From Darkness To Light: Tablet of the Past: Part 2
By Asher Tye
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh, I wish I did 'cause then I'd be rich. Since I'm not, suing me would be pointless. Thanks bunches for all the reviews. I can't wait to see the reviews for this chapter. I should say this, I have never seen Gozabura, so if my description of him seems a little off, I'll just chalk it up to the same thing that happened to Princess Sally over the course of the Sonic Comic. Also, I don't know the names of the Egyptian Gods' attacks, so I figured I'd use a few of my own.
Summary: Zoa has found out Mokuba has Exodia's soul and has come up with plan to capture him. Meanwhile, Yami and the others use the Millennium Eye to complete Isis's tablet, hoping to find out more about what's going on.
Author's Note: Sorry this took so long, I had a devil of a time getting all the characters to react well, and they still might be a little OOC, so please bear with me. Regrettably, updates are gonna take a lot longer now that school is in session but don't worry, I will complete this story.
*_* - Personal Thoughts
/_/ - Yugi to Yami
\_\ - Yami to Yugi
(_) - Raven to Mokuba
[_] - Mokuba to Raven
_ Telepathic communication
***************************************************************************
The Fiend's Quarter.
It was a section of the Shadow Realm that was simultaneously dark and light. It was dark due to the storm clouds of the Mystic Plasma Zone that were so thick they blocked the sun from ever being visible over the barren and rocky land. It was light because of the erupting columns of fire and burning magma that occasionally burst forth from the surface, sometimes frying the wayward demon or other unwary traveler. All around could be heard the harsh screams and roars that were the sounds of life going on in the quarter. If one were able to get high enough into the air, one could see the landscape was dotted with even more small lights, belonging to ancient houses and mansions. One in particular, though, looks almost new. It is completely covered in darkness, save only for a single light of a rather large room.
Inside the room, sitting on a large chair was a huge winged demon with huge horns on his head. Zeboim sat with his claws in front of his face, considering the information that was now his thanks to his young charge the Feral Imp. All around the manor, the Summoned Skull could hear the cries of younger and less powerful demons being slaughtered by stronger demons. It was the unwritten law of the Fiend's Quarter, upon the weak the strong preyed. Long ago had Zeboim gotten used to the sound, now the screams were merely background noise to him.
*Lord Exodia is still alive?* the fiend thought to himself. *After all this time he has returned, I have found him again. And now it turns out he is the one Lord Zoa is after.* The fiend's eyes stared into the darkness, seeing everything, yet nothing as his memory moved backward.
**********************************************
*The Shadow Realm Fiend's Quarter: many millennia ago.*
***********************************************
Through the dark and fiery corridors of the Fiend's Quarter, the small form of a terrified winged demon ran for it's life. The demon child, a miniature Zeboim, runs on all fours, trying to keep from tripping over it's own overly large wings as behind it a black and red demon flies after it, it's deadly teeth glistening in the firelight. The demon is quickly catching up on the young Zeboim, and it is only the child's constant changing of direction that keeps the creature from swooping down and devouring him. Zeboim's good fortune finally runs out and he finds himself at an aptly named dead-end.
"Knew I'd catch you you tender morsel... Now you'll pay for stealing that goblin's leg from me," the red demon said as he flew right at the terrified Summoned Skull, his jaws opening wide. It was not bony flesh the demon jaws latched onto, however, but a very large arm covered in bronze armor.
"I've been called a lot of things, but never tender," came a voice. Zeboim looked up to see his aggressor was biting on the arm of what looked like a giant bronze colored human.
*Who is that?* Zeboim thought to himself as he watched the giant yank his arm out of the fiend's mouth, taking a few of the monster's teeth along for the ride.
"Who the devil are you? You dare interrupt my meal? Do you have any idea what I am?"
"I am Exodia," the bronze giant said. "And truth be told I really don't care what you are, so it doesn't matter." At those words, the fiend began to sniff the air, a smile coming to his face.
"'Exodia' huh? Well you may look tough, but I can smell the human in you. I'm gonna enjoy tearing the flesh from your armor." The demon lunged at Exodia, his mouth open and his claws ready to rend the human to shreds. It was not a roar that came out of the red monster, but a yelp as Exodia's hands slammed down around the demon's beaky mouth. With a mighty heave, the bronze giant yanked his opponent over his shoulder, planting the demon's head squarely in the ground. Immediately, the demon erupted out of his hole, his eyes glowing blue.
"I take it you want to go a few more rounds?"
"Obviously you have a lot of physical strength human," the demon said as his claws began to move in an arcane manner. "But as you're about to find out, physical might is not enough to handle a demon of my caliber."
"A demon who feels only strong enough to attack a little boy demon doesn't have a caliber," Exodia said.
"INFERNUS FIREBLAST!" The demon called as a stream if fire flew out of his claws. For his part, Exodia held up a hand and caught the fire, collecting the flame in a red ball.
"I believe this is yours," Exodia said as he sent the ball rocketing back towards the demon. The ball smashed into the demon's red chest, busting through before exploding and destroying the offending monster.
Zeboim had watched the fight, not really cheering for either combatant. For all he knew, the bronze clad Exodia was planning to kill him just as painfully as the red demon had planned to. After the battle was resolved, Exodia turned towards the small skull, grabbing the little monster by his collar bone to bring him up to the sorcerer's own eye level.
"Are you all right?" Exodia asked. Zeboim opened his eyes to see the red orbs that were his savior's shining full on. The winged demon was so frightened he couldn't even answer, he just shook.
*If this guy could do that to a big demon, what's he gonna do to me?!*
"It looks like I've saved you from a rather nasty amount of pain," Exodia said. "I believe the phrase 'you owe me one' applies here."
"I... I don't have anything... anything to g-g-give you," Zeboim said. It was true, the fledgling demon had nothing on him, at least, nothing someone like Exodia could want.
"Oh, I can think of something," Exodia said, smiling. Behind him a black portal opened and began to move forward, enveloping both spellcaster and demon...
**********************************************************
Zeboim's eyes opened as his memory ended. In the end, paying back Exodia had simply entailed becoming his travel companion and journeying all over the Shadow Realm with the powerful spellcaster. Of course, as he'd grown, so did his powers and he'd begun to feel more and more indebted to the one who'd saved him. Then Exodia had disappeared, apparently without a trace, and Zeboim had looked. Even now the fiend general didn't know what had caused Exodia to leave. Saddened, he'd gone to find a new master, one hopefully worthy of the vast power that was his to command.
*And now, after so many millennia, I have found him. And he is the target of Lord Zoa,* Zeboim thought. He looked down to where the Feral Imp played, wishing his life could be as simple as that once again.
***************************************************************************
Back in the Kaiba mansion in the real world, Yugi sat watching an old black and white monster movie, laughing a little whenever he saw the cheesy looking monster. Behind him Malik sat on the Kaiba's couch, looking very disinterested in the giant brain that was roaming around on the big screen.
"How can you stare at that drivel? You're the reincarnation of an ancient and powerful Egyptian Pharaoh, you should be reading or listening to music, trying improve your mind, not rotting it on this trash."
"How can you say that? 'The Brain That Slurped Ohio' is a classic monster movie and a keen look into the mind of a talented storyteller."
"It's a look into the mind of a nitwit. What kind of fool would think up a giant brain with a tongue and a thumb for a monster?"
"Need I point out the Tainted Wisdom card?"
"Will you both keep it down," came the voice of Isis. "Both Seto and Mokuba require rest." As she spoke, the elder Ishtar moved upstairs, a tray with a bowl of soup in her hands. She opened the door to Mokuba's room where the boy remained comatose in his bed. Next to the bed, Seto Kaiba sat in a chair his head down and his eyes closed. He hadn't slept since this whole mess had started, and Isis was not about to deprive him of sleep he might need for the coming battle.
*And a battle there will be. No power in the universe matches Exodia's, and now that it's so vulnerable, it presents a very tempting target.* Isis sat the bowl down on the dresser next to Mokuba's bed as she gazed at the boy. Asleep he was actually pretty cute. *Hard to believe such an innocent face could cause so many problems.* Suddenly, she heard the sounds of Seto Kaiba beginning to stir.
"What's happened?"
"You fell asleep. Given what was likely to occur, I felt it better to let you sleep rather than wake you up. I imagine you're hungry though, so I brought some food."
"I don't need food," Seto said, a statement that was immediately contradicted by the growling of his stomach.
"We still have about an hour before Raven said your brother would wake up again, so I suggest you eat something. I have a feeling there will be precious little time for food afterward."
********************
Downstairs, Malik and Yugi were still arguing over the merits of monster movies when the doorbell rang. Silently, Yami split from Yugi who was too embroiled in their argument notice.
The former Pharaoh was quite surprised to find himself staring at Ryou.
"Um... Hi," the white haired boy said quietly.
"Ryou, what are you doing here?" Yami said, making the taller boy jump a little. The Pharaoh wished his voice sounded a bit friendlier, he didn't like unintentionally making his friends fear him.
"Ms. Ishtar called and asked Bakura and myself to come," Ryou said, his Millennium Ring glowing as the ancient spirit inside it confirmed Ryou's words.
"I see," Yami said, wondering what it was Isis knew that made her want to call the Tomb Robber to help. The Pharaoh turned to let the white haired boy in and immediately watched as he split in two, his darker spirit manifesting.
"I despise traveling in that ring. Would that I had my own body and the freedom to move at my own discretion."
"I think we all sleep better at night knowing that is precisely what you can't do," Malik said. "The gods themselves only know how many priceless antiquities would go missing over night."
"Ha ha." The quintet heard the sound of footsteps as Isis came down the stairs.
"Ah Bakura, you're here," the elder Ishtar said. "Thank you."
"You just remember what you promised me for all this."
"What did you promise him anyway?" Malik asked, curious as to what the Tomb Robber could want from his sister.
"That is not your concern little brother." This, of course, did not to assuage Malik's concerns. Isis walked into the Kaiba's kitchen to check on her soup, followed closely by Bakura. It took only a second for Malik to leave his place on the couch to follow, a look of suspicion on his face. Since there was now a seat free, Ryou sat down in Malik's spot.
"So, what are we watching?" Ryou said.
"'The Brain that Slurped Ohio,'" replied Yugi.
"Excellent." The two teens watched the movie to the end, unaware for the most part as the others came through the room. As the movie ended, the two finally did hear the sound of two more sets footsteps coming down the stairs. Both turned to see Mokuba walking slowly down the stairs one step at a time. Behind him Seto walked as well, making sure to stay a few steps away. Yugi and Ryou both moved to meet their younger friend.
"Mokuba! You're up. How do you feel? Are you all right? Raven said..." Yugi was unable to finish his string of questions as Mokuba made a soft grunt and waved his hand. Immediately, both Yugi and Ryou were enveloped in an aura of purple energy which hefted them into the air and unceremoniously dropped them both on the couch.
"Apparently he doesn't want anyone to get in his way," Seto said. All three teens followed the younger boy as he slowly made his way into the kitchen. Malik, Bakura and Isis moved out of the way as the boy made a bee-line for the soup that was being warmed on the stove. Seto moved to get a bowel for his brother, an action which proved unnecessary as Mokuba lifted the pot to his lips and began to gulp the entire thing down. While a few splashes of soup fell onto his chest and the ground, Mokuba ate the whole pot, dropping the empty container as he finished. Once more he went on the move, heading directly for the refrigerator. Once it was opened, the boy tore into all the leftovers with a wild abandon.
"Disgusting," Bakura said.
"Isis, is this ordinary?"
"I expected him to be hungry, but I guess the use of limitless power somewhat increases his appetite."
"And how," Ryou said as he watched Mokuba messily devour a half turkey. "I do hope he's at least remembering to breathe."
"This can't be healthy for him," Seto said as he reached to stop his brother's gorging. Once more this proved unnecessary as Mokuba dropped the ham steak he had been biting into, finally full. His pajama top was a mess with the debris of his feast and his face still looked tired.
"Mokuba how are you feeling?" Isis asked.
"Tired..."
"I'm afraid that's pretty much expected," came a familiar grainy voice. The assembled humans looked back at the counter to find Raven, once more looking the same age as Mokuba and no longer hurt, was sitting on the counter turning off the stove. "I did tell you that soup wouldn't be enough, didn't I."
"Why do you look so healthy when Mokuba looks so sick?" Seto asked angrily, not liking the idea of some spirit parasitizing his brother.
"The form you see is simply a physical manifestation, just like Yami and Bakura. I can make it look like anything I want." So saying Raven's shape shifted until he looked like a cat, jumping onto Seto's shoulder. "Physical appearance is no indicator of health in spirits." A second later and Raven once more looked like his normal self standing next to Mokuba. It was then that the spirit noticed just how many people with in the kitchen. "Okay, I'll bite. What's going on?"
"We require the use of the Millennium Eye which currently rests in the young Kaiba's eye," Isis said. "And given the condition the two of you were in, we felt it safer to keep you under watch while you recovered."
"So if you'll just give us the Eye, we'll be on our way," Malik said.
"Do I look stupid?" Raven asked. "The only way I'm removing that eye is if Mokuba asks me to."
"It is not necessary for you to surrender the eye," Isis said. "In truth, I think the two of you might benefit from coming with us."
"You feeling up for a road trip Mokuba?" Raven asked.
"Well..." In truth Mokuba felt like he could use another week of sleep, but the boy was sick and tired of always being left out of the loop. "I think we should go."
"And what's your opinion 'big brother,'" Raven said smiling at the young CEO.
"Suddenly my opinion counts in whatever you're planning?" Seto said. "You didn't seem to have problems doing what you wanted when you were putting Mokuba in danger all for some stupid card."
"In point of fact, I'm not the one who put him danger in the first place. Secondly, this isn't really something I planned to do, so until I can figure some new way to get that 'stupid' card from Yugi, I'm willing to do pretty much anything you two want to do."
"Well, now that that's settled," Malik said. "I suggest we leave for the museum with all do haste."
"Very well."
***************************************************************************
Zoa sat on his throne, considering the events that had transpired. Centuries of planning had gone into trying to capture the vessel of Exodia's powers, and it had all turned to naught.
"How, how could that worthless brat be the vessel. I was so sure it was Seto," Zoa grumbled to himself. "Had I known Mokuba was the one, I would not have been so adamant in trying to separate the two."
"Contemplation of errors made in past lives is an inefficient use of time," came a droning metallic voice. Zoa looked up to find himself looking at A-23, more commonly known as the Machine King. The robotic monster was flanked on both side by giant Slot Machine robots, and Zoa knew there were probably six or seven other machine type monsters around, further boosting the Machine King's powers. Zoa's hand reached around his throne, touching a small box he kept hidden there, making sure it was within reach should his ally prove hostile.
"A-23? Why have you left Engine City and come here?"
"My correct name is Machine King, you will address me as Machine King. Your recent failures have begun make me doubt in your ability to achieve our goal. You failed to inform me of the change in our target. One of your minions even attempted to seize the power for himself. This one must wonder what further benefit can be obtained by remaining in alliance with you." So saying, the Machine King raised his fists, four blades coming out of all four sides of his forearms. Zoa's fingers felt the second object behind his throne, a small button. It's effects combined with the other's would give him all the power he needed to destroy the upstart calculator.
*But it would be such a waste of a good trump card,* Zoa thought. *Especially since I still need him to break through the barrier between the worlds.*
"So I assume you hope now to kill me and proceed with your own plans to kill Mokuba?"
"That is correct, and there is no point in resisting me. Hold still and I will make this as painless as possible."
"And yet, you have no idea how to deal with someone such as Exodia. How will you go about doing it?"
"I can fare no worse than you."
"Yes you can... Secrecy has never been your strong point. What will you do when that boy discovers you and decides to annihilate you." At Zoa's words, the blades retracted into his arm.
"And I suppose you have a plan of your own?"
"As a matter of fact I do, and all I need is to borrow one of your servants..."
***************************************************************************
It had taken some time for the group to get ready, much of which had been used getting Mokuba cleaned up after his little food binge. Soon, though, they were ready and the group prepared to leave for Domino City Museum. Of course, the two spirits retreated into their hosts as Yugi opened the front door. He was quite surprised to find a set of knuckles suddenly rapping on his head.
"Oops, sorry Yug. Didn't see ya there," Joey said. Behind him stood Tea.
"Wheeler, what are you doing here?" Seto Kaiba asked, none of the venom he usually had in his voice.
"We wanted to make sure Mokuba woke up all right," Tea said. "So what are you guys all up to."
"We are heading for my museum, where hopefully we will find answers about what is happening," Isis said.
"So let's get going."
"Who said you were coming along blondie," Malik said. "The fewer people we have to deal with, the better."
"You'll find it rather hard to keep us from coming along."
"You're obviously forgetting the power of my Millennium Rod," Malik said menacingly.
"Malik!" Yami said. "Now is not the time for this."
"The Pharaoh is right little brother," Isis said as she opened her car door. Nearby, Seto was helping Mokuba into their limo. "I'll take the Pharoah's friends to the museum myself. Yugi, Ryou if you would please ride with Seto and Mokuba."
"I'll drive behind them," Malik said, getting on his motorbike. And so the group of now eight humans began their trip. Inside the limo, Seto drove with Mokuba, Yugi, and Ryou sitting in the back. The black haired boy's face was downcast as he rode.
"What's the matter Mokuba?" Yugi asked.
"Just... thinking," the boy answered, not bothering to look up.
"I guess you would have a lot on your mind," Yugi said. "I remember how I felt when I discovered Yami sharing my body."
"Or when I discovered Bakura," Ryou entered as well. "It can be a bit of a shock, but you do get used to it after a while."
"It's... It's not that," Mokuba said. "I mean, it was a shock to find out Raven was in me, yeah, but it's not just that. I'm just worried I guess."
"Worried?!" Bakura said in a disbelieving voice, taking over Ryou's body. "What have you got to be worried about? You have Exodia inside you, the most powerful creature to ever exist. If I were you, I'd be considering how best to put all that power to use."
"What do you mean?"
"It's Exodia... There's nothing you can't do with that kind of power. I know if he were in my body, the world would be my oyster."
"Comforting that he's in Mokuba's body then," Seto said.
"Watch it human..." Inside Mokuba's head however, another set of eyes watched, worried just as much as the young Kaiba. Soon the procession made it to the museum, where they disembarked from their vehicles. Quickly Isis unlocked the front door of the building and let everyone else in.
"Follow me," Isis said. The group made it to the prehistoric exhibit without incident, and went down the cave to the partially completed mural. "Here we are."
"This place seems... familiar," Mokuba said, touching the wall painting. Without another word, Raven split off from Mokuba, looking at the mural with "Ah".
"I... I know this place," Raven said. "It feels like... home."
"Home? What do you mean, home?" Yugi asked.
"I... we've been here before," Mokuba said. "But I can't remember... what?" Suddenly, the Millennium Eye began to glow as did all the pieces that remained under the mural. Each piece magically lifted into the air, slowly but steadily setting themselves into their appropriate places. The group now stared at the completed picture, their jaws dropping at what they saw. It was now quite obvious why the cavemen were terrified. Above stood three shapes Yugi recognized from the stone carving Isis had shown him of Yami's duel with the ancient version Seto Kaiba.
"Those are... the Egyptian God Card monsters."
"Yes and look who's standing under them." A single figure occupied the forefront of the picture, depicting two distinct yet identical creatures. On the left side was the grinning purple visage of Exodia himself, lightning coming from his fingertips. All around his side, Hitotsume Giants were being destroyed by the energy. It was the right side, however that was more interesting. There, wearing the same menacing grin as the other half was a picture of Mokuba, right down to the dark purple eyes and long black hair. From his fingertips came what looked like the souls of the dying Hitotsume. It was then that the eyes began glowing.
"Woah what's going on?" Joey asked.
"Your guess is as good as ours Wheeler," Seto answered as a powerful gust of wind began blowing from the mural. Suddenly, the eight found themselves standing, not in a cave, but at it's mouth. No buildings stood, however, only flat landscape with a few trees. Nearby, a small pond being fed by a stream of crystal clear water.
"Where... Where are we?"
"It may sound crazy," Isis began, "but I believe we're in Domino City."
"Dat can't be right, there's nothing here I recognize," Joey said.
"She means before Domino City was built Joey," Tea said.
"Guys, look at Mokuba," Yugi said. The young boy was standing completely erect, floating in the air.
"Welcome home," came an old voice. All eight looked to see an old man wearing a simple animal skin and leaning on a stick staring at them. Though the top of his head was completely bald, a long white beard and mustache fell from his face to the ground, obscuring his face, save for his green eyes. "It is good to see you again Raven, even if you are only a memory."
"Who are you?" Raven asked as the aged man walked over to Mokuba, looking the boy over.
"Amazing, the resemblance is perfect... but then I suppose it would be," the man said.
"I said who are you!" Raven said, his eyes glowing along with his hands.
"Relax, I'm not going to hurt him... I can't."
"That still doesn't answer his question," Seto said, drawing his pistol, his eyes narrowed in anger.
"Ah, of course. Where ever Raven goes, can Seto be far behind. In answer to your question, in my time, I was referred to as Elder."
"And what time was that?"
"I believe you would refer to it in your language as 'caveman days.'"
"And what's wrong with my brother... What have you done to him?"
"I have done nothing, this has been set up long ago to remind Mokuba of what he was, and what he is. Just as this shadow of the past was sent to protect him from harm," Elder said, gesturing towards Raven. "We exist as guides."
"So all this," Yugi said, his hands sweeping over the surrounding area, "is a memory from Mokuba's past."
"That's absurd," Seto said. "Mokuba's never been to the country, let alone seen Domino City before it was built."
"Says the guy who used to be an ancient Egyptian High Priest," Malik said. Seto was no longer looking at the group, his attention was instead focused on the cave where a group of cavemen had appeared. What really got his attention was the figure that was limping tiredly towards the group, a tall beautiful woman with long black hair and dark tanned skin. Seto's eyes widened.
"Something wrong Kaiba?" Joey asked, noticing Seto's face.
"That... That woman looks exactly like... like our mother."
"She came to us just after the season of spring began, tired and weak..." the old man said as his story began.
***************************************************************************
"P..please, help me," the woman said as she leaned roughly against one of the rocky outcroppings near the cave entrance. Of course, her presence did not go unnoticed by the inhabitants of the cave. A large blonde man picked up his spear and walked towards her, wary of any tricks or traps that might be sprung on him. Suddenly the woman fell to the ground, or rather tried to, as the blonde caught her.
* * *
"Let me guess, blondie dere looks just like your dad," Joey said.
"Not even a little Wheeler, and I would suggest you watch your mouth," Kaiba said irritatedly.
* * *
The blonde man took the woman into the cave, followed closely by the crowd of cave dwellers who had been outside. Inside sat the same old man Yugi and company had just met.
* * *
"How can he be there and here at the same time?" Ryou asked, a question that was immediately answered by his darker half.
"Like he said, this is just one of that kid's memories. Though I have to wonder why it's so important, I haven't even seen him yet."
* * *
"Bring water," Elder said as the woman was laid before him. The white haired man reached into a bag made of rabbit skin and pulled out a green plant stalk. When the water was brought, the blond man lifted the woman's head as the water was poured carefully into her mouth.
"What is wrong with her?"
"Simple exhaustion," the old man said as he began examine her. "From the looks of things, I'd say this woman has been wandering for days. It's amazing she's still alive."
"One can only wonder if we can trust such a 'lucky' individual, given the nature of these times," came a gruff voice as a black haired man with bushy eyebrows, a mustache, and a beard.
* * *
The moment Seto Kaiba saw the man, his heart almost stopped. He recognized him instantly, how could he not. It was the same man who for almost six years had made his life a living hell. The same man who had beaten him to within an inch of his life on several occasions. The same man who had demanded he and his brother call him father.
"Gozabura," the elder Kaiba whispered, so soft that only one other person heard him.
"So that's what the creep looks like," Yugi whispered to himself, remembering what Mokuba had told him after his brother's first big defeat.
* * *
"I say we toss her out and don't look back," Cave-Gozabura said.
"Then it is good you don't have a say," the blond said.
"Careful Jecht, nobody lasts forever, particularly here," Gozabura replied. Meanwhile, the old man took out a sharp rock and cut a slit into the skin of the plant he had pulled out earlier. Immediately a goopy clear gel began to ooze out of the cut, stopping only once the man had cut the entire stalk in half. Carefully he rubbed the plant's slimy innards on the cuts and scrapes that covered the woman's body. As he was doing this, the woman's eyes opened up with a start at the could slime that was being put on her.
"It's all right," said Elder with a smile. "You're safe."
* * *
"A bit presumptuous weren't you?" Malik said to Elder. "And I still haven't seen Mokuba or Raven or whatever ridiculous name you give to the all powerful Forbidden One."
"Patience is a virtue," said Yami. "But he does make a point."
"I should remind you these images are here for your friend's benefit, not yours," Elder replied. "That you do not understand is no fault of mine."
* * *
Suddenly, the scene changed to later at night where Cave-Gozabura, Jecht, Elder, and two other men were sitting by the fire outside the cave.
"I still say we need to get rid of her," Gozabura said.
"Doing that would be cruel," Jecht said. "It would only be a matter of time before some wild animal got her."
"It's not like we're short on food Gozabura," one of the other men said. "She would not be a burden."
"That means nothing," Gozabura said. "It's obvious this... creature... was abandoned by her own time. For all we know, you could be jeopardizing us all by having a cold-blooded killer in our midst."
"Aren't you going a bit overboard?"
"There is another problem to consider," Elder said. "If we turn this lady away, we also turn away her child."
"Child?" Jecht asked. "She is with child?"
"I am fairly certain," Elder answered. "She shows a few of the signs, but it is too early to tell for sure."
"And we can only guess what that child may be," Gozabura said. "You've seen the creatures that roam this land. For all we know the child may turn out to be half-Cyclops. Are you fools willing to place our own children in such danger!"
"You act as if you know the this to be true. How can you immediately jump to such conclusions about someone you haven't met?" one of the two unknown men asked.
"I'm a realist. We have been successful, what other reason would a foreigner have for coming here then to take that away from us."
"This is a decision, and a risk, that should be left to all of us to decide," Jecht said as he got up.
"Bah, you waste your time letting that rabble make decisions. If I were leader..."
"But you're not, Goza, and it would be best if you didn't forget that," Jecht said as he left.
* * *
"He even acts like Gozabura," Seto said to himself.
"That guy deserves a good thumpin' tryin' ta turn a hurt lady out," Joey said.
"Fortunately, his attitude was not shared by the majority of our tribe," Elder said. "It was decided that she would be allowed to remain."
"Were you right?"
"Hmm?"
"About the baby," Tea said. "Was she going to have one? Was it all right?"
"See for yourself my dear."
* * *
Time had passed for the tribe of cave dwellers and those who watched unseen could see things had changed very little, with but two additions. The same dark haired woman sat on a rock outside the cave, a small bundle of fur in her arms. Inside the bundle a small figure could be seen a baby with short black hair, his eyes closed as he sleeps contentedly.
"He looks so small," came the voice of a boy. The woman looked to see a young boy no more than ten years old with chestnut brown hair and tranquil blue eyes staring at her and her baby. In his hand is a rock of obsidian he has been studiously sharpening and shaping.
"Seto, I thought you had left already," the woman said, turning her whole body to the boy.
"I have to finish this tip before Jecht will take me hunting," the brown haired boy said. "I was wondering if I could see the baby Ms. Ebony."
"Raven's sleeping now, so you'll have to be quite," the woman called Ebony said, leaning the baby closer to Seto. The boy reached into the bundle and stroked the baby's face, getting a gurgle of appreciation from the child.
"He's so small," Seto reiterated.
"Babies tend to be."
"Baby monsters you mean," a gruff voice said. Seto turned around and Ebony looked up as Gozabura walked up to them. Suddenly, Raven woke up just in time to see Gozabura looking at him, prompting the baby to begin crying.
"What do you want Gozabura?" Ebony said, her eyes narrowing as she stared at the man. In front of her, Seto gripped his unfinished spear tip and looked like he was trying to block the older man.
"What are you doing boy, tryin' to stop me?" Gozabura backhanded the brown haired boy away. "And you... You need to watch your mouth. I belong here, which is more than I can say for you or your little monster. If I were in your position, I'd be a lot more grateful to have a place to stay and food to eat."
"You act as though you provide any of that to me personally," Ebony said. "I have yet to see you do anything for which I would be remotely grateful."
"Little witch!" Gozabura said, moving to strike the black haired woman. His hand was stopped by Jecht's bigger hand.
"I thought I told you to gather more branches Gozabura?" Jecht said, jerking the man away and to the ground. "Why don't you finish that task before you go inside." Angrily Gozabura got back to his feet, looking like he wanted to say something. He thought better of it however and left.
"Such a nasty man," Ebony said, helping Seto to his feet.
*****************************
"I don't get it," Tea said. "This looks nice and all, but I don't see anything that would warrant Mokuba becoming Exodia."
"You must understand, my dear, this is a time before the barrier between our realm and what is called the Shadow Realm was in existence."
"Like what Shadi said," Joey said. "Monsters were once able ta get onta Earth. But I ain't seen any of them."
"Believe it or not, our tribe was plagued by such creatures. We tended to cherish such times of peace." At those words, elder's eyes became downcast. "Sadly such times did not last. In fact it was only a few days after this even that we were attacked by the Hitotsume Giants." The scene shifted to show the aforementioned monsters attacking the tribe. Cavemen fled into the cave where the Hitotsume didn't seem to follow. Yugi watched as Ebony and her son made it into the cave along with Seto.
"How did you survive?"
"It was this cave. For some reason, the monsters that attacked us never went into the cave. That was why we settled here, we felt it was a sacred place. But there is more to the story." The scene once again shifts. A group of six year olds, Raven among them, are playing in front of the mouth of the cave. An older looking Seto was walking towards the cave, a dead boar slung over his shoulder.
"Popular little rugrat, isn't he," Joey said.
"Ebony was well liked, and Raven was a healthy and good-looking boy. In times like those, both were qualities that were highly prized. Had things continued in this path, I have no doubt Raven would have had little trouble finding a mate."
"'Had things continued in this path?'" Seto said. "What happened to upset that 'path?'"
"We were attacked..."
* * *
An eight year old boy cried in fright while in the midst of the chaos of a battle. All around him, members of his tribe ran in terror as the towering forms of a little under twenty Hitotsume Giants rampaged after them. Of course the warriors and hunters of the clan were fighting valiantly against the marauding monsters, but they were clearly outmatched. All around him, Raven could hear the screams of men, women, and even children as they were torn apart and eaten alive by the sharp claws and pointed teeth of the Cyclops monsters. The tribe members couldn't even escape into their cave thanks to a huge fire that covered it's mouth, courtesy of a Darkfire Soldier #1 that was smiling as he overlooked the carnage being wrought.
"Well, what we have here," came a harsh voice as Raven found himself caught in a huge shadow belonging to a Hitotsume. The ravenous beast looked down at the boy, it's slimy tongue licking it's lips as it seemed to be sizing up how he would taste. "You look like nice and tender little morsel. Bet you taste good." The Cyclops raised it's massive club over it's head, preparing to crush the boy. Raven turned his head and closed his eyes, not wanting to see his own impending doom. The sickening sound of crushing bones came to Raven's ears, and he wondered why he hadn't felt the impact.
Cautiously, Raven opened his eyes to see that the club had not hit him but had instead been blocked. It was what had blocked the club that upset Raven the most. On the ground between Raven and the giant lay a beautiful woman, her body slowly going cold, her pulse and heart stopping, thanks to where the club had broken her skull.
"Mommy!" Raven cried as he crawled to check the woman, desperately hoping there was some way he could help the woman he'd given the role of his mother in this place. The boy's stomach almost flipped as he saw the extent of the damage done to the woman. That was when he felt a large hand wrap it's fingers around the back of his neck, picking him up with effortless ease. Raven gagged as he was pulled up to eye level with the Hitotsume Giant, it's mouth still salivating.
"Stupid lady, getting in way of my meal. Maybe I just eat you right here." The boy struggled as he felt the monster's claws stroke his chest. White-hot pain shot through Raven as he felt one of those claws pierce his shoulder, cutting almost completely through his body. Smiling, the Cyclops pulled out his claw, licking the red blood that coated the finger. The monster opened his mouth wide as he brought the boy closer to him, preparing to take a bite out of his young prey.
"Please don't eat me! Somebody help me," Raven cried, struggling in the Cyclops's grip, wiggling and squirming like a madman, or mad-boy as the case may have been.
"DIE!" came a very angry voice from behind the two. Before the monster could get his teeth into him, the Hitotsume Giant's neck exploded as a spear-tip exited it, spraying Raven's chest and face with the monster's dark red blood. The giant dropped Raven as he fell to the ground, revealing his killer to be Seto. The brown-haired man's body was covered in red streaks where he'd suffered gashes and scratches from battle. Seto looked down at Raven.
"What are you doing this close to the fighting? Are you trying to get killed," growled Seto. "Get over with the others, now." Clutching his aching and bleeding shoulder, Raven began to move only to spot a dark hole that hung quietly in the air. It was from this portal that a new Hitotsume Giant appeared, rushing to join his friends. The boy stumbled his way towards the portal. Looking back for only a few seconds, Raven flung himself into the void.
***********************
"What da?"
"What happened to him?" Malik asked calmly.
"That is a very good question," Elder said.
"What do you mean?" Seto said, very dissatisfied with what Elder had said.
"No one knows what happened to your brother when he entered that portal is completely unknown. All I know is what happened after he re-emerged."
"What happened?" Yami asked.
"Watch."
***************************
The battle continued to raise as more and more Hitotsume Giants exited new portals. After depositing the green-skinned Cyclopes, the portals began to disappear, save for the one Raven had gone through. That one began to shimmer and waver, a standing distortion in reality. Suddenly, a brilliant white light erupted from the black portal, swiftly catching everyone on the battlefield's attention.
"ROOOAAARRRR!!" came the loud and angered voice from inside. Even Seto, who had previously been locked in mortal combat with the Dark Fire Soldier, turned to see what was happening.
The light faded as a small figure appeared where the glow had been, kneeling on one knee as armor of bronze formed itself around the figure's body. Long strands of midnight black hair wound and bound itself up into two braids of that were immediately covered in the same bronze armor. One of the Hitotsume Giants charged, it's club raised high over it's head as it attempted to attack the newcomer. It got about five feet away from it's target before a beam of purple energy lanced through the green giant's body. Within seconds, the Hitotsume Giant's body decayed to nothing, it's bones clattering to the ground.
"Raven?" Seto said, seeing the boy's face within the bronze armor.
"You killed her," Raven said. "YOU KILLED MY MOMMY!!" Purple lightning erupted from the boy. The Cyclops monsters ran , or rather stampeded, trying to escape. None of them did. Purple lightning rained down piercing each and every giant through the heart. The only good thing that could be said was that the monsters' deaths were instantaneous.
All around Raven lay the bodies of the Hitotsume Giants. A look of absolute terror was plastered on each and every one of the putrid green corpses, a look that was echoed on the still living faces of the tribe that was busy backing away from him. Even Seto had a look of fear in his eyes.
"RAAA!" came an angry cry as the Darkfire Soldier jumped towards Raven. "How dare you destroy my forces you nasty little urchin. Prepare yourself to feel the sting of a fiery oblivion." The flames still swirled around the sword-wielding warrior as he fell from the sky, his sword ready to slice the boy in two. Raven's first instinct was to jump out of the way as the Soldier slammed into the ground. Immediately the warrior leapt forward, once more ready to strike Raven. This time, though, it was the boy's arm that moved, catching the sword within it's gauntlet-clad hand.
"Your sword seems to be stuck... here let me help you with that," Raven said. With the sound of breaking glass, the blade of the sword shattered in the boy's hand. Raven's second hand grabbed the man by the throat, pulling him closer, his eyes beginning to glow a brilliant red. Immediately the Darkfire Soldier's face changed into one of fear. Mokuba felt himself talking, but he couldn't understand any of the words he was saying.
"You were the one who sent these monsters after us. You let them kill my Mommy," Raven said as his grip on the man's throat tightened. "I'm gonna make you PAY!"
The Darkfire Soldier's mouth opened as though he were going to scream. What ever he was going to do was cut off as a beam of energy exited Raven's mouth and entered the swordsman's. Seconds later Raven watched in horror as the man's soul was ripped violently from his body flying directly into his mouth. The Darkfire Soldier's body collapsed as Raven let go, rapidly reducing to nothing. It had been the most vile and disgusting experience Raven had ever had in his life. And yet, as he felt the surge of power coursing through his body and his gaze once more fell upon the survivors of the battle, one thought came to his mind... he wanted more. Slowly, the boy began to walk towards them as they raised their spears, clearly afraid of what he might do. Raven's gaze soon fell upon Seto who was limping towards him.
"S... Seto..." Before he could say anything else, Raven collapsed into the sixteen year old's arms, his armor fading from existence.
"Do you see... It's just as I said," Gozabura said.
*****************************
"He... He sucked the soul right out of that monster!" Tea said.
"That was unbelievable!"
"You can imagine how we felt witnessing it," Elder said. "To say the least we were terrified."
"Gozabura didn't seem too scared to try to use it to his advantage," an angry Seto Kaiba observed. He still could not believe he and Mokuba had known their adopted father before the orphanage.
"Indeed, he didn't."
***************************
Time had once more passed. Once more, children were playing outside the cave, their mothers standing nearby cleaning the meat recently brought to them. In truth, their eyes were all cast on a black haired twelve year old sitting on a rock, staring at the children. Of course, all the suspicious eyes cast on him had not gone unnoticed by Raven. After all, he'd been getting them for nearly four years now.
"Look at him, sitting on that rock like he owns the world," one of the woman said.
"He's probably planning how to kill our babies even as we speak, that's why he sitting there looking at them."
"If he had any decency, the little demon-boy would leave and let himself get eaten by some beast." Raven didn't react as he heard these words. After so many times of hearing these same little "suggestions" they'd lost much of their sting. After all, it wasn't like anyone had dared act on these kinds of ideas, they were all to scared he'd suddenly fry them. Still it was hard to ignore the fact that increasingly fewer people wanted him around anymore. Suddenly, he felt a hand tugging at the back of his loincloth. The raven-haired boy turned around to see a small blonde haired toddler with freckles staring up at him. The six year old was smiling.
"Wanna pway?" Raven stared down at the little boy, one of the few friends he had. Quickly, Raven hopped off the rock.
"Okay Sunny, what say we go see what there is to do." So saying the two walked away, much to the disgust of the gaggle of women staring at them.
"That poor boy, how dare that Raven pollute his mind so."
"One can only wonder why he's allowed to stay here," came the familiar voice of Gozabura. "What could Jecht possibly be thinking."
"I know, you think after what he did to that fireball man, Jecht would have done the smart thing and gotten rid of him."
"If I were leader, I would not so easily endanger my own tribe," Gozabura said. "Such a pity I'm not in charge." So saying Gozabura began walking away, leaving the others to mull over his words.
*************
As night descended on the tribe, a roaring fire could be seen sitting outside the mouth of the cave. Everyone was busy eating the days catch, including Raven, though he sat a good distance away from most of the tribe. Next to him sat Seto and Sunny.
"I'm getting sick of this," Raven said.
"Sick of what?" Seto asked.
"That." Raven pointed towards the larger group, showing Seto the group of three men that had been staring daggers at him. A nastier look from Seto and all three turned away.
"Hey, what's dat?" Sunny said, pointing at the top of the cave. Everyone else looked up to see a black portal similar to the ones that had appeared four years ago. From out of the tear in reality came a giant black cobra with wings of onyx. The creature's eyes began to glow purple as a card appeared in the serpent's hand.
"HINOTAMA!" The card glowed the same purple as the serpent's eyes before disappearing. From out of nowhere, a collection of fiery meteors appeared in the sky above. The balls of flame began to fall with wild abandon, striking the ground around the eating people. Human's ran, hoping to avoid the attack, but when one of the meteor's targeted Sunny, the same purple energy from before began to surround Raven. Just before the meteor could hit, a bubble of purple energy rose, bouncing the offending fireball away. The bubble did not, however, stop the serpent as it landed with a loud thud. "So you're the one with all the power."
"You... You can talk?"
"Oh I can do more than that little one," the serpent said as his giant hand grabbed Raven's entire torso, lifting the black haired boy into the air. Purple energy surged through the serpent's black arm and into Raven's body causing intense pain.
"AAAAAAH!!!!"
"Now, when I kill you, your powers will be mine!"
"Raven!" yelled Seto as his slammed his spear tip into the cobra's body. The sharp point passed completely through the monster, it's bloody tip erupting from the snake's shoulder. The cobra monster didn't even seem fazed by the attack as he moved his injured arm, snapping the spear and expelling the pieces. His arm came smashing down again, catching Seto with a massive, bonecrushing swipe. Seto's body smashed into the cave and to the ground where it refused to move.
"Everyone," Jecht yelled. "into the cave!"
"I don't think so," the serpent yelled, pointing his tail at the cave. More dark energy erupted from the tip and attacked the cave. Within moments, the entire place was reduced to rubble. "Once I'm finished ripping this boy's power from his flesh, I shall enjoy testing the limits of my new powers on all of you!"
"SAINT'S FIST!" came a cry as a titanic blue fist smashed into the serpent's stomach, sending him flying backward and forcing him to drop Raven. Standing over the fallen boy was a blue humanoid dragon, it's broad wings fully outstretched as the blue energy surrounding it's fist faded. Obelisk looked down at Raven. "I would suggest you run for safety and let us handle him."
"Us?"
"AURORA LIGHTNING!" Red lightning flew down from the sky binding the serpent monster to the ground. Raven looked up to see a second snakelike dragon, this one red and with two mouths to boot, flying through sky. "You did not believe you could travel through the Realm's barrier without the rest of us noticing, did you Set?"
"This is none of your concern Osiris," Set said as his body transformed into smoke to escape from the chains of lightning. The blue cobra reappeared near the shattered remains of the cave.
"You are wrong," came the deep, majestic voice of a third dragon. This one was golden in color, shining as bright as the sun, it's wings casting beams of light on the ground below. "Did I not make it clear that this fledgling world was off limits."
"Ra."
* * *
"The Egyptian God Monsters!" Malik said. "What are they doing here?"
"Isn't it obvious... they are trying to stop Set."
"But... How could they be here, and now."
"So this is when they met Mokuba," Yami said. "But, if they were trying to protect him, why are they trying to destroy him now."
"Here's a better question," Seto said. "If there were four Egyptian God Monsters, what happened to Set?"
"You must watch to see."
* * *
"You have broken my decree, Set, I demand to know why?" Ra said as he hovered above the cobra monster.
"Who are you to demand anything?" Set said. "You may think your powerful, but while you three have been lazing in the comforts of the Shadow Realm, I have been busy expanding my destructive powers. TOXIC BILE!" From Set's mouth a jet of black liquid flew corroding and decaying everything it touches. The other three gods quickly got out of the way of the poison.
As the four monster began to fight, Raven moved over to Seto's fallen form which had still not moved.
"Seto... Seto are you all right?" Raven said, his hand shaking as he touched the young man. Seto's body convulsed at the twelve-year old's touched and blood erupted from the brunette's mouth.
"Rav... Raven?"
"I'm here Seto," Raven said. "Don't move... I'll... I'll do... something." Raven closed his eyes and held his hands over Seto's bare chest, trying to summon the same powers he'd used before. Nothing answered his call. Again and again the boy tried to summon his powers, concentrating with all his might. "No! I... I can't do it."
"Raven, he's after you," Seto said. "You've... You've got to get out of here. Go... I'll be all right."
"No, I won't leave you."
"Raven... listen to ME! Get Sunny and leave. You have to..." Seto's eyes widened one last time as his body convulsed again.
"Seto.... Seto?" Raven said, tears flowing freely from his eyes. So caught up in his friend's death was he that Raven did not notice the ball of golden energy that send Set driving into the ground.
"Where is your vaunted power now dark brother," Ra said. "I would suggest you surrender."
"Yes, it would seem I have miscalculated," Set said, noticing from the corner of his eye where he was in relation to his target. "But you forget why I came here!"
"Raven look out!" came Sunny's scream as he ran towards his dark haired friend. The young boy was just in time to intercept Set's serpent tail which had been heading to impale Raven. Instead, the scaly appendage erupted from the small blonde's chest, showering Raven in Sunny's blood. The young caveman caught the boy's now dead body as it fell, cradling the poor boy in his arms.
"Worthless trash... Don't worry, in death you will join him," Set said, his tail readying to again strike at Raven. The tail stopped in mid-strike as Set caught a glimpse of Raven's face as the boy head rose to face him. Tears of fury and hatred erupted from the boy's eyes which had turned a brilliant shade of crimson. Purple energy glowed all over the boy's body as his hair began to rise with the energy.
"AAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGHHHHHHH!!!" Raven screamed as the very rocks around him began to shatter to nothingness as a result of his rage.
"What is going on?" Obelisk asked.
"It would appear that boy does have a tremendous amount of energy, perhaps more than brother Set expected," Osiris answered. True enough, Set began to back away from the enraged human. Suddenly, Raven's body tripled in size, and his body was quickly covered in the same bronze armor as before.
"WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING!!" Raven yelled at the snake god before charging like quicksilver. Set could not react nearly fast enough to prevent Raven's bronze knee from embedding itself in the cobra's gut. Nor could he stop the fist that crashed into his face, breaking his fangs and sending him flying. Or at least it would have sent him flying, had Raven not been standing on it. As it was, Set was smashed into the ground. The snake man wobbly got back up, clearly dazed from the furious attack that had come his way. Quickly, he summoned his own power hoping to buy himself enough time to escape and regroup. This plan was interrupted as Raven grabbed Set's wrist, the boy's body twisting as his other arm smashed into the snake god's side, breaking several of his ribs as well as ripping the black arm out of the socket and off Set's body.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!" Set screamed as he felt his limb tear off. Pain was not something the god was used to and he was definitely not enjoying the experience. "I... I have to leave," he said to himself. Carefully, the snake began to mumble the words that would transport him back to the Shadow Realm. The spell was cut off as Raven's bronze hand clamped over his mouth, lifting Set into the air.
"Now, I'm gonna make you pay for the two lives you ended," Raven said, the purple aura intensifying as he stared at the snake man. Suddenly, a gold hand touched his shoulder.
"You have done enough human," Ra said gently. "He has been beaten, now we will make sure he is punished for his deeds." Ra was not prepared for the bronze arm that swung backward, crashing into him with the force of a bomb.
"Ra!" Obelisk and Osiris called.
"You'll punish him?" Raven said, still holding onto Set. "If you had the ability to do that, none of this would have happened. No, I'm going to do this... MYSELF!" Once more the light in Raven's eyes grew in intensity. "Set, your time has come..."
"What?" Set said as Raven's mouth opened wide.
"Your soul BELONGS TO ME!!!" Once more the brilliant white light erupted from Raven's mouth and in an instant Set's very soul was dragged from his serpentine body and drawn directly into the mouth of Raven. Without it's soul Set's body rapidly reduced to ash, much to the astonishment of the other three gods.
"He... He killed Set," Obelisk said, stating the obvious.
"What... what kind of power can end the life of an immortal?" Osiris said.
"A very dangerous one, one that is much too dangerous to be allowed to run uncontrolled," the injured Ra said as he stood. "We have to stop him!"
"BE GONE!!" Raven yelled, power exploding from his body and sending all three gods flying through the air before they could even prepare an assault. Once the energy faded, Raven took a last look around as the destroyed area. Raven lifted a finger into the air, which promptly passed through the very fabric of reality. Without saying a word, Raven proceeded to tear through the very air itself, creating another black hole-like portal. Once it was completed, Raven's body shrunk, armor and all, back to it's normal size. Casting a final look at his former family, Raven entered the portal and closed it behind him.
***********************
The others watched the scene silently as Mokuba began to be lowered back to the ground, his eyes opening as he re-awoke. Seto went over to his younger brother, supporting his weakened body as the boy fell forward.
"And Raven entered the portal, never to be seen again... at least by us," Elder said.
"What happened afterward, where did he go?" Yugi asked.
"To the Shadow Realm I presume. This is where my story ends. Whatever else happened to Exodia, I do not know."
"Unbelievable," Malik said. "I knew Exodia was powerful, but to destroy a god... that's just crazy."
"Elder what's happening to you?" Yugi asked. Elder's form had become much less solid looking and it was fading faster by the minute.
"My task is complete. Now I must leave this world." So saying, Elder faded from view and the group once more found themselves in Domino City Museum....
************
It took three hours before Mokuba said anything, all he did in that time was stare ahead as he curled into his elder brother's chest. For his part, Raven could not believe what he had seen either.
"I guess that explains why the three gods are after us, doesn't it Mokuba?"
"Seto?" Mokuba said.
"Yeah kid?"
"I... I'm scared." Seto knew what his brother was saying. Having witnessed the power that lay dormant within the young boy, Seto couldn't help but feel a little afraid himself, especially as he recalled the dream he had had not that long ago.
"I know." What else could Seto say? There were no prepared speeches or anything for something like this. Heck, giving Mokuba the "Birds and the Bees" speech probably would have been easier in the elder Kaiba's experience.
"So, now what do we do," Joey said.
"Isn't it obvious Wheeler," Bakura said. "We prepare. Exodia is far to dangerous to allow to fall into anyone else's hands, and in his current state, he is also vulnerable."
"Your concern is touching, Tomb Robber," Isis said sarcastically. "But you are correct. There is no telling..." Suddenly, Isis grabbed her Millennium Tauk gripping the edge of one of the displays.
"Sister, what is wrong."
"Danger... coming this way..." As if in answer, the ground shook.
"What was that?" Yami asked, only to be answered by another ground quake. Raven and Malik ran to the window, both of their eyes widening at what they saw making it's way towards the museum.
"A Barrel Dragon!" Malik exclaimed as he watched the three gunbarrels of the monster sway past buildings. Every time the creature stepped, the ground shook again. Suddenly, the shaking stopped. Yami ran to the window to see what was happening.
"It's getting ready to use it's special attack!"
"He'll level this place if he does that!" Joey said. Suddenly, the blonde found himself being lifted in the air by the same purple energy from before.
"Get out of here," Raven yelled. "I'll try to hold him off."
"You'll be killed. That's not an attack it's an instant kill," Mokuba said as Seto lifted his body from the ground.
"I can block it, don't worry," Raven said. "You're the only thing that matters, the only thing I'm meant to exist for."
"But..."
"SETO get HIM out of here!" Somewhat reluctantly, the others began to leave, Bakura, Malik, Isis, and Yami setting up defenses as best they could. Raven stood at the window, watching as the plasmic energy began to build in the mechanical dragon's barrels. Swiftly, his hands moved through the air, making arcane symbols as his energy began to grow.
********
Seto ran like for all his worth, hoping they would make it out of the building before it was too late.
*Please, please, please let us make it,* the teen thought to himself. The hairs on the back of his neck began to stand up as he felt the build up of energy around him. In his arms, he could hear Mokuba quietly chanting, hoping to hit upon something that would help them all.
Yami had once more merged with Yugi and had taken control, he was faster after all, and was busy throwing every card he could think of out and summoning them to the real world for protection. Joey wished he could do something, anything to help his friends, cursing the fact that he had no millennium magic of his own. Suddenly, a loud explosion rocked the building, and everyone stopped, horrified looks on their face as they realized what had happened. Barrel Dragon had fired.
******************
Purple energy flowed freely around Raven as he marshaled his forces against the machine. There was no way he could effectively block the attack if it fired, he was simply a spiritual memory, and that fact was becoming painfully obvious as over a thousand spells formed to try to stop the inevitable.
*If I can destroy the dragon before it fires, I'll stop the attack,* Raven thought. *If not... there's only one thing left to do.*
Finally, the attack was completed. Raven's hands came to his front as he let loose the beam of energy flew from him. Mere inches from the dragon, the Barrel Dragon released it's own attack, firing all three shots as it's own body disintegrated. Raven watched the oncoming blast, willing all of his energy into the defensive spells he had prepared. Already, he could feel his "body" coming apart from lack of power, and yet still he smiled at his imminent death.
*Mokuba... please survive.*
*****************************
The explosion of the Barrel Dragon's attack rocked all of Domino City. Not a citizen didn't look out of their windows, only to see the burning, crumbling form of what had once been Domino City Museum...
To be continued....
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This is not the end, this is only the beginning. Please remember to review. See ya soon, I hope.
By Asher Tye
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh, I wish I did 'cause then I'd be rich. Since I'm not, suing me would be pointless. Thanks bunches for all the reviews. I can't wait to see the reviews for this chapter. I should say this, I have never seen Gozabura, so if my description of him seems a little off, I'll just chalk it up to the same thing that happened to Princess Sally over the course of the Sonic Comic. Also, I don't know the names of the Egyptian Gods' attacks, so I figured I'd use a few of my own.
Summary: Zoa has found out Mokuba has Exodia's soul and has come up with plan to capture him. Meanwhile, Yami and the others use the Millennium Eye to complete Isis's tablet, hoping to find out more about what's going on.
Author's Note: Sorry this took so long, I had a devil of a time getting all the characters to react well, and they still might be a little OOC, so please bear with me. Regrettably, updates are gonna take a lot longer now that school is in session but don't worry, I will complete this story.
*_* - Personal Thoughts
/_/ - Yugi to Yami
\_\ - Yami to Yugi
(_) - Raven to Mokuba
[_] - Mokuba to Raven
_ Telepathic communication
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The Fiend's Quarter.
It was a section of the Shadow Realm that was simultaneously dark and light. It was dark due to the storm clouds of the Mystic Plasma Zone that were so thick they blocked the sun from ever being visible over the barren and rocky land. It was light because of the erupting columns of fire and burning magma that occasionally burst forth from the surface, sometimes frying the wayward demon or other unwary traveler. All around could be heard the harsh screams and roars that were the sounds of life going on in the quarter. If one were able to get high enough into the air, one could see the landscape was dotted with even more small lights, belonging to ancient houses and mansions. One in particular, though, looks almost new. It is completely covered in darkness, save only for a single light of a rather large room.
Inside the room, sitting on a large chair was a huge winged demon with huge horns on his head. Zeboim sat with his claws in front of his face, considering the information that was now his thanks to his young charge the Feral Imp. All around the manor, the Summoned Skull could hear the cries of younger and less powerful demons being slaughtered by stronger demons. It was the unwritten law of the Fiend's Quarter, upon the weak the strong preyed. Long ago had Zeboim gotten used to the sound, now the screams were merely background noise to him.
*Lord Exodia is still alive?* the fiend thought to himself. *After all this time he has returned, I have found him again. And now it turns out he is the one Lord Zoa is after.* The fiend's eyes stared into the darkness, seeing everything, yet nothing as his memory moved backward.
**********************************************
*The Shadow Realm Fiend's Quarter: many millennia ago.*
***********************************************
Through the dark and fiery corridors of the Fiend's Quarter, the small form of a terrified winged demon ran for it's life. The demon child, a miniature Zeboim, runs on all fours, trying to keep from tripping over it's own overly large wings as behind it a black and red demon flies after it, it's deadly teeth glistening in the firelight. The demon is quickly catching up on the young Zeboim, and it is only the child's constant changing of direction that keeps the creature from swooping down and devouring him. Zeboim's good fortune finally runs out and he finds himself at an aptly named dead-end.
"Knew I'd catch you you tender morsel... Now you'll pay for stealing that goblin's leg from me," the red demon said as he flew right at the terrified Summoned Skull, his jaws opening wide. It was not bony flesh the demon jaws latched onto, however, but a very large arm covered in bronze armor.
"I've been called a lot of things, but never tender," came a voice. Zeboim looked up to see his aggressor was biting on the arm of what looked like a giant bronze colored human.
*Who is that?* Zeboim thought to himself as he watched the giant yank his arm out of the fiend's mouth, taking a few of the monster's teeth along for the ride.
"Who the devil are you? You dare interrupt my meal? Do you have any idea what I am?"
"I am Exodia," the bronze giant said. "And truth be told I really don't care what you are, so it doesn't matter." At those words, the fiend began to sniff the air, a smile coming to his face.
"'Exodia' huh? Well you may look tough, but I can smell the human in you. I'm gonna enjoy tearing the flesh from your armor." The demon lunged at Exodia, his mouth open and his claws ready to rend the human to shreds. It was not a roar that came out of the red monster, but a yelp as Exodia's hands slammed down around the demon's beaky mouth. With a mighty heave, the bronze giant yanked his opponent over his shoulder, planting the demon's head squarely in the ground. Immediately, the demon erupted out of his hole, his eyes glowing blue.
"I take it you want to go a few more rounds?"
"Obviously you have a lot of physical strength human," the demon said as his claws began to move in an arcane manner. "But as you're about to find out, physical might is not enough to handle a demon of my caliber."
"A demon who feels only strong enough to attack a little boy demon doesn't have a caliber," Exodia said.
"INFERNUS FIREBLAST!" The demon called as a stream if fire flew out of his claws. For his part, Exodia held up a hand and caught the fire, collecting the flame in a red ball.
"I believe this is yours," Exodia said as he sent the ball rocketing back towards the demon. The ball smashed into the demon's red chest, busting through before exploding and destroying the offending monster.
Zeboim had watched the fight, not really cheering for either combatant. For all he knew, the bronze clad Exodia was planning to kill him just as painfully as the red demon had planned to. After the battle was resolved, Exodia turned towards the small skull, grabbing the little monster by his collar bone to bring him up to the sorcerer's own eye level.
"Are you all right?" Exodia asked. Zeboim opened his eyes to see the red orbs that were his savior's shining full on. The winged demon was so frightened he couldn't even answer, he just shook.
*If this guy could do that to a big demon, what's he gonna do to me?!*
"It looks like I've saved you from a rather nasty amount of pain," Exodia said. "I believe the phrase 'you owe me one' applies here."
"I... I don't have anything... anything to g-g-give you," Zeboim said. It was true, the fledgling demon had nothing on him, at least, nothing someone like Exodia could want.
"Oh, I can think of something," Exodia said, smiling. Behind him a black portal opened and began to move forward, enveloping both spellcaster and demon...
**********************************************************
Zeboim's eyes opened as his memory ended. In the end, paying back Exodia had simply entailed becoming his travel companion and journeying all over the Shadow Realm with the powerful spellcaster. Of course, as he'd grown, so did his powers and he'd begun to feel more and more indebted to the one who'd saved him. Then Exodia had disappeared, apparently without a trace, and Zeboim had looked. Even now the fiend general didn't know what had caused Exodia to leave. Saddened, he'd gone to find a new master, one hopefully worthy of the vast power that was his to command.
*And now, after so many millennia, I have found him. And he is the target of Lord Zoa,* Zeboim thought. He looked down to where the Feral Imp played, wishing his life could be as simple as that once again.
***************************************************************************
Back in the Kaiba mansion in the real world, Yugi sat watching an old black and white monster movie, laughing a little whenever he saw the cheesy looking monster. Behind him Malik sat on the Kaiba's couch, looking very disinterested in the giant brain that was roaming around on the big screen.
"How can you stare at that drivel? You're the reincarnation of an ancient and powerful Egyptian Pharaoh, you should be reading or listening to music, trying improve your mind, not rotting it on this trash."
"How can you say that? 'The Brain That Slurped Ohio' is a classic monster movie and a keen look into the mind of a talented storyteller."
"It's a look into the mind of a nitwit. What kind of fool would think up a giant brain with a tongue and a thumb for a monster?"
"Need I point out the Tainted Wisdom card?"
"Will you both keep it down," came the voice of Isis. "Both Seto and Mokuba require rest." As she spoke, the elder Ishtar moved upstairs, a tray with a bowl of soup in her hands. She opened the door to Mokuba's room where the boy remained comatose in his bed. Next to the bed, Seto Kaiba sat in a chair his head down and his eyes closed. He hadn't slept since this whole mess had started, and Isis was not about to deprive him of sleep he might need for the coming battle.
*And a battle there will be. No power in the universe matches Exodia's, and now that it's so vulnerable, it presents a very tempting target.* Isis sat the bowl down on the dresser next to Mokuba's bed as she gazed at the boy. Asleep he was actually pretty cute. *Hard to believe such an innocent face could cause so many problems.* Suddenly, she heard the sounds of Seto Kaiba beginning to stir.
"What's happened?"
"You fell asleep. Given what was likely to occur, I felt it better to let you sleep rather than wake you up. I imagine you're hungry though, so I brought some food."
"I don't need food," Seto said, a statement that was immediately contradicted by the growling of his stomach.
"We still have about an hour before Raven said your brother would wake up again, so I suggest you eat something. I have a feeling there will be precious little time for food afterward."
********************
Downstairs, Malik and Yugi were still arguing over the merits of monster movies when the doorbell rang. Silently, Yami split from Yugi who was too embroiled in their argument notice.
The former Pharaoh was quite surprised to find himself staring at Ryou.
"Um... Hi," the white haired boy said quietly.
"Ryou, what are you doing here?" Yami said, making the taller boy jump a little. The Pharaoh wished his voice sounded a bit friendlier, he didn't like unintentionally making his friends fear him.
"Ms. Ishtar called and asked Bakura and myself to come," Ryou said, his Millennium Ring glowing as the ancient spirit inside it confirmed Ryou's words.
"I see," Yami said, wondering what it was Isis knew that made her want to call the Tomb Robber to help. The Pharaoh turned to let the white haired boy in and immediately watched as he split in two, his darker spirit manifesting.
"I despise traveling in that ring. Would that I had my own body and the freedom to move at my own discretion."
"I think we all sleep better at night knowing that is precisely what you can't do," Malik said. "The gods themselves only know how many priceless antiquities would go missing over night."
"Ha ha." The quintet heard the sound of footsteps as Isis came down the stairs.
"Ah Bakura, you're here," the elder Ishtar said. "Thank you."
"You just remember what you promised me for all this."
"What did you promise him anyway?" Malik asked, curious as to what the Tomb Robber could want from his sister.
"That is not your concern little brother." This, of course, did not to assuage Malik's concerns. Isis walked into the Kaiba's kitchen to check on her soup, followed closely by Bakura. It took only a second for Malik to leave his place on the couch to follow, a look of suspicion on his face. Since there was now a seat free, Ryou sat down in Malik's spot.
"So, what are we watching?" Ryou said.
"'The Brain that Slurped Ohio,'" replied Yugi.
"Excellent." The two teens watched the movie to the end, unaware for the most part as the others came through the room. As the movie ended, the two finally did hear the sound of two more sets footsteps coming down the stairs. Both turned to see Mokuba walking slowly down the stairs one step at a time. Behind him Seto walked as well, making sure to stay a few steps away. Yugi and Ryou both moved to meet their younger friend.
"Mokuba! You're up. How do you feel? Are you all right? Raven said..." Yugi was unable to finish his string of questions as Mokuba made a soft grunt and waved his hand. Immediately, both Yugi and Ryou were enveloped in an aura of purple energy which hefted them into the air and unceremoniously dropped them both on the couch.
"Apparently he doesn't want anyone to get in his way," Seto said. All three teens followed the younger boy as he slowly made his way into the kitchen. Malik, Bakura and Isis moved out of the way as the boy made a bee-line for the soup that was being warmed on the stove. Seto moved to get a bowel for his brother, an action which proved unnecessary as Mokuba lifted the pot to his lips and began to gulp the entire thing down. While a few splashes of soup fell onto his chest and the ground, Mokuba ate the whole pot, dropping the empty container as he finished. Once more he went on the move, heading directly for the refrigerator. Once it was opened, the boy tore into all the leftovers with a wild abandon.
"Disgusting," Bakura said.
"Isis, is this ordinary?"
"I expected him to be hungry, but I guess the use of limitless power somewhat increases his appetite."
"And how," Ryou said as he watched Mokuba messily devour a half turkey. "I do hope he's at least remembering to breathe."
"This can't be healthy for him," Seto said as he reached to stop his brother's gorging. Once more this proved unnecessary as Mokuba dropped the ham steak he had been biting into, finally full. His pajama top was a mess with the debris of his feast and his face still looked tired.
"Mokuba how are you feeling?" Isis asked.
"Tired..."
"I'm afraid that's pretty much expected," came a familiar grainy voice. The assembled humans looked back at the counter to find Raven, once more looking the same age as Mokuba and no longer hurt, was sitting on the counter turning off the stove. "I did tell you that soup wouldn't be enough, didn't I."
"Why do you look so healthy when Mokuba looks so sick?" Seto asked angrily, not liking the idea of some spirit parasitizing his brother.
"The form you see is simply a physical manifestation, just like Yami and Bakura. I can make it look like anything I want." So saying Raven's shape shifted until he looked like a cat, jumping onto Seto's shoulder. "Physical appearance is no indicator of health in spirits." A second later and Raven once more looked like his normal self standing next to Mokuba. It was then that the spirit noticed just how many people with in the kitchen. "Okay, I'll bite. What's going on?"
"We require the use of the Millennium Eye which currently rests in the young Kaiba's eye," Isis said. "And given the condition the two of you were in, we felt it safer to keep you under watch while you recovered."
"So if you'll just give us the Eye, we'll be on our way," Malik said.
"Do I look stupid?" Raven asked. "The only way I'm removing that eye is if Mokuba asks me to."
"It is not necessary for you to surrender the eye," Isis said. "In truth, I think the two of you might benefit from coming with us."
"You feeling up for a road trip Mokuba?" Raven asked.
"Well..." In truth Mokuba felt like he could use another week of sleep, but the boy was sick and tired of always being left out of the loop. "I think we should go."
"And what's your opinion 'big brother,'" Raven said smiling at the young CEO.
"Suddenly my opinion counts in whatever you're planning?" Seto said. "You didn't seem to have problems doing what you wanted when you were putting Mokuba in danger all for some stupid card."
"In point of fact, I'm not the one who put him danger in the first place. Secondly, this isn't really something I planned to do, so until I can figure some new way to get that 'stupid' card from Yugi, I'm willing to do pretty much anything you two want to do."
"Well, now that that's settled," Malik said. "I suggest we leave for the museum with all do haste."
"Very well."
***************************************************************************
Zoa sat on his throne, considering the events that had transpired. Centuries of planning had gone into trying to capture the vessel of Exodia's powers, and it had all turned to naught.
"How, how could that worthless brat be the vessel. I was so sure it was Seto," Zoa grumbled to himself. "Had I known Mokuba was the one, I would not have been so adamant in trying to separate the two."
"Contemplation of errors made in past lives is an inefficient use of time," came a droning metallic voice. Zoa looked up to find himself looking at A-23, more commonly known as the Machine King. The robotic monster was flanked on both side by giant Slot Machine robots, and Zoa knew there were probably six or seven other machine type monsters around, further boosting the Machine King's powers. Zoa's hand reached around his throne, touching a small box he kept hidden there, making sure it was within reach should his ally prove hostile.
"A-23? Why have you left Engine City and come here?"
"My correct name is Machine King, you will address me as Machine King. Your recent failures have begun make me doubt in your ability to achieve our goal. You failed to inform me of the change in our target. One of your minions even attempted to seize the power for himself. This one must wonder what further benefit can be obtained by remaining in alliance with you." So saying, the Machine King raised his fists, four blades coming out of all four sides of his forearms. Zoa's fingers felt the second object behind his throne, a small button. It's effects combined with the other's would give him all the power he needed to destroy the upstart calculator.
*But it would be such a waste of a good trump card,* Zoa thought. *Especially since I still need him to break through the barrier between the worlds.*
"So I assume you hope now to kill me and proceed with your own plans to kill Mokuba?"
"That is correct, and there is no point in resisting me. Hold still and I will make this as painless as possible."
"And yet, you have no idea how to deal with someone such as Exodia. How will you go about doing it?"
"I can fare no worse than you."
"Yes you can... Secrecy has never been your strong point. What will you do when that boy discovers you and decides to annihilate you." At Zoa's words, the blades retracted into his arm.
"And I suppose you have a plan of your own?"
"As a matter of fact I do, and all I need is to borrow one of your servants..."
***************************************************************************
It had taken some time for the group to get ready, much of which had been used getting Mokuba cleaned up after his little food binge. Soon, though, they were ready and the group prepared to leave for Domino City Museum. Of course, the two spirits retreated into their hosts as Yugi opened the front door. He was quite surprised to find a set of knuckles suddenly rapping on his head.
"Oops, sorry Yug. Didn't see ya there," Joey said. Behind him stood Tea.
"Wheeler, what are you doing here?" Seto Kaiba asked, none of the venom he usually had in his voice.
"We wanted to make sure Mokuba woke up all right," Tea said. "So what are you guys all up to."
"We are heading for my museum, where hopefully we will find answers about what is happening," Isis said.
"So let's get going."
"Who said you were coming along blondie," Malik said. "The fewer people we have to deal with, the better."
"You'll find it rather hard to keep us from coming along."
"You're obviously forgetting the power of my Millennium Rod," Malik said menacingly.
"Malik!" Yami said. "Now is not the time for this."
"The Pharaoh is right little brother," Isis said as she opened her car door. Nearby, Seto was helping Mokuba into their limo. "I'll take the Pharoah's friends to the museum myself. Yugi, Ryou if you would please ride with Seto and Mokuba."
"I'll drive behind them," Malik said, getting on his motorbike. And so the group of now eight humans began their trip. Inside the limo, Seto drove with Mokuba, Yugi, and Ryou sitting in the back. The black haired boy's face was downcast as he rode.
"What's the matter Mokuba?" Yugi asked.
"Just... thinking," the boy answered, not bothering to look up.
"I guess you would have a lot on your mind," Yugi said. "I remember how I felt when I discovered Yami sharing my body."
"Or when I discovered Bakura," Ryou entered as well. "It can be a bit of a shock, but you do get used to it after a while."
"It's... It's not that," Mokuba said. "I mean, it was a shock to find out Raven was in me, yeah, but it's not just that. I'm just worried I guess."
"Worried?!" Bakura said in a disbelieving voice, taking over Ryou's body. "What have you got to be worried about? You have Exodia inside you, the most powerful creature to ever exist. If I were you, I'd be considering how best to put all that power to use."
"What do you mean?"
"It's Exodia... There's nothing you can't do with that kind of power. I know if he were in my body, the world would be my oyster."
"Comforting that he's in Mokuba's body then," Seto said.
"Watch it human..." Inside Mokuba's head however, another set of eyes watched, worried just as much as the young Kaiba. Soon the procession made it to the museum, where they disembarked from their vehicles. Quickly Isis unlocked the front door of the building and let everyone else in.
"Follow me," Isis said. The group made it to the prehistoric exhibit without incident, and went down the cave to the partially completed mural. "Here we are."
"This place seems... familiar," Mokuba said, touching the wall painting. Without another word, Raven split off from Mokuba, looking at the mural with "Ah".
"I... I know this place," Raven said. "It feels like... home."
"Home? What do you mean, home?" Yugi asked.
"I... we've been here before," Mokuba said. "But I can't remember... what?" Suddenly, the Millennium Eye began to glow as did all the pieces that remained under the mural. Each piece magically lifted into the air, slowly but steadily setting themselves into their appropriate places. The group now stared at the completed picture, their jaws dropping at what they saw. It was now quite obvious why the cavemen were terrified. Above stood three shapes Yugi recognized from the stone carving Isis had shown him of Yami's duel with the ancient version Seto Kaiba.
"Those are... the Egyptian God Card monsters."
"Yes and look who's standing under them." A single figure occupied the forefront of the picture, depicting two distinct yet identical creatures. On the left side was the grinning purple visage of Exodia himself, lightning coming from his fingertips. All around his side, Hitotsume Giants were being destroyed by the energy. It was the right side, however that was more interesting. There, wearing the same menacing grin as the other half was a picture of Mokuba, right down to the dark purple eyes and long black hair. From his fingertips came what looked like the souls of the dying Hitotsume. It was then that the eyes began glowing.
"Woah what's going on?" Joey asked.
"Your guess is as good as ours Wheeler," Seto answered as a powerful gust of wind began blowing from the mural. Suddenly, the eight found themselves standing, not in a cave, but at it's mouth. No buildings stood, however, only flat landscape with a few trees. Nearby, a small pond being fed by a stream of crystal clear water.
"Where... Where are we?"
"It may sound crazy," Isis began, "but I believe we're in Domino City."
"Dat can't be right, there's nothing here I recognize," Joey said.
"She means before Domino City was built Joey," Tea said.
"Guys, look at Mokuba," Yugi said. The young boy was standing completely erect, floating in the air.
"Welcome home," came an old voice. All eight looked to see an old man wearing a simple animal skin and leaning on a stick staring at them. Though the top of his head was completely bald, a long white beard and mustache fell from his face to the ground, obscuring his face, save for his green eyes. "It is good to see you again Raven, even if you are only a memory."
"Who are you?" Raven asked as the aged man walked over to Mokuba, looking the boy over.
"Amazing, the resemblance is perfect... but then I suppose it would be," the man said.
"I said who are you!" Raven said, his eyes glowing along with his hands.
"Relax, I'm not going to hurt him... I can't."
"That still doesn't answer his question," Seto said, drawing his pistol, his eyes narrowed in anger.
"Ah, of course. Where ever Raven goes, can Seto be far behind. In answer to your question, in my time, I was referred to as Elder."
"And what time was that?"
"I believe you would refer to it in your language as 'caveman days.'"
"And what's wrong with my brother... What have you done to him?"
"I have done nothing, this has been set up long ago to remind Mokuba of what he was, and what he is. Just as this shadow of the past was sent to protect him from harm," Elder said, gesturing towards Raven. "We exist as guides."
"So all this," Yugi said, his hands sweeping over the surrounding area, "is a memory from Mokuba's past."
"That's absurd," Seto said. "Mokuba's never been to the country, let alone seen Domino City before it was built."
"Says the guy who used to be an ancient Egyptian High Priest," Malik said. Seto was no longer looking at the group, his attention was instead focused on the cave where a group of cavemen had appeared. What really got his attention was the figure that was limping tiredly towards the group, a tall beautiful woman with long black hair and dark tanned skin. Seto's eyes widened.
"Something wrong Kaiba?" Joey asked, noticing Seto's face.
"That... That woman looks exactly like... like our mother."
"She came to us just after the season of spring began, tired and weak..." the old man said as his story began.
***************************************************************************
"P..please, help me," the woman said as she leaned roughly against one of the rocky outcroppings near the cave entrance. Of course, her presence did not go unnoticed by the inhabitants of the cave. A large blonde man picked up his spear and walked towards her, wary of any tricks or traps that might be sprung on him. Suddenly the woman fell to the ground, or rather tried to, as the blonde caught her.
* * *
"Let me guess, blondie dere looks just like your dad," Joey said.
"Not even a little Wheeler, and I would suggest you watch your mouth," Kaiba said irritatedly.
* * *
The blonde man took the woman into the cave, followed closely by the crowd of cave dwellers who had been outside. Inside sat the same old man Yugi and company had just met.
* * *
"How can he be there and here at the same time?" Ryou asked, a question that was immediately answered by his darker half.
"Like he said, this is just one of that kid's memories. Though I have to wonder why it's so important, I haven't even seen him yet."
* * *
"Bring water," Elder said as the woman was laid before him. The white haired man reached into a bag made of rabbit skin and pulled out a green plant stalk. When the water was brought, the blond man lifted the woman's head as the water was poured carefully into her mouth.
"What is wrong with her?"
"Simple exhaustion," the old man said as he began examine her. "From the looks of things, I'd say this woman has been wandering for days. It's amazing she's still alive."
"One can only wonder if we can trust such a 'lucky' individual, given the nature of these times," came a gruff voice as a black haired man with bushy eyebrows, a mustache, and a beard.
* * *
The moment Seto Kaiba saw the man, his heart almost stopped. He recognized him instantly, how could he not. It was the same man who for almost six years had made his life a living hell. The same man who had beaten him to within an inch of his life on several occasions. The same man who had demanded he and his brother call him father.
"Gozabura," the elder Kaiba whispered, so soft that only one other person heard him.
"So that's what the creep looks like," Yugi whispered to himself, remembering what Mokuba had told him after his brother's first big defeat.
* * *
"I say we toss her out and don't look back," Cave-Gozabura said.
"Then it is good you don't have a say," the blond said.
"Careful Jecht, nobody lasts forever, particularly here," Gozabura replied. Meanwhile, the old man took out a sharp rock and cut a slit into the skin of the plant he had pulled out earlier. Immediately a goopy clear gel began to ooze out of the cut, stopping only once the man had cut the entire stalk in half. Carefully he rubbed the plant's slimy innards on the cuts and scrapes that covered the woman's body. As he was doing this, the woman's eyes opened up with a start at the could slime that was being put on her.
"It's all right," said Elder with a smile. "You're safe."
* * *
"A bit presumptuous weren't you?" Malik said to Elder. "And I still haven't seen Mokuba or Raven or whatever ridiculous name you give to the all powerful Forbidden One."
"Patience is a virtue," said Yami. "But he does make a point."
"I should remind you these images are here for your friend's benefit, not yours," Elder replied. "That you do not understand is no fault of mine."
* * *
Suddenly, the scene changed to later at night where Cave-Gozabura, Jecht, Elder, and two other men were sitting by the fire outside the cave.
"I still say we need to get rid of her," Gozabura said.
"Doing that would be cruel," Jecht said. "It would only be a matter of time before some wild animal got her."
"It's not like we're short on food Gozabura," one of the other men said. "She would not be a burden."
"That means nothing," Gozabura said. "It's obvious this... creature... was abandoned by her own time. For all we know, you could be jeopardizing us all by having a cold-blooded killer in our midst."
"Aren't you going a bit overboard?"
"There is another problem to consider," Elder said. "If we turn this lady away, we also turn away her child."
"Child?" Jecht asked. "She is with child?"
"I am fairly certain," Elder answered. "She shows a few of the signs, but it is too early to tell for sure."
"And we can only guess what that child may be," Gozabura said. "You've seen the creatures that roam this land. For all we know the child may turn out to be half-Cyclops. Are you fools willing to place our own children in such danger!"
"You act as if you know the this to be true. How can you immediately jump to such conclusions about someone you haven't met?" one of the two unknown men asked.
"I'm a realist. We have been successful, what other reason would a foreigner have for coming here then to take that away from us."
"This is a decision, and a risk, that should be left to all of us to decide," Jecht said as he got up.
"Bah, you waste your time letting that rabble make decisions. If I were leader..."
"But you're not, Goza, and it would be best if you didn't forget that," Jecht said as he left.
* * *
"He even acts like Gozabura," Seto said to himself.
"That guy deserves a good thumpin' tryin' ta turn a hurt lady out," Joey said.
"Fortunately, his attitude was not shared by the majority of our tribe," Elder said. "It was decided that she would be allowed to remain."
"Were you right?"
"Hmm?"
"About the baby," Tea said. "Was she going to have one? Was it all right?"
"See for yourself my dear."
* * *
Time had passed for the tribe of cave dwellers and those who watched unseen could see things had changed very little, with but two additions. The same dark haired woman sat on a rock outside the cave, a small bundle of fur in her arms. Inside the bundle a small figure could be seen a baby with short black hair, his eyes closed as he sleeps contentedly.
"He looks so small," came the voice of a boy. The woman looked to see a young boy no more than ten years old with chestnut brown hair and tranquil blue eyes staring at her and her baby. In his hand is a rock of obsidian he has been studiously sharpening and shaping.
"Seto, I thought you had left already," the woman said, turning her whole body to the boy.
"I have to finish this tip before Jecht will take me hunting," the brown haired boy said. "I was wondering if I could see the baby Ms. Ebony."
"Raven's sleeping now, so you'll have to be quite," the woman called Ebony said, leaning the baby closer to Seto. The boy reached into the bundle and stroked the baby's face, getting a gurgle of appreciation from the child.
"He's so small," Seto reiterated.
"Babies tend to be."
"Baby monsters you mean," a gruff voice said. Seto turned around and Ebony looked up as Gozabura walked up to them. Suddenly, Raven woke up just in time to see Gozabura looking at him, prompting the baby to begin crying.
"What do you want Gozabura?" Ebony said, her eyes narrowing as she stared at the man. In front of her, Seto gripped his unfinished spear tip and looked like he was trying to block the older man.
"What are you doing boy, tryin' to stop me?" Gozabura backhanded the brown haired boy away. "And you... You need to watch your mouth. I belong here, which is more than I can say for you or your little monster. If I were in your position, I'd be a lot more grateful to have a place to stay and food to eat."
"You act as though you provide any of that to me personally," Ebony said. "I have yet to see you do anything for which I would be remotely grateful."
"Little witch!" Gozabura said, moving to strike the black haired woman. His hand was stopped by Jecht's bigger hand.
"I thought I told you to gather more branches Gozabura?" Jecht said, jerking the man away and to the ground. "Why don't you finish that task before you go inside." Angrily Gozabura got back to his feet, looking like he wanted to say something. He thought better of it however and left.
"Such a nasty man," Ebony said, helping Seto to his feet.
*****************************
"I don't get it," Tea said. "This looks nice and all, but I don't see anything that would warrant Mokuba becoming Exodia."
"You must understand, my dear, this is a time before the barrier between our realm and what is called the Shadow Realm was in existence."
"Like what Shadi said," Joey said. "Monsters were once able ta get onta Earth. But I ain't seen any of them."
"Believe it or not, our tribe was plagued by such creatures. We tended to cherish such times of peace." At those words, elder's eyes became downcast. "Sadly such times did not last. In fact it was only a few days after this even that we were attacked by the Hitotsume Giants." The scene shifted to show the aforementioned monsters attacking the tribe. Cavemen fled into the cave where the Hitotsume didn't seem to follow. Yugi watched as Ebony and her son made it into the cave along with Seto.
"How did you survive?"
"It was this cave. For some reason, the monsters that attacked us never went into the cave. That was why we settled here, we felt it was a sacred place. But there is more to the story." The scene once again shifts. A group of six year olds, Raven among them, are playing in front of the mouth of the cave. An older looking Seto was walking towards the cave, a dead boar slung over his shoulder.
"Popular little rugrat, isn't he," Joey said.
"Ebony was well liked, and Raven was a healthy and good-looking boy. In times like those, both were qualities that were highly prized. Had things continued in this path, I have no doubt Raven would have had little trouble finding a mate."
"'Had things continued in this path?'" Seto said. "What happened to upset that 'path?'"
"We were attacked..."
* * *
An eight year old boy cried in fright while in the midst of the chaos of a battle. All around him, members of his tribe ran in terror as the towering forms of a little under twenty Hitotsume Giants rampaged after them. Of course the warriors and hunters of the clan were fighting valiantly against the marauding monsters, but they were clearly outmatched. All around him, Raven could hear the screams of men, women, and even children as they were torn apart and eaten alive by the sharp claws and pointed teeth of the Cyclops monsters. The tribe members couldn't even escape into their cave thanks to a huge fire that covered it's mouth, courtesy of a Darkfire Soldier #1 that was smiling as he overlooked the carnage being wrought.
"Well, what we have here," came a harsh voice as Raven found himself caught in a huge shadow belonging to a Hitotsume. The ravenous beast looked down at the boy, it's slimy tongue licking it's lips as it seemed to be sizing up how he would taste. "You look like nice and tender little morsel. Bet you taste good." The Cyclops raised it's massive club over it's head, preparing to crush the boy. Raven turned his head and closed his eyes, not wanting to see his own impending doom. The sickening sound of crushing bones came to Raven's ears, and he wondered why he hadn't felt the impact.
Cautiously, Raven opened his eyes to see that the club had not hit him but had instead been blocked. It was what had blocked the club that upset Raven the most. On the ground between Raven and the giant lay a beautiful woman, her body slowly going cold, her pulse and heart stopping, thanks to where the club had broken her skull.
"Mommy!" Raven cried as he crawled to check the woman, desperately hoping there was some way he could help the woman he'd given the role of his mother in this place. The boy's stomach almost flipped as he saw the extent of the damage done to the woman. That was when he felt a large hand wrap it's fingers around the back of his neck, picking him up with effortless ease. Raven gagged as he was pulled up to eye level with the Hitotsume Giant, it's mouth still salivating.
"Stupid lady, getting in way of my meal. Maybe I just eat you right here." The boy struggled as he felt the monster's claws stroke his chest. White-hot pain shot through Raven as he felt one of those claws pierce his shoulder, cutting almost completely through his body. Smiling, the Cyclops pulled out his claw, licking the red blood that coated the finger. The monster opened his mouth wide as he brought the boy closer to him, preparing to take a bite out of his young prey.
"Please don't eat me! Somebody help me," Raven cried, struggling in the Cyclops's grip, wiggling and squirming like a madman, or mad-boy as the case may have been.
"DIE!" came a very angry voice from behind the two. Before the monster could get his teeth into him, the Hitotsume Giant's neck exploded as a spear-tip exited it, spraying Raven's chest and face with the monster's dark red blood. The giant dropped Raven as he fell to the ground, revealing his killer to be Seto. The brown-haired man's body was covered in red streaks where he'd suffered gashes and scratches from battle. Seto looked down at Raven.
"What are you doing this close to the fighting? Are you trying to get killed," growled Seto. "Get over with the others, now." Clutching his aching and bleeding shoulder, Raven began to move only to spot a dark hole that hung quietly in the air. It was from this portal that a new Hitotsume Giant appeared, rushing to join his friends. The boy stumbled his way towards the portal. Looking back for only a few seconds, Raven flung himself into the void.
***********************
"What da?"
"What happened to him?" Malik asked calmly.
"That is a very good question," Elder said.
"What do you mean?" Seto said, very dissatisfied with what Elder had said.
"No one knows what happened to your brother when he entered that portal is completely unknown. All I know is what happened after he re-emerged."
"What happened?" Yami asked.
"Watch."
***************************
The battle continued to raise as more and more Hitotsume Giants exited new portals. After depositing the green-skinned Cyclopes, the portals began to disappear, save for the one Raven had gone through. That one began to shimmer and waver, a standing distortion in reality. Suddenly, a brilliant white light erupted from the black portal, swiftly catching everyone on the battlefield's attention.
"ROOOAAARRRR!!" came the loud and angered voice from inside. Even Seto, who had previously been locked in mortal combat with the Dark Fire Soldier, turned to see what was happening.
The light faded as a small figure appeared where the glow had been, kneeling on one knee as armor of bronze formed itself around the figure's body. Long strands of midnight black hair wound and bound itself up into two braids of that were immediately covered in the same bronze armor. One of the Hitotsume Giants charged, it's club raised high over it's head as it attempted to attack the newcomer. It got about five feet away from it's target before a beam of purple energy lanced through the green giant's body. Within seconds, the Hitotsume Giant's body decayed to nothing, it's bones clattering to the ground.
"Raven?" Seto said, seeing the boy's face within the bronze armor.
"You killed her," Raven said. "YOU KILLED MY MOMMY!!" Purple lightning erupted from the boy. The Cyclops monsters ran , or rather stampeded, trying to escape. None of them did. Purple lightning rained down piercing each and every giant through the heart. The only good thing that could be said was that the monsters' deaths were instantaneous.
All around Raven lay the bodies of the Hitotsume Giants. A look of absolute terror was plastered on each and every one of the putrid green corpses, a look that was echoed on the still living faces of the tribe that was busy backing away from him. Even Seto had a look of fear in his eyes.
"RAAA!" came an angry cry as the Darkfire Soldier jumped towards Raven. "How dare you destroy my forces you nasty little urchin. Prepare yourself to feel the sting of a fiery oblivion." The flames still swirled around the sword-wielding warrior as he fell from the sky, his sword ready to slice the boy in two. Raven's first instinct was to jump out of the way as the Soldier slammed into the ground. Immediately the warrior leapt forward, once more ready to strike Raven. This time, though, it was the boy's arm that moved, catching the sword within it's gauntlet-clad hand.
"Your sword seems to be stuck... here let me help you with that," Raven said. With the sound of breaking glass, the blade of the sword shattered in the boy's hand. Raven's second hand grabbed the man by the throat, pulling him closer, his eyes beginning to glow a brilliant red. Immediately the Darkfire Soldier's face changed into one of fear. Mokuba felt himself talking, but he couldn't understand any of the words he was saying.
"You were the one who sent these monsters after us. You let them kill my Mommy," Raven said as his grip on the man's throat tightened. "I'm gonna make you PAY!"
The Darkfire Soldier's mouth opened as though he were going to scream. What ever he was going to do was cut off as a beam of energy exited Raven's mouth and entered the swordsman's. Seconds later Raven watched in horror as the man's soul was ripped violently from his body flying directly into his mouth. The Darkfire Soldier's body collapsed as Raven let go, rapidly reducing to nothing. It had been the most vile and disgusting experience Raven had ever had in his life. And yet, as he felt the surge of power coursing through his body and his gaze once more fell upon the survivors of the battle, one thought came to his mind... he wanted more. Slowly, the boy began to walk towards them as they raised their spears, clearly afraid of what he might do. Raven's gaze soon fell upon Seto who was limping towards him.
"S... Seto..." Before he could say anything else, Raven collapsed into the sixteen year old's arms, his armor fading from existence.
"Do you see... It's just as I said," Gozabura said.
*****************************
"He... He sucked the soul right out of that monster!" Tea said.
"That was unbelievable!"
"You can imagine how we felt witnessing it," Elder said. "To say the least we were terrified."
"Gozabura didn't seem too scared to try to use it to his advantage," an angry Seto Kaiba observed. He still could not believe he and Mokuba had known their adopted father before the orphanage.
"Indeed, he didn't."
***************************
Time had once more passed. Once more, children were playing outside the cave, their mothers standing nearby cleaning the meat recently brought to them. In truth, their eyes were all cast on a black haired twelve year old sitting on a rock, staring at the children. Of course, all the suspicious eyes cast on him had not gone unnoticed by Raven. After all, he'd been getting them for nearly four years now.
"Look at him, sitting on that rock like he owns the world," one of the woman said.
"He's probably planning how to kill our babies even as we speak, that's why he sitting there looking at them."
"If he had any decency, the little demon-boy would leave and let himself get eaten by some beast." Raven didn't react as he heard these words. After so many times of hearing these same little "suggestions" they'd lost much of their sting. After all, it wasn't like anyone had dared act on these kinds of ideas, they were all to scared he'd suddenly fry them. Still it was hard to ignore the fact that increasingly fewer people wanted him around anymore. Suddenly, he felt a hand tugging at the back of his loincloth. The raven-haired boy turned around to see a small blonde haired toddler with freckles staring up at him. The six year old was smiling.
"Wanna pway?" Raven stared down at the little boy, one of the few friends he had. Quickly, Raven hopped off the rock.
"Okay Sunny, what say we go see what there is to do." So saying the two walked away, much to the disgust of the gaggle of women staring at them.
"That poor boy, how dare that Raven pollute his mind so."
"One can only wonder why he's allowed to stay here," came the familiar voice of Gozabura. "What could Jecht possibly be thinking."
"I know, you think after what he did to that fireball man, Jecht would have done the smart thing and gotten rid of him."
"If I were leader, I would not so easily endanger my own tribe," Gozabura said. "Such a pity I'm not in charge." So saying Gozabura began walking away, leaving the others to mull over his words.
*************
As night descended on the tribe, a roaring fire could be seen sitting outside the mouth of the cave. Everyone was busy eating the days catch, including Raven, though he sat a good distance away from most of the tribe. Next to him sat Seto and Sunny.
"I'm getting sick of this," Raven said.
"Sick of what?" Seto asked.
"That." Raven pointed towards the larger group, showing Seto the group of three men that had been staring daggers at him. A nastier look from Seto and all three turned away.
"Hey, what's dat?" Sunny said, pointing at the top of the cave. Everyone else looked up to see a black portal similar to the ones that had appeared four years ago. From out of the tear in reality came a giant black cobra with wings of onyx. The creature's eyes began to glow purple as a card appeared in the serpent's hand.
"HINOTAMA!" The card glowed the same purple as the serpent's eyes before disappearing. From out of nowhere, a collection of fiery meteors appeared in the sky above. The balls of flame began to fall with wild abandon, striking the ground around the eating people. Human's ran, hoping to avoid the attack, but when one of the meteor's targeted Sunny, the same purple energy from before began to surround Raven. Just before the meteor could hit, a bubble of purple energy rose, bouncing the offending fireball away. The bubble did not, however, stop the serpent as it landed with a loud thud. "So you're the one with all the power."
"You... You can talk?"
"Oh I can do more than that little one," the serpent said as his giant hand grabbed Raven's entire torso, lifting the black haired boy into the air. Purple energy surged through the serpent's black arm and into Raven's body causing intense pain.
"AAAAAAH!!!!"
"Now, when I kill you, your powers will be mine!"
"Raven!" yelled Seto as his slammed his spear tip into the cobra's body. The sharp point passed completely through the monster, it's bloody tip erupting from the snake's shoulder. The cobra monster didn't even seem fazed by the attack as he moved his injured arm, snapping the spear and expelling the pieces. His arm came smashing down again, catching Seto with a massive, bonecrushing swipe. Seto's body smashed into the cave and to the ground where it refused to move.
"Everyone," Jecht yelled. "into the cave!"
"I don't think so," the serpent yelled, pointing his tail at the cave. More dark energy erupted from the tip and attacked the cave. Within moments, the entire place was reduced to rubble. "Once I'm finished ripping this boy's power from his flesh, I shall enjoy testing the limits of my new powers on all of you!"
"SAINT'S FIST!" came a cry as a titanic blue fist smashed into the serpent's stomach, sending him flying backward and forcing him to drop Raven. Standing over the fallen boy was a blue humanoid dragon, it's broad wings fully outstretched as the blue energy surrounding it's fist faded. Obelisk looked down at Raven. "I would suggest you run for safety and let us handle him."
"Us?"
"AURORA LIGHTNING!" Red lightning flew down from the sky binding the serpent monster to the ground. Raven looked up to see a second snakelike dragon, this one red and with two mouths to boot, flying through sky. "You did not believe you could travel through the Realm's barrier without the rest of us noticing, did you Set?"
"This is none of your concern Osiris," Set said as his body transformed into smoke to escape from the chains of lightning. The blue cobra reappeared near the shattered remains of the cave.
"You are wrong," came the deep, majestic voice of a third dragon. This one was golden in color, shining as bright as the sun, it's wings casting beams of light on the ground below. "Did I not make it clear that this fledgling world was off limits."
"Ra."
* * *
"The Egyptian God Monsters!" Malik said. "What are they doing here?"
"Isn't it obvious... they are trying to stop Set."
"But... How could they be here, and now."
"So this is when they met Mokuba," Yami said. "But, if they were trying to protect him, why are they trying to destroy him now."
"Here's a better question," Seto said. "If there were four Egyptian God Monsters, what happened to Set?"
"You must watch to see."
* * *
"You have broken my decree, Set, I demand to know why?" Ra said as he hovered above the cobra monster.
"Who are you to demand anything?" Set said. "You may think your powerful, but while you three have been lazing in the comforts of the Shadow Realm, I have been busy expanding my destructive powers. TOXIC BILE!" From Set's mouth a jet of black liquid flew corroding and decaying everything it touches. The other three gods quickly got out of the way of the poison.
As the four monster began to fight, Raven moved over to Seto's fallen form which had still not moved.
"Seto... Seto are you all right?" Raven said, his hand shaking as he touched the young man. Seto's body convulsed at the twelve-year old's touched and blood erupted from the brunette's mouth.
"Rav... Raven?"
"I'm here Seto," Raven said. "Don't move... I'll... I'll do... something." Raven closed his eyes and held his hands over Seto's bare chest, trying to summon the same powers he'd used before. Nothing answered his call. Again and again the boy tried to summon his powers, concentrating with all his might. "No! I... I can't do it."
"Raven, he's after you," Seto said. "You've... You've got to get out of here. Go... I'll be all right."
"No, I won't leave you."
"Raven... listen to ME! Get Sunny and leave. You have to..." Seto's eyes widened one last time as his body convulsed again.
"Seto.... Seto?" Raven said, tears flowing freely from his eyes. So caught up in his friend's death was he that Raven did not notice the ball of golden energy that send Set driving into the ground.
"Where is your vaunted power now dark brother," Ra said. "I would suggest you surrender."
"Yes, it would seem I have miscalculated," Set said, noticing from the corner of his eye where he was in relation to his target. "But you forget why I came here!"
"Raven look out!" came Sunny's scream as he ran towards his dark haired friend. The young boy was just in time to intercept Set's serpent tail which had been heading to impale Raven. Instead, the scaly appendage erupted from the small blonde's chest, showering Raven in Sunny's blood. The young caveman caught the boy's now dead body as it fell, cradling the poor boy in his arms.
"Worthless trash... Don't worry, in death you will join him," Set said, his tail readying to again strike at Raven. The tail stopped in mid-strike as Set caught a glimpse of Raven's face as the boy head rose to face him. Tears of fury and hatred erupted from the boy's eyes which had turned a brilliant shade of crimson. Purple energy glowed all over the boy's body as his hair began to rise with the energy.
"AAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGHHHHHHH!!!" Raven screamed as the very rocks around him began to shatter to nothingness as a result of his rage.
"What is going on?" Obelisk asked.
"It would appear that boy does have a tremendous amount of energy, perhaps more than brother Set expected," Osiris answered. True enough, Set began to back away from the enraged human. Suddenly, Raven's body tripled in size, and his body was quickly covered in the same bronze armor as before.
"WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING!!" Raven yelled at the snake god before charging like quicksilver. Set could not react nearly fast enough to prevent Raven's bronze knee from embedding itself in the cobra's gut. Nor could he stop the fist that crashed into his face, breaking his fangs and sending him flying. Or at least it would have sent him flying, had Raven not been standing on it. As it was, Set was smashed into the ground. The snake man wobbly got back up, clearly dazed from the furious attack that had come his way. Quickly, he summoned his own power hoping to buy himself enough time to escape and regroup. This plan was interrupted as Raven grabbed Set's wrist, the boy's body twisting as his other arm smashed into the snake god's side, breaking several of his ribs as well as ripping the black arm out of the socket and off Set's body.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!" Set screamed as he felt his limb tear off. Pain was not something the god was used to and he was definitely not enjoying the experience. "I... I have to leave," he said to himself. Carefully, the snake began to mumble the words that would transport him back to the Shadow Realm. The spell was cut off as Raven's bronze hand clamped over his mouth, lifting Set into the air.
"Now, I'm gonna make you pay for the two lives you ended," Raven said, the purple aura intensifying as he stared at the snake man. Suddenly, a gold hand touched his shoulder.
"You have done enough human," Ra said gently. "He has been beaten, now we will make sure he is punished for his deeds." Ra was not prepared for the bronze arm that swung backward, crashing into him with the force of a bomb.
"Ra!" Obelisk and Osiris called.
"You'll punish him?" Raven said, still holding onto Set. "If you had the ability to do that, none of this would have happened. No, I'm going to do this... MYSELF!" Once more the light in Raven's eyes grew in intensity. "Set, your time has come..."
"What?" Set said as Raven's mouth opened wide.
"Your soul BELONGS TO ME!!!" Once more the brilliant white light erupted from Raven's mouth and in an instant Set's very soul was dragged from his serpentine body and drawn directly into the mouth of Raven. Without it's soul Set's body rapidly reduced to ash, much to the astonishment of the other three gods.
"He... He killed Set," Obelisk said, stating the obvious.
"What... what kind of power can end the life of an immortal?" Osiris said.
"A very dangerous one, one that is much too dangerous to be allowed to run uncontrolled," the injured Ra said as he stood. "We have to stop him!"
"BE GONE!!" Raven yelled, power exploding from his body and sending all three gods flying through the air before they could even prepare an assault. Once the energy faded, Raven took a last look around as the destroyed area. Raven lifted a finger into the air, which promptly passed through the very fabric of reality. Without saying a word, Raven proceeded to tear through the very air itself, creating another black hole-like portal. Once it was completed, Raven's body shrunk, armor and all, back to it's normal size. Casting a final look at his former family, Raven entered the portal and closed it behind him.
***********************
The others watched the scene silently as Mokuba began to be lowered back to the ground, his eyes opening as he re-awoke. Seto went over to his younger brother, supporting his weakened body as the boy fell forward.
"And Raven entered the portal, never to be seen again... at least by us," Elder said.
"What happened afterward, where did he go?" Yugi asked.
"To the Shadow Realm I presume. This is where my story ends. Whatever else happened to Exodia, I do not know."
"Unbelievable," Malik said. "I knew Exodia was powerful, but to destroy a god... that's just crazy."
"Elder what's happening to you?" Yugi asked. Elder's form had become much less solid looking and it was fading faster by the minute.
"My task is complete. Now I must leave this world." So saying, Elder faded from view and the group once more found themselves in Domino City Museum....
************
It took three hours before Mokuba said anything, all he did in that time was stare ahead as he curled into his elder brother's chest. For his part, Raven could not believe what he had seen either.
"I guess that explains why the three gods are after us, doesn't it Mokuba?"
"Seto?" Mokuba said.
"Yeah kid?"
"I... I'm scared." Seto knew what his brother was saying. Having witnessed the power that lay dormant within the young boy, Seto couldn't help but feel a little afraid himself, especially as he recalled the dream he had had not that long ago.
"I know." What else could Seto say? There were no prepared speeches or anything for something like this. Heck, giving Mokuba the "Birds and the Bees" speech probably would have been easier in the elder Kaiba's experience.
"So, now what do we do," Joey said.
"Isn't it obvious Wheeler," Bakura said. "We prepare. Exodia is far to dangerous to allow to fall into anyone else's hands, and in his current state, he is also vulnerable."
"Your concern is touching, Tomb Robber," Isis said sarcastically. "But you are correct. There is no telling..." Suddenly, Isis grabbed her Millennium Tauk gripping the edge of one of the displays.
"Sister, what is wrong."
"Danger... coming this way..." As if in answer, the ground shook.
"What was that?" Yami asked, only to be answered by another ground quake. Raven and Malik ran to the window, both of their eyes widening at what they saw making it's way towards the museum.
"A Barrel Dragon!" Malik exclaimed as he watched the three gunbarrels of the monster sway past buildings. Every time the creature stepped, the ground shook again. Suddenly, the shaking stopped. Yami ran to the window to see what was happening.
"It's getting ready to use it's special attack!"
"He'll level this place if he does that!" Joey said. Suddenly, the blonde found himself being lifted in the air by the same purple energy from before.
"Get out of here," Raven yelled. "I'll try to hold him off."
"You'll be killed. That's not an attack it's an instant kill," Mokuba said as Seto lifted his body from the ground.
"I can block it, don't worry," Raven said. "You're the only thing that matters, the only thing I'm meant to exist for."
"But..."
"SETO get HIM out of here!" Somewhat reluctantly, the others began to leave, Bakura, Malik, Isis, and Yami setting up defenses as best they could. Raven stood at the window, watching as the plasmic energy began to build in the mechanical dragon's barrels. Swiftly, his hands moved through the air, making arcane symbols as his energy began to grow.
********
Seto ran like for all his worth, hoping they would make it out of the building before it was too late.
*Please, please, please let us make it,* the teen thought to himself. The hairs on the back of his neck began to stand up as he felt the build up of energy around him. In his arms, he could hear Mokuba quietly chanting, hoping to hit upon something that would help them all.
Yami had once more merged with Yugi and had taken control, he was faster after all, and was busy throwing every card he could think of out and summoning them to the real world for protection. Joey wished he could do something, anything to help his friends, cursing the fact that he had no millennium magic of his own. Suddenly, a loud explosion rocked the building, and everyone stopped, horrified looks on their face as they realized what had happened. Barrel Dragon had fired.
******************
Purple energy flowed freely around Raven as he marshaled his forces against the machine. There was no way he could effectively block the attack if it fired, he was simply a spiritual memory, and that fact was becoming painfully obvious as over a thousand spells formed to try to stop the inevitable.
*If I can destroy the dragon before it fires, I'll stop the attack,* Raven thought. *If not... there's only one thing left to do.*
Finally, the attack was completed. Raven's hands came to his front as he let loose the beam of energy flew from him. Mere inches from the dragon, the Barrel Dragon released it's own attack, firing all three shots as it's own body disintegrated. Raven watched the oncoming blast, willing all of his energy into the defensive spells he had prepared. Already, he could feel his "body" coming apart from lack of power, and yet still he smiled at his imminent death.
*Mokuba... please survive.*
*****************************
The explosion of the Barrel Dragon's attack rocked all of Domino City. Not a citizen didn't look out of their windows, only to see the burning, crumbling form of what had once been Domino City Museum...
To be continued....
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This is not the end, this is only the beginning. Please remember to review. See ya soon, I hope.