Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh


The Colddrake

Swords clashed against each other and the cries of soldiers filled the air when they finally found their mark. Shouts rang above the noise, orders to push the enemy back or parting screams. The stench of war, a mix of blood, tears, and sweat, wafted over the armies. One man stood alone, a tiny circle of peace surrounded by falling bodies. A small group of warriors surrounded him, keeping the enemy at bay while he worked. His hands shook as he held a small gold item, murmuring to it. A haze of purple and black started forming around him. The soldiers nearest to the Mage stopped fighting for a moment, their attention turned to him. They watched as the shadows merged together, forming an enormous column that towered over the battle. The enemy pressed against the guardians with renewed vigor, trying in vain to get past them. With final wave of the Mage's hand the column erupted into thousands of wisps. The tiny creatures grew in size and stood in front of each enemy soldier, attacking immediately. The battle increased in ferocity and the soldiers started falling. The Mage's knees failed and he fell to them. Still keeping his arms raised he screamed a final command as the rest of his energy left his body. As his vision turned dark the shadows gave a triumphant roar and vanished, soaking into the trees. He sighed and fell to the ground, the gold item falling from limp fingers.

Yami screamed and bolted upright. Beads of cold sweat dripped down his face and his entire body shook. He sat at the edge of his bed for a minute, then tossed the blanket off and rolled off the mattress. He grabbed a small bag and started stuffing his meager belongings into it as fast as he could. Within five minutes he was wrapped in a heavy cloak and sneaking quietly out the front door.

Fresh snow glowed in the moonlight. His feet crunched along the familiar path. His shoulders hunched against the cold and he entered the forest that surrounded the school he attended. Skeletal trees lined the path and their branches clawed at the air above him. He stared pointedly at the path, trying and failing at not thinking about what he was leaving behind. And what he knew would happen if he stayed.

He had been learning at the Millennium Academy of Shadow Arts under the High Mage Akhenamkhanen since he was seven. For five years he had expanded his own energies and learned how to control the shadow magic and the monsters it controlled. He was at the top of his class and had already been offered a job at the castle upon his graduation. His future was laid out before him and he could see it clearly. He would finish his training in a few years and start work at the castle, quickly climbing in rank until he would be second only to the king. None would match him in power. And tonight he saw what would become of him if he took that path. He would have power, but he would face suffering that no one else could know. He would die if he took this path. And he was terrified.

He pulled his cloak tighter around him, chilled by the thought. He looked around slowly, the moonlight casing deep shadows in the trees. He smiled slightly. The shadows didn't scare him. They never had. A tendril of shadow moved out from under a tree and curled around his ankle, moving up to his hand and caressing his fingers gently. His smile widened and he beckoned it to talk to him, send him something else to think about. The shadow obliged and sent him images of a snow-filled forest, rabbits and other small animals huddling under the ground, large animals moving slowly among the trees, and a small village near the forest's border. He frowned at the last image. Something was wrong there. He coaxed the shadows to lead him to the village and started walking off the path.

It didn't take him long to get there, and when the village came into view he gasped in horror.

A Colddrake.

The moonlight clearly illuminated the creature. It's silver scales reflected the light better than the snow that surrounded it's long, sinuous body. Four strong legs held the creature almost daintily above the snow, each paw tipped in silver, dagger like claws. It reared gracefully, hissing at the villagers gathered around it. Yami could see now that its front paws were dripping crimson liquid onto the snow. His gaze traveled downward and he was almost sick at the sight. In the snow around the beast was a spray of crimson and lying in front of it was the destroyed remains of a person. The creature hissed again and he heard a small whimper. Wrapped in the creature's tail was a woman and two young children. Their father must have been the carnage at the beast's feet.

The Colddrake roared at the villagers and they backed up in fright. It snorted and turned to it's captives. Its eyes were pure amethyst in color, deep endless pools of purple. It caught the gaze of its prey and they went completely silent, staring at the perfect orbs above them. The creature's lips pulled up in a twisted smile. It knew that once it had them in its gaze they could not escape. It could consume their souls and then their flesh at its leisure.

Yami bit his knuckles. He could attack the monster and drive it off or kill it. It would be too simple. But if he did the teachers at Millennium would know. He would have to go back.

A movement in the group of villagers caught his attention. An old man with a pitchfork stepped forward. His face was pale, but determined. The Colddrake was focused on its prey and he was able to sneak up behind it. With a last glare and an angry cry the thrust the pitchfork in the creature's flesh. The Colddrake roared in pain and whirled on the old farmer, its whole body whipping out as it lashed out in pain. It's claws came down on the man, but he smiled. The woman and her children were able to stumble away from the creature, disoriented from the Colddrake's eyes, but alive. The silver claws flashed and the old man's body fell next to the father.

Yami's crimson eyes flashed angrily. The old man had known he was going to die and he attacked anyway. He had saved the young family in exchange for his own life, even though he knew the Colddrake would probably attack the others once he was gone anyway. Yami shook his head. The farmer would not die in vain.

He stepped out from the bushes and called out to the creature. It whirled on him, hissing and baring its silver fangs. Yami raised his hands and shadows started to gather around him. He smiled wickedly and pointed at the Colddrake. The blackness raced to the creature and bunched under it. It started clawing at the snow, but the shadows just thickened. As the rest of the darkness gathered it expanded quickly into a pillar, throwing the creature into the air and vanishing just as quickly, leaving it to plummet back to the ground.

It shattered body lay in a heap at the edge of the forest.

Yami dropped his hands, allowing the shadows to flow back from where he had summoned them. The villagers cheered and ran to him, thanking him for saving them. He nodded briefly, accepting their thanks, and turned back to the forest.

The walk back to the school didn't take long. He put his belongings away and climbed back into bed. He would continue his training. Some things were more important than himself. The people looked up to those who had power, and he had a responsibility to protect them and serve them. If he had acted sooner, the farmer would not have died. He gripped his blankets tightly and promised himself that he would never ignore his responsibility again. The farmer had taught him a lesson that he would never forget.


So it's not a traditional fairy tail as those things go. No princesses or 'true love', but I enjoyed writing this and I hope you enjoyed reading it.

If Yami seems a little ooc and cowardly, keep in mind that he is 12 and just had a nightmare that scared the living daylights out of him.

This story was inspired by a song by Heather Alexander called Fantasy ~ The Colddrake. It's one of my favorite songs and there is a second part to this story that I will be writing. I am considering making this a full fic though... what do you guys think of that idea?

Anyway, thanks for reading!