Can you tell I really, really wanna get to Waking the Dragons? I own nothing.
Chapter 39: Goodbye Battle City

Perhaps (Y/N) should have stopped her husband from digging into Seto in the immediate aftermath of their duel, but the queen wasn't much better after a snide comment made by the brunette about everyone being alone in the world. It was quite comical seeing the much shorter woman push herself out of Yami's arms, march over to Seto, and yank by the ear, daring him to repeat that sentence to her or Mokuba's face, or even offering to call Carter so he could repeat that again. (Y/N) had been done with his attitude she had broken her arm, and she quite frankly snarled at Seto that if he thought for a moment he was alone in the world, he was an emotionally constipated dimwit. Fortunately, Joey had a different approach to reaching Kaiba considering everyone just awkwardly stood the side and watched the queen's tirade (okay, Yami was quite please to see the woman he love go off on his rival like a firecracker): a consolation duel, the only language Seto spoke. Joey lost, but something did change in Seto ever slightly, even giving a begrudging apology to Rain for letting her get hurt and not punishing her assailant (privately of course as he was not doing that in front of his rival) and giving her a card to pass along. However, (Y/N) couldn't be certain considering mid-duel, she and Yami had sensed something very wrong, noticing Tea was also missing. The two headed back to the blimp and reached the dueling deck in time to see a confrontation between Yami Marik, Ishizu, and Tea, who was lying on the floor, unconscious.
Yami Marik laughed, holding his Millennium Rod out threateningly to the two women, before stopping himself as he saw the shine of Yami and (Y/N) own Millennium Items. "Look at this. I'm quite popular today."
The royal couple emerged on the deck, Ishizu looking relieved to see them.
"This has gone far enough, Marik." Yami warned.
(Y/N) glared at their enemy. "You get one warning: put down the rod, or you'll be made to."
"Ah, welcome, Pharaoh, Queen (Y/N). I suppose our battle will begin sooner than I thought."
"I'd reconsider that threat." (Y/N) warned as the three of them gained the glowing eye emblem on their foreheads. "You'd be facing our combined power. You struggled quite profusely when I was alone, are you confident you can best us together?"
The dark spirit snarled at the two of them as dark storm clouds rolled in, the only light coming from the items and their emblems. However, seeing that the couple's items were shining brighter, Yami Marik backed down, smirking as the cloud disappeared.
"On second thought, I don't want to end this just yet. That would be too easy, Pharaoh, and I have something more fun in mind." Yami placed himself between his wife and Marik and as he walked by them, smirking sadistically. "I'd enjoy what time you have left together, because once I defeat you, you'll never see your precious queen again."
The former pharaoh's eyes narrowed slightly, not willing to let Marik see him tick. "I'd watch your tongue. I won't take kindly to such a threat."
The snarl in Yami's tone was enough to make the dark spirit slink off without another word. Once he was out of sight, (Y/N) moved to check on Tea, who Ishizu now had in her arms.
"Is she all right?"
"Tea has been through quite a bit." The Egyptian woman admitted. "But she should be fine soon."
"Why did she come here in the first place?" Yami asked.
"Poor girl. Pharaoh, my Queen, as Rain proved, my brother's good side still lives, but there is more to it. He lives within Tea's mind, but soon, he could be gone forever! He was able to confront his dark side by controlling Tea's body, but he is too weak now, and he'll grow weaker with every passing second until the shadows engulf him. Please, both of you, don't allow the evil within my brother to prosper. It can still be destroyed."
"We will, Ishizu." Yami assured.
"Thank you, my Pharaoh, my Queen. I know that you will prevail. You must, otherwise the world will crumble."
"Ishizu's right." Yugi said, appearing in spirit form with Rain, who had a contemplative look.
"Yami Marik will definitely make your duel a Shadow Game. It's risky, but that moment might be exactly what we need to drive him out for good. Plus, it'll make sure you two have all three Egyptian god cards."
(Y/N) knew she was right, but she still had a hesitant look on her face. "Ishizu, we will do whatever we can to save your brother from himself. I only pray that stopping him will reverse the damage he's done. However, if it comes to it-,"
Ishizu nodded sadly, knowing what the queen was about to say. "I understand, my Queen."
Just then, Tea woke up, cutting their conversation short as the Royal couple escorted her to the duel after explaining what had happened, but it was already done by the time they returned. Joey was, understandably, upset they had missed it, but a bit of playful jabbing from Duke and Tristan made everyone agree to just drop the subject.
And so, it came to this: Yami and Marik staring each other down at the top of the tower, ready to duel it out for the fate of the world. Their friends (Seto now among them) stood to the side, ready to stand with Yugi and Yami till the bitter end. (Y/N) was the last person to speak to her husband before the duel started, handing him the card given to her by the older Kaiba.
"Seto said to pass this along. He said you'd know when to use it."
Seeing the card, Yami smiled and shuffled it in, before smiling at her. "I will. Any chance you have any suggestions?"
(Y/N) half chuckled, looking at the cardholder containing his side deck, only to feel something pull her. With Yami holding it open, she skimmed the cards until she felt a shock beneath her fingertips. She pulled out the card and the two looked at it: Ragnarok. Immediately, Yami took the card from (Y/N), unsure how this would help, but knowing somehow that it would.
"Thank you, shagngu. I will stop him."
He kissed her forehead, only for the queen to cup his cheek and kiss his lips. "Please, be safe, kianga. If not for your sake, then for mine."
He smiled, placing his forehead to hers. "I promise. Nothing could stop me from returning to you."
Hesitantly, the two broke apart as Yami took his position on the dueling field and (Y/N) walked to her friends. Seeing everyone in their places, Roland raised his hand.
"Attention! The final duel is about to begin! Duelists, prepare your cards! Marik Ishtar will face Yugi Muto to decide the Battle City champion!"
"Pharaoh." Yami Marik snarled. "I have been waiting for this moment for my entire life! Soon your infinite power will be mine."
"Marik, not only will I defeat you, I'll free you from the darkness that controls you!"
The dark spirit laughed mockingly. "Now that I'd like to see. So come and get me!"
"Pay attention then." (Y/N) could help but snark.
Duke joined in. "Take him down, Yugi!"
"It's all you, man!" Tristan yelled.
Joey and Tea stood on either side of (Y/N), both looking more concerned than Duke or Tristan.
"Hey, (Y/N)?" Joey said, leaning towards her. "I know that Yugi had two Egyptian god cards, but his are gonna be tougher to summon to the field, while Marik can just summon his Winged Dragon of Ra with Monster Reborn. Marik's Egyptian god card has so many abilities, it's almost impossible to beat!"
"Difficult, not impossible." The queen corrected. "Remember, Joey, when Marik used Monster Reborn to bring out Ra on us, he was left wide open the next turn. Had we been able to attack, he would've been defeated long ago. He had to rely on his dark magic to make certain we couldn't continue, but I doubt he'll be able to do that this time."
"Why?" Tea asked.
"A hunch. Regardless, I have a feeling Marik is going to greatly regret not giving Ra the proper tribute it deserves. Disrespecting a god card can only lead to trouble."
The two males shuffled each other's deck, Marik laughing like a madman as per usual, trying to psych out Yami, who remained stoic and silent. The two eventually separated and returned to their sides of the field.
"I will defeat you, Marik." The pharaoh reiterated.
"I'd like to see you try."
Roland raised his arm. "Commence dueling!"

Marik 4000LP/Yugi 4000LP

The dark spirit cackled, raining the Millennium Rod. "Let the fun begin!"
Yami growled as dark clouds encircled the battlefield. (Y/N) narrowed her eyes angrily.
"Well he certainly didn't waste time."
"Hang in there, Yuge." Joey muttered as Marik went off.
"Now then, you've witnessed several of my Shadow Game's before, but this one will be different. I've thrown in a few twists especially for you! Now, Pharaoh, it's time to reveal the first of my surprises for you!"
Marik raised the Millennium Rod again, and from the clouds, Yami spotted a familiar face trapped within what looked like an hourglass.
"Mai!"
"That's right. Once our duel ends, she'll be gone!"
"Bold of you to assume you'll win, you vile parasite!" (Y/N) snarled.
Yami Marik only laughed. "I'm afraid it gets worse. She's far from the only one who's in danger here."
"Why's that?" Yami asked.
"Just as I said, I have several surprises in store for you today. Are you ready? Meet my next victim!"
In a flash, Yugi, in spirit form, appeared beside Yami, bound up.
"Yugi!" Yami yelled, now very nervous.
"Do you understand what's at stake now?" Marik asked. "Lose the duel, and Yugi goes to the Shadow Realm!"
"Marik! This is about you and me, so leave him alone!"
The real Marik then appeared behind his dark counterpart, bound much like Yugi and not responsive.
"That's not true." Yami Marik mock, pointing to the real Marik. "You're forgetting my weaker half. He's involved in this conflict as well. So, if I lose, the shadows will take him!"
"You coward!" (Y/N) snapped, knowing exactly what Yami Marik was doing. "You're using him as a shield from your own rules!"
"I make the rules, your highness."
"Say what you will, but now we see just how frightened you truly are." She smirked. "After all, you wouldn't need to use him to protect yourself if you believed beyond a shadow of doubt. You know you can't win."
He hissed at her. "I've had enough of you, and that excuse of a Wayfarer vessel of yours, your highness. Don't think for a minute I've forgotten either of you. After all, you were so adamant about fighting beside your husband."
"(Y/N)! Your arm!" Tea screamed.
Looking down, (Y/N) saw tendrils of dark energy seemingly crawling out of the Millennium Bracelet, wrapping around her arm. Rain then appeared, her own arm having the same tendrils,  along with bands of light wrapped around her neck, wrists, and ankles.
"This is probably very bad." The younger Wayfarer said as Yami looked at him wife and glared back as his opponent furious.
"MARIK! RELEASE THEM AT ONCE!"
"Leave the girls alone!" Yugi demanded as well, equally as angry. "You already had your battle! They have nothing to do with this!"
"They have everything to do with this." The dark spirit corrected. "That pipsqueak Wayfarer has been a thorn in my side and an obstacle in my way for far too long! And as for the queen, why shouldn't she be forced to feel her husband's suffering?"
Yami looked murderous that this cur would weasel another chance to hurt (Y/N) and Rain. In contrast, his wife studied the field. The dark tendrils were also creeping around the Millennium Puzzle, meaning Yami Marik had likely used the connection between the two items and the two masters to bypass the bracelet's barriers. It was clever, she could admit that much, especially since the destruction of Yugi and Rain's spirits would also spell the end for her and Yami. However, that also meant Yami Marik had just split the pain of the duel four different ways, meaning he'd have a much harder time whittling away at Yami's endurance, and considering Marik had only been able to cheat his way here, this would surely mean his downfall.
"You don't frighten us, Marik." (Y/N) said firmly. "You've proven yourself to be nothing more than a coward and a scoundrel with no skills outside of trickery."
Rain joined in her partner's taunting. "Bring it on, you snake! You may think you're smart dragging me and (Y/N) into this, but you just made this a 4-v-1. Pretty stupid if you ask me."
"I will take great pleasure silencing that tongue of yours once and for all!"
"Not if I have anything to say about it!" Yami yelled, still worried for the girls, but not being able to do anything now."
"Then let us begin then, Pharaoh."
The duel didn't exactly get off to the best start, with the dark spirit summoning Vampire Leech, who could do 500 damage right on summon, and then switching to defense mode by discarding a card that was obviously Ra. Yami made a slight counterattack with Queen's Knight, only to be dealt more damage next turn by Marik's Juragedo. Both attacks did very little physically to Yami as (Y/N) was splitting the pain with him, but Yugi and Rain were slowly dissolving with each point lost. Eventually, Yami smirked and (Y/N) could sense he had drawn Ragnarok, but Yami Marik attempted the same play as he had done in their duel by using Left Arm offering to draw Monster Reborn. Fortunately, Rain's suggestion to add Exchange to the boys' deck came in clutch as Yami was having none of that and immediately snatched it from his hand. Yami also immediately put that Monster Reborn to use by reviving Queen's Knight and moving into his Card Face combo by summoning out King's Knight and then summoning Jack's Knight with their ability, filing the field perfectly for a god card summoning, something Marik was egging to do, even activating Card of Sanctity and switching his Juragedo to defense. The former pharaoh, knowing he couldn't risk playing cautiously, did just that, summoning Slifer to the field with an impressive 6000 attack. Unfortunately, the dark spirit revealed one of his face downs to be Dark Spell of Regeneration, allowing him to summon Ra in defense mode and in Phoenix mode no less, the 1000 lifepoint cost eating into the good Marik. Unfortunately, not even Slifer was immune to Ra's destruction effect as it and the field were consumed in fire the dark spirit cackled, believing he had just burnt his enemy to a crisp, but when the embers cleared, Yami was safely behind a familiar barrier.
"What!?" He snarled.
"Why so surprised?" (Y/N) asked, the Millennium Bracelet glowing. "You made it clear this was my Shadow Game as well. Why shouldn't I use my power to protect the one I love in this game?"
Dark Marik bared his teeth at her as Yami smiled.
"Thank you, (Y/N)."
"For you, kianga, anything."
"Regardless, my Winged Dragon has completed its task, so I shall return it to my graveyard." Marik declared as the burning bird dissipated. "That was a small taste of what lies ahead, but I assure you, the worst is yet to come! I'll destroy your lifepoints one by one as the darkness slowly consumes your bodies! I'm afraid you haven't seen the last of my Egyptian god card! Ra shall return to me! I activate my facedown card: Zombie's Jewel! This card allows me to take a magic card from your graveyard and place it in my hand, and I have a feeling you know exactly what card I'm talking about, don't you? I reclaim Monster Reborn! Your precious magic card will allow my Winged Dragon of Ra to continue its onslaught, but my Zombie Jewel will also allow you to draw one card. Perhaps this is the card that can save you. So draw, the shadows grow impatient! Frankly, so do it!"
As the dark spirit got back Monster Born, Rain gave (Y/N) a look.
"Okay, but so what? If Marik summons Ra with Monster Reborn, it's have 0 attack points. Even in Immortal Phoenix mode, it won't be able to do damage."
"I'm afraid Ra may have one final trick up its sleeve." (Y/N) said, feeling nervous as Yami placed his hand on his deck and took a deep breath, knowing it was do or die.
He drew, and he felt the will of Kaiba surging from the card. Without even looking, Yami set the card facedown, ending his turn and daring Marik to make his move.
Dark Marik was immediately put off as (Y/N) and Seto both shared a look. The two of them immediately knew that Yami had drawn the card Seto had gifted him.
"Stop!" Roland interrupted. "It's against the rules to play a card without checking what it is! If it's a monster card, it would be in the wrong zone!"
(Y/N) shot him a look. "Truly, Roland?"
"Hostage taking, magic, and murders, and this is the line for him?" Rain noted, very much annoyed. "Remind me to tell Soren his old protege could use some more training."
"Let the duel continue." Seto called out, silencing Roland. "It's rather interesting now."
"It seems the impending threat of the Shadow Realm has clouded your thought process!" Dark Marik mocked, though a strain of nervousness could be heard beneath his voice. "You must have given up! Why else would you place a card on the field without looking at it first?"
"You wouldn't understand, Marik!" The former pharaoh answered.

Marik 4000LP/Yugi 3300 LP

"Hmm, all right then, back to the duel." Yami Marik dismissed as he drew. "I play Monster Reborn. Winged Dragon of Ra, return to the field! Rise my beast! Stand beside me, and together we shall win!"
In a gust of wind, Ra returned to the field with a furious roar.

Winged Dragon of Ra
0 ATK/0 DEF

"I shall now activate my Egyptian god card's most devastating ability, making Ra completely indestructible and sealing your fate, Pharaoh!" The dark fog enveloped Yami Marik as his lifepoints began dropping and Ra's attack points began rising. "My monster's absorbing my strength! Of course a small amount of my power will remain with me."
"And you think it's wise to weaken yourself like this? You're risking your fate on one move!"
The dark spirit cackled as he was engulfed in flames, reappearing fused to Ra's forehead. "I have become one with my Egyptian god card! This is the same move I used to destroy your friend, Bakura!"
Yami's pupils shrunk as Ra's attack points rose to 2999.
"You're short." Rain snarked, getting a glare.
"I'm getting to it! Next, I'll sacrifice my Juragedo and transfer its strength to my Winged Dragon of Ra as well! Watch its power grow!" Juragedo was destroyed as Ra's attack skyrocketed to 4699. "Just one attack, and this duel is over!"
"It's too strong!" Joey shouted. "If Marik attacks Yugi, it's game over!"
(Y/N) held up her hand as Ra attacked, smirking. "I'd like to see try."
Yami smirked as he heard his wife's declaration. "I reveal my facedown: Fiend's Sanctuary! Watch and learn!"
"No!" The dark spirit cried. "What  do you think you're doing, Pharaoh!?"
"This magic card was given to me by a friend to help me take you down! Now, meet my instrument of your destruction."
From a spell circle, a dark token emerged.
"What is that?"
"It's called a Metal Fiend Token!" Yami explained as the token casted a reflection of Marik. "Feast your eyes, Marik. Thanks to this token, I'm no longer the target of your Egyptian god card's attack! Now it will attack you, and if I remember correctly, you've given all but one of your lifepoints to Ra, which means you'll be wiped out by the hands of your own creature!"
Everyone cheered as Ra's attack bounced, but (Y/N) and Rain remained vigilant, not willing to let their guard down until everything was said and done. They were right to as at the final moment, Marik revealed a facedown.
"Nice try, Pharaoh! But did you honestly believe I could be defeated so easily?"
The smoke cleared to reveal Yami Marik defused from Ra with all of its attack points now as his lifepoints, De-fusion face up, having taken the card when Yami played Exchange. Yami gritted his teeth, but his wife remained ever the pragmatist.
"You may have saved yourself from your own hubris, Marik, but need I remind you with your turn now over and Ra sent back to the graveyard, you're now wide open for a counter, just as you always are through your reckless plays with your own god card."
"Not to mention, the guys have a token on the field you attack without blasting your." Rain piled in.
Yami Marik snarled at the two, pointing a finger. "I hate you both."
Rain stuck out her tongue at him as he finished his turn with a facedown. "Join the club."

Marik 4700LP/Yugi 3300 LP

"It's my move then." Yami stated as he drew, looking at Yugi for the go ahead to pay the 1000 lifepoint maintenance costs to keep the token on the field. Yugi nodded with a determined smile before Yami looked at Rain, who did the same. "I give up 1000 lifepoints to keep Metal Fiend on the field."
Both Yugi and Rain winced in pain as more of themselves were eaten away by the darkness, though once again, the pain was shared.
"I reveal my magic card: Multiply!"
Yami Marik's smug look immediately fell as he realized what was about to happen. "NO!"
"Yes! This card allows me to duplicate my token from one to three!"
"Oh look at that." Rain said smugly. "Three tributes. Wonder what that could mean."
"I sacrifice my three Metal Fiend Tokens to play this: Obelisk the Tormentor!"
In a pillar of lightning, the blue behemoth emerged to a completely empty field. Obelisk roared.
"Stare into the face of defeat, Marik!"
"Oh yeah!" Tristan yelled, hooking his arm around the neck of an equally ecstatic Duke.
"Obelisk will crush Marik!"
"Hey, get a load of Marik, guys." Joey mocked. "He's so scared his hair is standin' up!"
The former queen huffed a laugh. "While this attack won't end the duel, I doubt it'll be a pleasant experience."
Everyone winced as Obelisk straight up pummeled Yami Marik, sending him flying. Not even a masochist would find that enjoyable. Still, the dark spirit was ever the stubborn pest, using Metal Reflect Slime and later Polymerization to get out an Egyptian God Slime to protect himself, in addition to summoning Bowganian to burn Yami for 300 lifepoints every turn. There was also the fact that good Marik was also slowly losing strength, especially after that attack from Obelisk, and Yami Marik was just itching to revive Ra again as he couldn't get past Obelisk otherwise.
That's when it hit Yami.
He looked at the Ragnarok card in his hand and realized why (Y/N) had been drawn to it. Dark Marik would fuse with Ra, and that would be his undoing. It would take a bit of setup, starting with getting Dark Magician Girl on the field (and unfortunately doing more damage to himself when he recklessly attacked Bowganian and set off Jam Defender).
"Come on, guys." Rain shouted. "He can be beaten!"
"Listen, please." Tea's voice said.
Everyone turned to her, seeing a far off look in her eyes.
"You must overpower my dark side at all costs. Don't worry about protecting me."
"Say what?" Joey asked as (Y/N)'s eyes widened.
"Marik. The real Marik."
"There's no time." He insisted. "I have borrowed your friend's body in order to reason with you. Destroy my evil half and let the shadows take me!"
Yami looked horrified as Yami a Marik clicked his tongue.
"It appears my weak side doesn't know when to give up."
"You're one to talk!" Rain yelled.
"Please forgive, Pharaoh, Queen (Y/N), and you most of all Rain. I wanted to play Senet with you again, I really did. My family and I were charged with protecting your tomb until your return and I always resented this task" Tea pointed at the dark Marik (slapping poor Joey out of the way in the process). "So he was born as a result of my anger! Now he must be destroyed and I shall go with him!"
"What a pathetic sight!" His dark half smirked. "You've rejected the Pharaoh and the Wayfarer Queen for your entire life! You even betrayed that precious friend you were so desperate to see again! And now you beg for their forgiveness? I'm afraid it's a little too late for that, you fool! You've already created me, and now your body belongs to me! Just look at yourself! You're a mere shadow of the person you once were, and you can never stop me, so let me finish what you started!"
Ishizu rushed to their side of the field as the guys tried to snap Tea out of it.
"Marik, please don't do this!"
"Do what?" Her brother asked.
"Surrender your own life to stop him."
"Sorry, sister, but there isn't another way!"
(Y/N) closed her eyes. "Even in remorse, you continue to underestimate us."
The siblings looked at the queen. "Your highness?"
She turned to them. "Rest assured, my husband and I have long since had the tools to defeat that dark half once and for all, without the need for a sacrifice. I'm afraid you won't be able to atone with death today, Marik."
"You lie!" Yami Marik snarled as the Pharaoh smirked.
"My wife is not a liar, unlike you. I do in fact have the means to stop you and free your good half. Take heed, summon Ra again, and you will meet your doom."
It was, albeit, an obvious bait, one the proud dark spirit more than fell for eventually. After retrieving Monster Reborn with yet another spell card and summoning a different monster, he specially summoned in Immortal Phoenix mode to destroy Obelisk, but was blocked due to Yami's own Monster Reborn summoning Slifer in defense position to take the attack. Marik repeated his battle phase with Surprise Attack from Beyond and fusing himself with the once again revived Ra, and Yami attempted to use Soul Taker to snatch Egyptian God Slime to use it as tribute fodder for Obelisks ability, but Marik shut that down with his Class System card, tributing his other monster to further bolster Ra's attack to 3999. However, this one act set the stage for what (Y/N) had been alluding to as Yami used Magical Dimension to tribute Obelisk and Gazelle to summon out Dark Magician.
"Two spellcasters on the field." Rain said, her and Yugi's torsos now completely gone. "Now the question is, will it work?"
"Fortune favors the bold." (Y/N) answered, though unsure.
Regardless of if this gambit would save Marik from his dark half, it would still leave him defenseless at the end of the day.
"You were a fool to sacrifice Obelisk!" Dark Marik laughed, not knowing what he was about to get hit with. "Without the power of your Egyptian god monster to protect you p, you have nothing left. You're done!"
"I have plenty left." Yami assured. "Look around, I still have every one of my friends and the woman I love to give me support, and I still have the Heart of the Cards to give me strength. Now, I shall play my final card. Behold: Ragnarok, the weapon given to me by my queen to defeat you! Watch closely as my two magicians unlock this card's magic. Once this great power is released, every monster on your side of the field will be crushed, including your Winged Dragon of Ra. And since you and Ra are fused together, you will be destroyed as well!"
Dark Marik was stunned before smirking. "That may be, but the devastation caused by your attack will also destroy what's left of my weak side! Just look: the shadows have most of him already. One more attack from you will finish him off."
"That's not true. Once Ra is gone, he'll still have one lifepoint left."
"That means nothing! Once he's that weak the force of the Shadow Realm will be too strong for him to resist!"
"Ragnarok will give him the opening, but Marik has to choose to take back his body." (Y/N) realized as Rain yelled.
"Marik! Don't give up! Yami and Yugi are fighting to get back! You need to fight back too! I know you fought tooth and nail not to hurt me during our duel! You have to do it now!"
The good Marik seemed completely lost, Yami Marik daring Yami to strike down the innocent, but at the last moment, a voice called out.
"Master Marik!" Everyone turned to see Odion, pulling himself out of the stairwell with great effort. "I shall protect you!"
Yami Marik froze and (Y/N) remembered that it was Odion who had kept darkness in Marik at bay all these years. The dark spirit feared the man's influence and Odion was their last gambit to save Marik.
"Odion!" The queen called. "Call out to him! Your voice may be the only one that may reach him!"
The man, half conscious, dragged himself forward.
"Release my master, now!"
"Your master is almost gone!" Yami Marik snarled. "I'm afraid you've come too late."
"He's not gone yet!" Rain argued, seeing a spark in what remained in Marik. "Odion, keep going! He can hear you!"
"Silence, you brat!"
"It's as Lady Rain says." Odion affirmed. "I've returned to ensure that your gentle spirit prevails."
"That's enough!" Yami Marik raised the Rod against Odion, but by then (Y/N) had ran in front of him, matching his darkness with her barrier.
"Queen (Y/N)!?" Odion said, not expecting the queen's mercy.
"Don't stop. The dark spirit fears you, Odion. He knows you're the one who can give Marik the strength to fight for control!"
He nodded, looking again to his master. "Master Marik! Fight the evil within! We've conquered your wicked side before, and we can do it again!"
"SILENCE!"
The power of the Rod amplified as (Y/N) was starting to get pushed. Yami was terrified at the sight before instinctively placing his hand on the Puzzle. At once, the Millennium Bracelet light shone brighter as the former regained her footing.
"Please...Master..." Odion was starting to lose strength not only from his previous injuries, but from the trek up the tower. "You have the power to stop your dark side. Remember, you've the one that created him! You can destroy him!"
That finally seemed to set the good Marik off as at once Yami Marik seizing and screaming.
"Keep fighting him, Marik!" Rain yelled, Odion joining in.
"Fight his evil with all your might, Master Marik! Let your Tombkeeper's heritage give you strength!"
The dark spirit kept wailing in agony. "I have come too far to be put down now! I am the true Marik, and I will not be overpowered by my weak side!"
Just then, (Y/N) caught sight of the true Marik's eye on the dark spirit. "Yami, do it now! Banish his dark half!"
"All right, here goes." Yami said, trusting (Y/N)'s judgment. "I activate Ragnarok! I pay the cost of every monster in my hand, deck, and graveyard."
"No! You're making a mistake!"
"I'm afraid it's too late! Ragnarok is already infused with the power of every one of my monsters! Now, my Dark Magicians, with the help of my entire army of monsters, unleash your incredible force!"
The spirits of every one of Yugi and Yami's monster rushed forward to surround Ra, Obelisk and Slifer grappling the god directly. However, as the royal couple watched, images flashed before them of a similar army charging forth against a shadowy foe looming on the horizon, before two people. The image flashed forward of both sides being totally decimated, and Yami watched as a woman wielding a staff step forward to confront the monster alone. The body he inhabited raced forward, drawing his sword as another man lunged at her with a blade.
"Call off these creatures now!" Yami Marik's voice drew him back to the present. "No one can destroy my Winged Dragon of Ra! Release me! Right now!"
"It pointless for you to resist." The Pharaoh stated firmly. "They have you trapped and there will be no escape for you! Your reign of terror ends here!"
Yami Marik screamed and struggled till the bitter end as Dark Magician and Dark Magician Girl combined their strength to banish the evil once and for all.
Yami and (Y/N) spoke in unison. "May the magic of Ragnarok rid the field of your Winged Dragon of Ra and swallow your darkness for all eternity!"
In a flash, Slifer and Obelisk dragged Ra away into banishment, leaving only the magicians left on the field. Everyone held their breaths, waiting to see if the spell card had managed to rid them of dark Marik and free the true Marik, and low and behold, as the smoke cleared, they saw the boy there, barely standing, but back in control.
"Marik! It's over!" (Y/N) assured him. "Your evil side has been banished!"
He looked up, panting, as Ishizu called out to him in relief.
"Pharaoh...there's still one more task that you and I must complete." Marik ripped off his cape. "I still have one lifepoint left."
Just then, the remnants of Marik's dark self reappeared, only a single eye remaining.
"What's going on!? No! This can't be happening!"
"Seems like the tables have turned." Rain noted.
"You can't do this, Marik!" Yami Marik pleaded. "Listen! We can still crush the Pharaoh and the queen together! Remember, how you wasted away your childhood serving these fools? It's not too late to destroy them and take what you deserve! The infinite power of the Pharaoh and the heart of the Wayfarer heir could be yours if we win this duel! You and I can claim the three Egyptian gods cards and the Millennium Puzzle! We'll rule the world together!"
Rain's brow quirked. "He...he does realize it's Yami's turn now and the field's wide open, right?"
"Hush." (Y/N) quieted, watching what Marik would do.
Marik hung his head. "I'm sorry, Pharaoh and Queen (Y/N). It was my duty to help you and instead I turned my back. I can't change the past, but I can start over by embracing my family legacy. I'm proud to be a Tombkeeper, and I'm proud of my sister and my brother."
"Thank you, sir." Odion said as Marik turned back to Yami.
"My family has waited five thousand years for you both to return. Now you're here, so I must fulfill my destiny by letting you fulfill yours."
"No, you can't do this!" His dark self screeched.
"I must. I hold the key to helping the Pharaoh unlock his true powers. But before I reveal the mystery, the Pharaoh must be in possession of all three god cards!"
"You're making a mistake!"
"No, for the first time in years, I'm making the right choice." Marik placed his left hand on his duel disk, signifying his surrender, before glaring at his dark half. "Be gone! I surrender this duel to the Pharaoh!"
Finally, Yami Marik was cast to the wind in a scream, the shadows disappearing as the game came to a close. (Y/N) let out a sigh of relief as Yugi and Rain were restored.
"It's over."
"My Pharaoh, my queen." Ishizu said, smiling. "Thank you both. You've saved mankind."
Roland held up his hand. "And the winner of the Battle City championship crown is Yugi Muto!"
"Yeah! Way to go, Yugi!" Joey yelled as everyone cheered as they climbed onto the still descending dueling platform to high five him.
(Y/N) had to wait for the platform to completely go down before walking over to her husband. Yami immediately hugged her around the waist as she cupped his cheek.
"Please stop giving me heart attacks like that."
He chuckled, before kissing her. "Sorry. You saved me again."
"Eh, we'll say divine intervention and call it even." Rain said in spirit form as she ran over to Yugi to hug him.
"Hate to interrupt." Seto said. "But as the organizer of the Battle City Tournament, I guess I should congratulate the winner, even though you only won that duel due to Marik's forfeit."
"Nice duel!" Mokuba interjected. "And as the winner, you get to keep the rarest card from your opponent's deck!"
Marik stepped forward, humbly. "Pharaoh, Queen (Y/N). As I complete my final mission, rest assured that everyone who was banished to the Shadow Realm by my dark side will return."
"It's about time!" Joey yelled.
"Thank you." (Y/N) said, before her eyes narrowed at a specter slinking away.
Yami Bakura looked at her, nodding before vanishing. She sighed, knowing he would have to be a problem for a different day.
Marik handed the Winged Dragon of Ra to Yami, who placed it with his other two god cards. "You will need this card, Pharaoh."
"Uh, Rain?" Yugi asked. "Now what?"
"Don't look at me!" She said. "Marik's the one with the key!"
"Pharaoh, I have one more task to perform before my Tombkeeper mission is complete." Marik began to take off his shirt and Joey began to freak out.
"Woah, man! There is a child and women here! One of them is married!"
(Y/N) rolled her eyes. "Joey, it's carved into his back, remember?"
"Oh, right."
"These markings were passed down by my family from generation to generation for five thousand years." Marik explained as Ishizu stepped in.
"We were taught that when the ancient Pharaoh and his Queen saved the world from destruction, he wiped his own memory clean, but he knew that someday that he and his love would return, and he would need his memory back, so he entrusted one family with his greatest secret: the key to unlocking his mind and his power. Now that you hold the three Egyptian god cards and the Millennium Items, all you need to do is read the words on Marik's back.
"Uh, Yuge? (Y/N)? Can you really read that chicken scratch?"
The two looked at each other and then the engraving on Marik's back. It was then that they received a vision. They saw the tablet from the museum, and they felt something call out to them.
"If I may." Ishizu spoke, snapping them out of it. "I would suggest that before your set these events in motion, you should wait a time for your strength to be replenished."
She not so subtly motioned to (Y/N)'s broken arm, making the queen nod. "I understand."
"Please, take these." Marik said, handing Yami the Millennium Rod and the Ring. "They will cause no harm."
The two accepted the gifts as Seto rolled his eyes.
"All right, you geeks! This celebration has gone on long enough! The Battle City tournament is over, so if you'd like a free ride home, I suggest you board my aircraft right now. If anyone's left behind on the island, KaibaCorp will no be responsible for your safety! So go! Cause in one hour, this island will explode!"
Rain's eye twitched. "What. The. Hell!?"

(Timeskip)

After narrowly avoiding getting blown to high Heaven (Rain: Seto, I was joking about the Blue-Eyes jet! I didn't think you'd actually make one!) and Mai waking up, everyone stood at the docks to wish the Ishtar's farewell. Rain had switched with (Y/N), wanting to speak with Marik before he left.
The boy looked especially guilty. "I'm so sorry, Rain. You wanted to be my friend all my time ago, and I spat in it."
She smiled mischievously. "You know, you broke your promise."
"What?"
"I expect a full day of adventure from you next time I'm in Egypt. I'll even bring these guys for the ride."
He smiled, relieved. "I'd like that. I'd like that very much."
They shook hands as Rain beamed. "Take care."
Ishizu then stepped forward. "Before we depart, I would like to admit something."
Yami tilted his head. "Ishizu?"
"Before I gave up my Millennium Necklace, I did foresee something I did not understand. An emblem I was not familiar with that glowed with a mysterious light, and a crystal, much like the ones on your Millennium Bracelet, Rain."
The Wayfarer girl looked down at her item. "All of us...well, we've been getting visions too, about things that didn't seem to happen in Yami and (Y/N)'s lifetimes, but still felt familiar."
The older girl shook her head. "I cannot discern what these visions are, or if they even are a threat, but I would be remiss not to remind you that there are foes that the seven items inherited from their sister. We must depart now. We will always be in your debt."
With that, the Ishtar's left, leaving the royal couple and their vessels to look at each other.
"That was quite ominous." (Y/N) said.
Yugi rubbed his neck. "Maybe we're not quite done saving the world yet."
Rain smiled. "Who cares? Look, it doesn't matter what we face. So long as the four of us are together, there's nothing we can't overcome!"

Well, we've finally made it the arc that this story has been building to. Get ready, cause we're about to dive into Waking the Dragons. Also, nice foreshadowing there, Rain :).