A/N: I don't own Yugioh…or the name Seth. Also, this chapter doesn't exactly fit in with the others, since I decided to change the plot a bit. Sorry! And enjoy!^_^

~*~

A Moment in Time

Royal Pain

"My king, are you present?" a voice called from the other side of the huge cedar door covered in sheet gold.

Yami's eyes fluttered open to the call, and slowly pushed himself off the bed. A small form stirring beside the pharaoh, and Yami looked down see Yugi's slight movement. The boy's golden bangs framed his face and reflected off the sallow light that seeped through the stone window. Yami sighed with content at the peace Yugi seemed to be enduring.

'Better not disturb him,' the king thought, and quietly escaped to the doorway. He opened the door a creak and slipped through the narrow gape.

After closing the door behind him, Yami was confronted by the high priest.

"What is it, Seth?" Yami asked, slightly annoyed at haven been disrupted from his rest.

"Forgive me, your majesty, but there seems to be a dilemma at the east wing," Seth spoke up, gesturing toward the left hall. "If your highness would follow me, I'm confident this ordeal will be resolved."

"Very well," Yami sighed, signaling two guards to watch his chamber where Yugi rested. "Lead the way."

Pharaoh and priest walked briskly to a large, sparse room with arched walls that towered over its residents. Several weapons hung from the stone faces, and torches were set into their metal holders, lining the sides of the court. Yami strolled over to the warriors that had a prison who had been forced on his knees.

One of the soldiers spoke. "Majesty, we found this culprit was lurking by the ceremonial hall. I think he was trying to steal one of the magic books."

Yami kneeled in front of the thief so that they came face to face. The man was not other than Yami himself, with white lock of hair that fell from a black hood. His face was contorted into a sneer as piercing cold, blue eyes stared at the pharaoh.

"Why do you need a spell book?" Yami demanded, eyeing the robber suspiciously.

"That's none of your business!" The criminal splattered in Yami's face. A guard immediately yanked him back, causing him to wince in pain.

"At least tell me your name."

Yami's inquiry was obviously being ignored, so the monarch sighed and waved his hand wearily. "Take him away. I don't have time for insolent fools like him."

The albino smirked as he was shoved in the opposite direction. "Don't act so brave, Yami, for I have memorized several powerful spells before being caught. And I won't hesitate to use them, especially not on your precious little Yugi."

Yami froze, then whirled on the bandit and grabbed him by the collar. "Don't you dare lay a finger a him, you pathetic fool! If you do, then I'll do something so cruel that you'll wish you've been eaten by the Devourer(1) instead!"

Only a sinister grin crossed the captive's face. "Is the great pharaoh running scared? Now do you know what it feels like when you're about to loose someone you love? Do you remember the day you announced the execution of Syri, the lector priest?"

"What does that have anything to do with this?" Yami snapped, irritated at the abrupt change of subject.

"Syri was my father!" the white-hair figure yelled, advancing toward Yami in fury even though he was bound by soldiers. "You killed him! And you enjoyed every minute of it!"

"No," Yami whispered, barely audible. "I had to kill him. He was conspiring with tomb robbers to desecrate the bodies of the great kings and looting their treasure."

"Lie!" the body lunged forward, nearly pouncing on Yami. "My father would never do that! Now, Yami, I'm going to seek revenge. You shall feel the same sorrow and anger I felt when you lose a loved one!"

Before Yami could react, the albino started chanting a spell. A dark aura appeared around the young man as a mist of fear dispel throughout the room.

"No!" Yami yelled, tackling the spell caster. But it was too late, for the stone floor melted beneath them as a figure emerged from the viscous abyss. Yami recognized the person all too well.

"Yugi!" Without hesitation, the pharaoh dived for the small boy hanging in midair, eyes dead as if in a trance. But his endeavor was to no avail as a force field prevented him from advancing any farther.

"Now, say good bye to Yugi!"

A burst of electricity erupted from the growing dome of energy surrounding the two boys. Yami was knocked off his feet by the sudden impact, and grunted as he stroke his shoulder bald into the wall. The guards, too, tried to free Yugi from such evil, but were unable to progress toward the massive ki.

Yami watched helplessly as the albino took Yugi by the neck. Before he could think, Yami grabbed a dagger from the wall and aimed it at the young man. The blade grazed across his arm, but couldn't prevent Yugi and the thief from disappearing.

"Yugi!" Yami yelled after them, his voice reverberating off the castle walls. "Come back!"

Furious, the pharaoh pounded his fists into the ground and cursed. Tears welled up in his eyes, but he refused to let them drop.

"Don't worry, Yugi," Yami whispered. "I'll get you make---I promise."

~*~

YK: Yay! I'm done with this chapter!

Yami: Don't you have a report to do?

YK: (curses) did you have to remind me?

Yami: uh…R&R please!