Awakening of Evil

Now Joey was scared. He didn't have a monster powerful enough to stand against the Mystical Beast. As for Odion, he was still against the thought of having to use the Egyptian God card because of its incomprehensive divine power. But he had no choice but to duel as Marik would.

But Marik revealed to Odion that the card in his deck was a copy and the real card was in his possession. Marik couldn't risk losing the most powerful monster in all of Duel Monsters, so he had his Rare Hunters produce several counterfeits, complete with all the power of the original and just as dangerous. The Rare Hunters tested each card in every duel, but each result ended in disaster as every one of them angered the Gods and felt their wrath. It was then that Marik knew that only certain individuals with links to the ancient ways could comprehend the power of the Egyptian Gods. Marik believed that Odion was one of those individuals, but Odion didn't want to take that chance. He knew he could win with his Mystical Beast and that was all he would need.

Joey drew his card. Unfortunately, it was Polymerization and of no use to him, so he ended his turn. The first monster the Mystical Beast attacked was Jinzo. It also absorbed half of its attack points, making it stronger and having 3700 attack points. There was still nothing Joey could do, so he passed once again. The Mystical Beast attacked the Insect Queen and gained 1100 more attack points.

This was too much for Serenity to take in. She just wanted it to stop. She was about to run away and leave until her brother stopped her. "Please don't leave, Serenity. I need you. I can't win this duel without your help. You're my biggest inspiration, Sis."

"Do you mean that?"

"Absolutely," Joey answered. "Where do you think I get all my courage from? You, of course. You're my family and I need you to stay and continue to support me. It's the only way I can win."

Serenity dries her eyes and rejoins the rest of her friends. "You've got it, big brother."

Seeing this, Odion reflects on his early years. It had been too long since he felt the same comfort and support the two siblings were sharing. It was a long time ago, but he remembered it very well. It was the dark of the night and he had been left alone. But then a woman came to his rescue and decided to raise him as her own. The years went by and Odion was happy with his new family, but he discovered that his adopted parents were the leaders of a clan of tomb keepers and it was their heritage to guard the pharaoh's tomb until his return.

"For generations, our clan has served the pharaoh by guarding his sacred tomb," said Master Ishtar.

His wife agreed. "We have also been safeguarding the shard of the Millennium Star in hopes of one day finding his daughter, the princess, and helping her to achieve her destiny."

"But now our future is in jeopardy. Who will watch over the Millennium Star shard and the Rod and Necklace if we have no children? For five thousand years, we've waited in the darkness for the pharaoh's return. We cannot fail him now."

"But we have Odion. He can carry out our legacy. Why don't you give him the tomb keeper's initiation?" Mistress Ishtar suggested.

Master Ishtar refused. "I already told you, Odion is not our flesh and blood."

"He's our only hope," his wife debated. "It was fate that brought him to us that day." So the Ishtars agreed that if they were not blessed with children of their own in the future, Odion would receive the initiation on his twelfth birthday. Odion overheard their discussion and was looking forward to that day.

Eventually, Mistress Ishtar gave birth to a daughter and decided to name her Ishizu. Master Ishtar was not satisfied. He still wanted a son of his own to carry out his legacy. Mistress Ishtar saw her husband's disappointment and decided to try again for him. But she didn't forget the promise she and her husband made to Odion.

Finally, Mistress Ishtar decided to talk to her adopted son. "My dear Odion, you know I've always thought of you as my son, but you cannot assume the family legacy until you have gone through the tomb keeper's initiation. And you will receive this sacred rite on your twelfth birthday."

Odion was excited, but he wanted to be sure. "How will this change me?"

"You will bear the ancient scriptures, my child," she answered. "That is, if you truly wish to become a tomb keeper."

"Of course!" Odion would do anything to truly be a part of his family. "Mother, does this mean I'll be exactly like you and Father?"

"Yes, my child," Mistress Ishtar promised. "You will truly be our son."

But that promise was never fulfilled. Odion's twelfth birthday came, but Mistress Ishtar became pregnant again and her husband wanted to wait. She gave birth to a son and he was named Marik. After that, Mistress Ishtar died from the fatigue of childbirth. When she drew her last breath, Odion promised her that he would always protect Marik and Ishizu.

It was Marik he had to watch out for and that was no easy task. When protecting the only son of a tomb keeper, no mistake goes unpunished. The years went by and Marik grew up happy like any child would when beginning to live. Odion carried out his promise and protected Marik as best as he could. But for every mistake, simple and severe, Master Ishtar punished him. Marik and Odion were playing together one day until a cobra bit him. Marik came down with a high fever and could barely breathe.

Master Ishtar harshly disciplined Odion. "Unacceptable! You vowed to us that you would protect Marik and now look at him! He's my family's future!"

"I'm sorry, Master," Odion weakly groaned.

"Sorry isn't enough!" Master Ishtar reprimanded. "Marik's my flesh and blood! He must carry out my legacy!" He finally released Odion. "Don't you dare leave Marik's side until his fever has passed and he is well. I command you."

Master Ishtar left and Odion approached the bedside. Marik opened his eyes and tried to speak. "I'm sorry, big brother. It was all my fault."

"Don't let your father hear you say that."

Marik weakly lifts his hand. "Forget him. You will always be my big brother, Odion."

Seeing him like this, Odion could see that Marik had inherited his mother's kind and caring spirit as well as his father's physical appearance. He got down and held Marik's hand in his. "Thank you. I'll never let you down again, Master Marik," he promises, letting his tears land on his hands. "Please forgive me. I promise to always protect you."

Marik recovered from his fever, but things began to be much harder for him. He was coming of age for when it would be time to receive the tomb keeper's initiation. Against his wishes, he devoted his life to the ancient scriptures, learning all that his father knew before him. Marik knew it was his destiny, but he wanted his freedom more than anything else. This wasn't the life he chose and he didn't want to live the rest of it this way.

That night, Odion sensed Marik was upset and asked him what his problem was. Marik confessed his problems and said, "Soon I'll receive the tomb keeper's initiation. Then it will be my job to wait here for the pharaoh to return while everyone else will be looking for the princess. I'll be stuck down here for the rest of my life." Thinking about it brought tears to Marik's eyes and made him feel scared. "Why did I have to be born the son of a tomb keeper? Once I receive the initiation, there's no escaping my future. I know I was born into this tradition, but why?" He asks with his head in his arms. "Why do I have to give up so much for this pharaoh? It isn't fair!"

Odion understood Marik's pain and approached him to console him. "Let me do it," he insisted. "Your family saved me, so now I can repay them by saving you from a life of darkness protecting the pharaoh's tomb."

Marik faced him with hope. "Really?"

"I'd be honored. I shall ask for your father's consent right away."

Master Ishtar listened to Odion, but denied his request. "My family's sacred duty can only be passed down to a true heir. I will not break tradition."

Odion remained on the floor, bowing before his master. "I know I'm not your real son, but Master Marik is too frightened to go through with the initiation. I can't bear to see him this way. Please allow me to fulfill the family's destiny and protect the tomb. I'll devote my life so that your son can be free."

Master Ishtar didn't believe Odion's words about Marik's pain and suffering. He knew that ever since Odion was taken in, he wanted to be his real son. That made Master Ishtar think that it was the true reason Odion wanted the initiation, blinding him from his son's feelings. He stands up and decrees, "My son shall receive the initiation as planned and you'll speak no more of this!"

The next day, Marik was taken away to receive the initiation, he struggled and cried for help, but it was pointless. They would not let him go and no one would come to his rescue. There was nothing Odion could do but watch helplessly as Marik was being taken to the main room. When it was over, Marik had become a whole new person. "My life has changed forever," he admitted.

"Yes, you're a tomb keeper now," said Odion.

Marik tried to get up and strike him, but the pain in his back made him lie back down on his stomach. "I'm sorry. I feel so alone. Why should I have to pledge my life to some pharaoh?" As he turned to face Odion, Marik noticed that his face was bandaged. "What happened to your face, Odion?"

"As you know, I'm forbidden to join this clan, so I…"

"Go on."

Odion lowers his hood and removes his bandages. "So I performed my own ritual. I hope this mark proves my loyalty to your family, sir. You're not alone."

But Odion noticed a strange change in Marik's behavior since that day. As the years went by, Marik started to become more cruel and wicked. It was like when he received the initiation, a new personality had taken over the kind boy Odion knew.

Odion came back to his senses as he finished revisiting his memories. Marik once again commanded him to quickly defeat Joey. It was Joey's turn again. Once again, he drew a card that was of no use to him. In his hand were three magic cards called Shield and Sword, Salamandra, and Polymerization. They were all useless to him, so he just ended his turn.

"Too bad," Max said as she watched. "He's made some impressive comebacks, but I'm afraid it's over for Joey. I'll admit he's come a long way since the last time I dueled him, but his best just wasn't enough in this match."

"I wouldn't count Joey out yet, Max," said Emily. "Just look at his eyes." And Max did look.

"Your turn," Joey said firmly.

Max gasped. "You're right. They burn with a fiery passion I've never seen before. It's like he knows he's going to win, but how? I can't think of a move that can stop that monster."

"All that matters is what Joey trusts in his heart," said Yami. "His determination to beat Marik is very strong. Joey believes he's going to win even though the likelihood of his victory is very small. He vowed to help me put an end to Marik's evil scheme and he's keeping his promise."

Max still wasn't too sure. "But how's Joey going to win?"

"He'll find the way as long as he trusts in himself and in the Heart of the Cards," Emily answered.

It pained Joey to see the Mystical Beast devour the Legendary Fisherman. He didn't want this to happen after promising Mako he would use his most trusted card well. But there was nothing he could do but face his defeat like a man. He drew his card and ended his turn. But something inside was telling him he wouldn't lose this duel. "I'm not going to lose," he said out loud. "I can't explain how I know, but I got this feeling inside telling me I'm going to win this duel. It's kind of like a voice inside my head. So before you attack me, I want you to listen to what I have to say. I'll never forget when you controlled my mind and tried to force me to hurt two of my best friends in that crazy duel. You didn't have the strength or courage to face Yugi yourself, so you had me do your dirty work while you hid like a coward."

"I'm facing you now, aren't I?" Odion asked. "And look at the score. I'm destroying you in a duel face-to-face."

Hearing Odion say that made something else come into mind. "It's funny you bring that up. You see, ever since we started this duel, I had different feelings about you. I can't put my finger on it, but you don't seem like the kind of guy who controlled my mind. The Marik I know is a real scumbag, but you played admirably and it was one of the toughest duels I ever fought. The same voice that tells me I'm not going to lose also tells me that you're not the snake who took over my mind and forced me to duel Yugi. And I'm sure of it; you're not Marik! I always trust what I feel in my gut, and it's telling me two things: you're not who you're pretending to be and you won't win!"

"Wheeler's insane!" Kaiba barked. "Of course that's Marik."

Yami and Emily agreed with Joey. Neither of them sensed the same dark presence emanating from Joey's opponent. Then Emily faced Marik and wondered, Could he be-?

Marik looked away. No! If I'm exposed, my plan's ruined! He still had more to learn about everyone's role in this struggle.

Odion takes the Millennium Rod and holds it out to Joey. "Enough of this! Only the true Marik wields the power of the Millennium Rod. Think of that before you listen to those senseless voices."

He was about to have his Mystical Beast attack Joey until Marik stopped him. Wait, Odion! Stop your attack! Odion does as told and holds back before the Mystical Beast can grip Joey in its claws. Everyone saw this and wondered what was going on. As Odion asked his master why he demanded him to stop his attack, Marik told him, Destroy him with the Egyptian God card instead. The only way to convince everyone that you are me is if you play the Winged Dragon of Ra.

But it's too dangerous, Odion warned. Please don't make me play the Winged Dragon from the sacred arc.

Play that Egyptian God card now so that I may rule as pharaoh! Once again, Odion begged his master to reconsider, but Marik knew how to change his mind and make him carry out his orders. Listen to me, ever since I can remember, you longed to be a part of my family. Well, this is your chance to finally join the tomb keepers' clan by serving me, the future pharaoh. Now fulfill your duty and play that Egyptian God card!

Hearing that, it truly was what Odion wanted and if this was his chance, he would take it. So he decided to obey his master and play the Winged Dragon of Ra. Joey and his friends were not expecting this. To summon the Winged Dragon, Odion offered his Mystical Beast and half of his life points. The sky became shrouded in deep, dark clouds, lightning flashed all around the area, and a golden fiery bird emerged from the Temple of the Kings. The Mystical Beast's 5825 attack points had all been channeled into the Winged Dragon's.

Marik was impressed and pleased. You've made our family proud today, Odion. Your handling of the copy of the Egyptian God card proves that you are one of us once and for all. And it has convinced our skeptical friends that you are Marik.

Odion declared an attack, but something terrible was going on. Instead of carrying out an attack, the Winged Dragon screeched. Emily got down to her knees and pressed her hands against her chest. "My chest," she was groaning. "It's burning!" The Millennium Star was going out of control.

Even the Cobalt Star shard around Max's neck was going wild. She tried to keep a grip on it, but her hand got burned. Marik, you fool, look what you've done!

Marik turned his attention to his deck. What's going on!? My deck is emanating a powerful aura of great rage! It's as if the real Winged Dragon of Ra in my deck is angry that Odion played a counterfeit card. Odion tried again to declare an attack, but the Winged Dragon screeched once more and began disappearing from the field. Why isn't it working? Marik wondered. My Rare Hunters tested these cards extensively. I know my weaker servants had great difficulties, but I thought Odion could control it.

Max began wondering to him in anger as she was listening to his thoughts. You don't have as much knowledge of the Egyptian Gods as you think, she scolded. Because of your stupidity, you've angered the Gods and now Joey and Odion are about to feel their wrath!

Lighting was coming down, striking the arena. It was happening just as Max warned Marik. But Odion was willing to pay the price for his dreadful mistake. Just as he warned Marik, he could not comprehend the power of the Egyptian God card. As the lightning struck him, the Millennium Rod in his hand shattered. Now Emily and Yami saw that Joey was right and this wasn't the madman who was after them. Odion fell and the last words he whispered were, "I tried."

Joey saw Odion get struck by the lightning and approached him to help him. But the lightning kept coming and ended up striking him as well.

"Joey!" Emily screamed. She unfolded her wings and flew to the arena. "Oh, no, Joey!"

Roland saw her and was surprisingly not freaked out to see her flying. "Get away from there. There's a duel going on."

"Open your eyes," she cried, "both duelists are knocked out!"

"Maybe so, but they both still have 200 life points remaining. So according to Battle City rules, this duel is still in progress. So leave this platform now," Roland told her.

"Forget about the rules, they both need help!"

"Enough," Kaiba ordered. "I don't know where that lightning came from, but it had nothing to do with the Kaiba Corporation's duel disk system. Whatever it may have seemed to be, this lightning storm is a freak act of nature and nothing more."

"Who cares what it was? Just end the duel now!" Max yelled.

Roland looked at Odion and Joey, unsure of what to do. "Should I declare the duel a double forfeit? Disqualify them both?"

Kaiba had a better idea. "Since the duelists are tied with 200 life points, we'll give them five minutes. The first duelist to get back on his feet will be declared the winner and be permitted to move on to the next round."

While all of Joey's friends were crying out for him and begging for him to snap out of it, Marik turned away and began groaning. He felt a pain inside his head, like something inside was trying to break free. Odion could sense Marik's pain and tried to get up. But as he got to his knees, he fell back down and whispered his apologies.

Joey was still out of it, but he could hear all of his friends calling him. Then a strange dream began playing in his mind. Joey saw the school and he was asleep on his desk. To wake him up, Duke tossed a die at his head. He finally lifted his head and opened his eyes and saw his friends surrounding him.

"Wake up, sleepyhead," said Téa. "This is no time to be resting."

Joey yawns and rubs his eyes. "Sorry, I'm feeling kind of lazy."

"Well, snap out of it and start showing some life," said Tristan.

"Come on, Joey, this is a big day, so get your butt in gear!" Téa told him.

"She's right, Joey," Yugi said worriedly. "Time is running out!"

"For what?" Joey asked, groggily.

"Don't you know? It's your dream. Today's the most important duel of your entire life!"

"Remember when you said, 'I'll show 'em all that Joey Wheeler's no amateur!'?" Emily asked, imitating Joey's voice and accent.

Hearing Emily imitate him made Joey laugh, but he was still confused about what was going on. He figured that maybe preparing his deck would help, so he took out a small bag and dumped his cards on his desk, but by doing so, he accidently fell forward. This was really weird, but it was natural for things like this to happen because it was a dream.

Yugi gets down and picks up some cards. "Let's put together the best dueling deck from this mess and then we can head out."

"Let's hope Joey will be a little less scatterbrained for when the competition begins," Téa sighed as she picked up a few cards.

Kaiba scoffed. "Just give it up, Wheeler," he said, leaving the classroom.

Joey growls and raises his fist. "How'd you like to give up your teeth?"

"Don't waste your energy on that loser," said Tristan. "You've got more important things to worry about."

"My deck," Joey remembered. "I keep a list of all of my best cards here," he said, taking a note from his pocket. Then he saw Max and Serenity on the floor picking up some cards. "Max? Serenity? What are you doing here?"

"You're dreaming," Max reminded him. "And dreams don't have to make sense, so just be glad you didn't have us come here seeing you naked."

"Plus, today's your big day," his sister added. "We had to be here."

Tristan pulls Joey to another corner of the room. "We got a problem. Your list is blank," he said, showing his pal clean white paper.

"This dream just gets weirder and weirder," said Joey. "It's almost as nuts as the nightmare I had about that monkey and the bowl of vanilla pudding. Thank God I'm not in this alone. If you guys weren't here, I'd be clueless."

"What are friends for?" Tristan asked.

Joey agrees. "You guys are the best buds I could ever have," he says, seeing everyone construct his deck. "I've done a lot of dumb things, but you guys stood by me no matter what. I won't forget that."

Then Yugi called Joey over and told him that his deck was ready. "You'll be tough to beat with all of these cards," he promised.

Joey thanks him and kisses his deck. "With your support and these cards, there's no way I can lose." Then everyone decides it's time to head out, but Joey finds himself stuck and unable to get up. "Something's wrong. I don't have enough strength to stand up. A little help, guys?"

"Are you sure you're not just trying to chicken out of your duel?" Max asked. "Stop kidding around."

"I'm serious," Joey told his friends. "I need a hand here." Then all of his friends hold out a hand to give him support. "You guys are the best. Thank you," he says, reaching out to them. And he feels everyone's hands and their support through their touch.

"Now stand up, Joey," said Yugi. "You have a duel to win!"

And Joey was standing up, not just in his dream, but in the arena. He came to and found himself on his feet. "Uhh, what just happened? Can someone fill me in, please?"

"You're dueling in the finals," Téa tells him.

"And you scared us half to death!" Max shouted. "Don't ever do that again, you dolt!"

Then Joey began remembering what happened before he got knocked out. After that, Roland announced that Joey was the winner of the duel. He wasn't about to celebrate his victory, though. Odion was still unconscious from the lightning strike. So Joey went to his aid and rested his head on his lap.

Odion began waking up. "Please forgive me, Joey," he said weakly. "It was an honor for me to duel with you."

Joey returned the gesture. "This was a duel I'll never forget. But now that it's over, it's time for you to come clean. If you're not Marik, who are you?"

"I am only a servant to the true Marik," Odion answered, pointing to his master.

Joey focused his gaze on the real villain. Yami and Emily turned his attention to him as well. "Admit your true identity, Namu!" Emily demanded, seeing the real Millennium Rod in his hand.

Marik stops groaning and gives her his attention. "Yes, it's true. I am indeed the real Marik, you fools!"

"So then, you're not Namu?" Téa asked.

"Namu? He was a disguise to get me closer to Yugi and Emily," Marik tells her.

"You sly dog," Joey growled.

Marik chuckled in an evil manner. "We finally meet face-to-face, Pharaoh and Princess. And at last, I can finally complete the task my pathetic servants couldn't. Your powers will soon be where they belong." Then he began groaning again.

Odion began sensing the problem. "Oh, no, I was afraid of this. Now you're all in great danger. Beware the great evil hidden within," he was warning everyone. "Master Marik has an even darker side and I am unable to contain it anymore." And he loses consciousness.

Marik's groan turned into a scream and he took on a new look. His hair grew into larger spikes and his voice became deeper. It was the other personality Marik developed when he received the tomb keeper's initiation: Malik.

"I'm finally free again after being restrained for so many years," said Malik. "Which means I can do things my way."

"Who are you?" Yami demanded, holding Emily close.

"I'm the true Marik," Malik answered, "and I'm not as kind as the one you've come to know. And soon I'll finish the job he couldn't complete and strip you of your powers. For I deserve to be pharaoh, not you. So get ready for the real battle. And when I'm through with you, your Puzzle will be around my neck and the Millennium Star will belong to me. And the both of you will be trapped in the realm of eternal darkness along with your friends and Odion as well."

"Get a life," Joey growled.

"You fool," Malik laughed. "Thanks to Odion's failure, I have a life. Of course, his failure also managed to prove one thing: only a chosen few can control the Egyptian God cards. Kaiba, you're one of them."

Kaiba scoffed. "I'm sick and tired of hearing these Egyptian fairy tales. I can control Obelisk the Tormentor because I am a master duelist."

Malik chuckled once again. "Don't deny your ancient past. You know you can't escape your five thousand year old memories. You'll learn in good time, Kaiba. Your role in this struggle runs much deeper than you can imagine. However, that won't matter once I win everything. The ultimate battle begins now and there's no turning back. The Egyptian God monsters will serve and protect me while I serve as the new pharaoh!" Malik said and began laughing.