Princess of Magic

By Anime2000

Disclaimer: I shall laugh in your face if you say I owned Yu-Gi-Oh!... Go on, say it! I need a good laugh...

Myeg! All my replies to my reviewers are gone! -.-;


I guess I'm left standing, huh? With one last questioning look at Amir, I continued my quest for an empty seat. Ah, maybe I'm exaggerating a little...

My wand squirmed in my hand. "Not now," I muttered, holding it up to my face. It shook angrily. Like it was screaming at me, but the words couldn't reach my ears. "No," I said firmly, now grasping it with two hands. Monsters around me watched me curiously. This was kinda embarrassing. Wrenching itself from my grip, it flew. "Come back!" I raced after it, almost tripping over a few little kids running around.

I was so wrong to think that my wand wouldn't act up today. Well, at least not too badly. So wrong. "Stop! Slow down!" A man dressed completely in white suit stood a few feet in front of me. Was he going to a formal party? I swerved to the side, narrowly avoiding him, and kept on running. "What are you—crazy!" No! I'm just trying to get back my wand!

"Huh!" "Cyber Soldier, head's up!" "Ow!" That crazy wand. It knocked down anyone, or thing, that was in its way. Where was it going?

Oh no. The next victim of the runaway wand would probably kill for me this. "Mister—uh... Dark Paladin, watch out!" The magical swordsman slowly turned his head to face his right. "Dark Paladin!"

At the last possible second, his arm shot up. His dark-gloved fingers clasped around the blue-pink rod, trapping it with an unyielding hold. It wriggled around, but he repressed it with a glare. And then, it finally gave in and became still.

I slowed down and stopped beside him. He looked at me in an evaluating way. I allowed myself an earnestly apologetic grin. "Ah... Nice catch." I think he was through judging me. I frowned inwardly. My first and second impressions weren't very good.

Something came spinning at me. I let out a surprised cry and instinctively held my hands up. It hit my palms with amazing force that threatened to knock me down backwards. I'm not sure what happened, but I realized that I now held my wand in my hands. I stared at Dark Paladin. Did he just throw it back at me? He barely even moved!

"Round two has begun! Gaia, the Fierce Knight and Mysterious Puppeteer, report to the arena for Duel one of round two. Repeat..." The Unhappy Maiden had the microphone now. The Witty Phantom had taken off his hat and was staring at it dejectedly.

"'Round two,'" I echoed and redirected my gaze to Dark Paladin. "Dark Paladin?" He didn't show any signs of response, but I'm pretty sure he heard me. So I went on, "Did you already Duel?"

His reply was very slow. I was beginning to wonder if he could even talk. He just stood there with his arms on the wooden fence that surrounded the arena, calmly staring at the battlefield. At last, he finally said, "I'm not Dueling."

"Why?" I asked, joining him and leaning against the rough planks too. "I just heard..."

"I'm not Dueling."

He wasn't very descriptive... "Why not?"

"Why?" I didn't see that one coming... "But if you must know, I've maintained the title for three years in a row. This entire tournament seems so dull now..."

'Dull'? "Oh... Wow!" I said, a little more enthusiastically. "I wish I was that good! I barely made it past the first round. Being the Duelist, as well as the Duel Monster, is kinda hard for me." I did get some practice when I was Dueling with Tea, though. "So, are you last year's champion?" He didn't say anything. Geez... I just turned my attention to the Duel. The Mysterious Puppeteer, huh? The Magician of Black Chaos said he was a tough opponent, but he only has 1000 attack points. Well, let's just see what happens in this Duel.

Gaia had recovered quickly. Or at least, that's how it seemed. One jab after another, simultaneously and quickly. Looks like he's back to normal! The Mysterious Puppeteer waved his hands in front of himself, like he was defending himself...

Or casting some sort of net. Saffron came to a complete stop and snorted, pawing the ground anxiously. I looked at Dark Paladin to see if he would provide any information. He looked vaguely interested, but paid no attention to me. "Saffron, what's—!" The purple steed suddenly reared up on its hind legs. "Saffron!" Gaia could barely hold onto the reins. He had lost all control over the horse.

However, the Mysterious Puppeteer was in absolute control. I couldn't see any strings from his hands, but he was definitely the one behind the sudden rebellion of Gaia's most trusted partner. Saffron galloped around the arena and leapt from one spot to another abruptly. With a theatrical flourish of his arms, the Mysterious Puppeteer made Saffron do a strange twirl that no horse should ever be forced to do. Gaia fell. Saffron neighed unhappily, proving that its mind was still loyal to the knight. It dashed towards Gaia and stopped. Prodding Gaia with its nose, it whinnied softly.

I hate watching this. Even the Millennium Rod was more merciful. At least then, you weren't completely conscious—unless you were fighting the control with everything you had. You were just dazing off, oblivious to what was going on and what you were doing. At least, that's how it seemed.

The Mysterious Puppeteer waved a hand to the right. Saffron suddenly whirled around and kicked Gaia with his hind legs. The entire audience seemed to cringe at this spectacle. I know I did. Gaia still had both lances clenched tightly in his hands, but I knew he wouldn't attack his own horse. After all, it wasn't Saffron's fault.

His hand waved to the left, this time. Another kick. Right. And another one. I winced. "Isn't... Isn't anyone going to stop it!" I asked, looking around. Everyone seemed to be holding back, as if they were afraid of helping. "Hello?"

Dark Paladin blinked and turned his gaze to me. "Hm?" I can't believe it. This is hopeless! Here goes nothing...

I jumped over the fence. "Ah!" And, thankfully, landed on my feet.

"What are you doing?"

"What's it look like?" I couldn't see his face, but I'm pretty sure that his expression had changed.

"You... crazy girl..." Yup. Wish I could see it, but I had more important things to do right now.

Before anyone—at all—could react, I jumped on the stallion's back. Déjà vu, huh? "Whoa!" I grabbed the reins and yanked hard. Saffron neighed. "Calm down!" Of course, it didn't. And besides, it was still being controlled! "Stop this Duel! NOW!" I yelled at the judges, who were too stunned to speak. Either that or they just didn't feel like talking.

The controller! Of course! I pulled on the reins enough to get Saffron to turn around just enough for me to see the Mysterious Puppeteer without seriously injuring my neck. "Release Saffron! Please!" He just stared at me with two, astonished, yellow eyes. Then, he must have gotten over the surprise because he grabbed something from the air and jerked back. Was he letting the control go?

Saffron staggered backwards and wobbled dangerously. "No..." I realized what was happening. He wasn't freeing us! His invisible strings had gotten tangled with Saffron's legs. If it fell... "No! Stop!" That was his purpose... I won't let him! "Dark Burning Attack!"

The crescent of dark magic cut the strings and hit my target. "Look—you've already won! Enough is enough—Agh!" Saffron was really spooked. And unfortunately, my illuminating attack didn't exactly help! I hope I didn't blind it! "Ah! Wait—stop!" I cried as Saffron thrashed around, neighing in confusion and fear. It was much worse than last time. "It's all right!" Saffron galloped wildly around. I was thrown off.

"Oof!" I landed. Or crashed. Whichever sounded good. I groaned. Which was none. I propped myself up on my elbows. Saffron ran towards me, shaking its head madly, as if it was trying to get something off of it. Come on, move Dark Magician Girl! I was screaming at myself mentally, but... "Nngh..." My body refused to do what my mind told it to do. I closed my eyes. Oh Ra, I'm gonna get trampled!

The sound of hooves against the ground came to a stop. I didn't feel any more pain than I already did. What just... happened...? I opened my eyes. "Oh...!" This was an unexpected sight! Where did he come from? "Master!"

Snorting angrily, Saffron bucked and jerked away from him. Master yanked hard on the reins, pulling the horse's head within a reachable distance. He placed at hand on its purple brow and murmured a few soft words to it. With a little uncertainty, Saffron snorted indignantly and finally stood still. Did he use a spell to calm it down? He looked at me. The temperature fell drastically. No, I think he... glared at me.

"This was uncalled for!" The Witty Phantom suddenly yelled. He didn't even need a microphone to be heard. "And against the rules!"

"Gaia is unconscious," Master said frostily. "Which means the Duel has already ended in the Mysterious Puppeteer's victory."

At last, the Chaos Command Magician spoke, "My exact words were 'No one may accept any help until the Duel ends.' Therefore, no rules were violated. However, Gaia was in no condition to reject or accept any assistance anyways," he said with a slightly grim smile.

"So... no rules were broken?" asked the Unhappy Maiden, sounding relieved.

"None that results in punishment," stated the magician. "Clear the arena for the next Duel."

Master pulled on the reins lightly and led Saffron inside. "Dark Magician Girl, help Gaia. I'll take care of the horse."

"Yes, Master."

"So, are you gonna be all right?" I asked Gaia after we went in. I have to hand it to Gaia for making all these speedy recoveries. It looked like he was okay, but he could be just hiding his suffering. It might sound kind of selfish, but I wouldn't want to be him.

Gaia patted Saffron fondly and smiled. "Fine. Just a bruised pride. You should worry more about yourself, you know?"

I scratched his purple horse behind the ear. "Sorry 'bout scaring you like that. I didn't know what else to do!" It nipped me on the shoulder. "Ow!" It hadn't drawn any blood, but that hurt! I sighed. "Well, I guess I deserved that, huh?"

"Nah," Gaia said, tugging gently at its ears. "That's just Saffron's way of forgiving you. Let's go, boy." Saffron followed. "Thanks, Dark Magician," he said to Master as he walked past him. Master acknowledged with him a small nod. "And your apprentice, too."

"Um... yeah." I forced a smile. "No problem."

When Gaia left, it felt like eternity before either of us moved. Finally, Master walked away. I ran after him. "Wait! Master!" He didn't even slow down, like he would've usually done. "Master! I... You..." It was me who gave up the chase. "You're mad at me, aren't you?"

He stopped and looked back at me. "'Mad'?" he asked, staring at me in the same way he did on the Dueling field. "I'm not sure if that even comes close to describing how I feel right now." I turned my gaze to the floor. There was no way I could face him. Not now, at least. "What were you thinking? Were you even thinking? You could have lost your chance at Dueling in the tournament."

"Yes, Master," I said, knowing that the worse was yet to come.

"You said you would be back by the second round."

"Yes, Master."

"You caused such anarchy. It was unnecessary!"

"Yes, Master."

"You could have gotten hurt!"

"Yes, Master."

"You could have gotten killed!"

"Yes, Master."

"I take my eyes off you for one moment, and this is what happens!"

I flinched. He was yelling now. "Yes..." The word wouldn't come out. I couldn't take it anymore: the barrage of harsh words that were being flung on me. And he didn't even listen to me. "No," I said, looking up with my own glare. "No! I did it because I couldn't watch it anymore. And I couldn't turn away, either!" I didn't give him a chance to speak. I went on, "If I hadn't stopped that puppeteer, I know I would've regretted it for my entire life! I mean, how can you just sit there and watch as someone that you talked to earlier today was getting hurt? Or killed!" Tears were welling up in my eyes. I didn't want him to see me cry. I held them back for one more second to yell, "At least I have a conscience! At least I did something, when others wouldn't because they were afraid of losing their chance at that stupid title!" I stared at him just long enough to see the look on his face. I regretted my outburst instantly.

I turned around and ran. "Dark Magician Girl, stop!"

No way. My vision was completely blurred by tears. I didn't care anymore. I just wanted to get away. These dark halls seemed so welcoming. I felt I could hide in them forever. And I probably could.

I don't know how long I ran. Or where I was. All I knew was that I was a good distance away from Master. And that I was done crying.

Breathing out a long sigh, I wondered what I was going to do. I wasn't going to face Master just yet. And not Mystical Elf or the Magician of Black Chaos before him. Not that I could. From one glance, I knew that I was utterly lost. I leaned against the wall and looked at the jewels that were embedded in my boots. Well, that was fine with me. I wish I could just be by myself... or at least someone who was really understanding.

A strange, hollow cone fell on my head. "Heh?" I felt it and recognized the familiar contours of my helmet. Ee! I didn't realize that I had dropped it. But where? On the field? In the halls? And who found it? I looked up. And backed away. Then I remembered that I was already against the wall. "Um..." How did he find me so quickly? Did he follow me? "Hi... Master..."

"Dark Magician Girl—"

"Listen, I'm... sorry," I blurted out, tapping my knuckles together lightly. "I just... Well, I was just...uh..."

"...Being yourself?"

"Yeah!" I exclaimed. Then I blushed. "Hmm... I mean... Heh, yeah... I guess I'm just being my crazy self, huh? Sorry..." I said, adjusting my helmet. It gave me something to do. "And well..."

He leaned forward and pulled my visor up. "Stop hiding behind that thing, already, will you?" I looked up at him, surprised. "I shouldn't have yelled at you back there." Now that was random. But...

I smiled and shook my head. "Master, it's fine. I mean, everyone—"

He placed a finger on my lips. He was closer now. "I'm sorry." His eyes bore his usual calm and serious gaze. But this time, there was something about them that made me want to get a closer look. Something inviting; warm. I bent a little nearer to him, wondering whether I should or not... Closer... Closer...

Suddenly, he pulled away and looked around cautiously. While he did that, I think I went through twelve different shades of red. "Strange..." I pulled my visor back down, covering my burning face again. "Can you feel it?"

Faint vibrations ran through my body.

"Yeah..." I frowned. "The ground's shaking." The floor shuddered. The quivers grew more violent. They were accompanied by low, rumbling sounds. Like thunder. "Master, is it raining now?"

He shook his head, his eyes narrowed uneasily. "Not yet..."

"Sengenjin sense two Dark Magician," a deep growl echoed across the hall. My eyes widened. I could feel the color from my face draining rapidly. The hulking, blue beast was plodding towards us. What was he doing here? What did he want with us? A million questions were begging to be asked, but now was not the time.

"It's him!" I managed to whisper. "We gotta hide!"

"You've met him before?" asked Master as he pulled me behind the nearest pillar. These things are great hiding places!

"Uh..." Master wrapped his arms protectively around me. I reddened again, but he was paying more attention to Sengenjin, who was approaching slowly. He seemed to examine everything closely before passing. Maybe he was smarter than I had given him credit for. If he found us, then I don't know what would happen. "Yeah, he was playing chess with Amir—"

"Chess?" Master looked at me incredulously. Then he gave an exasperated sigh, "He finds the oddest ways of locating them--" Locating who! How come no one tells me what's going on!

"Sengenjin find you!" Sengenjin loomed over us. Did he see/hear us? He let out a howl and smashed his fist into the pillar. Master ducked and held me closely as rubble and pieces of marble flew in every direction. I buried my face in a nook in his armor. A scream was desperately trying to escape, but I choked it back, wondering if I would live through this. "Sengenjin find you! You wait! Sengenjin know you here!"

I couldn't see anything, but it sounded like he was smashing everything that was in his way. When he was sure that Sengenjin was gone, Master lifted some of the debris off of us. "Psychopathic buffoon," he blew a strand of light purple hair out of his face.

I felt him dust some white powdery remains of the wreckage from my hair. "I'm okay," I said quietly before he could ask. "Are you?"

"Surprisingly, yes." He nodded and looked at me skeptically. "Are you sure you're fine?" I realized that I was trembling. All right, maybe I didn't look okay, but I was just shaken... That's all.

Time to change the subject. "Why—why'd he want to kill us?"

The walls groaned. Master surveyed the damage that the Monster had caused. "Clever." I looked at him questioningly. "He..." An expression of disbelief was on his face. "He... demolished the pillars that were supporting the roof."

It was my turn to stare at the scene doubtfully. But the entire hall was lined with white stumps and what used to be columns of marble. "Oh Ra, no."

And the ceiling came crashing down.


Hm, since Amir has been hogging all the limelight, I figured that it should be Dark Magician's turn, y'know?
Welp, R&R, please everyone!