Tearing Pieces from the Dark

See part one for details.

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The Pharaoh raced to the cage and gripped the bars angrily. He fell to his knees and reached through the spaces, extending his arms and straining out his fingers as far as they would reach in an effort to get to his little aibou. His fingers barely brushed the soft skin on Yugi's limp arm. Yami clenched his teeth and strained harder, leaping to his feet and circling the cage trying from ever angle but never able to reach him properly. With an angry howl he stepped back, energy cackling in the air that surrounded him as he extended his arms and the sienna eye flared to life on is brow. He opened his mouth and was about to banish the bars to oblivion.

//NO. You will only summon your powers when it is my wish!// the e wae was hard and filled with authority. Blistering pain laced through 's 's head as his shadow powers were tied back by Apophis' dominating will. He swiveled on hiel tel to face the other as a battle of determination ensued. Shadows raced and churned about the two as dark energy electrified the air.

Red eyes locked with the brown mingled with yellow ones across the darkness of the room. Charcoal and ebony pulsating in vapors and whispering in the space between them. The power seeking an outlet as it remaitraptrapped between the two wielders.

The Pharaoh and the snake remained in a silent battle, bodies tense and gazes locked. Yami attempting to unleash his powers while Apophis was forcing them to bind to his will. A fine layer of sweat was forming over both bodies from the focus and energy required to keep it.

Suddenly Yami screamed in agony as razors of pain sliced through his head and he was thrown back against the bars of the cage violently from the force. He crumpled to a throbbing heap and cradled his head in his hands feeling drained and worst of all, defeated.

Apophis stood over him leering. "You don't have the power to defeat me. Your power is darkness Atemu. I AM darkness. You will not use your shadow magic unless I say so. Enjoy your visit with the brat. It will end shortly."

The sound of his footsteps echoed in the Pharaoh's agonized head as Apophis left the r He He felt as though his mind and just been shredded and beaten to paste. His mouth felt gauzy, his eyes dry, everything was too loud and bright, and his limbs ached. His breath was harsh and ragged from the amount of energy it had taken out of him to struggle with Apophis like that. No one had ever tried to control him so utterly…no one had…won like that. A ragged sound that could only be described as a whimper passed his lips. How could he defeat this opponent when he knew his thoughts and controlled his powers? How could he struggle against someone who left him so…helpless?

"Y-Yami?" A very small and meek voice quivered with the call.

The Pharaoh forced himself up on his hands and knees and turned his throbbing head towards the cage, squinting his crimson eyes against the harsh brightness of the light. Yugi had dragged himself close to huddle against the bars beside where he had fallen. Forcing his fear of his vulnerability from his eyes. "…aibou! Yoe ale alive!" he cried out in profound relief and promptly cringed in pain.

"I th-think so…Yami, what's g-going on…a-are you h-hu-hurt?" Large eyes stared at the Pharaoh and a slim arm reached out through the bars so that large hands could touch the yami.

Yami flopped down to press against the bars tiredly. His forehead was touching the cool metal with a soft clank as the circlet made contact. A slight smile touched his lips at the little one's touch. Reaching his own tanned arms through the bars he ignored his pain and pulled his hikari in close, wrapping his arms around him the best he could with the bars of the cage in the way. He felt the frail body of the youth shake. He was far too thin and drained, he had lost too much blood and even now as they sat Yami could feel him falling asleep again. "Shh, aibou, I'm in much better shape then you little light. Don't worry about me, I can handle myself…save your strength. I'll get you out of here somehow, I promise."

Yugi reached his arms out and hugged his another self desperately hanging on to his protector and friend for dear life. He was terrified and confused and hurt and his Yami seemed to be the same. The most frightening part of this was the lack of the reassuring weight of the millennium puzzle against his chest. The severed link between them caused a deep loneliness and sorrow to settle in hearteart. Even though his Yami was inches away. He sighed quietly and a lock of yellow bangs fluttered from his forehead as he buried his face against the Pharaoh's strong shoulder.

Yami bent his neck and softly brushed his lips against his aibou's temple as he comfortingly stroked the little one's bare back and sides. It was strange to feel Yugi's soft skin against his own. Strange to feel his heart beat under his chest and not have it as his own. The small human was a little furnace in his arms Yami mused quietly. The Pharaoh's larger darkened hands tenderly roamed over the familiar form beneath them. Marveling at the difference in the textures and tones of their bodies. Yugi's skin was smooth and soft while his own had more wear and strength to it. The little hikari was pale and delicate as waning moonlight, while Yami was a creature of sun-kissed fire. Sitting here Yami realized he had never fully appreciated just how petite his aibou truly was. He fit perfectly in the Pharaoh's lap…or would if he could set Yugi there. For now he had to be contented with simply holding his aibou awkwardly through the metal confines of the cage. Focusing on the subtle differences between them and the ability to appreciate Yugi from his own body was acting as a sweet distraction from his migraine.

Yugi was drifting in and out of awareness as he clung to his another self. He felt secure and peaceful here. If he was in less pain and more aware of his surroundings he might have put greater interest and wonder into the new physical aspect of his Yami. For the time being he was too confused to figure out what was happening and how it had happened. He knew this was about the millennium puzzle…everything was. That man man wanted Yami to do something sinister no doubt.

"I'll love you aibou, I'll get you out of here and keep you safe." The Pharaoh's deep voice murmured affectionately agaihis his ear as his tanned fingers tucked a lock of yellow bang behind the youth's opposite ear tenderly.

"We'll get out of this…together…we won't ever part…right Yami?" Yugi whispered tiredly.

He felt a soft smile curve over his another self's lips. "Yes my aibou, we're two parts of a whole, always together. Forever."

Yugi smiled weakly with his large eyes closed. "I like your outfit…" Yami laughed and then cringed at the pain this caused them both with the motion.

The two fell into a much needed and exhausted sleep entwined with the bars of the cage at the edge of the light's glow. While they rested the impressive form of Apophis slid from the shadows of the room and nodded. At once a group of burly black clad men set to work installing a second cage in conjunction with the first. The two tri-coloured haired youths were too deeply asleep to notice or care.

As they worked Apophis' cold eyes wat the the small couple huddled together around the bars. The yellow slivers in his eyes glowed faintly in the dark. His serpentine fingers lovingly caressing the edges of the millennium puzzle. In his mind to see such deliscious dark power weak over a useless creature was nauseating. These hakari were pointless. Worthless, despicable pests that deserved nothing short of being cast aside and trodden on accordingly.

But, the weakness these Yamis displayed towards them offered to assist Apophis with his higher goals. He required the Yami's to join him willingly in this venture. Easily he could control or steal their powers, but for him to have the full strength it had to be with their full will and desire for destruction. With the yamis and all the millennium items under his unflinching control Apophis would be invincible. He was already immortal and one with the dark. The supreme power of chaos was his destiny…he would be the only master of the shadow realm and these yamis would be his enforcers.

His eyes were still aglow, the palm of his hand radiating an otherworldly green shadow of light. While a second cluster of burly men stepped from the darkness behind him. Unblinking, Apophis' authoritative voice poured from his throat. "Bring me the albino…make sure to take the ring from him before he is aware of what's going on."

The men disappeared to do as he bid them. He cared little that many would not return when trying to take down Bakura. Hopefully they would be smart enough to do what he said and only have the hakari to deal with. Ryou was as helpless as Yugi was and an easy prey.

Apophis planned to break the Pharaoh and the thief and then use them to take down the beserker Malik/Marik. After that it would be simple to assemble the remaining millennium items and go through Mokuba to enlist Seto's loyalties. Once the shadow powers were united under him, the creatures held prisoner within the dueling decks would be freed to life and obey only his will of darkness. At his whim the shadow realm's boarders would break and consume this plain of existence. Making humanity the playthings of the dueling demons. While he was Master and Lord of their fears.

The serpentine eyes glowed malevolently as the tall figure slithered back into the darkness of the room. All the while Yugi and his Yami lay huddled together in sleep.

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ACIDFLOWER, ty!

I'm trying to update as often as I can Sansi, unfortunately, I find my life rather draining.

*Hugs* yaoigoddess, I have no idea what's going to happen actually, I'm just writing as it comes to me.

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