Ok, I meant this to be a three-part chapter series, but you know how it goes.  One teeny tiny idea blossoms into a huge thing.  I don't know how much longer this story will continue, but I do know that it is nearing its end.  But have no fear; there WILL be a sequel where I will introduce my OC in my very own tournament, as well as a whole new set of magical items.  So sit back, relax, and enjoy.

Ch.17: Clash of the Gods

            Yami, Ishizu, and Shadi stood their ground before the monstrous god, the only things between it and all their friends.  'What am I going to do?' worried Yami, feeling the burning eyes boring holes into his soul.  'This is my first encounter with an Egyptian god and it isn't even in a duel!  Well, I knew I'd have to face one sooner or later, but what could possibly defeat that?'

            Across the shadowy expanse, the Desert Dragon of Set watched the three Item holders' every move, particularly Yami.  'Look at that fool,' thought Set, mentally smirking at the defiance in the past pharaoh's eyes, 'he has no clue as what to do with me.  I could strike him dead before he or his disciples could raise a finger to me.  But that would be too easy.  Oh the possibilities.  I could slowly suck his life away as he watched his friends burn in agony.  Yes, that is perfect.'

            Joey and the others stood huddled together where they had first appeared in the dark realm.  They all watched the silent showdown for several minutes until Joey could not take any more.  "What are they doing?" he burst, venting his annoyance.  "Is this a staring contest?"

            Mai looked harshly at him.  "Quite Joey," she hissed, "remember what happened last time?"

            Joey quickly complied, but it was too late.  Before anyone had time to react, a ring of fire burst into life around the group.  Set laughed as Yami's face was turned into a mask of horror as his friends' screams of plight reached his ears.  With an anger burning his eyes equal to his enemy's, the pharaoh turned to the Dragon.  "Let them go, NOW!" he ordered.

            Why should I listen to you? sneered the beast.

            "I'll make you release them!"

            This really made the dragon laugh.  Ha, you and what army?  This is my world!  Your petty magic will have little affect here.

            This time it was Yami's turn to smirk.  "Did you forget?" he said.  "We were in a duel."

            So? growled Set.

            "When you brought us all here you pulled the duel along with us.  I had one monster on the field.  Do you remember what it was?"

            The angry flame in the Dragon's eyes flickered for a moment; the steady chug of smoke faltered.  "Give up?" asked Yami.  "It was my Egyptain god card, Slifer the Sky Dragon!"

            Lightning split the dark sky and thunder shook the ground accompanied by a tremendous roar.  Soon the long serpentine beast revealed himself from his hiding place in the clouds.  Slifer let loose another roar upon seeing the other god.  "Now you evil fiend of darkness, feel your own might!" yelled Yami.  "Slifer, attack!"

            The Sky Dragon launched its body at the other dragon, spewing flames.  Set dropped the fire cage and dropped to the ground, causing a small quake.  With his enemy diving down upon him, Set released a fireball of his own.  The two flames collided, creating a shockwave that sent all the spectators to their knees.  The two dragons faced each other in a smoldering standoff.  Tristan pulled himself up.  "What happened guys?"

            "I dunno," said Joey.  "I think they're at a tie."

            "Yes," said Yami, "fire cannot defeat fire, no more than water can vanquish water."

            "What if one of the waters was ice?" asked Joey.

            "That's not the point," replied the pharaoh.

            "So how're you gonna beat Sebak?" asked Duke.

            "With a more direct method."

            "Yah," yelled Joey, "that's more like it!"

            "Slifer, finish him!"

            The serpent growled then charged, his large mouth agape and claws outstretched.  Set nimbly dodged to the side, amazing considering his bulk, and raked the passing god's lengthy side with his own talons.  Slifer screamed and turned, rapping himself around his opponent.  Caught in the constriction, Set bit down into Slifer's scaly hide, gaining enough room to crawl free.  Raking the air with powerful strokes, Set managed to get above Slifer and dive-bomb him.  He landed behind the other's neck, pinning the dragon to the ground.  Yami saw this and looked to the other Item holders.  "Slifer cannot win this fight, not against the king of the gods.  We must assist.  Will you help me?"

            "Of course, Pharaoh," said Ishizu, "your will be done."

            "You are Pharaoh, and I must obey," said Shadi, gripping the Key.

            "We must combine our powers to set Slifer free!" commanded Yami.

            Yami's Puzzle glowed with godly light, closely followed by its brothers.  Soon the whole area was ablaze with golden light.  Yami reached deep inside himself, desperately trying to tap the power that all others wanted but he could not even find.  Set was now eyeing the group curiously, his grip on Slifer's skull as tight as ever.  The massive red dragon squirmed under the other god, anticipating what was to come.  Yami gasped, he had met with a sudden surge of magical energy, and now his entire being was pulsating with power.  The pharaoh's eyes met the Dragon's with an I-told-you-so look before he closed them in concentration, the Millennium Eye burning on his forehead.  Slifer screamed as the power of the pharaoh coursed into his body; Set leaped away as his opponent became to hot for even him to touch.  Yami began to sway, so much of his energy was being transferred to the god; he opened his eyes briefly, defiance clearly visible.  Joey saw his friend's distress and made a break for him.  Yami turned just in time to see him running towards him.  "Take care of them…Joey," he whispered on fading breath.

            "No! Yuge!" yelled Joey at the top of his lungs, but it was too late.  Yami's eyes rolled into his head and the glow receded from his presence.  The pharaoh fell; Joey raced to him just in time and caught his best friend.  Yugi's eyes fluttered open for a moment, a look of deep gratitude flickered over his shadowed face, and then it was gone.  Joey squeezed him to his shoulder and whispered in his ear, tears threatening to flow free, "Don't worry Yugi, I gotcha.  I won't let any crazy demon dragons near ya.  You're safe with me."

            Meanwhile, things had changed dramatically on the playing field.  Yami's sacrifice had given Slifer unbelievable power; now the odds were nearly even.  Ishizu and Shadi were both out cold, and the others were at a safe distance from the battle.  Set stared down the other god after another quick exchange, both of them were wearing thin, scars of battle littered everywhere.  'Damned that pharaoh,' grumbled the Dragon, 'he has made this much more difficult.'

            His musings were cut short by yet another fiery blast from Slifer, which he just barely dodged.  'Blasted snake thinks he can beat me.  Even with that fool's power, I will not rest until that traitor's head is mine!'

            With new a new drive, Set lunged at Slifer, slamming his larger mass into the long snaking body.  That was his final mistake.  On contact, Set realized what Yami had actually done.  He had not just empowered Slifer, he had placed a powerful spell around him.  What Set had thought was fire before was actually a counter to his own powers.  Yami was trying to free his friend!  Set struggled to get away from Slifer, but the other god new better.  Slifer twisted his coils around Set, surrounding him with the unstoppable magic.  Set struggled, but it was in vain.  Already his power was diminishing.  'If I want to continue living,' thought the Dragon, 'I will have to resign from this battle.'

            The group watched the struggle from afar, the compounded stresses of the day showing on all their faces.  Just as they were starting to loose hope again, it was over.  If you blinked you would have missed it.  One second Slifer was wrapped around a glowing, fraught Set; the next, the Dragon was gone leaving Slifer circling until he too disappeared.  The darkness lifted from the docks, revealing a normal night sky.  Tristan and Serenity rushed to Joey's side, quickly followed by the others.  "Joey!" cried his sister, as she hugged him around the shoulders.  "Is Yugi all right?"

            "Yeah, I think so," he replied.  Almost on queue, Yugi opened his eyes; a starry sky and a circle of concerned faces greeted him.  "Hi guys," he yawned.  "Did it work?"

            "Did what work?" asked Tristan.

            "The thing Yami and the others did," he replied.

            "You mean scaring us half to death?" said Tea.  "I'd say it worked wonders."

            "No, the thing he did to Slifer."

            "If you mean the thing that made Sebak go away," said Mai, "I think it did."

            "Great," said Yugi, getting to his feet.  "Did anyone see Nabe?"

            After a round of "no's", "maybe's", and surprised expressions, all heads turned back to where the two dragons and previously fought.  All that remained was a charred circle on the concrete ground, and in the middle was a small ash covered mound with the Manacle of Set sitting on top.

AN:

            Wow, it's been a while, but ch.17 is done!!!!!!!!  Everybody celebrate!   This story is nearly done, but a sequel is soon to follow.  Review!!!!

Shadow Guardian of the Gate: Big thank you! I'll try to keep them coming!

LittleYugiBoy: Thanks; I hope she comes out soon!