Brother, my Brother
Having met up with her friends, Mystery follows them to the shrine in hopes of meeting the others there. When they finally make it, Atem and Mana get off of Salamence and Mystery lands on the ground and folds up her wings. Mana is the first to notice Kisara and Freya lying on the ground. The king and queen follow her gaze and approach their friends.
"Kisara? Freya?" asked Mana.
"What happened to them?" Mystery asked.
The answer was right in front of them. Atem saw the tablets of the White and Black Dragons and told the girls, "Their creatures were sealed." He also had a feeling he knew who did this to his friends.
"They're not moving," said Mana. "Are they-?"
Mystery gets down and places her fingertips at Kisara's neck. She does the same thing to Freya and answers, "No, their pulses are normal and I can hear them breathing. But for them to be unconscious and their creatures to be sealed can only mean that they were attacked." Mystery remembered that sealing a Shadow Creature in a stone tablet didn't mean ending its host's life. But she also remembered that the White and Black Dragons had lived inside Kisara and Freya for so long that their souls had joined together with their beasts. That made her wonder if the girls' souls had been sealed in stone instead of sent to the Shadow Realm. But then that would mean that Kisara and Freya were the White and Black Dragons.
Just when the three were about to start discussing the matter, Seto and Joseph approached their friends. "Pharaoh and Queen," Seto said in a moody tone.
Atem turns around and is relieved. "Seto, Joseph, thank goodness you're both safe." But he didn't want to ignore Kisara and Freya. "Tell me, who did this to Kisara and Freya?" Even though he knew the answer to that, he wanted to hear Seto and Joseph's story about what happened.
It was just as Atem had feared. The Great Shadow Negas brought Seto to this temple to lure the two cousins into a trap and seize the White and Black Dragons. But what surprised the king mostly was when Seto explained to him how the Dark Lord possessed the wicked knight and spoke to Seto and Joseph after Kisara and Freya were attacked. Seto didn't want to explain to Atem everything that the Dark Lord said to him. Instead, he walked several steps apart from his friends and near the entrance to the temple.
"Seto, what are you doing?" Atem asked.
Gazing at his friend, Seto strengthens his voice and speaks with a more serious tone. "I've lost so much in the past few minutes. I do not wish to lose everything else so dear to me. But my losses have made me weak and an easy victim to the darkness. My inner struggle is tormenting me not just inside my heart or in my head, but also all around me. I fear I may lose myself in this fight."
"What are you saying?"
Seto lifts his left arm and activates his diadiank. "I want you to save me." Then he raises his arm and cries out for the White Dragon. The tablet shines and the beast is summoned. "I really don't want to hurt you, Pharaoh, but the darkness is taking over me inside and out. Please, fight me." Seto was telling the truth. After all that had been going on for him in the past few hours, there was a great battle raging inside of him and trying to corrupt him. Unfortunately for Seto, the only way to keep that from happening and to save himself was to fight his closest friend.
Neither of the four friends could believe what was going on. Was Seto really going to use Kisara's power to hurt them? "Don't do this, Seto," Atem begged. "Withdraw the White Dragon and come back to us!"
But Seto grins. "No, Pharaoh. I won't. Now gather your courage and fight me if you want to save your precious family."
Joseph moves cloer to Atem and tells him, "Pharaoh, he means it. He'll hurt us unless you accept his challenge. It's you he wants."
Seeing Seto look so serious and amused at the same time, Atem finds that Joseph is telling the truth. Fighting his closest friend was the last thing Atem ever wanted, but he had no choice but to fight. So his amulet started glowing and he raised his arm and summoned the Dark Magician. Now the stage was set and the two were ready to duel.
Mystery tries running to the battlefield to reason with her friends, but Joseph blocks her path. "I'm sorry, Queen Mystery, but we can't interfere this time. We have to let them fight." He actually didn't want to see his two best friends fight like this, but he didn't want to go back on his promise either. That actually wasn't his reason for standing by. He explains his true reason and says, "My queen, I'm just as worried and against this as you and Mana are, but this fight has to go on. After all that has happened to Seto and all that the Dark Lord has told him, my master is unsure of what he most desires. But none of us are able to break through to him. But I believe that if anybody can save Master Seto, the pharaoh can."
"It's still not right or fair," Mana protested. "Seto and the pharaoh are like brothers. They shouldn't be forced to fight like this."
Hearing that, Mystery finally understands and decides to stand by. "All the more reason to let them." As Mana faces her and asks why, the queen explains. "I know that best friends should never fight. Not like this, anyway. But Seto and Atem have to fight. I saw it in Seto's heart. Just as he said, there is a battle going on inside of him and he is trying to make the right choices. But he is frightened and confused. Therefore, I agree that the only one who can save Seto is the one who knows him better than the rest of us do: my husband."
"I guess that makes sense," Mana sobbed. Looking back, she remembered how close Seto and Atem were, how they became best friends immediately after they met, how they were always helping each other when they were growing up. Being older and more determined, Seto was always challenging Atem and helping him to be his best. Seto wasn't doing it because he thought he would be a more suitable king, but to help Atem have what it would take to be king. Atem admitted he was challenged, but he was also grateful because he would never be where he was without the help of his best friend. No brothers had ever been so close to each other.
But this battle wasn't going to be like those friendly competitions or practice fights. So much was on the line this time. It was one thing when Seto and Atem fought for sport and fun, but now this was a battle of life and death. And Atem knew that if he were to walk away or surrender, he would lose his best friend. So if he expected to save his friend and relative, he had to battle him and help him conquer the darkness inside.
The White Dragon kept launching her White Lighting attack, but failed to strike the Dark Magician. At the same time, none of Mahad's attacks were landing on the Dragon. As it turned out, the White Dragon didn't want to fight either. She was just carrying out the orders of her new master without trying to hurt her friend. Before the White Dragon attacks again, Mahad takes this chance to stop her. He positions himself on her neck and places his scpeter in her teeth. But being a big and strong creature, the White Dragon wrings the mage off of her. They attack again, but not with their powers. Physically, they collide and when that happens, a spiritual connection takes place.
"Mahad, it's me," says Kisara's voice.
Mahad opens his eyes and sees his friend standing before him. "Kisara! It is you," he says, happy to see her true form.
Kisara is just as happy to see and speak to her friend, but there was a fight going on and this moment would be brief. But hopefully, the time would be enough for her to say what she needed to. "Mahad, listen to me. I don't want to hurt you or the pharaoh, but the White Dragon is no longer a part of me and therefore, I can no longer control her. No matter how much I try, she can no longer hear me or respond to my wishes."
"But you are here with me right now," Mahad said, trying not to argue.
"Only for a little while," Kisara told him. "Soon my soul will be completely absorbed by the darkness and I will cease to exist. Freya is already in the Shadow Realm and I will soon join her. I don't have much time, so listen carefully. You and the king must win this fight no matter what. Destroy the White Dragon."
"I can't!" Mahad protested. "I will destroy you!"
Kisara shakes her head. "My existence no longer matters. I chose this fate just as you chose yours; to save the people we love. I would rather lose myself than destroy my own friends. It's better that way."
Mahad remembered the reasons for his sacrifice. As similar as his was to the cousins', the methods were different. Both of their souls were in different places, but still connected and able to communicate. Though Kisara and Mahad were no longer as sentient as the rest of their friends, neither one of them wanted to destroy the other or hurt the rest of their loved ones. Then he got an idea. He knew there would be a way to save everyone in this fight without sending anyone into oblivion. "Kisara, you once told me that your light is meant to help the people you love. Your light is greater than the White Dragon. Use it to command your beast and save the man you love."
"I can't," said Kisara. "I'm not strong enough."
"Yes, you are," Mahad encouraged. "Trust me. If I can will the Dark Magician, then you can will the White Dragon. A part of you still lives within her. The pharaoh and I want to save Seto as much as you do, but we need your help to break through to him." Then the spiritual connection breaks and the two find themselves fighting again.
The White Dragon and the Dark Magician weren't the only ones fighting. Seto and Atem weren't just commanding their friends, but they were launching blows at each other. As they fought, Atem kept trying to reason with Seto, but Seto started spouting his reasons for needing to fight. He confessed his pride and jealousy and started bragging.
Seto removes his hat and wipes his brow. "The Dark Lord was right. All that I've helped you to achieve, I deserved just as much."
Atem gets back on his feet and retorts, "Do not take your anger on me for the paths you chose. I kept insisting on helping you and being fair, but you kept kindly refusing and said you were happy with where you were."
Seto jumps on Atem and they roll on the ground. Above the king, Seto holds his arms down and glares at him. "Just because I knew my place doesn't mean I was happy with it. I kept my emotions contained because I knew the consequences. But now nothing can stand in my way from revealing my true self to you!" he cries and strikes his opponent.
Atem groans for one moment, but he ignores the pain and shoves Seto off. "I didn't mean to ignore you. You are right. I shouldn't have left you alone. I should have stayed with you and kept urging you to open up to me so I could help you. But I can now that I see how much you really need my help." Seto lunges himself towards Atem for another attack, but the king braces himself and strikes his friend right back. "Seto, I am only doing this because you are my friend and my family. But in the end, we'll have won this fight together."
Seto lifts himself from the ground, hisses at Atem, spits to the ground, and wipes his lips. "Then keep coming at me with everything you've got." And they resume fighting and arguing.
Watching from the same corner of the temple and apart from the royals, Bakura and Max watch with different expressions. Bakura smiles, finding this battle to be amusing. "This is just tragic. Who would have thought that two close friends to become family would also become bitter rivals?"
Max, however, had different views. It wasn't amusing to her at all. Behind her veil was a shocked expression. Why was Bakura making her watch this? Even she agreed that friends shouldn't be forced to fight like this. The king was fighting to save his family, but that family was giving everything he had to stop him. How can you fight your opponent when your opponent turns out to be someone you love dearly? How can you save him, but also save yourself? This fight was familiar to her in so many ways.
With every blow she saw Seto and Atem deal each other, it was like she felt the pain being inflicted upon them. At the same time, the haunting images of blood and shadows started flashing before her eyes again. Startled, she gasps and falls back. Sensing her fear, Bakura decides to play no more mind games. He starts jogging her memory by humming a familiar melody. He softens his voice and sings with a soothing tone, "La la la, la la. La la la, la la la la."
Hearing the melody, Max starts to remember where she heard it. She remembered hearing it as a little girl and singing it with a friend. Then she remembered that the friend she knew was Bakura and the song they were singing together was the Dark Lord's melody. Flashing before her eyes were many different scenes of them playing together as small children before their village was destroyed. But the memory that actually played out was that tragic night.
Luna's parents had come to the palace to take her back. With Egypt being threatened with war, the couple decided that they couldn't stay. They also didn't want to guarantee safety at the palace. So they decided to go to the palace, take back the child they left, return to the village, and start a journey to find a new home.
Luna wasn't happy to see her mother and father the very least. She didn't even want to go with them. Her adoptive parents kept trying to persuade her real parents to let the child stay, but Luna's birth parents kept reasoning with them that their daughter belonged with her own kind and would never get any part of it if she remained in the palace. In the end, Luna's adoptive parents gave in and agreed that it would be best for Luna if she went with her parents.
The three were out in the desert far from the city, but not yet in reach of Kul Elna. Still upset, Luna didn't bother talking to her mother or father. She didn't want to get to know them. As they tried getting to know her, she spouted nasty comments and rude responses. It was about to turn into a fight until they saw a small boy with dark skin and white hair. Luna recognized her friend and was happy to see him. His feelings were different, however. The boy was not happy the very least to see Luna; not even with her parents. He kept still and expressionless like a demon so his anger couldn't be detected.
Seeing the boy, Luna's mother recognized him and realized he was the heir of Cobalt. Instead of paying respect, the woman feared for her daughter's life and didn't want her near him. So she pushed the boy and carried Luna away from him.
But Luna bit down on her mother's hand to make her lose her grip. After she was set free, Luna stomped on her mother's feet. "He's my friend," she cried. "Don't treat him so badly."
Luna's mother got down and wrapped herself around her. "I'm only trying to protect you. That boy is dangerous."
Luna freed herself and pushed her mother. "No, he's not! He's the best friend I ever had and he's done more for me than you and Daddy!"
As Luna keeps yelling, Bakura slowly gets back on his feet and approaches them. Holding a dagger in one hand, Bakura slashes Luna's mother from behind and slits the back of her neck. She stops breathing and falls on her side. Her eyes are still open and have trails of tears in the place of the light of life. Scared at what's happened, Luna gasps for a few seconds and starts screaming. As her father comes to see what's going on, Bakura jumps on him and slits his throat. After finishing him off, Bakura looks at Luna with that same expressionless glare.
But Luna senses his anger and keeps whimpering. "Why would you do this to me!? I thought we were friends!"
Keeping calm, Bakura asks, "Why do you think you're still alive?"
"What?" Luna whimpered.
"The only reason I didn't kill you is because we are friends." Then he tightens his eyes and grins. Before he starts walking, however, Luna screams again and the children start scuffling.
The memories stop and Max doesn't remember anything from after that fight. She comes back to her senses and glares at Bakura. So he can see her expression of anger and realization, Max removes her veil. "It was you," she growled. "I remember, eighteen years ago. You killed my parents."
Bakura smiles at her with that same wicked smile. But the royals are still nearby. Even though they're occupied with their own battle, it's not safe to discuss the matter here at the temple. Bakura calls for Zoroark and orders him to transform. After Zoroark transforms into a horse, Bakura climbs on and tells Max, "I'll explain everything later," and heads for the desert. Left alone, Max decides to watch the rest of the battle, hoping it won't end like it did with her parents.
Finally, the White Dragon was able to wound the Dark Magician. The mage wasn't going to fight anymore, but he couldn't allow himself to be attacked again. Even Atem and Seto had enough of their physical assaults. Atem weakly stands up and holds his arm close to ease the pain. Seto tries to lift himself from the ground, but keeps slipping. Finally, he cries out for help. He continues to try to stand up, but is weak. To support himself, he stands with one leg. Now that they're both weakly standing, Atem finally decides to end the fight once and for all. He slowly approaches his friend and starts sobbing. "Please, Seto, no more fighting. I don't want to hurt you anymore. You're my friend, my brother. And I would never forgive myself if I lost you."
Feeling stuck, Seto finds himself leaving the physical world and entering his soul. "Pharaoh," he cries. He sees himself curled up like a child seeking comfort and protection against the darkness surrounding him. "I don't want to fight anymore either. But I feel so lost and alone. The shadows are trying to take me. Please, help me!"
As if the White Dragon can sense Seto's fear and struggle, she lets out a mighty roar. Hearing that, Seto sees that shadows being driven out and blue lights are shining through. "You're not alone," says Kisara's voice. "I'm here for you. And so are the rest of our friends." Seto looks up and sees Kisara. She smiles at him and reaches out to touch him. Feeling her fingers and palms on his cheeks, Seto feels the comfort he's been longing. "My light is meant to protect you, Seto. It will always shine through the darkness."
"Kisara," Seto whispers and places his hands on her cheeks. Then they both kiss and their surroundings are completely lit up.
When they stop kissing, Kisara smiles once again. "You're free now," she tells him.
Seto comes back to his senses and sees himself back in the arena with Atem. "I'm back," he whispers to himself. Seeing Atem trying to approach him, Seto smiles compassionately and spreads his arms out. When they get closer together, they hug and start crying. "It is over, my brother," Seto says in a soothing tone. "You were right. We won together; along with the help of our friends." Then they both smile at the Shadow Creatures.
The Blue-Eyes White Dragon softly growls with affection and rubs her head against the Dark Magician. Feeling restored, Mahad stands up and gratefully tells his friend, "Kisara, your light is incredible! It healed all of my wounds from the fight. Thank you!" He holds his arms out to hug her, but the White Dragon can't hug him, so she instead lowers her head for him to hug.
Taking in these affectionate scenes, the spectators assume that the battle is over and they can rejoin their friends. When they're all together, the tablet of the Red-Eyes Black Dragon starts glowing and the beast appears before her friends. When Dark Magician and the Dragons come together, the most remarkable thing happens; the souls of the three lost friends stand before the five friends present. The Children of Millennia were together again. They hadn't had a special moment like this in so long.
Mana can't help but cry of happiness. "It's been so long since the eight of us have been together like this. After all that's been going on."
"Welcome back, guys," Joseph sobs.
Freya smiles at him. "We never left. We've always been right with you."
"Our souls may be in the Shadow Realm," Kisara was saying, "but a part of us lives within our Dragons just like Mahad is the Dark Magician. So we're not really gone."
"But it won't be the same without you," Joseph told her.
Freya reaches out and touches his cheek. "Joseph, I know you and I always discussed our future together. Believe me, I wanted to become your wife and bear your children."
He places his hand over hers and tells her, "Maybe you still can. When this whole fight ends and we find a way to rescue you girls from the Shadow Realm, we can have our futures and a bigger family."
"If there should ever come a time, I'll be looking forward to it," Freya tells him. "Don't give up that hope. It will give you strength to end this battle once and for all." She giggles and adds, "Believe me, I know. Hope is my element."
Realizing that, everyone notices that Kisara and Freya's amulets are still glowing. Kisara's amulet had actually been glowing brightly throughout the whole duel. "Think of it this way," Kisara tells her friends, "Hope and light are both frail, but not weak. They need to be protected, but they also give strength. You can't wound hope or light, let alone kill them. For that, Freya and I can never truly be gone. They keep our spirits alive and all of our friends strong."
Mystery releases the tears in her eyes and smiles. "That is true. Hope and light are both very powerful and can never be destroyed."
Mahad smiles as well. "Just as you five have always been there for us, we will always be here for you. Because that is what friends do." Then he turns to Mana and tells her, "Friends, family, teammates, everybody. Because when you believe in yourself and in each other, there is nothing you cannot do."
Mana smiles and wraps her arms around her master to hug him. "I love you, Master Mahad," she sobs. She really wanted to have a future with him. If not in this world, perhaps in another.
Seto dries his eyes and smiles. "Just when I thought our family was coming apart, it's actually always been together. I mean, it was one thing when we were all starting our own paths, and then with all that had been going on these past few days, but now-" he stops to catch his breath. "We've never actually been apart. We've always had each other."
"And we always will," said Freya. "We may all have our own hopes and dreams, but we still work together to make them come true. Now I want to help all of you realize your hopes and make them come true."
Kisara nods. "And my light is meant for all of my friends. So I'll give every one of you my strength."
Mahad takes his turn and finishes with, "I made a vow to protect all of you. I will carry out that vow no matter where I am, no matter what I am."
Mystery's amulet starts glowing and she feels her heart racing. "We all love you," she tells her friends. "You have always been our family and you will always be."
Gratefully, Mahad and the cousins smile at the queen. They also look down at the princess and smile at her. The child wasn't afraid of the Dragons or the mage. It was like she knew that these were her friends in disguise. Of course, she still saw their souls and was just as happy to see them. She even squealed as she tried reaching out to them.
Tears fell from the eyes of the Dragons and the Dark Magician. They really wanted to be in the same place as the pharaoh and queen and have families with their lovers. For now, they had to believe that they still could.
Before Mahad and the cousins say their goodbyes, they settle their affairs. Kisara makes the first move and says, "My power rests with you now, Seto. But remember, it's meant to protect everybody."
"I will use it as you always have," Seto promises her.
"I am entrusting my power to you as well, Joseph. I believe you will use it responsibly," said Freya.
Joseph nods. "For the people I love and to fulfill our dreams."
Mahad had nothing left to give because he had already promised eternal servitude to the royal family. But he did promise he would always be there for his friends like a reliable companion and guardian. The one he actually had to settle his affairs with was Mana. They didn't have a proper goodbye and now they can settle things between them. "Mana, there may be nothing left for me to teach you, but know that I will always be here if you ever need me."
Mana dries her eyes and sniffles. "But my training isn't complete. What will I do without you?"
"I may not be your teacher anymore, but I will always watch over you and guide you like I always have." Then he lowers himself and kisses Mana. The same thing happens with Kisara and Freya and their lovers. The cousins even tell their guardian beasts to take care of everybody. Kirara and Sakuya whine, but promise by nodding. Kisara and Freya hug their beasts one last time and let them go. Finally, Mahad and the cousins say their goodbyes, release the tears in their eyes, and disappear from their friends' sight. Even the Dragons and the Dark Magician are gone.
Seto and Joseph approach the tablets of the Dragons where the cousins were still laying. They knew they would keep their promise and watch over their friends. Mana starts crying and hugs Mystery for comfort and support. Mystery holds Mana and rubs her back to soothe her. Atem approaches Seto to try to comfort him and help him.
Sensing the king's presence, Seto tells him, "Pharaoh, I finally realize how important my family is to me." He turns around and faces him with tears. "I'm sorry, but I want to be alone for a little while."
Atem was used to hearing Seto say that, but he didn't want to leave him alone; not after what they fought about. "I can't stand seeing you in such pain, but I can't leave you alone like this either."
Seto smiles and says, "But it's all right this time. Go on. I promise I'll be all right."
"Are you sure," Atem asks. Seto nods and says the same thing about Joseph. Right now, they were both reeling from their losses and needed a few moments to pull themselves together. So Atem walked away to give his friends some space. He didn't want to go home without them either, so he decided to wait inside the temple. Seeing that, Mystery decides to join him.
Before Mana follows the king and queen inside the temple, she looks back at Seto and Joseph. Now they were in the same place she was in when she saw Mahad's fate. Though she knew they needed a few moments alone like she did, Mana didn't want to leave them alone. She actually understood their pain better than the rest of their friends. Just as Mahad was Mana's first love, Kisara was Seto's and Freya was Joseph's.
Mana takes a few steps closer to Seto and Joseph. Though they were still reeling from their losses, they knew why Mana was in their presence and what she was about to say to them. Because of that matter, they actually didn't mind her being close to them. They didn't even mind Kirara and Sakuya joining them in sadness. Still a big cat, Kirara rubs herself against Seto and licks his face to kiss him and wash away his tears. Sakuya even leans against Joseph and places her paw on his lap like how Freya would hold his hand.
Unable to handle the silence as she thinks about the times she passed together with her friends, Mana casts a summoning spell to bring her harp forth. She doesn't care if Seto and Joseph don't want to listen. In fact, Mana can't help but feel that this should be meant for Seto and Joseph as well as herself and the the rest of their lost loves. At the same time, she wonders if they'll want to join her later, so she summons Seto's guitar and Joseph's drum. Finally, she releses the tears in her eyes and begins plucking the strings.
Feeling like she's got the right tune, she softly hums for a while, then starts singing.
Once in a while, you are in my mind
I think about the days that we had
And I dream that these would all come back to me
If only you knew every moment in time
Nothing goes on in my heart
Just like your memories
How I long here to be with you
Once more
You will always gonna be the one and you should know
How I wish I could have never let you go
Come into my life again
Oh, don't say 'no'
You will always gonna be the one in my life, so true
I believe I can never find somebody like you,
My first love
Hearing the sound of Mana's harp as well as her song, Seto and Joseph are taken in by the melody. Gently, they set the girls down, pick up their instruments and join in. They knew right away that this song did apply to them as well.
Seto plucks the strings on his guitar and sings his part. Once in a while, you are in my dreams
I can feel the warmth of your embrace
And I pray that one day you'll come back to me
Joseph taps his drum and follows with, If only you knew every moment in time
Nothing goes on in my heart
Just like your memories
How I long here to be with you
Once more. Yeah, yeah, yeah
Seto repeats the chorus and sings it a little differently than before. You will always be inside my heart and you should know
How I wish I could have never let you go
Come into my life again
Please, don't say 'no'
Joseph finishes with, Now and forever you are still the one in my heart, so true
I believe I can never find somebody like you,
My first love
Together, the three friends strengthen their voices and sing the last chorus.
You will always gonna be the one and you should know
How I wish I could have never let you go
Come into my life again
Oh, don't say 'no'
You will always gonna be the one, so true
I believe I could never find
Now and forever
The friends finish the melody and smile at each other with tears. Mana gets between Seto and Joseph and holds their hands. The song warmed their hearts a little and eased a bit of their pain. They even wondered if Mahad, Freya, and Kisara heard the song of their hearts. If they did, no doubt they would have loved it.
The song that Mana, Seto, and Joseph are singing as a tribute to their lovers is called 'First Love'. This is the English version sung by Jesse Zaragoza. The original Japanese version is sung by Utada Hikaru.