Chapter 14: Black Magic

"Nameless Pharaoh's Vessel."

Yugi trembled as he stared up at Seto, trying to force his body to move but to no avail. He was paralyzed, especially with the way Seto was looking at him.

Seto…

Seto laughed, grabbing Yugi up by the backpack strap, throwing Yugi into the library with an unnatural amount of strength. The boy went flying, landing in a heap on the floor.

Yugi let out a small groan as the door was locked behind them.

No escape, huh?

"Seto, fight it! That thing doesn't have to control you!"

Seto smiled.

"Is it control if I'm only taking over what belongs rightfully to me?"

His face contorted before he let out a cry of pain.

"NO! GET OUT OF MY HEAD!" He gasped, gripping his skull tightly. "I'm not you! SHUT UP!"

"BE SILENT!" The spirit screamed back.

Yugi could see it now… The spirit, dressed in the garb of a priest from ancient times. His dark hair, the way he was looking at Seto… and the eye made up of pure gold where his left eye should be.

"No! I DON'T WANT THIS! THE DRAGON ISN'T WORTH IT-"

The spirit grabbed Seto by the hair, wrenching him in close.

Seto struggled against him, shaking his head, his shoulders trembling.

"Please… No…"

"You WILL obey me, young one… or the life of your dear brother will be next."

Yugi scowled.

"Leave him be."

"No.." Seto shook his head. "Just stay out of it please-"

"Oh?" The spirit sneered. "The little Jackal Boy speaks? What other tricks has your master taught you?"

Yugi growled, his hands curling into fists.

"Just one."

He brought his hands around the puzzle as it began to glow brightly. Yugi closed his eyes as his form grew in height, his wild hair becoming messier… a golden eye opening on his forehead.

Yami smirked as he came to, snapping his fingers.

Within a moment, the library began to transform.

The shelves transformed into stone walls, etched with hieroglyphs along the wall. The stone depicting images of monsters held within their tablets.

Torches illuminated the area as they flickered to life.

"It's time, Zorc. Just you and me. Leave the boys out of this."

Seto had gone still, looking around in fear. The spirit beside him sneered.

"You know… I think you have the right idea."

He turned to Seto.

"Be silent."

Seto's eyes glazed over. His body was heavy as he tipped forward, the spirit dematerializing before he caught himself. His head lowered… his shoulders shaking.

"Ah… I feel like I'm back at that time again…"

Seto… Zorc, looked up, a twisted grin on his face, his left eye glowing a golden color.

"Not that you would remember, Nameless Pharaoh."

Yami glared at Zorc, crossing his arms.

"You could enlighten me. Be something nice you could do for once in your life."

Zorc laughed.

"Ah, but where would the fun be in that? You're so much more interesting like this… So, I won't. Now, how about we get down to business?"

Yami nodded.

"It's game time." Yami narrowed his eyes. "Since I picked the game last time, it only seems fair for you to pick."

"Why thank you, Nameless Pharaoh, I'm honored." Zorc chuckled, eying the tablets around them. "And I know just what we will be playing."

Zorc snapped his fingers, golden energy coming around their left arms. It wrapped around in a cuff shape before forming something circular on top that jutted out something that looked like a wing. The energy faded, revealing a device that was gold in color with lapis lazuli highlights.

Yami held the device up to his face, raising an eyebrow.

"What did you just attach to me?"

"That's a duel disk!"

Yami perked up, seeing Yugi beside him, the boy's eyes wide with wonder.

"Excuse me?" Yami asked.

"A duel disk! Or at the very least, a fancy one Zorc made." Yugi answered, looking closer at the device. "They're used for professional tournaments and are super expensive depending on the model. Where my cousin Yuma is from, almost everyone has one since the models there are all affordable and well, for Heartland, dueling is part of their culture." Yugi cleared his throat, shaking his head. "That aside, they're still gaining popularity around here with the recent models made by Kaiba Corp."

"What a very intelligent boy." Zorc chuckled. "You would know all about this stuff, wouldn't you?"

Yugi glared at Zorc.

"Don't appreciate the condescending tone but thanks for the compliment."

"Anytime, Jackal Pup. Now, since it's been explained, I think you know where this is going." Zorc readied his duel disk. "We'll be playing Duel Monsters just like the professionals… though… with a twist with this being a Shadow Game and all."

Yami narrowed his eyes.

"Care to elaborate?"

"Oh, you'll find out. Just one last thing." Zorc brought a hand to his left eye, swiping his fingers over it, a blue tattoo etching around the sides of it. "We need to be able to see what can't usually be seen."

Yami narrowed his eyes, bringing a hand to his own left eye, swiping his fingers over it, a gold tattoo etching itself around the sides of it.

"Very well. Though, surprised you're going to this much effort."

"What can I say? The idea of watching you be devoured alive by my monsters is too tempting."

Yugi shuddered as Yami growled.

It's a good thing Natsuki isn't here.

Yami reached into a card holster on his hip, bringing out his deck.

Yugi yawned, looking out the window to his room, seeing the sun was already peering over the horizon.

"Ah crap, did we really spend all night talking about what to add to our deck…?"

"Oops…"

"Least we're ready." Yugi smiled faintly. "Good luck, Aibou."

Yami smirked, sliding the cards into the holder on the duel disk.

Zorc did the same, snapping his fingers as something teleported into his hand. He smirked, looking at the card in question before sliding it into his deck.

"Your only handicap." Yami warned.

"Of course, now…"

"LET'S DUEL!"

Yami drew five cards, looking them over.

Let's see…

He smirked, sliding the card into place on the duel disk as a large card materialized, face down on the field.

"I set a monster."

He showed Zorc another card, depicting a bottle of red liquid.

"And play Red Medicine, which boosts my life!"

Zorc sneered.

"Only for so long."

He narrowed his eyes, setting another card face down.

"Turn, end."

Zorc drew a card, sneering as he selected one.

"Stop it… Those were from Mokuba… Please…"

Good boys know when to stay quiet, Seto.

"I play, Alexandrite Dragon."

The area shook, as the tablets beneath them cracked before a massive being flew out of it. It was a dragon, covered in brilliant jewels. It threw its head back, roaring as it flew at Yami.

The dragon's eyes glowed as it shredded the card he had set. A small creature with fur and wings appeared, letting out a shrill cry as it was destroyed.

Yami winced… as did Yugi.

"Sorry, Kuriboh…" Yugi whispered.

"Mn… You'll pay for that." He vowed.

Zorc smiled, setting a card facedown.

Yami drew another card, looking at it with worry. It depicted what appeared to be a magician of sorts… the only thing it was missing was its actual body.

He set the card down.

This hand is atrocious… but I can work with it.

As Zorc drew another card, his eyes gleamed with amusement.

"I play the card Protector With Eyes of Blue." He called out, sliding the card into place.

In a moment, a young man appeared on the battlefield, with a shock of bright white hair, his blue eyes fierce as he raised a blade.

"And activate his effect… If I send him to the graveyard…" He snapped his fingers.

The warrior let out a scream as his form faded, turning to look at Zorc, for the briefest of moments before disappearing.

The ground shook again, a dark cloud forming above them, as it opened.

Yami and Yugi both knew what was coming the moment he said it.

A massive dragon materialized… her wings opening wide as she hovered midair, letting out a roar. Her body covered in white plated armor, her eyes glowing bright blue.

"No…" Yugi's heart sank. "No… Please no…"

"Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"

We're in trouble… I don't have anything in this deck that counters Blue-Eyes readily…

Zorc sneered.

"You can't defeat her. Her might is legendary. Only fools have countered her and died trying."

"Pity she didn't kill you." Yami muttered.

Zorc thrust his hand forward.

"Alexandrite dragon will destroy your set card… and Blue-Eyes will attack you directly."

Yami braced himself for impact as Alexandrite dragon came in for the set card…

The form of the magician appeared only for a moment before a circle appeared around Yami.

He chuckled, his left eye fading into gold as he pointed to Zorc.

"Fool. My turn."

From within the circle, a monster materialized. A sorcerer, wielding a large staff, swathed in blue and black armor, spinning the staff in the air.

He stood tall and firm infront of Yami, his piercing blue eyes narrowed in focus at what he was against. He turned to look back at his master. While his gaze was still fierce, there was a sense of warmth and sadness to his eyes.

What in the…?

The magician looked back at his task, nodding for Yami to proceed.

Yami shook his head, tossing the moment aside for now.

He needed to stay focused.

"Your dragon destroyed Magician's Robes, which when it's flipped up, be it by attack or otherwise… summons my greatest monster. Black Magician."

"Yami wait, he's not strong enough-" Yugi grabbed his shoulder. "Blue-Eyes is way stronger."

"The boy is right." Zorc sneered. "Blue-Eyes, destroy that pathetic magician! Kill him where he stands and leave no trace!"

Blue-Eyes roared, powering up a massive ball of energy in her mouth before sending it hurtling right towards Black Magician.

Everything seemed to be in slow motion for Yami. His heart raced as he rushed forward, throwing himself in front of his monster, bracing himself for impact.

"NO!"

The attack headed right for him… but it never made contact.

Black Magician grabbed him by the arm, spinning him around, covering him with his own body. He smiled sadly down at him before the attack made contact.

Yami cried out as the damage to his energy was done… but he couldn't stop watching as Black Magician faded from view.

"No…" His eyes stung. "No way…"

Zorc laughed.

"Repeating history again I see."

Yami's shoulders shook as he set a card. His eyes having a haunted look to them.

"I end my turn…" He said, almost whispered.

That's how it seemed to go… for several turns, every monster he set was destroyed by the two dragons.

The entire time, he was trying to figure out a strategy.

What can I do… I need help…

Gods above, if you're listening, please… I can't lose.

The souls of the boys are on the line here.

"You know what this is, right boy?" Zorc sneered.

Yami glared, staring him down with hatred. His shoulders shook as he drew his next card.

Please… something… anything-Huh?

A jar depicting an eerie face… He grinned.

"I play Pot of Greed!"

"Go ahead, draw your last two pathetic cards, boy."

He closed his eyes, praying as he drew the two cards in question. A jolt of energy coursed through him as he did… an ancient tongue echoing in his ears.

He opened his eyes, slowly, looking down at what he had.

Two cards that could turn the tide.

"Allow me to help you, my king…" A voice… a voice so warm and familiar, echoed in his ear. "I'll save you, I promise."

I trust you…

He showed the card to Zorc as the being began to form.

A man swathed in lapis and gold armor, his dark hair hidden by the headpiece he wore. He summoned a staff, spinning it in his hands, his eyes narrowing at Zorc.

"I summon… The Oracle of Palladium."

The magician smiled at him before turning to Zorc.

"Just what we were waiting for." He spoke… stunning both of them.

Huh…?

He turned to Yugi in particular, giving a wink…

Yugi's eyes widened.

Mahad…?

"This card is very special. I consider it my favorite because I feel as if it might hold my heart within it." Mahad offered it to Yugi, the then 8 year old, shaking his head.

"No! What if I lose it?"

"You won't. Because anytime you play it, Little One, I'll be right there." Mahad patted his head. "I'll always be there."

"Sensei…?"

The being smiled, giving a slight nod before turning to Zorc.

"And I believe it's time we end this game. Pharaoh, do your best. You know what to do."

Yami nodded, holding up two cards.

"I play Power of the Guardians!"

The shadows of the room flickered, as bright will o wisps surrounded the sorcerer… Mahad, as energy surged through him.

"Along with this!" He revealed another card, sneering. "Lightning Vortex."

Zorc's eyes widened.

"No… How could this be? HE'S DEAD!"

"I'm far from it."

Mahad lunged upward, charging an attack as bolts of lightning struck both Alexandrite Dragon and Blue-Eyes…

Blue-Eyes looked right at Yami as her form began to vanish, sorrow in her eyes.

"Sorry, Grandma…" Yugi whispered.

"I don't think that was her." Yami murmured.

Zorc was stunned before his head twitched, grabbing the side of it.

"Ngh… Shut up!" His face contorted. "NO! LET HER GO!"

Seto's will is overtaking him again. Good boy, keep fighting him off…

Yami's eyes narrowed in focus, the golden eye on his forehead gleaming once more.

"Finish this!"

He thrust his hand outward as golden energy shot from it, Mahad charging alongside it.

"The door of darkness…" Both spoke. "OPENS!"

The energy shot through Zorc as he was sent flying back into the wall with a loud THUD!

He cried out as the energy coursed through him, burning his very being.

"This isn't over boy…" He spoke. "This isn't over…"

"I believe it is."

As Zorc's power faded, Seto fell forward, Mahad catching him before he hit the floor.

The ancient room around them faded back into the library from before, the duel disks on their arms disappearing along with the tattoos in glimmers of light.

The only thing that remained of the battle was Mahad, who's armor soon faded off, revealing a purple sweater vest, a set of brown slacks and long hair.

He panted, as he looked over to Yami, the glow from his eyes fading.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

Yami's eyes were wide, giving a small nod.

"You were…"

Mahad smiled gently.

"There's much to talk about… however, I'd like to see my godson now, Your Majesty."

Yami's eyes stung, as he rushed forward, fading as Yugi took his place, throwing his arms around Mahad.

What just happened?

How?

Mahad brought an arm around Yugi, still keeping a hold of Seto.

"I'll explain in time. For now, I believe we need to let your friend here rest."

Yugi nodded, looking at Seto with a worried gaze.

"Will he be alright?"

"I believe so. Just like most, he just needs to rest. And so do you."