Harry Potter: Prince of Games
Disclaimer/Plot/Author's Note: SEE FIRST CHAPTER
Recommended Reads: Harry Potter: Prince of Games by DZ2, Harry Potter and the Duel Academy and Harry Potter and the Tri-Academy Tournament by A Pair of New Shoes, Different Dimension Duellist by The Mad Prince, Harry potter GX seasons 1, 2, 3 and 4 by diamondholder, Harry Seto Kaiba, the Next King of Games by kankuro236, Battle Born by Above the Winter Moonlight, Yugioh GX: Emperor of Darkness, Yugioh GX: Celestial War, Darkness is My Ally and Awakening by YugiohFreak54, Trickshot and Silver King by JustBored21, Harry Potter and the Magical Guardian and Harry Potter and the Serpents' Secrets by Sursr and Family Ties by BarbaraKaterina
Key Pairing: Harry/DMG
Other Pairings: To be determined
Normal Speech
'Thoughts'
'Mind Speech/Spirit Speech'
/Parseltongue/
(OC Cards)
Review Answers:
WhiteElfElder: Well…I don't know whether you'll be surprised or disappointed, my friend;
ALSO: A thousand apologies to all the fans of this story for its brief removal, but, in my defence, I was seriously blocked and had no idea where to turn; then, at the eleventh hour – figuratively-speaking – inspiration hit me hard and fast.
As a result, this chapter not only has something I imagine will disappoint a lot of readers, but also a surprising twist that actually sets up the 'Hogwarts Years' for Harry and co, so…if you can, despite whatever disappointments you might feel…enjoy;
'What about His Majesty? If Harry can't return to his body, couldn't the King do it for him and become Harry?'
'I suppose…but this magic, whatever it is, it is more powerful than we think,' replied Mahad, his eyes glowing with his own empowering magical sense as he added, 'It's so strong, even my full powers cannot penetrate its defences, which is strange, because there is only one person I know of who could command such strength.'
'Who?'
'The Supreme King.'
Chapter 9: A Lost King Found Pt 2
DUEL STATUS: Harry: 4000 – Elemental Hero Heat (2000/1200) Elemental Hero Lady Heat (1400/1200) Elemental Prodigy (1000/1000) three cards face down
Merlin: 4000 – Field Empty
As Harry watched, Merlin seemed to assess his moves before, at long last, the ancient spirit smiled softly as he explained, "All right, Harry; it's time we take off the kid-gloves and start duelling seriously."
"I already have," argued Harry, clenching a fist while he also kept his eyes on his opponent as he explained, "You're the one who was stalling for time, Merlin: not that I know why, but it's not going to work a second time around."
"Ah-ha," replied Merlin, shaking his head amusingly as he asked, "But was I stalling for time or was I preparing not only myself, but you for the true power of my deck, young one?"
'Again, why don't I like the way he said that?' thought Harry, a small part of him suddenly wondering if there was indeed a method to Merlin's moves; after all, this was a duellist whom was unlike anyone Harry had faced in his short duelling career, not even his Father, Seto or Pegasus.
This was also someone whom had a history with Haou, though what that past involved, exactly, Harry didn't know and wouldn't get to find out until he won the duel. This, of course, was something he was determined to do, but, at the same time, Merlin's confidence gave Harry a nauseous feeling in the pit of his belly, which he didn't like.
"Guess we'll find out," said Merlin, his eyes shining like fire as he explained, "And we start that discovery with the spell card Monster Reborn, which allows me to resurrect my Crusader of Endymion (1900/1200) and once again bring him up against your Elemental Hero Deck."
'I'm really starting to get sick of seeing this guy,' thought Harry, before his eyes widened as he saw Merlin smile knowingly before he held up a card.
"Now, before you think my Crusader's about to walk into another ambush courtesy of whatever strategy you've set up, my young king, let me cut that plan off at the knees by sacrificing my Crusader, to summon out something with a bit more fight to it; so, by sacrificing my Crusader of Endymion, I summon out my Endymion Sentinel (500/3500) to the field in defence mode!"
Even Haou was left surprised, if not curious, when he saw Crusader explode in a shower of blue magic, which seemed to grow in size and shape before, to the shock of both duellists – meaning Haou and Harry – the blue magic formed a giant of a monster; it looked like one of the knight statues that seemed to occupy most of Hogwarts, but with sapphire-blue armour that seemed to cover every inch of the monster's body. At the same time, the armour, as well as what looked like a huge, star-shaped shield in the hands of the new monster, were engraved with a wide array of mystical runes, all of which lit up as the newcomer lowered himself down into defence mode.
"3500 Defence points?" asked Harry, his eyes wider than wide as he asked, "And a level 7 monster to boot? Let me guess; your Sentinel has an ability that allows him to be summoned…"
"With just one tribute, provided that the tribute monster is an Endymion Monster," finished Merlin, applauding Harry's knowledge before he added, "However, don't go thinking that's my Sentinel's only power either, Harry; you see, when he's summoned by the tribute of an Endymion Monster, Sentinel absorbs half that sacrificed monster's attack power and adds it to his own. So, since Crusader had 1900 attack points, my Sentinel's attack points go up by 950 points."
Endymion Sentinel: 1450/3500
"That's still not enough to tackle my monsters," argued Harry, earning a chuckle from Merlin.
"Who said anything about attacking your monsters, Harry? You see, when Endymion Sentinel is in defence mode, he can half his own attack power and, in exchange, the mighty force within this loyal guardian of the mystic secrets is unleashed directly onto your life points!"
(Endymion Sentinel: ATk; 500/DEF: 3500/7Star/LIGHT/WARRIOR/EFFECT: This card can be Normal Summoned with 1 Tribute, if an Endymion Monster Card is used as a Tribute Summon Material Monster. If this card is Tribute Summoned by this effect, increase this card's ATK by half the Tribute Material Monster's ATK points. During the Battle Phase, if this card is in DEF mode, deal Direct Damage to your opponent equal to half this card's ATK points.)
"That's not good!" gasped Haou.
"You don't say," argued Harry.
"Well, let me show you, rather than tell if that's what you wish," argued Merlin, indicating his towering behemoth of a monster as he commanded, "Go, Endymion Sentinel: draw out the sacrificed spirit of my Crusader and attack Harry directly with Sentinel's Spell Seal!"
To Harry's shock, Sentinel's star-shaped shield suddenly lit up with ancient magic, which seemed to take on the shape of Crusader's spirit before, as Harry and Haou watched, the sacrificed spectre flew out of the shield and struck Harry hard and fast, finally dealing first blood in the duel, albeit with only half of Sentinel's attack strength.
Harry: 3275
Merlin: 4000
"And, now that's done, I place a card face down and end my turn," added Merlin, earning a low groan of pain from Harry, though not before Merlin went on, "And, now you've been struck, Harry, it's time you pay the price for agreeing to this Shadow Game!"
"A SHADOW GAME?" Chorused Harry and Haou before, to Haou's alarm, he saw exactly what form the penalty for being damaged in the duel took for Harry, "Hey! Harry, look down!"
"Why? What's…HOLY MOTHER OF THE EGYPTIAN GODS!" Cried Harry, looking down at his legs and feet, but, when he did so, he gasped with horror and alarm when he saw how his feet, as well as his ankles, had seemingly become a gaseous miasma of Shadow Realm Magic. "What…what is this? What's going on, Merlin?"
"I told you, Harry," replied Merlin, indicating Haou, who looked somewhere between enraged and worried for his young friend and partner, as the Father of Magic continued, "This duel is to help the Supreme King gain the lost secrets of our past, but, where there is great reward, there must also be great cost, just as I said back when you accepted this duel. And, like I said, when you lose, your soul will wander this nowhere-realm for eternity; so, it's only fitting that, every time you lose life points, a little more of yourself slips into the eternal purgatory of this domain!"
"No!"
"I'm afraid so," said Merlin, before he looked to Haou, whom was now glaring daggers at the Father of Magic, his eyes on full, Supreme-King gold and then some, as Merlin added, "But worry not, Supreme King: if Harry is half the duellist I suspect, his soul will be spared and, in exchange, you shall regain your lost memories and be able to face the evils that threaten your shared destiny."
"Merlin…"
"Let him have this," whispered Harry, earning an alarmed look from Haou, while Harry grunted in discomfort as he felt the cold emptiness of the Shadow Game passing over the lower half of his legs, "I…I told you, Haou; I have to do this…not just for you, but for…for myself. Besides, I know exactly what you're going to remember and, when you do, then I can truly call myself a Prince, because I'll have the spirit of not only a King inside of me, but one of the greatest Magic-and-Non-Magic-Unifying Kings in History: Arthur Pendragon!"
While Haou looked on in amazement and a small hint of disbelief, however, Merlin smiled before he chuckled softly, earning curious looks from both duellists, prompting Harry to speak up, "What…what's so funny, Merlin? I…I figured it out when you told me who you were…"
"And yet, you couldn't be more wrong, child," argued Merlin, before he smiled softly as he explained, "But, I'll tell you what: since I admire your strength of heart, as well as your courage in the face of almost-certain defeat, I'll give you a freebie…"
Before Harry could argue or refuse, his world became filled with white light…
PGHY
"Is…is he okay?"
"He looks like he's having a fit!"
"For Merlin's sake; why's this taking so long?"
"Just sort him already…"
"OH, WILL YOU ALL PLEASE SHUT…THE HELL…UP?"
Even those near her were surprised to hear Morgana Black speak up, projecting her voice across the entire Great Hall, while her eyes burned with raw defiance as she asked then, "Do any of you narrow-minded, blood-purist, whiny little dick-bags have any idea what's going on here? No; of course, you don't. You lot can't even accept the greater, more-powerful magics that go beyond foolish wand-waving and silly incantations, so how could any of you biased, bigoted pricks be expected to understand the ancient magic at work here, affecting your precious Saviour in ways that none of you can comprehend!"
"Miss Black, sit down and…"
"McGonagall, shut up!" snapped Morgana, earning shocked looks from many of the Gryffindors, while a few others actually applauded Morgana's courage and fire, as she explained, "You more than anyone have no right to try and stop me from speaking my mind; after all, your beloved students from so many years ago would gladly understand and even ensure nothing stopped what's going on if they could see their son and what he's going through. But, thanks to somebody…"
She glared at the still-burned Snape, as well as a worried-looking Dumbledore, as she said this, before she went on, "We can't hear that straight from the horse's mouth! Instead, the House of the Brave is headed by an old crone who is way past her expiration date and was almost responsible for a greater evil than anything that old Mouldy Shorts could come up with being unleashed on the world…and why? Because she listened to the old shepherd sat on his golden dildo looking down at the ants from his ivory tower instead of trusting what she knew about those she claimed were as close to her as her own kin!"
Here, Morgana indicated the House Ghosts as she asked, "I mean, for the Gods' sake: what part of don't interfere don't you lot understand? Or is it just too hard because it doesn't involve pleading you were under the Imperius and lining the pockets of fools, freaks and nutcases with all the gold they'll ever need?"
"I SAID ENOUGH!"
With that, McGonagall fired off a spell, intending to silence Morgana's rants.
However, to the shock of the assembled students, as well as a couple of staff members, what could only be described as a strangely-distorted wall of reflective material suddenly materialised in front of Morgana, seemingly-absorbing McGonagall's spell before it was redirected, striking each and every one of the negative nancies who'd complained about how long this was taking.
This included Snape, McGonagall and, pretty much, everyone on the Slytherin Table, as well as a redhead whom was still waiting to be sorted and, as everyone near him had heard, seemed to be more concerned with missing dinner and going hungry than understanding the first thing about what was going on here.
While even Dumbledore was shocked by what was happening, Morgana sighed softly before she added, "All right; now, we can wait and be patient. I mean, think of it this way, you big bag of dicks and douchebags…this is your precious Boy-Who-Lived we're talking about here."
Here, Morgana gave a coy, if not amused smile that made Snape's blood boil, mostly because it reminded him of Morgana's Father, not to mention the Father of the timewaster on the stool, as she went on.
"Or didn't you lot know that, when it comes to a Potter, they don't exactly do normal?"
PGHY
White light.
That was the first thing Harry found he could see, as well as a weird, floating feeling that made him feel like he was having one out-of-body experience whilst experiencing another.
As the light started to fade, however, the young wizard-slash-duellist was left stunned when, instead of the dark realm of nothingness where he was duelling the Father of Magic, he now found himself hovering in the air over a vast, green field, with a small, olden-days-looking village in the distance and, to his curiosity, what looked like a distant glow of flames and the dark colourings of smoke rising from the far eastern side of the strange field below him.
"What? Where…what is this place?"
"Don't you recognise it, Harry?" asked Merlin, earning a gasp from Harry as he saw Merlin materialise next to him, along with Haou, who also looked down at the scene below them with interest and curiosity. "This land, in years to come, is the spot where your own school, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, would be built by four of the greatest sorcerers of their time: Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw and Salazar Slytherin."
"But…but there's nothing here," said Harry, looking down before he heard Merlin chuckle.
"Not yet, but…ah, right on cue…"
While Merlin pointed down below them, Harry's eyes widened when, on the ground below them, what could only be described as a ring of seven mystical-looking obelisks suddenly rose up from the ground, each one held in a position that reminded Harry of a seven-pointed star – ironic, given that stars and the number seven were both big things in Magic – while, as he looked down, Harry's eyes widened when he also noticed seven strange symbols appearing on each one of the obelisks.
As he peered closer, Harry frowned as he asked, "Hey, are those…Duel Monster Tablets? Like the ones used…"
"By Ancient Egyptian sorcerers to do battle centuries ago? Yes, they are," replied Merlin, earning a curious look from Harry, which only grew even more-curious when he noticed two heavily-robed figures suddenly materialising at the edge of the circle. "Ah, and right on cue…keep watching, Harry; this is going to be an interesting moment."
Watching the scene from on high, Harry saw one of the figures look around worriedly before, as he watched, Harry's eyes widened when he heard a familiar powerful voice address the other figure.
"We shouldn't do this: if the others knew what we were doing."
"They would thank us, Emrys," argued a soft, eerily-calm voice, the sound of which made Harry shiver as he not only recognised the distorted voice of his ancient counterpart, but, at the same time, he also felt a swell of ancient, mystical power coming from that individual as they continued, "I've waited for the so-called peace to be enacted, but if the Knights refuse to listen to reason, and Arthur won't do anything except hide his cowardly ass away in Camelot, then I will do it for him!"
"But to open the Gate?" asked the first figure, whom Harry recognised as Merlin – though, for some weird reason, the other figure addressed him as Emrys – his voice tinged with fear and dread as he explained, "I know you've been waiting for the chance to fulfil your destiny, but it shouldn't happen because of this. The Shadow Realm is too volatile; there are untold evils lurking in corners best-left untouched!"
"I won't hear any more!" argued his companion, stepping into the circle before he hissed, "This is for the Greater Good, Emrys: I've waited too long. Hid my true potential…my true calling in this world…now, it's time to remind the Knights and their Masters who really has the Power!"
As if on cue, the seven obelisks lit up like Christmas Trees, whilst, as Harry strained his ears, he heard a chant filling the air…
"He is the Power…He is the Power…He is the Power…He is the Power…"
"You can't!"
"I must!"
Bright, golden light filled the skies.
Though not before a single voice tore through the shadows, even as Harry felt his mind and body being pulled back to the present…
"MORDRED!"
PGHY
Back in the duel, Harry's eyes widened as he looked not to Merlin, but to Haou, a hint of fear, disbelief and alarm in his eyes as he shook his head slowly, his eyes wider than wide while his voice was barely a ghostly whisper as he spoke to his darker-half.
"M…M…Mordred? You…you were…Mordred?"
"I…I don't know," argued Haou, his voice edged with a similar note of alarm to Harry's, while he also looked beyond confused, "I…I don't remember those days, Harry; you…you know I don't."
"And what? That makes it all better?" asked Harry, looking from Haou to Merlin and back again as he explained, "I…I've heard about Mordred; Great-Grandpa Muto, Uncle Max and even Uncle Seto all told me stories of those dark days. How Mordred, the Bastard King, nearly laid waste to the kingdom just to punish and destroy his Father, Arthur Pendragon! How he used mystical forces, beyond all others, to bring about the end of the Pendragon Dynasty and…and threatened the Golden Age that Arthur worked so hard to create."
"Harry, I told you…"
"And now, you…you expect me to…to accept this? To…to win and…and let those memories…let that evil come…come back to you?"
"Harry, please listen!"
"NO!" Roared Harry, before he actually, visibly, threw his duel disk to the floor, shaking his head as he exclaimed, "I…I won't listen to you, Supreme King! I told you once before that, if it came down to it, I'd fight you, and I'd fight the darkness, each and every damn day of my life! And now…now I hear another of your past lives…how evil he was! Why should I listen to you?"
"Because of this."
Suddenly, Harry's eyes widened as Haou, through some sheer force of will that even Merlin seemed impressed by, managed to retrieve Harry's duel disk before, turning to Merlin, he held up the disk as he explained, "Because, if it means that much to my friend, then…then I refuse to even begin to guess what that destiny or that outcome was, Merlin…so, I'm making you a deal now: let Harry go back and I'll surrender myself to the Darkness…and be imprisoned here…forever."
"No!" cried Harry, looking to Merlin as he asked, "Did…didn't you say that…that if I lost, I'd be trapped here?"
"Indeed I did," said Merlin.
"But that won't happen," argued Haou, shaking his head as he explained, "I won't allow it too and, trust me, Merlin, I'll fight you forever if it means I can protect my friend…no, Harry's more than that; he…he's my successor."
Here, Haou dropped himself down to one knee, holding Harry's disk in his hands as he explained, "You are the Supreme King, Harry, not me. And if it means you don't have to do anything about what we just learned, I'll submit myself to whatever Hell awaits me in this purgatory. You beat me years ago and I swore I'd never turn on you; I'm not about to let you doubt that, because of my past…"
Here, he looked to Merlin with that same fierce, golden-eyed glare as he insisted, "It isn't our actions that define us, Merlin…it is our choices and I choose to give Harry his life, and his freedom, even if it means I take his place. So, go on, do what you must, but I'll die before I allow you to harm my Supreme King!"
"Haou…"
Dead silence followed Harry's whisper, while Haou drew himself up again, sliding the disk onto his arm before he held up his hand, palm flat and fingers splayed.
"So…take the deal, Merlin, because I…"
"Have passed the test."
Even Harry was left speechless as Merlin's voice echoed across the duel field, causing both Harry and the Supreme King's spirit to look at him in abject disbelief and amazement, while Merlin smiled softly as he sighed before he continued.
"You truly are different now, my old friend; and yes, Haou, you and I were friends once, but, when war and destruction threatened our world, some dark seed was planted inside of you, drawing out the ancient lord of Darkness that you once were. In your madness, you sought these sacred grounds, intending to open a gateway to the Dimension of Duel Spirits, where you would unleash and lead your legions to battle; however, both I and King Arthur himself begged you to stop, but the Darkness had taken a-hold of you."
"So…what's locked in here?" asked Haou, earning a small smile from Merlin.
"You are, old friend," said Merlin, indicating Harry as he continued, "This is the true test that Arthur and I cast over this castle's ancient magic; a temptation of Ultimate Darkness. The true power of the Supreme King and the faith it possesses in its newest incarnation; in this case, young Harry here. In fact, you might be surprised to know, Haou, that, originally, the Fates had decided for you to be reborn in a different body."
A jolt of realisation struck Harry.
"Jaden Yuki."
PGHY
In another part of the world, a certain dual-colour-haired boy with the spirit of excitement and anticipation for the future suddenly sneezed loudly, causing him to drop his duel deck on the floor of his room.
Lying atop said pile was a Yubel card, which shone with mystic light as its inner spirit sensed the time was, finally, here.
PGHY
"But Jaden was only half the spirit you once were," continued Merlin, earning a curious look from Harry and Haou, which prompted the ancient sorcerer to go on. "In order to fully embrace your destiny and make sure the evils of the past couldn't repeat in the present, the Powers knew you needed someone whom would always fight the Darkness…even if it meant fighting you, which, some time ago, I believe young Harry did."
"And I won."
"Indeed you did," said Merlin, nodding once as he told Harry, "However, you had to learn the dark truth of the King for yourself, Harry and, when I saw your fire, I knew you were ready. Then, my old friend took care of the rest, proving himself the great defender and rightful master of the aptly-named Gentle Darkness by willingly offering his life, his soul and even his title for the sake of the one whom he vowed he would never let become lost to the Darkness, because it was not your choice to do so, Harry Potter."
"And…the duel?"
Merlin shrugged in response, "I needed a way to see your fire for myself, Harry Potter and I am proud to say that you did admirably. So much so that, now the test is done, I have one final gift for you."
Here, he waved his hand, conjuring an ornate box, which he handed to Harry; opening the box, Harry was surprised to see a duel deck nestled comfortably inside, bound in blue silk and, even by looking at it, Harry could tell there was power in this deck.
And with good reason.
"This is the Endymion Deck, isn't it?"
"Yes," replied Merlin, indicating the deck as he explained, "The deck of spirits that, before his madness cost him everything, Haou's past self, the sadly-named Bastard King, Mordred, managed to successfully invoke before he was defeated by his own lust for power and the opposition, whom, I am sorry to say, Harry-child, will return one day. And, when they do, you must be ready…and fully-willing to trust in the power you share with the Supreme King of the Gentle Darkness."
"I…I'll certainly try," said Harry.
Merlin nodded in response before he smiled fondly as he explained, "Now, there is just one more matter to deal with: let me see…as I have seen for myself, you have plenty of courage, and a keen mind willing to take on all challenges…if not, without a little recklessness to you…"
Harry blushed at the way the spirit was talking, while Merlin went on.
"However, I sense great talent in you, Harry Potter…and a thirst…to prove yourself…but also, to rightfully earn and prove your worth to your mantle as the Prince of Games, be it with or without the aid of the Supreme King…hmm…I see…"
"See…"
Before Harry could finish, his world went white…
PGHY
"Better be…GRYFFINDOR!"
For a single second, dead silence filled the Great Hall, before applause and celebration worthy of England winning the World Cup filled the hall as roughly 90% of the hall's occupants went absolutely ballistic at the fact that the hero of Magical Britain was finally sorted.
And into Gryffindor, to boot.
As the cheers and celebrations filled the air, however, none of them seemed to notice Harry walk over to the Gryffindor Table, sitting down next to Morgana, who eyed him curiously.
"What happened in there?"
"You don't want to know, Mana," whispered Harry, looking down at his deck holders, of which he now saw he had three, indicating that not only had his Twilight Force Deck been returned to him, but he now had one additional weapon against his opponents.
The Endymion Deck.
"Believe me, you don't want to know…"
A VERY strange Chapter 9 comes to a close and, yikes: talk about dark secrets coming to light, but now he knows of a grim, even forbidden past of his alter-ego, can Harry fulfil his own destiny and stay true to the light in himself?
Also, if all that was one big test, what could have been the reason for such intense defences?
And, just as importantly, what could that brief side-bar to Jaden and his own 'guardian spirit' mean for the future of the Supreme King and his friends and allies?
Keep Reading to Find Out
Next Chapter: Harry might have passed the test, but now, a different kind of class is in session: also, the Prince of Games and Boy-Who-Lived has to deal with fame both earned and unwanted, which leads to an interesting request and an equally-as-interesting meeting between two powerful forces;
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