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, Lady of Perfection and her Yami- Yami Nefera, Luna Dusk, and mugen thank you all!

LoP and Yami, Nefera: Thanks for plugging my fics! It really makes me feel good to know you appreciated them that much despite the things you had found wrong with it (grins).

Chapter 20

Trust the Magic

Sanura's breathing had stilled. Her heart racing as she crouched to prepare for an attack as the suited man came closer. She could see his gun was drawn and she knew she had to be ready. She could not get any closer against the wall and as he moved closer, his torch light made her only cover, the shadows, fade nearly completely out of sight. She felt the fire tingling in her hand but it did not burn her. It felt cool, like ice to her skin. She counted the steps. Closer. Closer. Stop. Her heart froze.

"Well, what do we have here?" the guard sneered. He gazed upon her with a look that made her want to be sick. He was about to call his partner over when she reacted. Swiftly she used one hand to whip him around and pull him closer to her. Her one hand slipped over his mouth easily and the tingling hand was placed over his heart. She closed her eyes and concentrated as he began to struggle. His eyes were wide with the pain he felt. The cold fire seemed to shoot from her hand and seared through his chest to his heart. It was not long before he slumped in her arms.

Whispering a soft prayer, she opened her eyes and gently laid the body to the floor. She was careful not to draw any more attention to herself. It would not be long before his partner came looking. She had to escape that hall. Silently she leapt up and grabbed a ledge in the wall to haul herself up out of sight. Sadly, Sanura gazed down at the lifeless man. It was not the first time she had killed. Still, the remorse was always the same. It was one reason why she never used her powers too often. Too risky. To harmful. But they certainly helped when she was cornered. Slowly the tingling feeling eased in her hand. The partner did come for him and alerted someone on his radio that there had been a breach in the security. Not long after he took off down the hall along with three other men for back up. When the coast was clear, she slipped down to the ground, landing almost catlike.

"Good thing I paid attention to Aunt Sapphira's lessons," she told herself softly. "Now, if I was an evil mastermind, where would I put my competition's bait?" Again, she kept to the shadows of the halls as she made her way down. She thought she was looking for Mokuba in order to find he had been reunited with Seto. She had no idea what she would find.

The hall twisted and turned as she moved along. Eventually she came a cross a dead end. She sighed with frustration. "Come on, you guys. Talk to me. Where are you?" she muttered under her breath. She hit a fist against the wall and stared, dumbfounded as it slowly opened before her. "What the…?" She looked around, but saw no one near her.

Cautiously, she made her way down the darker path. There were rooms with bars across the doorway. They were like prison cells. The farther she made her way into the darkness the worse her feeling about the place became. She had no idea how to get back out if they came and found her in there. But she forced herself to keep going, taking only enough time for her eyes to readjust. She checked each cell as she walked passed. That was when she found what she had been looking for. In the last cell at the end of the hall, she came to an abrupt halt. She gasped and gripped the bars of the cell.

Seto had been propped up against the wall, chains shackling his ankles. He was limp, not moving. She could not tell if he was even alive. Taking a brief look around she made her choice to rely on her powers again. She placed her hand on the lock and felt it begun to melt away from her touch as the red light appeared. Mere moments had passed before she was able to swing open the door to the cell. She hurried to his side and took him into her arms, gazing down at his face. Gingerly, she brushed his brown hair away from his eyes. She could tell that she was holding a soulless body. She hugged him close to her, tears silently falling as she berated herself for not coming to him sooner.

"I am sorry, Aunt Sapphira. I failed him. But I will do what I can to keep his shell safe until Mother can find a way to reverse this. I will stay by him and protect him," she whispered. She freed his ankles of the shackles and just held him, keeping watch of the door in case the guards returned. She did not want to kill again, but she most definitely would.

Zahara had been on edge throughout the entire duel between Yugi/Yami and Joey. They were each teaching each other new tactics to defend and attack. They were dueling their hardest. Too many things were on the line in this duel. She had been impressed with the skill Joey was showing. He had taken Yugi/Yami off guard several times. But that was about to come to an end. Joey had the Dark Magician wrapped up in his Coon-Eye with Chain. He was set up perfectly for an attack.

"Hey, Yug?" Joey asked from his spot at the arena.

"Joey."

"I just wanted ya to know, it's been a real honor duelin' ya." Yami smiled.

"Likewise," he agreed with a respectful nod. Téa reflected over how they remained friends even in the middle of the match of their lives. Joey continued.

"I know neither of us wanna lose this match, but if I have to, I am glad it was to you. Now let's finish this duel!" Yami nodded again. The fierce determination returning to his eyes. Joey took his turn and a smile crossed over his face. He turned the card over to reveal his Time Wizard. With his Baby Dragon on the field already, all he needed was a Time Warp to come up on the Time Roulette spin and he counted himself the winner of the duel. He missed the look Yami gave as he remained silent. Things were not going to work out as Joey had hoped. Zahara could see that. Her eyes stung with tears that wanted to fall, but she blinked them back. The spinner began to go around and everyone watched on the edge of their seat. Joey cheered as it landed on a Time Warp. Baby Dragon became Thousand Dragon and the Dark Magician looked withered with age.

Tears formed in Joey's eyes as he felt this was truly the end. He wiped them away with the sleeve of his jacket, before flashing his smile. "I'm gonna win!" He shouted before ordering the attack. He was caught off guard when Yami's voice could be heard above the roar of the dragon.

"I counter with Makiu, the Magical Mist!" The Dragon's attack dissolved before the Magician could be touched and the chains around him faded as well. Joey stepped back, shocked by what he had just seen. He was not the only one surprised by the counter attack. Aurora's mouth had dropped open as she sat straighter in her seat. Pegasus openly gasped as he uncrossed his legs and seemed almost ready to stand up. Zahara heard the gasps around her. This was a move, no one had seen coming.

"How are you able to play Makiu while it's still my turn?" Joey asked his friend.

"With Magic," Yami explained simply. He went on to tell him that when the Time Wizard aged the monsters on the field, he made the Dark Magician more powerful, not weaker. The Dark Magician had become, The Dark Sage. This transformation allowed Yami to use one magic card during every one of Joey's turns, and every one of his own. Yami reached to his deck to draw his next magic card to be used during his turn. Zahara gasped and leaned forward upon seeing the tears slipping down his face.

"It's over," she whispered.

"You fought a valiant duel, my friend, and this is the hardest play I have ever had to make. But this ends now." Joey practically threw himself backward in shock. Yami played his magic card. His Reborn the Monster card. He used it to call back Joey's Black Skull Dragon. Zahara turned to look at the tears falling from Joey's eyes. This duel had been so hard on them. She did not envy their situation at all. Suddenly, though, she saw a sad smile cross Joey's lips. He stood up to face Yami and the attack that was prepared for him.

"It's ok, go for it!" he told his friend. Yami's voice shook as he called the Molten Fireball Attack on Joey's Thousand Dragon. Aurora closed her eyes with grim respect, standing and bowing her head. Ryou's hand found Zahara's and gripped it as the attack finished and the light from it faded away. Téa let her tears fall for her respect and pride of them.

"I am just so glad it's over," she said softly. The others nodded in agreement.

Aurora narrowed her eyes and glanced at Pegasus as he laughed quietly beside her. She pondered asking what he found so funny about the duel. Then again, she knew his heart. He was truly enjoying the pain they had been dealing with during the match. The only way it would have been better was if he was the one causing that pain. She watched as he stood and silently walked away, the smirk still clear on his face.

Now is the time of truth. Now you will see I had been correct in my prophecies, Pegasus. Your time for stealing souls is done.

Zahara followed the others down to the lower level to congratulate Yugi on his victory. The tears had dried from the eyes of the two friends. Joey handed Yugi his Glory of the King's Hand card telling him to use it for the prize money. Zahara smiled when Yugi pushed the card gently back at him.

"You keep the card Joey. You need that money for your sister's operation." Joey grew silent. He stared down at the card, still trying to let Yugi's words sink in. Téa began teasing him about always being the tough guy. She regretted her words, however, when the tears came pouring down his face and he could not stop thanking Yugi.

"When I lost this duel, I lost all hope of saving my sister," he said humbly. "Thank you so much, Yugi. Now go and take down Pegasus!" He gave his friend a hard pat on the back that made Yugi rub his shoulder, but smile at he same time.

This is it, Zahara thought. The duel we have all been waiting for.

"So, Ms. Hart, will you be joining us this afternoon for the duel?" Aurora turned a sneer at Pegasus' direction as he made his way to her. She had just checked in on everyone who had met for something to eat while they awaited the time for Yugi's duel with the creator, himself.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world. Someone has to be there to make sure you behave." His smile left his face.

"Are you saying I am not an honorable duelist?"

"Honorable in most of your business practices, maybe; but dueling, no, you are not. You rely too much on that Eye of yours. But today…" Her sneer turned to a smile of amusement. "Yes, today, you will see there are limitations to your Eye. You have used its powers for your own selfish needs for so long, I believe you may not be able to come up with a decent strategy if you wanted to." He growled at her. "Careful, Pegasus, you may wrinkle your suit."

"Insolent wench!" She coughed and blinked before laughter took over. She shook her head.

"It has been ages sense anyone has called me that. How amusing. You are lucky today. I have a bigger task set ahead of me. Count your blessings, Pegasus. The last person to call me that went through a stone wall."

"Why is it I don't believe you?" She shrugged.

"Suit yourself, believe what you want. But there is not much time before the duel begins. I am making sure I am right there. Pull anything and you will regret it. This time, nothing will hold me back," she warned him.

"Why is it I don't believe you?" he asked her again.

"Because you are a fool, Pegasus." She spun on her heel and made her way back into the hall where she found Yugi going over his deck. He seemed startled when he noticed her watching him from her side of the hall. She made no effort to go to him, though. She would let him come to her if he had anything he wanted to say to her.

"Yugi?" A soft voice caught her attention. Looking just passed the boy, she saw Zahara had poked her head out of the dining hall. "Are you okay? You hardly ate a thing in there." Zahara slowly moved out into the hall to stand near him. Yugi looked down at his deck again.

"I know I should have probably eaten more. I just can't stop thinking about my Grandpa and what Pegasus has done to him and the Kaiba brothers."

"I know it wasn't right for him to do that. You should not have been forced into this." There was a slight pause before she continued. "That was an awesome duel between you and Joey. You both have really come a long way."

"Yes, we have. Thanks." Zahara looked up and spotted her mother.

"Yugi?"

"Yes," he returned, looking back up at her.

"Don't fret too much over your duel with Pegasus, ok? I am certain there will be someone there to keep some kind of grip on him." He followed her gaze to see Aurora again. There was a nod from her as she agreed with her daughter's words. She was unable to say anything, however, as the doors opened again and Yugi's friends all came out to see him. Aurora turned and made her way back into the dueling arena room. She took her seat, sitting upright and alert. She had to keep a close eye on Pegasus. She could not let him pull any of the extra tricks she was afraid he would attempt. The doors opened and Yugi was seen standing with his friends. Croquet stepped forward.

"Would the challenger, Yugi Motou, now enter the dueling ring?" A fierce look of determination clouded Yugi's face. Aurora watched as his eyes went from violet to crimson. They were ready for this. He left his friends and made his way to the duelist platform. Walking proudly, with his head held high. Aurora smiled. His nobility had never left him. Just switched to a new form. He stopped at his place in the duel arena and waited as Pegasus made his entrance. Aurora narrowed her eyes as she noticed he had two of his security guards with him.

"Afraid, Pegasus?" she mused with a sly smirk. He glanced over at her with a scowl, but returned his attention back to the arena. Words of praise and hope rained down from his friends up in the balcony over-seeing the duel. Yami heard them, but made no sound as he stared ahead. He was on guard, not knowing if Pegasus would start them out in the Shadow Realm or not. He had to be prepared, just in case. Pegasus made his way toward the center of the arena where they were to meet to shovel the other's decks for the duel. The entire time he walked, he talked about his admiration for Yugi's dueling prowess. His determination to make his way all the way to the end just to face him.

"I am flattered, Yugi-boy," Pegasus said with a smug grin. Yami felt his control slipping. He refused to be talked down by the man who had stolen Yugi's grandfather's soul.

"Pegasus!" he shouted angrily. "I want you to agree to keep your promise if we proceed with this duel! To release my grandfather's soul to me!"

"Of course, Yugi-boy. I'm a man of my word." Aurora quirked and eyebrow but said nothing. Evil he may have been acting, but she had never known him to go back on his word before.

"But that is not all," Yami continued. Pegasus raised an eyebrow at him this time. "I want you to release the souls of Seto and Mokuba Kaiba as well!" This had Pegasus confused a moment.

"That is a strange demand coming from you," he commented lightly. "I thought you hated Kaiba as much as you hated me." Yami narrowed his eyes at the man across from him.

"I need to keep a vow of my own, Pegasus." He informed the creator. Aurora sighed. Her eyes dropping their gaze on the field. She could feel guilt along with his determination as he spoke. Her glare returned when she heard Pegasus' soft chuckle.

"A vow to Mokuba, I see." Shocked gasps were heard all around the room. Yami's eyes widened.

"How did you…?" Pegasus laughed again. Aurora stood from her seat and walked over to the edge.

"Pegasus…" she said to him in a warning tone. He glanced over at her again and opted to change the words he had been about to say.

"Okay, very well then. If it will set your mind at ease, I will agree to your terms. If you win your duel against me, I shall release these three from their world of souls." Yami growled as Pegasus held up the duel cards which held the faces of Seto, Mokuba, and Solomon. Aurora was fuming and her anger began to radiate around her. Pegasus sensed it and withdrew the cards from sight.

Zahara cringed at the sudden burst of energy she felt coming from her mother and Ryou instinctively took a step back as well. They were all watching the exchange in awe. Zahara was still amazed at the affect her mother seemed to have on Pegasus. He truly did seem to be frightened of her at times. Amused by her at others. Her thoughts were interrupted when Téa commented on Pegasus' wanting something of Yugi's.

Of course, Téa, she thought, turning her gaze to the puzzle around Yami's neck. He wants the power of the Millennium Puzzle.

"I hope that Yugi can handle him," Ryou said in his soft voice. "This whole tournament has been stacked for Pegasus."

"Are you kiddin' Bakura? Pegasus won't have a clue what hit him when Yugi is finished with him," Joey told them.

"But Pegasus has never played fair this whole time," Tristan reminded him. Zahara and Ryou nodded.

"No matter what Pegasus tries to pull, Yugi will beat him," Téa returned. Zahara glanced at her mother who was openly scowling at her boss.

"I am certain Pegasus will have hell to pay if he tries anything," she commented softly. Ryou followed her gaze and immediately understood.

"Hey, they are about to start. Let's get up to the upper gallery so we can get a better view." Joey agreed and they turned to head up. Tristan, Ryou, and Zahara stayed behind for a brief moment. Zahara was watching Tristan's face as he grew thoughtful.

"What is it, Tristan?" she asked him.

"I am thinking about Mokuba. As long as Pegasus holds the bodies of the people whose souls he has claimed, he will always be one up on Yugi. But if I can find even one of them, he would not have all the pawns in his game anymore."

"What are you saying?" Ryou turned to look at him. Zahara's eyes flashed quickly with concern as she felt a change in Ryou's hand. She raised an eyebrow and tried to see his face.

"I'm saying I am going to go see if I can find Seto or Mokuba Kaiba. We already know their bodies are still here in the castle." Tristan turned and ran off leaving, Zahara alone with Ryou. Though she began to fear Ryou was not the one with her as his grip began to crush her hand. She bit her lip to keep from crying out.

I will not show my fear, I will not show my fear, she chanted to herself, before stopping as she remembered he was able to sense her thoughts. Damn! Mental links can really be a pain in the rear.

Can't they though, Aurora's voice reached her. Are you ok? Why are you chanting those words? Zahara mentally choked back her shout of surprise and threw up a mental barrier to protect her thoughts. She only projected one last one to her mother.

No reason, just fearing this duel between Pegasus and Father. She was not sure her mother believed her, but the lie would have to work for now. She had an even bigger problem on her hands. She used her free hand to lightly stroke the back of his.

"Ryou? Is everything all right?" Almost instantly the bone crushing grip left her hand and only the tenderness remained. She swallowed hard as the feeling returned to her fingers.

"Yes, why wouldn't it be?" he asked her as he turned to face her. She held back her sad look as she saw traces of the darkness that lurked in those warm brown eyes.

"No reason, I guess. Come on, we better join the others." She said nothing more as they moved through the hall and toward the path to the upper level balcony. Croquet had just finished telling Yami about the different requests he could make should he win his duel with Pegasus. But Yami wanted none of it. He only had his one request. The same one it had always been. To release the captured souls of the Kaiba brothers and Yugi's grandpa. Pegasus' request was more sinister. One that had Aurora's eyes blazing.

"If I win, I claim your soul, forever! With everything you stand to gain, you stand just as great a chance at losing everything."

"It's a risk I am willing to make," Yami informed him. "But I have no intention on losing, Pegasus."

"This is the biggest gamble I have ever seen anyone make on a Duel Monsters game," Ryou told them, his voice sounding a little sad. Yami grinned.

"Guess your soul card collection will be incomplete," he told Pegasus. "For I have no intention of joining it." They matched each other scowl for scowl. The tension being felt by everyone.

Aurora saw Croquet about to announce the start of the match when she waved him silent. Pegasus glanced over at her, wondering what she had planned. She coughed lightly to clear her throat and stood up even straighter. Yami looked at her then and for a moment was struck by a vivid picture in his mind. A picture of a woman on a balcony dressed all in white with silver armbands and a long white cape flowing behind her on the breeze. There was a simple crown on her head. The sign of royalty. The vision left him almost as soon as it appeared and he was left with even more questions. Questions he did not have time to reflect on. She eyed both duelists and began to speak.

"Throughout the tournament, Croquet has been the one to make the rulings in each match played out in here this day. This one will be different." Pegasus scowled at her.

"What do you think you are doing?"

"Ensuring a fairly fought match, Pegasus. I do not have any intention of actually stopping the duel. That cannot be done. But pull anything, Pegasus and you will be severely punished. This time, my threat will be made good on. I will be watching closely from the start. And don't think I cannot go into other realms myself, Pegasus. I will go where I am needed to continue to judge this duel."

"What are you saying?"

"I am saying you cannot escape your fate this time, Pegasus. This time you will have to face it. And I will be there to see you do." She turned her face to glance up at Zahara and the others. She noticed the worried looks her daughter was giving Ryou, but had no time to reflect on them. She turned back and faced Yami. "Good luck, and be prepared for anything and everything. This is your true test. Show him what true Power is." She slowly back up and sat down in the chair again. "Game start."

They drew their cards and made their first plays. It became obvious right from the start that Pegasus was using his Eye to see Yami's cards. There was very little Aurora could do about that. She knew that Yugi and Yami had to learn to work together on a whole new level in order to take him out. She only hoped that they could figure out. The first sign was when Pegasus growled in frustration as he attacked the wrong hat when searching the Magical Hats for Yami's Dark Magician. She looked over to see violet eyes staring out of a cherubic face instead of the chiseled and defined features of the Pharaoh's spirit.

"You hit the wrong hat because I don't know where the Dark Magician is hidden," Yugi told him with a small hint of joy in his voice. Something told her it was his idea to make this switch. He played a card and in a flash the spirit had replaced him.

"This is not possible! I can't read what card you played!" Joey's and Téa's mouth dropped open at the next revelation.

"That's because I am not longer, Yugi Motou, but someone else altogether." Aurora beamed at him. Yes! He finally learned how to tap into the Puzzles powers!

"Thanks to the magic of the Millennium Puzzle, two minds inhabit this body. From here on out, our chosen strategy is to use the Mind Shuffle, to keep you out and make this game more fair."

Zahara sighed and smiled. She no longer had to keep the secret from Joey and Téa. They now knew why their friend seemed so different when he dueled. There was no denying it like they had in the past. He had finally come clean. Zahara looked over to see Ryou's reaction and realized he had been walking away.

"Hey, Bakura, where are you going? The duel is getting' good now," Joey asked as he realized the same. Zahara had cringed at the name, but said nothing. Ryou only half turned back toward them. They had not noticed the change, but Zahara had known his face enough to notice the sharper features. She swallowed hard.

"I am going to check on Tristan, he has been gone an awfully long time." The voice was an attempt at impersonating Ryou's. It was enough to pass for Joey and Téa, but Zahara sensed trouble. He did not realize it, but he would have company on this search.

"Good idea, try to hurry will ya? Yugi still is going to need us." Ryou nodded and turned back. Téa and Joey became engrossed in the duel once again. They never noticed as Zahara backed away and slipped into the shadows, herself.

I promised you wouldn't be alone, Ryou. I meant it, she thought as she kept her barriers up. The last thing she needed was Bakura to realize he had a shadow following him around. Father, my thoughts are still with you. Mother is there to help you. I have to fulfill my own destiny now.

She was forced to run as quickly as possible once Ryou's body made it out of sight of the others. She sensed the power of the Ring. It was leading him somewhere through the many passages of the castle. Her agility and speed were definitely to her advantage. He stopped suddenly at a fork in the path. They had long since left the colorful halls and gone deep below into the cold stone that reminded her of the path that lead to the Paradox brother's arena. She flattened herself against the wall when he half turned. The innocent face of Ryou was now completely gone. Only Bakura's sneer remained.

"Where are you, little Mokuba?" he asked darkly as he lifted the Ring and looked to it for help. Two of the tines lifted and pointed in one direction and Bakura was off and running again. She sighed and pulled away from the wall. She had no idea what would happen when he found Mokuba. Nor did she know how she would even attempt to stop him. But she knew she had to try. She pulled back again when she saw him stop. She heard other voices as well.

"No where else for you to run, punk"

"We have you surrounded." Bakura moved forward, slowly, stalking the voices. Cautiously, she began to move forward as well.

"Hand over the kid."

"No," Tristan said evenly. "You want him, come and get him." She cringed at the soft evil laughter she heard next.

"Lay one finger on the boy and you will regret the day you were ever born." She bit her lip hard and closed her eyes. That voice stirred feelings in her that were a mixture of fear and interest combined. She mentally kicked herself.

"Bakura, get outta here!" Tristan shouted at him as he made his presence known by stepping into the light of the torches. "Run and save yourself!" Bakura chuckled again, and made no move to leave.

"Get out here and face us now or else," one of the guards ordered him. The darkness in his face seemed to somehow increase in its intensity.

"Or else what, fool?" he challenged him. They pulled their guns on him.

"We warned you."

"Yes, and now I am warning you." Zahara frowned as she watched him hold up what looked like a Duel Monsters card. "You don't want to mess with me." His voice had deepened to a near growl. Again, Zahara felt the strange stir of emotions. Bakura never even flinched as the safeties were released on the guns aimed at him. He held the card above his head. "Chain Energy!" She shielded her eyes as a bright light lit up the halls and instinctively pulled herself farther into the shadows.

"What on Earth?" one of the guards exclaimed as shadow chains appeared around them, pinning their arms to their bodies. Tristan gaped at the sight before turning back to Bakura, adjusting Mokuba's soulless body on his back.

"What did you do?" Bakura ignored the question as he lowered his hand and returned the card to his deck.

"Come, now we can escape." Bakura turned and headed back the direction he had come. Zahara took a breath and leapt up to swing herself up onto a pipe she spotted running along the top to the hall. She had just barely hidden herself when he and Tristan raced underneath her. She was about to jump back down when the guards broke free of the shadow chains and chased after them. With a silent sigh, she swung herself down and landed neatly on the ground. She knew she was going to have to move fast if she was going to catch up with them.

She tore through the catacombs underneath the castle, allowing her mind to guide her. She had not known what was happening at first, but she could almost sense the direction and paths Bakura was taking. She sensed nothing from Tristan. But her mind could easily pick up Bakura's presence. She wished she had more time to discuss this with her mother. She needed to better understand what was going on. She shook her head briefly and kept running until she heard the sound of Tristan shouting. It sounded like he was in trouble. Instantly, she doubled her pace. Shouts from the guards told her they heard the cry as well. Rounding another corner, she stopped short. She tried to get control over her breathing, to quiet it. She could not afford to be seen now. Not after coming this far. If Bakura was here, she knew someone was going to be in danger. She had to have the upper hand by having a sneak attack if she was going to be of help at all.

"There they are!"

"Get 'em!" She saw Tristan and Bakura turn to face the guards. She had to admit, for someone who was supposed to be the enemy, Bakura surprised her by taking a stance to remain between the guards and Tristan.

"Well," Tristan said with a hint of defeat in his voice. "We tried." Bakura turned angrily on him.

"What do you mean, 'we tried'? We are not yet taken," He informed the taller male. Tristan gave him an odd look.

"We are totally out numbered, man. There is nothing we can do."

"We have a chance as soon as I enlist some help from the Shadow Realm," Bakura told him evenly as he produced his deck. He looked at the guards and gave his soft chuckle. Zahara leaned her back against the wall and closed her eyes.

Come on, baka. It's Ryou you care about, remember that. Ryou, not Bakura. She rolled her eyes at herself. Mother and Father would kill me if there was even a possibility. Or, at least, Mother would. Ryou's face flashed behind her closed eyelids making her open them wide. Her decision was made.

"It's over, boy. Return the prisoner and we may let you live!"

"You have no where else to run!"

"Who said I wanted to run?" Bakura sneered at the guards. "Mortal," he spat out as if it was a curse. "This game is far from finished. Fate has called your names. Now to see what the cards have in store for you."

"Yeah right!"

"Give up!"

"Right now!"

"I shall teach you the true meaning of fear," Bakura told them as he pulled a card. "I summon the Man Eater Bug from the darkness of the Shadow Realm!" Zahara peered out into the stairwell and noticed a dark cloud beginning to circle around the stairs between the guards and Bakura. She gasped as the monster crawled out of the darkness. "Now, Mortal fools, prepare to meet your doom!" The monster crept down the stairs and made its way toward the guards. Zahara had to close her eyes when it made its attack. But something told her, Bakura was far from finished with them. "Any other day I would love to spend my time having fun, but I have other things to do." He drew yet another card. The Morphing Jar. It appeared and Zahara watched as the guards were swept away into the nothingness. Bakura and Tristan slowly made their way down the stairs. Bakura smiling at his handy work and Tristan trying to figure out a way to get away from him.

Aurora watched in amazement as Yami and Yugi continued their switching tactic to thwart Pegasus' attempts at getting rid of the Dark Magician. Yugi was in place and ready to draw. A bright smile crossed his face as he placed a card face down on the field and then vanished to allow Yami back in control. But the smile on Yami's face was quickly replaced by a shocked expression when Pegasus played a card to rid the field of all magic effects, leaving the Dark Magician out in the open once again.

"It's all over for you, Yugi-boy," Pegasus boasted. "Toon Summoned Skull, Attack!" Aurora felt herself surge forward as if she could have stopped the attack. Yugi's voice stopped her though and she eased slightly.

"Pegasus!" Yugi shouted at him. Pegasus' smile turned once again into a scowl. "I defend my Dark Magician with the Magic of the Living Arrow!" Yami replaced Yugi again to finish the play. "Now it is time to use your own magic card against you," he told the creator. He fused his Living Arrow with the magic of Pegasus' Neutralizing Magic card and blasted the attack back at his Toon World to destroy it, bringing all of Pegasus' toon monster back to their toon free state and onto the field.

Pegasus was taken aback only a moment before he smiled. "Nice try Yugi-boy, but your Magician is still open for the attack I called. Nothing can save him."

"Wrong again, Pegasus!" Yugi's voice could be heard again as he reappeared to flip over another card he had placed face down. "Mirror Force!" The trap card reflected the attack to Pegasus' monsters clearing the field and taking Pegasus down a notch on his pride and arrogance. Aurora took all her strength to hold back the cheer she wanted to cry out. She allowed his friends to do it for it. That was when she looked up to see that both Zahara and Ryou were missing. Her eyes narrowed in wonder. Her thoughts were disrupted by Pegasus' ranting.

"No, no, no, this can't be happening! This is a dream, a bad dream…"

"Welcome to the nightmare I predicted for you, Pegasus," Aurora turned on him. His eyes were wide in shock as he realized she had been telling him the truth all this time. The shock turned to anger. He was not to be outdone. Not just yet. He had one other option available to him.

"You can hide behind the Mind Shuffle all you want, but now the game has changed. Let's see how well you can both handle the stress brought on by the Shadow Realm!" Aurora shot up from her seat and growled. She had expected him to do this. A black cloud began to form around the arena.

"You coward, Pegasus! Hiding behind the Shadow Powers; it will be your final undoing! You should have heeded my warnings. You have sealed your fate!"

"Hush woman! You know nothing!" Aurora found herself shut out by the blackness

"If you truly think that wall will stop me, then you truly have not been paying much attention," she said in a soft dark voice.

"I've no patience for things that get in the way of what I want. Remember that, mortal," Bakura was telling Tristan. The brown haired boy looked over at the body of the boy he once thought was his friend.

"It wasn't a dream," he said softly in realization. "You are the spirit who faced off with Yugi in that duel in the woods, aren't you?"

"How very clever of you to figure it out so soon," Bakura returned with a sly grin.

"But Yugi beat you in that duel. Sending you to the graveyard and freeing Bakura of your control." Zahara felt her eyes sting at Tristan's words. If only it had remained that way.

"Yes," Bakura admitted as he stepped down the last of the stairs and moved closer to Tristan who was still holding Mokuba's body. "But that wouldn't have happened if Ryou hadn't betrayed me." He nearly spat out those words as if they sickened him.

He did so to protect his friend's, baka, Zahara thought as she began to creep closer. She knew Tristan was going to be needing help.

"I've decided the time has come for me to find a new host."

"You won't take me without a fight," Tristan informed him. Bakura smirked.

"Not a problem, I want a vessel without a mind or soul of its own."

Mokuba! He wouldn't, he… Zahara's eyes narrowed and grim determination flooded her body. Her fingers began to tingle in a way she had never felt before. She felt full of fire. Completely alive. She had powers that had lain dormant for far too long. She now had to trust them and hope they could help her in protecting Mokuba from Bakura. He won't. I won't let him.

"If you wish to avoid the same fate as the guards, I suggest you turn him over to me," Bakura told him. His body seemed almost relaxed, like he did this kind of thing every day. Tristan looked around and Zahara decided it was time to make her presence known. She motioned with a finger to her lips for Tristan not to give her away. She relied on her instincts to move silently across the floor. She cringed momentarily when his laughter echoed in the small room. Doubt flitted in her mind but she shoved it away. She knew she only had one shot at this. He was definitely stronger then she was physically, but between her heart and her soul, she knew she could gather the strength needed for a surprise attack.

"So what will it be, mortal? Be consumed by the darkness to the Shadow Realm? Or hand me the boy?" Tristan hesitated again, causing more laughter. "You know I have the power to back up my threats." Tristan sighed.

"Your Ring."

"That's right. It not only allows me to control your friend Ryou, but it allows me other abilities as well. Now, will you stop resisting me, or shall I give you a more personal display of my powers?" He asked him, offering a hand out to take Mokuba. Zahara, shook her head at Tristan. She could not tell if he had seen her or not. She was still cautiously making her way closer behind him.

"Alright, I give up, Mokuba's yours." Bakura shook his head slightly. Zahara stopped dead in her tracks. Neither could believe what they had just heard. Then she looked closer and noticed Tristan give a barely noticeable wink. It was a ploy. A ploy she could use to her advantage. Her fingers tingled even more. The feeling swept through her hands, ending at her wrists. Suddenly, Tristan was moving. Tossing Mokuba into Bakura's arms. Zahara dashed forward before Bakura fell with Mokuba. Tristan did a karate chop to his back but Zahra was not about to let him go.

Her hands had a white glow to them as she planted them firmly on each side of his head. Tristan twisted to retrieve Mokuba and place him against a wall as Zahara concentrated on Bakura.

"Get out of his body!" She commanded the spirit. "Leave his body now!" Bakura shouted out in shock and anger, his hands grabbing at hers, but unable to remove them. She felt a surge of energy as it left her body and entered his own. His hands changed their pressure and she followed his body as it landed on the ground.

"What did you do to him?" She swallowed hard and sat back.

"Forced him back deep into Ryou's mind for the moment. I do not know how to get rid of him completely. Not even sure if that can be done."

"It's that Ring. That is what is causing the trouble." Tristan came over and ripped it from Ryou's neck. Zahara instantly went to his neck to see about any damage as Tristan hurled the Millennium Ring over the ledge he had nearly fallen over earlier. "Come on, let's get them back to the others." She let Tristan take Ryou and she picked up Mokuba. He started but stopped. "So you have magic too, huh?"

"Apparently so. I was not aware of it until recently."

"You won't use it on any of us will you?"

"Do you plan on having an evil spirit possess your body anytime in your life?"

"Okay, I get your point. Let's get going."

OK- I am letting you all kow I will not be able to update as often as I normally would. Personal events are taking their toll so thoughI do intend to see this fic though, so should something happen and I am unable to post for a few days, hopefully you will inderstand... Take care and until next time...