The Dragon's True Nature

Disclaimer:

KT: (heavy sigh) I don't own it...

Seto: And never will. : smug grin :

KT: ...Shut up or I shall silence you!

Seto: Yes ma'am...

Notes:

Spirit to Spirit speech

Thoughts

Private conversation

Chapter 6- Of Cats, Anti-socialists and Intellectuals

Priest, Cheer strolling just ahead of him, lead the group down a scantly lit hall with walls made of a peculiar blue stone that glistened like ice.

Cheer sneezed, shivering slightly, Priest! It's freezing here. Why do we have to go down this particular corridor? He put on a rather pouty expression as he halted to face Priest.

For a Persona who symbolizes happiness, you sure do complain a lot, Cheer. A smooth--female--voice tinged with amusement sounded from near Priest.

Priest sighed, blue eyes glaring at the sleek chocolate brown cat that had just appeared seated regally on his shoulder, What do you want, Neko?

The cat gave Priest an offended look--which was peculiar seeing as cats usually don't make facial expressions. She began to clean a paw nonchalantly, steadying herself by curling her long tail around Priest's neck.

Youth slid off Anger's shoulders and grinned cheerfully at the elegant feline, Hi, Neko! I haven't seen you in a long time.

Neko ceased washing her paw to acknowledge Youth with her soft blue gaze, Hello, little koneko, its nice to see you as well.

I beg your pardon, Your Highness, Priest said, voice dripping sarcasm, but I am not your Royal Carrier. So, if you do not mind, get off me! He grabbed the cat by her scruff, dropping her delicately into Youth's arms.

Neko ignored Priest entirely, choosing rather to look at Yugi, Yami and Shadi, So, you three are the intruders. It wasn't a question, it was an accusation.

Youth laughed, hugging Neko close, They're not intruders, they're here to help with Dragon and Seto.

Neko peered up at Youth, Ah, I see. She glanced back at the three "intruders" who were staring at her in mild confusion.

Cheer, suddenly appearing at Yugi's side wearing an all-knowing smile, said quietly, I bet you're wondering why there's a cat in the Soul Chambers and why she's a she.

Yugi nodded slowly, giving the energetic spirit a small smile, You read my mind.

And mine, Yami added with a small smirk.

Cheer stood up importantly, Well, Neko is here because everyone person has a daemon or spirit animal that fits their personality. And naturally, Seto is most like a cat. Being cunning, solitary and intelligent.

A cat does seem to fit Kaiba to a 'T', Yugi said.

And why he hates Joey and calls him a mutt. Yami replied with a hint of amusement, But it doesn't explain why Neko is female.

Cheer waved a finger at the pair of star-haired boys, All daemons are the opposite gender of their Masters.

Yami and Yugi nodded in comprehension, not sure how it was supposed to make sense.

Youth--still hugging Neko--hopped up to the conversing trio, Uhh, we're going now you guys.

Oh, right! Cheer adjusted his emerald robes and strode down the hall at a swift pace in hopes of overtaking Priest--who had started ahead moments ago.

Yugi held a private, mental conversation with Yami as the group walked down the chilling hall. Yami, why is it that the more Persona we meet, the more I seem to understand Kaiba?

Because, Aibou, Yami replied with a smile, Seto Kaiba is like a sapphire, cold and dark at first appearance, but once one has seen every facet that makes him who he is, one sees that he is not so cold but rather a combination of light and dark, fire and ice, yin and yang if you please.

Yugi peered curiously at his philosophical other, That makes perfect sense.

It applies to everyone, Aibou. Yami said.

I guess you're right, Yami. Yugi grinned at the ever solemn Yami and received a warm smile in return. Yugi suddenly shivered as the dark blue flames lining the walls dimmed considerably. Did it just get way colder in here? He asked aloud.

Priest grimaced, He certainly loves being dramatic.

I am not being dramatic, Priest. A chilling voice sounded from the shadows, its owner materializing as he stepped into the waning torchlight, he was dressed in black pants, white shirt and a trench coat that matched his eyes perfectly. On his face he wore a grin with no warmth in it.

Then why did you dim the lights and bring down the temperatures, Ice? Priest asked.

Ice scowled, Because I wanted to. I require no reason, and you have no right to demand it of me.

Yugi stared at this new cold Persona, he was dressed in the most modern clothing of the group--besides Youth--and he seemed to have a strong dislike of everything and everyone with the way he stood away from the rest.

Yami, what personality does he symbolize? Yugi asked silently.

He is isolation, solitude, and anti-socialism. He is Ice, the one who is the emotionless wall that is ever present around Kaiba, Aibou. Yami replied.

Ice, retaining his distance from the group, continued to scowl at Priest with narrowed crystal blue eyes, You came to see me, did you not? Why else would you be down here?

Indeed, I did come here seeking you out. You are aware of who is in Control, are you not? Priest stated, his patience not wavering in the least. Ice required delicacy and diplomacy to handle and gain wanted services from.

Of course I do, I may be the most remote of the Persona, but I am no fool. I am well aware that Dragon is in Control and in his form. Ice retorted, his tone bitter as he feigned boredom.

Priest nodded in approval, Good, then you shall accompany us in returning everything to its former, and proper, state. He didn't form it as a question and Ice, as he had declared before, was no fool, he knew better than to cross Priest.

Very well. Was all Ice said in response, as if his going with them had been his idea in the first place and they were simply hinderances.

Melancholy chuckled quietly, What a surprise, I thought you would have put up more of a fight, Ice.

Ice flashed a devilish grin at the sullen spirit, It is quite unwise to deny Priest or his demands, but I guess you wouldn't know that, huh?

Melancholy ceased his laughing, his shoulders slumping--which in turn, unsettled poor Fear, who was seated upon said shoulders.

Ice, do not speak so cruelly to Melancholy. We need his and Fear's help as well. If Melancholy leaves, so does Fear. Neko purred quietly, her lamplight blue eyes focused on Ice.

Aw, c'mon Mel, you know Ice was only joking with you. Cheer laughed as he clapped Melancholy's arm reassuringly.

Melancholy smiled weakly, shrugging and thus further disturbing Fear who squeaked in fright. Melancholy, please stop. The timid spirit begged hastily.

I'm sorry, Fear. I won't do it again. Melancholy smiled apologetically at the mouse-like Persona.

Fear returned the smile, It's okay.

Hate to break up this little picnic, but we really should continue. Anger growled, taking the initiative to lead the way to the next Persona.

Priest and Ice exchanged annoyed glances but followed the fiery Persona, quickly tailed by the remaining members of the group.

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Seto, completely fed up with Dragon's over-extended time in Control, had been searching every possible corridor in the Soul Chambers in hopes of finding Dragon.

Damn that overgrown lizard, where is he? Seto demanded of the shadows, naturally expecting no answer.

Ah, so you finally decided to pay me a visit, hm? A chilling voice, one that gives the image of a moonless night in the darkest forest with only an icy breeze as a companion, called quietly from just behind Seto.

Whirling around quickly, Seto faced... no one. Nothing but shadows and more shadows. He narrowed his sharp blue eyes in an attempt to penetrate the darkness but to no avail. What do you want? How did you return here? You were banished!

A cold, humorless laugh answered Seto, again from behind, Silly boy, you cannot destroy the darkness. No matter how many times you banish me, I shall return and grow stronger with every negative thought, which you seem to have quite a few of.

Seto whipped around again, but still no one was visible. Already on the last strings of his temper, Seto had grown incredibly frustrated, clenching and unclenching his fists. Damn it. You coward! Show yourself, Dark!

Heh, very well. Came the black reply.

A torch before Seto suddenly bore a black flame, casting a soft gray light upon the ground. Slowly, with deliberate grace, Dark stepped into the light. Seto stared wide-eyed at the Persona who had once reigned in this chambers, the Persona who had been banished by the Pharaoh's mysterious powers, the Persona who had somehow found a way to return to torment him further.

Miss me, Seto?

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Neko, squirming out of Youth's arms, raced ahead of everyone, slipping into the slightly open door at the end of the hall.

Where's she going? Yugi asked Priest, who had somehow ended up walking beside him.

To warn him of our arrival, Priest replied, his voice tinged with wry amusement.

Before Yugi could ask who, Priest had pulled open the large silver doors and entered the room.

Inside, Neko sat in the lap of a new Persona. He wore snow-white robes, and although he looked as youthful as Seto his eyes were not so young, his crystal blue eyes were aged, as if he had seen every grain in the sands of time.

Anger, now standing beside Yugi and Yami, leaned down to speak to the pair, Take one guess as to who he is.

That is Wisdom. Yami replied in a tone of one completely sure of his presumption.

Anger nodded, rewarding Yami with a slight smile.

Wisdom looked toward Shadi and spoke in a whispery voice, Do I recall meeting you once before?

Shadi smiled, Indeed, but I believe it was during a previous life, my friend. Both Wisdom and Shadi glanced at Priest.

Wisdom chuckled, scratching Neko's ears while focusing his gaze of Yugi and Yami, Welcome, friends. It is my pleasure to assist you all in returning Dragon and Seto to their rightful place. He climbed to his feet, gently handing Neko back to Youth, But I fear we must hurry, for Seto is facing off with Dark as we speak.

Every Persona present stared at Wisdom, fear visible in their eyes.

Youth pulled Neko closer to his body as he leaned against Priest's leg, No, its not true! Seto got rid of Dark! His voice was filled with terror as he shook his head in disbelief.

Priest laid a soft hand on Youth's hair, If Dark has returned, as you say, Wisdom, we have no need to fear. We will banish that demon again.

Melancholy shifted his gaze to the floor, Do we really stand a chance against Dark?

What if Corruption is back too? Fear cried, searching frantically around as if an answer--or hiding spot--would appear from thin air.

Surprisingly, Ice was the one to comfort Fear. The normally solitary spirit lifted Fear from Melancholy's shoulders, hugging the small spirit reassuringly, So what if both have returned? We can defeat any threat!

Cheer grinned, That's right!

Hear, hear! Anger agreed, raising a fist into the air.

Priest nodded, You are correct, Ice.

True, Ice. Melancholy replied, lifting his head to stand straight and proud.

You speak truly, Ice. Neko purred.

Youth and Fear smiled at the cold spirit, Yay, Ice!

Wisdom surveyed the suddenly energetic group of Persona, smiling softly, he whispered more to himself than anyone else, Together.

KT: Geez, that chapter took me four days to finish! I'm so proud of it!

Seto: Its not half bad.

KT: I like my mini cliff hanger with Seto and Dark. So tell me, my beloved readers, how did you like this chapter? The next one has a lot more Seto!

Seto: Yay?