I keep having flashes of this story….but I need at least one chapter before I get to it…it's annoying…
Ah! I had one vote for the Seto/Jou, everything else was Seto/Shinkou - so (yayy) that's what it'll go as. Don't want it? Too bad. Shinkou kicks ass.
The chapter focuses mainly on Seto and the few that are with him. Heheh…Probably not a lot of past scenes, but that's besides the point.
"Dear my friends in the time we spent forever after and beyond when will our nightmare ever end? Pull the trigger and the nightmare stops." -Three Evils (Embodied in Love and Shadow): Coheed and Cambria
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I don't understand, Yami thought fast, hearing the door burst open to look up at a smirking figure. Rekhi. He gave a pained cough, trying to back away only to have his arm seized by the other, beginning to be dragged from the room. "Let go of me!!" Yami yelled desperately, only to be backhanded across the face. He went quiet after that, attempting to sink into the floor panels to no avail.
Rekhi moved away and now it was Yuumei watching over him, her face looking so soft and nice at the moment. "Help…" Yami whispered as if she would comply, but all she did was smirk and unfold both her wings. Angel and demon - of course….how could he ever forget? Yami searched the room he was pulled into, spotting Malik laughing down at a crumpled over form….Shinkou. "Shinkou!" Yami tried making his way to his cousin, but Rekhi's foot came down on his hand and he cried out in pain, pulling back.
"Fool, stay tamed and you will live longer," the thief snapped out, eyes glaring down at Yami's body. He scoffed and kicked the other in the ribs, pushing him out of the way before moving towards Malik. "We hold Osiris and Ra…Seto Kaiba should be on his way…and then we can get Obelisk from him…how good…and with the rat over there," he jabbed a finger in Yami's direction, "I will be able to official take the title of Pharaoh as my own."
Malik chuckled at the perfect plan. With two God Cards with them at the moment…they were unbeatable! And soon a third…He glanced over at Shinkou's body, snickering at the trembling figure. "Do you really think the priest will come?" he blinked, staring over to Rekhi.
"Oh, the priest will come all right. He won't miss saving his cherished one again…as it is his life as he High Priest has been opened due to that single tablet slab. It'll be enough. He will come."
Seto…? Come for Shinkou? Why…? Yami remained silent, but his mind was confused…it didn't make much sense…Did Seto care for Shinkou in the past? Yami must've been too utterly bruised to even notice it seems. What about Jou...? He shook his head, this shouldn't be on his mind right now. He had to save everyone…even if it would kill him in the process.
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"Is the ring picking up anything…?" Mariku hazily asked, rolling his head back against the seat.
"Slight traces…" Ryou sighed, forcing the ring into power again. He didn't have that much energy to keep it going, normally his yami would handle the energy part of it…but Ryou couldn't borrow energy from his other now, because it risked killing him. "Turn left!" he suddenly spoke out when one of the arrows quickly sprung up in a direction, Otogi made a loud sound of disapproval, turning the wheel as best he could and making the turn. "OTOGI!" Ryou snapped, feeling the energy gravely jump.
"Knock it off!" he yelled back, cursing ancient magic all the while. He stopped at a dead end, breathing heavily before glares off behind to Ryou, "Remind me the next time I help you both - to say no," he growled, leaning back in the seat. He shot a glance to Mariku, raising a brow when he noticed the other was sleeping. "Wake him up and let's go."
"You're coming?" Ryou blinked as he stepped out of the car, closing the door.
Otogi merely shrugged, "Why not? Honda got set up with some tutor so I won't be able to see him the rest of the day."
"Tutor?" Mariku scoffed as he grunted from being woken up (Otogi had to kick him). "Psh, what's he failing?"
"What is he not failing?" Otogi smirked, getting out of the car and waited for the spirit. Mariku swayed briefly, but the sleeping did him good. Though…how anyone could sleep with Otogi's driving is a mystery. Jade eyes turned to the building before them, shivering a bit at the cold feeling that traveled down his spine. "So, you really think this is the place…? We don't have to go in…I say…uh…we wait a bit. Just to make sure."
"Make sure of what?" Mariku hissed darkly. "We know the puzzle is there, so Yami must be too, dammit!"
Ryou was spacing out, staring at his Sennen item as the pointers all danced alive towards the building. "This…doesn't make sense…" he could feel the other's odd gazes and shook his head, confused. "It's not just picking up the puzzle. There's two others it's tracking…" he closed his eyes, imagining the energy in his mind and images of the puzzle, ring, and rod all flashed by his eyes. "What…"
"Ryou?" Otogi blinked.
"The ring and rod are there too."
Mariku scoffed darkly, starting forward and stumbling slightly. "That damn fake and my betrayal of a hikari…"
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Seto Kaiba's legs continued to carry him down a street, eyes on the ground in heavy focus. I'm sorry, Jou. But something in me can't put this behind. He sighed, at least no other memories of what he believed was really his past mixed into his present. It didn't matter much, but it did finally make him understand that all this "Egyptian crap" was not simple fairytales.
And he hadn't had anymore messages for help… Shinkou…dammit, what're they doing… He cursed again, speeding up his walk, only having a remote idea of where he was heading. His mind was directing him…and it was almost scary. "What the hell is leading me?!" he finally growled, suddenly stopping his movements completely. "I refuse to go any further until I get an answer."
There was a flash of an image, he couldn't tell if it had been in his mind of really there. Nevertheless, it had been him in his priest getup. "That's not what's leading me," he snapped, glaring around as the sidewalk and road seemed to tip on him. What's going on?!
"It's real."
Seto found himself staring at a transparent form of a very agitated priest, stumbling back when it was him. He gulped slightly, shaking his head, I really am beginning to hate Egypt. I'm just searching for Shinkou, not trying to get tangled in my past!
"Then go find him," Seth took note of the confused other. Then again who could blame him, even though it seemed the past was meeting the present a lot lately. "You refused to move until you received an answer of how you were being led," the priest spread his arms out, "I'm your answer."
"What?" Seto blinked, ignoring his splitting headache. "How did you get here…?"
"I am a mere memory of your past. Yet I am you. I was planted into your mind from a tablet which was opened by Shinkou himself, though he was forced to. You've cared for him all along, no matter how much you try to deny it. You've only been pushed more to realize it because of my presence."
Seto nearly smirked, lowering his head, "Because I was attached to him so much in the past."
"I don't want to lose him a second time," the priest sulked slightly and Seto nodded.
"I don't want to lose him for a first time."
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"All right, we'll flip a coin. Heads we go in, tails…we stay out here," Otogi thought his idea was a stroke of genius, but Mariku and Ryou simply glared at him. He shrugged, "What?"
Mariku laughed, leaning against the car, "Heads we use our 'heads' to go in and tails we run away with out 'tails' between our legs," he didn't care if none of them had a tail. The whole concept was amusing to him. Otogi snorted and pulled out a quarter, running his fingers over it. "Afraid to toss it?"
"I'm concentrating!" he snapped back. Ryou sighed from the side, glancing toward the mansion. He was surprised it hadn't collapsed yet. "Ok…this toss decides it all…"
"Dammit, a coin can't decide our fate!"
"Fate decides itself."
Mariku glanced back, raising a brow at Seto Kaiba who had entered the scene, but it wasn't Seto who made the comment, it was the figure standing near the CEO. "Seth?"
"Hn," the figure vanished and Mariku blinked.
"Why are you three here?" Seto stared as if nothing had happened.
"To get Yami," Mariku murmured, jabbing a finger towards Otogi. "He's afraid to go in. Trying to find different ways to get out of it. Hn." Seto rolled his eyes out of character and walked passed them, not caring that Ryou and Mariku followed after him - Otogi was left with the coin for a moment before realizing that he was being left behind. Mariku snickered at Otogi's frantic movement to catch up as they entered into the mansion. "Wait a second, why are you here?"
Seto turned a glare to the Egyptian and only said one thing that mingled with silence afterwards, "Shinkou."
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"They're all coming in now," Malik spoke up, standing near a window. He turned his gaze over to Rekhi, who had seated himself on the couch. Shinkou and Yami's bodies were laid out before the couch; it'd be the first sight everyone would see. Malik moved, stepping on Yami's body before sitting besides Rekhi and leaning against him, the other putting an arm around him. "Yuumei, will you please greet them? Take some friends with you…" Rekhi slid a hand into his pocket to pull out a card and then stole some away from Shinkou and Yami, tossing them to his card.
| Gladly. | she chuckled, taking the cards in a hand and moving out the door. | Such fun friends… |
Esoteros 9th
"Where do you think they'll be…?" Ryou glanced around, staying a bit behind the others. He felt his ring's energy perk slightly, sensing a new energy that could have only been from the other Sennen Ring. "I think something is -" he stopped as they all halted at the foot of the wide stairs, the Change of Heart glowing at the top of them.
| You all are very slow. Making us wait…hn. But I am not allowing you all to pass…yet. First you must prove your worth… |
Mariku growled, "We don't have time for this!" he started up the stairs towards her, but was pushed out of the way by a different force. His back hit to the stairs in pain and he glanced up, a dark toned monster known as the Unfriendly Amazon blocked him from attacking Yuumei.
| You won't get by with foolish moves like that. | Four more forms glowed behind her, waiting to be summoned. The remaining cards in her hands vanished and the forms took shape: Legendary Flame Lord, Succubus Knight, Possessed Dark Soul, and Ancient Elf. | I've found new friends. |
Two of those are Yami's, Mariku stood up as best he could, pain searing down his back, but he chose to ignore it as best he could. She's forcing them against their will…
"What are we going to do…?" Otogi nibbled at his lip, staring up at the five.
"We're going to fight!" Seth was visible in front of Seto for a brief moment, pumping adrenaline through the CEO. As if a bullet shot, a break out occurred and the four monsters moved away from Yuumei and moved in to attack, Seto's elbow hitting into the Amazon's stomach. Energy was surrounding him, he was assuming it was coming from the "memory" of his past. Then again…maybe it was his power… "If I don't see Shinkou soon, I'll make sure every monster here is mangled…"
| Shinkou….Shinkou….I don't remember a Shinkou. | she gave a smirk and he knew she was lying, but it still didn't stop the column of energy surrounding him, hieroglyphs burning around him like bubbles before a burst of divine light pushed through the Unfriendly Amazon and crushed her. Yuumei stared off to where the monster had been with saddened eyes, | You killed my master's monster. He won't forgive you later for that. |
Seto stood panting, the light around him had died off for the moment, but it took more out of him then he thought it would. Was that from Seth?
"No," the image was only faintly near him, "that was from your power which used to be locked away."
"Can Kaiba 1 and Kaiba 2 please stop talking and help others who don't possess magic?!" Otogi yelled to gather their attention, trying to fist fight with the Succubus Knight, but she had only a few more arms and hands than he did. Ryou seemed to be the luckiest one out of anyone, as the Flame Lord just stood before him, looking down.
| Why are you not fighting?! | Yuumei stared at him, half glaring and half panicked. Every monster here should be under her command, which is Rekhi's power and control, so what was wrong? It's because of them. Her eyes narrowed and she looked between Ryou and Seto. The true keeper of the ring and Shinkou's little protector. It won't hurt either of them. Her demonic side flared with a dark flame around her as she yelled out, | Kill them all, NOW! |
"You look drunk," Mariku scoffed, snagging the Ancient Elf's staff and pulling out his copy of the Sennen Rod. "Knock yourself out," the rod gave a glow and he forced off whatever held control of the Elf, taking it as his own instead. "No…actually…knock out that.." he pointed towards the Possessed Dark Soul in swift order, handing the staff back to the Ancient Elf and turning away as the two monsters fought. He flashed a smirk towards Yuumei, "Maybe you should run and inform your master that we shall be up shortly."
| How dare you! | she hissed in an innocent way, her body having returned to its "neutral" balance. She cringed at the moan of the Dark Soul crumbling to ashes, another body back to the form of a card. That was two now…
"Good little spellcaster…now go attack her…" he directed the monster with a point of the Sennen item where Otogi was still trying to fend off the knight. Seto wasn't as much help as he thought he'd be.
"Come on…use some fireworks again!" Otogi felt the knight hit a spell against him, sending him into a wall and staying plastered against it. Blood trickled down the side of his head, breathing limited, but he was alive enough. She cackled at him, moving towards the wall, the word 'kill' forming on her lips as all six arms rose, a spell forming into power.
"I can't!" Seto yelled back, trying to muster up any sort of energy, yet he couldn't find the power that he'd tapped into from before. Why isn't it working again?!
The Ancient Elf lunged for the Succubus Knight, causing her spell to hit him instead of Otogi. Another monster down, but it wasn't the knight. She wickedly worked to boil another spell.
Mariku went to try and control her next, only to get distracted as Yuumei jumped at him from the side and grabbing the rod from him angrily.
| I won't allow you to control anymore! Succubus Knight - finish that peasant now! Flame Lord….stop standing there! |
He looked over at her with dull eyes, telling her 'no' with them.
| Fine then! | she held up a pallid hand, reaching it in his direction openly before closing it into a fist that drew him from the form of a monster back as a card. It was useless for her to have him out. Ryou blinked, shaking his head to clear himself from a daze.
"Ryou, summon a monster!" Mariku snapped out, stumbling down the stairs even as he said so. He thrust a hand out, snagging it around the railing. Focus on the task at hand…not pain…task at hand…he chanted in his mind, body shaking.
"What? How? With what? I don't have any cards with me…" he trailed off, head snapping up as Otogi let out a pained scream. "No! Otogi!"
Help me, damn you! Seto snapped through his mind, trying to stir the currently dormant Seth. She's going to kill him! his pupils dilated, a flame within his body flickering. In his mind he could touch it, feel its power, use it. The CEO's eyes clenched shut, fists clenching.
Yuumei stood at the stairs, still holding the rod, but backed away for the hallway, the doors at the end for the main room. Master… she distantly thought, turning and folding back her wings, readying to run when she felt Seto's power again, hearing it collide with the Succubus Knight's spell.
Mariku moved quick enough to grab Ryou's arm, "MOVE!" he threw the boy at the stairs, shielding himself and Ryou as best he could.
Seto shook under the strain of his spell and the knight's spell and the power of them, sinking to the ground to avoid it. He hardly heard the knight's screech, breaking apart. The spells finally died down, Seto glanced up, body sore as he stood. His eyes searched around, expecting to see Otogi, but when he spotted the other he merely stared.
"O-Otogi….?" Ryou shifted as Mariku stopped shielding him, sitting up straighter and faltering to the side where he knew he was bruised. But it was better than being caught up in that spell.
Yuumei was laughing.
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"What's taking them so long? Do you think they all died?"
"Hm. No, the point of their….greeting…was to weaken them ever so slightly…" Rekhi shook his head, promptly crossing his feet over Shinkou's unconscious form. Yami started to move, but Malik did the same with him as Rekhi to Shinkou.
"You just want me…so just let them go…." Yami mumbled, earning a kick in the head from Rekhi.
"Shut up, you have no idea who I need," his eyes turned alert on the door and he rose a brow at a loud crashing sound, voices not long after it. He smiled darkly, "and the one I don't need is out of my way."
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| Well, now we have a nice statue in the house! I'm sure my master will adore it! | Yuumei giggled happily. Otogi's body was still up against the wall, he had survived the blast….in a way.
"Otogi…" Ryou stumbled over towards the wall, looking up in shock. The body was literally a statue, a wall hanging. Otogi had been petrified, fossilized, turned into stone! "No! No, this didn't happen! Seto's magic blocked the knight's! This couldn't have happened!" he looked back to the Change of Heart.
| Yes, if the priest's spell hadn't blocked the opposing one, your little friend would be dead right now. But because the two spells merged…the after effect petrified him! | she was too overjoyed with this, turning away and starting down the hallway.
Seto moved his gaze to the ground, "Sorry, Ryou. I'm sure after all this is done…we can help him."
"Right…" Ryou agreed after a few minutes, turning for the staircase. Mariku watched the two carefully, making sure he had some of his strength intact before following after Yuumei. Ryou took after him as well, Seto not far behind.
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The doors opened to Yuumei's will, she stepped in and bowed to her master before eying the doors through the corner of her eyes and slamming them shut. She gave a small smile, looking back to Rekhi afterwards.
"How'd it go?" Rekhi trailed a hand through locks of Malik's hair casually as he glanced to his card.
| They're strong enough that it's sickening. The priest's magic awoken, though he's exhausted of it now. Mariku used his Sennen item to get rid of two monsters…ah…but here…| she held up the item and tossed it to her master. He smirked gleefully and handed it to Malik.
"Very nice job, Yuumei," he could hear banging on the doors as the outsiders tried to get in. Yami whimpered, trying to moved away, managing to sit up enough just to have Rekhi grab him by the collar of his jacket and pull him back to the ground. "Stay!"
"I won't let you hurt them!" he struggled, held down by Malik now.
"And when have you ever been able to stop me?" Rekhi spat and Yami sunk away. He gave a victorious laugh at the quick submission. "That's it my pet…hide away with fear. I'll deal with you last anyway. So just sit back and behave like a good little slave and let your master do his job."
| Ahem.. | Yuumei broke in, gathering their attention and continued to talk. | There is one less now, let's just say he is a new wall hanging for the mansion. Ah…I believe his name was Otogi… And the priest destroyed your Amazon… The only trouble I had was the Legendary Flame Lord responding to my commands. | She held up the four cards and gave them back to Rekhi.
"Good, good…" he put the cards into his pocket, keeping both Shinkou's and Yami's. "Now…let them in."
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"Can't you guys open a door…?" Ryou blinked, pushing past the two and trying the handle. He sighed, now understanding their turmoil as it wouldn't budge.
"It's harder than it looks!" Mariku growled, putting his body weight against the wood. Seto finally started to do the same instead of knocking on it like he had been. "Ok, ok…stop…." he stuck an arm out before the CEO. "On the count of three we run at them, ok?" the other nodded, "right. One…two…."
"Hey…wait!" Ryou tried to stop them as he saw the doors open on their own, but was too late.
"Three!"
Ryou sighed, watching them charged right into the room. Luckily, they stopped at the sight before them. Ryou stepped in anxiously, looking over their shoulders and blinking, not sure what was surprising him more: the bodies on the floor, Malik, or Rekhi. He….he looks just like…my yami…
"About time, my friends," Rekhi stood, stepping over Shinkou's form, arms wide in greeting. A sinister smile crept over his face as he chuckled, enjoying each of their bewilder expressions….it was priceless.
Yuumei stepped off to the side, standing besides the couch now, appearance seeming peaceful and sweet.
"Welcome," he chuckled, shaking his head in amusement, "Fools. Each one of you here…are fools."
"Shut it," Mariku growled, fists curling.
"None of you…" Rekhi paused, crossing his arms. "Are going to make it out alive."
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Cha. Done! Now all I need to do is finish the next chapter of Alienated and I'm set. And now I can get into my little plots I've thought over…next chapter will be very long most likely.
