in the torchlight. Airi blinked her own tears away. This was the moment. She realized Yugi was glancing between her and Yami. was he holding back because he was afraid she'd hate him? She made herself smile and nod at him. She didn't trust herself to speak.

Finally, Yugi spoke, voice cracking on every word. "Silent Magician, attack his life points directly."

Airi and Yami's eyes locked as the light of the attack washed over them. It burned her eyes, but she refused to close them watching his red iris until the attack faded.

The life counter dropped to zero. Yami was defeated. The monsters faded from the field and Yugi fell to his knees. Airi stepped forward but paused as she realized Yami was still there, gold eye fading from his forehead. Yami walked forward until he was in front of Yugi. Tears streamed down the younger teen's face. Yami knelt in front of him, placing a hand on his shoulder. Yugi refused to look up, speaking but Airi couldn't hear what he was saying.

Tea dropped Airi's hand, turning away from the field. Airi looked around. The Ishtars and Karnak families mainly looked in awe at what had just happened. Kaiba barely held on to his surprise. Joey and Tristan stared in shock and admiration at what they had just witnessed.

Turning back to the field, Airi began walking forward climbing onto the platform behind Yugi. Yami was still talking to Yugi, speaking softly so only his host could hear. Yugi nodded, but still didn't look up as Yami helped him to his feet. Airi held back, not wanting to interrupt their last moments together.

Yami unlocked his duel-disk from his arm, retrieving his cards from it before placing it on the ground. Flipping through his cards until he pulled three out, he slipped the rest unto the duel pouch and placed it in Yugi's hand. Turning to the spectators Yami held up the three cards revealing them to be the God Cards.

"These cards are meant to be in the possession of the Heir of the Pharoah's power," he announced, eyes on Kaiba as he spoke. "Defeating me has proven Yugi is the true King of Games and is worthy of this power." He turned back to Yugi holding them out. Yugi finally looked up, shocked as he stared at the cards before him. He took them hand shaking slightly as he slid them into the card pouch.

Airi stepped forward, putting her arm around Yugi's shoulder. Yami picked up the duel-disk walking to the edge of the platform where Joey waited to take it back. The two shook hands. Other members of the group came up to say their goodbyes. Tea wasn't bothering to keep the tears from falling down her face. Yami turned back, eyes meeting Airi's.

"We'll miss you." Airi blinked through the mist in her eyes. "Thank you. For, everything."

The eye carved into the back wall began to glow.

"Yami," Ishizu called out. "You can't stay any longer. The portal won't stay open forever."

Yami and the Mutos were lost for words. The longer he stood there the more transparent Yami seemed to become. Airi felt Yugi shaking under her arm.

"Better hurry.." Airi did her best to smile, as she motioned to the portal. "Take care."

Yami bowed. He turned and went up to the glowing eye. The Millenium items began glowing. A seam in the wall glowed and grew as the wall slid apart. Light streamed across the stones. The light seemed to blast Yami as he walked into the light. Airi made herself watch to the very end. The doors began to close and panic spread through her. She took a step forward, but Yugi held her back. Both siblings watched as the doors slid closed with a resounding crash.

The light from the millennium stone faded. A rumbling sound grew from the direction of the stone.

"Get out!" Marik said. "The temple is collapsing."

Everyone raced for the stairs. The floor began shaking as they tried to climb the stairs.

A few moments later, standing on a rise outside the temple Airi watched with the others as the temple collapsed on itself. She could hear the others talking behind her, probably trying to make the situation less tragic than it was. But there was no way around it. It was over. Yami was gone.

"Are you alright?" Nasira came up to stand next to her.

"I will be." Airi slid the diadem off her head. She traced the lotus pattern, giving the ankh a sad smile. "I guess I don't need this anymore."

She held it out to Nasira, but the other girl shook her head.

"I talked with the others, and since this was not an official Millenium item, it would be alright if you kept it."

Airi's throat tightened again looking at the headpiece. It didn't seem like much, but it was something connecting her with Yami. She slid it back on. Even with their connection broken, wearing the headpiece felt reassuring.


Yami made his way down the path. Fog and moving shadows around the path made it difficult to travel around. The only thing guiding him was a light in the distance in the same direction the path seemed to be going towards the light. Murmurings came from the mists, seeming to grow louder the more he progressed. More shadow figures began coming close to the pathway.

Suddenly a flash of light appeared before him. Yami shielded his eyes not sure what kind of defenses he had here.

"Welcome to the spirit realms, Spirit of the Pharaoh." a commanding voice spoke.

Yami looked up to see the imposing figure of a man with the head of a jackal standing before him.

"Anubis?" Yami guessed.

"Follow me." the man turned heading along the path with confidence. The shadows rippled back leaving a clear way before him. Yami hurried to follow, staying in close radius behind the god, the shadows folding back over the path behind him. The light in the distance seemed closer now with the deity leading the way. They passed several other paths branching off in other directions. The god took on of these branching off paths and Yami followed close behind. A glance back showed the paths had been covered again with the darkness.

They finally arrived at a gold gate covered in hieroglyphics glowing in the contrasting shadows. Standing in front of the gate was a familiar figure.

"Atem?" Yami stared at his other half.

"I am pleased to see you here," Atem said. "I wasn't sure if the priests would figure out how to release you from the puzzle."

"I am fortunate to have, had, a smart host," Yami said.

Anubis moved to a spot next to the doors, waiting for the two halves to finish talking.

"Why are you here?" Yami asked. "I mean, I didn't expect anyone to greet me."

Atem glanced at Anubis who nodded. "It is a bit complicated to explain. Your coming was not expected and there are certain limitations on who is allowed in the afterlife."

Dread crept over Yami. "What limitations?"

"The main requirement to get in is Anubis judging your life and seeing if you're worthy to enter. Because you're a fragment of my spirit, you could have been counted as part of me, but you created your own memories and experience so you are no longer me. However, because you were a spirit connected to a puzzle, you have never actually lived, and thus can not be judged as a person."

Yami's fist clenched. Even here he was going to be reminded of what he lacked.

"Consulting with Anubis there seem to be few options." Atem frowned, clearly not liking the options he was about to propose. "One is banishment to the shadows." he motioned behind them to the churning fog behind them. "The other is rejoining you to my spirit." he paused. "This means wiping your memories again."

Yami stood there. The horror of losing all his memories again froze him to the spot. Worse than that he would be erased. He recoiled from the thought, but the alternative was wondering the tormented shadows for eternity. The thought threatened to suffocate him.

His hand went to his neck to clear his airway. Something hard was around his neck. Surprised, he lifted out the cartouche pendant Airi had given him. Staring at it unbidden memories came flooding to him; losing Yugi to the orichalcos; Facing possessed Yugi and Joey during the duel with Dartz; Airi laying dead on the floor of the tomb. Good memories also flashed across his mind; staying up late talking with Yugi; Snowball fights with his friends; Dancing with Airi. Through all of those. The same phrase repeated over and over in Airi's voice 'Don't forget about us. About me.'

Yami attempted to compose himself before again facing the pharaoh and God of Death.

"One of those options is impossible for me to choose." Yami's voice threatened to crack. "I have sworn not to forget my memories and I will keep that promise."

Atem nodded, his expression sad. "I understand. Have you made your decision?"

Yami nodded. "I wi-"

"Wait!" a shout made all of them jump.

"Ata, seriously." a familiar voice continued behind them. "You didn't even bring up the third option."

All turned to see Esset climbing the stairs, the shadows being pushed away by the glow of Mystical Elf walking beside her. Behind her was . . . Timaeus and Dark Magician? The knight and magician held back with the elf as the former queen walked up to stand next to Yami, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"I did not want to summon false hope," Atem said.

"Well, I did not like those first two options," Esset said. "So, I went looking for another."

"What option?" Yami looked between the royals and the spirits in confusion."

Atem sighed. "Another of the options was you becoming a duel spirit. But for that to come to pass you would need at least three spirits to vouch for you for your transformation to happen."

Yami looked back at the three duel spirits. Dark Magician, clearly Mahad, gave a wink.

Atem turned back to his queen. "I guess now I know where you were all this time."

She beamed. "Exactly. You forget, I still have connections with my spirit monster, to take me to their dimension, and she was more than willing to vouch for Yami. My brother was pleased to help, and this great knight offered willingly. There were many more, but I think we would have caused a panic if a mob descended upon the gates."

Gratitude rose in Yami's chest as he gripped his pendant tighter.

"Well," Atem turned to the god still standing off to the side. "Is this enough to your liking?"

Anubis turned to the three spirits. "Do you vouch that this spirit fragment is worthy to join your ranks?"

Mystical Elf nodded.

"He can screw up at times," Timaeus said. "But he's got potential."

"He finished his mission successfully." Dark Magician said. "It would be an honor to have him join us."

Anubis nodded. "If the Spirit of the Pharaoh accepts, then it is sufficient."


A/N: WHAT! oh boy, now I've to go figure out what happens next. Any suggestions please let me know. Please review. I want to know what you think of this new development. Remember, I am going to do the DSOD movie soon, so please let me know what I should include. Thank you so much for reading. Take care and God bless.