Gotc: Well, another day, another fic.

Lara: DID YOU START ANOTHER ONE!

Gotc: Maybe...but that doesn't mean that I'm not going to finish this one!

Yami: Darn.

Ace: Zzzzzzzz...mmmmm...pizza...

Yami:...he dreams about food. I thought that was just a Joey thing.

Lara: Apparently not. I bet he'd be even easier to steal asleep... goes to find sack

Yami: And before all hell breaks loose-

Glass breaking sirens go off Screams evil laughter

Yami: Never mind. On to the disclaimer...

Disclaimer: Yugioh is not owned here. Steal it somewhere else.

Chap 9: The Three Keys

Boran's laughter echoed over the field. His victory was assured now.

"Do you understand now Pharaoh? There is no man alive who can defeat me! Soon you will fall before the might of the gods, and your Puzzle shall be mine!"

Yami looked up, with a new glare in his eyes that made even Boran take a step back.

"I may not know much about my past, but I know that I defeated the gods before. I will do it again, and save Ace from that nightmare you sent him to."

"With all due respect Pharaoh," Boran said darkly, "when you see what I have in store for you, I guarantee you won't be so confident. The gods I took from you hold more than the keys to your memory. They are the keys to the very realm from which they were born. Control all three, and you control the Shadows themselves."

"So that's why you wanted them. To unlock the Shadow Realm."

Boran gave a quiet chuckle.

"You think too small Pharaoh. I could care less about the shadows. It's what lurks within them I seek. You know of the Great Leviathan?"

"How could I forget?"

"Heh heh. That beast was merely the steed for the horror I intend to release. You see, as soon as I have assembled all three gods, I shall release the Ruler of the Shadows himself!"

Yami's mouth went dry at the thought. The Great Leviathan had nearly killed him and his friends. Had it not been for the Legendary Dragons and the Gods, it probably would have. And now Boran was going to release Its master.

"Then I'll just have to defeat you be fore you assemble the gods!" Yami called out in defiance. He didn't know how yet, but he would find a way...somehow. Yami cast a glance at Ace's unconscious form. Then a feeling swept over him. He wanted to fight this monster, and protect those he cared about. He wasn't sure what came over him, but it felt right. He would win. And find a way to save Ace.

"It's my move Boran! And I'll play one monster in defense mode, then two cards face down."

"Then it's time for Slyfer's special ability!" Boran laughed as the Sky Dragon's second set of jaws opened wide, "Blast 2000 points from his monster!"

Slyfer was about to fire, when out of nowhere, Kyadreon slammed into the God's giant head.

"What! You cant attack my God yet!"

Now it was Yami's turn to chuckle.

"Kyadreon is the Guardian's dragon. But without his master to control him, he becomes feral, attacking anything he feels a threat. And I guarantee your Gods are much more threatening than my defense monster. It's your move."

Yami cast a mournful look at his fallen friend. Ace was starting to writhe and moan in his nightmare educed state. Boran caught his stare and decided to rub it in more.

"Sad isn't it? Your friend there suffering and there's not a damn thing you can do about it Pharaoh."

"Why don't ya' just your mouth! Ya' pathetic excuse for a wizard!"

Boran raised an eyebrow at the Pharaoh's blonde haired companion.

"You think that just cause' you have the Gods that your gonna beat my buddy! Or Ace for that matter!"

"Hahaha! Look around you fool! Two of the three gods have been summoned, with the last soon to follow. The Guardian now lays unable to save anyone, or himself for that matter, and you still think that the Pharaoh still has a chance?"

"Hope only comes when all chances of success have failed."

Boran turned his attention back to Yami. He had to give him credit. That simpleton of a Pharaoh was going to see this through. And his friend were going to back him up to the end. They'll just share in his suffering as well.

"Since it's my move, I'll draw one card, then finish this game once and for all! That dragon won't stand up to my next attack and with 1400 life points left I'm sure you won't either! Now my Gods, attack and finish this game!"

But no duel-ending blast came. Instead a cry of pain came from the two Gods. Crackles of electricity spontaneously sparked, preventing either one of them from attacking. Boran glared angrily at Yami.

"What did you do!"

"Heheh. I activated one of my face down cards, Gravity Bind. It effectively stops any monsters with four or more stars from attacking. And your God fall safely in that category." Yami remarked.

"Clever move..." Boran growled, "I place one card face down and end my turn."

"Very well, then I sacrifice my face down monster to summon Dark Magician Girl! And that's not all, I'll also play the magic card Sage's Stone, allowing me to also summon the Dark Magician!"

"You think your precious magicians will save you? I'm afraid you're gravely mistaken."

"My magicians haven't failed me yet and they won't start now!"

An evil smile curled across Boran's lips.

"Then I think that is high time we break that tradition. Activate face down card, Dark horn of Summoning!" (A/n: this card does not exist to the extent of my knowledge. Plz do not hate)

"What's that do?"

"It's simple really. It allows me to summon one monster in the same category as those on the field. Which sadly leaves me with only one option...Come forth, Winged Dragon of Ra!"

Yami could only watch as the final God descended from the darkened skies to join the others. All three had been summoned. All three keys were now poised to unlock the door. His magicians and Kyadreon wouldn't last long against all three Gods, or whatever they released from the shadows.

"Fortunately for you Pharaoh, after I summon my monster, my turn automatically ends, regardless of Ra's ability. So draw your last card, so I can end this game."

Yami knew there was nothing in his deck that would stop the God's wrath next turn. No monster or spell, magic or trap would save him. Suddenly an idea hit him. Nothing in his deck could help, but there was someone who could! Ace had been bold enough to hang on to Slyfer's neck in their first duel, and hadn't showed the least bit of fear when he heard just exactly what they were up against. The only problem now lay in the nightmare he was trapped in.

/ There has to be some way to snap him out of it/

Yugi floated transparently next to Yami, staring at ace as if he would give him some kind of clue.

/ Wait. Whatever happens to him happens for real right/

/ Yes.../

/ Well, when Joey was being controlled by Marik, we were able to break through to him by reminding him of his friends. So why can't the same go for Ace/

/ But aibou, we hardly know anything about him. And I don't think he ever really considered us as friends.../

/ We have to try something/

Yami drew one more card from his deck. It was one Ace had given him. Flute of the Summoning Dragon. He remember when Ace had played it. That tune. He had used it before...It wouldn't be much use to summon a dragon, now that Kyadreon was already on the field but just maybe...

"I activate the magic card Flute of the Summoning Dragon!"

No sooner had the words left his lips, did the all too familiar tune settle on the field. It was ancient. Power carried in its notes. Power that everyone could feel in their very bones. Yami looked hopefully at Ace.

"Please... We need your help..."

But Ace didn't stir, and Boran's victorious laugh rang above the tune.

"Hahahaha! Face it Pharaoh, he's not coming back! You failed! Now my Gods! Finish him!"

Yami hung his head as the God prepared their attacks. It was over. He had tried and failed everyone. Light from the Gods was beginning to build, and his monsters all moved in front of him in a last ditch effort to protect their master. But he knew better. None of them would survive this. He felt the rush of air that signaled the God's attacks barreling towards him. Their roar almost drowning out the tune that still played over the field. He could barely hear his friends pleas to run.

"Yuge! Get outa there!"

"Come on Yugi! You'll be killed!"

But Yami only shuffled his feet a few inches, before the vines wrapped around his legs tightened. He wasn't going anywhere.

Joey jumped over the bush, and started towards Yami, when Tristan pulled him back.

"Let me go Tristan! I've gotta help Yugi!"

"Don't be stupid! You'd be killed!"

"Rrrargh! Let go! Ace! Help him! Please!"

There was nothing left to do. All they could do was watch...

Ace walked through the streets of his home. People were happy and for once, no one gave him the look that meant he wasn't wanted. But before his eyes, everyone vanished, and the peaceful scene before him was replaced with destruction and mayhem. People lay motionless in the streets, fires raged across the town, destroying all in it's path. He turned to see a figure shrouded in shadow hovering above him. Blood red eyes met cool cerulean and a crippling pain shot through his shoulder. Ace collapsed to the ground clutching his shoulder as the figure moved away. The pain was almost more than he could bear, but he managed to follow its movements. He realized with sudden horror what it's targets were. His friends, oblivious to everything were talking happily to one another, unaware of the creature sneaking up behind them. He tried to yell at them to run, but no sound came, and the pain kept him from getting up. He could only watch as one by one, the shadow devoured his friends. Then only darkness surrounded him. He was all alone. Again. He couldn't save them. Then something new drifted through the darkness. It was faint at first, but soon grew stronger. The lullaby he knew as a child. It wasn't much, but strangely it comforted him. Giving him strength. Through the music he could hear voices, calling out to him.

"Please...We need your help..."

"Ace! Help him! Please!"

Somewhere in the distance a light glowed softly. He could hear his friends pleas coming from it. Ignoring the pain, he got to his feet. They needed help, and he wasn't going to forsake them...

Back in reality, Ace's eyes fluttered open. He wasn't sure how, but the nightmare was over. But now he could hear the roar of the gods attacks rushing to meat Yami in one thunderous blast. Snatching his sword from the ground next to him, he shot towards Yami. He had failed once, he would not fail again...

Yami shielded his eyes from the light pouring off of the Gods attacks that were now only a few yards ahead of him. This was it. He futilely braced himself for the blast he knew he would not survive. But no searing hot blast hit. Cautiously he opened his eyes, to see Ace mere feet in front of him, meeting the God's attack head on. His sword as well as his hands glowed with a fiery aura, and was holding his ground under the sheer power of the attack.

"Ace!"

Ace turned to meet Yami's bewildered stare. Something in his eyes had changed.

"You didn't honestly believe that I'd let someone hurt my friends did you?"

Quickly he turned back to the task at hand. The very ground beneath his feet was beginning to buckle. His aura grew stronger until it was to bright to look at. He took one step forward, pushing back the Fury. Then he let his aura fly into the ball sending it back to it's creators. It exploded with a blast that rocked the entire island. Dust and rock flew into the air, covering the field with a cloud of smoke. Without warning a gust of wind blew it away, revealing Boran and the Gods, untouched.

"Hehehehehehe...Hahaha Hahahaha! So Guardian! You were the one prophecy speaks of! The One to defy the Gods. I should have know after 3000 years you and the Pharaoh would find each other again."

"How are they still standing? That attack shoulda toasted em!" Tristan gaped from the sidelines.

"That snake activated negate attack. That musta been the card he put face down awhile back"

"You sound a bit hysterical Boran. What's wrong? Are you afraid? After all, you've read the prophecy."

"Fool. I'm far from it. But now I see the Gods are useless. So now I sacrifice all three!"

The Gods let out an anguished cry as each one was sucked into the swirling shadows behind them. Yami could see Ace visibly tense as a dark presence settled around them, only Boran's voice breaking through the eerie calm.

"You may have beaten the Gods, but you will never survive what's to come!"

But Boran never heard what Ace mumbled under his breath.

"You stupid fool...I already have..."

As Boran spoke, a huge creature emerged from the Shadows. Large bat-like wings spread out creating a powerful gust of wind as it stepped forward. A dragonish tail ended in a massive cleaver-like mass of bone. Razor sharp armor, two jet black swords, and a crimson cape adorned the beast topped off by a horned helmet, out of which shone two blood red eyes. This Being seemed to emanate the shadows it came from. Yami found himself speechless as he stared at this new Creature. Only Boran had found his tongue as he welcomed the Beast.

"Gaze upon the Destroyer, for this is your fate! The first casualties of the Dark Lord of the Shadows! Welcome back Lord Sharrackor!"

Gotc: Let cities burn and empires fall in the wake of the Dark Lord!

Yami: Just in case you can't tell... Gotc's on a bit on an evil overload at the moment.

Ace: And lack of sleep. She's been at this since 8pm. And its now officially...2:30 am.

Gotc: MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I DO NOT REQUIRE SUCH THINGS MORTALS! I AM- falls to ground snoring

Lara: How sad.

Ace: I was just thinking the same thing. 'Cept your's was nicer.

Yami: Ok. She's out cold for now, but she heard that song by Rascal Flats, and will wake up in a writing frenzy. Most likely an evil one