Chapter 7
Yami stood silently on the balcony overlooking the green plains. A light wind rustled his hair sending a small chill down his spine and causing him to bring his hands around his shoulders and hug them for warmth. No matter what he did though... he couldn't seem to get warm. It was as if his soul itself was cold, longing for some kind of warmth that Yami couldn't supply.
"Master Yami?"
Yami didn't turn around, he didn't need to. He knew who was addressing him. "Yes Dark Magician Girl?"
She hesitated, "...Are you ok?"
Yami stared down at the banister and drummed his fingers lightly on the white marble railing. "I'm fine..."
"But... you look so miserable..."
He turned and flashed a reassuring smile, "Trust me... I'm fine."
Dark Magician Girl frowned noticing the sadness in his face. "Very well, Master..." She bowed and left.
As soon as she had disappeared from view, Yami ran a hand over his face. He felt horrible.
'Why did this have to happen?' he thought, 'Everything was perfect.' "Why can't I forget him...?"
"Forget who?" Dark Magician asked, appearing in a cloud of blue smoke.
Yami looked at him quickly, "No one."
Dark Magician cocked his head to the side, "Yami... you know you can't hide the truth from me. I've known you for a long time. I know you better than anyone else here. What's wrong?"
Yami's brow furrowed and he turned around once again staring out at the vast plains. His long crimson cape flapped around with the movement then settled behind him. "Well... have you ever thought that... for once, things could go the way you'd planned them to? That things, life, didn't get in the way?"
Dark Magician sighed, "Yami, do you remember Celtic Guardian, from the Warrior Kingdom?"
Yami smiled sadly, "How could I forget. You cared so much about him. I never heard the end of it."
Dark Magician looked up at the sky, "Yes, I suppose I did carry on rather a lot when it involved him."
Yami chuckled, "Carry on? You all but pounced on him every time he visited the Palace. How has he been, by the way?"
"He was married, day before last..."
Yami paused, "I see. Are you okay with that?"
Dark Magician shrugged, "I have to be. Next to you, he's my best friend. He's happy with her. Yami, what I'm getting at is- don't let it be too late. Don't wait thinking that things will change on their own. You have to play your part as well. You can't be afraid of what might happen, or you'll regret it in the end."
Yami smiled, "Those are very wise words. I'll take them to heart."
"Master, there have been some rumors floating around regarding your whereabouts during your disappearance. Are they...true?"
"Yes."
"Well, good day Yami."
Yami nodded and Dark Magician exited into the hall, leaving him alone by himself.
"So it's true then," Magician of Black Chaos said, coming out of the shadows and into Dark Magician's view. "He really was with the one we are to fight tomorrow?"
Dark Magician nodded, "He was, but leave him alone. He's not in the mood to deal with you right now, let alone anyone."
"I'm sure. We'll be lucky if tomorrow he doesn't leave us to be with our enemy."
Dark Magician spun around and flashed him a warning look, "Don't speak of Master Yami like that. It's disrespectful."
"So he can disrespect us by falling in love with our mortal enemy?"
"It's not disrespect to fall in love. It's not something you can control."
"I suppose Celtic Guardian would know something about that..."
Dark Magician gasped, then shook his head and walked away. Magician of Black Chaos rolled his eyes and took the opposite exit.
--
"Master Kaiba, please come out of there!" Water Omotics yelled. She banged on the door for the fifth time that morning.
Dragoness tapped her on the arm, "He still won't come out?"
"No. Not even for breakfast."
"Not even to prepare for the fight?"
"Least of all for that..." Water Omotics frowned. "I didn't want this to happen..."
Dragoness paused, then asked, "You knew for a long time... didn't you?"
Water Omotics nodded. "Yes I did."
"...For a time I think we all did. None of us wanted to realize it."
"Not even Master Kaiba."
"No...not even him."
Inside his chambers, Kaiba paced back and forth. It had all made sense from the start.
"The fortune teller!" Kaiba said aloud. "Even it knew! 'Something is not as it seems', of course not! The Lord of Dragons and Master of Magicians are living together! How could I not have known? How was I so blind?"
A soft snort caused him to stop pacing and turn towards the One-Eyed Shield Dragon that had gotten locked up in his room with him. It sat quietly on the floor, as a cat would, swinging its tail back and forth.
Kaiba eyed the somewhat small creature skeptically and asked, "Did any of you guys know? I sure didn't. My own father knew, but he never told me. He tried...but I didn't listen. Can you believe it?"
The dragon cocked its head to the side and grunted.
Kaiba rolled his eyes and ran a hand through his chestnut bangs, continuing to pace. "What am I doing?" he wondered aloud. "It's not like dragons can listen..." Kaiba paused and shook his head, "Yami didn't know what he was talking about..."
Again the dragon grunted, shaking its head.
Kaiba stopped pacing and patted the small dragon on the head. "I miss him too...but listen to me... he is NOT coming back. Tomorrow... he's going to die. It's the way things have to be. I'm destined to win, I HAVE to. If I don't, father will be very displeased... and we can't have that..."
Outside of the Castle, the skies had darkened somewhat and dark clouds filled them blocking out any sunlight that threatened to break through. Thunder rumbled but not a drop of water fell. Everything the sky wanted to let go was held in and hidden from the rest of the world...
--
As time went on that day, soon night fell bringing along with it darkness and silence. Yami had fallen asleep on the balcony and had to be carried to his room and Kaiba never left his own.
Each dreamt of when they were younger and what their fathers had told them of the day to come.
"Yami, are you saying that you don't want to fight the Lord of Dragons?" his father asked.
Yami nodded and blinked his crimson eyes. "Fighting just because of an age- old grudge isn't right."
His father sighed and placed a hand on Yami's shoulder, "This age-old battle has to happen, my son. I'm too old to fight anymore so only you can. I know you'll make me proud."
"Father...why do you hate the dragon lord so much?"
For a moment, his father's eyes held a look of pain, but in an instant it was gone. "Well, one day, Yami, you'll find out for yourself. Then maybe this fight will seem more meaningful to you...Goodnight my son."
"Father... I will make you proud. I promise."
"Seto, are you saying that you're not going to fight the magician master?! This is absurd," he yelled. "My own son, disobeying me like that. What have you to say for yourself?"
Kaiba hugged his knees up to his chest, "I don't wanna fight your battle...Please dad, let's just forget all about it-"
"Forget? Forget you say? That's a joke. It's easy for me to forget, but that father of his will never overlook what I've done. No matter what he must be killed. I don't want to deal with him any more."
"What did you do that would make him hate you so? You two used to be good friends..."
His father smirked bitterly, "I suppose one day you'll uncover the truth. I hope by then I'll be long gone..."
"Why?"
"Because I won't want to see the look on your face. Goodnight."
The door slammed and Kaiba awoke with a jolt. "Father!" he breathed out. He looked towards his door and saw that he was in his chambers just as he had been the previous day.
Again, another slam rumbled through his room from the direction of the door.
Kaiba jumped out of bed pulling a sapphire robe on as he did so and unlocked and opened the door. "What the hell?"
Blue eyes stared straight at Kaiba holding within them something like anger.
"What is it Blue-Eyes? What's wrong?" He petted the silvery muzzle of the dragon in an attempt to calm it down.
Water Omotics and Dragoness rushed to the dragon's sides and at the same time threw a large blue satin saddle over its back and quickly strapped it underneath.
Water Omotics fell to the ground breathing hard, "Finally, he wouldn't let us put it on him. He's never done that before. Usually he's anxious to go riding or even to fight."
Dragoness shook her head, "He's been acting strange ever since, well, you know whom, was in the castle."
"Oh..." She looked sideways at Kaiba, "That is strange indeed. You know...all of the dragons have. Maybe they shouldn't fight-"
Kaiba broke in with a prompt, "No. They will fight, just as you two will. I don't want to hear anything of it. Now..." he looked out of one of the castle windows which barely showed a speck of brightness coming over the horizon line, "As soon as the first ray of sunlight raises above the horizon line, the fight between me and Yami will begin."
Dragoness and Water Omotics both sighed and answered, "Yes Master."
--
Magician of Faith helped clasp a long dark crimson cape onto Yami's back. "Master, are you sure you want to go through with this?"
Yami took a deep breath and nodded assuringly, "I'm positive. I know this is the right thing to do. Just trust me on this."
"We all trust you...that's not the problem, we just hope you're doing this for the right reasons."
"The right--, of course I am. I know what I'm doing, Faith. I'm doing what my father wants."
"What about what you want?" Yami heard a voice like Kaiba's ask. He turned quickly but it was only Magician of Black Chaos.
"What I want is to go through with my father's wishes. Nothing else matters." He flashed the magician a bitter smirk, "Since when did you care about family matters?"
He closed his eyes and shook his head, "Since Dark Magician started getting on my nerves."
Yami smiled, "I see." He looked around the entrance hall where all of the magicians stood waiting to leave and engage in the fight. They were all willing to put their lives on the line for Yami's sake, no matter what. It was truly amazing. "Let us go."
--
Kaiba's eyes fluttered open and he realized he was laying in a bed drenched in sunlight. The white sheets were almost blinding him and he had to shield his eyes to look around.
As soon as he sat up he felt slender arms wrap around his waist. Quickly, he turned his head slightly feeling someone's chin rest on his shoulder. "Yami..." he whispered.
Yami smiled at him and said, "Wake up, love."
Kaiba's eyes opened slowly and he saw the sky and silver shine of Blue- Eyes. "Daydream..." he mumbled.
Kaiba saw the burning light of the sun reaching up over the far and hills and immediately turned toward Water Omotics, "Prep the dragons for battle." He turned towards Dragoness, "Send me to him."
Dragoness nodded, "As you wish." She extended her arms, emitting a bright bluish light that engulfed his body and caused him to disappear.
Moments later, Kaiba was standing in the middle of the plains awaiting Yami to join him. Not too long after, a dark crimson lightning bolt struck the ground a few feet away from Kaiba and when it had cleared, Yami stood in its place.
Yami bowed and said, "Hello, Kaiba."
Kaiba paused for a moment as thousands of feelings engulfed him all at once. He still had feelings for Yami and it somewhat angered him. How do you fight someone whom you care about... "Yami..." he bowed as well.
Yami inwardly smacked himself. He could not start worrying about Kaiba at a time like this, but he couldn't help it. He wanted to ask if he was sleeping well after noticing the dark lines under his eyes and how he had been since he had left. All he could say though was "Good luck."
Kaiba nodded, "You too. Let us begin..." He closed his eyes, 'Dragoness, take me back.'
He felt her agree and disappeared in a flash of blue light. Yami left not too long after in a red flash as well.
As soon as both were with their respective groups, they raised their hands and signaled for their army of either dragons or magicians to fight.
Within moments, the two groups were scattered on the plains fighting and battling with each other for supremacy. Kaiba sat high atop his mighty Blue- Eyes White Dragon waiting for the perfect opening. On the opposite side, Yami stood arms crossed with Dark Magician and Dark Magician Girl to accompany him.
Though the fight was a match to see whose side was the strongest, what it all came down to was which leader was left standing. They would duke it out with the "monster" of their choice and try to destroy the other in a heads- on battle.
On the field, nothing had fallen yet. Neither magician nor dragon had been destroyed. Strangely enough though, it was the magicians who were more aggressive. They were angry for what had happened to their Master. Why had he been with the Lord of Dragons? He had to have been kept prisoner or something of that sort, otherwise, he would have never stayed there of his own free will?
The dragons didn't really even want to fight. They were a tougher crowd to control because they were more free-spirited beasts but usually a tougher team during battle. Unlike the magicians who had a stronger sense of reason and understanding, the dragons did whatever what was in their own interest.
That's why Kaiba was growing upset.
The dragons were just toying with the magicians. They were barely even attacking unless they needed to, and most of them were taking to the sky where the magicians had a harder time reaching them. They took one look at the Master of Magicians; saw it was Yami, and thought this was one big game. What was it going to take to make them understand?
Finally, a long beam of light was emitted from Magician of Black Chaos' staff striking a Twin-Headed Fire Dragon in the shoulder area and it reared back and released a fireball of its own. The blast hit the ground and spread out in a large circle covering a lot of ground and when it had cleared, nothing stood where its path had been. The dragons realized at that very moment that the fight was for real... and they finally began to attack back.
Kaiba took this as his chance and pulled Blue-Eyes' reigns causing the dragon to lift into the sky. Yami noticed the flash of silver heading his way and motioned to the two with him to follow him. They lifted into the air and headed Kaiba's way. Almost immediately, Blue-Eyes sent a sapphire lightning attack their way which they easily dodged.
Blue-Eyes stopped and Kaiba spoke, "Well, it seems we are to fight now. But... only one magician may face my mighty dragon. Two aren't allowed."
Yami smirked, "Kaiba, who said they would both fight you?"
The two magicians linked hands and a swirl of red and black rolled around them, engulfing them both and hiding them from sight. When the color faded only one magician stood. Mostly black, with little bits of purple, blue and pink clad this magician, definitely male, and strange silvery hair spilled over his shoulders and accenting his deep gray eyes.
"Kaiba," Yami said, "Meet Neo Dark Magician."
Kaiba sneered, "It's a pleasure."
Blue-Eyes released another blast but the new magician outstretched his hands and with a blast of his own cancelled out the attack.
"It seems we're evenly matched," Yami noted.
Kaiba smirked, "No. Nothing rivals in power to the strength of my beast. Blue-Eyes, attack!"
The dragon obeyed sending another blast toward the Neo Dark Magician but it easily evaded it. The magician turned the tables, creating a dark red blast in his own hands which he sent toward Kaiba. With a swift maneuver, it was avoided.
The two continued to fight each other, trading blasts and evading others. It seemed the battle really would go on forever- until something happened. Neo Dark Magician sent another blast but Blue-Eyes wasn't quick enough to avoid it. The attack slammed into the dragon's side and it jarred Kaiba roughly. For a moment his vision blurred and he remembered once more.
"Blue-Eyes is an extraordinary beast, Kaiba. Its power is unimaginable. One must only ask and that power can be augmented. Doubled to nearly more than half its original attack. Don't forget that."
Kaiba rubbed his head and inspected the dragon's side. Nothing but a light scratch could be seen. "Good boy, Blue-Eyes." He rubbed the dragon's neck, "Now please, lend me your full and complete strength...I beg you..."
Blue-Eyes raised its head and opened its mouth revealing many silver razor- sharp teeth. A small ball of white energy began near the back of its throat that quickly enlarged itself and was released. The blast hit Neo sending a strong jolt of what felt like electricity up his spine and white light sparked everywhere. The magician fell and hit the ground hard.
Yami looked down at the magician and back at Kaiba with slight fear and sadness in his eyes. "I suppose Kaiba, that this is goodbye..."
Kaiba narrowed his gaze and nodded, "yes... it is." He patted Blue-Eyes on the head and barely was able to whisper, "One more time..." The dragon nodded and once again opened its mouth.
On the ground Neo Dark Magician felt someone shake him and awoke with a start. "What happened?" he asked. "You?!" Quickly he turned away, clearly angry.
Magician of Black Chaos glared, "Listen to me, we don't have time for this. Our Master needs our help."
"I'm...not strong enough to protect him."
"Take this..."
Neo Dark Magician was shocked, "Your staff? But-"
"Don't ask. Just use it. With it, you'll be strong enough."
"Why are you helping me?"
"I suppose I feel guilty... for what I said. Don't worry about it. I'm sorry. Just do what you have to."
"...Thanks."
Kaiba looked at Yami who was awaiting his horrible fate and couldn't help but feel horrible himself. But why? He was doing what he had been taught by his father to do. He was fulfilling his father's wishes... and for what? Surely not himself. Yami's words still echoed in his mind:
"From now on, nothing will have to be like it was; no one will make your choices; YOU will live your life as you wish, and not as someone else wants you to."
"Blue-Eyes, stop your attack!" Kaiba yelled, just as the final blast was about to be released. "Yami... I could never hurt you..."
Yami stood slightly shocked but just as he was about to speak a large crimson blast from Neo Dark magician's staff struck Blue-Eyes underneath.
That was all it took. The dragon had already been struck once, but with an attack this powerful it could no longer stay in the air. So naturally... it fell.
Kaiba grasped tightly onto Blue-Eyes' neck as they continued to plummet toward the ground. There was no way they would survive if they hit the ground from that height. Still, he was glad he didn't kill Yami. That was all he could've asked for.
A strange cloud of energy shot out moments before Kaiba and his dragon would've hit the ground and cushioned their landing. They grounded softly and Kaiba dismounted and looked strangely around him as the crimson cloud disappeared.
"Kaiba," Yami said, landing in front of him. "I could never let you get hurt either..."
By now, the dragons and magicians had stopped fighting. They had witnessed this turn of events with wonder and if the magician master would save the dragon lord, then why in the world were they battling in the first place?
Kaiba smiled and took a step closer to him and-
"Yami, look out!" Water Omotics rushed up to him and pushed him out of the way just as a black energy ball would've hit him. Instead...it hit her. She fell to the ground and was still.
Kaiba kneeled down beside her and lightly shook her. "Omotics, wake up. You're okay..." He gently lifted her up and closer to him. "Hey..."
She remained silent.
Yami placed a hand of Kaiba's arm, "Kaiba... she's gone."
Kaiba watched as her body glowed a pale blue and she disappeared.
"She saved my life..." Yami said sadly.
Kaiba punched the ground, "She was my best friend." Then a more important question rose to his mind, "Who did this?"
Yami looked up just as a strange silvery beam aimed towards him and instead of hitting him, captured him. The metallic light formed a sphere around his body and disappeared, taking Yami with it.
Neo Dark Magician rushed forward, "Master Yami!"
A sinister voice then spoke, "If you ever want to see Yami again, I suggest you hear what I have to say..."
Kaiba froze and stood up turning toward the one who had spoken. "...Hello father..."
---TBC---
Next chapter: Kaiba has to obey his father's rules or else Yami dies, but when the playing field is filled with dark deceptions, will Kaiba be able to stay alive himself? (FINAL CHAPTER)
Thanks for reading.
AmethystRoze
Yami stood silently on the balcony overlooking the green plains. A light wind rustled his hair sending a small chill down his spine and causing him to bring his hands around his shoulders and hug them for warmth. No matter what he did though... he couldn't seem to get warm. It was as if his soul itself was cold, longing for some kind of warmth that Yami couldn't supply.
"Master Yami?"
Yami didn't turn around, he didn't need to. He knew who was addressing him. "Yes Dark Magician Girl?"
She hesitated, "...Are you ok?"
Yami stared down at the banister and drummed his fingers lightly on the white marble railing. "I'm fine..."
"But... you look so miserable..."
He turned and flashed a reassuring smile, "Trust me... I'm fine."
Dark Magician Girl frowned noticing the sadness in his face. "Very well, Master..." She bowed and left.
As soon as she had disappeared from view, Yami ran a hand over his face. He felt horrible.
'Why did this have to happen?' he thought, 'Everything was perfect.' "Why can't I forget him...?"
"Forget who?" Dark Magician asked, appearing in a cloud of blue smoke.
Yami looked at him quickly, "No one."
Dark Magician cocked his head to the side, "Yami... you know you can't hide the truth from me. I've known you for a long time. I know you better than anyone else here. What's wrong?"
Yami's brow furrowed and he turned around once again staring out at the vast plains. His long crimson cape flapped around with the movement then settled behind him. "Well... have you ever thought that... for once, things could go the way you'd planned them to? That things, life, didn't get in the way?"
Dark Magician sighed, "Yami, do you remember Celtic Guardian, from the Warrior Kingdom?"
Yami smiled sadly, "How could I forget. You cared so much about him. I never heard the end of it."
Dark Magician looked up at the sky, "Yes, I suppose I did carry on rather a lot when it involved him."
Yami chuckled, "Carry on? You all but pounced on him every time he visited the Palace. How has he been, by the way?"
"He was married, day before last..."
Yami paused, "I see. Are you okay with that?"
Dark Magician shrugged, "I have to be. Next to you, he's my best friend. He's happy with her. Yami, what I'm getting at is- don't let it be too late. Don't wait thinking that things will change on their own. You have to play your part as well. You can't be afraid of what might happen, or you'll regret it in the end."
Yami smiled, "Those are very wise words. I'll take them to heart."
"Master, there have been some rumors floating around regarding your whereabouts during your disappearance. Are they...true?"
"Yes."
"Well, good day Yami."
Yami nodded and Dark Magician exited into the hall, leaving him alone by himself.
"So it's true then," Magician of Black Chaos said, coming out of the shadows and into Dark Magician's view. "He really was with the one we are to fight tomorrow?"
Dark Magician nodded, "He was, but leave him alone. He's not in the mood to deal with you right now, let alone anyone."
"I'm sure. We'll be lucky if tomorrow he doesn't leave us to be with our enemy."
Dark Magician spun around and flashed him a warning look, "Don't speak of Master Yami like that. It's disrespectful."
"So he can disrespect us by falling in love with our mortal enemy?"
"It's not disrespect to fall in love. It's not something you can control."
"I suppose Celtic Guardian would know something about that..."
Dark Magician gasped, then shook his head and walked away. Magician of Black Chaos rolled his eyes and took the opposite exit.
--
"Master Kaiba, please come out of there!" Water Omotics yelled. She banged on the door for the fifth time that morning.
Dragoness tapped her on the arm, "He still won't come out?"
"No. Not even for breakfast."
"Not even to prepare for the fight?"
"Least of all for that..." Water Omotics frowned. "I didn't want this to happen..."
Dragoness paused, then asked, "You knew for a long time... didn't you?"
Water Omotics nodded. "Yes I did."
"...For a time I think we all did. None of us wanted to realize it."
"Not even Master Kaiba."
"No...not even him."
Inside his chambers, Kaiba paced back and forth. It had all made sense from the start.
"The fortune teller!" Kaiba said aloud. "Even it knew! 'Something is not as it seems', of course not! The Lord of Dragons and Master of Magicians are living together! How could I not have known? How was I so blind?"
A soft snort caused him to stop pacing and turn towards the One-Eyed Shield Dragon that had gotten locked up in his room with him. It sat quietly on the floor, as a cat would, swinging its tail back and forth.
Kaiba eyed the somewhat small creature skeptically and asked, "Did any of you guys know? I sure didn't. My own father knew, but he never told me. He tried...but I didn't listen. Can you believe it?"
The dragon cocked its head to the side and grunted.
Kaiba rolled his eyes and ran a hand through his chestnut bangs, continuing to pace. "What am I doing?" he wondered aloud. "It's not like dragons can listen..." Kaiba paused and shook his head, "Yami didn't know what he was talking about..."
Again the dragon grunted, shaking its head.
Kaiba stopped pacing and patted the small dragon on the head. "I miss him too...but listen to me... he is NOT coming back. Tomorrow... he's going to die. It's the way things have to be. I'm destined to win, I HAVE to. If I don't, father will be very displeased... and we can't have that..."
Outside of the Castle, the skies had darkened somewhat and dark clouds filled them blocking out any sunlight that threatened to break through. Thunder rumbled but not a drop of water fell. Everything the sky wanted to let go was held in and hidden from the rest of the world...
--
As time went on that day, soon night fell bringing along with it darkness and silence. Yami had fallen asleep on the balcony and had to be carried to his room and Kaiba never left his own.
Each dreamt of when they were younger and what their fathers had told them of the day to come.
"Yami, are you saying that you don't want to fight the Lord of Dragons?" his father asked.
Yami nodded and blinked his crimson eyes. "Fighting just because of an age- old grudge isn't right."
His father sighed and placed a hand on Yami's shoulder, "This age-old battle has to happen, my son. I'm too old to fight anymore so only you can. I know you'll make me proud."
"Father...why do you hate the dragon lord so much?"
For a moment, his father's eyes held a look of pain, but in an instant it was gone. "Well, one day, Yami, you'll find out for yourself. Then maybe this fight will seem more meaningful to you...Goodnight my son."
"Father... I will make you proud. I promise."
"Seto, are you saying that you're not going to fight the magician master?! This is absurd," he yelled. "My own son, disobeying me like that. What have you to say for yourself?"
Kaiba hugged his knees up to his chest, "I don't wanna fight your battle...Please dad, let's just forget all about it-"
"Forget? Forget you say? That's a joke. It's easy for me to forget, but that father of his will never overlook what I've done. No matter what he must be killed. I don't want to deal with him any more."
"What did you do that would make him hate you so? You two used to be good friends..."
His father smirked bitterly, "I suppose one day you'll uncover the truth. I hope by then I'll be long gone..."
"Why?"
"Because I won't want to see the look on your face. Goodnight."
The door slammed and Kaiba awoke with a jolt. "Father!" he breathed out. He looked towards his door and saw that he was in his chambers just as he had been the previous day.
Again, another slam rumbled through his room from the direction of the door.
Kaiba jumped out of bed pulling a sapphire robe on as he did so and unlocked and opened the door. "What the hell?"
Blue eyes stared straight at Kaiba holding within them something like anger.
"What is it Blue-Eyes? What's wrong?" He petted the silvery muzzle of the dragon in an attempt to calm it down.
Water Omotics and Dragoness rushed to the dragon's sides and at the same time threw a large blue satin saddle over its back and quickly strapped it underneath.
Water Omotics fell to the ground breathing hard, "Finally, he wouldn't let us put it on him. He's never done that before. Usually he's anxious to go riding or even to fight."
Dragoness shook her head, "He's been acting strange ever since, well, you know whom, was in the castle."
"Oh..." She looked sideways at Kaiba, "That is strange indeed. You know...all of the dragons have. Maybe they shouldn't fight-"
Kaiba broke in with a prompt, "No. They will fight, just as you two will. I don't want to hear anything of it. Now..." he looked out of one of the castle windows which barely showed a speck of brightness coming over the horizon line, "As soon as the first ray of sunlight raises above the horizon line, the fight between me and Yami will begin."
Dragoness and Water Omotics both sighed and answered, "Yes Master."
--
Magician of Faith helped clasp a long dark crimson cape onto Yami's back. "Master, are you sure you want to go through with this?"
Yami took a deep breath and nodded assuringly, "I'm positive. I know this is the right thing to do. Just trust me on this."
"We all trust you...that's not the problem, we just hope you're doing this for the right reasons."
"The right--, of course I am. I know what I'm doing, Faith. I'm doing what my father wants."
"What about what you want?" Yami heard a voice like Kaiba's ask. He turned quickly but it was only Magician of Black Chaos.
"What I want is to go through with my father's wishes. Nothing else matters." He flashed the magician a bitter smirk, "Since when did you care about family matters?"
He closed his eyes and shook his head, "Since Dark Magician started getting on my nerves."
Yami smiled, "I see." He looked around the entrance hall where all of the magicians stood waiting to leave and engage in the fight. They were all willing to put their lives on the line for Yami's sake, no matter what. It was truly amazing. "Let us go."
--
Kaiba's eyes fluttered open and he realized he was laying in a bed drenched in sunlight. The white sheets were almost blinding him and he had to shield his eyes to look around.
As soon as he sat up he felt slender arms wrap around his waist. Quickly, he turned his head slightly feeling someone's chin rest on his shoulder. "Yami..." he whispered.
Yami smiled at him and said, "Wake up, love."
Kaiba's eyes opened slowly and he saw the sky and silver shine of Blue- Eyes. "Daydream..." he mumbled.
Kaiba saw the burning light of the sun reaching up over the far and hills and immediately turned toward Water Omotics, "Prep the dragons for battle." He turned towards Dragoness, "Send me to him."
Dragoness nodded, "As you wish." She extended her arms, emitting a bright bluish light that engulfed his body and caused him to disappear.
Moments later, Kaiba was standing in the middle of the plains awaiting Yami to join him. Not too long after, a dark crimson lightning bolt struck the ground a few feet away from Kaiba and when it had cleared, Yami stood in its place.
Yami bowed and said, "Hello, Kaiba."
Kaiba paused for a moment as thousands of feelings engulfed him all at once. He still had feelings for Yami and it somewhat angered him. How do you fight someone whom you care about... "Yami..." he bowed as well.
Yami inwardly smacked himself. He could not start worrying about Kaiba at a time like this, but he couldn't help it. He wanted to ask if he was sleeping well after noticing the dark lines under his eyes and how he had been since he had left. All he could say though was "Good luck."
Kaiba nodded, "You too. Let us begin..." He closed his eyes, 'Dragoness, take me back.'
He felt her agree and disappeared in a flash of blue light. Yami left not too long after in a red flash as well.
As soon as both were with their respective groups, they raised their hands and signaled for their army of either dragons or magicians to fight.
Within moments, the two groups were scattered on the plains fighting and battling with each other for supremacy. Kaiba sat high atop his mighty Blue- Eyes White Dragon waiting for the perfect opening. On the opposite side, Yami stood arms crossed with Dark Magician and Dark Magician Girl to accompany him.
Though the fight was a match to see whose side was the strongest, what it all came down to was which leader was left standing. They would duke it out with the "monster" of their choice and try to destroy the other in a heads- on battle.
On the field, nothing had fallen yet. Neither magician nor dragon had been destroyed. Strangely enough though, it was the magicians who were more aggressive. They were angry for what had happened to their Master. Why had he been with the Lord of Dragons? He had to have been kept prisoner or something of that sort, otherwise, he would have never stayed there of his own free will?
The dragons didn't really even want to fight. They were a tougher crowd to control because they were more free-spirited beasts but usually a tougher team during battle. Unlike the magicians who had a stronger sense of reason and understanding, the dragons did whatever what was in their own interest.
That's why Kaiba was growing upset.
The dragons were just toying with the magicians. They were barely even attacking unless they needed to, and most of them were taking to the sky where the magicians had a harder time reaching them. They took one look at the Master of Magicians; saw it was Yami, and thought this was one big game. What was it going to take to make them understand?
Finally, a long beam of light was emitted from Magician of Black Chaos' staff striking a Twin-Headed Fire Dragon in the shoulder area and it reared back and released a fireball of its own. The blast hit the ground and spread out in a large circle covering a lot of ground and when it had cleared, nothing stood where its path had been. The dragons realized at that very moment that the fight was for real... and they finally began to attack back.
Kaiba took this as his chance and pulled Blue-Eyes' reigns causing the dragon to lift into the sky. Yami noticed the flash of silver heading his way and motioned to the two with him to follow him. They lifted into the air and headed Kaiba's way. Almost immediately, Blue-Eyes sent a sapphire lightning attack their way which they easily dodged.
Blue-Eyes stopped and Kaiba spoke, "Well, it seems we are to fight now. But... only one magician may face my mighty dragon. Two aren't allowed."
Yami smirked, "Kaiba, who said they would both fight you?"
The two magicians linked hands and a swirl of red and black rolled around them, engulfing them both and hiding them from sight. When the color faded only one magician stood. Mostly black, with little bits of purple, blue and pink clad this magician, definitely male, and strange silvery hair spilled over his shoulders and accenting his deep gray eyes.
"Kaiba," Yami said, "Meet Neo Dark Magician."
Kaiba sneered, "It's a pleasure."
Blue-Eyes released another blast but the new magician outstretched his hands and with a blast of his own cancelled out the attack.
"It seems we're evenly matched," Yami noted.
Kaiba smirked, "No. Nothing rivals in power to the strength of my beast. Blue-Eyes, attack!"
The dragon obeyed sending another blast toward the Neo Dark Magician but it easily evaded it. The magician turned the tables, creating a dark red blast in his own hands which he sent toward Kaiba. With a swift maneuver, it was avoided.
The two continued to fight each other, trading blasts and evading others. It seemed the battle really would go on forever- until something happened. Neo Dark Magician sent another blast but Blue-Eyes wasn't quick enough to avoid it. The attack slammed into the dragon's side and it jarred Kaiba roughly. For a moment his vision blurred and he remembered once more.
"Blue-Eyes is an extraordinary beast, Kaiba. Its power is unimaginable. One must only ask and that power can be augmented. Doubled to nearly more than half its original attack. Don't forget that."
Kaiba rubbed his head and inspected the dragon's side. Nothing but a light scratch could be seen. "Good boy, Blue-Eyes." He rubbed the dragon's neck, "Now please, lend me your full and complete strength...I beg you..."
Blue-Eyes raised its head and opened its mouth revealing many silver razor- sharp teeth. A small ball of white energy began near the back of its throat that quickly enlarged itself and was released. The blast hit Neo sending a strong jolt of what felt like electricity up his spine and white light sparked everywhere. The magician fell and hit the ground hard.
Yami looked down at the magician and back at Kaiba with slight fear and sadness in his eyes. "I suppose Kaiba, that this is goodbye..."
Kaiba narrowed his gaze and nodded, "yes... it is." He patted Blue-Eyes on the head and barely was able to whisper, "One more time..." The dragon nodded and once again opened its mouth.
On the ground Neo Dark Magician felt someone shake him and awoke with a start. "What happened?" he asked. "You?!" Quickly he turned away, clearly angry.
Magician of Black Chaos glared, "Listen to me, we don't have time for this. Our Master needs our help."
"I'm...not strong enough to protect him."
"Take this..."
Neo Dark Magician was shocked, "Your staff? But-"
"Don't ask. Just use it. With it, you'll be strong enough."
"Why are you helping me?"
"I suppose I feel guilty... for what I said. Don't worry about it. I'm sorry. Just do what you have to."
"...Thanks."
Kaiba looked at Yami who was awaiting his horrible fate and couldn't help but feel horrible himself. But why? He was doing what he had been taught by his father to do. He was fulfilling his father's wishes... and for what? Surely not himself. Yami's words still echoed in his mind:
"From now on, nothing will have to be like it was; no one will make your choices; YOU will live your life as you wish, and not as someone else wants you to."
"Blue-Eyes, stop your attack!" Kaiba yelled, just as the final blast was about to be released. "Yami... I could never hurt you..."
Yami stood slightly shocked but just as he was about to speak a large crimson blast from Neo Dark magician's staff struck Blue-Eyes underneath.
That was all it took. The dragon had already been struck once, but with an attack this powerful it could no longer stay in the air. So naturally... it fell.
Kaiba grasped tightly onto Blue-Eyes' neck as they continued to plummet toward the ground. There was no way they would survive if they hit the ground from that height. Still, he was glad he didn't kill Yami. That was all he could've asked for.
A strange cloud of energy shot out moments before Kaiba and his dragon would've hit the ground and cushioned their landing. They grounded softly and Kaiba dismounted and looked strangely around him as the crimson cloud disappeared.
"Kaiba," Yami said, landing in front of him. "I could never let you get hurt either..."
By now, the dragons and magicians had stopped fighting. They had witnessed this turn of events with wonder and if the magician master would save the dragon lord, then why in the world were they battling in the first place?
Kaiba smiled and took a step closer to him and-
"Yami, look out!" Water Omotics rushed up to him and pushed him out of the way just as a black energy ball would've hit him. Instead...it hit her. She fell to the ground and was still.
Kaiba kneeled down beside her and lightly shook her. "Omotics, wake up. You're okay..." He gently lifted her up and closer to him. "Hey..."
She remained silent.
Yami placed a hand of Kaiba's arm, "Kaiba... she's gone."
Kaiba watched as her body glowed a pale blue and she disappeared.
"She saved my life..." Yami said sadly.
Kaiba punched the ground, "She was my best friend." Then a more important question rose to his mind, "Who did this?"
Yami looked up just as a strange silvery beam aimed towards him and instead of hitting him, captured him. The metallic light formed a sphere around his body and disappeared, taking Yami with it.
Neo Dark Magician rushed forward, "Master Yami!"
A sinister voice then spoke, "If you ever want to see Yami again, I suggest you hear what I have to say..."
Kaiba froze and stood up turning toward the one who had spoken. "...Hello father..."
---TBC---
Next chapter: Kaiba has to obey his father's rules or else Yami dies, but when the playing field is filled with dark deceptions, will Kaiba be able to stay alive himself? (FINAL CHAPTER)
Thanks for reading.
AmethystRoze