The Dragon's True Nature

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh, but I do own some manga. I don't make a profit from this fic, unless you count happiness (from reviews) as a form of money.

Seto: Money is happiness...

Notes:

Spirit to Spirit speech

Thoughts

Chapter 4- Youth, Anger, and Melancholy

Priest had recovered from the relative shock of finding the Pharaoh in the Soul Chambers. He was on the verge of questioning the intruders when a cheerful voice called his name.

Priiiiiest! Priest! Where are you? Youth appeared suddenly out of one of the long shadowed corridors with an anxious expression. Priest! I found you! The younger version of Seto grinned up at the ancient Egyptian spirit.

Priest returned the smile warmly, Hello Youth. I was beginning to wonder where you had gotten to.

Youth laughed cheerfully, pausing instantly when he noticed Yugi, Yami and Shadi. He let out a small yelp of surprise, immediately hiding behind Priest's flowing white cape for protection.

Priest patted Youth's chocolate brown hair reassuringly. No worries, little one. They mean you no harm. He shot Yami a skeptical look. Correct?

Yami nodded. Of course. We are here to help Kaiba return to normal.

Youth blinked wide azure eyes, So Dragon is still in Control?

Yugi tilted his head to one side, Dragon? Control?

A wry smirk appeared on Priest's face. So, Pharaoh. You have not shown your Hikari the other Persona of your mind yet? His tone was triumphant, as if he had finally earned an advantage over Yami.

Yami simply gave Priest a warning glare but chose rather to address Yugi. Aibou, everyone has many Persona, or spiritual embodiments of each emotion. For example, when you are mad, the Persona Anger gains Control, or power over your body. Understand?

Yugi nodded, I understand that. But I don't understand how there are emotions called Dragon and Youth.

At this, Priest laughed. Not all Persona are emotions. Youth is the embodiment of the inner child. Some Persona are concepts or ways of thinking. Like Greed, Dark and Corruption.

Youth gripped Priest's plush robes tightly in his small fists, staring up at the spirit with teary blue eyes. Please don't talk about them, Priest. He shook slightly with apprehension.

Priest swiftly knelt beside the small, frightened spirit, Calm yourself, young one. Those three are gone. We have no need to fear them anymore.

With that, Youth's expression suddenly brightened. Yea, they are gone! Seto got rid of them!

The mention of Seto's name reminded the three newcomers of their mission. Shadi cleared his throat apologetically, I am sorry to interrupt. But we came to return Seto to normal. We cannot stay for too long, as it is unwise to be separated from one's bodies for an extended period of time.

Priest stood up importantly, Of course. But I must warn you. Returning Seto to normal is no easy task. He must first learn to accept Dragon for what he is. And to do that, we will require the aid of other Persona.

And where do we find these other Persona, Priest? Yami inquired.

I know, I know! Youth hopped up and down happily, waving his hand, We just have to look for them in their soul rooms! Without even waiting for the others to follow, Youth started down a particularly long corridor at a steady trot.

Priest was quick to catch up with the enthusiastic Persona, Yami, Yugi and Shadi close behind.

As they progressed farther, Yami noted that more torches were hung on the walls. But even with the bright dancing flames though, the corridors still felt cold and dark.

Priest had also noticed the scenery and grimaced. Youth? Why did you choose here first, of all places?

Youth answered in the common childish response, Because.

Priest sighed, knowing quite well that further questioning would earn nothing except annoyance.

The temperature declined steadily as they walked for what seemed like hours. Yugi was amazed at the absolute complexity of Seto's mind. Yet the cold was making it difficult to feel awed. Just as he began to shiver, the freezing air dissipated, replaced by sweltering heat.

Yami and Yugi gasped, backing up in unison. Priest turned, regarding them with curious cerulean eyes. Can't take the heat, Pharaoh? He sighed, an amused smirk on his face. The heat is an illusion, a trap to keep intruders away. It's his way of testing other's strengths. Just think of something cool and refreshing. Without an explanation as to who "he" was, Priest turned away and entered the soul room, white cloak billowing behind him regally.

Yugi's first thoughts of something cool was of ice cream, mint chocolate chip ice cream to be exact. Yami's thoughts went to the refreshing waters of the Nile. Instantly, the heat was gone, the air becoming a comfortable temperature. Both star-haired boys sighed with relief.

Yugi noticed they were standing before a large doorway, heavy iron doors hung open. Upon entering, he noted Priest and Shadi standing off in a corner, conversing quietly. Youth was sitting next to someone who resembled Seto, but there was something different about him, something fundamentally different.

This spirit was clad in robes of dark red, his brown hair was not the same neat hair of Seto's, it was wild and haphazard like fire, he sat tall and arrogant, as if daring the world to try and take him down. Yami was the one to find the difference, and he discovered it with quite a bit of surprise. This red clad spirit did not have a wall of secrecy around him that hid him from the outside world. His eyes revealed everything about him, they were bottomless pits of anger and rage, not even the ever vexed Seto Kaiba showed that much anger. And yet, that wild, turbulent ocean of rage was quelled by the sweet, innocent smile of Youth.

Priest suddenly appeared at Yami's side, speaking in a quiet tone. That is Anger. His rage, I'm sure, you are familiar with. Only Youth is capable of bringing him under control.

A one-sided grin crept onto Yami's face. I am quite familiar with Anger. Is my guess correct when I say that he seems to be the main Persona in Control?

Priest sighed, a hint of sadness in his deep eyes, You would be far from correct. Anger is the Persona that protects Seto's past, he protects Youth, more than any of the others. Seto chose Anger to be the guardian because he knew that Gozaburo feared his wrath and power.

Yami nodded in comprehension, what Priest has just said cleared up many of the mysteries surrounding Seto, it explained vaguely why he was so angry at the world.

Youth suddenly trotted up to Priest, Anger in tow. Okay, let's go! Anger says he will help us.

Anger shrugged a bemused look on his haughty face, If we succeed, hopefully Seto will be more open and I won't have to do most of the work around here. Youth giggled, hurrying off down another corridor, still gripping Anger's hand tightly.

--------------

Seto stormed up and down the hall outside Wisdom's room. Currently his temper was only rivaled by Anger's.

Curse him! Curse him to Hell! Seto stopped his pacing so suddenly he nearly fell over from the built-up momentum. No, Hell is too good for that sadistic bastard! Curse him to Hell and beyond, curse him to the end of the universe! Somehow, all this ranting was swiftly calming him. After another minute of steaming, he had become as docile as a kitten.

With his temper temporarily subsided, he began to mull over what Wisdom had said earlier. "Only when the light and dark are One, and the majestic beast is accepted as the Master AND Servant, will the world become balanced again."

What the Hell is that supposed to mean! The damn senile fool and his damn prophecies! Again Seto's temper had gotten the better of him...

------------------

Unbeknownst to him, Seto's unfounded despise and anger toward Wisdom and Dragon was fueling a darkness in a far corner of the soul chambers, with each negative thought the black aura grew...

-------------------

We're here! Youth announced as he pushed open the small silver door to another soul room. The inside was dark, illuminated only by the faint blue glow of a sapphire flame of a solitary candle.

Who's there? A quiet, almost timid, voice questioned from near the center of the room.

It's me, Anger and Priest. And some guests too! Youth called, laughing.

Oh... , came the hesitant reply.

Priest, being in no mood to talk with the disembodied voice, snapped his fingers, summoning bright violet flames to lighten the room.

Seated on the floor, hugging his knees, was another spirit, dressed in varying shades of blue. Although he did look just like Seto--as all the Persona did--his cheerless, dark eyes and grave, hapless expression was not parallel with the stern, temperamental CEO.

The newly revealed spirit shot Priest an exasperated look which the smug Egyptian returned full force.

Youth released Anger's hand and hug-tackled the spirit, laughing cheerfully, Hi, Melancholy! Didja miss me?

A rare smile--one saved only for the childlike Persona--appeared on Melancholy's countenance. Of course I missed you, Youth. I was worried you would never come back and see me again. I thought you forgot me or hated me... The smile faded, replaced by a comical slightly quivering lower lip.

Youth glared at Melancholy in shock, What? Never! I wouldn't forget you, and how could I hate you? He hugged the lonely spirit fiercely. I would never ever ever do that, I swear!

Melancholy chuckled weakly, I know that, I was only joking. But I can't help worrying, it is who I am after all. He ruffled Youth's hair affectionately. Who are your three friends?

Oh, these are Yugi, Yami and Uhhh... Youth frowned, concentrating. His name is... He squinted his crystal blue eyes shut, thinking hard. Ack, I can't remember! I give up! the little spirit fell over, smiling apologetically.

All three older spirits laughed at Youth's comical embarrassment. Yami noticed that each had a different laugh: Priest's was loud and filled with unrestrained amusement; Anger's laugh resembled a deep brassy growl; Melancholy's was quiet, with a ringing tone like silver bells.

Shadi smiled at Youth, I am Shadi, young one.

Oh yea, I knew that. Youth glanced at everyone present, half daring them to say otherwise.

Melancholy laughed again, Of course you did. He climbed to his feet, lifting Youth up on his shoulders. I am guessing you have all come here because of the whole complication with Dragon. He received nods from everyone to confirm his guess. Okay, well you have my assistance, if I can do anything, I gladly will. He smiled crookedly.

Priest returned the smile, offering a hand to the forlorn spirit, That is why we came here. Glad you could join us.

Melancholy shook Priest's hand. Anything to help. He shifted his gaze to Youth, Where to, kid?

Youth scratched his head, thinking, Uhh, that way! he pointed a small hand toward the brightest corridor they had seen as of yet.

The group headed in the appointed direction. Melancholy and youth in the lead, followed by Anger and Priest, than Yami and Yugi, with Shadi bringing up the rear.

----------------End of Chapter 4

KT: Whoa, I wrote that in one sitting. :nods proudly:

Seto: But you cheated. You wrote the rough draft throughout the day at school.

Seth: True, you did not technically write that in one sitting.

KT: What's this? You two are ganging up on me? No fair!

Seto: Life isn't fair.

Seth: Live with it.

KT: Meanies...not to self: torment Seth and Seto in my next fic!

Seto & Seth: Oops...