As the description says, this is a Prequel to Eyes of Darkness. There are now three stories in this series, one following Yusei's life in this crazy universe, one following Jaden's, and now the one that starts off this whole crazy cycle, one following Yugi's.

Now none of these stories are finished yet, so if you're really confused by this you can read them in order or all at the same time. They're planned out and will eventually all make sense together, so it doesn't really matter how you read them. So far Dragon Pact, the first (and also technically last) story in this series has the most chapters with 14, however they all work together and will eventually complete each other.

Keep in mind that these stories are set in completely different time frames from one another, so they won't be matching up in the beginning. However they will eventually all match up and make sense, so you don't have to worry about that. This series is also set in a single AU (Alternate Universe) and that means magic is all over the place, as well as Duel Spirits. While there are no Duels like in Duel Monsters, there are still duels all over the place.

As with Dragon Pact and Eyes of Darkness, the chapter naming scheme of this story will reflect the main character's personality. Since Yugi and Yami are completely different people and completely different personalities, the scheme will go serious and then more comedic.

Anyway please enjoy, and I don't own Yugioh or the characters. Blah blah blah, you all know the drill by now.

Chapter One: Watchful Golden Eye

Yugi ignored the phone as it rang once again. He knew it was his friends from school, calling for about the millionth time to see if he was alright, but he didn't feel like talking to them now. He'd been skipping school for the last three days, mostly because the bullying had only gotten worse. He didn't feel like going to school. Right now it was still early enough in the morning that he could make it if he hurried. Yugi didn't really feel like going though.

He hated school, mostly because everyone picked on him. He was short, and though he was already sixteen he was still only around four feet and 5 inches tall. He also looked like a child and was constantly mistaken for one, which didn't do anything but encourage his bullies. He had friends of course, and he was glad for their company, but he didn't have many.

He had Joey Wheeler as a friend, who had at one point actually been one of his bullies. Though when Yugi had shown him greater kindness than anyone else had he had accepted him as a friend and started hanging out with him. Joey was always one to jump forward to defend Yugi now, which got him into a lot of trouble at school. And his Partner, a Red Eyes Black Dragon Duel Spirit, wasn't helping anything. The creature was fond of fighting, rather much like Joey himself was.

Another friend of his had to be Tristain Taylor, a young man who had been friends with Joey for a long time. He was more responsible than Joey and didn't have a Duel Spirit Partner. His magic abilities were about average as well, but he was still a great guy to be around. There was also Anzu, Yugi's best friend from elementary school. She had always been there to help him out and was always one to be kind to him. She was probably the one calling him on the phone. Her magic wasn't that powerful, but it wasn't really that average either. She also didn't have a Duel Spirit Partner.

Yugi was a little surprised that he did. He had met the creature about six months ago, rather on accident. He had been hurt and in his human form, so Yugi had helped him. It was no secret that Duel Spirits who came to the Human Realm were generally very shy creatures. They came from the Spirit Realm, though some could come from the Shadow Realm (those were the dangerous kinds). Not much was really known about either of those realms. But the Duel Spirit (known as Merlin) had kept hanging around Yugi and had eventually accepted to make a contract with Yugi.

Yugi Moto just found that even more surprising, and laid a hand on the strange mark that had been put on his left bicep because of the spell that bound them together. They were now bonded for life, however long that ended up being. Yugi knew that he was kind and liked to help people, but he was also very timid. That much was obvious whenever someone looked at him. Yet when Yugi had asked (wondering about it rather than asking to make one) about making a contract with Merlin and why he was there, the creature had agreed and preformed the spell.

That was part of the reason Yugi hadn't gone to school. He was unsure what his friends would think, seeing how he hadn't even told them that a Duel Spirit had taken an interest in him. He'd been hiding it from them for six months. Besides that he didn't even know what Duel Spirit Merlin was. The Duel Spirit was calm and collected, not easily ruffled and spoke with wise words even though he was about as old as Yugi was. Yugi had no idea how powerful his Partner was or what his attribute was. He didn't want to go to school because his bullies would demand he have a Duel with him to decide whose Partner was stronger. Yugi didn't really want to put his new friend in danger that way. Besides Yugi hated fighting.

Merlin however was standing in the room. His human form had paler skin and shoulder length dark purple hair. His eyes were a piercing blue color and were watching Yugi closely and quietly. His face was devoid at the moment of emotion, simply calm and watching. He wore jeans and a simple purple hoodie with the hood down. He was also rather tall and thin for his age, but still appeared to have some muscle on him. This was because while in his human form he needed to look as normal as possible, though only Yugi could hear his voice. It was a self defense that had been bred into Duel Spirits years ago, because Magic and Duel Spirits were still at times greatly feared.

They were feared because it was impossible to tell which ones had come from the Spirit Realm and which had come from the Shadow Realm. Though Magic and Monsters had been around people for thousands of years, since Ancient Egypt had opened the portals between the worlds and brought magic into the Human World, not everyone had strong magic and not everyone had partners. Those with powerful magic were feared and hated. And Merlin knew that this was why people hated Yugi so much, because he was strong.

He didn't really look strong. He was small and looked like a child. His amethyst eyes were innocent and just sad, and his hair was strange as well. The main body of it was black but it was rimmed with red and gold streaks ran through it. He had his head down on his desk in his room, staring at an item in front of him, a golden box covered in hieroglyphics. It was obviously from Ancient Egypt, and Merlin's kind were tied to Ancient Egypt. This box was the only reason Merlin hadn't convinced him to return to school yet. Something about it made him very curious. Merlin glanced towards the door. Yugi's grandfather hadn't come up here, meaning he was probably out somewhere doing something for the game shop downstairs.

Merlin watched Yugi distractedly as he opened the box and pulled out golden pieces. It was a nervous habit the boy had to try and solve the odd puzzle that was in the box, which he'd been trying to do for eight years. Merlin could sense powerful magic off of the strange object and he wasn't sure what he thought of it. The phone began to ring again, but no one but these two were home. Yugi's parents had died when he was rather young, so he didn't really know them. He was being raised by his grandfather here in the game shop, living in the house above it.

Merlin however was distracted because he felt like something else was here. Something was watching. The Duel Spirit's eyes scanned the room suddenly to look for the source of it, and his eyes landed again on the golden box. In the center of it was a golden eye, which if he remembered right, was thought by the Ancient Egyptians to be a passage through which the dead could look through to them. He shuddered a little at the thought and wondered if something really was watching them from the Realm of the Dead. He didn't like the idea, and didn't really like the idea of having Yugi finish this puzzle and find out. The Ancient Egyptians were known to protect their dead by even killing people to do so. He hoped this wasn't a way that they were trying to do so.

The Duel Spirit paused as Yugi pulled out another piece and looked at it closely. He was sure he'd never seen Yugi pull that piece out before, and it made him even more nervous of the strange object. It was like the box, and though it appeared to be made of tiny golden bricks there was also a golden eye on this object as well. Merlin was sure now that he felt something watching. Powerful magic laid over that object, and he was nervous of it.

"Yugi," the Duel Spirit suddenly said. "You really should go to school. You'll make your friends worried for nothing. Leave the puzzle alone for now."

"I guess," Yugi said, slowly lowering his hand and looking down at the halfway completed puzzle kind of sadly. "I just don't really want to go to school. People will pick on me again, and they'll want to Duel. I don't really like to fight."

"You just let me worry about that," Merlin promised. "I'll take care of anyone who tries to pick on you. Besides you've already avoided school for three days. I know you humans are supposed to go to school so lets get going."

"But I don't want you to get hurt," Yugi replied, putting the puzzle away and turning to look at the creature with those big innocent eyes of his. "Are you strong enough to Duel so many strong opponents? I don't even know what you are." Merlin gave the boy a small secretive smile.

"Don't worry about that," Merlin replied. "I'm strong enough. I'm way more powerful than you think. Trust me on that. So come on."

Yugi looked down, not truly seeming convinced. However to the Duel Spirit's relief he pushed the box away at least and stopped messing with the strange puzzle. The other presence seemed to fade for now, which Merlin was suddenly glad for. Then however both of them paused as they heard the bell that signaled that someone had opened the door to the shop go off.

"Yugi?" Anzu called. "I''m coming up alright?"

"She's persistent," Merlin said with another small smile. "I wasn't aware she was here. Are your other friends outside as well?"

Yugi stood a little and peered over the window seal to look outside. He was surprised to see that Tristan and Joey were outside, along with Joey's partner named Slash. Slash was a taller young man with dark black hair that hung down to his chin and into his face. He also had blood red eyes and wore a black hoodie and black pants. He was looking up towards the window with a concentrating look on his face.

Beside him stood joey, who was about as tall and had blonde hair and blue eyes. He was watching Slash carefully and also looked up at the window soon afterward. Tristan had shorter brown hair and brown eyes and was slightly taller than Joey and Slash, and he paused as he looked back at the two.

"Joey and Slash seem interested in something up here," Yugi said.

"Slash is the dragon right?" Merlin asked, having been told about them though never formally introduced. "He probably senses me then. My magic is powerful and dragons are strange creatures. They're probably just concerned about you."

Yugi gave Merlin a somewhat confused look. The Duel Spirit couldn't really blame him, seeing how he had never told him much about himself. The boy probably was scared he was from the Shadow Realm or something like that. He supposed though the boy would find out soon enough what he really was. Merlin sighed and leaned back against the wall. Yugi had already dressed in his school uniform, probably more out of habit than willingness to go. But soon the door opened and the girl came in, pretty much making up his mind for him.

Anzu was average height for her age but very beautiful. She had a rather large chest for her size and her body was well curved. Her eyes were blue and she had blondish brown hair. Her eyes seemed kind but also kind of angry as well. When Yugi saw her he gave her a somewhat nervous smile. She paused though when she saw Merlin leaning against the wall in the corner. Merlin gave her a long and hard look, sizing her up. She decided to ignore him for now and turned to Yugi.

"Where have you been, Yugi Moto?" she chastised him. "We've been worried sick, thinking you had gotten a cold or something. We hadn't heard anything!"

"S-Sorry Anzu," Yugi said quietly. "I was just nervous."

"About what?"

Yugi motioned to Merlin with his hand vaguely as Slash, Tristan, and Joey all entered the room. They paused when they saw Merlin as well, all looking at him closely. Slash seemed to bristle a little when he saw him, though Merlin didn't really respond either way and just kind of looked at them for a while. Yugi sighed.

"Him?" Anzu asked. "You haven't come to school because of him?"

"Well yeah," Yugi said. "He's my Partner. This is Merlin. He's actually been hanging around me for about six months, I just didn't tell you guys. We made a contract about three days ago. I didn't want to go to school because, well I don't know how strong he is."

"What is he?" Joey asked, looking at the stranger carefully.

"I don't know," Yugi replied. "He won't tell me."

"Then how do we know we can trust him?" Joey growled, and his bristling was matched by Slash.

"Joey that's rude," Anzu said in a chastising voice. "Merlin probably has a very good reason for not telling Yugi what he is."

"It is kind of unnerving though," Tristan said. "For all we know he could be from the Shadow Realm."

At this Merlin's eyes narrowed and he stood up, crossing his arms and letting out a low and audible huff. It was obvious from the look on his face that he didn't appreciate that comment and took offense at it. He knew it was a possibility that they would think that, but it didn't change the fact that it offended him because he was from the Spirit Realm. Anzu also crossed her arms and gave Tristan a glare that told him to back off.

"Now look what you've done," she said. "You've offended him. Try to be nice for once you three." She then turned to look at Merlin. "Hello, my name is Anzu. Keep Yugi out of trouble okay? This is Tristan, and that one with the sour face is Joey. The dragon is his Partner named Slash."

Merlin continued to give them a glare that told them he wasn't happy with him, but then he seemed to decide that he liked Anzu well enough and leaned back against the wall. He looked away from them, though the offended look didn't leave his face. Yugi sighed. He knew that his friends were just trying to look out for him, but he really wished that they could have gotten off on a better foot than this with them.

"Well anyway," Anzu said. "Since you're not sick we thought we'd come get you. We're going to be late if you don't hurry up."

Yugi glanced towards Merlin, he gave him a pointed look. What he had said was true. He wasn't weak enough to get hurt because of the bullies that Yugi had at school. In fact, Merlin liked Yugi. He was a kind boy and though he was timid he had a big heart. So taking care of Yugi's bullies so they would leave the boy alone was just something else he could do for him. Yugi of course was worried more about his new friend than himself, which was something else that Merlin liked about him. But he wasn't just going to let him get away with hiding away. Yugi needed some tough friendship right now, and he was about to give it to him.

"Okay okay," Yugi finally sighed. "Fine. Let's go. I guess we'd better get it over with."

"Relax Yugi," Anzu said with a smile. "We're not going to let people pick on you. And I don't think Merlin looks very happy about the idea either. It's going to be fine."

Yugi just nodded and grabbed his school bag. Then he turned and walked out of the room, finally relenting and going to school. Tristan and Anzu quickly followed, but Joey and Slash still didn't seem very inclined to trust Merlin. Joey left, but Slash crossed his arms and glared at the unknown Duel Spirit.

"You'd better not try anything," Slash growled. "If you do I'll tear you apart."

"I chose to be his partner," Merlin replied. "And I can assure you that I'm not from the Shadow Realm. You'll soon see what I am, and you won't be able to deny what I've told you is the truth."

"You'd certainly better hope so," Slash snarled.

"You'll see."

With that Merlin pushed past the dragon and followed the children downstairs. Slash grumbled angrily and followed as well, apparently not wanting to let the creature out of his sight. Merlin could understand why though. He appeared to be very protective of the children, and he didn't want to see them get hurt. He supposed it was his own fault for keeping his identity a secret. But after he revealed it they would understand that he meant them no harm. His kind were generally thought to be very helpful to humans after all, though they were also thought to be very inclined to fight and battle.

As Merlin joined the children and followed behind Yugi down the street to where his school was, he found himself thinking how odd that would be for Yugi. The boy didn't like fighting at all, yet he now had a Partner that had it almost bred into their DNA at this point. He supposed that things generally worked out that way, and things were hardly ever what they appeared to be at first glance. He was pretty sure that Yugi was definitely one of them.

An awkward silence fell over the group as they walked to school. Merlin decided it would be best to simply follow and do so silently. He didn't really want to upset anyone farther because of anything he could say or do. He knew that for now they didn't trust him, and they weren't going to trust him, not unless he showed them that they could. However the school really wasn't that far away. In just a few minutes they made it, and he followed quickly as the students hurried inside to their first class, which they all had together.

Nearly instantly Yugi looked like he wanted to shrink down and disappear from sight as quickly as he could. Students were already looking at Merlin and trying to size him up, probably wondering who he was and why he was around Yugi. Like Slash was doing, he was standing just to Yugi's right and just watching. Other Partners were in the room as well, all standing near their human Spell Casters.

Slash was growling a clear warning and telling the others to back off, but it wasn't helping. Several of the other students already seemed to be planning something. Yugi was right in saying that other picked on him, and they were mistaking Merlin for being weaker than his was since his Partner was so timid. Merlin felt a small smile touch his lips. They would soon find out how wrong they were. Then he doubted Yugi would be singled out as often with him around.

The teacher came in, quickly mentioning that it was time for math class and telling the students to get out their books. They quickly did as they were told, turning their attention front. Merlin knew (though admittedly only vaguely) that humans went to school and their teachers could be rather strict. The teacher though, a male in his middle ages, hardly seemed to batted an eye at the stranger now standing in the middle of the classroom, and instead returned to scribbling on the board.

Merlin watched Yugi through this first class, where he took notes but seemed rather unnerved and kept looking around at the other students. Merlin wasn't really paying attention to the lesson (though none of the other Duel Spirits were either) and simply watched Yugi closely. He was aware that Slash was now watching him closely, like he was going to try something. Merlin ignored the dragon and just kept a sharp vigil on Yugi and the others in the classroom who seemed determined to make his life a living hell.

The first class passed quickly and went on to the second, which seemed to be a lesson on history. Mostly they were apparently learning about Egypt, though the information that was being taught was something that Merlin already knew. Yugi however seemed far more attentive about this subject than before. Merlin was a little surprised about this sudden change in the boy, until he remembered the strange box that he kept hidden in his room. Something like that was bound to turn some heads. He supposed too that this gave the boy a reason to be curious. However the thought of the strange box again brought back the Duel Spirit's unease, and he spent the rest of the class worrying over it again. Something about it was strange.

The sound of the bell startled Merlin a little out of his thoughts, but he still frowned. The more he thought about that strange box and its golden puzzle, the more unnerved it made him. He wanted to tell Yugi to leave it alone, but something held him back. It was surrounded by powerful magic, yet something kept him from ignoring it. This is what increased the Duel Spirit's unease. He shook his head and looked up, noticing Slash's distrustful eyes still on him.

The dragon looked like he was going to say something to him, except at that point another boy made his way over to the group of friends. It was an off period, and the whole class was enjoying a break from the class, however this was also a time (which Yugi knew all too well) when students would challenge each other to duels and test their strengths.

Slash turned his attention and anger instead to this strange boy, whom Merlin decided he didn't like nearly instantly. He was a large young man, and unlike Yugi he was tall and thick for his age. He had black hair and dark blue eyes. He wasn't the sort of person that people liked to mess with. One glance around the room told Merlin that he was considered very strong, since most people seemed to look away quickly as if they weren't seeing anything. Behind him was the boy's Partner. This creature was also tall and large, having dark green hair and dark brown eyes. Merlin found though that he couldn't sense anything particularly magical about this creature. It was simply feared because of its strength, which he was sure he could overcome.

"Hey Yugi," the boy said. "You seem to have a Partner there. You know what that means right?"

"Back off Greg," Joey growled. The boy, Greg, just held up his hand and gave the boy a crooked smile.

"Now Wheeler," he said. "You know that it's the rules around here. Everyone who gets their partner has to fight me and my buddy Titan here. You're not going to back down, are you Yugi? That would make you a coward."

"This shrimp doesn't even look like he could stand up in a fight against me anyway," Titan said.

Merlin instantly bristled. If anything, he wanted nothing more than to crush these two right now because of this alone. He quickly drew himself to his full height and met the creature's eyes without an ounce of fear in his eyes. This only seemed to make the other creature sneer at him more. Merlin just gave a sideways smile then. If Yugi wouldn't accept then he'd accept for him.

"Really?" Merlin asked. "Are you so sure? I suspect this battle would be easy considering your IQ is obviously on such a lower level than my own. I pity you."

Every single Duel Spirit in the room deadpanned and looked right at Merlin. All of their jaws dropped and they just stared at him, including Slash who apparently thought that he had no common sense now. Yugi even turned to look at Merlin with some fear in his eyes. He was the only human who could hear his Partner (as it was with every pair) but all the Duel Spirits could hear one another. Titan began to bristle and glared at Merlin, who just continued to smile slyly at him.

"What did you just say to me?" he growled in a menacing tone.

"Didn't you just hear me?" Merlin asked. "Are you deaf as well as stupid?"

"I'm going to kill you for that," Titan roared. Merlin's eyes narrowed.

"I'd love to see you try," Merlin said in a tone that made Yugi shiver a little.

"Well Yugi," Greg said with a laugh. "It seems your Partner just accepted the challenge for you. Lets go outside then."

Yugi gave Merlin a rather helpless look but the Duel Spirit didn't seem phased by it. He was obviously full of confidence about his ability to defeat this creature. After all, if it was dumb enough to be tricked into rashly wanting to battle by his taunts then he didn't think it could really be all that powerful. It was probably going to be easily tricked again. He followed Greg and Titan outside into the courtyard where other duels were taking place. Yugi trudged along silently behind, looking rather unwilling. His friends ran to keep up.

Soon there was a crowd gathering around them, and most people were looking at Yugi rather mournfully. It appeared by the smugness of both Greg and Titan that they were completely undefeated here at the school yard. Well Merlin supposed it was time he broke that little streak, as well as get people to stop picking on Yugi. Two birds with one stone. He was more than willing to fight this battle. They reached the yard and Greg stopped, turning to look at Merlin.

"Well I suppose I should explain the rules for the rookie here," he said, looking pointedly at Merlin. "Here's how this works. Both teams stand apart from each other ready for battle. There are no attacks on the players allowed and no attacks by the players allowed. Also, you're not allowed to take your true form until your Spell Caster tells you to."

"That's not stadium rules," Yugi protested.

"That's my rules," Greg growled. "Got a problem with it? Hurry up and get into position."

With that Greg and Titan turned and began to walk to their positions. Yugi turned quietly and walked to the other, and Merlin followed them. Upon taking their positions Yugi looked up at Merlin almost pleadingly. He looked quite terrified, even with his friends yelling encouragements in the background. Merlin felt almost a little sorry to drag Yugi into this. Almost. He needed to stop being so scared all the time.

"Is it too late to run?" he asked quietly.

"I believe so," Merlin replied.

"But Greg and Titan are the strongest people in school," Yugi said nervously. "Why are you picking a fight with them?"

"I told you that I'm powerful, did I not?" Merlin asked, giving Yugi a very serious face. "Trust me. I know what I'm doing. I've fought his kind before."

"What big and scary?"

"No stupid," Merlin replied with a small smile. "Now listen. I'm going to try and tire him out. Then when he starts slowing down is when I'll be able to take my true form. That way, no matter how strong he is or how big, he won't stand a chance when I use my own powers. Do you understand?"

"Y-yeah I guess," Yugi replied. "But what are you?"

"You'll see,"

With that Merlin stepped forward away from Yugi to face their opponent. Greg gave a smirk as Titan, still glaring, got into position as well. The two larger boys were facing the two smaller ones, but Merlin didn't flinch or bat an eye at him. Titan was trying his hardest to look big and scary, and Merlin just didn't seem impressed. This obviously seemed to impress a few of the other students and Duel Spirits, since even Merlin could sense that Titan was powerful, whatever he was. Still, he was underestimating Merlin because of his size, and that would be his downfall.

"Alright battle start," Greg called. "Go on Titan. Show him what you're made of! Take your true form!"

Titan gave Merlin another death glare as he changed forms. To the observing eye it seemed that he simply fell forward and morphed (in quite an ugly fashion) into a large orc. He was huge and quite fat, though apparently he was also well muscled though Merlin wasn't too sure how that worked. Green pants were on his body though they were ripped off at the bottom, and a brown jacket hung around his waist. He was also carrying a large bone. His eyes were yellow and his skin was green, and two great tusks sprouted from his bottom lip. Merlin still didn't look impressed.

"Scared punk?" Titan laughed. "Even with as tiny as you are, you're still putting on that brave face. Let's see how long that lasts."

With that he swung his bone down towards Merlin like an ax. Merlin just nimbly dodged, being much smaller than Titan was. He wasn't that surprised. Merlin had expected some great big oaf like a Giant Orc to be his real form. Orcs were easily provoked and quite stupid. As Titan swung at Merlin again in the same fashion and seemed to grow more frustrated this only seemed to prove his point.

Titan swung again, and again Merlin dodged. As the Orc kept fumbling after the much more agile creature he just grew more frustrated. The onlookers however only grew more confused. Yugi seemed to be watching for something, but with as straightforward as this Duel was they couldn't really figure out what he was watching for. And Merlin was still in his human form. Wouldn't it be better to unlock his full power than just keep dodging. Confused, Joey turned to his smaller friend.

"Yugi what are you doing?" he called. "Tell Merlin to change forms! This is crazy!"

Yugi just shook his head at Joey and turned back to watch as Merlin easily danced around the creature in front of him. Titan only seemed to be growing more frustrated, and Merlin was just calmly staying out of his reach. Greg on the other hand seemed to smirk and think that everything was going in his favor. He looked up at Yugi, grinning at him.

"Is that all he can do?" he asked. "Run away? He's as spineless as you are."

"Face me like a man," Titan roared angrily. Merlin just gave them a dark smile.

"If you insist," he replied.

Yugi saw what Merlin meant. The Giant Orc was beginning to slow and was breathing heavier now. He was also only growing angrier and angrier, which would only make him more rash. Yugi liked to play games, and if there was one thing Merlin had learned about his Partner over the six months he had gotten to know him, it was that he was a great strategist. Yugi's eyes seemed to plant on the form of his Partner as he asked himself again what the creature was. But he soon opened his mouth.

"Alright then," Yugi called. "Don't hold back anymore! Show them your true form Merlin!"

Merlin closed his eyes as the transformation took place. What appeared to be a circular seal sat on the ground around his feet, and as it rose the clothing beneath it changed. It rose all the way up over his head, and everyone just stared speechless at him. For one, his transformation was much smoother and much more visually appealing than Titans had been. For another reason, he was also a creature that wasn't too terribly common to have as a Partner, but also was easily recognized by sight alone. As Merlin opened his eyes, he noticed that Greg looked a little nervous, though Titan seemed to still be ignoring logic.

"Merlin is a Dark Magician?" Ansu cried in surprise.

Merlin was tall thin but still had muscle. He still had the same hair and eyes and the same calm and collected face. However now he wore purple robes and a pointed purple hat. He held a staff in his right hand, a long thing that also had a similar point to his hat at the end and a green sphere. Yugi's jaw dropped in surprise, as did that of many people watching including Yugi's friends. Titan on the other hand just sneered.

"That's it?" he growled. "I was expecting something more. How are you supposed to fight me like that? They say that Dark Magicians have powerful magic. Show it to me then, and stop running from me like a coward."

"Come and find out then," Was Merlin's response.

He was hoping to provoke the creature into one more stupid attack. He was right. Even though Greg tried to call his Partner back Titan wasn't going to listen to him. He wanted to make Merlin pay for mocking him like he had. This time however Merlin didn't budge. He waited until Titan drew closer and then raised his staff, pointing it at the large creature, and then he cast his spell.

As soon as he did the Giant Orc let out a grunt and crashed off to the side of the Dark Magician. He didn't stir after that. Merlin hadn't done much damage, but the attack soon had the giant oaf snoozing away on the ground. Now however it was obvious that the duel was over. There wasn't much else that Greg could do now that his Partner was out cold. Merlin turned to look at Yugi, who seemed absolutely relieved that he hadn't hurt him. He knew that Yugi was way too gentle of a person to want to see anyone hurt. Merlin simply returned to his human form and walked back to Yugi's side, looking at him pointedly.

"Let that be your first lesson," he said. "Analyze your opponent before you attack. Use their weaknesses against them. However it isn't always necessary to hurt them either. I suppose the other students won't really be singling you out now will they? I told you I'd take care of that." Yugi blinked for a moment in surprise, and then smiled.

"Thanks Merlin," he said.

Merlin can have a darker personality when he wants to. Again, this is part of a series that I actually started as just a stand alone story. I decided to make more though. These characters are based off of the world and character development seen in Dragon Pact (and eventually in Eyes of Darkness). These versions of these characters are therefore different because of the time that's passed between all of them, as are the worlds they live in.

Please don't get confused about this, but enjoy all three. None of the stories in this series are finished, but please enjoy them all.