Disclaimer: Still thinking I own YGO are ya? Well, I'm still here to remind you that I don't!

Approaching Thunder & the Sacrifice

Yami wasn't sure; whether it was by some dark magic or so, that in the blink of an eye he found himself before a monstrous citadel. He swiftly looked back & forth.

"Surprised?" asked Maron, in the nicest tone Yami had heard from the man yet, "Don't be. Because soon, it won't matter. You know, we could have allowed the mists to envelop you and put you to sleep, making it much easier to deal with you. But then, where would the fun be in that? No, we don't want you sedate, quite the opposite. We want you wide awake to know full well what will become of you."

Yami glowered at Maron's smile, and was pushed forward; Yami's wrists were pained and he tried rotating them, as the black ropes upon them were exceedingly tight.

Yet to his ears came a mesh of sounds; Yami flinched, for one was a deep roar he recognized as the Winged Dragon's, coming from the depths of the citadel, and the other sound was coming from the immense black doors swinging open before him and his captors to allow admittance.

Yami swallowed, and wondered quite seriously, whether he'd ever see his friends again.

Perhaps Yami would have had more spirit, had his game-face as Game King on, had he known Malik was watching from the high walls of the brooding citadel.

Malik gloated. 'I like these Garkon worshipers,' he thought, 'They get better results then any of my Rare Hunters!'

A dark voice came up behind Malik, carrying with it a slight accent. "Have they captured him then?"

Malik turned, smiling wickedly. "Yes."

The other voice laughed. "Splendid. Now our fun can begin."

The pair thought themselves a dashing team for they were both holders of Millennium Items, one a Rod and the other, a Ring. They looked at each other, and began their laughter again.

King Yami was brought to a place within the citadel that looked as if it had housed giants at one time; three or four of the behemoths could have lived comfortably in the expanse Yami now saw before him.

He stood in amazement for a moment, until Maron spoke.

"This is the dwelling place of our lord Garkon," he said, "And this is where you will be consumed by him."

Yami looked askance at the greedy little man. "I don't care what happens to me," he said, "My friends are safe. That's all the matters to me."

Maron's expression didn't change. "You don't care?" he chuckled deep in his throat, "You will. I assure you."

Yami ignored Maron, his gaze having returned to the sight of the vast chamber.

Maron cocked his head and backed away, slowly. Only two of his men had followed him into the chamber, but now the three of them exited. Maron thought it best, for now.

Yami heard the clank of the door behind him and turned; he was alone. Yami's facade of impermeable strength faded. With his spirit disheartened as it was, his face grew very saddened, and he lowered his head.

What were they going to do to him? Perhaps he didn't want to know, and he hated to find out. Yami shook his head; he despised Maron, the way he smiled, the way he laughed. The very sound of the squatty man's voice made Yami's skin crawl. And the look Yami had seen in his eyes had told him Maron meant nothing but ill toward him.

Yami lifted his head and decided to walk forward; to his surprise he saw that the floor fell away. He stepped right to the edge and saw that the floor dropped in a steep slant straight down to another floor several stories below. From there it went back up in another slant and met a floor level to the one Yami stood on.

"Strange architecture. Dare I ask, what could it be for?"

Yami felt the room shudder. 'What . . ?' He looked around him.

For a moment the shaking stopped, only to start again, far more violent. Yami kept his balance fairly well, his arms being bound at his back as they were; but he was confused when he saw a sort of platform extending from the center section of the floor he stood on.

It continued to reach out until its length was a perfect square, though apparently it wasn't the source of the vibration, for when it stopped moving, the room still continued to shake.

Then Yami heard the door at his back, clank. He whipped around and cringed at the sight of Maron and his men filing in. Immediately the chamber went still, and Maron pointed to his prisoner. He and his 7 men went forward.

Yami grit his teeth; he'd had what he hoped was a decent amount of time to recover his lost strength, and so, he decided to attempt a fight, though wasn't sure of what good it would do.

When Maron came at him, Yami dropped low swinging his leg hard against the back of Maron's, and sweeping the pudgy man off his feet.

He then slammed his pained head against that of another, suddenly remembering the soreness of his skull. But immediately he wheeled, throwing himself against yet another, and falling to the floor with him.

King Yami turned himself over to continue the fight, but that's when Maron's chubby hand seized the hair of his head and yanked his head back, stretching his neck out.

Yami froze when he felt the cold steel of a knife edge at his throat. The little man was breathing with exasperation.

"I am tired of you and your futile attempts to fight back." he said, his voice rough yet strangely excited, "If it wasn't going to be so much fun watching mighty Garkon feed on you, I would kill you myself." Maron licked his lips. "Yes," he slurred, running the flat of his blade up and down Yami's neck. Just the manner in which he spoke made Yami's stomach turn.

The King squirmed in his fetters, feeling a lump in throat that he couldn't swallow. "Maron," Yami uttered, and Maron looked straight down into his eyes, "You're sick."

Maron suddenly stopped; for the longest time is was as if he were frozen. Yami blinked up at him, his breath uneasy.

Finally Maron closed his eyes, turned his head, and shoved Yami away. Yami landed upon his stomach, his cheek meeting the cold metal of the floor; finally he could swallow, and went about regaining his breath.

Maron stood, but threw his knife away; it went skidding across the floor. Maron's men were standing over Yami, but they were looking at their leader; his eyes were closed, and he just stood there.

His men said nothing, and Yami was beginning to wonder what was going to happen, if anything at all. King Yami turned his head near touching his shoulder, and eyed the short man.

Ultimately, Maron turned and faced his followers, briefly eyeing Yami on the floor. He touched his forehead.

And wearily said: "Let's get this over with."

Yami was astonished at how drained Maron's voice sounded, though this thought vanished from his mind when he was seized and pulled from the floor.

Maron said nothing, and Yami was pushed forth, out onto the platform that had been extended during the shaking. Yami caught his balance, and looked down at the far floor below.

Then four of the followers spoke at once. "Hear us oh Garkon! We have done as you bid, and proffer to you our offering!"

Yami felt the room shudder again. Only this time, a great panel in the opposing wall revealed itself as movable and began to slide open. King Yami saw a great black space appear where the panel had been, and then – saw Ra.

The golden Monster stepped forward from the entry and looked down at the solitary offering.

Yami stepped back, away from the looming figure, only to be stopped by hard hands on his back, and shoulders. Yami's glance whipped back and forth between the men holding him.

"No!" he sounded, with great urgency in his voice, "You musn't do this!! Don't you understand?!? How would you feel if you were the ones being submitted to a creature to be eaten?!"

Yami was pushed forward. "The only thing is," said the one on Yami's right, "It doesn't matter to us. Because we aren't the ones being eaten. You are an enemy of our god Garkon, and for that you must die."

At that, a sudden fire blazed in Yami's heart and hot tears came to his eyes, though they weren't of pain, fear, or sadness.

"God?? God?! That beast is no god! A god of Monsters perhaps, but it is nothing to be worshiped! You are fools to believe such a thing!" He turned back to the leader of the Garkon worshipers. "Listen to me Maron! I don't know why I haven't tried telling you before, but this golden creature before you isn't a god! It isn't!!"

Maron's glazed gaze looked at Yami; could what the non-believer said be true? The only reason Maron had any doubt at all in his mind, was because he realized what he had been doing, and feeling, was sick. And if his god was God, wouldn't it have know his heart was going foul, and told him so?

"Maron listen to me!!" beseeched Yami, his own heart desperate.

"Enough!!" bellowed Kylen, silencing Yami with a heavy hand.

Yami's bound wrists were grabbed and pushed down. The King found he was being bent over backwards, and compensated as quickly as he could, though that meant he was now on his knees.

Maron watched, but still said nothing. The men holding Yami then retreated, leaving the prisoner secured to a thick metal eye-hook, upon the platform – alone.

Upon its master's orders the Winged Dragon poised itself , standing tall upon it four mighty limbs. It began to lower its head.

King Yami glanced back at Maron before immediately looking up— He went rigid, for the expanse of Ra's open raw-toothed maw, was upon him.

The last of Yami's tears ran down his face, and he cringed.

Yet at the very last second, before that moment of doom fell, something happened. The citadel itself jarred, as though the very earth beneath it was angry. And at that, Ra stopped; it cocked its head, hearing a sound as though massive claws were tearing at the ceiling.

King Yami had reopened his eyes, and though he couldn't bring his sight to leave that of the Winged Dragon, still he listened to the commotion of Maron's men.

"What shall we do??" Kylen beseeched of his leader.

"Uh we, oh . . ." Maron looked to be lost; his brow creased as it seemed impossible for him to collect his thoughts. Kylen saw this, having never seen it in his leader before; he turned a contemptuous glare on Yami, who was still stark on the platform.

Again the citadel was jolted, only harder than before and a great crack formed above, running straight along the center of the ceiling.

Yami was then quite surprised to see Ra step back and sit, though its harsh gaze was still upon him. Yami was finally able to take his eyes from the gold god Monster, and looked behind him, seeing Kylen trying his best to talk to Maron.

"Tell me," said Kylen, "Do you wish me to take over? What should we do??"

Maron looked at him. "I, I'll," he shook his head, "Let us take the men outside and find out what is happening!"

Kylen nodded.

Yami widened his eyes. 'They're just going to leave me here? Good! Yet, if the Winged Dragon of Ra is here, where is Malik in all of this?'

As the eight Garkon followers made their way to the door, Yami began yanking at the eye-hook, wary of a reaction from the Monster. Perhaps Maron's men hadn't secured him as tight as they deemed needed, for indeed they hadn't expected Yami to stay long.

When the door of the exit was thrust open, Maron met the Rider of Garkon. "What are you standing around for?!" blustered Malik, "Go see what's attacking us!"

"Yes!" affirmed the eight, believing still that Malik spoke Garkon's will.

'Of course, I knew he couldn't be far!' Yami sniffed outward and pulled so hard against his bonds that the tether to the hook slipped free. Immediately he spun to face his adversary.

The last of the eight ran out and Malik strolled in, stroking his Millennium Rod. "It's time for you to lay down and die, Yami." he smiled, "The citadel may be being attacked, but we can take care of you before then."

"Indeed." came an English voice, and there Bakura entered the room.

"Bakura?!" Yami stepped back.

"Oh dear Pharaoh, you're out numbered again," began Malik.

"What are you going to do now?" queried Bakura. The two came toward him.

The King glanced back at the drop beyond the edge of the platform; instantly he dashed forward, away from the approaching pair.

"You don't have very far to run!" they scoffed.

Yes, it was true, there wasn't anyplace to run despite the room's immeasurable size. Yami paused considering all of this; he looked around desperately, seeking any means by which to preserve his life.

"What do I do??" he muttered harshly.

"You die," answered Malik, coming up behind. And King Yami was seized by them both; Bakura and Malik, the partners.

They walked him back to the platform; Yami resisted them, vainly though, for he was too weak from his previous fights to do anymore.

"Change of plans." said Malik Ishtar, winking up at his Monster. Bakura gave a toothy grin. "Right!"

"You can't!" Yami cried.

"Of course we can." said Malik, and the three of them were on the very edge.

"And we will." added Bakura. That's when Yami saw the golden metal of the Winged Dragon begin to melt, twisting and bending as only boiling metal can. And then what had melted began dripping off and became as billowing fiery steam.

Then, Malik and Bakura shoved Yami forward — off the edge. Yami's eyes widened at the sudden empty air around him; and he fell!

"Happy landings!" they shouted.

The floor seemed to leap up, and Yami tensed himself for impact. He swung his legs out, hoping to catch himself, but his velocity of his descent was too great.

He came down, right on his leg – and the bone within, snapped. He gave forth a cry like never before.

"Ow, that must've hurt." sneered Bakura. Malik sniggered, and held his hand up.

With his unbroken leg, Yami pushed himself into the corner the floor and slant-wall formed. Everything hurt, his body was so pained; there he lay, breathless, chest heaving.

The god Monster responded to its master's command, instantly bursting into a flaming figure of fire: its Phoenix form.

"There'll be nothing left but a singed corpse." stated Bakura, his hair waved by the sudden currents of heated air.

But for him below, it was far worse; Yami was hit by a wave of heat so intense, he was immediately covered in a sheen of sweat.

When he looked up, all he saw was a wall of flame; the air was searing. Sweat streamed down Yami's face and into his eyes.

Yami shut them, turning his face from the advancing fire bird. All hope was gone, Yami knew that, for he could barely breath the scalded air now; it was truly over.

And yet from the back of his mind there rose the faint gleam of a memory, and he thought of the hope Yugi found in his God, and that Yugi had told him He was the Heart of the Cards.

'I have nothing left to me, but faith!' "Oh God of Heaven, please help me . . !" Yami called it from his heart, his voice rough and dry. And that's all he managed to say, for then all thought left him, the fury heat driving the consciousness from his mind.

So, he was incognizant of all that happened next. For it was then that the ceiling crashed inward with the sound of thunder and Ra was slammed back against the far wall, Slypher descending on it viciously.

And there Yugi was upon the red god Monster's back; Yugi and only Yugi, mastering Slypher as Yami had done.

"Use Thunder Force!!" he screamed, a fury and fire in his heart matching that of the monster he faced. The Sky Dragon pulled back its jaws and the thundering attack impaled the fire-Monster.

Malik and Bakura jumped back. "Oh no!" they leered. Malik ripped his Millennium Rod from his belt.

"Destroy that Dragon!!" he commanded his beast.

"Oh?" came a shout, with a slight New-York accent, "Which Dragon?"

And there came Joey on his Red-Eyes Black Dragon! "YEE HA!" he shouted, as they descended through the gapping hole in the roof.

Tea was now sitting behind him, and there flying at her shoulder, was a little Duel Monster! It was her Shining Friendship!

Tea had found three of her own Duel Monster cards in her pocket and had been able to Summon her Shining Friendship; using her other two cards, Silver Bow & Arrow and Elf's Light, she had powered it up.

Joey's Dragon launched a warning attack at Malik and Bakura, forcing them to spring away. Joey then paused his Monster briefly beside the edge, allowing Tea to drop onto the platform, before attempting to fly straight down to where Yami's prone body lay. But his way was blocked by the warring god Monsters.

Bakura looked cockily at Tea; Malik was too busy trying to direct his Monster against Slypher.

"Well Tea, what are you planning to do?" snickered Bakura.

"THIS!" she spat, "Go Shining Friendship! Use Silver Lighting Arrow!!"

Bakura stepped back, then frantically began looking through his pockets for his Magic Barrier card. Fortunately he was too late; the little yellowish elf pulled back is bow and it's arrow smacked straight into his thigh.

"YEOW!" he cried, stumbling suddenly as though he were a puppet on his own feet. The arrow didn't harm him, it was more like a Cupid's arrow that vanished as soon as it touched him. Instantly he collapsed to the floor, fast asleep!

"Yes!"cheered Tea, "Now him!!" she ordered, jabbing her finger at Malik. Malik turned instantly, raising his Rod and forcing all its power straight at Tea.

Tea cried out as the Rod's invisible power took hold of her and felled her to her knees; she was cringing, struggling uselessly. Her Shining Friendship frowned daringly, yanking the arrow back against the string of its bow.

Malik thought he was winning, until he felt something dig sharply into his leg. "OW!" He jumped and realized he'd been hit. He too fell, fast asleep.

Tea wiped her brow. "Good job!" she grinned at her Monster.

Joey had finally been able to get passed the fighting god Monsters and down to the body of the Pharaoh.

He leapt from his Monster to Yami, grabbing the Pharaoh's arm; instantly he jerked his hand away, and found his palm soaking wet."Yam'!" he cried, shaking the latent King. Yami made no move; his eyes were closed, and his open mouth was gasping for air.

Joey was reaching to untie Yami's hands, when Slypher suddenly screamed, as did Yugi, flames blazing forward, nearly overwhelming them.

Joey gasped as a blast of fire shot overhead, slamming into the slant wall. Flames were reflected in Joey's eyes as he saw them come straight down, right for him and Yami.

Joey threw himself over the Ancient King and covered his own head with his hands. 'God help!' he prayed.

A heavy wind swept down, and for a second the intense heat was gone. Joey looked up again, seeing the advancing flame had dissipated and that Yugi's Monster was upon Ra once more, charging onward, beating the beast back.

"Yug'!" Joey looked back at his Red-Eyes, then up at the fighting god Monsters. He saw a lick of flame curl up around Slypher's torso and drag the red Dragon down.

Yugi cried out in pain, the edges of his jacket were singed and smoking.

'No,' thought Joey, "No!" Joey then picked Yami off the ground. The Red-Eyes bowed, allowing Joey to climb aboard more easily.

"Come on Red-Eyes, up we go! Yugi can't keep dat Ra back forever! And we gotta find Tea!" Joey's Dragon soared upward, narrowly avoiding another spurt of flame that shot from Ra.

Yugi was in pain; it was SO intense he wanted to scream!! Yet he forced himself to grip the reins of his Monster harder. "Forward!" he called, slightly half-hearted; Slypher felt this. And a Duel Monster is only as strong as its master.

Yami was sitting limp between Joey and Tea; they had recalled their monsters, for indeed, Slypher would bear them out.

Both of them had freed the Pharaoh, but were having less luck in waking him.

"Yami! Please wake up!" cried Tea. Joey shook him.

"Come on Yam'! You gotta wake up! Yugi needs ya'! Pharaoh!!"

"If only we had some water!" sounded Tea, on the verge of crying, "He's so hot!" She felt his forehead.

Yugi pulled back on Slypher's reins. "Finish it!!" he called.

Yet in one last desperate effort, for it no longer had the aid of its master, Ra shot forward slamming Yugi and Slypher with all its remaining might.

Tea and Joey looked up instantly; Yami's eyes snapped open; for the sound above all the cacophony, was Yugi's scream.

Slypher was dashed against the adjacent wall; Yami, Tea and Joey watched with sickness in their stomachs as Yugi's body went flying over head.

"Yugi!" they called, though Yami's was the only voice that was grated. Joey stood.

Immediately following Ra's attack, a wave of heat blasted forward, knocking Joey from his feet – and straight into Tea. Yami was pressed against the floor by the wave, and both his friends landed yards away!

Ra and Slypher were glaring at each other, the god Monsters were breathing in their great lungs. But they remained as such, in a face-off, for no one was directing them to continue fighting. There came great guttural growls from their throats because, for now, they were enemies.

The door leading from the immeasurable chamber was open, swinging loose on its hinges. And there lay Yugi before it, his body unmoving.

Just as Joey and Tea were disentangling themselves, Yami looked up to see someone emerging from the darkness of the door way.

Yami felt his heart stabbed with an icy fear, for it was Maron; the squatty man bent and picked Yugi up in one swift movement.