Ahmose Inarus

Ahmose Inarus

Hato chiisai

Shonen-ai

Disclaimer: I own Ahmose. That’s all. Nothing else.

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Chapter 13

Battle of the High Priests

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Yugioh sighed as he watched Ahmose sit across the room from him, reading over scrolls right and left, then turning and scribbling on his own scroll. The eighteen and a half year old sorcerer had been doing so for the last three hours, and the sky was quite dark.

“Ahmose.” The Pharaoh called, and Ahmose paused in his furious writing and looked up.

“Yugi?”

“Come to bed.”

“I can’t. I have too much to do.”

“It can wait, Ahmose. I don’t think I’ve seen you sleep at all in the last week!”

“I cannot sleep. I must watch you.”

“Yes, because watching me sleep is SUCH wonderful entertainment….” Yugioh drawled, and Ahmose let him see a small smile. “At least stop working, your writing and shuffling of the papyrus is driving me mad!” Ahmose frowned but sighed and nodded, laying down his pen and standing, blowing out his candle.

“As you wish. I’m beginning to see double as it is.”

“Don’t say that, or someone will hear and try to kill me!” Yugioh cried, grinning, but Ahmose glared.

“That isn’t funny.” The sorcerer snapped, then winced, rubbing the back of his neck. Yugioh’s smile faded and he sighed, and then pat his bed.

“Come here, Ahmose.” He said softly, and Ahmose nodded, walking over and sitting on the edge of Yugioh’s bed, facing away from him. The Pharaoh smiled and moved over behind Ahmose on his knees, and brushed Ahmose’s hair over his shoulder and onto his chest.

“You’ve been working too hard, my love.” Yugioh murmured as he began to rub Ahmose’s neck. Ahmose sighed and let his head fall forward.

“I am getting close…” The sorcerer whispered, and Yugioh nodded.

“I know. And I have every confidence that you will discover the traitor.”

“I will destroy whoever it is… if only Wosret would give him up.” Ahmose growled, and then sucked in his breath when Yugioh pushed his robes off of his shoulders. Ahmose closed his eyes and swallowed; Yugioh was the only person he would allow to see his bare back now that it bore the hideous scars telling of his crimes; a scar for each innocent life he took, and the black mark of Anubis between his shoulder blades. Yugioh smiled and began to gently massage the firm muscles beneath his hands, eyes slowly tracing the scars as they always did.

“I’m just mad that I couldn’t keep him in the dungeons for what he did to you!” Yugioh growled. “ ‘I forgot that the count was only forty five’ my ass! That’s the worst excuse I’ve ever heard, and as Pharaoh, I’ve heard some pretty wild ones!!!” Ahmose smiled slightly and chuckled.

“He will get what is coming to him some day. But for now we have to worry about who is behind everything. This traitor is responsible for so much… for all the assassination attempts…. For the poison three years ago and the invasion of the palace a few days later… for the crocodile being let into the garden stream… and for letting assassins into your own chambers!”

“I know, Ahmose… That’s why you’re here, remember?” Yugioh asked, leaning over Ahmose’s shoulder and kissing his cheek. “I feel much safer with you here with me. But I wish you would slow down and rest.”

“If I sleep I cannot watch over you.” Ahmose pointed out.

“Ahmose, you are not a god! You need to sleep!”

“I… I know. I just don’t have time.”

“AHMOSE!” Yugioh thundered, and Ahmose turned his head. “If you do not rest then you will collapse from exhaustion, just like you did two months ago. And three months before that!”

“Five months ago I was still recovering from…. My ordeal.”

“And two months ago?”

“I…. I was… sick.”

“And why were you sick?”

“I was… weak.”

“And why were you weak?”

“…. Exhaustion.”

“And why were you exhausted?”

“………… because I pushed myself too hard and did not rest….” Ahmose mumbled, guiltily.

“And I will not have you doing that again.” Yugioh scolded. “Lie down. Now.”

“But—“

“That’s an order, Ahmose.” Yugioh growled. Ahmose frowned slightly, almost pouting, but removed his belt with his Kris, his shoes and over wrap and lay down. Yugioh nodded and moved around the room, closing the curtains and blowing out the candles until he had returned to the bed. He slid under the linens and pulled Ahmose closer to him.

“Rest, Ahmose… Ra knows you need it…” And he kissed him tenderly. Ahmose sighed and relaxed, closing his eyes.

“Might I… Might I at least summon the dogs in?” Ahmose asked, and Yugioh voiced his permission. Ahmose nodded and went to the door, speaking briefly to the guard. A few minutes later a few dogs were led in and settled around the room, and only then did Ahmose return to the bed and lay down next to his king.

“Now can you sleep?” Yugioh asked.

“I will try.”

“Sleep.”

“Yes Yugi.”

“Goodnight, Ahmose.”

“Goodnight, Yugi….”

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The dogs growled as a figure appeared over the edge of the Pharaoh’s balcony. The figure stopped and stared at the dogs, cursing inwardly.

“Good evening.” A voice said, and the man gasped and looked up as Ahmose casually leaned over the railing, looking out at the moon glowing on the surface of the Nile. Then he turned and looked at the man, his golden eyes glowing. “Can I help you?” He asked, his voice carrying a deadly edge. The man squeaked and Ahmose’s hand shot out and grabbed the man’s throat. He jerked him away from the wall and held him out, dangling in the air four stories above the gardens. He glared at the man and his eytes glowed gold. Then, the man’s eyes widened as a black cobra slithered from Ahmose’s mouth and coiled around his arm, before lifting its head and spreading its hood, the serpent’s golden eyes fixed on the man within its Master’s grip

“Who sent you?!” Ahmose demanded harshly, and Yugioh appeared behind him, frowning at the would-be assassin.

“Answer and I will have Ahmose spare your life.” The Pharaoh growled.

“And I would very much like to kill you, too.” Ahmose sneered, a cold smirk playing across his lips. The man whimpered and shook his head.

“I, I can’t!” He choked out, and Ahmose released him, catching him by the throat again after letting him fall a few inches. The man cried out and heads began to poke out of windows to see what was going on, and the cobra hissed and struck at the man, threateningly.

“WHO SENT YOU?!” Ahmose shouted. Suddenly the sorcerer’s eyes darted down to the street as a horse and rider, followed by a second horse, riderless, bolted out of the shadows and down the street.

“W-Wait!” The assassin choked, staring after them with a betrayed expression. Ahmose’s eyes flashed and the man screamed as the cobra darted forwards and sunk its fangs into his neck, before disintegrating into flames. Ahmose hurled the man over the balcony and into Yugioh’s room where the dogs fell upon him, then leapt over the balcony, dropping. He caught the railing of the balcony below him which happened to be that of Togeses (the young vizier screamed, startled by Ahmose’s sudden drop) then dropped to the balcony below, and finally to the garden ground. He ran for the stables, bridled Nakhti and was after the horses in moments. Yugioh watched him go.

“Gods, why does he have to take the short way down?” He muttered, clutching his chest over his pounding heart after watching Ahmose go downstairs the hard way. “Ahmose, wait! You forgot your…….” He frowned and pouted, knowing Ahmose couldn’t hear him. “your shoes and…. Umm…. Weapons, and…. Yeah, that’s it. Go chase after assassins on a freezing cold desert night in nothing but the pants you sleep in! Catch cold! See if I care!” And he shook his head, going back inside.

Ahmose in the mean time found himself following the assassin’s accomplice not out of the city, but across it. He frowned and reined Nakhti to a halt as he watched the horses race into the Temple Complex of Ra. Ahmose dismounted and led Nakhti to a palm tree, which he then climbed until he could leap to the wall of the complex. He dropped over the other side and into the gardens, then dashed across and slipped into the Temple after the assassin, determined to find who was behind all of this. He silently slipped down the corridors after him. The Temple seemed nothing but shades of blue in the moonlight, until the man darted down a side corridor where a glowing yellow light was seen. Ahmose frowned and reached for his belt knife.

“Great Sekhmet….” He cursed, finding nothing there; he was unarmed. But still he proceeded. He crept closer to the doorway until he heard voices.

“—complete failure, my Lord….” A man was saying. “He never even made it into the room. He never even climbed over the balcony’s edge. Inarus was right there, waiting for him.”

“Damn that sorcerer….” A voice snapped, and Ahmose peered into the room. His eyes widened at the dozen men who were standing around, all nobles and members of the royal court.

“Did he at least attack Inarus?” A familiar voice said, and Ahmose looked at the tall slender man on the far end of the room. His eyes narrowed.

“No my Lord. And then the Pharaoh appeared. I left.” The assassin said.

“DAMMIT!!” The tall slender man whirled, sending a vase crashing to the floor. Ahmose’s eyes widened.

“Sethos?!” He gasped to himself.

“What do I have to do to see him DEAD?! I have given him to you, ALL of you, time and again! If we are EVER to have that blasted idiot of a Pharaoh under our control Ahmose Inarus must DIE!! How many times must I send someone to assassinate the Pharaoh just to get his bodyguard killed?!?” Ahmose shook his head, confused. His mind raced a mile a minute.

So… it wasn’t the Pharaoh they had been after, but HIM!? Ahmose shook his head again, comprehension dawning on him. Of course. It made perfect sense. Murdering the Pharaoh was one thing, but his body guard dying to protect the Pharaoh was nothing suspicious, on the contrary, it was almost expected. They had been making attempts on the Pharaoh’s life all this time in the hopes that HE would die trying to protect him. ‘With me out of the picture, Sethos would have no trouble manipulating Yugi to his every desire….’ Ahmose thought to himself. ‘And should HE die… with no heir….’ Ahmose gulped. ‘Great Ra, Sethos is going to bring down the Dynasty if this continues!’ And he began to back away from the room. ‘I have to get back to Yugi!’ But before he could even conjure another thought he bumped into something that had not been behind him before.

“Going somewhere?” A familiar voice snarled, and Ahmose suddenly found a hand over his mouth and an arm around his torso, effectively pinning his arms to his sides. The man straightened and Ahmose found his bare feet leaving the floor.

“HMMPH!!” Was the best protest he could utter as the man walked into the room where Sethos was meeting with the traitors.

“Hello boys. If you’ve got the beer, I’ve got the entertainment!” The man called, and everyone turned.

“Well well… what have you got there, Wosret?” Sethos asked, moving forwards and smirking at Ahmose struggling in Wosret’s grip.

“A rat.” Wosret chuckled. “Struggle all you like, Ahmose. We both know I’m stronger, and I know your every weakness. Such as how you are not a MASTER sorcerer… you have to verbally speak your spells for them to work and, well… if you can’t speak, you can’t use your magic.”

“That is a problem, isn’t it?” Sethos asked. “Too bad Wosret’s hand found your mouth before your voice did, Inarus.” And he ruffled the infuriated sorcerer’s hair. “But I think we all owe him our thanks, don’t we gentlemen?” And he turned and looked at the other men. “He’s given himself over to us easily. Now we don’t have to worry about more failed assassinations.” They all laughed and raised their glasses to Ahmose, who looked like he wanted to kill.

“What should I do with him?” Wosret asked. “Can I kill him?” And he moved his hand up Ahmose’s face slightly so that his hand was covering Ahmose’s nostrils. The sorcerer’s eyes widened as he abruptly found his breath cut off. He lashed out with his feet, barely registering Sethos’ loud curse as he was caught in the chest, and Wosret stumbled back a bit but did not release his hold.

“Damn him!” Sethos snapped, getting to his feet and glaring. “I’ll cut out his heart! Put him here!” Ahmose’s vision blurred, but a moment later he found the hand over his face gone. He sucked in a breath only to find a strip of cloth gagging him as he was slammed down onto the table top, mugs of beer crashing to the floor. He struggled as he was pinned down and glared at Sethos as he approached.

“You should have died five months ago…” Sethos snarled. “Now I am being forced to commit murder in the Temple of Ra!!” Ahmose’s eyes blazed in his fury. “If you love your god so much, Ahmose-Anubis, then why do you struggle so? Do you not wish to finally meet him?!” Ahmose glared at Sethos and the Millennium Key around his neck gave a pulsing glow. “I think not, Inarus.” Sethos growled, and raised his own Item, the Rod. A few twists and he drew a blade from it, and with it he cut the cord from Ahmose’s neck, taking the Key. “I will keep this. And when your body is found the Pharaoh will think you have been murderer for your Millennium Item. I will use it against him, and with the Key and Rod, overthrow him. All seven of the Items will be mine. And you will be cursed for all time to be remembered as nothing but a failure to your king, and Ahmose will become a name of disgrace…” And he raised the blade of the Rod. “I will cut out your heart… that which houses your soul will be lost for all time…” Ahmose’s eyes widened in horror. The heart was the vessel of the soul. If his heart was destroyed, so was his soul. He would be gone… nothing but a memory… His eyes darted around in desperation and came to rest on his left hand. He quickly jerked his arm in the grip of a noble and grabbed a handful of the poor noble’s crotch, twisting.

“YEEEAAAARRH!!” The man screamed, jumping, his hands flying to Ahmose’s wrist. Ahmose released him and grabbed Sethos’ wrist, twisting it. The shocked High Priest yelped as the blade fell from his hand, and Ahmose then jabbed his fingers into Wosret’s eyes.

“GYAAAH!!!” The man screamed, and Ahmose winced in slight satisfaction as he felt one of the man’s eyeballs being torn open by his fingernails. Arms free, Ahmose twisted his body, flipping his torso over onto his stomach, the rest of his body following on the way down and slamming together the men holding his legs. He then rolled and dropped off the edge of the table and flopped underneath it, planting his feet on the underside and kicking it over, sending the rest of the men falling back with the table on top of them. Then the sorcerer scrambled away on all fours, feeling a hand clawing at his ankle. Once out of the reach of the men he staggered to his feet, his upper body trying to move faster than his lower body was currently capable of moving, but he managed to hang onto his balance and stumble out the door, snatching up the Key on his way. There was a scream of rage from Sethos who picked up the blade of the Rod and followed.

“YOU WILL NOT LEAVE THIS TEMPLE ALIVE!!!” The High Priest screamed, and Ahmose skidded to a stop as a bright blue and gold fire leapt to life before him, blocking his escape. He whirled and dashed down a side corridor, Sethos in pursuit. Ahmose’s heart and mind raced; he had rarely been to the Temple Complex of Ra, and didn’t know his way around very well. The only advantage he had over Sethos was physical; he was faster and stronger, and could only hope to outrun the older boy.

Behind him, Sethos screamed out a spell and Ahmose yelped as an invisible force slammed into his back, sending him tumbling down the hall. He flipped onto his back and scrambled backwards, staring wide eyed at Sethos who was charging towards him. The Rod glowed and then, to Ahmose’s horror, a great black hole appeared behind Sethos, and out of it emerged the great pale hulk of the Blue Eyes White Dragon.

“DESTROY HIM!!!” Sethos screamed, and the dragon opened his mouth, sending a great burst of energy at the sorcerer on the floor.

“AHH!” Ahmose yelped and rolled aside, ducking behind a column. The blast passed and Ahmose darted out and through the smoke, looking for a way to escape.

“HUNT HIM DOWN!! KILL HIM!!!” Sethos was screaming.

“Anubis, help me….” Ahmose gasped to himself as he ran down a hall, bare feet slapping the cool stone floor. The roar of the Blue Eyes echoed behind him, and he leapt down a smaller corridor to avoid another blast from the dragon. He ran blindly through the maze of the temple, hearing the dragon get further and further behind him as it could not move so easily down the halls that were a bit more than cramped to the beast.

Ahmose flung open a large pair of double doors and barreled through them. He ran across the pitch black room, praying that it would provide him with a way out. He skidded to a stop as the torches suddenly lit up. Ahmose looked up and found himself face to face with a large marble altar, stained with blood, before an even larger alabaster figure. A sculpture of Ra towered over him; he was in the Inner Sanctum.

“You are in my territory…” A voice said, and Ahmose whirled to see Sethos making his way across the room towards him. “If this was the Temple of Anubis, you might have stood a chance.”

“Do not underestimate me, Sethos-Amun….” Ahmose panted, and Sethos eyed Ahmose, noting how his heaving chest was glistening with sweat and how his legs trembled.

“You are exhausted, Ahmose-Anubis.” Sethos said, slowly. “Do you really think you can face me?”

“I am trained for combat. You are not.”

“I never said I would fight you in hand to hand combat. You think you are the only sorcerer in the kingdom? Well, you’re wrong!!!” And Ahmose found himself flying through the air with the wind knocked out of him as an unseen force slammed into his chest. He yelped as he slammed into the figure of Ra, then fell to the floor. He grit his teeth and closed his eyes as he held his ribs with one hand and clutched the Key with the other. He tried to breath, but his lungs didn’t seem to want to.

“Something wrong?” Sethos drawled as Ahmose finally managed to draw a pained, shaky breath. “Do you need a time out?”

“The…. The Pharaoh…. will know of your treason… Sethos…” Ahmose groaned, getting to his feet.

“No. He won’t. For you will not live to tell him.” Sethos snapped and raised his hand, snarling another spell. Ahmose raised his hand, uttering a Shadow Spell of his own that he had learned from his King in a Shadow Game… the hard way.

“MIRROR FORCE!!” He cried. Sethos stared as he spell bounced back and he screamed as his stomach was sliced open by the spell. He growled and slowly got up from his knees as he healed it and glared at Ahmose. “Shadow Magic, Inarus? You fight me with Shadow Magic?” The two High Priests glared at each other, panting. “Fine then… HINOTAMA!!!” Sethos cried, and Ahmose barely had time to cross his arms over his head as he was hit with a barrage of fireballs.

“HYAARRGH!!!” He cried, stumbling. “R-Rain of… Rain of Mercy!!!” He managed to get out, and a sparking rain fell from the darkness of the temple’s ceiling, soothing and healing his burns and easing the pain that lingered in his ribs. Sethos snorted as Ahmose faced him.

“It seems that I have you on the defensive…” Sethos sneered proudly, and Ahmose glared. Sethos and Ahmose began to circle one another. Ahmose smirked.

“YAMI!” He cried and the torches were extinguished, leaving them in darkness. But the light from the moon that came in through high windows let them see the other’s sillouhette, glowing eyes and Millennium Item.

“So… you choose to fight in darkness… RAIGEKI!!!” Sethos declared, and Ahmose raised his hand as a bolt of lightning came down.

“MYSTICAL SPACE TYPHOON!!” He cried, and a thundering vortex appeared, sucking away the lightning that otherwise would have killed Ahmose.

“Impressive…” Sethos said. “But I doubt you can perform that spell again.”

“I doubt you have the strength to attempt another Raigeki.” Ahmose shot back, and Sethos glared. “BOOK OF MOON!!!” Sethos yelped as he was flung off of his feet and landed on his back. Ahmose moved to the side a bit more. Sethos growled and got up, and the pair circled each other again.

“FINAL FLAME!!!”

“SEVEN TOOLS OF THE BANDIT!!!” Ahmose cried, falling to his knees at how much the spell drained from him, but watched as the flames erupting around him seemed to fall into dust.

“Bastard…” Sethos hissed. Then, Ahmose smirked.

“SWORDS OF REVEALING LIGHT!!!” He called, and Sethos cursed as glowing swords of light surrounded him.

“DAMN YOU, INARUS!!!” He screamed as Ahmose smirked and waved, then turned and ran through the doors he had finally circled around to. Sethos screamed his fury; he had let Ahmose get to the door… now he would warn the Pharaoh and he himself was trapped by the swords for the time being. “BLUE EYES!!! STOP HIM!!!”

“Merciful Isis!!” Ahmose yelped, diving across a hall as the Blue Eyes sent a blast at him. “GREAT ANGUS!! MAD DOG OF DARKNESS!!! OPTICLOPS!!!” He screamed, summoning up the said monsters to hold the great dragon at bay while he escaped. But the Blue Eyes made short work of them and went after Ahmose, who leapt for a window. He heaved himself through and fell into the flower bed. Scrambling to his feet he whistled loudly and charged across the grounds of the Complex. He shimmied up a tree, vaulted over the wall and fell, landing on his butt really hard.

“OUCH!!” He yelped and sat there, shaking his head slightly. He looked up at the sound of hoof beats and scrambled to his feet as Nakhti charged towards him. He ran before the horse and as the beast passed, grabbed a handful of the mane and swung himself up onto his back.

Sethos ran out the front gates of the Temple and glared at Ahmose’s retreating back. Wosret and the other traitors ran out of the Temple and came up around him.

“That’s it.” Sethos growled. “The cat’s out of the bag. Ahmose knows and soon the Pharaoh will too.”

“Now what?” Asked a frantic noble.

“Now I must finish this.” Sethos said. “Bring me my horse. I ride for the Palace.”

“The Palace?!” Wosret gasped, holding a hand over his left eye.

“Yes. It’s time that a Shadow Game was played. It’s me or the Pharaoh this time. Then we take down Ahmose while he is weak. Wosret, you will accompany me.”

“Yes sir.” Wosret said with a nod as a noble bandaged his gouged eye with a strip of cloth, and they mounted the horses that were brought for them.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Yugioh paced up and down the raised platform in front of his throne. The court stood mulling around the Grand Hall in their night clothes. Then, the doors swung open and Ahmose ran in looking completely exhausted. Halfway across the hall he tripped over his own feet and fell flat on his face. Yugioh ran down the steps and towards Ahmose as the sorcerer struggled to rise. Yugioh got to him.

“AHMOSE?!” He cried, worried. Ahmose raised a hand to silence his king as he stood there hunched over, hands on his knees as he fought to catch his breath. A moment later Jono ran over with a skin of water. Ahmose grabbed it and held it for a moment, trying to catch his breath enough to drink. Sweat trickled down his face and torso as he finally drank from the skin.

“Ahmose, what happened?!” Yugioh demanded, and Ahmose lowered the skin.

“Seth….. Sethos…..” He managed to get out. “Sethos….. is the traitor…..” Whispers and shocked cries sprang up.

“You must be mistaken!!” Ptahshepses gasped, and Ahmose shook his head.

“He is…. the traitor….. I followed the man to the… Temple of… Ra…. He met with Sethos… And some others….” And he paused to drink from the skin again. “I… heard it all…. They want me dead…. So they can…… control the Pharaoh….. And if they can’t control him… they’ll kill him too……” And he took a longer drink this time. “Wosret… caught me…… Sethos tried to kill me…. Called his Blue Eyes White Dragon…. Chased me all over the Temple…. Fought Sethos… In the Inner Sanctum…. Got away…. Gods… I need to sit down….” Ahmose groaned, and Yugioh and Jono walked him over to the stairs to the throne.

Ahmose collapsed on the stairs and lay back against them, closing his eyes and wiping sweat from his brow. He was still panting hard and his hands shook after his exertion. Yugioh conversed with Ptahshepses, Tris and Togeses as Ahmose rested and the court began to panic. Then the doors slammed open and everyone grew silent. There stood Sethos and Wosret. Ahmose frowned and stood, moving up to stand beside his Pharaoh.

“Sethos.” Yugioh said smoothly. “I’m glad you’re here. I think you have some explanations for me.”

“Explain what?” Sethos growled, glaring. “You honestly think that your precious puppet Inarus would lie to you?” Yugioh’s eyes widened.

“You have been trying to kill me?!” He gasped.

“NO!!!” Sethos cried scornfully. “I’ve been trying to kill HIM!!” And he pointed a finger at Ahmose. “You are easy to control. HE is not. The only one who CAN control him is YOU. But YOU cannot be controlled as long as he is around, otherwise I would already control you both!”

“You filthy traitor!” The Pharaoh screamed.

“You are not fit to be King!” Sethos screamed. “YOU NEVER WERE!!!” Ahmose glared. “But now you both must die, for the sake of Egypt!! PHARAOH ATEMU, I CHALLENGE YOU TO A SHADOW GAME!!!” The silence in the room was deafening. Yugioh stared in shock at Sethos.

“You have to get through me, first!” Ahmose snarled, stepping forwards and glaring at Sethos. Sethos’ eyes narrowed but he grinned.

“Very well.”

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Yugioh stared down at the Shadow Grounds. Never did he think that he would see the day when Ahmose and Sethos would be battling one another for such stakes. If Ahmose won, Sethos’ life was forfeit. If Sethos won, he won the right to battle the Pharaoh for the crown, and the fate of the world. Yugioh gulped. The first move belonged to Ahmose who wore the Key around his neck again, now with two knots in the cord; the original, and the knot where Sethos had cut it. He closed his eyes and meditated on which monsters and spells became available to him. He set a spell down before him, dormant and anonymous until the time when he would activate it. Then, he raised his hand and a stone tablet rose from the floor.

“I summon a beast in defense!” He declared, and Sethos stared at the blank side of the stone tablet. “And I end my summons.” Sethos snorted closed his eyes, feeling for his own beasts and magic.

“I summon up La Jinn!” He cried, after setting two dormant spells. Ahmose narrowed his eyes. “And I attack your defensive monster!!” The great jinn attacked and Ahmose’s stone tablet spun to reveal a common, but deadly monster, the Man Eater Bug. Sethos frowned, but Ahmose smirked as both monsters were destroyed, their tablets shattering. Ahmose summoned up another tablet as it was his turn, also in defensive mode, and Sethos unable to see it. Then Sethos made his move, also summoning in defense. Ahmose frowned and reached out to his available resources.

“I summon forth the Black Forest Witch!!!” He cried, and the tablet appeared, the Witch stepping out onto the battle field. “Attack!!” The Witch attacked but her attacked was blocked by the Dark Saggi, having a defense higher than her attack. Sethos smirked and Ahmose glared.

“I summon Ryu Kishin!!” Sethos called. “Attack the Black Forest Witch!!” And her tablet shattered, but this allowed Ahmose to call a monster into his reserve. Immediately, he alerted the Maha Vailo, and when his turn came he once again summoned an anonymous monster into defense. Sethos summoned up his Battle Ox and attacked Ahmose’s creature, which turned out to be another Man Eater Bug. When he did, Ahmose activated his spell trap.

“MICHIZURE!!!” He called, and the Ryu Kishin and Witty Phantom were destroyed. It was again Ahmose’s turn. He faced Sethos and smirked.

“I call forth the Maha Vailo!” He called, the monster answering his call. “And I cast the Spell of the Black Pendant upon him!!” And a black pendant appeared on the Maha Vailo’s neck, empowering it. “ATTACK!!!” The Battle Ox was vanquished. Sethos growled.

“I cast Block Attack!!” He roared, forcing the Maha Vailo into defense. “And I summon forth the Judge Man, and attack!!!” Ahmose glared as his Maha Vailo was destroyed. He lay down another dormant spell and once again summoned a defense monster. Sethos summoned the Mystic Horseman and attacked Ahmose’s Mask of Darkness, which was destroyed. Then, he attacked Ahmose directly. Ahmose activated his Mirror Force spell, destroying the Mystic Horseman. Upon his own turn he set two more spells and summoned once more in defense.

“Are you afraid, Inarus?!” Sethos taunted, but Ahmose did not respond. Sethos summoned the Stern Mystic and Ahmose activated his Trap Hole Spell, destroying it, but the Judge Man destroyed his Swarm of Scarabs.

“MICHIZURE!!!” Ahmose declared, and the Judge Man fell, leaving the field empty but for Sethos’ untouched spell. “I summon the Harpy’s Brother!!” Ahmose called, the beast emerging for battle. “ATTACK!!!” And Sethos stumbled as the Harpy’s Brother attacked him directly. But now it was his move.

“SWORD STALKER!!! ATTACK!!!” And Ahmose winced as his monster fell to the attack. He summoned Drillago in defense, but it was destroyed. Then, he summoned his second Maha Vailo, casting the Malevolant Nuzzler spell on him, and vanquished the Sword Stalker. Sethos snarled and looked over his own resources.

“I CALL FORTH BLUE EYES WHITE DRAGON!!!” He bellowed, and Ahmose’s eyes widened as the beast appeared. It looked at him and growled, recognizing him. Ahmose quickly cast another Black Pendant Spell on the Maha Vailo, giving it the strength to stand up to the Blue Eyes. But Sethos cast a Mystical Space Typhoon and the Blue Eyes attacked. While the Maha Vailo fell, Ahmose cast Waboku, saving his life strength. He summoned the only monster he had at his finger tips, the Summoned Skull, which was promptly destroyed by the Blue Eyes.

Yugioh gulped… Ahmose was in trouble. Ahmose summoned the Great Angus… the Iron Blacksmith Kotetsu… Bazoo the Soul Eater… Opticlops… but nothing could stop the dragon. Finally, Ahmose gathered the strength for a spell.

“DARK HOLE!!” He cried, and Sethos snorted and looked away as his dragon was sucked into oblivion, clearing the field. Ahmose summoned the Seven Colored Fish and attacked Sethos directly.

“You fight hard, Inarus… but it’s all for nothing! BLUE EYES WHITE DRAGON!!!” Sethos roared, and Ahmose stared as Sethos’ second Blue Eyes answered his summons. Ahmose once again found himself on the run, throwing defensive monsters before him… Magician of Faith, another Mask of Darkness, Penguin Soldier, Mad Dog of Darkness, Swarm of Locusts, the powerful Jinzo and the Des Lacooda… but nothing helped. He threw down a couple of dormant spells as he waited for his trump card. And finally, it came. Ahmose summoned his final Maha Vailo, thanking the gods as he did so, for he was almost out of resources, monster and magic both.

“I cast Shooting Star Bow-Ceal, Fairy Meteor Crush and Mage Power!!!” He called, strengthening his Maha Vailo beyond belief. “ATTACK!!!” The Blue Eyes screamed as the Maha Vailo fired a Shooting Star Arrow at it, destroying it. Ahmose would have breathed a sigh of relief, but Sethos began to laugh.

“A brave battle Ahmose-Anubis… But it ends now!! I summoned the Blue Eyes White Dragon!” And the third Dragon appeared. “And I cast Heavy Storm!!!” Ahmose’s eyes widened and his heart sunk as all his spells were washed away. “ATTACK!!” Ahmose stared in horror as his Maha Vailo was destroyed. He summoned one last time, a Dark Blade, in Defense mode, but it fell quickly. Ahmose reached out for the only monster that could possibly save him now, the Shadow Ghoul… but it was not within his reach. Ahmose had no moves to make. Sethos grinned.

“Attack.” He said. Yugioh leapt to his feet.

“NO!!!” He screamed, but the dragon did not hear him. It attacked. Ahmose stared at the white light coming towards him, then closed his eyes and turned his face away.

“Yugi….” He gasped, then screamed as he was hit.

“AHMOSE!!” Yugioh screamed, running down the stairs of his throne and across the Shadow Grounds. The Blue Eyes lowered his head to his master to receive an approving caress as Sethos watched the Pharaoh run to Ahmose’s body, slumped against the wall.

“Ahmose… Ahmose, please…” Yugioh cried, shaking Ahmose’s shoulders. Ahmose blinked tired eyes open.

“Yugi… I’m sorry. I….. I failed you….” He moaned.

“No… you fought well….” Yugioh said with a weak smile.

“He lost. His life is forfeit.” Sethos called smugly, pulling the blade of the Rod. Slowly the Pharaoh stood and turned, glaring.

“Over my dead body….” He growled, and the Millennium Puzzle flashed and the Sennen Eye blazed into view on his forehead. “Let this Shadow Game begin…” And he stood before Sethos, ready to battle.

“Y-Yugi….” Ahmose whimpered, but his eyes fell closed and he slipped from reality. (AN: sorry, but the battle between Atemu and Sethos has been written and done, and I haven’t read it yet, so you’ll have to see the actual Yu-gi-oh! Manga for that when it comes out! SORRY!!)

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

A man burst into the small dingy tavern, bursting with excitement.

“I just heard!!” He cried, and everyone looked at him. “From the Palace. High Preist Sethos has just been uncovered as the Traitor they’ve been looking for!! He’s battling the Pharaoh and his body guard in a Shadow Game beneath the palace as we speak!! The winner takes the crown!!! We could have a new Pharaoh within the hour!!!” The tavern erupted in tense excitement. Two figures in the corner looked at each other, then left.

“What do you think, Mariku?”

“What do you think I’m thinking, Akeifa?” Marik shot back, grinning at his partner. Akeifa blinked, then grinned as well.

“Millennium Items?”

“Exactly. Let’s get moving! I know where they are and everyone will be hanging around the Shadow Grounds. No one will notice us sneaking in!!!” They climbed onto their horses and rode to the palace. Once they got there they climbed the wall, snuck across the garden and crawled in through a window. They snuck down the hall, hiding behind a large potted plant as a woman ran down the hall and flung open the doors to the harem.

“Lord Inarus!” She cried to everyone waiting inside. “Lord Inarus has fallen to Sethos! He lost!!!” The door closed on everyone’s shocked cries, and Mariku led Akeifa down the hall. The corridors were empty… disturbingly empty. Marik led the way across the palace and to a great locked door with the Sennen Eye on it. Then, he got to his knees and began to pick the lock while Akeifa stood guard.

“Hurry, Mariku.”

“Shut up, I’m working!” Mariku snapped back at his partner. “It’s a tough lock! You try it, you’re better than I am.” The blonde said, backing away for his albino partner to work. Akeifa frowned and got to work with his lock picks, working carefully. A few minutes later the lock clicked.

“Hah! Got it!” Akeifa whispered in triumph, and the door swung open. They crept up the spiral stairs, closing the door behind them and locking it, then proceeded in almost total darkness. They climbed and climbed for what felt like an hour to them, until the stairs ended in a large circular room. Pedestals stood around the room. Some were empty. But some were not.

“Finally….” Mariku breathed, walking over to a pedestal on which sat the Millennium Scales. “The Millennium Items.”

“Where are the others?” Akeifa said, looking at the Necklace.

“The Pharaoh has the Puzzle. The sorcerer has the Key. And the High Priest has the Rod.” Mariku said.

“Oh.” Akeifa replied, inspecting the Eye while Mariku circled the Scales. After a moment, Akeifa turned and reached out, picking up the Millennium Ring. He grinned and draped the cord around his neck.

“What do you think? Too flashy?” He asked, posing for Mariku.

“Heh. Not at all. It’s flattering.”

“Does it make me look fat?” Akeifa asked, turning and showing his butt to Mariku.

“Hmmm… your ass does look a bit bigger….”

“Oh, fuck you.”

“Hah!!” Mariku laughed.

“Just for that you won’t be fuckin this ass tonight.”

“Akeifa… if we pull this off we can celebrate, and I’ll let you fuck MY ass!”

“Really? SCORE!!!” Akeifa cried. Suddenly, the floor shuddered. Both men froze. They waited a bit, then heard distant voices.

“What’s going on?” Mariku breathed.

“SHH!!!” Akeifa hissed. They listened, and heard the door at the bottom of the stairs close.

“HIDE!!” Mariku gasped, and Akeifa ducked behind the pedestal that had the Eye on it while Mariku crouched behind the one with the Scales. A few minutes later, footsteps were heard on the stairs. Then, Ptahshepses emerged, the Millennium Rod in his hands. He moved to a pedestal and laid it down, then turned to go. But he stopped. He stared at an empty pedestal.

“The Ring….” He breathed. Akeifa’s eyes widened and darted to the Ring around his neck. Mariku gave Akeifa a look, then leapt up and grabbed Ptahshepses.

“Not a word, old man…” He growled. “You can tell your Pharaoh that he has Mariku Ishtar and Akeifa Itemri to contend with now…” And then he turned, grabbed the Rod and ran down the stairs, Akeifa at his heels. They burst through the door at the bottom of the stairs and leapt through the nearest window, dropping in to the garden. They listened for a few minutes to the cries of “the Pharaoh defeated Sethos!” and “Sethos has fallen”, then darted across the gardens. They vaulted over the walls and disappeared down the streets with their captured treasures.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The exhausted Pharaoh lay beside Ahmose in Ahmose’s bed. The sorcerer was pale and weak and had not regained consiousness. There was a knock on the door and a moment later Togeses entered.

“Sethos is on a horse and is being escorted to our Eastern border, my Lord.” The young vizier said. “He will begin his exile with a long road through the land of Sinai.” Yugioh nodded. “Are you sure you want him in exile, and not dead?”

“I cannot kill a High Priest, even one guilty of treason, Togeses. His power is broken, and his dragons are sealed. He will not trouble us again. Not in this lifetime. What about Wosret?”

“Dead, Pharaoh Atemu. How is Ahmose?”

“Exhuasted.” Yugioh sighed. “But he’ll be fine. We’ll have to put up with his pouting over being defeated by Sethos for a while but, we’ll survive…”

“That we will.” Togeses said with a slight smile. Suddenly the door banged open to admit Tris.

“Pharaoh! Ptahshepses was attacked! Mariku and Akeifa! They were in the Palace!”

“WHAT?! FIND THEM!!!” Yugioh roared, sitting up.

“They’re gone, my Lord! And… Sir… The Millennium Rod and Ring… they… they’ve taken them…..” Yugioh stared at Tris, and paled.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

A weakened Sethos and the other traitorous nobles rode out of the city surrounded by a company of soldiers, on their way into exile. Sethos looked back at the palace, and closed his eyes. He reached out for every last bit of magic that he could muster.

“I lay a curse upon you, Pharaoh Atemu…” He hissed, under his breath. “You and your filthy sorcerer-lover both… You will soon lose control of the Shadow Realm you think you command. That which was my undoing will be yours… You will not live to see an heir born to you, nor will either of you live to see your twenty first year… Ahmose will not be able to save you, nor will he succeed you. He will die before he sees the crown… May your souls find themselves torn apart and suffer in darkness for thousands of years… and may the King of Egypt lie with the King of Thieves before you see each other again… This is my curse… live by it… and die by it… and know that in the end, I have won…”