Angel: Hello everyone! I'm back again:D

Y.Ang: And that's a good thing...why?

Angel: (glares) Because this is the last chapter of my first fanfiction – as of today, I have actually finished a fanfiction. Go me! (dances around happily)

Y.Ang: So why aren't you still hiding from reviewers?

Angel: (shrugs) Oh, they didn't seem that upset with me, and as I left my USB here, I had to come back so I could actually keep writing.

Y.Ang: -...- You never plan ahead, do you?

Angel: Nope! (grins) Anyway, suppose I should start the chapter now...after all, you guys probably want to hear the explanations...

Y.Ang: Yes they do, so let's get started. Angel does not own YuGiOh.

Angel: (pouts) Roll fic!

Note: Minimal editing has been done on this chapter – there may be mistakes and the like, as I just wanted to get it up before my holidays ended.

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Yami stared blankly ahead, kneeling on the ground. The last few minutes hadn't really registered in his mind yet, though he kept going over them again and again. He simply refused to see the truth right before his eyes – Crystal was gone.

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Crystal pushed Yami out of the way of Rames's attack, and was hit instead. Yami's guardians all soon arrived at the scene, having been drawn there both by Crystal's scream and the sheer amount of power they had felt gathering here. One by one, they saw Crystal lying on the ground before the kneeling form of her husband, and one by one, their features showed their sorrow.

Isis's hand flew to her mouth, and she stifled a sob. Seto looked equally stricken, and Mahaado looked stunned before trying to hide the sight from Mana, who had followed them. But he was too late, and Mana herself screamed before trying to move forward towards her friend. Mahaado wrapped his arms around her, preventing her from moving, and she struggled briefly before collapsing in tears.

All of them, except for Mana, then turned their eyes to Yami, who was still in complete shock. He gently held his dead wife in his arms, but he had not moved since the attack. Rames then laughed, a long loud sound. The Guardians all started and turned to look at him in surprise before their features almost simultaneously dissolved into anger.

Rames on the other hand, kept laughing. "Well well, looks like you were wrong, Pharaoh. Your pretty daughter-in-law lies dead, yet I still live. You placed all your faith in a prophecy that didn't come true! You wasted lives for no purpose, you foolish old man!" he shouted, an insane gleam to his eyes as he addressed Yami's father.

Apparently, talking was a bad idea for him, as it caused Yami to remember that Rames was there. Gently placing his wife on the ground, he stood up, his eyes flashing with murderous rage. This...bastard had just murdered his wife! Crystal was dead because of him! "How dare you..." the Pharaoh said; his tone deadly.

Rames didn't hear him, and just kept laughing, further fuelling Yami's anger towards him. Narrowing his eyes, Yami started to gather power, and the Millennium Puzzle began to glow with him.

"You bastard!" he screamed before releasing his attack, his guardians adding their own power to kill this horrible man.

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Yami didn't really remember what happened after that. All he had seen was Rames crumple, a look of shock on his face. Then, the Pharaoh of Egypt had fallen to his knees again before his beloved wife. He then collapsed in tears. His guardians gathered around him awkwardly, trying to offer comfort. Isis and Mana knelt down as well, their own eyes shining with tears.

Seeing Crystal dead caused Mana almost as much hurt as it did the Pharaoh, and she collapsed in tears. Mahaado gently pulled her to her feet, and pulled her into his arms. Seto did the same for Isis, knowing that having her there crying was unlikely to make Yami feel much better.

Yami then moved slightly to gather his wife into his arms, his tears slowly stopping as he traced her face with his hand. He felt the tears spilling again as his hand passed over her eyes, knowing that never again would he see her eyes filled with love for him; never again would he see her eyes narrowed in the way that could make him cower from her wrath; never again would he see her smile and make his whole day brighter. He moved her head to his neck, and just held her close, trying to stop the tears flowing from his eyes.

After several minutes had passed like this, he pulled away slightly and stood up, carrying her bridal-style in his arms. His guardians followed silently as Yami walked towards his palace with a sorrow that hurt to even watch.

Without the presence of their leader, Rames's army had quickly fallen into disarray, and Yami's army was steadily defeating them. But as the Pharaoh moved towards his home, every soldier that saw him and his wife stopped the fighting and stared. Each soldier fell to their knees to honour their fallen Queen, and to acknowledge their Pharaoh's grief.

But Yami did not remember any of this. He remembered nothing except picking his beloved wife up from the ground. The next thing he knew, he was in his quarters. He remembered Seto gently prying Crystal away from him, and taking her away to prepare for her burial. He then remembered Isis gently telling him to sleep, and then finally forcing him to go to sleep by casting a spell.

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The next few days were a haze for the Pharaoh. Egypt had entered a phase of mourning for their Queen, who they had been told had died in the attack upon the palace. Therefore, Yami did not currently need to govern the country – he was left alone. He stayed in his room all day.

Yami hardly ate or slept, and only did so when Isis forced him to. He remembered vaguely that his children had come to visit him the day after the attack, and how much seeing Charlotte had hurt him. She was so like her mother that Yami couldn't stand to look at her. She had left the room in tears, Atemu slowly following. But not before he told his father that it wasn't Charlotte's fault, so he shouldn't be mad at her.

Yami sighed, and rolled over on his bed, staring out into the empty room. He missed her – gods, he missed her so much. He felt the tears forming in his eyes again, and angrily sat up, trying to force them away. "Gods, I've cried enough!" he shouted angrily into the empty room.

A soft knock on the door made the Pharaoh whirl around. "Who is it?" he snapped. His moods were so unpredictable these days that few came near him except for Isis, and occasionally Mana and Mahaado, to make him eat.

Mana then entered the room, followed by Seto, Isis, and Mahaado. Mana looked as miserable as he felt, her normally sparkling eyes sad, empty, and rather bloodshot from near-constant crying.

Isis stepped forward, speaking first. "Pharaoh, we found...something that may help. Something that may give you some answers," she said hesitantly, feeling almost afraid of the look on Yami's face.

Yami sighed, still frowning. "Well, tell me!" he demanded, his slightly blood-shot eyes giving him a more menacing glare than usual.

Atemu and Charlotte then raced into the room, and Charlotte ducked behind Mana's legs. "Mama left a message for you," she said, her big blue eyes threatening to fill with tears again as her father ignored her.

Atemu walked over to hold his sister's hand. "Papa, why are you so mad at Charlotte? It's not her fault that...that Mama's gone," he said, gulping before the last and his sister squeezed his hand.

Yami still said nothing, and Charlotte started crying, tears spilling down her cheeks. "I know I look like Mama – she always said so," she said. "But Papa, please don't be mad at me. It wasn't my fault that Mama went away," she said, cowering away as her father whirled around, looking furious.

"She hasn't 'gone away', Charlotte! Your mother is dead, and she isn't coming back!" he roared, and Isis looked saddened to see what grief had done to their Pharaoh. He had never before raised his voice to his children, and Charlotte's widened eyes were proof of that.

Suddenly, she stamped her foot. "I know that!" she snapped, though she was still crying. "Mama told me and 'Temu what would happen ages ago. She knew, Papa, and she told us! So I do know she's...dead!" she said, before quietening again. "I just miss her," she said softly, and Atemu hugged his sister.

Meanwhile, Yami's eyes were wide, and he stared at his children. "What? She...she knew? She did it all on purpose?" he asked, looking bewildered as he sat down on his bed again.

Isis then stepped forward to intervene, swallowing as she prepared to deliver the news. "Pharaoh, as I was about to tell you, yes, Crystal...sorry," she said as Yami winced at his wife's name, "your wife knew what was going to happen. She found a journal of your father's that explained the prophecy regarding her and Rames. Apparently, your father lied to Crystal's family and to your mother. She left a short message in a chest in Charlotte's room, along with a few gems. Apparently she found a type of magic spell that enabled her to record her explanation. But only you can activate it," she said hesitantly, moving forward to hand Yami the small sapphires and note that she and the others had found.

Yami placed the note on the bed beside him, and glanced at the gemstones. He then stood up, and placed the four small stones in a diamond shape nearby, following the instructions on the letter. He then moved his arm vaguely and whispered the phrase that would activate her spell.

As he did so, the gems started glowing. Gemstones, although having few magical properties, had the ability to store magic. This made gemstones a 'natural' way for Crystal to record the words she could never say face-to-face with her husband. The gems then all connected by a glowing blue line, and the space between them started glowing faintly. Crystal's transparent form appeared in this space.

Yami stared in shock at the magic, as it almost seemed as though his wife had come to life before his eyes. Her image appeared to be intently studying one of the corners of the diamond. Although he expected it, the Pharaoh was shocked when the image spoke.

"Hmm...I wonder if this is working...well, the gems are glowing...oh dear."

The image then coughed, and straightened. "Hello my darling. Please don't mock me for my inept use of these crystals. I have never used this spell before, and frankly, it is rather peculiar to record my thoughts verbally, rather than in writing like normal people. Oh well, it proves that I'm just special," 'Crystal' said, grinning at the last. Her smile then faded.

"Anyway, I suppose beating around the bush isn't going to help. I can't stop what's coming, so there is no real point in delaying telling you about it. I just couldn't tell you face-to-face – the mere thought of doing so was too painful for me. So I guess, the first thing I need to say is that I'm sorry – I'm sorry that I couldn't tell you what was coming. But I didn't want you to know – it would have tainted our last days together if both of us knew," she continued sadly, before sighing.

"By the time you read this, I will already be dead. I've seen this coming for some time now, though it still seems so far away. I've known about what's coming ever since I read your father's diary, and discovered the truth about the legend foretold about me."

"My beloved Yami, your father was trying to protect you. He knew that if the legend came true, you would suffer. He sought to prevent that pain, but instead sealed your fate."

'Crystal' then paused, her eyes shining as she tried to hide her tears. "Yami, you were the one destined to defeat Rames. You were supposed to give your life to save us all. But your father interfered – he told Rames about me, making me his scapegoat. But you needed me – you needed the love you felt for me to give you the strength to do what needed to be done; you needed to trust me enough to leave me behind with the country, the children, and without you. But when both our mothers died in my defence, trying to right your father's wrong, you changed. After that, you would not be able to give your life – you were vulnerable and hurt when you lost your parents. After you changed, you would not be able to leave me. You would not be able to give your life to protect Egypt, as you couldn't leave me. You loved me too much, my darling.

The image then smiled sadly. "When I first read that, I didn't believe it. But I watched you for a few days, and realised that it was true. You would not leave me and the children here – you loved us too much. I'm not sure how that love would be different if your father hadn't interfered, but I assume that if you had the love of your parents throughout your life, you would have been able to save Egypt or something."

"Like I said, I'm not sure. I don't pretend to understand the gods, their prophecies, or the way the prophecies change. I'm sure you'll understand it better than me once you get more of the facts – which you can get from your father's journal, and the letter from me inside it. By the way, that is hidden under a blanket on my side of the bed near the wall."

"Anyway, you may be wondering what on Earth any of this that I'm telling you has to do with my death. Well, apparently, the only way you could defeat Rames was if you gave your own life. But you wouldn't do it as long as I was still around. So..." the image then trailed off, looking guilty as though Crystal could see Yami's furious expression.

She then sighed. "I'm so sorry, my darling. But the only way you could save Egypt was if I wasn't in the way. I couldn't bear to run away and leave you – no, that would have been far crueller. So, I guess I just figured that the only way we could win was if I died too."

"I've been having that dream again – that dream where Rames kills you. I know now that what happens in my dream is what will happen if I don't act – if you die without destroying Rames, Egypt will fall. I also suspect that those events will occur on the day I die, but I can't predict the future that well. Either way, I will do everything I can to prevent that from happening – Rames will have to kill me first...which he no doubt will."

"I am sorry, my Yami. I did not want to leave you, but it is the only way. However, knowing you as well as I do, I know that you will not wait before you destroy the man who killed me. Don't think I'm telling you off about killing him straight away – for once in your life, I'm not mad at you about something silly you did. But you didn't know, and so it's not your fault. I suppose I should be proud that you cared about me enough to do alive what it was thought only your death could do, but I digress.

"I know what you will do now, but know this – the fight has not ended. Because Rames died differently than he was supposed to, the fight was merely postponed. Therefore, what you are about to do becomes somewhat more urgent."

Crystal then smiled in that knowing way of hers. "Do not worry about the children. I've already spoken to Ishtar about taking care of them – so yes, he also knew. Do not be mad at him, please. Ishtar will help Seto in taking care of them when he acts in the role of regent. Don't look so surprised Seto; you're the most suited for the task. I know you'll take wonderful care of my babies, and if you don't, I'll haunt you, make no mistake about that," she said with a grin before turning serious again.

"Speaking of the children, as they are no doubt with you, I have a message for them too. My darlings, I love you both so much. Charlotte, Atemu, I don't know what my life would have been like without you, but I know that it wouldn't have been nearly as happy. I know you will both grow up to be magnificent rulers, and know that I'll always be watching over you, my darlings," she said, smiling once more.

"Once again, I am sorry, my beloved Yami. I would say more, but I fear I will break down crying if I do so, and thus make you feel even worse. But this is the way things had to be, as much as I wish they were different. But know this: no matter what, I will always love you. I just hope that one day you can forgive me for leaving you. But regardless, I will always love you. Goodbye, my beloved," she said with her soft smile before the image began to disappear.

Yami, who had sat in near total silence for the whole message, suddenly moved as the image faded. Although he knew the image wasn't really his wife, it felt like she was leaving him again. And it hurt...it hurt so much. The Pharaoh then collapsed to his knees before the gems, crying into his hands again as he re-lived the loss of his wife. Charlotte and Atemu ran to their father, and their tears mingled with his.

Isis, Seto, Mahaado and Mana stood by, silent witnesses to the grief of their Pharaoh. Seto's face was expressionless, and he clutched the Rod a little tighter as he thought about Crystal's words. He had a feeling he knew what was coming, and judging by the way the others gripped their Items, they knew it as well. Mana, however, remained oblivious, and walked over to the small family to pick up Charlotte and hold her close while she tried to stifle her own tears.

Some minutes later, Yami recovered enough to pull his hands away from his face, and glanced at the gemstones. "I will always love you too," he murmured, before he felt his son's arms wrap around his neck, and he turned to hug his eldest child. He then lifted Atemu up, and murmured an apology to Charlotte for yelling at her earlier. She frowned, but nodded and said that it was alright.

Yami then looked at Mana. "Mana, if you would be so kind, could you please take the children to the nursery, and stay with them awhile? I have something I need to discuss with the others," he said, sounding almost apologetic.

Mana looked surprised, but having not really paid attention to the 'Seto as regent' thing, thought little of Yami's request, and simply nodded. "Of course," she said, turning to lead the little ones away. Charlotte demanded a hug from her father before she left, and then the room was quiet again.

Yami turned to look at his advisors, his expression near emotionless. "Send for the others," he murmured at Isis, who nodded, still holding her hand to her throat. She then disappeared down the corridor, searching for the other Item Holders.

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Sometime later, the 7 Item Holders, and Shimon (former Holder of the Puzzle) were gathered in Yami's bedroom. He had already explained what Crystal had said to the others, and they were also becoming suspicious. These suspicions of what would happen next were quickly confirmed.

The Pharaoh spoke, looking at all of his advisors in turn. "Crystal said that the fight was postponed. Therefore, I must be there when it starts again. I know in my heart that it will not start again for centuries. Therefore, in order to ensure that I will be there when the fight is began so that I may punish the man who killed my wife and tried to take my country away from me, I will seal my soul inside my Item – the Millennium Puzzle."

His advisors immediately protested, but Yami flung up his hand. "Silence! I will not be persuaded out of this! This is what needs to be done, and thus I am going to do it! My wife did not shirk her duty, and neither will I!" he thundered, looking rather angry at the worried expressions of his advisors. None of them understood – they didn't understand how much it hurt. He was going to make sure that her death, and the pain he was enduring, was not in vain. He would stop Rames if it was the last thing he did.

"I will need your aid to seal my soul away, but I have a few instructions first," he said, glancing around at the circle of his guardians, many of whom were also his trusted friends.

"Firstly, I wish for Seto, my cousin and trusted advisor, to become regent for my children in my absence. Crystal trusted you, and so do I. Take good care of them, and raise them both to be strong rulers."

Seto bowed. "Yes, my lord. I would be honoured," he said calmly, though he still gripped his Item rather tightly.

"Secondly, I wish for the Puzzle to be placed somewhere where only one worthy can find it. I do not want some hapless person finding and releasing my soul when it is not needed. When the fight begins again, someone worthy will appear and release me. Is that understood?" he said sternly, and the others nodded.

"Good," he said, glancing at his companions, and feeling tears spring to his eyes. "Lastly, I want to thank you all for your contribution to Egypt, and everything you have done for me. Let it be known that my last wish is for you to continue your work in protecting our land. Guard Egypt, and thus the reign of my children, well, my friends," Yami said, looking into the eyes of each guardian in turn. Only Isis's eyes showed her sadness, the others managed to hide their regret.

The Pharaoh of Egypt then smiled softly. "Then it is done. I ask you all to help me one last time – help me to seal my soul away. And bury me with my wife," he said softly, and Isis nodded.

"Of course my lord," she said softly. Yami then asked his friends to wait there while he went to say goodbye to the children. Both the children and Mana were visibly upset that Yami was 'leaving', but after many tearful hugs, the children finally let him leave. Charlotte was still crying as the door shut, but the straight back of her and her brother showed that their mother's strength lived on in them, and that they would both somehow recover from the loss of both their parents in such a short space of time.

The Pharaoh then moved to his bed, and lay down. The Holders then made a circle around the bed. Yami took the Puzzle off and laid it down beside him, leaving a hand on it as Shimon came to stand nearby, smiling sadly. When Yami's soul left his body, the Puzzle would still be needed to seal his soul away, and Shimon was ready to take over when Yami's magic left his body.

The Holders then began chanting. Sometime later, Yami's eyes closed and he stopped breathing as his soul took refuge in the Millennium Puzzle. It glowed brightly as it absorbed the Pharaoh's soul, and the chanting of the others died down as the Puzzle completed their work. Isis's eyes shone with tears, and even Seto looked saddened.

But as the glow faded, something that the others did not expect happened. The Puzzle instantly shattered, its many pieces spread about the bed around the body of the Pharaoh.

Isis shrieked as it happened, and Seto moved forward, his expression pale. "What went wrong? We did everything right," he muttered, looking slightly horrified at the Puzzle pieces scattered about.

The gems that Crystal had used to store her message for Yami began glowing again (they had not been moved from their earlier position), and the dead Queen's form again appeared in the space between them. Her 'spirit' looked quite sad.

"And so Yami sealed his soul away inside the Puzzle. The sudden breaking of the Puzzle is both its own natural defensive mechanism and my way of safeguarding my husband's life. Only the one who is destined to help Yami in the final battle may solve that Puzzle, and thus it will be hidden away until that worthy soul comes across it. I believe a side effect of this defence is that Yami's memory will be affected, but, all things considered, that may not be so bad. Take care, everyone. Remember the good, forget the bad, and treasure the memory of our beloved Pharaoh. I'll be watching. Farewell."

The 'spirit' then faded, and the room remained silent. Isis was the first to move after several minutes of motionlessness, and she quietly swept the Puzzle pieces into a gold box nearby. "We should...prepare the Pharaoh for burial...and inform the people of the changes," she said, her voice shaking as she said so. Her hands then began to shake as well, and Seto rushed over to take the Puzzle from her. He then called for the guards, and began making preparations for the burial of the two lovers and their belongings.

The next few weeks were filled with pandemonium as the country mourned its rulers, and the months afterwards were just as rocky as the government adjusted. Finally, peace was restored to society, and Seto ruled as regent until Atemu felt strong enough to take the throne at the age of 17. He was indeed a good Pharaoh, and loved by the people. His devotion to his little sister and his eventual wife and children moved the people, and inspired their trust.

Charlotte moved to Isiria when she was about 12 to start her training as the future Queen of Isiria. But she still regularly contacted her brother, and maintained a strong bond with him. She had inherited both her parent's talent for magic, and trained in it everyday. Indeed, the young princess could swear that whenever she trained, she could feel her mother's presence nearby, watching over her. But as her mother had warned her about this, she was not worried.

By the time Charlotte was 21, she was Queen of Isiria. On her 21st birthday, she was resting on her balcony, and thinking of her parents. Remembering the promise she'd made to her mother, all those years ago, she clutched the necklace around her neck. "I will never forget, Mother," she whispered, looking at the tiny portraits of her parents inside. "I pray that you both are remembered for your selfless actions in your next lives," she said before glancing out at the view of her city.

"But it's ok now, you can move on. Atemu and I will be fine – you just worry about what Father is going to do next time," she said, smiling as she imagined her mother's reaction to that remark.

"Good luck in your next lives, Mother. I know you'll succeed – just take care, and everything will be fine," she whispered again before closing the locket, and turning around at the footsteps of her personal maids. Smiling, she left the balcony, knowing that she wasn't just imagining the 'thank you, my darling' in her ears.

3000 years later, a young boy of about 14, the unknowing re-incarnation of a powerful Pharaoh, finally fitted the last piece of a magical Puzzle into place. As the Pharaoh was released from his ancient prison, his enemy also re-awakened, ready to continue their ancient war.

Yugi had no idea what he was getting himself into, but that is another story.

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Angel: It is finished! My first ever fanfiction is finally finished:D

Y.Ang: (throws confetti)

Angel: (grins) Yay for me:D

Crystal and Yami: (get up off the floor and also start cheering, thinking that their torture is done with)

Angel: (evil grin) Not so fast Yami, there is the sequel. Which you have a major role in, and thus you cannot escape.

Yami: (is horrified)

Crystal: (continues grinning) Sucks to be you, darling (pokes her tongue out)

Y.Ang: (taps Crystal on the shoulder) Hey, you still have to stick around too. Angel is might use flashbacks, so you will be needed here.

Crystal: (freezes, looking shocked) But...but...that's not fair! (pouts)

Angel: (rolls eyes) Anyway, random notes before I discuss the sequel:

I would first like to apologise profusely for changing my plotline yet again (and in the last chapter too. Sheesh, I'm an idiot). I originally had the idea that Crystal was the one that was supposed to die and defeat Rames etc, but then I realised that I needed Yami to 'die' for the sequel and everything, and also that it made much more sense for him to be the one that was supposed to die etc. Therefore, there might be some discrepancies between stuff said in this chapter, and stuff said in earlier chapters. Maybe there wasn't, and I've just confused you all by saying this, but I'd like to apologise anyway.

Secondly, in relation to the first point, I plan to completely re-write this story. I won't start until the end of this year, but I will do it. The number of chapters and things might be messed up a bit, but I still plan to re-write the whole thing so that the plot is consistent, it makes more sense, and generally, (hopefully :P), improve the whole story. I will probably start doing this before I start the sequel – I need to have a good story if I'm making a sequel :P

This brings me to my third point: the sequel. Brief and somewhat jumbled summary as follows:

A young woman named Keiko Kirei moves to Domino, and meets Yugi and the gang. They immediately bond, and Yami is confused by the connection he feels with this girl. As he struggles to figure it out, he learns that he was once a Pharaoh. His erased memory slowly begins to piece itself back together, just as Kaiba's new tournament begins. But he is still unsure of his connection with Keiko – he knows he is not in love with her, but there is something else.

What will Yami do when he realises that the mysterious Malak's target is not only him, but her? And what will he do when he discovers that Rames, his old enemy, is the one behind Malak's evil? And what will he do when he realises who Keiko really is – the reincarnation of his wife?

His task is to defeat Rames, but can he do it? What role will Keiko play? Can Yami truly forgive Crystal for what she did, or will he shun Keiko for her past self's actions? And what is the secret that Keiko hides? Only time will tell, as Yami faces his oldest enemy in a bitter showdown that will decide the fate of this world.

Angel: And that my friends, is a brief summary of the sequel. And yes, I purposefully made that last bit that dramatic :P.

Anyway, I hope that those of you who lasted this long enjoyed this story, and I look forward to seeing you in the fanfiction world in the future. Thanks for everything:D

C YA!! Angel