Chapter 7

All of the magicians and dragons had stopped, their gazes locked on the one who sat high in the sky on an enormous creature as black as night. Large, leathery wings spread out far from this monster and deep, blood red eyes were locked on Kaiba's shocked blue ones.

Almost immediately, he recognized the beast.

"That's the dragon that I saw that day you tried to flood the castle and kill Yami!"

"Very good," the old man said, clapping but for a moment. "I'd like you to meet my Pitch-Dark Dragon. He's my most loyal servant."

Kaiba glared. "I'm surprised anyone would ever want to follow you. Then again, you probably threaten or kill anyone who opposes you."

"You know me too well."

The old man had on a long, blood red robe with an equally long black vest over it held together with silver cord. His hair was colored a dull pewter and if it weren't for his crystal blue eyes which matched those of Kaiba's, one wouldn't have been able to tell that they were related.

"Where is Yami?" Kaiba asked through gritted teeth. "He has nothing to do with this. I'm the one you want to fight."

"Fight?" the old man said. "I'm to old to partake in little games of sparring. Yami is safe... for the moment. He is locked in the deepest darkest chamber of my castle. And... he has everything to do with this. For centuries our families have fought to be the victor. We have trained and trained and awaited the day when the magicians would finally fall. I thought that when the previous magician master didn't show up and suddenly disappeared, that all was well... but I never anticipated a son. Now, you want to throw this fight away just because you've taken a liking to your enemy? I won't have it! Your disobedience this time will not be tolerated."

Kaiba narrowed his gaze. "What do you plan to do?"

"That's simple. Come to my Castle of Dark Illusions. Once there, I'll instruct you on how to get your little friend back. If you fail... well, let's just hope you don't."

In a flash of blue smoke both he and the dragon disappeared, as if they had never been there before.

"To his castle?" Kaiba mused.

"Surely you're not thinking of going, are you sir?" Dragoness asked, a worried expression upon her face.

"He'd better go!" Magician of Black Chaos said threateningly. "That's our Master that was kidnapped, and it's all his fault!" he pointed a finger at Kaiba.

"How dare you!" Dragoness said, slightly appalled. "Our Master took pity on yours and decided to spare his life. It was clear who would've won had he not made that decision!"

"You're one to talk about pity! Master Yami rescued your master from plummeting to his death!"

"But only because one of your kind took a dirty shot!"

The magician gasped. "Dirty shot? I'll show you a dirty shot!"

A deep lavender orb began to form in his hands, but it was diminished as someone put their hand on his shoulder. Turning to curse at who interrupted him, he was somewhat surprised to see Dark Magician.

"You?"

"Stop this foolishness now," he said. "We don't need to cause any more unnecessary battles."

"I agree with him," Dark Magician girl said, coming to stand beside him. "We should probably listen to what the Lord of Dragons has to say..."

"Listen?" Black Chaos said, almost mortified. "He's our mortal enemy!"

Kaiba turned focusing his hard sapphire gaze upon the magicians.

"Do any of you know how to locate hidden things?" he asked.

"Now he wants our help!" Black Chaos said unbelievingly. "Well, he's not going to get it-"

"I can do it," Magician of Faith said, coming forward. "Tell me what you wish to find and I will find it."

"Thank you," Kaiba said tersely. "Tell me where my father's castle is."

Dragoness came forward. "But Master, I'm sure it's far away. This is your father we're talking about. Besides... wouldn't we be able to find it just as easily?"

"No. My father is a charlatan at heart. He would probably do something so crazy that we wouldn't think of it. Plus, his powers have to be wearing down over the years. He can't pull off anything too extravagant. Any luck Faith?"

The small magician opened her eyes. "The Castle has been located."

"And where is it?"

"Right above us."

Pointing her finger straight into the air, she sent a thin ray of pink light upward that rose some hundred feet then appeared to hit something sending a ripple of invisible waves everywhere. Then immediately, it was as if a blanket was being removed from the castle and it was revealed to them in all of its shadowy glory.

"It's humongous," Dragoness muttered out.

And indeed it was. At one time it may have been a beautiful palace with white washed walls and fountains and sculptures, but now it was a dreary place with gargoyles and black spiraling staircases.

"To think that he was this close all along," Kaiba mused. "No wonder he knew so much. All he had to do was look out his window!" Without breaking his gaze from the castle he said, "Blue-Eyes!"

The dragon wasted no time in soaring to his master's side. Kaiba jumped up, swinging one leg over the dragon and grasping tightly onto the reins.

"I'm going alone," he said simply. "No one had better follow me."

Magician of Black Chaos scoffed. "Like any of us would help you anyways."

"Please be careful," Dark Magician said. "If anything should happen to you there will be no hope for Yami."

"Good luck Master," Dragoness said confidently, but her eyes betrayed her worry.

"Just don't get killed," Black Chaos said angrily.

The silver dragon rose into the air with one flap of its magnificent wings, and before Kaiba was out of their sight, he said four final words.

"I'll bring Yami back."

"Very well done, my boy," Kaiba's father said as Blue-Eyes landed softly inside the Castle entrance. "So you figured out my little secret. I'm appalled that you had to use the aid of the magicians, but no matter, I'll dispense of them later. Here are the rules of the game..."

"I'm not here to play games, dad," Kaiba said sternly. "I'm here to find Yami."

"Call it what you will, but to find him you have to do as I say. This castle is filled with many adversaries. To find Yami, you will have to fight your way through them. But I have to warn you; they get more dangerous as you progress deeper into the castle so you'll have to be on your guard. I do believe that's all."

"Just one question."

"Yes?"

"Why are you doing this?"

A well-known scowl seemed to spread across the old man's face. "Because... I just want to see how far you're willing to go to save your enemy. Farewell, my son."

And once again, he disappeared without a trace.

Kaiba narrowed his gaze and began to walk through the dark fortress, Blue-Eyes behind him.

The place had a strange eeriness about it... one Kaiba couldn't explain. The whole place seemed to be infested with anger and resentment and hate. He hadn't taken more than two steps when out of nowhere a dragon appeared; it's deep green scales shining.

"Let me guess," Kaiba said, unafraid. "You're at the beginning of this little food chain."

The dragon went to attack, but a swift attack of white lightning destroyed the creature in an instant.

"I surely hope that the rest of our foes aren't this easy... it takes away the fun."

Now granted, there were a few more that Kaiba had to destroy to proceed to the staircase, but they were all as simple as the rest. The strange spiraling steps almost seemed to continue forever, disappearing into a black void of nothingness. Kaiba walked down them, ever alert, and came to the last step, pausing almost immediately.

There lying sprawled out on the floor was Water Omotics. Her jar lay tipped with the water sparkling and spreading on the floor.

Kaiba kneeled quickly beside her and brushed a few renegade magenta strands of hair out of her face. "Water Omotics?"

It couldn't be. Why was she here? Hadn't she died?

And yet, her eyes slowly opened revealing her mysterious charcoal eyes.

"Lord Kaiba..."

"You're alive," Kaiba said, almost awe-struck. "But I thought-"

"I thought I'd died as well," she said sitting up and rubbing her eyes as though she'd been asleep. A strange silver pendant hung around her neck. "Where is Yami? And where am I?"

"Yami... is somewhere in here. I have yet to find him. You're in my father's castle."

"Your father?" she said unbelievingly. "I thought him to be dead."

"Me too. But, I never ever knew the truth for certain. He just disappeared and I assumed he'd passed on over the years. Though," he narrowed his eyes, "It's clear I was wrong."

Picking up her jar, Water Omotics was sad to find it nearly empty. "Well, I can only summon one dragon with this, so you need only call when you need it."

"Call? But... you'll be with me right?"

Water Omotics smiled sadly then ripped the silvery necklace off of her neck and threw it aside. "Kaiba... I am dead. I am the second trial you must pass... but I cannot go against you even in death."

Kaiba's brow furrowed. "What do you mean? This was all a trick?"

"Yes. Your father used his powers to bring me back here, giving me that stupid necklace as some sort of reward for tricking you into believing Yami is dead. He told me that he wouldn't let my spirit rest until I fulfilled his wish...but I could never lie to you." Standing up, she held the jar at arm's length. "You should not have to go through all of this. I will use the last of my power and spirit to send you to Yami."

"You can't!"

"My time is finished. Don't be fooled by what lies ahead, for this last trial will be the most dangerous of all. Now save Yami."

Letting the jar slip from her hands, it fell to the ground and shattered in a million pieces. The shards rose up from the ground and spiraled around Water Omotics' body, which had turned transparent, then, as she faded from sight, the pieces swirled around Kaiba and his faithful Blue-Eyes and they too disappeared.

Outside, Dark Magician stood patiently with Dark Magician Girl and Magician of Faith beside a few of the dragons and it wasn't long before Magician of Black Chaos stomped up to them.

"What do you three think you're doing?!" he asked, a shocked expression upon his face. "Do you know that you're standing with the enemy?"

Faith nodded. "Of course, but they're not really that bad. They're just like us, but different."

"How dare you compare these overgrown lizards to us! We are magnificent magicians!"

"Let it go," Dark Magician said.

"I can't, thank you very much. And you, Dark Magician, I suppose you don't oppose this either?"

He shook his head.

"I didn't think so."

"Why can't you just forget all this? Our masters obviously have feelings for each other that nothing can come between, so you might as well accept it."

"Accept it? Are you mad?"

"Quite sane actually," he said with a smirk.

The other two girls had quietly left, noticing that this was somewhat of a personal matter.

"I can't believe Yami would do this to us," Black Chaos said.

"I'm kind of proud of him. None of us ever thought he'd find someone. He's rejected every single suitable princess that's ever come to his Palace. It's wonderful that he's in love."

"But with his enemy?"

"They were only enemies because they were taught that they were. Besides, it's time we stopped this little fighting match and tried to get along. I think so," he turned toward a Petit Dragon, "Don't you?"

The dragon squeaked and nodded its head.

Magician of Black Chaos shook his head. "Dragons can't talk, you idiot."

"But they can listen. Have you learned nothing from Master Yami?"

"What is with you? You're all feisty and it's... well, it's..."

Dark Magician smirked. "It's what?"

"By god, it's annoying!"

Dark Magician's smirk faded replaced by a concentrated stare. "Why'd you help me?"

"When?"

"On the battle field, when I was about to be killed by Blue-Eyes. You gave me your staff."

Black Chaos rolled his eyes. "I had to help you. We're on the same side."

"But I thought you hated me."

"Of course I don't hate you... I'm not completely cold-hearted."

"I've had my fair share of doubts."

"I still can't believe Celtic Guardian chose some whiny girl over you."

"What?"

Ok, that caught his attention.

"What I meant was... you're not that bad of a person... once you get to know you, er, once I got to know you... or something like that."

Dark Magician wasn't sure why, but he felt strangely flattered. "Oh... Thanks."

"Yeah, whatever." He turned to the small Petit Dragon that still hovered close to them. "Can you guys really hear what I'm saying?" he asked incredulously, pointing a finger at the green beast.

The dragon tilted its head then chomped onto his finger.

That was all it took for Magician of Black Chaos to yell and shake his hand sending the small creature flying through the air.

"I hate them!" he stated furiously. "And nothing will ever change that."

Inside the castle, in the deepest depths and darkest chambers, Kaiba opened his eyes. He was in another shadowy room, but it wasn't the darkness that made it scary... it was the room itself. Dark black tapestries were strung throughout the room accompanied by black and deep purple decorations, if that was what they were supposed to be. Blue-Eyes stood alert, watchful for any sign of danger, but none came.

Then suddenly, Yami walked into the room and froze. He looked as though he'd seen a ghost and his bright clothing and pale skin contrasted deeply to the somber room.

"Kaiba?"

Kaiba breathed a sigh of relief. "Yami, I finally found you."

Yami wasted no time in rushing to the tall brunette and embracing him tightly. "I've missed you so much. I can't believe you came for me."

"How could I do anything else?" Kaiba asked,, pulling back to look Yami in the eyes. "I'm sorry for what my father has put you through. It's all my fault."

"What have I told you? It's not your fault. This is your father's doing. Now we just have to get out of here... Oh," he looked around Kaiba, "I see you brought Blue-Eyes."

"Yes. He was eager to help me, just as he was to save you on that dreadful night."

"Oh, and for that I am grateful, now we should leave. I'll prepare an exit for us." Outstretching his hand, a soft crimson glow was released forming a strange vortex in front of them. "We should leave as soon as we can." He outstretched his hand hoping Kaiba would take it.

Kaiba went to take a step forward, but Blue-Eyes held him back, biting softly onto the blue cape that brushed the floor. "What is it Blue-Eyes?"

The dragon flashed him a cautious glare and his sapphire eyes said warning.

"What's wrong, Kaiba?" Yami asked.

"It's Blue-Eyes... I think he's trying to tell me something."

Yami let out a soft chuckle. "Kaiba, it's probably nothing. Besides, dragons don't understand anything."

Kaiba paused in his step. "What?"

"Dragons don't listen, now let's go," he urged.

Kaiba glared and stepped back with his faithful dragon. "I should've known this test wasn't over." In one swift movement, he pushed Yami into the vortex and almost immediately it disappeared with almost a crunching sound.

Just as quickly as that vortex had disappeared, another formed but this time Kaiba's father stepped through with his Pitch Dark Dragon tow.

"Well... as much as I'm disappointed," his father said, "I'm still impressed that you got through all of my trials... even if it was with the help of that dragon-conjurer."

"And I must say that I'm impressed with the Yami look-alike you used against me," Kaiba said.

"You almost fell for it... What gave it away?"

"Yami knows that dragons listen. That one was obviously untaught in that area."

"Now that boy is feeding useless information into your head? Great. Please just give this whole fight up, my son. It's meaningless. I'll even let Yami go back to his home peacefully with all of his little magic idiots."

"Sorry father," Kaiba said, focusing a solemn gaze upon his father. "But this is personal now." Turning to his dragon, he said: "Blue-Eyes, attack."

The dragon rose into the air with one swift thrust of his wings and sent a fierce attack towards the old man. Seconds before it would've hit, the Pitch Dark Dragon let out an attack of its own canceling out the other.

"I assure you... our dragons are evenly matched," the old man said.

Kaiba glared and ordered Blue-Eyes to once again attack, but it received the same results.

"Kaiba... It's impossible for you to win this fight. As we speak an army of the strongest dragons is heading here to kill you. They will fight as long as I am alive. Give up."

No, this couldn't be the end. Kaiba had worked so hard to save Yami... only to die? How could it end up being a draw? If only he'd brought someone else along to help, if only Blue-Eyes were stronger...

"If only... I had another dragon..." he whispered. Then suddenly, his mind lit up like the dawn. Drawing his hands together in prayer-like fashion, he closed his eyes. "Water Omotics, please aid me. I need the help of that final dragon. Please... answer my prayer."

From nowhere, crystal liquid seemed to pour, splashing to the ground silently. It rose from the floor and slowly began to form a winged dragon. When the liquid vanished, a large black dragon equal in size to Blue-Eyes stood next to the silver dragon.

Kaiba's father stood in slight surprise. "Red-Eyes Black Dragon..."

"That's right, dad. And when these two dragons unleash their attacks together... they'll set forth an attack that you and your pet won't survive."

"I highly doubt that..."

"Red-Eyes and Blue-Eyes..." he closed his eyes and sighed. "Attack."

Both dragons opened their mouths revealing a bright sapphire and crimson orb that they released at the same time. The spheres spiraled through the air leaving a trail of color behind them and as they neared their target, the two attacks fused into one massive ball.

"Goodbye Father."

--

Once all of the debris had cleared, Kaiba patted Blue-Eyes on the back and looked around for Red-Eyes only to find a clear puddle on the ground. Looking into it, he saw Water Omotics smile back at him, and then the liquid vanished.

Kaiba breathed a sigh of relief. "Now to find Yami-"

Before he could finish, the castle began to shake. Kaiba could barely stand still. Then, everything around him began to vanish; dissipating as if it had never existed at all, and when Kaiba looked around again, he was suddenly standing on the ground with his dragon and was with the magicians and the rest of the dragons.

It was as if everything was an illusion.

As soon as everyone else began figuring out what had happened, voices of wonder and bewilderment immediately followed.

"Where is Yami?"

"Did he come back alone?"

"He must have saved himself and not our master!"

Kaiba cleared his voice and took a step forward, instantly silencing the crowd.

"Listen to me. I went in there with the intent of finding Yami; I wasn't lying about that..." He faltered slightly. "But... Yami... he wasn't there. I don't know where he is-"

"Right behind you," a voice said.

Kaiba paused and turned around, surprised at whom he saw. "Yami?" But he remembered the trick from earlier and remained cautious. "Or are you some trick conjured up by the last of my father's powers?"

Yami cocked a brow. "I'm sad that you don't recognize me, dearest Kaiba."

Suddenly a crackling crimson blast shot through the air hitting Yami in the back and causing him to be changed into harmless dust.

"One thing I can't stand," everyone was surprised to see another Yami say, "Is people who mess with my dragon master." Yami straightened up. "I assure you, this time I am real."

Kaiba took a few steps forward coming to stand directly in front of Yami. "How can I be sure?"

Yami shrugged. "All I have is my word."

Kaiba tilted his head to the side. "Hm. Your word eh?"

Unexpectedly, a dragon nudged Kaiba sending his lips onto Yami's. The kiss seemed to hang in the air until finally both drew back.

"All right," Kaiba said, "I trust the dragon's judgment." Pulling Yami to him in a heart-felt embrace, he let out a tired sigh. This was finally over.

"But Kaiba," Yami said, breaking the silence. "We're from different worlds... remember? We're enemies-"

"We live on the same planet, Yami. We may be as different as night and day, but opposites attract right? From now on, I'm living my own life. I hope I won't have to live it alone...?"

Yami looked at him silently for a moment, then broke out into a smile. "You really have changed. Kaiba, I'd choose you over Palace life any day. You know... when I first met you... I never anticipated I'd fall for you. It's just weird how it all happened."

Kaiba nodded. "Neither did I. But unanticipated emotions aren't something you expect. Why don't you bring your magicians to my castle and live there... That is, if they agree to it?"

"I'd love to."

He turned to the magicians for any protests.

Of course... there was one.

Magician of Black Chaos glared daggers. "There is NO way I'm moving to that madman's castle! He's our enemy!" He turned to Dark Magician. "Tell me you're against this?"

Dark Magician shook his head and smiled, then reached up and pulled the other to him silencing him with a kiss. Drawing back, he said, "You're definitely coming along. I don't want to hear any more protests."

Magician of Black Chaos was shocked. "How dare you!"

"So are you coming?" Yami asked.

"Of course."

"Then it's settled."

And that was how it went. No longer was the Lord of Dragons tormented by dreams of his past; no more did the Master of Magicians worry about what others expected of him. No longer would the two fight. That was how it was to be.

From now on, the Dragon Kingdom and Magician Kingdom would be united... and naturally live happily ever after.

-The End-

Yey! It's FINALLY finished. Bet you guys are like... it's been a while. It has, but now I can update normally and all so I'm problem free. Hope you enjoyed the story. Please review and tell me what you thought of it overall or whatever you like. Thanks so much for reading.

AmethystRoze