From Shadows to Shadows
Premise: Seto Kaiba has recently returned to Domino, after being abroad for ten years. When he returns, the whole city is in decay, and the company he once fostered is ready to move on without him. He reunites with his former companions and sets out to rid the city of the corruption that has overtaken it through the alias of a particular masked vigilante. SetoxSerenity
A/N: Welcome everyone to my first attempt at a SetoxSerenity story. I must thank my cough wonderful sister Sakura Takanouchi for giving me this idea, and letting me see where it goes. This is a bit of a Batman-spinoff, as you can see many similarities between Seto's personality and Bruce Wayne's, in my opinion. This chapter is also a bit strange in its POV, but that's because it's jumping around through the present and Seto's memories and thoughts about his past. Hope you all enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Batman Begins or YGO. Come on, it's called fan-fiction for a reason
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Chapter One:
Seto tried to relax in the buttery leather of the seat of his private plane, but he soon found that it was impossible. It unnerved him, that something that used to come so easily now seemed so unfamiliar. He tried to focus instead on why he was there, why he was returning. For ten years, Domino hadn't seen the face of Seto Kaiba, and if he had anything to say about it then he wouldn't be going back now.
Damn you, he thought. How could you find me?
He couldn't stay angry at his younger brother for long. Mokuba was now the only family he had.
Seto sighed, letting the shallow light of the overhead lighting wash over his pale face as he closed his eyes, clearing his thoughts and meditating in the way that he had been taught.
It was a rainy day when Seto Kaiba decided to leave the city of Domino for good. His adopted father—Seto would never call this depraved man his real father—had been the one to drive him out.
Seto was made a president of a department of Kaiba corp, and it had been one of the proudest, if not happiest, days of his life when Gozaburo told him that he was to be named official heir and vice president later that year. This department chair was merely a test, to see if Seto could handle it.
Naturally, Seto Kaiba could handle anything, but Gozaburo needed to see proof. Seto had made that particular department, the one dealing with electronics and computer equipment, the best in the entire country. While Kaiba Corp dealt mainly in weapons and technology, Seto was convinced that the entertainment section of the company had the most potential.
Later that day he was called in by Gozaburo to oversee his new duties. He was shocked to learn that Gozaburo had been laundering money through the other departments, and intended that Seto should do the same.
All of a sudden, his whole perspective changed. Seto had known that his adoptive father was a conniving crook, but this only cemented his opinion. Gozaburo was stealing money from his clients, charging them double and then selling them equipment that was half-rate, if it barely functioned at all. Seto had built up his department honestly over the years, rising through the ranks as he proved to the world that he had the innovation and creativity to one day stand at the top.
Seto was adamantly against the blatant corruption Gozaburo seemed to thrive on. He still remembered the cruel words of his step-father.
"Don't you want the money, son?" The sneering face of GozaburoKaiba said, as if already picturing the sums that would come rolling in. "Use your talents to help the company! Do this, and your place as my heir is secured!"
Seto had calmly walked out of the office, the only outward signs of his anger being the tightly clenched fists by his sides, his fingernails burrowing into his palms to keep him from running back in there and doing something he'd regret.
After all, he would have what was coming to him.
Seto had left Domino that same day, leaving a message with a local trusted lawyer to look into Kaiba Corp's illegal practices. He never checked up on his actions, or he would have known that the same lawyer turned up dead within ten days, and the case was closed soon after.
My only regret is that I never had a chance to say goodbye to Mokuba
It's not as if any of the others would have cared.
While Seto Kaiba surely had enemies, he could barely call his casual acquaintances "friends." Sure, there was Yugi Motou, who was almost as good a duelist as he was, and Bakura Ryou, who always seemed very quiet, and a couple others, and of course…who could forget the mutt?
Joey Wheeler was his name. Funny, he had the same last name as the lawyer Seto had contacted.
Must've been an uncle or something…it's not like any of his intelligence rubbed off on that fleabitten mongrel.
Seto tried to forget about all of them. He was on his own now, and he had only himself to depend on. He could never have supported Mokuba, not where he was going. Mokuba was young enough that Gozaburo would not make him enter the company's ranks just yet, and Seto trusted his younger brother's morals to keep him safe.
Seto was determined to get as far away from Domino as he could, but that was a hard thing to do. He eventually ended up in Europe, after stowing away on a Kaiba Corp train after taking a boat to the mainland.
Strange country, Switzerland, he thought as he trudged through yet another small, bleak, disinteresting town. You can find just about everything here.
He had come for the mountains, honestly. He had never been one for winter sports like skiing, but he loved hiking and mountain-climbing.
It had been two years, and Seto was still not any closer to discovering why he was even there. Before he could even think of opposing his step-father on any level, he had to know himself first. He was afraid, that day in the office, because some small part of him wanted to take Gozaburo's offer.
He had tried to immediately crush that part of him, but he found in his isolation that it grew like a weed, festering in his heart and turning it black.
In order to face the corruption, I first need to be desensitized to it so that I might understand it, and only then can I defeat it.
He repeated the mantra over and over in his head as he climbed the mountain in front of him. He had the proper coat and climbing materials after selling his expensive watch, a birthday present from Gozaburo. He was more than happy to get rid of it, and now a black sports watch stood plainly on his wrist.
Through his muddled German, he had learned that a temple stood alone on the mountain's peak.
Great, just what I need to "discover myself," he thought bitterly.
The temple would prove to be both a blessing and a curse. The snow had picked up, and Seto's fingers shook as he clutched his hood closer to his face as the wooden exterior of the monastery came into view.
It better be warm in there.
Ah, but isn't inner enlightenment warmer than even the most roaring fire?
He could hardly lift his hand to open the door. He had barely touched the rough hewn handle when the door seemed to open of its own accord. Seto nearly fell over as he staggered inside, the warmth from several fires in wall-mounted torches nearby reaching through the thick wool of his coat to his soaked skin.
And above all, the scent of incense hovered over the air, stinging his nostrils with its pungent odor.
What…what is that scent? It seems so familiar, but the more I think about it the less I remember.
"Welcome, Seto Kaiba, to the League of Shadows," said a voice that made his blood freeze.
The man before him wore a simple long-sleeved tunic the color of sand, and a turban to cover his head. It was his eyes that unnerved Seto the most, as they were piercing in a violet-blue color that seemed to be able to see into his very soul.
Yes, we see the evil within you. And we will cultivate it
Instead, the voice that emanated from the man said only, "My name is Shaadi."
At first Seto jumped for the chance to be able to join this monastery's teaching. Seto had always been able to defend himself, but now his skills were honed in a way that he had never thought possible. Shaadi seemed to take him on as his sole pupil, although there were hundreds of other nameless, faceless students there in the wooden fortress of a building.
Darker into the shadows you will fall. And only then can we bring you out of it.
…But will I still be myself?
That is not important. You are part of the collective. Your emotions no longer matter.
It was then that Seto realized that he was being trained to lead this battalion of soldiers. The monastery sought to completely eradicate capitalistic forces that had turned corrupt and fallen into decay so deep that it dragged down the city and the people around it.
With a sinking heart, Seto Kaiba realized that his beloved Kaiba Corporation was next on the list, and it would be he that would deliver the crushing final blow.
But I can save it. I know I can. Can't I?
The seeds of doubt had already been sown, but Seto Kaiba wasn't completely swayed by the combination of gratifying promises and sweet incense that seemed to so completely permeate the monastery. Shaadi's voice rang in Seto's head even as he ate or slept, reminding him of his supposed new mantra.
KaibaCoroporation is corrupt and has doomed the whole city of Domino. While the Corporation is beyond saving, you can be the city's savior. Destroy Gozaburo and re-right the balance.
Shaadi and Seto often trained outside in the wilderness, using the mountain as their backdrop or sparring over a thick field of frozen ice, the sharp cracks of the ice masking the clang of their blades.
Shaadi used his training time to also instruct Seto in the beliefs of the League of Shadows. It was very Marxist, putting the weight of the collective over individualism and condemning "corrupt" capitalism. There was no hope for revolution or alteration, but only destruction.
Seto knew he had to escape here. The only thing that was keeping him from completely submitting to Shaadi's control was the thought of his younger brother, Mokuba. It had been nine years in total since he had left the city of Domino, and he knew he had to return, if only for him.
He has forgotten you. Do the job you were born to do
I shall. I shall liberate the city from Gozaburo's control on my own terms.
Seto knew it was Spring because the incessant snow had begun to slow down, covering the mountains in its thick blanket while the air remained crisp and clear. Seto once again found himself in the main entry hall of the monastery, face-to-face with Shaadi.
The smell of incense was almost overpowering.
"It is time for you to take up your sword. The city of Domino has reached its lowest point, and we will raise it from its ashes as Kaiba Corporation falls," Shaadi said, closing his eyes slowly as his voice seemed to resonate throughout the hall.
Does that damned incense not affect him? I can barely stand.
"You shall lead these men in battle," Shaadi said, gesturing to the rows of identical, uniformed men at his right. For the first time, Seto saw the flash of gold at his belt; the shine of the Millennium Key in its ankh-like shape.
For something that is supposed to represent life, why does he bring nothing but death?
"Prove your loyalty," Shaadi hissed as a man was brought from behind a sliding door. Obviously a native, the man spoke no English and looked tremblingly around the room.
"This man's name is Panik," Shaadi said dismissively. "He has stolen money and food from another man in the village. This crime is punishable by death."
For the first time, his eyes locked with Seto's blue ones. "You will carry out his punishment."
Seto looked stricken. He was no murderer, yet this man had virtually done the same crime that Gozaburo was also guilty for, and the League of Shadows had convinced him that Gozaburo deserved death for his crimes against the citizens of Domino and the employees of Kaiba Corp.
I will not play God. I will trust the justice system to carry out his just punishment, even if I have to deliver him to them myself.
Seto's hands briefly touched upon the sword at his back, but he faltered, casting his eyes downward.
"I…cannot," he said, looking back at Shaadi, who scowled in displeasure.
"I was afraid you would say that," Shaadi said, and again Kaiba caught the flash of gold. He quickly waved his hand, and the rows of recruits began to move slowly in. "You are not loyal to the League. We cannot allow you to leave."
Seto took a step back, trying to analyze the situation. He was outnumbered, but the torches against the wall gave him an idea. He grabbed one, and held it out in front of him.
"If I drop it, this whole building will go up in flames," he threatened. Shaadi met his gaze, almost as if daring him.
Without warning, the recruits began to charge. Seto dropped the torch swiftly, which ignited on the hay scattered across the floor, quickly blazing a trail across the floor, lighting the dry floorboards and rough-hewn walls.
Seto parried his attacks from the recruits, choosing only to defend as he made his way closer to the door. The fire spread fast, and the heavy smoke from the fire competed with the heady smoke of the incense, obscuring the view of both Seto and Shaadi. Seto glanced up, then ran out when the rafters directly above him fell due to the fast-moving fire.
He cast a quick glance behind him, but no one was following. He headed towards the well-worn path back down the mountain to the village, looking back once more on the now smoldering monastery. His eyes widened when he saw Shaadi standing before the building, emotions akin to rage and regret in his eyes.
"It is not too late. Come back to us!" He raised one arm out to Seto, who never for an instant considered taking it.
His arms flew up to his face as something inside the building exploded, sending embers and wood flying through the air. Seto looked up to see an unconscious Shaadi, lying underneath a heavy beam from the doorpost.
Seto looked around, but he saw no one else. Either they were all dead, or none were coming to their mentor's rescue.
According to his morals I should let him rot there along with the ones he so successfully brainwashed.
But would that make me any better than they?
Seto ran towards the monastery, avoiding the intense heat of the flames as best as he could. He knelt by Shaadi's side, rolling the beam off of him as he checked for a pulse. It was there, but faint.
Seto hesitated, before lifting the body of his mentor and carrying him towards the village. He left Shaadi with an elderly man in the village, then continued on his way back towards Japan, and Domino City.
He will know that I saved his life.
Seto was in Moscow when he was discovered. Looking through the crowds in front of St. Peter's, he saw the familiar mop of shaggy black hair of his younger brother.
Mokuba Kaiba instantly recognized him, and ran to embrace the ghost who he had been told died nine years ago. Seto accepted Mokuba's offer of a Kaiba Corp jet back to Domino, but the bad news Mokuba brought hit Seto like a brick wall.
Gozaburo Kaiba had died, only the month before. Seto was neither happy nor sad at the news, but he accepted it with grace.
He has received his justice.
Mokuba refused to tell him any more about the condition of his company, and told him that he should see it for himself.
So now, Seto sat in the jet, alone, trying to get re-accustomed to the luxury around him.
But he would not be alone for much longer.
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A/N: How did you like it? Quite a long chapter, if I do say so myself. I tried to keep him in character, and still stick as closely as I can to the basic premise of the Batman Begins movie. Next chapter, Seto will be reunited with Yami, Serenity, and the rest of the gang.
Your reviews mean more than I can say, so I would love it if you could leave a review to let me know how I'm doing. I want to know if I'm keeping them in character, if you like the plot, etc. I love constructive criticism, and any comments that can help me become a better writer would be greatly appreciated.
I'll get the next chapter up soon!
Love, Kako