Judgement
Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh; otherwise . . . you get the picture
Summary: Seto, Ryou and Ryuuji are TC's Elite and their job is to exterminate all Otherworldly beings from the real world. But real judgment is yet to come, what with the Chimera Brigade on the loose . . .
Warnings: Semi-Alternate Universe, OOC (on some parts, not all). In this chapter there will be angst (GO ANGST!) and an uncertain Ryou with a pathetic attempt at showing how much Seto and Ryuuji really care about our bishie.
Responses to Reviews/Author's Notes:
Kaoru: I'm a good author? Thanks ^__^!! Ryou-chan get molested by Marik and then Ryuuji is having deluded illusions/dreams because he's a hentai =P just kidding. Seto's the worst off. He doesn't have his memories any more! But it's pretty easy to get them back, seeing as the spell is a fairly simple one. Fairies aren't exactly the strongest Otherworld beings.
Ril: glad you like. I noticed that, in your bio, you didn't like Seto/Ryou pairings. I hope you still like this though, even though it does have implications of Seto/Ryou and Ryuuji/Ryou at this point.
--------
Chapter Ten: Emerge
--------
Ryou fought for control as Marik tried to dominate him. He wasn't about to give in so easily, especially to someone who had lied to him and used him for his own purposes. This Marik didn't love him.
"Y-Yamete!"
"Naze? It's obvious you want this too," Marik said, tracing a finger down his spine. Ryou shuddered. "Don't try to fight it, koi. Give it up."
They were dangerously closer to the water's edge. If Marik chose to, he could thrust his head under the water and keep him there if he chose to. Then, even if he didn't want to, he would lose all his memories. The river worked in many ways. Either the person drank willingly and erased all memories, or they fell in and the water soaked into their skin, or they had their heads pushed under the surface and kept there until they swallowed some. Either way, he would lose his memories.
"As soon as I claim you, you won't be able to leave my side." Marik's hands traveled dangerously low. "This is the special way of bonding between us from the denser planes. It's only a matter of time."
"Yamete, Marik," Ryou cried. "Why do you want to do this?"
"How many demons can say they claimed Britain's top secret agent? I'll tell everyone that Chimera is not a group to be taken lightly."
"This isn't right . . ."
"Believe me, koi, it's right."
"I-Iya . . ."
With one final effort, Ryou pushed Marik away from him roughly. The blonde stumbled backward and fell, glaring. He had the boy right where he wanted and he fought back! The leeching had no effect on him, it seemed, and the thought angered Marik all the more.
"Well, if you wanna play rough . . ." he growled, picking himself off the ground and advancing on Ryou. "Let's play rough."
He lunged as Ryou tried to get on his feet, yanking him up by the hair, earning a pained gasp from the albino. Marik was beyond caring at this point, angered and frustrated at not getting his way with Ryou. He dragged Ryou right to the edge of the water and forced him to look up.
"I'll make you forget, koi," he snarled. "Mark my words; you'll be mine as soon as this is over. I always get my way and I'll do anything."
Without hesitation, he pushed Ryou's head under the running water roughly. The albino panicked, unused to being underwater without preparation, and struggled wildly. The water pounded against his head and his neck strained, but Marik's steel grip on his neck threatened to break it if he struggled any more. Soon his already limited air supply ran out and a steel arm clamped around his chest, suffocating him. The blood rushed to his head and he felt faint. His body slackened, the darkness taking over him.
"STOP!" a voice cried distantly.
--------
Valley of Illusions (A/N: we find out the name at last!)
--------
Needless to say, Ryuuji wasn't expecting the words to come from Ryou's lips. Not that they weren't accepted, of course, but it had all come so suddenly. He looked into the soft, brown eyes only millimeters away from his own. They were somehow different to what he usually saw when he looked into Ryou's face, but he quickly brushed that aside.
"Do you mean that, Ryou?"
"Of course I do, baka," Ryou chided. "Why would I lie to you?"
"Maybe because this is the Otherworld and I've learnt not to trust anyone or anything in this realm." Ryuuji's voice was frank and curt, which amused Ryou no end. "You can't blame me for being skeptical."
"Ee, sou . . ." Ryou smiled. He brushed away a strand of Ryuuji's dark hair. "But you know me, don't you? You trust me."
"You're intelligent, I give you that," Ryuuji admitted. "But how could anyone master shape-shifting in a matter of hours being in the Otherworld? I have reasons to be doubtful."
Ryou placed a hand on his chest gently, tapping it with a long, slender finger. He kissed him again, just as gently, melting the taller teen with his gentle ministrations. It felt good, very good, but something nagged at the back of his mind. He had come to know Ryou as a soft, gentle and warm presence, comforting and just soothing all aches and pains from his soul.
But this Ryou . . . he had never felt a colder presence. It was chilly, edged with frost and cold amusement. Ryou was never like this. To be honest, it scared him a little. He was seeing Ryou in front of his eyes, he was touching him, but when he closed his eyes, it was an entirely different person who was kissing him, sitting in his lap. Someone with a vague resemblance to Ryou, but who would never have his gentle and soft-spoken nature.
On impulse, he prodded Ryou's mind. It was unfamiliar territory, this mind he was entering, and the block was somewhat stronger than Ryou's. There was a haunting feeling within the mind, trying to repel him from the secrets it hid. This only intrigued him further and he shattered the block. 'Ryou' tensed in his arms.
"What are you doing?" he asked, a little sharply.
"If there is anything I've learnt about Ryou, it's that he will always be practical," Ryuuji said softly. "He would never distract people from a mission for his own pleasure. He would never tell me to forget something important, but he will always tell me when I am overworking myself and he'd force me to take a break. His presence is always warm and he wouldn't take emotions as amusement.
"I almost believed this was true, that he really did love me. Who are you really? Ryou's presence isn't within your mind. Who are you?"
'Ryou' stood up, enraged. He began to change yet again. His eyes were blood red, his hair shortened and darkened a shade or two and three long scars appeared on his now-tanned face. Ryou's sweater and jeans stretched into robes of a sandy yellow with a blood-red cape to match his eyes.
"I shouldn't have underestimated you," the new being snarled. "You with the power to destroy any mental blocks and psychic walls. But how long did it take you to realise it was a deception? You lust after one of your partners and this lust will be your downfall."
"Who are you?" Ryuuji asked coldly. "Who are you to tell me what I can and can't do?"
"A shape-shifting demon. I am one of the four kings of Chimera and my name is Bakura Anubis. As for why I can tell you what to do, the selfsame partner you lust after is my lighter half, a reincarnation of mine. We are pitted against each other and I will destroy anyone who comes to his protection."
"You are insane."
"I know that very well," Anubis cackled. "This valley is known as the Valley of Illusions, a part of the Garden of Lost Memories. Being a shape-shifter, I reside within this valley and beyond, bringing the wanderers to their downfall."
--------
Garden of Lost Memories
--------
The garden was very beautiful. He woke up to find himself in this garden, surrounded by small fireflies that darted about his face. They looked like the mythological fairies he had read about as a child.
"Where am I?" he wondered aloud. "Who am I?"
You are you, the little 'fairies' told him. You don't need to worry about anything else. Stay here and relax. We'll take care of you.
He got up from where was sitting, propped up against a large oak tree. He noticed he was wearing a dark blue trenchcoat and that the coat was covered with grass stains on the left sleeve. He took the coat off and slung it over a black-clad arm, setting off towards where he heard water running.
"I have to see if I can clean this," he noted.
There was a wide field of flowers where he walked, ranging from simple daisies to arid cactuses, though he had no idea how they got there. The sound of water got nearer and he heard the sounds of a struggle also.
A platinum blonde boy was leaning over another boy, forcing his head into the water and refusing to let him back up. Without second thought, he ran towards them, yelling for the attacker to stop. The blonde turned to look at him, eyes narrowing angrily, before releasing the other boy.
"You have no business here," he snarled.
"You're hurting him," he replied, towering over him.
The blonde grinned suddenly, standing up and looking into his eyes. The dark, haunting depths were gleaming with unsuppressed glee.
"Oh, you don't remember anything, do you?"
"Nani?"
"You see this boy here?" he yanked up the unconscious one by the hair. "I was attacked by him, but I managed to best him. Could you help me carry him to where I'm staying?"
He frowned, considering. This boy obviously knew something about him – something he wanted to find out. If helping him would give him some hints as to who he was, then he would help. Seeing him nod, the blonde smirked and stood up. He jerked his head at the limp form.
"You'll help me carry him," he instructed. "No funny business, got it? If either of you leave my sight, you'll be getting it. Now, since you don't remember your name, I guess I'll just have to call you Kai."
Kai, which meant 'ocean', sounded all right. 'Kai' nodded curtly and the blonde stepped aside to let him lift the pale boy into his arms. Even though he was a dead weight, this dead weight was surprisingly light. He brushed aside the white bangs from his face quickly, taking his first look at his appearance.
Pictures and voices surged into his mind at the familiar face.
You aren't seriously going to eat that are you?
A pair of soft, brown eyes lit up with an amused expression.
Don't you believe me?
A warm hand encircled his own and a calming, soothing presence filled him.
You aren't going to get rid of me that easily.
I trust him.
Don't listen to him! He'll only hurt you!
A surge of anger boiled in his chest. Anger and – jealousy? He saw the boy in his arms in the arms of another. He watched as the other took him away and left a bitter taste in his mouth. A sense of vengeance flooded him. He had to get him back.
I don't want to be alone.
NIISAMA!
I'm only trying to save Mokuba.
Mokuba . . .
A little boy, around ten, rammed into his torso, hugging him ecstatically. A pair of shining grey eyes looked up at him full of innocence and love. A need to protect him despite everything welled within him.
I do this because we're a team, because I'm one of those people who 'give a damn' about you.
SETO!
--------
Valley of Illusions
--------
"What kind of downfall?"
Anubis cackled in amusement. Ryuuji stood his ground as the other advanced on him, eyeing him like the teen was his prey. He shifted into a snake and coiled around his arm, slithering slowly up to the shoulder and around his neck, curling around to face him.
It depends, he hissed. I may choose to be kind and give you a painless death. If I don't, you will become one of the many lost souls in this valley and in the garden, never to find your way home again. Look.
Ryuuji could suddenly see silver, transparent forms floating around. Each form vaguely resembled humans. One passed by him and he felt as if a bucket of ice-cold water had drenched him from head to toe. Shuddering, he felt the snake's scales slide over his neck.
You might become one of them, if you're not careful. The voice was soft and jeering. The only way to get out of here is to defeat me.
"Then I'll defeat you."
Kuku, do you really think I can be defeated that easily?
Anubis uncoiled himself from around his neck, baring his fangs, and hissed. His hypnotic, blood-coloured eyes were narrowed in scepticism. There was no way a mere mortal could defeat him. That was the biggest joke of the century. No, he was immortal and thus could never die. He would just keep coming back.
"Anyone can be defeated," Ryuuji stated calmly. "Like I saw through your disguise as Ryou, I will be able to see through all of your attacks and your tricks. I will defeat you."
The snake stretched back into human form. Anubis was regarding him with interest. No one had ever stood up to him and backed up their claims. He had seen through all of their petty boasts and lies and they ended up lost souls, without bodies or memories, because they had annoyed him. But this mortal, a Chosen, was so calm when he looked him in the eye. There was not a flicker of fear, nor any sign of faltering. He was confident.
"You won't be able to defeat me," the demon repeated.
"If that is so, I can sure as hell try," Ryuuji snapped.
"You amuse me, mortal." Anubis' aura flared. "I'd like to see you back up your claims."
Ryuuji's power burst through his skin in a huge etheric blast. Even Anubis had to shield his eyes from the glare. The scarlet aura radiated off him powerfully, one that impressed the demon. Here in the Otherworld, auras were easily seen. In all his time, he had never come across someone whose power was greater than his. Or equal, for that matter.
"I'll back it up," the teen said. "I'll do more than just back it up."
"Then let's begin."
--------
River of Lost Memories
--------
Marik regarded Seto suspiciously. The teen didn't recall anything about his past, his life or his powers. It was almost too good to be true, so he decided to test him. He assigned the CEO the task of carrying Ryou. As soon as he had seen Ryou's face, his eyes glazed over and he seemed to be in a daze.
He's recalling. This isn't good.
The corporate teen snapped out of it when Marik snatched Ryou back from his arms. He blinked a few times in confusion, looking at Marik with a hesitant expression. Ryou groaned.
"Nani?"
"You were about to drop him," Marik lied. "I had to catch him."
"Gomen." Seto shook his head as if to clear it. "I – got distracted."
"You know, maybe I should carry him instead," Marik commented, shifting Ryou into a more comfortable position. "In case you – get distracted – again. We can't have him getting away, can we?"
Seto nodded, still frowning. They walked upstream, all the while Marik testing him subtly regarding his memories. The teen answered all his questions with 'I – I don't remember' or 'I don't know'. This convinced him that the teen had well and truly fallen under the spell of the garden fairies. He snorted as he recalled the mortal fairytales about garden fairies.
Yeah, they could enchant garden life. In fact, they made plants into magical beings as well. But they enchanted more than just mere plants. Fairies had the power to enchant any living organism, including humans. When humans fell under their spell, their minds were wiped blank. This was the simplest of all enchantment magic. The only problem was, because of its simplicity it was also very easily broken, by a strong bond between the victim and something or someone else.
He had lured one of his friends here when they had been five years old. By then he had already been damned into this realm. He didn't want to be alone, without friends and only his sister and brother to keep him company. That was why he led Rishid, a fellow village child, to this garden and proceeded to let the fairies do their work. But the spell broke when Marik accidentally dropped a pendant that had marked their friendship onto the ground. So the leeching demon settled for pushing him into the river, like he had done Ryou.
Now Rishid was somewhere within this realm, tending to the gardens. He was not gifted with etheric abilities like Marik, so he could not descend to being a demon. No, he was yet another lost soul, drifting idly between the gardens, finding simple joy in the beauty of this landscape.
It was all too amusing.
--------
End Chapter Ten
--------
Author's Notes:
Another chapter finished! Nothing much happened and I figured that if Seto regained his memories so easily, then it would take the fun out of torturing him! So . . . I made it so that Marik intercepted before he could fully regain his memories. Well, we briefly mentioned Rishid, but he won't appear much.
And I also thought it was too early in the story for lemon. Maybe later and you guys have my word. If I don't put in a lemon, you guys can chase me up until I put one in, okey dokey?
Review!
Relinquished