Just when I think I'm getting the hang of this system, I realize I totally forgot something!
Disclaimer: YuGiOh characters and story line belong to Kazuki Takahashi. Parts of this story have been influenced by the Walt Disney picture Fantasia 2000.
Subject of Fanfiction: It's YamixSeto, but I'm afraid this fic is a very different sort from the ones I have read previously. You WILL NOT understand it unless you read the notes below, and even then you may be in the dark. It has a ton of complicated symbolism and metaphors. To those who read this and have no clue what's going on, I was not high when I thought this up. Quite frankly, it took a lot of courage to post this, as I was not sure how people would react. Some reviews would be nice…please be gentle.
Content of Fanfiction: When Shadi is introduced into the series, he shows that each person has a different 'soul room' inside them, and it is influenced by their personality. You will later notice that neither the names Seto nor Yami will be in this chapter. This doesn't mean, however, that their characters aren't there. Since the soul room is influenced by personality, I thought it logical that the inhabitant might not be seen there as they are in the real world. Thus, since this chapter takes place in Seto's mind after Death-T, Seto is not really Seto. The two creatures representing Yami and Seto in this soul room (well, more of a soul place) are a stag and a mustang, respectively. Yami is represented as a stag because they are considered royalty of the forest (what with the crown of antlers and all), and the setting is in what used to be a forest. Seto is a mustang because they were the untamed beasts of the west, wild defiant creatures in the face of man. Seto is sort of like that in his struggle with his step father. Also, they move in either small or one-horse herds, and this amplifies Seto's belief that he only needs family, not friends. It may seem confusing at first, but I tried to weave the personality of the original characters in with their 'soul forms.' Their actions should help you as well.
Chapter Origin/Titles: This chapter, titled 'Gift of Prometheus,' is based on Greek rather than Egyptian mythology. Prometheus is a Titan god, one of the originals (not to be confused with later generation Olympian gods like Athena). Cousin to Zeus, he is given the task of creating man. In order to better the lives of his creations, he stole fire from the other gods and brought it down to earth. Enraged, Zeus ordered he be chained to Mount Caucasus where a giant eagle was sent to feed on his liver. Unable to die, Prometheus was forced to endure this torture for centuries until he was saved by the hero Herakles. While Seto didn't have his liver eaten, he did sacrifice a lot for his only brother. Also, as Prometheus's gift was fire, this chapter focuses on the aftereffects of the shadow flames on Seto's psyche.
Reviews: Thanks for all of the encouragement! Dragon n Desidera and Kekewey, I'm glad you guys liked the metaphors/symbolism, and if you have questions about the ones in this chapter, stick 'em in your review. I'll answer them as best as I can next chapter. I'm not sure about the dialogue thing. I know I have to work through this little healing saga first, but maybe after Seto wakes up? I could have some outer discussions between Yugitachi about the results of the duel thrown in as well. To Todokanunegai, see? I did update! Aren't you proud of me?
And now, behold Part 2 of Scourge and Renewal: Gift of Prometheus. Enjoy!
The stag picked his way through the rubble. Slow, measured steps took him around twisted stumps and over charred branches. He was looking for someone, the sole survivor in the midst of this wreckage.
Who was this mysterious creature? The stag was not sure. Rival, companion, friend? The antlers on the male's head may crown him king of the forest, but this creature bowed to no one. Wild and strong, he possessed deep blue eyes the shade of treacherous seas. Quick and clever hooves sounded a rhythm of escape. Long legs carried him away from all predators, from all opponents… save for this stag. The deer was not looking for one of his kind.
He searched for a mustang.
What made this breed any different from the high-stepping Arabs or steady Percherons? Flighty it was, but no faster than the thoroughbreds of Europe. Looked down on as a mixed breed, it had no known traces of ancestry save for a clandestine connection to Spain.
They were a tough and hardy breed, built to survive on both the wide stretches of grassy plains and the slopes of rocky mountains. Never settling for long, they moved with the seasons. While most traveled in small herds, this mustang had always been alone.
The stag knew where to find him. Fleeing before the great fire, stripped of his moral core, the horse could not elude the stag for long.
Out of the misty fog sprung a gaping hole, a cavernous dwelling where only the brave ventured. The stag went in without hesitation.
In a corner, forelegs curled like a foal's, lay the object of his search. The creature's coat seemed black at first, a canvas of starless night. This one, however, was full of secrets. Midnight blue housed swirls of silver, pinpricks of light in a dying sky.
Even hidden in shadow this stallion had an aura of the moon, darkened by a heart beaten into submission. Scars ran through the blue, twisting and weaving a tale of capture, rebellion, and surrender. He may have destroyed his oppressor, but he succumbed to himself.
A gentle nudge from his guest, and the stallion stirred.
The stag had never seen a horse with blue eyes before.
Another nudge, and the lithe body began to stretch. Like an elegant cat the mustang arched, mesmerizing the stag with his grace. With a heavy snort that seemed like a sigh, the stallion straightened, bringing his noble head abreast with the stag's crown. He looked out onto his homeland.
Death.
That was the only thing he could see, as far as the destroyed brush would allow. All green had been painted shades of gray, and the soil itself was charred.
The stag felt his companion shudder. He quickly stepped backwards, blocking the stallion from retreating back into the cave.
There was hope, and if the stallion had to be forced to believe, then so be it. He would not allow such a magnificent creature sink into the quicksand of despair. He had waited long enough for the horse to save himself, and now he would step in.
Such beauty could not be wasted.
The stallion felt himself herded out into the open. The stirrings of anger rose, only to die quickly. He was too tired and beaten to fight. Blearily he gazed at the ground as another shudder ran through him.
How could this happen?
How could he lose? There was no chance; he had been trained not to. It was the one lesson he had tried to learn.
He heard his opponent speak.
"And for the loser, a penalty game! It's time for you to pay for your crimes! PENALTY GAME: MIND CRUSH!"
The hand rose, and darkness coursed. It erupted, changing into tongues of light as his home was seared.
He ran. He had no other choice. This darkness, this conqueror had beaten him at his own game: making people suffer. He was making him run like a pathetic dog, forcing him to abandon everything and watch as it burned before his eyes.
A deep voice cut through the building fire. "I've destroyed the part of your heart that was filled with evil! Goodbye, Kaiba!"
Nothing escaped. Nothing was spared.
How could this happen?
So…understand at all? Constructive criticism is fine, whether you think I'm crazy or like the way this fic is going. Review please!