LoneWolf16: ^^ Here it comes! More Death!! Funfunfunfun!!! *wiiiide grin* Rematch of the century, Seto Vs. Yami!!!
Disclaimer: I don't own YGO or a violent nature.
Djanil: -_- The former I can attest to, but the latter I cannot guarantee…
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Chapter Ten: The Last Duel of Death
The two remaining duelists met at the doorway. One of them would leave alive, the other in…a very bad physical condition. They stopped, nodding at each other.
"Seto Kaiba."
"Yugi Motou."
The door swung open. They turned their heads to see not the room they had left before, but a moving set of machinery and setting. The clanking of gears begin pulled and an ominous gloop, gloop sound could be heard below. The announcer was nowhere to be seen.
The floor fell out beneath from their feet, not a hands-width away, and began to rise. From below, Kaiba and Yami could see their battlefield rise. It was, quite ironically, a battlefield of fire and ice. A pathway of ice crossed the chasm and on either side, far below it, a bubbling sea of lava. The ice was about four meters wide; wide enough walk across and possibly fall without falling over the edge. That is, if you were lucky.
Far above them, there must have been an intercom, because the announcer's voice boomed over their heads.
"WELCOME TO THE THIRD ROUND, DUELIESTS."
Yami rolled his eyes. "Oh goodie."
"For some reason, I have an urge to clap." Kaiba remarked.
"PLEASE TAKE YOUR STANCES."
The two former (much, much, much former) partners stepped out onto the strange battlefield. They walked towards the center, not saying a word. Yami walked out further and turned around, facing his opponent. Ice cold blue eyes met sad violet ones.
"AND NOW, ALL HAIL MASTER SENNEN!!!"
"What?" Kaiba exclaimed. "The host of this tournament?"
A spotlight flashed around, eventually settling on the massive form at the very back of the field. It was a red throne, on which sat a thin, dark-colored man with dark, brooding hawk eyes and black, messy hair. He was scarred in various places, the white slashes crisscrossing his face and arms.
He grinned, white teeth flashing. Like Bakura, these had been filed down into points. "Well, well, well. Yugi Motou and Seto Kaiba. Welcome to the last round. You two have come far."
The man, now named Mr. Sennen, swept out his hands. "Yugi Motou and Seto Kaiba, the time has come. Show me what you have gained in experience. Or shall I say, Pharaoh Yami and High Priest Seto?"
Yami stared in shock. What? How did that man know he used to be a pharaoh of Egypt? And gain? Gain what? If anything, he had lost -- lost friends, lost light, lost Yugi…
Kaiba had no clue what Mr. Sennen was thinking. Even he thought Kaiba was part of ancient Egypt? That fool!
"This round will have no time limit. It ends only in death." Mr. Sennen smiled. "So now, let the duel…begin."
Kaiba growled, and leapt at Yami. He would finish this off now. He had to, for the sake of his little brother…
Yami stumbled back, sliding across the ice. This was starting off quick. Hurriedly, he called on the power of the Puzzle. He really didn't want to kill Kaiba, just enough to stun him, enough to give him the win. Yami already had too many deaths on his hands. Muttering, Yami shot off a golden ball of magic.
Kaiba cursed. Now Yugi was flinging colored balls at him. He dropped to the ice ground, wincing as he felt a few bruises slam into the ground. The blast fizzed out over his head, frying a few hairs.
Yami growled. These things weren't that easy to pull off. Yami frowned as he shaped another one and threw it at the prostrate Kaiba.
Oh, shoot. Kaiba attempted to scramble to his feet, but the ice slid beneath his boot soles. The blast was coming right at him. How the heck was he supposed to fight magic anyway? He didn't have any, and that put him at a disadvantage. Yugi could stand there all day blasting at Kaiba, and Kaiba would have nothing to stop him.
Wait a sec, maybe he did have something. Kaiba rolled over and grabbed the Millenium Rod that he had thrust in his belt. Then he shoved it in front of his face, right before the magical blast hit it.
Kaiba's hands shook, and the Rod flared. And then everything was still.
Yami's eyes widened. Kaiba had the Millenium Rod? But how? Marik used to hold it -- but now Kaiba held it in his own hands. And for some reason, it had blocked Yami's attack!
Kaiba looked at the Rod in surprise. It had worked. Well, that was nice. Kaiba lurched to his feet.
Yami cocked his head. "Decided to acknowledge your past then, Seto?"
Kaiba shrugged. "On the contrary. I just needed a nice weapon against you." And with that, Kaiba yelled and charged at Yami, swinging the Millenium Rod like it was an executioner's ax.
Yami's eyes widened. This was an interesting sight. Quickly, he erected a magical shield against Kaiba's assault.
Kaiba swung the Rod and slashed at the barrier. It shuddered and wavered, but held. With another yell, Kaiba pushed at the thing separating him from Yami's throat. The Rod flared bright-white, and then a small point of the Millenium Rod burst through the barrier. With a cry, Kaiba pressed even harder.
Oh, shoot. The Rod was working for its rightful owner. This was going to make things more difficult. Now Kaiba had a hand-held weapon and a magical weapon, though luckily the magic side was more instinct than calculated attacks. Yami grimaced. From what he remembered, the Rod could do some pretty nasty things…
Yami needed a backup to concentrate on one side of the Rod. Taking a few steps back, he drew a card from his deck without looking. "I summon the Dark Magician!"
The magician formed at his left side, just like he used to do in the old times. He crossed his arms, the long staff clutched in his right hand. "You called for me, master?"
Yami nodded. "Distract him for me." Yami pointed to Kaiba, who was currently slamming against the barrier.
"Sir? Not kill him? But he betrayed you, remember?" The Dark Magician cocked his head.
Yami shook his head. "No, Mahado. That was long ago, and of matters that you did not know of. He was true to me to the end." Yami paused. "I do not wish to end that, no matter what his actions towards me in this present day."
Mahado shrugged, pulling out his staff. "If you say so, sire…" He drifted over to Kaiba, who was raging and slashing at the barrier. It was falling apart.
"HA! TAKE THAT, YUGI!! I'M COMING FOR YOU!!!"
"Hello." Mahado floated through the barrier, turning his head to barely miss the Rod swiping at his head. "Seto, I have a great number of things to deal with you…"
Kaiba stumbled back. What the-- the duel monster talked? Oh shoot. Kaiba scowled. He jammed a hand into his other pocket and drew out a card. Yes! His Blue Eyes!
"I summon the Blue Eye White Dragon!"
The dragon appeared for the third time, answering the call to battle. Its head snaked towards Mahado, roaring. Opening its mouth, it blew the barrier to pieces, the shining bits falling over to fry in the lava below.
Then the dragon turned its head back towards Kaiba. It opened its mouth and…purred?
"She's asking you for something." Mahado remarked.
"What?" Kaiba gasped. The dragon bent down and rubbed its head against his hand. Awkwardly, Kaiba petted its head. "Um, yes. Very nice. But…she?"
Mahado cocked his head. "What, you don't remember? Her name's Kisara."
Images flashed through Kaiba's mind. That stone tablet again. And that one of his Blue Eyes. Then new ones formed through his mind. A bloodthirsty crowd. A search. A dangerous mission. And of betrayal…
The Blue Eyes White Dragon growled and butted its head against Kaiba. He stumbled back. The dragon shoved its face right into his.
What do you want of me, master?
What? You're-- you-'re-- talking to me!!
Yes. I obey your commands. What do you command of me?
"Uh…" Kaiba shook his head. When he raised his head, his eyes locked on Yami's. Images again flashed through his eyes. Bowing to the pharaoh. Fighting for the pharaoh. Dying for the pharaoh…
Kaiba pointed a finger. "Kill him!!!"
The Blue Eyes White Dragon shook. But that is High Master… but if you command, sire…
The Blue Eyes unfurled her wings and zoomed towards Yami. Then Mahado intercepted her in the air, blasting at her with his staff.
"You shall not harm the Pharaoh!"
"Pharaoh??" Kaiba said incredulously. "Yugi?"
Yami nodded his head. "That I am. One time pharaoh of Egypt. My true name though, is hidden to me."
Kaiba growled. "I don't care what you call yourself or whatever fancies are in that mind of yours, but you are not going to stand in my way of saving Mokuba!!!"
Kaiba yelled, running at Yami full-force. Yami frowned. Well, now that the magical side of this was put aside somewhat, he had to have a way to deal with the physical. Putting a hand on his Puzzle, he formed and created a staff forged from magic in his hands.
Yami swung the staff around his hands, like a quarterstaff. It hissed through the air, leaving yellow trails in its wake. With a yell, Yami met Kaiba's challenge squarely.
The Rod and the staff clashed together. Magical fire swarmed around them, though not burning either of the holders' hands. They sprang apart, warily circling each other.
The battle went back and forth across the ice, both above and below. Above, the two beings from the time of Egypt fought with lightening and fire; flying so fast were blurs in the air. The only way to notice was when an errant blast hit something; rubble flew everywhere and the ice became chipped and pitted. Below, Yami and Kaiba were having at it; attacking with sweat and screams, where each of them bore magical scars.
Both were breathing heavily. Luckily, the military training Yami had in the past was coming back with a vengeance, but Yugi never did have very good physical conditions. Kaiba's trench coat had been thrown off (into the abyss below), and Yami's leather outfit was in shreds.
Slowly, Yami pushed Kaiba back into the wall on the far side, using every bit of the dirty tactics learned in the alleyways of Thebes to help him. Kaiba blocked grimly. If only he would just get a kick in -- but the slippery ice was no place to balance on one foot.
Kaiba retreated, until his back was against the wall.
"It ends here, Seto…" Yami panted, swishing his staff. "I cannot allow you to win."
Kaiba chopped at the staff that came perilously to his throat. "Curse you…I'm not leaving Mokuba to his fate--"
"Ah, but I cannot leave my hikari to his either." Yami turned his staff, which slammed into Kaiba's shins.
"Hikari?" Kaiba sidestepped.
"The one you call Yugi." Yami rotated the staff, moving to make an overhand strike to end this duel. It would leave Kaiba unconscious, but alive.
Kaiba gritted his teeth. No, it was not going to end this way, with his back against the wall and helpless. He lashed out with his right leg, using the simplest kick in the marital arts -- the front-snap kick. It hit squarely on Yami's chest.
Yami oofed and fell back, stumbling on the ice. He slipped and crashed into the ice. With a yell, Kaiba leapt at Yami, pushing off from the wall to get more power.
"This is for Mokuba!"
Yami coughed. He should have known it wouldn't be so simple with a single strike. Grunting, he heaved his staff up and jammed one end into the ice. As the Rod fell down towards his neck, Yami pulled one of those moves that moviegoers rave about, critics dissect, and are generally physically and rationally impossible.
Yami hurled himself into the air, using his staff like a pole-vaulting stick. He soared a good distance away from Kaiba, doing two (not one) back flips, to land solidly on two feet on a landing pad of treacherous ice. One could almost hear sound effects.
Kaiba watched in shock, mouth agape. How was that possible? He couldn't help but say a certain line from a movie. It was a deja vu moment.
"Who are you?"
Yami twirled his staff. "No one of consequence."
Kaiba smiled grimly. "I must know."
"Prepare to be disappointed."
With a yell, Yami swung his staff again, and the battle resumed. The battle raged on, and the two combatants grew weary. The attacks were becoming a bit lopsided, and there were more foot stumbles and openings that were missed.
Yami panted. This had to end soon, or else all would be lost. He had to end this now. By Ra, this was going to end. He wasn't Pharaoh for nothing…and he had one last idea.
Blocking another attack, he called on the power of the Puzzle again. The Puzzle flared, and for a moment Yami was clothed in the manner of the pharaohs of Egypt. In a great booming voice that echoed, he centered all of his formidable power on Kaiba. "By the powers and rights I hold as Pharaoh, King of Egypt, I command you, Seto, High Priest, to hold your attack!"
Perhaps it was Yami's authoritative Voice. Perhaps an innate memory of Kaiba's broke through and remembered his place. Perhaps Kaiba was simply shocked and lost control. Perhaps Kaiba recognized that voice from long ago. Perhaps all of these things, perhaps not.
But whatever the reason, Kaiba stumbled back and slipped on the ice, to fall off.
A shriek pierced the air. The Blue Eyes White Dragon had seen her master fall. Diving down, forgetting her opponent in the sky, she had only one objective now -- to save her master.
"Hold!" Yami raised his hands. The dragon shuddered, but continued to make a bee-line to her master.
Mahado lunged and bashed at the dragon's head with his staff. Whether it was through sheer strength or magical power, Kisara's dive altered by a few crucial degrees, to slam into the ice and crack it into two. The ice bridge fell, and took her down into the lava. It bubbled and frothed, waiting for its meal.
Kaiba screamed. "NOOOO!" He held on with only his left hand, the ice digging and cutting his hand. He still clutched the Millenium Rod in his right hand.
Master…
The Rod flared. Screaming in agony, he jammed it into the ice to pull himself up. This was not over…
Kaiba's left hand slipped. He jerked down, sliding until the Rod held. Kaiba now dangled above the lava, one meter from the top the ice, and about a hundred below him between the lava.
Yami looked down. Oh Ra. The heat warmed his face even from this height. He stretched out his hand. Yami would not win like this. This was a win without honor. "Give me your hand!"
Kaiba looked up to see benefactor and mortal (or immortal) enemy. "What makes you think I will?!?"
"You want to die like this?!?"
Silence.
"What about Mokuba?!? You will leave him alone?!?"
Kaiba jerked and closed his eyes. "Leave me to my fate."
Yami growled. By Ra, he was not going to leave his High Priest to fry in lava, Kaiba or not. Looking about wildly, he found Mahado standing next to him silently. He pointed to Kaiba below. "Get him!"
Mahado rolled his eyes. "I thought you were going to say that."
He floated down and waved his staff. Bands of magic wove around the dangling Kaiba. "And up you go, Priest." Then Mahado faded away, his part done.
Kaiba muttered, "I'm no priest…"
Kaiba was dropped unceremoniously on top of the ice. Kaiba barely remember the certain words of courtesy that one says when one's life is saved.
"Thanks…Yami." Then from his exhaustion and sheer stress, Kaiba moaned and passed out.
Yami stiffened in shock. Thank you? From Kaiba? That was a new thought. And how had he known the name Yami called himself? This was something to think about -- once everything was over. Yami turned towards the silent figure in the back. "He is unable to continue. This duel is over."
The dark man stood up. "This duel is not over until I say so." He nodded. "The priest still lives. Finish him."
"What?"
"This will only end in death."
Yami stood up, the Puzzle blazing. "I will not murder the helpless!"
Mr. Sennen shrugged. "If you wish." He stretched out his hand. "I'll do it for you then."
Then his squeezed his hand into a fist, muttering a few words. A cloud of red settled around Kaiba and then vanished. Kaiba moaned, and a trickle of blood dribbled out of his mouth.
Yami gasped and ran towards him. He raised his hand over Kaiba's head, using the power of the Puzzle to sense life. But there was none now within the shell once called Seto Kaiba. Shuddering, he glared at the heartless figure. "You killed him!"
Mr. Sennen shrugged. "Of course."
"Why?"
"Why, to get more power, of course. Isn't that what we all do?" He raised his right arm. Shades of red swirled around it. "That's how blood magic works."
Yami gasped. Blood magic? He thought he'd eradicated that black art ages ago! Dark memories flooded Yami, of people being offered as sacrifices in the name of magic and power. Blood magic was magic stolen, ripped apart from another being's life. Only the darkest mages used it, to use another's power to save their own. Or even those that could not wield magic would harness its power, so that they could do deeds beyond their reach.
Blood magic was one of the darkest arts of magic. By shedding blood, one could take the life within it and use that magical life as if it originally belonged to the killer. If an entire life was taken, even more power was granted. If the life had been tortured with pain, the entire power granted was doubled. And if the life had been human, the bounty was multiplied even further...
Yami glared. "You monster! You arranged this tournament just for your own sick pleasure for power?"
"Why, yes! It was beautiful, you know?" Mr. Sennen arched his back. "The power I got from your deaths was just wonderful!"
"You're not going to get away with this!"
Mr. Sennen looked down at the puny figure below him. "You think you can, long-dead pharaoh? I wield more power than you could ever have! You can't even save your vessel!"
Yami gasped. "You know?" Then his eyes narrowed. "It was you! You did it! You locked Yugi away, and put Mokuba into a coma, and ransacked Duke's business and--"
Mr. Sennen waved his hands. "Among other things." He laughed. "And you, who call yourself pharaoh, cannot even save even one little person!"
He raised his right palm, forming a little ball of red -- tainted magic, blood-tainted. Inside the ball formed a picture, one the Yami knew too well -- it was of his aibou. A faint body rested within, swaying back in forth. The body was bruised and bloodied, and his eyes looked for escape.
"Yugi!" Yami cried. "Release him!"
"Oh, I cannot do that so easily. See, he's somewhere else now…" And the image fell apart into little pieces. "Bye-bye." He dropped the red bubble. "Oh lookit, there it goes."
Yami burst.
In a rage, it called on all of the power of the Puzzle. Anything that he could reach. Golden magic surrounded his body. He called on nature in his rage, and the lava rose up to echo Yami's anger. The Puzzle shone brightly upon his chest, and the Eye of Horus was on Yami's brow. Screaming, he attacked the dark man with all of his might.
Mr. Sennen laughed. Pressing his hands, he pushed the lava and boulders aside, creating a shield of magic. "Oh, that was just too easy."
Yami battered against the barrier with his bare hands. He had to get through! That man was torturing Yugi for his sick pleasure! And then he would--
Yami roared. Stretching out his hand, he grabbed the tainted magic of the barrier and flung it against the same barrier that separated him from Yugi. He! Would! Get! Through!
Battered and bruised, or perhaps by sheer will, the barrier fell apart. Yami raced in and saw Yugi hovering in a little blue bubble. Yami tore it apart with his bare hands, not caring the burns he would have afterwards. Yugi's spirit flowed out, and then disappeared.
"Aibou! Are you alright?" Yami cried out.
/Yami…you found me…/ Yugi said between their bond.
//Thank Ra. Did he hurt you?// Yami pressed.
/Not yet…/ Yugi weakly answered. /But-- how did you get in? He locked--/
//I smashed it in.// Yami pointed to the broken bits.
/Oh…/ Suddenly, Yugi hissed in pain. /Yami! Watch out!/
//What? Oh, Ra--// Yami swore, and got up. //Hold on a second, hikari. I'm going to end this.//
Yami opened his tear-strained eyes to see Mr. Sennen raising the Millenium Rod over Yami's neck. Yami rolled over just in time.
"Ah, you're awake! This should be fun."
Yami heaved. "Mage, this will end. Now." Swirls of golden magic slowly surrounded him. "You will not harm another life. I swear it. By the gods, I will end it, now."
Mr. Sennen laughed. "How can you, puny pharaoh? Your power pales compares to mine!"
"I know. But there is much that you do not know, blood mage." The magic around him held the tint of gray. "You and your kind could never understand the true meaning of sacrifice."
"HA! You? I have shed more blood and done more sacrifices than you ever have!"
Yami closed his eyes. "I have done it once before. I can do it again."
Mr. Sennen stopped.
/Yami! Don't do it!/
//*Kimi no koto wa itsudemo mamoru, aibou. …Goodbye…//
And a pillar of fire flamed around Yami, consuming his spirit. His body fell to the ground. A golden bird rose from the ashes, to rise and grow, soft golden-silver feathers ruffling in an invisible wind. It had no name that mortals knew. It screamed, and a blast of pure magic fried Mr. Sennen to a crisp. And then it disappeared.
Yugi sat up, alone in this world once more. He looked around to see only death and despair, and no friendly presence. Yugi knelt over the ashes and wept.
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*I will always protect you, aibou.
LoneWolf16: *ducks various sharp flying objects* IT'S NOT OVER!!!!
Djanil: *runs* THERE'S STILL THE EPILOGUE!!!
LoneWolf16: *runs* Help! Flame or review, one of the two! End was bad but I know that already! *ducks* Yikes!