Holy crap. I have been meandering through this stuff for three years, and I finally got an email address and posted something. I feel very...accomplished.
Subject of Fanfiction: Yes, this is YamixSeto, as that was the first yaoi pairing I ever discovered. It is still my favorite, and now I pay tribute to it, as well as to the fine authoresses who have kept me coming back here with their captivating stories.
Content of Fanfiction: As for my first fic, the beginning part is mostly introspective (not that the other chapters will be very action packed...you noticed this was in Romance genre, right?). I can't decide whether I'll cut it into two or three parts. Maybe four, if I feel like making you guys wait that long. You did it to me! Oh, and just so you know, it's going to have a lot of symbolism in it, so if you just crammed for an English exam, go take a nap. I pity you.
Chapter Origin/Titles: This entire fic has been a brainstorm in my head for LITERALLY TWO YEARS. Yes, I know what you're thinking"My God, what a lazy person! Will it take her that long to write up the next chapter? Should I even bother reading this" Your answer is yes, because I wrote this entire fic out in only two sittings, and I hope to put my ideas on paper faster than this one. The title of this first chapter"Firebird Suite", came from an actual musical number. The basis for this fic, Fantasia 2000, had a piece at the end of the movie about a battle between Mother Nature and the disaster of an erupting volcano, and the number was the background music. This fic isn't quite like that, but I suppose you could say I replaced the heroine of that piece with our favorite depressing anti-hero, Seto Kaiba.
Background Info: It would really help if you had at least a basic idea of what the hell Death-T was and how it affected Seto Kaiba. Long story short, Kaiba designs a lethal amusement park as revenge against Yugi/Yami (if you dare ask why, I will slap you). When Yami reaches Kaiba he duels him again and wins...again. As punishment for his actions, Yami shatters Kaiba's heart, forcing him to sit in the shadow realm and piece it together. To quote Yami directly, he said "with no mistakes this time." This fic is about the part the anime completely skips, mainly how the event affects Kaiba's views and his outlook on life as a whole. If you haven't read the manga, I highly suggest you do, and not just to understand this fic.
Without further ado, I bring you Part 1 of Scourge and Renewal: Firebird Suite. Enjoy!
The sky was dark.
Thunder rolled from distant mountains as clouds moved in. They hung ominously on the horizon, teasing the land as they withheld life's liquid. The earth cried out for aid, cracked and parched, devoid of life. The trees, or what remained of them, reached up with damaged, twisted branches in an attempt for relief.
The entire landscape was ravaged, beaten, in pieces like the broken mind it presided in. There was no hope, no chance of survival, no life. A fire had been here.
A stranger standing amidst the ruin could hear the whisper of a story on the wind. It was the same wind that had once billowed strongly, fanning the flames of anger and vengeance. It too, was beaten, now only a slight breeze to its former gusts of power. The story was brought as an offering to anyone who would listen. It told a tale of loss and pain, burdens too heavy, a broken promise, and a betrayal to a loved one.
The same broken promise brought punishment from a mysterious red-eyed pharaoh, a king; no mortal yet no demon. Justice had been rot by this being. A great war had been fought, the war that began 3000 years ago, and the king had won again.
The fire was his doing, a shattering force sweeping through dead growth and withering vegetation. Before a strong, wild dragon had stood tall, bellowing a challenge. Now it had been brought to its knees.
The pharaoh was not alone. Faithful knights stood by their sovereign, aiding this King Arthur of old to bring down what they thought a satanic beast. But as they stood cheering on the side of the battlefield, the pharaoh did something he swore never to do; he looked back to his fallen enemy.
His body still sat at attention in his chair, for a person with such pride could never slouch. Eyes stared blankly ahead, veiling the raging fire set loose and spreading through his polluted soul. The pharaoh's eyes unconsciously roamed, taking in the figure of this boy. For a boy he was, and that was why the king had shown such hatred during the deadly duel and so little mercy afterwards.
This human, a child compared to him, was young, inexperienced in emotions, and too arrogant to accept help from anyone. He was a complete contrast to the king, and therefore should not be here.
He should be on the sidelines with the others.
He should be cheering his savior on.
He should be counting on his protection.
Instead this boy stood up to him, challenging while protecting his own faithful knight. He was trying to be his equal, and a king does not appreciate rebels.
Despite the defiance of this boy, the pharaoh had not killed him; after all the torture, pain, and suffering of his charges, the king had not put his enemy out of his misery.
Why? Why did such cold red eyes soften to a look of empathy? Why did he give this boy a second chance?
Beauty? Yes, a part. From the first time he saw this wild creature the dark one had noticed it. The boy was pale, contrasting the pharaoh's memory of a distant and tan people with an almost wraithlike appearance. It was fitting, really, for this dragon soul had been wandering in despair for quite some time. Dark hair set off his face, reminding the king of a tantalizing sweet his host had introduced him to. Chocolate, was it? The candy could be bitter too, however. A tall slender body, almost all leg, beckoned to him, with slender hips begging to be embraced.
What first captured the pharaoh's attention, however, were the eyes. Deep blue tumultuous seas stared blankly at him now, questioning him and bringing the king back to the present. When this boy woke up, he would be hated.
He could wait, though.
As the pharaoh relinquished control to his host, wild fire ran through his opponent's mind. It seemed as though only destruction was left in its wake, but a closer look showed sown seeds of hope.
This dragon would rise again, fighting both against and with his rival. Until then, it must heal. Until then, the fire must be extinguished and the smoke cleared.
The boy could wait too.
So, what do you think? Reviews are appreciated, and I'm open to constructive criticism. If there are any problems with grammar I missed, let me know. Other than that, just give me honest feedback! I don't really know when I'll be able to update; two days, a week, two years? Just kidding!