Chapter 13

“Mahaado, what happened to you? Why…” Yami had already played Dian Keto the Cure Master and Poison of the Old Man, not to mention Goblin’s Secret Remedy and Red Medicine on his Black Magician, but to no avail…

Mana stamped her foot. “He was being stubborn of course. Never taking that Black Illusion down for an instant…”

“Black Illusion?”

As if in response, Mahaado sighed and a card appeared. Purple, Yami noted, a trap card… with an interesting effect. As long as there was a Black Magician on the field, it could not be effected by effect monsters… but….

What did that have to do with anything?

Anzu frowned. “Yami, the duel’s over. It’s all right.”

Yami wasn’t so sure. Under normal circumstances, he certainly did not have to tie his Dark Magician up with Kunai with Chain! So there must be something going on. If only the monster would talk to him.

“Mana!”

“Prince-sama? Oh no, I forgot again! I’m sorry Pharaoh!”

“Mana. Tell me. This is a royal command. What has Mahaado been doing?”

Mana frowned. She was still a card, and she didn’t have her Master’s power…. And her Pharaoh was giving her a direct order… “He…He was researching ancient spells… that would send a soul safely to the Afterlife…”

Which would not have been a problem, unless…

“You didn’t… Mahaado, please, tell me you didn’t…”

Blue eyes met crimson with the faintest hint of a bitter smile.

“Mahaado, why? Why after all this time… why…?”

< I have been waiting for you, Pharaoh… five thousand years I waited… and I trusted you, and even though I won your soul in that duel with Pandora, I never abused your trust. I was always trying to be a good monster, but I suppose now it’s clear I’m not good enough for you, so I’ll leave you with the perfect doll you always wanted… and don’t worry, you won’t hurt the Black Magician any longer… >

“How can you say that so calmly, Mahaado? This isn’t what I want!”

< Did you enjoy our time together, Pharaoh? Was I a good lay? Or was she better, in the end? >

“What? Mahaado, I never slept with Anzu!”

… Did I?

He’d been living at her house for the rest of the tournament, but… he’d slept in a separate room, and surely… surely…

Anzu’s blush was evidence enough.

< But Pharaoh is Horus, and whatever you wish, I will fulfill to the best of my ability, my Pharaoh... please, don’t do this. You don’t want to see me any longer. > A narrowing of his eyes and the Kunai with chain dissolved.

He wasn’t that weak.

Yami’s mind was still reeling. “Then I command you not to leave!”

< Pharaoh, pharaoh… a bit late now. You should have ordered that before I won. > Mahaado said calmly. Yami gasped as chains bit into his wrists and ankles. The Black Magician stood carefully, supporting himself with his staff.

< You see, my Pharaoh… you have no power over me. >

“Teacher-sama! A monster attacking their duelist?”

< I know the consequences for this well, Mana, but it’s true. I won him in a Shadow Game… > Mahaado’s smile was particularly feral. He turned to Anzu with an elaborate bowed flourish.

< So, Teana, shall we play a game? >

“A game?”

< Of course. > Mahaado smiled as he produced a die. < It’s quite simple. The one who rolls higher gets to keep Yami. Fitting, no? >

“Love isn’t a game! I was right about you from the beginning!”

< Well, if you forfeit, there may just be a penalty for that as well… > Mahaado turned, feeling another pair of eyes. < Why Joey, you’ve summoned Red Eyes Black Dragon. Quite impressive, considering you have no item, and never had one… >

Joey gulped as he looked at his Red Eyes for reassurance. “Look, I don’t know who you are, but if you’re going to hurt Anzu or Yami, you’re going to have to go through me first!”

< Brave, very brave… that trait served you well then, but it won’t now. And Pharaoh wouldn’t be happy if I hurt his friends too much, so… Spellbinding Circle! >

The ring of magic snapped into place around the dragon.

< Oh. A word of warning… if you lose all 4000 of your life points here, you die. > Mahaado said cheerfully.

Yami started to wonder if his Dark Magician had snapped. He wouldn’t put it past him. After all, if he’d been here for as long as Yami had been trapped in the puzzle…

Anzu took a deep breath. She was not going to lose Yami! She picked up the dice, and threw.

Mahaado did the same. The dice rolled.

One rolled a three, the other… a four.

“Your loss.” Mahaado said, startling them. His voice sounded like it had broken though, but no matter. He calmly whispered an ancient incantation and the chains vanished, leaving Yami free.

Yami gasped. “Mahaado…”

“I won’t subject her to a penalty game, Pharaoh… but only because you love her. Go.” He said expressionlessly.

“What?”

“Her voice will guide you down the road of memories, her eyes will light the way, her steps will lead you… you have no more need of another guide.”
“I don’t understand what’s gotten into you, Mahaado? You’re… jealous?” Yami finally made the connection.

“Hai, but I will not betray my Pharaoh. However, my Pharaoh no longer has any need of me. Therefore, I understand what I must do.”

It was quick, so quick that Yami didn’t react.

The scattered pieces of the card rained down around him as the monster gave an almost happy smile and vanished into mist.

No…

No! Mahaado, you idiot, this wasn’t what I wanted! I swear that it was never my intention to do anything with Anzu, it was just coincidence!

Coincidence, or fate…

Oh Ra, what am I to do now?

Why won’t you believe that I still love you?

If he were honest with himself, however, as he was, later, Yami realized that Mahaado did have a valid point. He had allowed Anzu to kiss him repeatedly and had lived with her despite his knowledge of what might happen.

So Mahaado did have a right to be jealous. And if Anzu really had seduced him, then he had betrayed his friend in the worst way possible. Gods, he felt low.

Was there no way to bring him back? A true duelist only needed the Heart of the Cards, but Mahaado’s card was gone and… Yami had a feeling that even if he called, or commanded, it would do no good.

Was this…. The end? No! It couldn’t be! He wouldn’t let this happen! Yami didn’t lose, at least not when things were this important!

“I will find you again, Mahaado, no matter how you hide… I will not let you waste away and die… I swear it…”

End Chapter

Completed 10/16/05