Sands of Time

Shadows: Why am I doing this again? Oh yea, cuz this evil plot bunny settled in my head and refused to go away until I wrote this...

Kitty: Shadows does not own Shaman King. However, she does own any other original characters that may appear.

Shadows: I am hoping to make this into a nice big story...(unlike my continuing one-shots.) Oh yes, and the usual warnings, there's violence, strong language, and probably some kinky sex later on...And love us, for Morty's getting his proper Japanese name in here... :P

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Chapter One - Back To The Source

The evening was growing late; the sun vastly becoming a smear of blood red across the night sky. Despite the hot desert climate, the small group of shaman were tired, cold and hungry, with no sign of civilization anytime soon. Everyone was beginning to grow desperate to reach Patch Village sooner rather than later; the constant threat of Yoh's older brother, Hao Asakura making things even more stressed than they already were.

It was that evening in particular however, that was going to change the lives of the shaman there in a way no one expected.

"Isn't there anywhere we can get something to eat? I'm famished! Dying! Dying I tell you!"

"Good. At least then we won't be constantly subjected to your pathetically stupid jokes. Wait, can we even call them jokes?"

"Hey! Take that back! One day I'll be a rich and famous comedian, and THEN you'll be sorry you ever mocked me! I'll be a babe magnet! Loaded with the cash baby!"

"And that would benefit me how? In case your forgetting, my family is already rich and famous. Which means I have about three times as much money than you'll EVER have.."

"OH YEAH? GRR!" With a war cry resembling something like a strangled cat, Chocolove launched into about the hundredth fist fight he'd had with Tao Ren that day. Unfortunately for the dark skinned shaman, the Chinese preferred to use a nicely pointed spear than his fists.

"Enough you two. You're lacking enough energy as it is, don't waste any more." Manta piped up from in front of them, laptop tucked nicely under his arm. He had to admit, it was tiring walking this much; and if they didn't find somewhere for the night soon, it was going to be too dark to see more than a foot in front of them.

However, it looked like they were going to be in luck that night, for eventually, Yoh and Ryu managed to stumble upon an empty cave, and amongst scuffles, attempted murders, almost bloodshed, and immense cursing; the small group eventually managed to settle for the night. (But not before Chocolove and Ren's hundredth-and-one fight of the day. :P)

Little did they know, amongst the little snores, and silent squirms and nudges, that the next day held a surprise none of them would have expected.

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"Are we nearly done? If we're not ready, we'll have to wait another 100 years! We must not waste this chance!" Strong, determined, and utterly focused on his task, Marco was barking orders like a true sergeant. His once smooth and youthful features were worn and pale, lines etched into his face from age. If anything, the last few years had been one, long, uphill struggle; a cruel fate that he was determined not to waste with this chance.

They were going to stop this whole battle before it had even started - or they were going to die trying.

"Sir, the runes are positioned and all in order. Providing they don't intervene, we'll be done and ready before nightfall." A young, new recruit to the X-Laws, addressed his captain, a wary fear lingering in his eyes. Nearly everyone had seen what happened should they anger the volatile Marco.

"Excellent. Prepare the translations, and ensure they are all correct. We do not want to misread the enchantment." For the most, things usually went fine around the X-Laws' HQ, but sometimes, it all went wrong, particularly when Yoh and his lackeys decided to intervene. It had been that way for four years since the end of the Shaman Tournament - Marco and the X-Laws tried to kill Yoh and everyone else, and they stopped them or evaded the X-Laws somehow.

To someone like Marco, who had seen death, bloodshed, betrayal, and battle after battle, it was all too much. He lived, slept, and ate for his work, his life, his dream almost. His deepest and most desired dream to finally kill Yoh and watch his so called 'friends' fall with him.

However, they had being trying since the Shaman Tournament to succeed, and even now, nearly 6 years later, nothing had changed. Yoh was still alive. The evil blood that was Hao Asakura still ran in his veins, and although he had killed enough, there was still one more death to claim. After attempt after attempt; failing worthlessly to gain any ground, Marco hated to admit it, but a change of tactics was needed if anything was going to be done about the Asakura threat.

It was a dire situation, and something needed to be done. Much consulting of the Iron Maiden Jeanne had led to hours of planning and creating; new born ideas fleshed out from pen to paper. Finally, after nearly a month of research and dedicated development, the X-Laws had put the finishing touches to their master plan.

And nothing or nobody was going to stop them. If they were going to pull this off, there had to be absolutely no interference from Yoh and his lackeys. For the plan involved something that for most, was unheard of. Science fiction bullshit.

Rather than fight Yoh endlessly, Marco had decided to simply severe things at the root. Long, long before the weed planted itself firmly into the ground.

They were going to travel back in time four years, and simply kill Yoh whilst he was far, far weaker than they were.

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"You sure it's this way?"

"I'm sure. Right Amidimaru?"

"I am sure Yoh. The other tunnels are dead ends."

"Okay, down here. Be careful Horo, you'll crack your skull in."

"I'm alright...Man isn't there any better light in here? I me" The Ainu's last sentence was cut off sharply as he wobbled and slipped sideways into a gaping hole in the cavern wall. Thankfully, it appeared deeper than it looked, and Horo Horo only fell a few feet down into the inky black darkness.

"Horo? Horo are you alright?" Chocolove stepped down carefully, hands reaching for those stretching up inside the hole. Pulling gently, it was only a matter of minutes before Horo was safely out again.

"Be more careful, these caverns are pretty unstable." Yoh turned his eyes back to the dark stretch in front of him, eyes adjusting to the dim lighting again and moving ever forwards. Tremors rumbled through the hard stone walls, alerting everyone to the necessity of getting through the tunnels as quickly as they could. They didn't quite know what the X-Laws were up to this time, but they could bet that it had something to do with killing Yoh. Again.

And again, they would be there to stop them. Providing the shaman managed to get through in time. The end was in sight, and a little, aged wooden door lay ahead of them. It was one used many a time by the small group, and they were surprised beyond belief that the X-Laws hadn't caught them using it by now. Or were they really too concerned with murdering them to notice how and when they got in?

A further few tremors led them quickly to the source of their latest trouble; the dark caverns leading upwards to open, better maintained areas. As big as the X-Laws HQ was, it certainly wasn't as well cared for as it previously had been. Now, most of the main activity took place in the main hall, and it's surrounding living quarters, the rest of the ancient building slowly falling to pieces.

With a final breath, keeping himself close as possible to the walls, Yoh swung himself up into the air ducts of the main hall. He was swiftly following in quick procession by the rest of the little shaman party. It wasn't far along, amongst the dust, spinning fans, and the cool metal beneath them, before the Asakura reached a familiarly marked spot. He ducked down, and motioned to one of the others for help.

"Come on Horo, it's your turn. Help me shift this grate." Chocolate brown eyes sparkled at the Aniu, who merely cocked an eyebrow - before stepping forward to help his friend push aside the grate.

Curious as to what mysterious death wish was brewing for them this time, the group carefully peered down into the huge, crowded main hall below them.

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"Come on, come on! We don't have all night! Get those rituals sorted!" Marco was still continually barking orders at the harried shaman running around him; eyes settling every so often upon the deep, rust-like colour of the coffin that stood at the centre of the room. On the wall that the coffin faced, a rather oblong gateway had been formed into the wall; deep colours and rainbow hues reflecting the patterned depth of the wormhole within. Upon closer inspection, providing you could make it out beyond the blinding colours; it was possible to see that the gateway was, in fact, created from Anna's 1080 beads.

They were clearly trying to use the Asakura's power against them. Most commonly, Marco preferred to refer to Yoh and his companions simply as 'the Asakura minions', a more mocking if not demeaning title.

"Sir, we're all prepared and ready to continue. The moon just needs to fall into place and things will follow according to schedule." An older, more experienced member of the X-Laws addressed his captain. Although Marco's hard-headed determination seemed to leave the younger recruits more in awe; it left many of the older associates, who had worked with their leader throughout the years, fearing that Marco's determination had become more of a deep, deep obsession.

"Excellent. Keep it up, and make sure those damned guards keep to their posts." The man merely nodded, bowing to his captain before departing himself swiftly.

Nearly another half an hour of fierce shouting, orders and preparation followed. By this time, the Iron Maiden Jeanne herself had awoken, silently observing the chaos around her. Her decisions were always trusted, it was more seen that her suffering was her plight to save those around her, than for fulfilling her own needs. Years of being worshipped as a goddess almost, meant that an army of loyal followers now served to her every need and whim, and most of them were more than willing to die if only for the sake of keeping their lady Jeanne alive.

An almost tragic, age old ode to one feared and revered as a deity; something that even now, was used thoroughly to its every advantage.

But no one needed to know that. Very few knew the Iron Maiden close and personally. Little few remained of the followers, who 6 years ago had fought endless battles to wipe out the Asakura threat. It was those followers perhaps, who had ever held any closeness, any unity with their sacred Iron Maiden. The X-Laws were made of more younger, naive recruits now, and the once, small, tight knit bond that had been the X-Laws in their early days as an assassin group long gone.

Jeanne was broken away from her far away reminiscing by the deep call from Marco; the final stage of their plans complete. All that was needed was for Jeanne to use her intense furiyoku to successfully link between their time, and 4 years ago. Steady chanting arose around her, the energy in the room raised and fuelled by the shaman gathered together; dreams and desires joining to create a power far beyond what any mere human could even dream of.

It was not long; the moon shining down upon the Iron Maiden in the centre of the hall, before the portal's shimmering light intensifying further than human sight, the sheer power of what they were creating reflecting in the atmosphere of the room.

And suddenly it was over; and their gateway to the past stood in all it's glory before them.

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"Forward!" Marco shouted almost immediately, everyone momentarily abandoning their awe of the portal and rushing to gather their necessary belongings. Amongst the chaos of everyone that were embarking on the mission, no one noticed Yoh and the rest of his followers slipping down and silently hiding themselves in the hall.

No one noticed that was, until it was too late, and several X-Laws lay dead at the edge of the hall. Turning sharply, Marco momentarily left his position near Jeanne, and rushed forward to defend his young recruits.

"You...again." He spat, eyes narrowing on the brunette who stood before him, most, if not all of his gang gathered behind. Despite his desire to ensure that Yoh didn't tear this plan to bits, the blonde knew their time was limited. They had to go now, regardless of their company.

"Hold them off." He growled to several members beside him, turning back to the mission in front of him. "Make sure they don't get through."

A fierce battle began, whilst Marco started the mission workforce. One by one, they held their breath, and rushed through, Marco constantly noting the odds at stake. Readying himself, looking around the chaos of the near deserted room, he took a deep breath, and threw himself through the time portal.

"Come on!" Yoh shouted quickly to the shaman around him, "We've gotta follow him!"

"You sure?" Horo replied, working momentarily with Ryu to fend off some of the X-Laws.

"Positive, we've got to move fast! Now!" Swiftly alerted, the team caught on fast, and immediately fought through as hard as they could. It was enough, but only just. The gateway was closing rapidly, and the group of shaman had to run and throw themselves through with little caution.

It was long enough however, and in a matter of minutes, the room lay nearly empty, devoid completely of the X-Laws and Yoh's team.

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Shadows: I hope I haven't confused you, that was longer than I expected. Anyway, here's a few helpers if you're stuck:

The first scene is set in the present, Shaman Tournament time, the rest of the chapter is set four years in the future.

The X-Laws are trying to kill Yoh and Co' by going back in time and killing them whilst they're weaker.

Yoh and Co' in the future tried to stop the X-Laws from going back in time. When they didn't succeed, they followed them back.

I hope that clears up any confusion!

Kitty: Sorry updates have been a while, we've just got back from a 2 week holiday in Florida! (with no internet access.)