Disclaimer. Yu-Gi-Oh! does not belong to me. It belongs to Kazuki Takahashi and crew. Some characters will be made up by me. Please ask if you want to use them.
Atem flinched, his heart stinging with pain. Glancing around, he saw that no one had noticed his quiet outburst. Shuffling back a bit, away from the main crowd, he looked at the horizon. Squinting, he saw streaks of dark blue and purple lights flash in the distance.
'That's where the Magician training hall is...'
A vision flashed before his eyes. It showed Mahado wearing Illusion Magician's attire, and he was currently releasing multiple bolts of light from his staff.
The vision changed to a mysterious dark Ka, counterattacking Mahado's magic blasts with dark black fire.
It looked like the fight was equal...for now.
Atem shed a tear, knowing what was going on.
'So you already given up your life to fuse with your Ka...that means...you will be unable to come back for awhile...poor Mana...she is going to be devastated.'
A rumble shook the earth, before a low growl echoed through the city. Dark clouds swirled around above the palace, and lighting flashed.
Frezick helped an old woman into the palace, turning back to help more.
A few droplets of rain pattered down, before becoming a light sprinkle. One guard looked up at the sky in confusion.
"It shouldn't be raining...it's the dry season right now..."
More people rushed into the palace.
Frezick turned to the man who had spoken. "It's not natural rain. This rain is caused by whatever darkness is targeting us."
The first guard stared at him.
"So it's paranormal."
Frezick nodded.
An air of silent doom hung over the two guards as they continued to help people into the palace.
At Kul Elna, a huge dark form was currently dragging itself out of the ground. Rearing it's head, it roared, black spiky teeth glistening in the moonlight.
Illusion Black Magician Mahado panted, sweat running down his face.
The evil Ka laughed. "Had enough yet?!"
Illusion Black Magician Mahado stood up straight, his head still down a bit, long coffee colored hair limply falling foward.
Mana was still by the barrier, pounding on it, but it was no use.
'Dang! This barrier is too strong!'
Mana could only watch in fear and sadness as the two battlers exchanged fierce blows with one another.
Panting, Illusion Black Magician Mahado gripped his staff, his hand sweaty.
"You shall never strike me down!" He yelled.
Focusing, he injected more of his Ba into the magic blast he was charging before shooting it at the evil Ka.
The Ka leaped foward, jumping over the blast and landing on top of Mahado. The magician coughed up blood.
"Urgh...get off me."
The dark Ka laughed. "No."
Just then, Mahado smirked. The blast he had shot curved around and headed toward the Ka, striking him in the head and disorienting him.
While the dark form recovered, Mahado struggled out from under it's grip. He knelt on his knees, wheezing. His vision was blurry, and he knew his time was up.
The dark Ka could sense this as well, and stared down at Illusion Black Magician Mahado mockingly.
Mahado glanced back at Mana, before smiling. Making sure his voice reached her, he whispered some words.
"Mana. Carry on without me. Go tell our Pharaoh to not worry about me. I'll see him again. I'm sure you'll be a great magician.
Don't stop training. And don't annoy the other priests too much..."
Dragging himself up, he walked over to the corpse of the original Bakura. Untying the feathers that Mrs. Ryou gave him, Mahado placed them over Bakura before collapsing.
Turning into a bright purple light, the spirits of Mahado and his Ka fused together sealed themselves together into the sealing tablet that Mahado had set up near the start of the fight.
Mana collapsed onto her knees.
"Mahado...Master...you big stupid baka...I will remember you...I'll carry on your noble wishes..." Standing up, she left the training hall.
The evil Ka watched her go.
"Keh."
Turning to look at the place where Mahado once was, he saw the glittering form of the Millennium Ring laying on the ground. The Ka picked it up, studying it. Laughing, the dark Ka absorbed the golden Ring before looking upwards.
He shot through the roof and headed towards the village of Kul Elna.
Five of the Seven Millennium Items flashed briefly. Five Priests that were present shed tears for the fallen one.
Atem got on his knees and bowed his head in mourning.
"Goodbye...my friend..." He whispered in a dry cracked voice.
A voice that sounded like Mahado rang through his head.
"My soul is your enternal servant...my Pharaoh..."
Atem lifted his head, tears staining his tanned flesh. "Mahado...just call me your friend...your loyalty will be remembered always."
Standing up, he turned towards the priests and guards behind him.
"Everyone. The High Priest Mahado has given up his life in an attempt to stop Bakura. We will carry this loss on our shoulders and fight with the memory of someone who gave us a chance!
Turn your pain to strength.
Turn your sadness to determination! And fight for our Kingdom!"
Everybody roared, the air full of fighting spirit.
Finally managing to come out completely from underground, the huge dark monster roared in victory.
The tortured souls of Kul Elna whirled around him, wailing and screeching.
Turning his head, the figure spotted a very faint city in the distance.
Snarling, it set off, each step shaking the ground.
End Of Chapter Twenty-Two