Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! Or anything related to it what-so-ever. The only characters in this fic that are truly mine are:

Lady Aurora Phoenix

Lady Natara Fear

Lady Sapphira Star

Dorian "Chaos"

Bryant "Havoc"

Sanura

Zahara

Adais

A/N: This is a fantasy as you can tell. It is part 2 to the Eternal Love fanfic that I ended a little while ago as it was getting to be too long. The story of the Pharaoh and his family is far from over however. His children are still around and they will incorporate themselves in the lives of little Yugi and his friends in one way or another. Fair warning, I am not one for writing out duels so you may not see a lot of them- barely any actually, as the fic is about the events that happened outside the duel arena. There will be some familiar scenes to fans of the show but most of those scenes will have a small twist or two in order for it to fit with the plot being laid out.

I understand many will not agree with a lot of what is written but that is why this is in the fantasy genera and not in just the general one. This is purely a concoction out of my own head and I am just going where the ideas lead me.

Just want to thank my faithful readers and reviewers again for continuing along on this little journey. DDCfreak, Atemu Fangurl, Ishizusan, Pastelblue, and mugen thank you all!

DDCfreak- I wanted to thank you again for catching my error in Chapter 14. It is now corrected. I have been amazed at the background story I was actually able to weave into the main one. There are so many openings that could cut into so many options. I had some time as my husband was called back to his duties while the girls and I are down visiting so just to keep me busy while the girls were sleeping, a friend of his allowed my to use his laptop to work on my story a little and that allowed me to post a couple extra chapters. I am glad because this way I am not leaving my readers hanging for too long lol…

And now... Chapter 16

Forgive Me, Brother

Everyone had been deep into their food when Ryou looked around, realizing that Zahara had left them. His eyes narrowed in concerned thought. He had not expected her to just leave without telling anyone. Especially with everything they had gone through already. He had hoped she would at least tell him if she had to go so he could be sure she was safe. But safe from whom, he had to admit to himself he was not sure. He felt odd when the Ring began to glow. But it was not like before when the spirit was merged with his body. Still, he could not understand it. He also could not understand completely why Zahara seemed so jumpy around the Spirit of the Puzzle. She was so certain that spirit was that of her father and yet every time he came near her, she always tried to run. He thought he had her figured out. He thought he completely understood her. There was something he obviously did not know. Something she had not yet revealed. He wondered just what that was. Wondered if he would ever know the complete truth surrounding her. He sighed as Joey leapt up from his spot and began to run toward the stairway leading to the castle doors.

"Race ya to the top!" he shouted at them. Ryou stood with the others, following Tristan up the stairs as well. He turned back momentarily when he realized Téa and Yugi had not joined them. He looked down and saw Yugi staring at the star chips in his glove. His eyes so wide, innocent, and happy. He was so close to saving his grandfather's soul. All he had to do now was make it through the finals. Téa was standing beside him, staring at him, lost in thought herself. Ryou could see the far away look in her eyes. He knew the anger Zahara had felt when Téa hugged Yugi's spirit. He almost wondered what she would have done to the blue eyed brunette had he not distracted her.

His gaze faded a moment as he thought back over all the times he had distracted Zahara. The hardest one he had to face was when Mai had almost caught them behind the bushes. Zahara lying so still beneath him. Her neck right there beside his lips. He had closed his eyes then in an attempt to block out the thoughts filling his head. But her scent still filled his mind. It was like a mixture of jasmine and lilac. It was exhilarating to him and did not help the images in his head to what he could be doing with her. He suddenly shook his head to clear his mind. There were too many other things he had to concentrate on. Like finding out where Zahara had gone off to. He only hoped she had made her way to the castle already, or would be able to make it there soon after them. Then he would deal with what he was feeling.

"Hey what's the hold up?" Joey called down to Yugi and Téa. Ryou realized he had been staring down at them, but not really seeing them. He waved his arm at them to catch their attention.

"Yeah, com on and hurry up or we'll go in without you guys," Tristan added. Ryou could not help himself as he turned to look at the taller teen beside him.

"You know, since none of us are even supposed to be here, maybe we should wait for them." Tristan ran a hand through his hair, realizing the Ryou was right.

"Heh, good point," he agreed with a nervous laugh. They had all begun to chuckle little as Yugi turned to chase after them but his foot caught on a stone causing him to fall.

Obviously, not his most graceful moment, Ryou thought with a grin. Téa helped her friend up and they advance toward the castle again. Ryou found himself lost in his thoughts as they neared the door. Zahara, I hope you are all right, wherever you are. They were all stopped suddenly in their tracks by a cold voice.

"You may have won enough star chips to enter the castle, but I cannot allow you to pass. You and I are going to have one final duel. The winds of change are blowing Yugi Motou."

"Stand aside, Kaiba. I have no desire to duel you."

"This duel is not an option, Yugi. I have changed since our last duel. I believe I deserve a rematch. To show you just how much I have changed." There was a moment of silence and then Ryou felt a change in the group. Yugi seemed to stand taller. His arms crossed. Ryou knew the Spirit of the Puzzle had returned.

"Yes, Kaiba, I believe you have changed. So I will grant you this duel."

"Our arena has been prepared. Follow me." The group moved silently after the young CEO to a tower outside the main castle. They agreed to use Seto's new dueling equipment for this duel. They readied their deck as he explained the way to use the new technology to Yami. The Spirit facing Seto nodded and took a deep breath.

"Let's duel!" they both said in unison.

"I knew Pegasus had Mokuba," Zahara was telling her mother after Aurora had filled her in on what was happening in the castle. "He tried to force Yugi into a duel with stolen chips and cards. Then there was a duel between Yugi and this evil, disgusting looking Seto. When the duel was over, the guard holding Mokuba had vanished."

"Pegasus had him take Mokuba to a room somewhere in the dungeons of this castle. I was not able to find him. But I knew Seto had come for him." The sound of a dragon's roar shook the castle and brought the women to their feet. "No," Aurora, breathed.

"Yugi," Zahara gasped. They fled the room and tried to find the best view for what was going on. By the time they reached the scene of the duel, the found Seto standing on the edge of the tower wall and his dragon rotting on the field. All melting except for one head, that is. They watched Yami as he seemed to be struggling with his opportunity to attack.

"I have never backed down from a challenge before and I will not stop now! Celtic Guardian, attack!" They stared wide-eyed as the Celtic Guardian made his way across the field. Téa broke away from the other friends and ran toward Yami.

"Yugi, call him back! You can't do this! Please Yugi call off the attack!" Her words seemed to strike him hard for suddenly the darker presence of the spirit was forced back and Yugi fell to his knees.

"STOP!" he shouted, tears falling from his eyes. Aurora stepped forward, her hand gripping the edge of the balcony they were standing on. Zahara had stilled beside her. Seto jumped down from where he stood.

"Couldn't do it, huh?" Seto asked him. "White Lightning Attack!" The one good Blue Eyes head on Seto's monster fired its attack destroying the Celtic guardian where he stood. Tears were flowing freely from Yugi's eyes as he shook with fear and sadness. His heart broken.

"Yugi," Zahara whispered. She looked over at her mother whose eyes had not left the field. Téa was kneeling beside Yugi trying to help him. Yugi had shut down. It seemed he was no longer listening to anything going on around him. He had gone numb. Zahara placed a hand on her mother's arm. "Mother?"

Aurora had lost herself in the feelings Yugi was going through. She found herself drawn to his pain. It killed her that she could not help him through this. She knew he would have to deal with the spirit of the puzzle eventually. He needed that spirit to get through this. Silently, she turned and walked away. Zahara took one last look outside to see Téa yelling at Seto before joining her mother.

Aurora made her way to the dining hall. She knew Pegasus would be there. He smirked as she and Zahara entered the room, but he said nothing to them. The room was filled with electric tension. She had said all that could possibly be said to him. So at the risk of just repeating herself, she opted to remain quiet. Pegasus was not so willing to keep his mouth shut, however.

"Seems Kaiba will get his wish as me for his next opponent. He did well in his duel against Yugi. Though Yugi did not do so well, did he, Ms. Hart?" She scowled but held her tongue. He chuckled at her. "His spirit is broken and his grandfather's soul remains." Zahara gasped as Pegasus held up a card from his hand. He flipped it over to show the shocked face of Yugi's grandfather.

"Solomon," she whispered. Her legs suddenly felt very weak. She could not allow herself to remain in the same room with him any longer. She turned and fled the room.

"Seems your daughter does not have the stomach for this kind of work, Ms. Hart. Maybe from her father's side?" Aurora sneered at him.

"Her father was a powerful man who gave his spirit for his people, Pegasus. He was generous and kind, but hard and fair."

"'His people?' Did he, too, run his own empire? Is that how you know so much about running a large company such as Industrial Illusions?" She could not help but chuckle.

"His own empire, yes. That he did. And he was better than you will ever be." His laughter rang out behind her as she left the room as well. She found Zahara standing in the main hall, face to face with Seto. They were staring hard at each other, but neither said a word. Eventually, she turned and made her way to the balcony that would over look the main dueling arena for the finals.

A couple of hours had passed and dusk was falling when laughter and cheering filtered to where Zahara was standing. Her mother had fallen back into the shadows of the castle. Zahara wondered why but had not been allowed much of a chance to reflect on it as two arms wrapped around her and a soft voice reached her, and warm breath tickled over her ears. She had not realized just how sensitive they were until that happened, and a shiver coursed through her.

"There you are," Ryou whispered. "I was worried about you." He turned her to face him. "Why didn't you tell me you were leaving?" She gave him a sad smile.

"I am sorry, Ryou-kun. I just needed some time to myself." He raised an eyebrow at her choice in title for him. It was not often she chose to use the Japanese forms of names. But he felt a little easier about it knowing she used the affectionate term for friendship. Even if he had hoped her to think of him as something more. She nodded to the rest of the group. Mai had joined them. "I see Yugi has regained some of his spirit. Enough to rejoin the tournament?"

"You saw his duel with Kaiba, didn't you?" She nodded her response. "Téa dueled against Mai to get some extra star chips Mai was holding for him. They hoped it would snap him from where he had buried himself in his mind."

"I see." Zahara looked over at the smaller boy. Yugi was looking around in awe at the building surrounding them. It was impressive. Plain, but impressive.

"Are you sure you are all right?" Ryou asked her, gently cupping her chin so she would look at him. She nodded and their attention was distracted by Joey's voice.

"You slime bucket! I've been waitin' to find you eva since you left us trapped in that cave!" They turned to see Joey face to face with Bandit Keith. He was making swings and punches, but Keith was easily avoiding them.

"Can't this little grudge of yours wait? The real action is about to start down there," Keith told him as he pointed down to the lower level. Zahara knew he meant Seto standing there, ready to face Pegasus. She hung her head and sighed as everyone followed his gaze. "The world champion verses Pegasus."

"Are you saying those two are going to duel?" Yugi asked, amazed. It was Zahara who answered softly.

"Yes, they are. He has come to save his brother's soul. He must face Pegasus to do so. I overheard Pegasus earlier in the dining hall. He has been looking forward to this match." She never once raised her eyes to meet them as they all turned back to the platform in which Seto was standing.

"Pegasus took Mokuba's soul? When?"

"Apparently, not long after you dueled the fake Kaiba. It was his way on ensuring Kaiba would duel you to reclaim his title, and then he would face off with Pegasus himself." A gruff chuckle caught their attention and they turned to see a man with grey hair in a suit.

"Greetings, duelists. My name is Croquet and I am the chief liaison for the tournament. Master Pegasus is greatly impressed with your talents. In fact he was so impressed he wanted to reward you with some entertainment."

"Entertainment?" she asked him, her voice beginning to shake with anger.

"A special exhibition match," he explained. "I think you will all be in awe in what you are about to see." He grinned at them. Savoring the fact that all eyes were on him as he went into more details. "This match shall give you all some kind of idea as to what you will be facing in the final rounds of this tournament."

"So basically it is meant to intimidate us, huh?" Mai asked lightly.

"Why would Pegasus do something like that?" Croquet returned, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Because he is a ketsuoanansi," Zahara said softly, her eyes flashing. Ryou found himself shocked by her language and almost nervous by her anger at the same time. He moved secretively to reach for her arm, to keep her grounded, just in case. Though he admitted to himself he was not sure just what he would be preventing her from doing. Croquet reacted to her anger though. He suddenly lost his sarcasm and coughed.

"Enjoy the match." With that he turned and left them. The group turned back to the balcony to watch as Pegasus entered. Ryou tugged Zahara lightly to pull her away.

"Why did he seem afraid of you?" She shrugged.

"I don't know. Unless my mother did something here earlier that I am unaware of, which is entirely possible."

"How so?" She raised an amused eyebrow at him and smirked.

"You and Yugi aren't the only ones here with access to power. Power has been in my family for generations."

"You, too?" She swallowed.

"I only just began to sense and make use of the few gifts I have. They aren't much, but they come in handy from time to time," she told him as she remembered her encounter with Seto at the doorway to the castle.

"Where's my brother?" Seto demanded of Pegasus when he arrived at the platform. Zahara was thankful for the interruption and she took Ryou's hand, leading him back to the balcony to watch. Pegasus laughed.

"What, no hello? No, how are you? I thought we were friends," Pegasus responded with mock courtesy.

"We were never friends, Pegasus, now quit stalling. Where is he?"

"It isn't like I hurt your kid brother, he is perfectly safe. In fact, you can have him back if you like, if you beat me in this duel." Seto scowled at the man across from him.

"I can't believe I'm sayin' this, but I am not hopin' Kaiba loses this duel." The others around him agreed.

It took only a few more moments of Pegasus' insults to Seto before the duel began. Zahara watched and realized that his Millennium Eye not only allowed him to steal souls but to read minds as well. She could tell he was using its Power to counter every one of Seto's best moves. Her eyes widened when Pegasus played a card called Toon World.

"Toon World?" Téa asked in wonder. "It looks like some kid's pop-up book to me."

"I've never even heard of this card," Joey added.

"My Dark Rabbit has found himself a new home," Pegasus said with a small laugh when everyone realized his monster had disappeared. "As soon as I close the covers of that book, Toon World cannot be penetrated by anything," he told Seto gleefully.

"You coward!" Seto growled.

"He will use that Toon world to protect his monsters the entire duel," Yugi said in shock. Seto's face was beginning to show fear as he glanced at the cards in his hands, trying to think up another strategy as quickly as he could. Time was running out for him, and Pegasus' Toon World was making it that much harder for him to make his move to defeat Pegasus. Realizing he could not make any attack this turn, he played a card face down for later. However, his blood froze when Pegasus called out his next monster. He brought forth a Blue Eyes White Dragon he had taken from Seto earlier in the game. Combining it with his toon world, the dragon became the Blue Eyes Toon Dragon.

"You've stripped him of his pride!" Seto told the creator of the game.

"Oh, please, Kaiba-boy. I merely transformed him into his most supreme form. Also, I made him look much more cuddly." Zahara felt herself chocking back her urge to gag. Cuddly, she thought. Yeah, right.

"Of all the things that Blue Eyes is, cuddly, sure ain't one of 'em," Joey commented, unknowingly echoing her thoughts.

"For once, I think that Kaiba would agree," Yugi said, nodding his head. They watched as Seto took another hit and lost another monster. Anger was clearly written on his face as he barely held his anger in control while Pegasus made his insulting remarks to his title. Zahara looked up sharply when she saw a small glimmer of white near a curtain where a chair was placed. She guessed the chair was for Pegasus to sit in during the final rounds of the tournament. She looked closer and saw her mother watching the duel from her spot.

So that's where she went to, she thought before returning her gaze to the duel.

Aurora watched the duel with narrowed eyes, though she kept drifting to catch glimpses of her daughter and Ryou. She watched as he placed a hand over hers on the balcony ledge. Zahara seemed to be paying him no mind, however, lost deep within the game being played. Sighing, she turned back to the field.

"It's time someone put a stop to your cheating ways, Pegasus," Seto was saying. Pegasus stood shocked for a moment as Seto turned his hand face down before him so he could no longer see his cards. "I may not know exactly how you're cheating, but somehow you can see my cards."

It's about time someone called Pegasus on his dueling strategy, she thought with an amused smile. The smile faded however with her next thought. Too bad your fate has been already sealed. She looked down for a moment. Pegasus was shaken but not for long. She knew that Seto was the kind of duelist who would have memorized his entire deck. She was also aware that Pegasus was certain of this as well. It would not be long before Pegasus played the one card that would destroy not only Seto's deck and chances of winning, but also his only chance to save his little brother. Pegasus eventually did play the card, and Aurora watched as Seto's spirit was crushed upon the realization he had failed to save his brother.

"I activate my Doppelganger card. I use it to copy your crush card." Seto had just ordered the attack on the monster of Pegasus' that was harboring the virus powers. He could not call it back in time and with the monster destroyed, so was Kaiba's entire deck. "Now every monster with more than fifteen hundred attack points is incapacitated, not only from his hand, but in his entire deck. That's what you get when you stack your deck with cards that have more than fifteen hundred offense points!" Pegasus laughed as Seto stared down at the field in shock. He made one last attempt to remain in the game, but everyone knew it was not going to be enough. He only had one last card that was unaffected by the virus Pegasus played. His Reborn the Monster card. He used it to bring back his Soggy the Dark Clown, and Pegasus laughed even more. Aurora nearly tore the curtain she had been hanging onto as she watched Seto's face grow dark and empty.

"Mokuba," he said softly as he thought about his brother. "I tried my very best."

"Your best failed you!" Pegasus exclaimed as he made his last attack. Seto watched the attack as it came at him. No emotion evident on his face, but as she looked into his eyes, she could actually see the tears he was attempting to hold back.

"Forgive me, Mokuba. I am so sorry." With those words, he hung his head to accept his defeat.

"There are no more cards for you to play, therefore you lose," Pegasus told him. "But you lost much more than just this duel, haven't you, Kaiba-boy?" Aurora could feel the power of his eye beginning to stir and she began to step forward, no longer caring who saw her and what the reaction could be. "You lost the only chance you had at rescuing your baby brother!" He grinned an evil grin at Seto as he pulled a card from a pocket inside his jacket. "You let him down, but don't worry. I will spare you the agony of carrying on in this world without him." Seto looked up, confused.

"What is that?"

"The final fate of your soul, Seto Kaiba!"

"Pegasus, no!" Aurora shouted, darting out and running to the ledge as close to the arena she could get. But her cry was spoken too late as the Eye began to glow and Seto's shout faded into nothingness. His body stood motionless as Pegasus laughed.

"Too late, Ms. Hart," he told her with a smirk. "His soul belongs to me and his body shall be taken else where to do dishes or something." She snarled at him.

"Pegasus, you have heard me say this before, but you will regret this day. You will live to regret ever receiving that Item!" He waved her off as Seto's body was dragged away. There had been gasps of surprise from the balcony when she made her appearance.

"Mother!" Zahara breathed in. Ryou stared down at the older woman, identical to Zahara. He could sense her strength and power, heightened by her anger.

"I am still awaiting that day you promised me would come," Pegasus returned evenly. His eyes showing his amusement at her anger.

"The cards are in place, Pegasus. The day of your reckoning is nearer than you think. The one I told you would make you suffer is here. It is only a matter of time now. You will see I speak nothing but the truth!" A new voice shouted down to Pegasus, then. This one filled with as much pain as anguish.

"He was like us, just wanting to save someone he cared for!" Yugi started, tears falling from his face. Téa stood on one side of him while Zahara had moved to the other side of him, each placing a hand on his shoulders to comfort him. "Why, Pegasus? Who are you to toy with our friends; our families? I won't let you get away with it!" Aurora watched the violet eyes as they began to change in color. Every instinct in her told her to run, but she fought against them and stayed still. She instead, faced Pegasus to see his reaction. She realized he was thinking Yugi would be the one she prophesized would take him down. Her gaze shifted over to Ryou.

All your powers, Pegasus, and you worry about the wrong boy. Yugi won't take you down.However, the evil spirit will. Ryou's body will be there, but Bakura will be the one, she prophesized to herself with a small grin. The grin was replaced with sadness however, knowing she would have to allow the Eye to fall into the Spirit of the Ring's hands. But it was the only way to break Pegasus and punish him for what he had done. The deeper voice of Yami caught her attention, making her heart seem to stop for a brief moment in time.

"Pegasus, it won't be long now till I put an end to your game," Yami informed him angrily. Pegasus allowed the words to blow on by him.

"Yugi-boy, don't forget you still have to make it through the final rounds in the tournament to even win the privilege of challenging me."

"Believe me, I will be at the finals, but the true privilege will be defeating you and undoing all the evil acts you have done against my friends!" Pegasus laughed.

"I look forward to seeing you at your best, Yugi-boy, as well as the wonderful performances from all our guests. For you all truly are the best of the best. Until tomorrow then. Enjoy your stay here, Croquet will first show you to your rooms and then you will meet at the dining hall for your meal." With one last chuckle, he left the room, angry eyes following his every move.

Aurora sensed eyes staring at her and she turned to see Yami standing up with Yugi's friends. He was watching her with interest. His next act, she admitted she found odd. He merely nodded at her. She felt her mental barriers fall, but she kept her mind blank for a moment as they stared at each other.

I never knew what he was planning, she told him through their link. I swear it. If I had known, I would have done something about him back then. But I cannot change what has happened. That is up to you. I am not sure what help I can give you, but I will do my best to serve you as I have in the past. She saw him take a breath and close his eyes as he processed her words. Then he opened them again and it seemed as the coldness in those crimson eyes had softened.

I believe you did not have anything to do with this. I believe you would have done everything in your power to stop him if you could have, and I sincerely believe you honestly could have. I understand why you cannot undo it now. There was a pause before he spoke again. You said you would help where you could, then I have only one request. She swallowed hard, part of her knowing what was coming.

Yes, Pharaoh.

Meet me either somewhere here, or elsewhere, and speak with me. I have questions I am certain you hold the answers to. Answers that may help me stand a greater chance at defeating Pegasus at his own game. It was not exactly what she was expecting, but it could lead to trouble just the same. Still, she had given her word to help him. This was his request of her. She had to fulfill this wish.

As you wish, my Pharaoh. Without a word, she turned and left the room.

I seem to ba able to get more done that I thought I would on this trip (grins). Well, now, let's see...

First the dinner and then the search for Pegasus' way to cheat... Ahh but that would be so dull... Of course it is time to expand on a few things... Not so sure about Yami and Aurora just yet- too many things could be said in that discussion that would serioulsy end this series a lot sooner then I am ready for(giggles). However,Ryou and Zahara for sure lol... And maybe just a little vist to Zahara and Aurora from Bakura... So close to the wife of his enemy and you think he was going to just let it go? I don't think so lol.. well- not sure if I will be updating anymore this weekend. But who knows- I may surprise even myself. Hope you enjoyed!