Judgment
Disclaimer: well . . . are YGO and YYH worth five cents? If they are, then I own them!
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: I kinda promised myself that I wouldn't update this fic until I had finished chapter 22 of my Beyblade fic 'Blood Price'. However, I couldn't be bothered. The first chapter of the sequel to 'Identity' has been finished, but I won't be posting any time soon, due to . . . difficulties.
Maruken: THANK YOU! I received a very chocolate-y Kurama-kun in the mail the other day . . . lick he's sooo adorable! And tasty lick Kurama grumbles and mutters murderously So tasty lick ! And, in return, MORE MARIK/RYOU FOR YOU! Hope you enjoy!
Vocie-sama: I'm quite pleased with the amount of reviews, actually, seeing that it's the most I've ever gotten for a YGO fic. But yes, I would prefer it if I got as many reviews as other people's fics did. How long do I take for one chapter, usually? Well, it really depends. If I have a lot of time (no exams, etc) then it usually takes me one or two days. Otherwise it's a week. And right now, because ff.net is being annoying, I used two weeks. I used to write four or five pages (that's how my Beyblade fics got so many chapters!) and I used to think THAT was a lot!
Ril: yep, Ryou's an angel. I didn't really think of that until I'd already typed it! Afterwards, it just seemed to fit well. So yeah, lil koneko is actually a koneko tenshi! KAWAII! I should make him turn into a chibi koneko, but I'll see . . . then Seto-sama and Ryuuji-sama can pet him and love him and take care of him and . . . drifts of into land of koneko-Ryou and kawaii chibis
Elle-FaTe2x1: Ryou being an angel is always a concept I had in mind. And yeah, it isn't fair that Bakura was forced to be a demon, but that's part of the story! Besides, it gives him an objective for being so nasty!
Also, minna, when you read this: take note that, in the next few chapters, whenever the focus is on Ryou or Seto, who've lost their memories, they will know each other as Fuyu and Kai. Fuyu = Ryou, Kai = Seto. Just to clear that up and hope that no one gets confused while reading.
ENJOY!
--------
Chapter Twelve: Recruiting Reinforcements
--------
Mutou Yugi went to the window sleepily. It was around midnight already and he had been jarred awake by a tapping noise on the windowpanes. He blinked back the sleep from his eyes and looked out the window.
Crouched outside was a red-haired young man with bright green eyes and moonlight-pale skin. He was wearing a crimson outfit, covered with a black cape around his slender shoulders.
"Mutou Yugi," he whispered. "Come with me."
"Kimi dare ka?" Yugi whispered back, half-afraid.
"My name is Kurama. I need you to come with me. Ryou-sama, Seto-sama and Ryuuji-sama are in danger."
"Bakura-kun-tachi?" The sleepiness dispersed immediately. "All right, let me change first."
Yugi hastily threw a pair of jeans, a shirt, a jacket and rammed on a pair of shoes, before turning back to the window. He opened it quietly, careful not to wake his grandfather and mother in the rooms down the hall. He knew his mother to be a light sleeper and his grandfather would certainly hear something if he made a huge racket. Kurama shifted to make room for him on the tree branch he was crouched on.
"Why is Bakura-kun-tachi in danger?" Yugi asked in concern.
"I'll tell you on the way," Kurama whispered back. "Follow me."
They climbed down the tree quickly, landing neatly on their feet outside the backyard. Kurama led the way, over the back fence, across the street and into the trees in the park. They came to a stop somewhere near the edge of the miniature woods.
Domino City was built around a large park. This park was ringed by the woods they were going through, in a tight circle and in the centre of that tight circle was a fountain. It was usually deserted at nighttime, except for the occasional bums and hobos who occupied the park benches as temporary beds.
"Can you ride a motorcycle?" Kurama asked suddenly, breaking the silence.
"I-I went to get a car license," Yugi confessed. "So, no, I don't know how to ride a motorcycle."
"Well, I suggest that, if you get back from this, you get a motorcycle license," the redhead said curtly. "Gomen, we're in a hurry right now and I tend to get a bit snappish when I'm rushed."
"Daijoubu yo," Yugi placated. "I'll remember to get one."
"Arigatou." Kurama brought out a green motorcycle from behind the trees. Yugi gulped as he pushed it toward the pavement. "I guess you'll have to ride behind me then. I can't afford to let you get lost."
"Where are we going?"
"We have to meet up with my partner at the eastern border of the city. He'll be bringing along another one of your friends, Jounouchi Katsuya."
"Jounouchi-kun is coming too?"
"Yes." Kurama got on the motorcycle and Yugi climbed on behind him. "Do you remember the virtual reality game you played in the arcade at the beginning of this year?"
"The one with all the monsters and demons in it?" Kurama nodded. "Hai."
"That was, in fact, a test for you, set by the leader of a secret organisation called 'The Chosen', or TC for short." They sped off in an easterly direction. "Our leader, Gaea, picks out the most suitable recruits this way. Those who defeat the game are eligible to be recruited into TC and then undergo intense training for three years. If they pass training, they will become full-fledged agents."
"So Bakura-kun-tachi are agents for TC also?"
"The three best in the world, actually." They turned sharply right, Kurama with a slight pride in his eyes. "Ryou-sama was my sensei when he lived in Tokyo, years ago. My partner was trained by Seto-sama at around the same time, here in Domino City."
"Bakura-kun trained you?"
"Hai. We're the same age, but Ryou-sama was discovered much earlier than I was. He trained in Britain. Since then, he's established a reputation as one of the three best TC agents – bearing the honorary title of Elite – and I was fortunate enough to train under him." Kurama frowned. "HQ wasn't able to find suitable teachers to help you develop your powers when you first passed the test. But seeing as the three Elites are here in this city and this case has come up, Gaea figured it was as good a time as any to find you a sensei."
--------
Outskirts of Domino City
--------
"Oi, kisama, what do you want from me?"
"Damare."
Jounouchi Katsuya struggled against his bonds as his captor paced in front of him. Right about now, his pride was bruised severely. He had originally thought, when he had first been captured, that his opponent was someone taller, stronger and with a better build than him. Now, however, he saw that his captor was actually around half his size, no taller than Yugi. And he was fairly slim.
"What do you want?"
"I said shut up," the other snapped impatiently. "Honestly, I'm starting to regret bringing you here, if it weren't for the fact that I'm under orders."
"My family is dirt poor," Jounouchi growled, glaring. "You won't get anything."
"Hey, all I need to do is get you here, I'm not expecting anything."
"Who are you anyway?"
The shorter teen stopped pacing and looked at him. Jounouchi was sitting on the cold ground, bound hand and foot by strong rope. Finally, his sharp, pointy features pulled into a smirk and he folded his arms over his chest.
"I am Hiei," he introduced. "I'm in charge of bringing you here so you can be trained and become reinforcements in case of Otherworldly dangers."
"Otherworldly dangers?" Jounouchi repeated incredulously. "What's that?"
"I keep forgetting how ignorant you normal humans are." Hiei gave a low chuckle of sardonic amusement. "Our world is connected to the Otherworld, which comprises of many different worlds beyond normal comprehension. The Chosen are a group of selective humans with etheric abilities who maintain order between the worlds. You've just been selected for special training and I'm here to bring you to your master – and trainer."
"I'm getting trained?"
"That's what I said, baka."
"By who?"
"You'll find out."
They fell silent for a moment longer, before the sound of a motor roaring in the distance broke it. They both looked up at the approaching vehicle, Hiei grunting in recognition as two familiar figures came into view. A moment later, a green motorcycle braked next to them and a redhead and a short teen stood.
"Yugi!" Jounouchi exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"
"Konbanwa Jounouchi-kun," Yugi greeted cheerfully. "Ne, why are you tied up like that?"
"Hiei . . ." his companion sighed in exasperation. "Why do you keep doing that? It's not very nice and it's not what you're supposed to do."
"Blame him," Hiei grunted. "He wouldn't cooperate."
Yugi untied Jounouchi and the blonde stood, rubbing the places where the ropes had chaffed his wrists. He winced as his joints loosened and stretched. Yugi's companion walked over and held out a hand in greeting.
"You may call me Kurama," he said politely. "I'm Hiei's partner and one of your patrons before we get you to your sensei."
Jounouchi took the offered hand and they shook briefly. Finally, Hiei cleared his throat and they all turned to him.
"We have to get going." He walked over to his own motorcycle, a black one with vivid green streaks.
"Yes, Gaea said it was an emergency," Kurama agreed. "Yugi-kun will ride with me and Jounouchi-kun will ride with you. Is that all right, Hiei?"
"It'll have to do."
They got onto their specific motorbikes and rode off.
--------
Lair of the Four Kings
--------
Fuyu looked up as the door to the chamber he was in, opened. His young face lit up as Namu came in, carrying a tray of food. The blonde smiled at him too, setting down the tray and hugging the albino gently.
"I've brought you something to eat," he said. "And don't say you won't eat it, because you've haven't eaten all day and you're bound to be hungry."
"Hai." The younger rested his cheek on Namu's shoulder, sighing. "Arigatou."
"You're very much welcome, koi," Namu said, kissing the top of his head.
"Omae ga suki da."
"I love you too." He brought over the food tray. It was laden with broth, two slices of bread and a glass of water. "You're eating light now, because it isn't good for you to eat too much after starving yourself."
"Hai."
Namu picked off a piece of bread and dipped it into the broth (A/N: I do that sometimes, to ANY soup, it tastes ok), before holding it to Fuyu's lips. The albino blushed and opened his mouth at his silent request. He was glad Namu was with him. It gave him a sense of security, since his only memory was of him.
"How does it taste?"
"It's very good," Fuyu complimented. Namu kissed his cheek.
"I'm glad of that." He placed the tray on the bed beside him and stood up. "I have to go now. I've got some things to take care of elsewhere."
"But Namu . . ." Fuyu whined. He had only just come in!
"Koi," Namu sighed. He drew him into a soft, lingering kiss. When they broke away, Fuyu needed to breathe, but he was smiling. "I'll be back really soon."
--------
Marik closed the door behind him with a click. He leaned against it for a moment, remembering Ryou's trusting, near-childish behaviour. It was much like the time they first met, in Britain, when he was injured. There was a light in his eyes that made him want to protect him . . .
"You sicken me with your lovesick fantasies."
He growled low, glaring at his younger brother. Malik had appeared next to him, stroking a long, dark cobra that was coiled around his arm. The cobra hissed and turned to look at Marik, before the younger of the Ishtars petted it on the head gently. It settled back on his arm.
"What do you want, Malik?"
"The Chosen are coming," Malik snapped. "If you don't take care of that angel incarnate in there, we're going to have a lot of trouble."
"I'll see to it as I will," Marik replied stiffly.
"Don't let your emotions get in the way. Last time you told me that I would never understand because I've never lived in a world of light, a normal, human life. And you're right, I haven't and so I may not understand the concepts of this – this love thing you seem to lose your head over. But have you forgotten what we're trying to achieve here? As long as we deal with him, we can get our revenge on the Gods who damned us into this world in the first place."
"He is innocent from this matter."
"He is the source of this matter," Malik corrected. "If it weren't for the fact that They needed sacrifices in order to create him, we wouldn't need to become the creatures we are now. He is the reason why we had to join our sister in the denser planes when she sacrificed herself for us.
"Anubis has been defeated – he was the first to go. The Gods don't care whether any of us live or die not even Ryou. All they want is for their plans to go smoothly. They want Ryou to assume his true form and then get rid of us for good. They're humiliated by the fact that their kind would turn against them."
They walked down the corridor swiftly, towards another room on the other end. Opening this door, they went inside and shut the door behind them.
"I'm well aware of this fact," Marik snapped.
"You can't seriously think that I'd believe that," Malik shot back. "The Gods will not hesitate to destroy anyone who opposes Them. You will be destroyed if you keep the angel in your possession. Get rid of him as soon as possible, otherwise we will all be disadvantaged. You don't want centuries of darkness and revenge gone to waste, do you?"
Marik looked around the room. This was their secret room, one that looked unassuming on the outside, but actually had a hidden 'personality'. It reflected whatever an unauthorised person wanted to see. But he and Malik were the ones who had created this room and they saw the real thing.
It was made from the same minerals and stone the mountain was. The walls had been made smooth and shelves lined them, filled with various things such as books, scrolls, ornaments and experimental things. One such thing was the product of a soul-cloning experiment gone wrong. It looked like a black, swirling mass within the crystal jar it had been contained in. Occasionally a face or two would appear from its depths, but otherwise it remained undefinable.
"We were so desperate for anything that could redeem us in Their eyes," he murmured finally, staring at the jar. "But we never found a way and They never looked at us again. We eventually gave up trying to become human again and lived in darkness until we could find a way to seek revenge."
"And this is our chance," Malik added. "As long as we use Ryou's life as a threat against them, we can get Them to do anything we want. Including making us human again."
"But then Ryou would . . ."
"Four lives for the price of one. Think about it. It's worth it."
--------
River of Memories
--------
Ryuuji was sure he had been going the right way. He went back the way he came, after all, so there shouldn't have been many problems. But he didn't recognise where he was at all. The landscape was different to what he remembered and . . . well, the river was much too small.
"What's going on here?" he wondered. "I can't use my powers properly, I'm lost and there's no way of getting out!"
And suddenly, he saw a faint glow coming from up ahead, further downstream, where the woods were.
He wandered further downstream and came across the place where it connected to a pond of sorts. It was hidden by a group of trees grown close together. In the centre of the pond was a glowing figure of a woman dressed in white, her blonde hair plaited with tiny pearls and perfect, small white shells. She was strumming a harp, though there was no sound coming from it.
"S-Sumimasen."
She looked up, pale blue eyes wide. Her small mouth was open in a yelp of surprise, but no sound came out. Ryuuji walked in carefully, almost as if he were going to disturb the placid silence. He approached the end of the pond, noting how clear the water was, and looked up at the glowing figure.
Dare ka?
"Ore wa Otogi Ryuuji. I need to find my companions, Bakura Ryou and Kaiba Seto, who I was separated from when I first arrived here."
Otogi Ryuuji, Bakura Ryou and Kaiba Seto? She smiled. Un, you are the Chosen everyone has been talking about. I am Mnemosyne, the guardian of the River of Memories.
"River of Memories?"
Your companions have been down the River of Lost Memories, where my koibito Lethe guards. One in particular, the angel reincarnate, has drank from the waters. The other has been enchanted by the garden sprites and lost his memories also.
"NANI?! Seto and Ryou lost their memories?"
Hai. Mnemosyne smiled serenely at him, seeming to not notice the horror in Ryuuji's expression. She stooped down and scooped up water from the pond. Take this vial. It contains the most sacred part of my river and will restore their memories.
"A-Arigatou gozaimasu," he stammered, taking the vial.
It was made of pure crystal, a material that would cost probably billions of dollars in the human world. The water inside was just as clear, almost invisible to the naked eye. He pocketed it carefully as Mnemosyne kept smiling at him. There was something about her that made her seem trustworthy, a calming, soothing air. He knew she was telling the truth.
You're welcome. Good luck on your quest.
"But one question." She nodded for him to continue. "How did Ryou come to drink from the River of Lost Memories? The customs here say that permission must be granted for the waters to be used."
Lethe gave them permission. As the guardians, we have sworn to allow our waters to be used when they have been asked for. Marik asked for permission and it was granted to him.
"Marik . . ." Ryuuji growled.
Go now, and hurry. If they do not recover their memories by the night of the full moon, they can not be saved.
The full moon was three weeks away. He had plenty of time, but seeing as he didn't know where he was going, that would be a problem. Mnemosyne plucked a string on her harp and the area around him dissolved, much like his experience fighting Anubis in the Valley.
He suddenly found himself at the base of a huge mountain. The air was considerably colder, but he could care less. Where was he now?
The Lair of the Four Kings, Chimera's Lair, is here. Mnemosyne's voice echoed in his mind. I can only assist you this much. Hurry and good luck once again.
--------
Lair of the Four Kings
--------
Malik and Marik joined their sister, Ishizu, as she made her way towards the centre of the lair under the mountain. The cobra on Malik's arm slithered toward her, its mistress, as she acknowledged them.
"Yami has called us again," Ishizu said.
"Hai, neesan," Malik agreed, walking alongside her. "It seems the former Pharaoh of the Lost Dynasty has found something wrong with us again."
"Or perhaps he has found something good this time."
They made their way down the corridor and came to a stop in front of a huge set of double doors, carved with intricate, Egyptian symbols. Large torches burned on either side, illuminating the statues guarding the granite doors. They swung open immediately.
"Che, he sure knows drama," Marik commented.
"He was a Pharaoh, what do you expect?"
"Shizuka na," Ishizu whispered.
At the furthest end from the door was a large dais, where a pure gold throne had been placed. Seated on the throne was a man with tri-coloured hair, tanned skin, a tiara in the shape of an eye, with fine gold jewellery hanging from his body. Marik, Ishizu and Malik came to stand in front of the throne.
"Permission has been granted for the use of the River of Memories," Yami said, looking at them. "There is an even bigger problem now than before. We cannot slay Guardian Mnemosyne, but we can slay the angel. Marik. You must do this. There is no more time left. If the last of the Chosen Elite breaks through our boundaries, we will fail."
"Niisan," Malik and Ishizu whispered. Marik hesitated.
"What will it be, Marik?" Yami asked. "Shall you deal with him, or shall I?"
Marik didn't answer, only looked away. Yami stood, his fine, linen robes falling into position perfectly.
"Then I shall. Malik, Ishizu, restrain him if need be."
The former Pharaoh left the chamber.
And Marik still didn't speak.
--------
End Chapter Twelve
--------
Author's Notes:
Really rushed ending, but I wanted to tell you guys that Yami no Yugi WAS in this and I had to introduce him. Basically he still is a former Pharaoh of Egypt, but he was also condemned to a dark life because of the evils he had committed. He's against the Gods because he thinks he didn't deserve this punishment.
Yeah, that's it.
REVIEW!
Relinquished