Hey there everyone! Sorry for not posting last week, but for the most part, I was enjoying my week, plus trying to work on a few things. Ok, first of all, Happy New Year to each and every one of you all. I had a pretty good one so far. Watched Transformers The Movie (20th edition came out recently) and saw the previews for this summers new movie for them. It looks good. I can't hardly wait for it! Mostly just went to work and so on this past week, and enjoyed my time with my mate. She didn't "Sit" me any luckily, although she had a look in her eyes that told me should would sooner or later.

Hmm, also, been writing a good bit on my one story, plus been thinking a lot on another one shot that I'd like to write for Inuyasha. I may crank it out eventually, but till then, I have to close this story out and prepare the next one of this series. As well, I've been reading a good bit too, which as been fun. Finally, been playing a few video games and watching my mate play her games. I got her Kingdom Hearts 1 and 2 for Christmas, and she's been playing 1 some. It's pretty interesting so far.

Alright, last time, Kaiba had been eliminated, leaving Illidan and Yami to face off with Dartz. Everyone but the three of them in the temple have been knocked out or captured by the seal. What will Illidan and Yami do now that Dartz has them alone, not to mention what does Dartz have in stored for the two?

Ok, now it's time to do my favorite thing! Review time!

ardee: Thanks. That had to be fun spending time on a plane. True, Yami may or may not make it, but you never know. He's survived horrible things before. Can he survive one more, that's the question. Ah, good question. Well, that is something to mostly be discussed in my mate's story, The History of the Millennium Items, which isn't finished yet, lol. But anyways, there will be further discussion in my story about those words, so don't worry, the talk about Yami's feelings for Marie aren't over yet. Hope that helps for now. Good luck on the exams! Yeah, I know, the scene with Raphael did drag on a bit, but I was trying to explain things.

Metal Overlord 2.0: Lol, yeah, he's gone. Yeah, I thought posting four chapters at once would hopefully keep everyone happy. I figured, why not. I haven't ever done that before, plus I think everyone deserved a little present. True, Yami's not as bad off as before, but still, he's bad off. Him and Illidan can't seem to make a dent in Dartz's armor. Thanks for the comments as always.

Tomb Robber Vicky: Yep, I thought I'd release a large portion of the duel at one time, that way everyone couldn't complain about too big of a cliffhanger, lol. I missed part of the show myself, which really sucks. I didn't see after Kaiba was defeated, and didn't get to see anything again till Yami and the others were facing off with the Leviathan. Actually Bakura, you're not that popular. The girls just dig you, but they dig me more. It's the ears you know. Chicks dig them. (//Twitches them and watches girls flock around him, only to watch Marie kill ¾'s of them.\\)

Ultimate Legendary Master: Thanks. True, Illidan and Yami have a lot of work to make it out of this duel with their own souls. Possibly so, but you never know. The Knights might be on vacation, hehe. I'm not completely sure, but I think that the monster did have that ability. I could be wrong though. If it didn't, well, I just juiced it up a bit more, hehe.

x-knight20: Yeah, Dartz loves to toy with peoples emotions. ROFL! Nice. (//Watches sleigh crash into the side of a building. Sweat drops…\\)

Nick: Thanks. I did actually use Illidan's name from Warcraft 3. There are other character names from it as well later in the story. Well, only one or two I think.

Isis the Sphinx: True, they are idiot mind games. The dragons are somewhere. You know them, they tend to just fly around. (//Points to one working at Burger King.\\) They have jobs you know. Hey, Critius, how about frying me a hamburger!? (//Ducks as flames come flying at him. Standing behind him was Kaiba, who's singed black and falls into a pile of ashes.\\) Oops… Anyways, you get the point!

sweetxokissesxo: He assaulted a police officer because he could. He's Ryon after all. He thinks he can do anything… (//Rolls eyes as saying "anything."\\) Man Ryon, why did you do all those awful things? (//Ryon: "You idiot, you know I didn't do it!"\\) Sure...

Fire Princess: Well, yet another member joins Envy. Ryon, you're going to have to do something, like stand up for yourself, or hire a bodyguard. Here is my card. Feel free to hire me. Remember, full protection from everything and everyone.

Brianna Ishtar: It's alright. Not much is happening to him, other than he's on trial for murder, again. Maybe he'll get off this time.

Ok, that's it for today everyone. I hope you all enjoy this new chapter. Till next time, have a good couple of days, and remember, I love reviews! I'm more than happy to reply to any questions, comments, or silliness, hehe. Later all.

Chapter 61

Drawing, Dartz smirks, saying "First, I gain 1500 more additional life points thanks to the second layer of the seal. Now, Dexia, attack Obnoxious Celtic Guardian with Piercing Blade Strike!" The sword like creature rushed forward. As it did, it's stats showed up, showing that it now had 1500 attack points, which was 300 more exactly than Yami's monster's defense points.

Before the attack hit though, Yami called out "I activate my trap card, Soul Shield! This trap allows me to pay half my life points in order to block your attack, thus saving my monster." A white aura shield then appeared on the field, allowing the sword creature to strike it. The sword creature then bounced backwards, as if nothing happened.

Smirking, Dartz smugly says "Not bad Pharaoh, but what's the point? Look around you, you two are all alone. None of your friends are here to support you both, and the score isn't exactly in the two of yours favor. So why continue this torment when you can surrender and see your friends once more."

Softly growling, Illidan calls out to Yami "Don't listen! He's trying to trick us into giving up."

Yami was shaking his head softly as he tried to ignore Dartz, but still, the words seemed to stick with him. "He's falling for Dartz's lies." Illidan softly said in his mind.

"What's wrong Mr. Stormrage, can't accept the fact that both you and Yami were evil?" Dartz said which interrupted Illidan's thoughts instantly.

Replying with confidence in his voice, Illidan said "I'm not evil, and never was! Neither was Yami! Can't you get that through that thick head of yours!?"

Chuckling, Dartz replied "You are the one that can't realize what you've done. Have you no clue why there was darkness in Marie's heart?"

The words of Dartz made Illidan physically flinch, as well as mentally. Seeing this, Dartz continued, saying "It was you that caused the darkness within her to be born. If you had never met her, maybe she would have been pure and would have joined me in destroying this world."

Growling loudly, Illidan snarled "Never! Marie is the most gentle, caring person in this world! She'd never join you in this evil plan!"

Laughing at Illidan's outburst, Dartz replied "Oh really? If she's so gentle and caring, why are you so injured from her attack?"

Illidan again flinched at this, knowing Dartz had a point. Knowing why, he quickly replied "It's due that you brought the darkness in her heart out!"

Again laughing, Dartz pointed a finger at Illidan and said "You were the one who created the darkness within her soul! If not for you, she would have remained pure, yet your father and you ruined her pureness. You stole her innocence, and forced her to marry you."

Looking down at his feet, Illidan finally said "I never forced her to marry me. She loved me, and I loved her, and I still love her! Nothing will change that!"

"Even the fact that you have caused her to drown in her own darkness? You know she'll never love you now, and possibly she never loved you." Dartz quickly countered.

Hearing these words, Illidan closed his eyes and yelled "STOP IT! IT'S NOT TRUE!"

Laughing at Illidan's reaction, Dartz continued, saying "You know that you destroyed her life. It was your fault your father killed her family and nearly killed her. Then it was your fault later on for not helping her train properly. If not for you, she would have probably married the Pharaoh here, and more than likely put an end to his evil."

Illidan felt his world coming apart as Dartz only laughed. Dartz then added "The only way to compensate for what you've done to that poor girl is to leave this world. Leave it, allowing her to live. If you truly love her, you'll surrender your soul to the Great Leviathan, thus giving her a chance to live once more."

This caused Illidan to open his eyes. As he did, the same color green as the Seal of Orichalcos filled his eyes. Shakily, he said "Yes, I… I have to… free her from me…"

"Good, now surrender yourself to the seal." Dartz simply instructed.

Seeing this happen, Yami cried out "Don't listen Illidan!"

Laughing at Yami, Dartz replied "But you should be listening to me Pharaoh. After all, what you did was much worse. You should give up, for your friends are lost with out you. Don't you want them by your side?"

Yami started to slightly shiver at this, as Dartz said "Surrender yourself, and I'll allow you to see them one last time before the rise of the Great Beast. It's time you accept your true destiny, to return to pay for the evil you have committed."

As Dartz said these words, Yami's eyes began to glow green like Illidan's were. Smiling at his work, Dartz continued saying "To compensate for your past, you must help me usher in a new future by surrendering your soul."

Slowly, Yami began to move his trembling hand towards his deck. He mumbled "I must surrender my soul. It's my fate."

Turning back to Illidan, Dartz said "You must surrender yourself as well Illidan. Surrender your soul so Marie can be free of her darkness."

With a trembling hand, Illidan moved it towards his Duel Disk. With sadness in his voice, he said "I'm so sorry Marie. I will set you free…"

"Good, continue to listen to the voice of reason in your heads." Dartz said, urging both on.

In Illidan's mind, he saw images of Marie, of when he first met her in ancient times. He then saw an image of her the day he told her the truth about his feelings. A small smile played upon his lips at this till another image appeared of her and him on the day they married. Again, Illidan felt a warming of his heart, but then the next image was of her being stabbed in the back by Gozaburo, which made Illidan's blood run cold. He watched as Gozaburo smiled evilly at what he had done and let Marie's body fall to the ground.

The next image was of him and Marie fighting just a few hours before. She screamed at him, telling him and showing him what had happened in the past. He winced in pain at her words, each more cruel than the last.

"Did she ever truly love me?" he pondered in his mind, now feeling confused and weak. He felt himself slowly becoming weaker, and realized that it was Marie's love that had always made him stronger. "So, I guess I know now…"

Illidan's hand continued to slowly waver above his Duel Disk, as did Yami's hand over his own Duel Disk. Dartz then called out "The time has come. Sacred Seal, encircle the two of them."

That said, the seal on the field split into two, one circling Illidan, the other encircling Yami.

As the seal neared Illidan, his Millennium Key began to glow brightly as suddenly he heard in his mind a voice scream out "NO! YOU CAN'T GIVE UP!"

Realizing instantly it was Marie's voice, he vanished into his mind where he saw Marie standing there. Her face had an expression of being heartbroken. She was crying, with tears streaming down her cheeks. In a sad, heartbreaking voice, she said "Don't do it! I love you!"

Closing his eyes and turning from her, Illidan sadly said "It's the only way I can repent for what I did to you. If not for me…"

He then felt a pair of arms encircling him, as he opened his eyes to see Marie embracing him. She was staring into his eyes, seemingly looking for something. Finally, she said "You still love me, don't you?"

Closing his eyes once more, he went to turn his face away, but was stopped as she put a hand to his cheek, saying "I know you do Illidan! I love you, so don't leave me!"

Still with closed eyes, he slowly said "If not for me, you wouldn't have lost your soul or your family. It's my fault the darkness in your heart was born, and this is the only way I can think of to set you free from it."

Slightly gasping, Marie then said in a commanding voice "Open your eyes and look me in the eye."

Opening his eyes, she saw the sorrow and pain in his eyes that once held nothing but love and happiness. She gently kissed him then, putting all her love into the kiss. Illidan didn't resist, and slowly sent back the same feelings. After a long moment, they broke apart.

Putting her head on his chest, she said "Illidan, without you, I'm incomplete. It is you that completes me, so don't do this. You wouldn't be freeing me, you'd be imprisoning me in an eternal prison of pain. So please, stay with me."

Shocked, Illidan replied "But after all I did to you…"

Lifting her head up to look him in the eye, she said "The darkness may have been angry, but remember, it told you it loved you as well. Remember, my love for you is eternal. I didn't wait five millennia to return to this world to only lose you again. I love you, with my heart and soul, and will always be with you."

Smiling now, she gave him a quick peck on the cheek and said "Now go show Dartz what you're really made of, and win this duel! I'll be waiting on you when you get back."

Nodding, Illidan smiled and kissed her passionately, putting all his love into one kiss. Both finally pulled away and stared into one another's eyes as they tried to catch their breath. Smiling, Illidan said "I love you, and I promise to return."

Smiling back, Marie nodded and then vanished from his mind. Returning back from his mind, he regained control of his body and pulled his hand away from his Duel Disk. The Millennium Key then sent out a small circle of golden light from his body, which instantly smashed into the seal, which was still slowly moving closer to Illidan's body. When the seal smashed into the golden array, the seal was then repelled.

Gasping in shock, Dartz yelled "Impossible! You couldn't possibly overcome the Orichalcos!"

Looking over at Yami, he then saw tears falling from his friends eyes. One hit the Millennium Puzzle, causing it to glow brightly. An array of golden light formed around him as it had with Illidan, which then struck the seal, forcing it back as Illidan's array had.

Dartz again gasped, and yelled "It's not possible! Neither of you should have been able to overcome the Orichalcos!"

Smirking at Dartz, Illidan said "Well, we just did, and have! You're wrong about me and Marie! If I gave up, that would be sacrificing everything me and her have done over the years. Our love is stronger than the darkness, and with it, I will vanquish you!"

Yami then slowly spoke up, saying "You made me take a look into my heart, making me think I'd find only darkness. What I found though was not darkness, but light! It is the light of friendship, and no amount of magic can take that away from me!"

Smiling as he straightened up completely, saying "Thank you for that Dartz. Now I'm ready to face you!"

Nodding to Yami, Illidan said "As am I! It's time I take you down, once and for all!"

Shrugging, Dartz simply said "Fine, I'll end my turn now. Try what you want, but it'll fail, and you'll both fall before me in the end!" (Illidan 5000, Yami 3400; Dartz 5500)

Drawing his card, Illidan smiled gratefully at it, and said "Now it's time I show you the true power of love! The card I just drew is the very same card that Marie claimed as her own Duel Spirit. Now, let it be revealed! I sacrifice two of my Cyber Dragons in order to summon Tyrant Dragon (2900/2500) in attack mode!"

Both metallic snake like dragons vanished in a flash and was replaced by a large dark orange dragon with massive wings, powerful clawed hands and feet, and a mighty tail. It let out a loud roar at Dartz, trying hard to strike fear into him.

Smirking, Dartz simply said "Should I fear that creature?"

Smiling, Illidan replied "You should, because I just figured out your monster's weakness. You see, I noticed when you attacked Kaiba with Shunoros, it lost 2800 attack points. Then when you attacked Obnoxious Celtic Guardian, it lost yet another 1500 attack points. From that, I gather that your monster loses points each time it's attacked, or attacks, so I'll just drain it of it's points! Now, I switch my remaining monsters into attack mode."

Pointing at the shield like creature, Illidan called out "Tyrant Dragon, attack Aristeros with Tyrant Flame!" The mighty orange dragon roared and released a stream of flames at the shield creature. The shield managed to withstand the blast, due that it's defense points stats flashed it had 3200 defense points, exactly 300 more than Tyrant Dragon's attack. Still, the attack drained Shunoros of 3200 points, leaving it with 14300 points.

Smirking at the fact he was right, Illidan called out again "It may have cost me 300 life points, but it was well worth it! Now I invoke my Tyrant Dragon's special ability! When there is still another monster on the field, Tyrant Dragon can attack again, so go attack Aristeros with Tyrant Flame one more time!" The mighty orange dragon roared once more and released another stream of flames at the large shield creature. The shield withstood the blast, but yet another 3200 points were cut from Shunoros, leaving it with 11100 points.

"Cyber Dragon, attack that Aristeros with Strident Blaze!" The metallic snake dragon roared and opened it's jaws, releasing a stream of silver energy at the shield creature, which easily withstood yet another attack. Again, 2400 points were taken off of Shunoros, leaving it with 8700 points.

"Silent Swordsman LV5, attack with Silent Sword Slash!" The swordsman in black rushed forward and swung his sword into the large shield creature, but was thrown backwards due that the shield was stronger. Yet another 2600 points fell off of Shunoros, leaving it with a meager 6100.

"And now, Armed Dragon, attack with Dragon Talon Terror!" The large orange skinned dragon with dull grey armor roared loudly as it pulled back a clawed arm and then sent it forward. It struck the large shield roughly, but the dragon was thrown backwards slightly from the fact it wasn't destroyed. The large round monster then lost yet another 3100 points, leaving it with an even 3000.

"I'll leave things at that. Yami, it's up to you to polish off this oversized trash can." (Illidan 3800, Yami 3400; Dartz 5500)

Nodding, Yami drew and looked at the card in shock. Smiling, he then asks "Do you know what I hold in my hand Dartz?"

Dartz only stands silent, not bothering to ask. Smirking, Yami says "I have the card in my hand that has the power to unlocking the power of the Legendary Dragons! I play the spell card Legend of Heart, which costs me 1000 life points and makes me sacrifice Obnoxious Celtic Guardian. Now I'm allowed to summon Critius (2800/2600), Hermos (2800/2600), and Timaeus (2800/2600) in their true forms!"

The large brown dragon that had appeared earlier in the duel on Kaiba's field then appeared, followed by a large reddish dragon, and finally a large blue-green dragon. The three dragons then fly into the air, into the clouds and a voice rings out, saying "After ten millennia in captivity, we are at last free!"

Illidan, Yami, and Dartz all three look up in amazement as lightning flashes. Slowly, the figures of three knights appears as they slowly descend towards the duel. The three land on the field and Illidan gasps at the faces of the three knights.

"They look like Kaiba, Joey, and Yami!" he says in shock.

The green knight, whom looks like Yami, but has a scar on across his right eye, pulls out his sword and says "My name is Timaeus."

The blue knight beside him, whom looked like Kaiba, said "I am Sir Critius."

The final knight, whom was in red and had Joey's face, said "I'm Sir Hermos."

With that said, the other two knights pull out their swords and the three hold them above their heads in the air, saying "In the name of Atlantis, we are reborn!"

The three knights then strike the field with their swords, causing the three layers of the seal to vanish, making each of Dartz's monsters lose attack points. Shunoros instantly lost 500, leaving it with 2500 points.

Sir Hermos quickly explains, saying "While we are together on the field, the seal is powerless."

"You didn't forget our last encounter did you Dartz?" Sir Critius then asks.

Pointing at his scarred eye, Timaeus says "I certainly haven't, and it's time we settle the score."