Chapter Six:That's Just Not Fair

Stargate Potter was nervous, and with good reason. He hadn't dueled another wizard in over a year (longer if you don't count his "battle" with Voldemort). On the other hand, Captain Potter wasn't an ordinary wizard. He had years of combat experience fighting those weird alien things he kept talking about. He had also hinted at a deeper understanding of magic; whispers with Dr. Potter about particles, atoms and things he didn't understand fully. Stargate's only hope was to use Voldemort's knowledge to his full advantage and hope that Captain's knowledge didn't give him an effective defense. He hoped that since most of the spells had not been seen in hundreds of years, he would not be able to recognize them enough to counteract them.

Captain Potter wasn't too terribly worried. He had been fighting creatures that considered themselves gods for over five years now. While it was true that Stargate had this Voldemort's knowledge, he wasn't concerned. If nothing else, he could flood the room with exotic particles and just punch him. Either way, he expected to come out of this battle on top. But you never really know what's going to happen during battle, so he could not allow himself to get cocky. Cockiness led to mistakes. He had seen it hundreds of times with the goa'uld. He needed to stay totally focused and allow his instincts to do their job.
Both boys took their positions and bowed deeply. However this battle turned out, both boys respected how the other had survived in a science filled world.

At The Controller's signal, they threw their opening curses. Stargate threw a Romanian battle curse designed to break Captain's right arm along with most of the bones in his legs, thus ending the battle. It hit some sort of sort of energy shield the Captain had raised- not a wizarding shield, this spell could not be blocked. It was like no shield Stargate had ever seen. Instead of creating a wall in front of him, it seemed to surround him completely, thus preventing attacks from any angle.

Captain pushed an energy pulse at him, throwing Stargate halfway across the hall. He straightened in the air and flew towards Captain, hoping to get inside of that annoying shield. He grabbed onto the older boy and they began to wrestle. Spells crossed by mere centimeters as the fierce battle continued. Two spells collided, throwing the two boys to opposite sides of the hall from the strength of the blast. Stargate and Captain laid there for a second, groaning and unable to rise.

*Come now my playthings. We mustn't just lie there all day, wasting time. GET UP!* The two found themselves propped up. Reluctantly, they stood and faced each other again.

Captain was tired, and he knew that Stargate must be tiring just as quickly. He had to end this battle and end it soon, especially considering how one of them still had another duel to fight. Thinking quickly, he flooded the room with axions, preventing most spells. Stargate soon realized his spells didn't work. "What did you do?" he screamed, dodging balls of-something.

"Just a little something to deactivate your magic!" Captain Potter replied, throwing ball after ball of plasma (about the only thing that will work in the presence of axions) towards Stargate. When he looked like he was tiring, Captain increased his rate of fire to distract him. While Stargate was busy dodging all the plasma, he ran up and tackled the other boy to the ground. And with that, the second battle was won.

*Well done, well done. I've never seen that technique before, Captain. I really would love to... pick your brain... about that later on. For now, the losers must see who will be the one to die. You have a ten minute break my pets. Use it well.*

Captain Potter helped his friend to his feet. He was very glad that he didn't have to fight again. He was very sure that he couldn't pull off another stunt like that. He just hoped that both Stargate and Mr. Potter still had enough energy to fight.

Both boys looked exhausted. As per the promises, Harveste and Captain Potter had not gone easy on them. Harveste produced some vials from his skirt. "Here, darlings. So you can give each other a true fight."

Mr. Potter looked askance at the... interesting liquid being handed to him. "What the bloody hell is that?"

"I don't think you want to know," Stargate downed the potion, and shuddered. Seeing his point, Mr. Potter followed suit.

The two opponents-to-be reached for the provided water. They sat down for a few minutes, drinking, mentally preparing themselves and let Harveste's potion work. Mr. Potter had never felt anything like it in his life, but it was helping. He slowly felt the strength returning to his blood. Looks like this would be a good battle after all.

Two minutes before the battle, Stargate and Mr. Potter approached each other. Mr. Potter spoke first, "Listen, whichever way it turns out, it's been fun."

"Yeah," Stargate agreed. "Strange... I knew this moment would come, but I didn't expect it to end like this."

"At least if I've got to go, I know it will be to a worthy opponent," Mr. Potter replied smiling.

"Yeah," Stargate said, laughing a little. "I would much rather have you kill me then some coward like Voldemort." Both boys laughed at that. Before anything else could be said, The Controller interrupted in that annoying voice.

*Make this interesting, my toys.*

The boys nodded to each other, then walked to opposite sides of the room. Deep bows were held for a second longer than before. Then, it began.
The previous duels had been hectic to watch. This one, frighteningly more so. This duel was one for survival. Neither boy gave an inch. Spells were flying, crossing in midair, all right on target. Shields would fly up just long enough to block the next curse, only to be shattered by the next one.

The two were evenly matched in knowledge: Mr. Potter had been fighting Voldemort for decades, Stargate Potter had Voldemort's memories and SG1's strategies. Physical prowess didn't aid either side, Mr. Potter fast on his feet, Stargate fast in the air. Both used their skills to dip and weave out of the way.
Minutes passed that felt like hours. The two on the sidelines watched with bated breath, have no clue which of their friends would rejoin them, and which had they said their last goodbyes to.

After half an hour, Mr. Potter had made what appeared to be the winning move. An exploding hex followed by the disarming charm had left Stargate standing without a wand.

*Good job, Mr. Potter. I congratulate you on a duel well done. Now-*

"Who said it was over?" Stargate Potter smiled sadly.

*You don't have a wand. Without a focus, wandless magic isn't strong enough to-*

A red beam shot from Stargate's hand, and Mr. Potter was sent flying. It hadn't been a lethal shot, but it was the end regardless.

Mr. Potter froze before he hit the ground. In an instant, he had dissolved into little floating pieces, and within seconds he was gone. Captain Potter and Harveste were stunned. Nobody could have seen that coming. Obviously Stargate had mentioned that he had some control of wandless magic, but they had no idea of the extent. It was truly an amazing duel.

*Well...* said The Controller after a few seconds. *I can't say I saw that coming. Well done Stargate Potter. Congratulations to Stargate Potter, Captain. Potter and Harveste. You all have survived to the next round. Sleep well.* And with that, the three remaining boys were transported to their quarters.

They all just stood in silence. Something should be said, but no one knew what. It wasn't that they liked Mr. Potter any less than the other two, but they had a chance to say goodbye already. After a moment, Harveste broke the stillness. "And then there were three."

It seemed oddly appropriate. Captain and Stargate just nodded, and went to bed. After all, there was another challenge tomorrow.

A/N: As always, reviews are very much appreciated!