The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

Book I: War

Thence more at ease their minds and somewhat raised

By false presumptuous hope, the ranged powers

Disband, and wand' ring, each his several way

Pursues, as inclined or sad choice

Leads him perplexed, where he may likeliest find

Truce to his restless thoughts, and entertain

The irksome hours, till his great chief return.

John Milton: Paradise Lost, Book II

This is ridicules!. Ridicules were a fair word to describe it as for the situation made no sense at all to Hiei.

The day had become as trivial as any day ridding on a cargo plane to Egypt. The cabin was crowded and uncomfortable for even him, who had slept in most conditions. In a six-foot wide space with piles of crates loaded to with chickens and other luggage. Sharing that small space with a dumb jackass, a shrewd fox, a detective, and a woman who would not give anyone time to rest as she panicked over a simple situation. The experience was regrettable but was not the most unfortunate part of Hiei's luck.

Though it was as simple as search take and capture, he still had no clue as to whom he was going to apprehend. No picture, physical makeup, or any say on what demon powers he had. The gender was still to be determined as well.

"Now we have known of several demons who had this kind of capacities most of whom are dead," Botan had said. "But there is a handful left that we know about." Hiei had sat quietly as she spoke while Kuwabara lay half asleep with the chickens and Yusuke starring into the tine hall of the plane. "While it is still a mystery Yusuke, "She spoke irritability, "I'd say we are searching for a male about six foot one, he will probably look human."

"Well that narrows it down to a bout one hundred million people. Don't you know anything else that may narrow it down," Yusuke had said in his usual sarcastic tone.

"We are headed to Cairo we know the barrier was breached some hundred miles west of there. Cairo is the only city he would want to head to. It is very populated and easy to move around without much notice to any differences because of all the tourist going to see the ruins. We will have to search the city thoroughly to find leads."

"Ah, it's going to take days to search this city," blurted Kuwabara with a load moan.

"The sooner we start the sooner we will find him," so had spoken the red headed Kurama.

It had not taken exactly days. It runs out the police where searching high and low for a man who had murdered twelve people with a knife. The main suspect was a man who was dressed much differently than any of the tourists usually coming in. They said the fugitive been there days and has not been seen next. Hiei had managed to slip into the crime seen and discovered the twelve people, who were in truth demons, and bounty hunters to be the look of it. While they didn't have him it made the search area a lot smaller. Everywhere the police weren't.

Hiei being the fastest was, of course sent ahead in most respect that was how he had arrived in what he called a ridicules situation.

Hiei silent cursed Yusuke in his head as he killed another one of them. The demons were weak but they just keep coming at him. Another ran at him much like a NFL football player. Hiei cut him down so quickly it never seemed he had moved. One after another the came at him. Maybe they though he was the fugitive?

"Why don't you buffoons stop trying to kill yourselves and tell me what I want to know?" Hiei waited for a response he knew some of them had to speak his language still they remained quite. They perpetrated more than Baken had done in there third Dark Tournament battle. He stepped forward once and they all flinched some even falling while the others stood frozen in their fright. Hiei sighed. They might truly know nothing. Well it was not like he was going to let them go. "I'll give you a choice, run and die, or stay and tell everything, and don't think of leaving anything out." The Jagan glowed blue under Hiei's bandana. Hiei took another step forward and again they flinched.

"What do we have here? Some newcomer thinks he has the balls to take over Cairo." Hiei shot around to see a man standing there. His head was bald and tattooed with designs that didn't resemble anything close to what humans were interested in. The only hair visible was a small braided beard that hung freely from his chin.

Where did he come from? Even if he is human I should have heard him coming.

Hiei collected himself. He had taken me by surprise nothing else. He studied his new opponent. There was nothing special bout him. His energy seemed lower than a standard human of his size. Still the demons behind him screamed in terror, shouting "GAOL" as they ran. Hiei made no attempt to chase them. He decided this man could tell him more. All he had to do was keep him here until the detective arrived.

The man still was puzzling. Focusing one his energy revealed something very subtle. It was like a shark lurking just under the oceans mirror surface but even stealthier. It seemed undefined too. It felt as if it was to stretch endless through this man named Gaol. No he must be him. This won't take as long as Koenma said it was to be. Hiei drew his sword and readied for an attack. "I will just tell now, dead or alive you will be coming with me."

Gaol smiled a wry and sinister smile. "So, you are one of the detectives of spirit world." He laughed and paid no attention to defending himself. "I can't believe Koenma was dumb enough to tell you to come looking for me. I'll so some things on caution detective and may whatever god you believe in have mercy on your long lost soul." Something seemed to grow form his body slow at first then it became larger than anything he had sensed before.


In his fine pride, Sincion was considered to be the Master of Assassins. It was not this that then struck fear into Argon as again he walked to Sincion's reception hall. Argon had known him long and Tanneth knew him even longer. Perhaps that contributed to why Argon now feared his old friend so. Sincion then seemed distant to Argon. Almost as if he was changed by something of recent or was it always there? What frightened him was how Sincion could see beyond the veil of time. Anticipating events almost as if they were written to read, that was what frightened him now.

Argon thought more about it. Tanneth seemed un phased by Sincion, was it because of the Master? The Master did posses similar abilities but he was insane. That is it. Argon put his mace onto his shoulder and walked. Tanneth was now in the human world meaning that it would take much than bounty hunters to catch. He would blend easily. They had to find him before he could find a suitable city. Argon knew it would be a city. It was how Tanneth's type operated. They always went for the easy hiding place than running in open country. They had one advantage though, Tanneth though a genius in tactics of espionage was in an unknown world. The best choice was to wait for him to settle. The trail would become clearer then. Argon approached the large metallic doors and they opened automatically for the elite soldier.

Like always the hall was dark save for the dim light emanating form the staff. Sincion stood at the bottom of the steps facing the doors as Argon stepped through and the giant doors closed behind him. That place was the deepest room in the Moonscare. It was built long before Sincion came by some race as ancient as their but not as fortunate to have survived this long.

"Ah, Argon I expected of course you to come here. Now you believe that Tanneth has broken the barrier again." Sincion spoke almost as if Argon was a mere disciple rather than a partner.

Argon replied with a low growl, "Yes, I have already made preparations to move there as well. Also, I think we can expect Gaol to be helping Tanneth ergo cannot rely for his tacking abilities but rather…"

"Question him for…"

Argon swung his mace to where he heard the voice. He thought there was someone else here, but he did not to bother ask Sincion till he knew who it was. The figure disappeared, moving through the shadows and appearing on Argons other side. But Argon was too experience to be caught that way. He reached his hand and grabbed the intruder by the throat. It was a girl, young. Her hair was black with silver tips and her crimson eyes showed with a mixed of surprise and sarcasm. "Ahh."

Argon knew her now. "Melanie Minako Mitsumoto…" Argon released her.

Sincion seemed amused by this. His showed with an elevated amount of satisfactory with himself. He's up to something.

"Yes Argon. I was speaking with the young Mel here on the matter of Tanneth."

"What?!" Argon starred at her as if it were a joke. The girl was experience but she wouldn't stand a chance of catching Tanneth. "You're not being serious Sincion. Allow me to handle the affair."

"She can move more freely than we can. And she can slip through the border with much more ease than either of us. I will open it for her."

"I can find Tanneth, but it would take time Master Sincion." Mel stuttered very slightly as she spoke. It was obvious that she feared Sincion more than anything. She too had mind abilities Argon knew. One reason Sincion enjoyed her so much when Tanneth brought her to him a long time ago. He was different then though. Argon thought it because of her sensibility that she had so much fear. She concealed it well though. That was one gift he shared with her. Hiding your fear usually helped in tense situations but it was no good against Sincion.

Argon thought he would save her. "This is preposterous Tanneth is much too strong."

"I do not intend for her to take him herself. She will track him as I said." Sincion still held a wry smile. "Can you?"

"I can, and personally I believe I can also take him myself, Master Argon." She spoke sarcastically to hind the fact that she was losing all the color in her face.

"Get out," Argon spoke directly and fiercely. His eyes glowed as he did so.

Mel grinned and walked to the giant doors. That was too close. Tanneth was right this is getting too far. What do I do?

Argon turned back to Sincion as she left. Sincion chuckled and turned walking up the stairs Argon followed some feet behind him. "Why do you keep her around?"

"She is lovely and is amusing."

"What makes you think she will find Tanneth and if she does what makes you think she will tell us?"

"She will find him. I don't want her to catch him, but the fact we sent her will tell Tanneth he should come back. He is still our friend Argon. We owe much to him. He killed the Master of course."

"Still you know what Tanneth posses to us. He carries the sphere stone. That is vital to our plan. To all we have built in these last centauries."

"Trust me Argon, all we have worked for will come true, it is what he wants as well. The legacy of the Master will die, finally, and we can reclaim what demons could never appreciate."


Hiei spat blood from his cut lip. It floated through the blue field holding him frozen in the air then succumbed to gravity making a small red pool on the floor beneath his boots. Gaol paced around him. He face seemed annoyed at Hiei like he had expected more from the sort skirmish between them. He did not have to focus much to keep the field steady or to increase the intensity and kill Hiei on the spot, but he chose to just hold him there.

"Are you just going leave me, ore are letting me hang to loosen me up?" Hiei still showed little fear in his voice though it was clear who was in control.

"If you believe I am in need of blood you are sadly mistaken about my nature, demon. You can't even dream what I think at this moment." Gaol turned and walked up to Hiei. "I get plenty of kills each day, none of which were, are, or will be worth my time and effort. I could easily now. You can't do a thing about it."

"You want something from me."

Goal stepped closer. "I have been in this world for many centauries long before you came to this world. I fought and killed more than my share. I continue to fight because it is what I was meant to do. What I am in need of is a good match not some trivial; skirmish to which the outcome is obvious. You could've done much better against me before. Considering your strength, speed and experience, you could win. Then why was it over so quickly?" Gaol seemed angry now though only a small fraction of fit seemed directed at Hiei.

Hiei remained silent.

"You know hwy? Because you came at me with less than half of your strength. He attacked focusing are the power in the swing of the sword while my entire being stood ready to do anything."

Hiei still remained in silence. Goal seemed to be making a point though. The fight was over quickly. Gaol had seemed to be able to see the future his movements were straight and to the point but always seemed in position to change.

"I have been trained to keep all options open. You can't just focus one your attack you must think three moves a head. Any fighter that lives in the spur of the moment always has the chance of being taken down by a much weaker opponent." He waved his had the field faded and Hiei then fell limply to the ground. He got to his feet and starred at the much taller Gaol. "You already know this. That is a certainty. Then why did you blindly come at me. Was it lack of imagination or over confidence? Either way against someone like me it is a spell to disaster. And who you're after is certainly much like me."

So he does who I am to find Hiei thought. He turned away from Gaol and starred at his sword which was longed in the ground some fifteen feet away. He lifted his foot as to take a step. He swung his body around with his leg extended as to kick Gaol. Gaol put his wrist up and stopped it. Thus it began. Hiei kicked and punched at Gaol with speed faster than any thing Gaol had seen by any fighter. Even by Tanneth. He blocked and dogged with success each time only just being able to keep up.

He is fast.

Gaol brought his body up and planted his feet firmly. Hiei's fist came at his head. He caught it then countered. The blow sent Hiei skidding across the ground. He watched Gaol. He observed his stance and how he had countered the attack with perfect timing. Gaol was fast and had powerful attacks but he excelled in defensive maneuvers. Something Tanneth taught him well. I'll haft to keep him on the run. Catch him when his guard is weakest. Hiei gathered his spirit energy pulsing through his body and focused it in his hands. He muttered, "Fist of the Mortal Flame" and his hands surged with a mighty fire. This will do it. He charged. Gaol stepped away narrowly avoiding the lighted fist. He brought back trying grabbed Hiei but he was slow. Hiei already was beside him. He felt the fist hit him in the stomach. The pain was hot but extremely cold at first, then it stun with an unrelenting pace increasing every half moment. Gaol thought of his training for this. How to focus on a memory, to make the pain a secondary concern. He pulled his abdomen muscles and used the force of the hit to rotate and kicked Hiei in the jaw stunning him for a second.

He took my advice.

Hiei watched as Gaol returned to his feet. He saw the expression of frustration mixed with satisfaction. Gaol had been there for many years and hasn't had the need or the opportunity to use his full power. The frustration was a natural reaction while a fighter recalled old techniques form his past. Hiei felt somewhat afraid by this. Would he have to use the dragon to defeat him? But he needed him to find their fugitive.

Gaol stood poised for another round. He clenched his fists and a battle aura surrounded him. It was strange to Hiei. It wasn't like Yusuke's or Kuwabara's nor was it demon. Hiei watched Gaol's eyes. Another layer appeared from beneath the iris of a deeper color. Hiei didn't need to see what would happen. He flew at Gaol and attacked with a salvo of punches. Gaol saw each of them. He met and met each one. To him it was like swarm of bees attacking him from all sides. He ducked from one attacked and jumped back. He then fisted his hand and bolts of electricity surged around it. He then opened it and moved his other hand parallel. The energy moved between them and a blue sphere appeared. Small, then grew larger and separated into three spheres of equal size. Gaol then hurled it like a heavy object at Hiei. The spheres stayed the exact same position for each other but span as if they were tethered to a poll at the center.

Hiei jumped away. The spheres turned up ward and followed. He evaded and evaded but the spheres came back like seeker missiles. He then ran down the all and into a vacant lot about and acre in size. The spheres followed descending to his height their speed increased and then slowing advanced on Hiei. Hiei looked ahead. The energy spheres would continue to increase their speed and eventually over take him. He looked head seeing an old building blocked his path. He could not out run them any way. The increased their speed a great deal this time and now came up behind him. Hiei saw the light as they were but feet from his skin. He dived into the earth skidding as he hit. The spheres passed over him and pulled up trying to follow him again but they were going too fast. The explosion destroyed the entire building sending flaming pieces of debris flying in all directions. Hiei shield his eyes. The explosion was equal to what his dragon could have done. Probably it could have been greater. He heard an intrigued sound behind him. Gaol stood in the center of a debris patch. The wind blew the flames around him but he did not seem to mind.

"Look's like you had fun. How did like that. It is really simple actually, really just a variation of a skill that mastered a long time ago. It has no official name but I like to call it tri-sphere. I heard that you have mastered the darkness technique." Gaol seemed much focused right then. "Even if I were to try with all my strength I don't think I could even light a match with it. My limitations but don't that attack can more than compensate and that is not even it's most powerful manifestation." Another great aura surrounded his body. He became very angry. He powered up and removed his coat to revile a bandaged arm. He studied Gaol.

He's trying to provoke me to use it. I better save it though. I may need it to survive this battle.

He looked at the desolate building. Yusuke would not be far from here. Even his thick head could not think that kind of explosion to be normal.

Yusuke held his head down as the blast wave came passed. It was like a miniature nuke. A few cars turned over. All the windows for miles cracked and not to mention the panic the came forth from all the inhabitants.

He looked up to see. It was a blinding orange light. He could feel heat on his face as he looked. He could not see the building that was there. He looked up. The sky was filled with burning pieces. They rained down crashing through roofs and smashing cars.

"Okay maybe that was something," he said.

"No shit," Kuwabara shouted! He had been nagging that was in some sort of fix. Yusuke did little to pay attention until then.

"Did Hiei do that? He must have used the dragon."

"No," it was Kurama. "We would have sensed that a lout sooner. Whoever he his fighting he is very strong. He summoned that energy with alarming speed."

"I thin we have just or man. Let's get him." said Kuwabara.

With that they ran toward the inferno.

Special thanks to TearsOfTheImmortal for creating the character Mel.

Author's Note (INPORTANT) Reviews and characters wanted. I would like your opinion on the plot and how I have used your character. R&R.