Makings of a Magician

What Mahad didn't realize was that once again, Bakura was a step ahead of him and he was walking into a trap. But that didn't matter. He had a few surprises of his own in store. It was time to match the magic of illusions against the magic of darkness.

Bakura and Max rode through the desert and made their way to the training grounds. "He's backed himself into a corner," Bakura grinned. "Follow me," he called to Max and made his way into the tunnel. Max waited before following him inside. She had been behind Bakura all the way, but not far behind. Max was too smart for the soldiers she saw atop the hill and knew a trap would be placed. As it turned out, she was right. Before she got through the entrance, the soldiers released a bunch of boulders and sealed the opening; separating her and Bakura.

That didn't concern Max the very least. She could have easily made it through without being crushed, but she had to keep them convinced that Bakura was the one holding the powers of the Cobalt Star. At the same time, she had no choice but to use a spell if she wanted to join him. It wouldn't be hard to do so without getting the attention of the guards either. The desert wind blew through her and her eyes shined into a sandy color. Max used Gem Missile, an earth based spell, creating dozens of purple crystals and shattering the boulders. After passing through, she sealed the opening again; keeping any intruders from interfering.

It didn't take long for Bakura and Max to enter the arena. "Well, what have we here?" Bakura asked coyly. "Let the festivities commence."

"I have been waiting for you," Mahad told him, "but you did not have to bring your friend with you."

"Well, I'm glad Max came along. The show would have been a waste without an audience."

"Listen to me," Mahad was saying, "The both of you have dishonored my king and queen, threatened the safety of my people, and proven yourselves to be a great danger to my princess. Now it is time for you to pay the price."

"Oh, please," Bakura sighed. "You already had your chance. Now hand over your Millennium Ring and you'll make it home with your soul intact."

Mahad places his hand over the Ring and tells him, "I shall never hand it to the likes of you! In fact, it is I who shall see to it that your soul is the one sealed away!"

The two thieves laughed. "You couldn't even defeat us with your eight friends by your side."

"Yes, but now, I am more powerful than the both of you can imagine. Long ago, I buried a mighty force of magic upon these grounds and now I have gained it back." Bakura had his doubts, but Max could tell that Mahad wasn't lying. She truly did sense a growth in his magical aura. "Generations of Egypt's royal magicians were trained in this very sanctuary," Mahad explained, "and it is here where I locked away my true power."

"Then let's see you use it," Bakura said, still in doubt. He raised his left arm and summoned Diabound. It turned out that Bakura had also been making himself stronger because his beast's silver skin turned gray and dull with blue scratch marks and the snake turned into a cobra.

Mahad couldn't believe what he just saw. "But that's not what your creature looked like in our last encounter!"

"As the darkness within me grows, my beast continues to evolve," Bakura explained.

Mahad's fear was returning. With the Cobalt Star in Bakura's heart, there would be no limit to the growth of his monster's strength. With so much evil in his heart, Diabound would be nearly invincible. But Mahad wasn't willing to back out now. He had a promise to keep and he wasn't going to go back on it. He raised his arm and called forth his Illusion Magician. Even he looked as different as before. The mage's armor was darker and more regal.

With both opponent's monsters in battle, Max decided to start the match. "It's time to duel. Or as you would rather say,"

"Diaha!" both men cried.

Bakura makes the first move and orders his creature to attack. The cobra part of Diabound tried to strike, but Illusion Magician easily dodged and counter attacked. Even though the match had only just begun, Mahad still wasn't going to take his chances. So he transferred some of the magic he got back to his mage; making him stronger. Bakura couldn't believe it, how was a mage whose power didn't come close to his own able to overpower him?

Mahad made his monster stronger, but it cost him his own energy. Already, he was pushing himself past his limits. He had done it several times in many different ways before, but this time was different. Bakura was a whole new opponent and this was more than a test of survival. He would only be lying to himself if he said that this was nothing compared to what he had been through. But Mahad refused to give in to his fears and beg for mercy. Millennia would protect him, but he had to help her as well; by fighting the heir of Cobalt even if it would drain him of his strength.

Millennia wasn't just watching over Mahad. She was alerting the others of what was happening through their own Items. Many of them thought it was a haunting nightmare, but some of them knew that the Great Goddess was trying to convey a message. Isis was seeing everything through her Necklace and knew that this was the future Millennia revealed to her.

It actually really was a nightmare to the others. Atem thought nothing of it until he came to Mahad's tablet shrine. Mana was there too with Jirachi. "Tell me, Mana," the king said, "why have you and Jirachi come to Mahad's tablet shrine?"

"I know it sounds weird," Mana was saying, "But I had this really bad dream that Master Mahad was in trouble and needed help. He was struggling, Pharaoh, and I could swear he was calling my name. I wasn't sure what to do. When I found Jirachi and told him about it, he suggested that maybe if we came to Mahad's sanctuary, we could pray to the Great Goddess to help him."

They all look up and see the tablet of the Illusion Magician. For it to be glowing meant that their friend was in battle and their nightmare wasn't just a dream. They were worried because the Illusion Magician was the creature of Mahad's soul and for it to be destroyed meant that their friend would be condemned to the Shadow Realm. That was when they all decided to find and rescue him.

Bakura could sense that Mahad was already feeling sick and about to fall on his knees. "Donating your energy to your mage was quite foolish. Sure, you've made him somewhat stronger. However, you've left yourself somewhat vulnerable, haven't you?"

Mentally, Mahad admitted that Bakura was right, but in words, he disagreed. "Wrong. My loyal creatures will protect me. And together, we shall win." He raised his arm to summon another monster, but to keep Bakura in suspense, he didn't call the beast's name. He instead ordered Illusion Magician to attack. Bakura was about to attack first until surprisingly, Mahad's second monster, Shadow Ghoul, appeared and attacked Diabound from behind.

Bakura growled. "So the virtuous Mahad fights dirty."

"You're just upset because my monsters have the upper hand," Mahad tormented. "It is your turn, Magician!" With Diabound recovering from Shadow Ghoul's Ambush Attack, this was the opportunity the Illusion Magician needed to attack. He raised his scepter and launched green bolts of magic at Diabound. Mahad wasn't going to give Diabound any chances of fighting back, so he ordered his Shadow Ghoul to attack again.

"No, my Diabound!" Bakura cried as his monster was attacked. Shadow Ghoul disappeared into the wall behind him after attacking.

"One more time! Ambush Attack!" The Ghoul snuck up on Diabound again, but he was expecting it and dodged the attack.

Max chuckles and shakes her head. "A valiant effort, Mahad. However, you can't use the same trick twice. You know what they say: 'Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice,'" Then Diabound crushed the Shadow Ghoul. "You die!" laughed Max.

"I'm sure even you understand that," Bakura added. "Because with your monster gone, a piece of your soul goes with it."

Mahad groans and places his hand against his chest. "Magician, attack!" he ordered, ignoring his pain. The Magician carried out his master's order, attacking and leaving behind a cloud of dust. When the dust cleared up, there was nothing left in sight. "I am afraid it is all over for you, Bakura. The Shadow Game has ended and your Diabound is no more."

Bakura disagreed. "What's that I see creeping up behind you?"

Mahad turned around and saw Diabound coming up from behind him and attacking his Illusion Magician. "How did you do that? Only my Shadow Ghoul can pass through walls."

Bakura laughs and answers, "Oh, I must have forgotten that my Diabound has the unique ability to inherit the powers of every monster he defeats in battle."

Mahad's eyes widen. "That cannot be!"

"It's true," Max tells him. "I guess you can say Bakura and I aren't the only ones with a knack for stealing things."

After hearing Max say that, something came into mind. Mahad stands up straight and inquires, "Now that you mention that, there is something I would like to ask you both. I am aware of your crimes and I assume that you do it to satisfy your Dark Lord. But why do you have any interest in Millennia's power?"

Bakura figured it would be all right to share his reasons with Mahad considering the idea that he wouldn't be around much longer. "Well, it's true. As heir of Cobalt, it is my duty to fulfill his wishes and carry out the task of defeating Millennia's followers. But defeat alone will not satisfy me. I want the royal family to suffer from bitter pain and lose everything dear to them. What better way to exact my plan than by wreaking my hatred and bitterness on the little princess?" Before Mahad can say anything, Bakura stops him and continues on. "I know what you're going to say; you won't let that happen. To ensure that my plan will come to pass, I will condemn you to the Shadow Realm one by one so that there'll be no one left to protect the princess from my wrath. Not even Millennia herself will save the child. But here's the real truth: I don't intend to destroy her right away. Rather I want to use her. Specifically, I want to use the Millennium Star of my own will. With so much evil and darkness in my soul, the pure forces of Millennium Star will become corrupted and when that happens, I'll use Millennia's powers against her to fulfill the Dark Lord's wishes."

"You can't do that!" Mahad protested. "You wouldn't even be able to control the Millennium Star if you touched it!"

"That's of no concern to me," Bakura told him. "Once I've completed my task, the Millennium Star will mean nothing to me anymore. I'll destroy it along with the princess!" he said and began laughing.

Riding on the backs of the dragon twins and being guided by the lightning they saw in the desert, Atem, Mana, and Jirachi made it to the spellcaster's training grounds. They found Mahad's team of soldiers trying to fight Bakura and Max's Magical Creatures. Atem approaches Gallade and asks him where his master is.

Jirachi translated the answer that Mahad was battling Bakura. Rescuing him would be a difficult task after seeing that the entrance to the arena was sealed, so Jirachi decided to teleport back to the palace and alert the rest of his friends of the situation. With many of the soldiers suffering from nightmares after being attacked by Darkrai's Dark Void, Latios and Latias took their place and began fighting.

The battle in the arena was coming close to an end as Bakura continued to surprise Mahad with his own illusions. The mage refused to give in, however, no matter how many times he was given the chance to save himself or how many times he was threatened. But he was being pushed past his limits and running out of ideas to fight back.

Again, Bakura tormented Mahad. "This match will be over soon. One more attack by my Diabound and you'll be sent to the Shadow Realm."

"Never," Mahad groaned.

"You can't deny your destiny, Mahad," said Bakura. He took a step closer towards his opponent and unknowingly got his foot caught in a trap. "What have you done to me?" Bakura asked as he groaned and fell.

"Is it not obvious?" asked Mahad. "This sanctuary is home to several traps and I used my magic to conceal them; leaving you to take care of the rest and fall victim to them."

"You'll never contain me," the thief growled.

"Really?" the mage asked. "Because by the looks of you, it appears that I already have. Now to finish this." It is over, my pharaoh and queen, he wondered as he moved his left forward and activated another trap.

Max and Bakura saw axes swinging across the arena. The spectating thief escaped and jumped on the one that almost hit her friend. Bakura escaped just in time, making the axe only cut him free from the trap. "Thank you, Mahad. But be careful. I hear this place contains some traps." He jumps on and asks, "Pardon me, but do you mind if I cut in?"

Max chuckles and tells him, "Good one, Bakura." In many ways, the joke was intended for both her and Mahad. For Max, Bakura joined her on the axe. For Mahad, it meant cutting him in half. When he saw the two thieves change the direction of the axe they were standing on and making it come his way, the mage escaped just in time. Max and Bakura were disappointed that they didn't get him, but now they could make the Illusion Magician suffer. Diabound's Heiligo Shock Wave injured Mahad's Shadow Creature as it surrounded him; brining the two on the brink of destruction. Unable to endure the pain his monster was suffering any longer, Mahad's groans turned into screams.

When the attack finally let up, Bakura saw Mahad on his knees panting from exhaustion. He decided to give Mahad one last chance to save himself. "You look like you could use some rest. Why don't you and I make a little deal? It's simple, give the Millennium Ring to me and I will spare you. Stay and fight and I'll see to it that your soul is removed from this world permanently!"

Mahad could see right through Bakura's deceptive ways. He knew Bakura would never really spare his life if he surrendered the Millennium Ring. Not that it mattered. He was one step closer to entering the Shadow Realm after all the pain he brought upon himself. But was it really a fate worse than death? Then again, Mahad and Bakura would both be playing right into the hands of the two deities they served. Millennia and Cobalt would be deciding their fates in this Shadow Game.

At the same time, sacrifice wasn't something Mahad feared. He had always put the needs of others before himself no matter what the cost. For years, he had risked life and limb protecting those in need; his friends, his family, his people, he truly was a reliable guardian to those he served and looked after. If he were to surrender and save himself, it would be a selfish act; thus irresponsible of him. Even if the result of Bakura winning the Shadow Game and becoming stronger wouldn't change with the action, it would all be based upon this one final act.

Remembering all of his acts of responsibility during all those years, remembering all the adventures he shared with his friends, and seeing everyone's faces flashing before his eyes and hearing their voices calling his name, Mahad knew he had to do the right thing and keep going. He wasn't just a follower of Millennia; he was one of her children and he was going to keep fighting for her and the rest of their family.

Mahad got back up on his feet. "Bakura, being the heir of Cobalt, you must not understand anything about loyalty, devotion, affection, concerning for others. Then again, how could you when your heart is full of evil and darkness? Even though you know that is how we followers of Millennia face our enemies, I doubt you have the same experience we do. How is the part that you understand, but not why. Therefore, it is something you can never expect."

"I know why you're fighting," Bakura argued, "to fulfill Millennia's wishes."

"Yes, as a follower of Millennia. But as one of the Children of Millennia, I am fighting for so much more than that. I am fighting you because I have taken a vow to protect our family. The royals, my friends, all of Millennia's children and followers."

"Then you're a fool," Max growled.

"Well, perhaps in your eyes," Mahad told her, "but any of them would do the same thing for me." All of the faces of his friends began flashing before his eyes once again. He saw the smiles that carried their appreciation for him always being there when they needed him. Some faces carried a look of worry and wanting to help him when he was in trouble. The last face he saw was the princess'. Seeing that little smile one last time made Mahad remember his vow and decide how he could fulfill it. Knowing this would be the last time he would ask for Millennia's help, he said it in prayer as he removed the Millennium Ring from his neck.

Bakura caught the Millennium Ring as it flew across the arena. "Ah, the Millennium Ring is mine," he said in a satisfied manner, but not gratefully.

"Bakura," said Mahad's voice, "you and Max are treading down a dangerous path."

Bakura and Max faced their front and saw that the Illusion Magician was still standing, but Mahad wasn't in sight. Then they both took a closer look and saw that Mahad was Illusion Magician. "Mahad," gasped Bakura, "what sort of cheap magician's trick are you playing on us?"

"It is no trick. I used the sacred powers I borrowed from the Great Goddess Millennia to merge together with my Illusion Magician to defeat you." Mahad raised his scepter and cried out, "Dark Magic attack!" The attack made it through Diabound's Heiligo Shock Wave and attacked the beast. Max and Bakura were both surprised. Neither of them could believe how strong Mahad had become. They both even admitted that they had not expected something like this to happen; not even why. The mage didn't really accomplish anything. He saved himself from being trapped in the Shadow Realm, but he still ended up losing the life he once had now that his own soul would be sealed in stone. As for the two thieves, they had their own ways of saving themselves from being crushed in the collapsing sanctuary.

The destruction rumbled outside the sanctuary as well. Max and Bakura's beasts felt it in their paws and ran away. The rumbling even made the tablet standing on top fall down to the sealed entrance where Mana was standing; crying out for her master. Kisara and Freya were the first to find and approach their friends. Kirara flies down to Mana and lifts her from the ground before the tablet can crush her. "My master!" Mana cries, freeing herself and running back towards the tablet.

"Mana, come back!" Freya tells her, climbing off of Kirara's back and following her.

Kisara and Atem followed them and stood before the tablet. As the dust cleared, they all saw the image on the tablet. They were shocked to see that it wasn't Diabound's image, but the image of their friend. "Oh, no!" Mana gasped. "Mahad's soul is sealed in that stone. That means he lost." Feeling crushed, the poor girl kneels at the tablet and holds her hands against it as she cries.

Riding on Salamence and Flygon, the rest of the sacred guardians arrive. Not even they can believe what they are seeing before their eyes, but they had to embrace the fact that their companion's soul was sealed.

Atem takes Mahad's amulet from Gallade and looks at it for one second. He puts his eyes back on the tablet and whispers in question, "But why?"

Mahad's voice rang through his head as if his question was being answered. "My pharaoh, I have made the ultimate sacrifice. Now I am able to become your eternal servant."

Seeing the amulet glow, the king reacts in confusion. How could Mahad's amulet react if he was no longer of his world? Could he still be alive even in stone? Embracing that matter, Atem grasps the amulet and whispers his gratitude.

Mana couldn't pull herself together or bring herself to wonder the same thing. Her sobs became harder and the tears rushed from her eyes. All she wanted was for her master, her love, to come back. She even started blaming Millennia for letting this happen. Why didn't the Great Goddess protect him like she had prayed for her to do so? But her feelings of remorse were greater. Mana started regretting not telling Mahad all that she wanted to tell him and thinking she could have been a better student.

Isis finally joined her friends and decided to help Mana understand. "Mana, Mahad's spirit is very much alive, existing deep within that stone. In fact, he is even stronger now." She sighs and adds, "The Great Goddess Millennia has shown me all. Mahad fused himself together with his most trusted creature."

"What," Mana asked, still sobbing, "I'm confused."

"Mahad has transformed," Isis clarified. "He will now be known as the Dark Magician."

Mana refocused her gaze on the tablet and echoed, "Dark Magician?" But the thought of her master being sealed made her start to cry again. "But my training isn't complete and I need Master Mahad! I want to become an elite spellcaster!" She got down on her chest and continued sobbing. Freya and Kisara tried comforting Mana, but she kept telling them to leave her alone. Even Seto and Joseph felt devastated. They didn't understand how Mana felt, but they still felt broken. The both of them even wanted to scorn Mahad, but how could they? Seto and Joseph knew their friend too well and remembered his reasons for his habits. Did they consider him reckless? Yes, they did. That was why they wanted to scorn him. But they remembered that in the end, what he did was responsible and they had to appreciate his efforts. But neither of the two could find the will to show gratitude or understanding. Instead, they let the tears run free from their eyes.

Atem looked at the amulet again and trusted that Isis' words were true. Mahad was no longer with them in the same sentient way his friends were, but his soul was still alive. And after hearing his friends' last words, Atem knew that Mahad would always be there for his friends just as he had always been.