Wow. I haven't updated this story in such a long time. Sorry! I kept looking at it and thinking 'this is such a cool storyline, I'll have to update it soon' but never writing anything. This chapter actually took a week to write, bit by bit. Kinda sad… Well, I'll try to do better! Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I am not fortunate enough to be obscenely wealthy. Therefore I have no way to afford something as pricy as Yu-Gi-Oh! However, if I win the lottery several times over, things may change.

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Caravan

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Flat farmland rolled past lazily on either side. A trick of perspective made it seem as if they weren't going anywhere when really they were making excellent time through this part of the province. Malik hardly had to bother guiding the horses pulling their caravan along the dusty road. He would just give a small flick of the reigns if any of the four decided that the crops waving in a gentle breeze looked too appetizing to pass by.

Their next destination had yet to be picked, and so far the missive for where to go was north. Bakura had been very adamant about that though he wasn't being clear on where or why. So their troupe had chosen a path headed in that direction and had started on their journey. It was that or lose their white haired companion, a decision none were willing to make.

Malik perked up as he spied a long line of travelers bearing produce to sell at market. This meant they were nearing a town where they could stop and refresh their stores, perhaps even spend the night. And it also meant they may be able to make a few quick silver pieces. He stopped the cart just behind a hill that would take them into the throng and hurriedly slipped into the back.

"Hey sis, there's a huge crowd up ahead."

Isis looked up from the small pile of costumes she was trying to mend and smiled. "They must be bored, wouldn't you think?" She tucked away the colorful garments and stood. "I'll change. You go tell Yugi and Bakura, okay?"

Malik grinned and slid past her. He opened the back door of their wagon and hopped neatly onto the back of one of the horses pulling the second piece of the caravan. With experienced ease, Malik maneuvered himself back until he was sitting next to a very amused Yugi.

"I never get tired of watching you do that. But why this time when we're stopped?" Yugi tethered his reigns and turned to regard the taller youth more comfortably.

The blonde smirked and shrugged. "More fun, I guess." He hopped to his feet and pointed at the hill just ahead. "There's a big group up over there. We're going to put a little show on for them as we pass through. Get your spells and tricks ready, mage." Malik clapped Yugi on the shoulder and hopped off onto the gritty path.

Bakura was sitting on the back end of Yugi's cart, feet trailing off the end. He was lost in thought when Malik rounded the corner happily. Nearly jumping out of his skin when a dagger embedded itself solidly into the wood next to his head, Bakura fought to keep his reaction from showing. He silently cursed the blonde as he chucked the blade back. "What?"

Malik caught his knife easily and shot Bakura a smug look. "Showtime," was his only reply.

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"You'd better be ready." Bakura flicked the reigns sharply and started the horses moving. They pulled the lead cart, which pulled the next set of horses, which pulled that cart and so forth until the two were moving in a train.

On top of each stood the three performers. Isis was spinning and dancing gracefully, scarves flying around her and perfume wafting gently down, claiming one cart to herself. Malik was juggling his knives, occasionally flicking them toward Yugi who would deflect them back with magic, or make them disappear and reappear near Isis who would nimbly jump over them in her dance. When he wasn't doing this, Yugi was setting off sprays of color in the air or creating small images out of light - butterflies and fairies danced around him.

They crossed over the hill and descended into the throng of people on the other side. Where normally crowds would turn and enjoy such entertainment, perhaps throwing a few pieces of money or food into the convenient collection buckets strapped to the sides of the wagons, the people passing along on both sides barely moved aside to let the procession through.

Bakura watched as the travelers continued plodding ahead with their wares, oblivious to the spectacle passing through their midst. He pulled the horses to a halt and waited for his three companions to realize this fact themselves, if they already hadn't. Within minutes, Malik had vaulted over and landed next to Bakura from above.

"So what's up with this?" He reached over and plucked an apple from a bowl that a woman carried by. Bakura rolled his eyes and snatched it back, flicking it to land where it had come from. Malik stuck out his tongue.

"I know nothing more than you do. What's your sister say?"

Malik batted his eyes and drew himself into an impression of his sister. "We should go ahead to wherever these travelers are headed and see if there is an answer to our questions there."

From above a shoe fell and hit Malik squarely on the back of the head. He picked it up and threw it back, receiving no more than a pleasant 'thank you' from his sister who had thrown it. Bakura bit back the laugh threatening to escape him and instead smirked smugly.

Malik made a face, muttering, "I do so love my family."

Bakura twitched the reigns sharply. They moved at a crawling pace through the slow tide of human bodies. Occasionally a strong smell of human or animal odor would drift over their party, an unfortunate result of being in such close quarters with so many peasants. A few gusts of wind would even bring the smell of sulphur and ash - smoke from cook fires, Malik wagered. It took nearly half a day to weave through the sea of human waves before even glimpsing a site of their destination. Then they understood the smell of smoke.

The city was burning.

ooo

Within the city walls and flickering flames, Rex kicked angrily at a smoldering home. It creaked loud and long and finally collapsed into the dust. Grinning despite his frustration, Rex continued to prowl through the conquered ruins, tail lashing behind him.

He was looking, as many were, for the escaped fledgling of Master Mur. However, instead of going to areas near the last sighting, Rex had been ordered out into the middle of nowhere. With others in Mur's service to boot! Snorting, Rex kicked at another building and watched part of a wall cave inward.

"Why would he send me here!"

A voice, high and wheezing, chuckled behind. "Because lizard brain, Mur knows you would let the kid slip through your fingers, just as you did the night he escaped." Stepping from the wildly flickering shadows, the visitor smirked at his companion.

Rex was as stupid as he looked. From broad, stocky legs, thrashing tail, and thick muscle, to crooked grin and tufts of wiry brown hair sticking awkwardly from his skull, Rex screamed brawn, and not brains. That was where Weevil came in.

"You were there too, bug breath," Rex retorted, implying that Weevil's station was also a punishment.

Weevil laughed again, louder and with a more abrasive sound, like crickets and sandpaper. He appeared human, though with pale skin and a clammy complexion. The duo was often together – Weevil's brains complimenting Rex's brawn and their respective appearances being used to trick helpless victims.

They had been stationed in the city for a week. On the very first day, Rex had sent town square up in flames. Each day after that, a new section of the city had erupted with colorful oranges and reds, billowing smoke to the heavens. Weevil had explained to the citizens that if they wished to live, they would have to offer up something – food, valuables, women, children – in exchange for their lives.

So far only vegetables and the occasional trinket had been presented. But Weevil knew they would be running out soon. The fields and neighboring villages would only provide offerings for so long.

"They'll be here soon. We should head over to the entrance."

Rex's frown turned into a hopeful grin, making him look almost like an oversized children's toy. "Hey, maybe they'll finally give us some women!"

ooo

"Are we seriously going to the burning city?" Malik looked back and forth between the faces of his sister and his best friend. Bakura had stated that they needed to continue forward and find out what was going on. Isis was against the idea saying that something didn't feel right. Yugi didn't seem to mind either way, and Malik was confused.

"Not until Bakura can give me more of a reason." Isis gazed intently at her white-haired friend who refused to meet the eyes of anyone since the argument had started.

"We just have to go, okay?" Shifting uneasily against one of the wagons, Bakura crossed his arms and stared resolutely at the far-off plume of smoke and ash. His sense of needing to be somewhere or be doing something had gotten stronger the moment he had seen the fire. His fingers tingled faintly.

Around them, the long train of people continued shuffling mindlessly forward. Hardly anyone spared a glance in the direction of the brightly colored caravan and its denizens. That was, until a woman carrying a large basket of potatoes overheard the topic of discussion.

Looking carefully around her, as if suspecting someone to jump out and report her, the woman approached the nearest individual – a youth with wild, spiky hair. "Excuse me," she murmured.

Yugi turned at the sound of a woman's voice. He smiled kindly at her and asked her business. What he discovered caused his smile to drop. "Uh, guys," he waved a hand in between the small huddle deep in conversation. "I think you want to hear this."

Malik spun around on one foot, still unclear on whether or not they were going in or skirting the perimeter. He looked curiously at the woman who seemed to cower when attention fell on her. "Go ahead."

"Well," she began, nervously, "our village was recently attacked by two men, a man and a beast. They appeared in a torrent of buzzing insects, which began to attack our farms, homes and even the citizens. The beastly one broke through our gate and started belching fire.

"The men tried to stop them in any way they could. Most were killed for their efforts, the rest wounded or fled. The man accompanying the monster told us that they were looking for something and until they found it, our village would provide them with everything. If we refused, he said, then there would be no reason for any of us to live."

Bakura, after hearing the story, was even more certain of his feeling. If those two fiends were looking for something, perhaps that was what he was searching for. He started for the lead carriage.

The other three comforted the woman and gave her a few pieces of silver for her troubles. Yugi was certain that it would end up in the hands of the usurpers, but she seemed to appreciate the gesture. As Bakura left, he finally voiced his opinion.

"I think we should go." Isis, slightly pale, and Malik, grim, looked at him. "Bakura had a feeling that led us here only to find this… this massacre of spirit. Even if we can't do anything for these people, I think we should try."

"Alright, Yugi. We'll go," Isis said softly. She hugged her brother briefly and retreated to the costume wagon. The pair remaining too returned to the line.

Bakura, flicking the reigns of the lead horse as soon as his friends were on board, set his sights on the smoky horizon. He was certain something would be waiting for him.

ooo

The Burning City was quiet aside from the sounds of popping coals and shuffling feet. The caravan's bright colors seemed harsh in the haze that floated between houses. Four sets of eyes gazed at the ruin in silence.

I wonder where the two tormentors are, the man and the beast, thought Bakura as he pulled the horses to a stop. On their way in they had only seen peasants milling about, empty handed. Where did all their goods go?

Sliding from the front seat, he went to join the others. They were all subdued by the desolate setting, even Malik – normally so vibrant – seemed smaller than usual. Bakura's fingers twitched unconsciously.

"So where do you think they are?" Malik asked, gazing at a crowd of silent bodies.

Shrugging, Bakura started deeper into the Burning City on foot. He was intent on exploring and finding out just that. Behind him he could hear the footsteps of the other three.

Isis, trailing in the middle just ahead of Malik, was shaking her head, appalled by the sorrow she was seeing. "We must make sure to stay together."

"As if that's going to help you," called a smug voice. Stepping around a corner, smirking widely, was a man with short green hair and thick glasses. His voice was high and contained a slightly whine to it. He was dressed simply, light green linen tunic and pants, with a white overcoat.

"That must be one of them." Yugi didn't find him very threatening. He looked more like a merchant than any murderous villain.

"So you've heard of me, hm? Someone talked, I see. How unfortunate for them," he chuckled dryly, "unless she had already confessed her crime." He pulled the woman who had spoken to them earlier out from behind the building.

"Leave her alone!"

"Oh I don't think so. I haven't eaten a woman in such a long time." Without taking his eyes off the four, he calmly ripped out her throat and licked his fingers, letting her body slip to the ground. "My friend hasn't eaten one in a long time, either."

There was a loud thump behind Bakura.

"Isis!" It was Malik's voice.

Bakura turned around and found a hulking thing with its hands around her neck, squeezing. Yugi was holding Malik back as Isis slowly began to turn blue.

"Look, Weevil," the thing growled happily. "They brought me a present."

ooo

If you haven't guessed already, most of the often-seen characters will be making appearances, one way or another. I can guarantee that they will not all be evil minions/creatures/things. And if you have a particular urge to see one, like Pegasus, as something specific, such as a tavern wench who comes on to Seto, then by all means review and tell me!