This story is coming along well, and for that I'm glad.

LunaticChaos: Hey, I'm glad you like it. Kaiba's ok. Personally, I dislike theme decks, but there's not much of a problem with them. Shrugs

Zander: …You have a point…

John: Should I be happy or insulted?

Chapter 3: The Incident Explanation, and Another Ally

The building appeared to have once been a restaurant, which was all the better for them; there were plenty of seats. They sat down at one of the vacant tables, Daine and Hope on one side while Yamato and Karen made themselves comfortable on the other. Gaignun curled up beside Hope, underneath the table.

"So what are you doing around here?" Hope asked.

"Just passing through, since we aren't on a mission yet," Karen told her.

Hope looked confused. "Mission?"

Yamato sighed. "I'm a bounty hunter. Karen helps me."

"A what?!" Hope yelped, shocked. Daine was just as surprised, although he didn't show it.

"What about you?" Karen asked.

"I just try to get by living by hunting for food," Hope shrugged, getting over her surprise. "I don't really do any kinds of jobs, although I might have to now-how else will I get money for Yamato?"

"Damn straight," Yamato muttered.

Karen laughed at that. "What about you Daine?"

"I don't do much of anything."

"Why not?"

"Well… I was feared and despised in my village. So I couldn't get any jobs, even if I wanted to."

"Feared? Despised? Why on earth?" Karen inquired.

"Just… things…" Daine shook his head. He needed to know about what was happening, and he wouldn't get answers without telling the truth. "Fine, I'll show you." He pulled off his right glove again, showing the red pentagram. Karen gasped at the sight. Yamato didn't show any signs of amazement, but he did have a wary look in his eyes. Gaignun started growling again.

Daine quickly covered it again. "That's why. I was born with this thing, and everyone fears me for it. I dealt with it easily enough-just stayed out of their way. But a while back, everything changed. I was going out on a walk, when I was attacked. A scientist injected me with some form of a liquid that caused me to fall asleep. I've slept for… I don't know how long. Quite some time. And now I don't know what's going on."

"What do you mean?" Hope questioned.

"What happened to all of the people? It's like everyone has vanished. Even my own mother was gone when I came back to the village. Nobody was there… nobody…"

Karen was giving him a disbelieving look. "Tell me. What's the last date you can remember?"

"I was put to sleep on April 28th, 2080."

"My God!" Hope exclaimed. "You've been asleep… before the disaster… before I was even born…"

"What are you talking about?" Daine asked.

"Daine, it's the year 2100. You've been asleep for twenty years."

Daine couldn't speak, the shock was too great. Twenty years? He had expected quite some time, but twenty years?!

"How? How could I sleep that long?!"

"That puzzles me too," Hope admitted. "Considering that the scientist you are talking about should probably be dead now."

"What do you mean?"

"Come to think of it…" Karen said. "You did fall asleep only three days from the incident. Very interesting."

"I prefer not to be left in the dark," Daine stated dryly.

"I'll explain," Hope volunteered. "Alright. On midnight, just as it became May 1st, 2080, something incredible yet terrifying occurred. We call it 'the Beginning of the End' incident. For short, just the incident, or disaster, or maybe doomsday-whatever floats your boat. Anyway, we aren't even exactly sure of what happened. All we know was that most people, at that time exactly, were killed. How? Sole survivors say that the people were consumed by fire. At least, that's what scientists believe. But it was obviously not natural-I mean, not only did it SEEK OUT humans, but it left other animals untouched."

"Other?" Karen asked.

"Ack, sorry. I mean… it left animals untouched… and plants, trees, anything that wasn't human was spared."

"It was neatly done," Karen said in disgust. "Even the people's ashes were burned. There was nothing to stop this sudden attack."

"It was over as quickly as it came," Hope added. "Almost all of the human species was wiped out. Yet somehow, there were those that lived. We all have a different story on how we made it through. You were asleep-maybe while you were unconscious, whatever force was behind it thought you were dead already. I wasn't even born then, so I have no tale to tell really."

"Do we live in constant fear now?" Daine asked.

"At times. This incident opened our eyes to how vulnerable we truly are. Many remaining scientists are trying to figure a way to make barriers for the next time."

"How many were spared?"

"Our best guess is 1% of the population, if not lower. Maybe, if we're lucky, a little higher. But even 1% is a lot of humans, and we are starting to repopulate slowly, but surely."

Daine stared at the table in front of him. "So… all of the people I knew are now dead. Even my own mother."

"I'm sorry that you finally woke up, only to open your eyes to this," Hope said softly. "It's painful to be alone."

"Not for me. I've been that way for years." Daine turned his gaze to Yamato and Karen. "What about you two? Were you born before or after the incident?"

"Before," Yamato stated. "But I don't remember how I survived. I was only three. My parents were killed."

"It looks like none of us had a very good childhood," Hope murmured.

"True," Karen agreed. Her eyes betrayed that she seemed pained by something.

Daine saw the look. "I've told of my past, something I prefer not to do. I think I should get the privilege to hear all of yours."

"I don't have a past to tell," Yamato said simply. Daine sensed he was hiding something, but didn't pursue the matter.

Hope looked very uneasy. "My past? I… I don't remember it anyway."

Any thoughts Daine had of asking her more were halted when Gaignun put his teeth softly around his leg. It was a clear warning that if he persisted, he wouldn't be able to walk anytime soon.

"So what about you?" he asked Karen.

She also seemed uncomfortable. "It's something I don't really like to tell… it brings back bad memories."

Hope turned to her. "Does anyone know besides Yamato? Does he even know?"

"Yes, he does. And no, I've never told anyone else."

"Then it might help to tell us," Hope suggested. "I know it often helps me when I have a problem in my mind."

"Who do you talk to? Your wolf pal?" Karen asked.

"Laugh all you want, but yes, I do. Among other races. But enough on my life, what about yours?"

She was silent for a few minutes, gazing around uneasily. Her eyes shifted to Yamato. He shrugged.

"All right then. I'll explain what I've been through."

"I suppose the best place to start would be the after the incident. I was a fragile person before it, and after it, things only got worse. With many of the doctors dead, not many could perform the surgery I needed to live on. At long last, I found a surgeon who could do it. It was a hefty cost, but my father put himself into debt for it."

"The surgery replaced many of my organs, such as my heart, to be replaced with metal. To say I'm an android might not be far off, even though I'm technically human."

"But the main problem with this was my father. Like I said, to save my life brought him into great debt. He needed money, and desperately. So he sold me, to another man."

"What?! He would sell his own daughter as a slave?!" Hope exclaimed.

"Yes. It was a terrible life. This man wasn't kind, as you might have guessed." She broke off, and then continued, a little slowly. "The manual labor was almost too much for me to handle, and if I failed with it, harsh beatings were sure to come. I lived in constant fear of failure. Have you ever had your life placed in another's hands? It's a horrifying thing, one of the worst fates that could befall someone, in my opinion. He had complete control over me. He even forced me to… to… well… things I would rather… not relate. I think… the word 'sexual' is enough to relate it."

"Unforgivable," Hope growled.

"When I was about fifteen though, everything changed. My master had hired Yamato. When he came to first meet the man, he also saw me. He didn't say anything at the time, and I really didn't know what to think of him. When he came back after completing the mission…" She trailed off.

"To put it bluntly, he didn't want to pay," Yamato said shortly. "He had other ideas, ones that relate to what other petty men would prefer to do. Something that has to do with women."

"Please, no details," Hope groaned. She looked sick enough already, so Yamato let it slide.

"If there's one word that defines Yamato, it's honorable," Karen explained. "He killed my master and let me stay with him. I had nowhere else to go-why return to my father? Yamato had saved me, and that alone made me feel safe. So I came with him, and helped him with his missions. That's all I really have to say."

Hope smiled at her reassuringly. "It sounds like one of the worst lives you could live. But it's over, and you're safe. So you don't have to fear it anymore. The past cannot harm you, as long as the one responsible is already gone."

"But he isn't," Karen replied softly.

"He isn't about to find you, right?" Hope got up. "If it makes you feel any better, I was despised too, just as badly, if not worse, than you." She walked off, Gaignun following.

"Where are you going?" Daine asked.

"It's growing dark. I'll keep watch. I'm not tired yet. Even though it seems as if this city is deserted, who knows when we could be attacked, so this is for the best."

"True. Wake me up when you get tired," Daine said, going towards the back of the building to rest in a corner. Karen and Yamato each took spots on seats to relax.

Hope sat at the front of the building, waiting for her companions to fall asleep. Finally, she turned to Gaignun.

Alright. I can talk now.

Gaignun lay down at her side. The girl is ok. The other man has the scent of death clinging to him, but he is not as cold as many view him as. He will be fine in the end. But the other… His teeth showed in a silent snarl. Blood, death, destruction, it cloaks him. He's slain many, for no reason. Evil… he's the definition of pure evil.

But he seems fine, Hope protested. He's been asleep for twenty years… and when he finally revives, his family is gone. It's an awful thing.

How would you know what it is like?

Hope had no reply to that.

I have never doubted my instincts. You have never doubted me. Do not begin to now. I know a murderer when I see one. And he makes that term seem like a fun activity.

So what do you suggest?

I would have abandoned him upon sight. Putting full trust into him is folly. He may seem innocent, but that pentagram… I have never felt a force like it before. Something is there… something that has made him more than an average cold-blooded killer. Leaving him is the wisest move.

I won't do that, Hope replied firmly. He needs help, and I can give it. We do not know why he is like this, and until we do, I do not plan on leaving him. I'll keep your warning in mind, ok? Try to be friendly-I don't want them growing suspicious about you, or me for that matter.

I do not like this, at all. But I cannot change your mind, so it seems. My mind tells me to run, but my heart tells me I must stay with you. I will not abandon you at a dangerous stage such as this.

Hope smiled at him. That's the reason I trust you. Thanks.

Where will we be going next?

Hope sighed. To go get money, I guess. Yamato and Karen won't leave us until I do. So the next town is our destination, I suppose. Maybe some ideas will come to me then.

-----

Hope stayed on watch all night, alternating sleep with Gaignun. The wolf was a great guard, and did not feel weary from their trip.

They left the building shortly after dawn, and proceeded to exit the town. Little talk passed between them as the entered the forest from the other side of town. Daine did ask where they were going, and after Hope explained, nobody tried to bring up a conversation.

It was a nice, quiet day, and they were proceeding fairly well when their progress was somewhat interrupted.

They emerged at a small clearing, with a river flowing through. Hope stopped there to refill the water canisters she always carried around, while Gaignun drank from the river itself. Nobody else was tired yet, so after that, they were ready to move on.

As they went into the trees again, they cast a last look at the area they had left. That was then they saw two other people.

One was a teen who was wearing a blue beater and blue jeans. He had very dark brown hair, which could have easily been mistaken for black. It was pretty short on top, but he had braids in the back, with beads, which made his appearance quite odd. Two strands of his hair curled down the front. He also had brown eyes.

The man he was across from had a long-sleeved green vest, with a black and white shirt and pants. He had a green belt on, and silver armlets. He wore black boots and a green headband. Over his shoulder was a sword. He had light brown, unruly hair, and blue eyes.

It seemed as if they were arguing about something. Curious, they went in closer to hear.

"I'm not THAT bad!" the man with the sword was protesting.

The boy rolled his eyes. "Suuure you aren't. Come on, that was the most perverted thing I've heard in a LONG time, and to a random woman on the street! People like you disgust me."

"Everyone says that," the man commented. "But in all honesty, I don't care about much else besides things like that."

The boy stared. "You're kidding. Your life goal is to go around to every woman still alive on this earth, asking them to bear your child?"

Should I hurt him? Gaignun asked.

Nah, this'll be fun to watch, Hope replied.

"I don't see you doing anything more worthwhile with your life," the man told him.

"At least I'm not some moronic lecher."

"I take insult in the moron remark."

"That was the point. Since I don't even know your name, I should just keep calling you that."

"Oh yeah, I never introduced myself. I'm Ravemaster Ikari."

The boy gave him a look of disgust. "Ravemaster Ikari? What kind of an idiotic name is that?"

"Watch your tongue! I got it from a manga I read!"

"What the heck is a manga?" the teen asked.

"A comic made in Japan."

"It's still a stupid name. I think I'll just call you Ikari for short."

"It's RAVEMASTER Ikari! Screw dueling, you're dying in a real fight!" The man drew his sword and leapt at the seemingly defenseless teen, only to be blocked by a katar.

"Don't underestimate me," the boy hissed before jumping back again. "If you want a fight to the death, be my guest. But I won't be the one slain."

Ikari sighed. "Alright. A duel will have to do. But if I win, you'll be calling me 'Ravemaster Ikari' for the rest of your life."

The boy rolled his eyes. "Very well. If I win, you leave me alone for the rest of my life. I don't want to be friends with a pervert."

"Fine, fine! Cut the pleasantry, let's get on with it!"

"Of course I will, Ikari."

"That arrogant mouth of yours will soon be shut… damn it, I can't make a dramatic threat without knowing your name."

"It's Varen."

"In that case… that arrogant mouth of yours will soon be shut, Varen!"

"And the sad thing is that the president makes better threats than that."

"We don't even have a president."

"History books are your friend. Are we going to waste all day talking?"

"For once, I agree. Let's get moving! I choose Fire Sorcerer as my Deck Master!"

A girl wearing a black dress and hat appeared.

"I should have known it would be a girl," Varen muttered.

Ikari looked pained at something. "Shut up. This is more important to me than you might think. Well, hurry up!"

"Fine. I choose Mermaid Knight." The pink-haired mermaid was there immediately, wielding two swords.

Varen: 8000

Ikari: 8000

"Well, you don't see this every day," Hope commented. "Should we stay and watch?"

Daine shrugged. "We aren't in a hurry."

"True."

"I'll go first," Ikari announced. "I summon Gemini Elf in attack mode. (1900/900) Then I lay two cards down, ending my turn."

Varen looked at his hand. "Hm… not bad. First I lay one card down."

"I activate Cyclone, to destroy it!"

"Excellent," Varen smirked. "It's my own Cyclone. I chain it, destroying your other card."

"Damn it… my Tidal Wave."

"Now I lay two other cards down, and one monster in defense. It's your turn."

"First, I use Fire Sorcerer's effect. I discard one card from the top of my deck. If it's a monster, I lose 500 Life Points. If it's a magic, you lose 500 Life Points. If it's a trap, you lose 1000 Life Points." He looked at his card. "Saint Magician. My luck really sucks."

Varen: 8000

Ikari: 7500

"I play Tempest! That destroys both of your trap cards!"

Varen calmly flipped over a trap. "I activate Judgment of Anubis by discarding the Legendary Fisherman. (1850/1600) This negates any magic card that can destroy other magic or trap cards. It also destroys one of your monsters, and deals Life Point damage equal to its attack to you. So your Gemini Elf is gone."

Varen: 8000

Ikari: 5600

"Damn! I'll summon Magic Warrior: Breaker! He gets a magic counter when summoned, raising his attack by 300! (1900/1000) By removing it, one of your magic or trap cards is destroyed. So I do that! (1600/1000)"

"Oh, shoot. There goes Magic Cylinder."

"Score! Now Breaker attacks!"

"Oh no. My Spear Shellfish is dead. (1000/1000) I'll surely lose now."

"Master of sarcasm, aren't you?"

"Gee, what gave you THAT idea, Ikari?"

"…You'll die for that. I end my turn."

"I'm sure," Varen said dryly, drawing. "Well, it looks like you're dead. I play Atlantis."

Ikari yelled in shock as a tidal wave of water slammed into him. They were now on a field of water.

"Hey! What's the big idea?!"

"Atlantis is a field magic card. It raises all Water Main-Types stats by 200. It also lowers all Water Main-Types levels by one, either on the field or in the hand."

"…Uh oh."

"Uh oh is right. Now I can summon Giga Gagagigo for no cost! (2650/1700) I also play Raise Dead on my Legendary Fisherman! (1850/1600)"

"…You bastard."

"Legendary Fisherman attacks, and then Giga Gagagigo attacks twice!"

"Wait! WHAT?!"

Varen: 8000

Ikari: 50

"HOW THE HELL DID THAT THING ATTACK TWICE?!"

"It's Mermaid Knight's Deck Master ability. Once per turn, I can choose a Water Main-Type and it can attack twice."

"Ok, I really hate you now. I draw…" He looked at his card. "Ok, I'd rather lose to my own stupidity than to you. I use Fire Sorcerer's effect, drawing… oh damn it. It's Apprentice Magician."

Varen: 8000

Ikari: 0

"That was the lamest duel I've ever played, Ikari," Varen told him.

"Shut up. I'm outta here." He ran off, muttering curses.

Varen watched him leave, and then turned around, shaking his head. "Of all the dumb people I've met, he ranks high on my list as one of the most idiotic." He then turned his gaze to the trees. "You don't need to hide anymore."

"You knew we were here?" Hope asked as they stepped out.

"Yep. I didn't bother telling that moron though." He ran his eyes over them all. "So who are you guys?"

"I'm Hope, he's Daine, he's Yamato, and she's Karen. Oh, and that's Gaignun."

"Nice to meet you all. Where are you heading?"

"The next big town," Karen told him.

"What a coincidence; I'm headed the same way. I just had to take a detour to shut that other idiot up. It's safer to travel in numbers, so may I accompany you until we arrive there?"

"I see no problem in that," Hope said, shifting her eyes to Gaignun.

He is strange. But there are no problems.

"It's settled then. Thanks."

With that taken care of, they continued on, heading for the village.

To be continued…