DECLARAION: - This story has been written and produced by Cathrath (FanFiction. net ID: 609465). Distribution of any kind is prohibited without the written consent of Cathrath. If you should see this story posted anywhere other than FanFiction .net or under any other name it has been stolen so please notify the author. I do not own Yu-gi-oh.

Chapter 19 – Another Power

Yugi stared in shock at the space were Yami had once been. His mind reeling at what had just happened.

"Yami?" he said in a hopeless voice as if calling out his name would somehow bring him back.

The closeness of Seto's cold laughter brought Yugi back to his senses and the very real danger he was in. Now Seto had dispensed with Yami he would turn his attention to Yugi.

As Seto approached Yugi backed up against the wall of his prison. He was taken by surprise when the force behind him vanished as the prison dissolved but he had little time to escape. Cold hands grabbed hold and lifted him off the ground.

"We have unfinished business little Yugi."

Yugi kicked out with all his might, desperate to break free of Seto's hold. His feet contact hard with Seto's body and Seto dropped him to the floor, crying out in surprise. Yugi tried to crawl away but was pulled back as hands grabbed hold of his hair, pulling his head roughly backwards. He reached up and cried out in pain.

"Feisty little thing aren't you," Seto spat in fury.

"I would have thought all the fight would have gone out of you after seeing your precious Pharaoh destroyed but it would appear I was wrong."

"You never defeated Yami," Yugi said through clenched teeth.

"What?"

"I said you never defeated Yami. You cheated. You would never have won otherwise."

Seto's snarled and dragged Yugi to his feet

"You're a coward Seto," Yugi said bravely as he looked up at Seto in defiance.

Seto's response to this was to throw Yugi away from him with force. Yugi skidded across the ground and winced at the bruises and cuts he received.

"HOW DARE YOU," Seto yelled.

"You'll pay for that you little brat."

Yugi turned just in time to see the bolt of energy streaming towards him and dived out of the way. He looked up bravely as Seto bore down on him. Once more Seto attacked with his shadow powers but Yugi dodged again. He was not so lucky the third time. The blast caught him square in the chest and he was thrown several metres away to land hard on the ground. He could hear the sound of his friend's approaching, rushing to his aid. Seto noticed as well and with a flick of his hand they ground to a halt, frozen once more. Undeterred by this his friends continued to shout out their encouragement to Yugi.

"Get up Yug."

"You've got to fight back."

Yugi recognised the voices of Jou and Honda urging him to get up but his battered body would not respond. Seto began to advance, murder in his eyes and thirsty for Yugi's blood. It was then that Yugi became aware of a second sound, a familiar calling. He looked round and his eyes fell to the millennium rod which lay only feet from him. He dived for the rod just as Seto fired yet another bolt towards him. Yugi knew he would not survive this one and held the millennium rod out in front in a final, desperate attempt to shield himself.

He opened his eyes at hearing an unexpected cry of pain from Seto. The rod had surrounded Yugi in a kind of shield and it looked like Seto's attack had been fired right back at him.

Seto began to chuckle again as he circled Yugi. Yugi clambered back to his feet but kept the rod held out in front of him, ready for the next attack.

"You're brave Yugi, I'll give you that," Seto said in a low voice.

"You're just like Yami, willing to risk your own life in order to defeat me. I wonder though, if you are so willing to risk the lives of your friends?"

The cries from behind him distracted Yugi and he turned to see Jou and Ishizu being held by Bakura and Marik. They had been released from Seto's control but now had swords pressed against their throats. Bakura's eyes were glinting menacingly as he held the blade to Jou's throat. Marik did not look so happy at having to threaten his own sister.

Both Ishizu and Jou struggled to break free when Bakura and Marik grabbed them. Marik was extremely uncomfortable at holding a sword to Ishizu's throat, threatening her life but he had his orders. To disobey would mean a sudden and very painful death at the hands of Seto or maybe even Bakura. Marik may have been working with Bakura but it didn't mean he trusted him and for that reason alone he didn't want Bakura to be the one to threaten his sister.

"Why are you doing this?"

Marik started a little at hearing his sister's voice.

"What do you care", he whispered back not want Bakura to know he was talking with her.

Ishizu had silent tears pouring down her face as she spoke.

"Because you're my brother Marik and I love you. Why have you betrayed us?" she asked again.

Marik didn't answer.

"Please Marik, tell me."

"I'm fed up of being the keeper of all this knowledge but never being able to use it. Our family have been given this burden this guardianship and we have served faithfully for many generations. Its time we claimed our reward, what rightfully should be ours."

Ishizu couldn't believe this was her brother talking.

"You want power? You had the millennium rod, what more is there?" she said confused.

"There's more, more than you could imagine. I want control over all the items. Not just one. Seto can give me that power."

"You're a fool Marik. Seto can't give that to you. Even he had to use Yugi to open the portal. He can't control all the items without help, he never will. Even if you don't believe me trust in everything you've learned. Search your heart Marik you know its true."

Marik tightened his grip and brought the blade closer to Ishizu's throat.

"Shut up," he said with venom but his voice wavered a little, doubt starting to sink in at Ishizu's words.

Yugi watched helpless, as his friends were held tight and threatened.

"Leave them along Seto," he cried.

"Looks like I've found your sensitive spot Yugi. Give me the millennium rod and I will let them go free."

Yugi tightened his grip on the rod.

"How do I know I can trust you?"

Seto smiled a cruel smile.

"You can't but what choice do you have."

As if to emphasis his point Bakura and Marik tightened their grip on their captives. Yugi looked desperately around, his mind racing. What could he do? He was running out of options. It was through his haze of panic that he heard a new voice in his head.

- Use me -

Yugi looked down in shock at the millennium rod. Had it just spoken to him?

- Use me - it said again.

## How? ## Yugi asked.

- I have another use -

Yugi's attention was brought back sharply as Seto spoke again.

"Time is running out Yugi. Give me the rod or your friends die."

Seto raised his hand to signal to his two accomplices.

"NO, WAIT," Yugi shouted.

Seto's hand paused.

"Please wait. You can have the rod," Yugi said quickly.

"Yug no," Jou cried out from behind him.

Yugi turned to his friend and a look passed between them. Jou could see something in Yugi's eyes that Seto could not. Yugi was planning something.

Yugi took a gamble and before Seto realised what was happening Yugi fired a blast of energy from the rod straight at Bakura. Bakura let go of Jou and cried out in pain as he was struck. Yugi swung the rod around towards Marik. If he had been wrong in his suspicion that Marik would not hurt his sister, Ishizu would be dead. He had been right. Marik had let Ishizu go from his grip and dropped the sword before running. Jou and Honda drew their swords and advanced on Bakura.

Things had happened quickly and the element of surprise had been on Yugi's side. Realising that his captives had been freed Seto lunged at Yugi, knocking him to the floor. The millennium rod skidded across the floor to the edge of the outcrop. Yugi dived for the rod as fast as he could and closed his hand around the cold metal just as he felt himself being lifted upwards. Seto now in the full throws of his fury lifted Yugi in the air with his shadow powers. His arm extended and palm outstretched to the sky.

"You will now pay for your disobedience. The millennium rod will be mine," he screamed.

With that Seto slowly began to close his outstretched palm.

Yugi screamed in pain as an unseen force began to crush him. Slowly Seto closed his hand more causing Yugi to scream louder. He was slowly being crushed to death. Through a haze of pain Yugi heard the voice of the rod once more in his head.

- Twist me, use me -

Images flooded through Yugi's mind and suddenly he knew what to do.

Yugi was close to death now but with his last remaining strength he took the millennium rod in both hands and twisted it. With a metallic rasp a long thin dagger shot out of its base. Without hesitation Yugi fought against the force crushing him and drew back his arm. He threw the millennium rod like a spear, straight at Seto's heart. His aim was true and it plunged deep into Seto's chest. Seto cried out in surprise as the rod buried itself within him and his power wavered and died. Yugi dropped to the floor groaning. Seto looked down stupidly at the rod protruding from his chest. His shock turned to anger and then to pain as the rod began to glow. He cried out as the glow spread, encasing him completely. Seto fell to his knees and he clawed at the rod, trying to pull it free. Cracks filled with light began to appear, spreading out from the entry point of the dagger. The cracks continued to spread across Seto's body and the glow increased in intensity until finally his body exploded in a brilliant flash of light and power. Seto's last scream echoed around the outcrop.

From his position on the floor Yugi watched Seto's destruction with cold eyes.

"You wanted the millennium rod Seto you can have it and everything that goes with it," he said as finally he collapsed unconscious to the floor.