Hope's Paradise II: End of Innocence
by Shayne Thames and Kathryn Shiver
Yu-Gi-Oh and related characters and indica © 1996 - 2005 Kazuki Takahashi
Fippy Darkpaw is © to Sony Online Entertainment
Author's Note: Been busy working on my comic, but I found some spare time to post Chapter 4. Enjoy!
Chapter 04: "Truths Revealed"
Yugi woke, finding he had been sleeping in Yami's arms, who was sleeping at the bottom of the tank.
The youth blinked in confusion, amythest eyes looking upwards at him.
Ruby eyes opened, looking back down at him. -Yugi...-
-Wha... Happened...?- He couldn't remember anything from just before the hurricane till waking up now.
-We been...captured...you had been changed...-
Yugi was confused, looking around finally, surprised to find them both in a tank instead of the familier waters of the island coast
-You remember me.-
-Why wouldn't I remember you?-
-You had amnesia a while ago.-
The youth blinked before becoming quiet, snuggling into his mate's arms.
He hugged him. -The odd thing was that you were also human at the time.-
Amythest eyes looked upwards in reaction. How did he turn human again?
----------------------------
A question that plagued not only Yami, but Seto as he sat in the room, his breathing getting harsher and more ragged.
Blue eyes were closed as he tried to ignore the way it hurt to breathe, hoping it would finish soon.
The scientist came in. "Aw, I'm sorry Seto, is your breathing getting hard? I know you had SUCH a difficult time in the air in the...past."
He growled slightly, eyes opening a bit to glare at him.
He chuckled. "Shouldn't be too much longer, then you'll be back in the water where you...belong."
"It is not your decision where I belong."
"That's because he isn't running the show." A brown, black and white gnoll with a scar across his nose came out from the darkness, familiar brown eyes glaring at Seto.
"So you're the one behind this. Never did forgot about that rock did you?"
He growled. "That among other things. You didn't think a human could know your secret so easily, could you? Only one from the Seapaw tribe could."
"The prince will know of this and you will be dealt with!"
He laughed. "The prince? The prince is sharing a tank with the former human child as we speak. He was only the bait to draw you all in."
"The life of an entire island is tied to the prince! If you don't release him, it will die!"
"You think I care about some stupid human island? When I'm done with all of you, I will possess the legendary Ocean Angel that you merpeople worship above all things."
So THAT'S what this was all about! The ancient ritual of summoning the Ocean Angel, a fabled winged merchild with the powers to create or manipulate anything.
He narrowed his eyes angerly now. "The Ocean Angel cannot be summoned by those outside our kind!"
He laughed. "Ah, but Seto, I KNOW the ledgends of both our races. The Ocean Angel, worshiped by the Seapaw Gnolls AND the Merpeople, needs only two members from each...as components. Then, a Seapaw Gnoll, or a Merfolk, can channel their powers to summon the Ocean Angel."
"So you're going to use me and the prince once you learn the ritual?"
"Learn? You think I wouldn't capture you if I didn't already KNOW it? I have all the components I need now that I have you and the prince. Oh, and we MUSTN'T forget our two gnolls." One was shoved out, a black gnoll with emerald eyes. His muzzle was chained shut along with his paws being bound, but he was dressed like some kind of adventurer.
Seto blinked. "Fippy?"
Fippy looked up at his old friend and nodded.
"Who else did you kidnap for this insanity?"
"Oh that's right, you DON'T know. Sad, Seto, very sad. Looks like you're not the only one with a secret."
"What are you talking about?"
Gutternose chuckled. "I feel generous today, Seto, so I'll tell you. His name is-"
The door was suddenly knocked over and Joey came rushing in, tackling the one scientist. Gutternose growled. "WHAT!"
Surprise showed on his face in reaction at seeing Joey loose.
The scientist gasped under Joey's weight. "I dunno how he escaped!"
Joey laughed. "Dun underestimate a blond, pal. I got attitude AND wit..." He grinned, holding up a lockpick. He looked up and saw Gutternose. "WHAT THE-"
"Joey RUN!"
Joey leaped out of the way just as Gutternose took a swipe at him. "YOU WON'T escape me this time-" Gutternose took a sudden yelp and fell back as Joey decked him RIGHT in the nose.
The brunette couldn't help but smirk slightly, a gnoll's best weak spot was their nose.
Gutternose glared at Joey. "I hate you...DAMN YOU!" He howled just as Joey leaped away of a swipe.
"Time to find the boys and run, Seto!"
Nodding, he struggled to his feet dispite how hard it was to breathe.
Joey ran over to Fippy and picked at the locks to set him free, leaving the gnoll to pull off the chains. "Thanks!"
Seto hurried over to the pair, breathing heavily. "I need the two of you to get Yami and Yugi out of here, I'll contact help."
"Right!" But before they could get to the door, Seto felt weakness in his legs.
A faint groan of dismay escaped as his legs gave now. "Not now..."
Joey turned back and ran to him. "Seto, what's wrong?" He moved to try to help him back up.
"Spell wearing off... Can't walk..."
"Spell?"
"ARRRGH!"
Gutternose leaped forward to attack them but Fippy dashed in to block. "Not this time, Gutternose! Its you and me!"
Slowly the brunette explained an edited version of his past to explain the spell.
"So that's how you knew about Yami all this time."
Seto nodded quietly. "Yes, he's the Prince of the Ocean."
He smiled softly. "Its almost funny...cause-"
"Guys!" Fippy ran over to them as Joey picked up Seto in his arms. "Get out of here! I'll find the prince!"
The priest nodded in understanding and allowed the blonde to carry him.
Joey made for a break for it.
-----------------------------
Meanwhile, Yami just held Yugi in his arms, helpless to do anything but comfort the other until they could be rescued.
The small youth was dozing quietly, knowing that as long as he was with Yami, he would be alright.
Suddenly they were shaken awake by large crashing noises and howling.
Startled, he clung to his mate, amythest eyes wide and looking through the tank wall.
A black dog-like creature ran in, running up to the tank. "Prince Yami!"
Yami looked alert by the title call. "Fippy?"
"Prince?" Yugi looked up at the strange creature, and then to Yami.
Fippy looked frantic. "No time for greetings, sire, Gutternose Scarpaw is the mastermind behind this kidnapping!"
Amythest eyes blinked slowly before swimming up to the tank's surface for a better look at the creature.
He stopped just long enough to gaze at Yugi in amazement. "You must be...the prince's mate."
Slowly, he noded, tilting his head to one side. "What are you?"
"I take you if you have to ask, that you never seen a gnoll before. Fippy Darkpaw, at your service."
"Can you get us out of here?"
"One good swing ought to do it. Swim back." He grabbed a pole to try and break the glass.
Yugi darted towards the other side of the tank.
Fippy took a real good swing, shattering the glass and sending the water rushing out.
The small youth gave a squeek of dismay at finding himself sitting in water only three feet deep
Fippy reached in and grabbed both Yugi and Yami and carried them over both his shoulders. "Hold on, we're busting out of here!"
Amythest eyes were wide now, shivering how that he was out of the water.
Fippy carried them through the lab, weaving down the halls and finally out into the night air, escaping and hitting the nearby meadow where he found Joey and Seto, resting as Joey panted. "There's no ocean around here for miles!"
Worry showed in Seto's eyes as he panted hard. "How about rivers?"
"If there is, I dunno in which direction!" he looked at Seto sadly. "I'm sorry. I'm so worn out at this point..."
Yugi was shivering slightly still. "Yami... What are we going to do...?"
He panted a bit, and crawled over to pull Yugi into his arms. "I...don't know anymore..." Fippy started walking in circles, thinking, as Joey stroked at Seto's forehead. His legs had just went completely numb.
Knowing it won't be much longer before his tail emerged, the brunette had his eyes closed, concertrating on breathing.
Joey saw that Seto was beginning to change, and he helped him out of the confining clothing as he did.
He smiled weakly in thanks before opening his eyes. "Yami, the ritual... How does it work?"
"What ritual?"
"To summon the Ocean Angel..."
He stared for a moment before looking down. "It...it takes two merfolk and two gnolls to serve as components for drawing power. Then a fifth, of either gnoll or merfolk decent, channels the energy to summon the Ocean Angel...but..."
Yugi looked up quietly, curious at to what the Ocean Angel is.
"Before I left Seapaw Island, the village Shaman spoke to me about this. He warned me something like this may happen one day, but he said the ceremony would not work."
Seto looked towards him now. "What do you mean?"
"Supposedly, the Ocean Angel is already on this plane."
"Then how do we find it?"
"That's the hard part. For I heard the Ocean Angel has taken the form of a human being."
"Yami, whats the Ocean Angel?" Yugi asked.
Yami quietly explained about the Ocean Angel.
Smiling softly, he curled up within his mate's lap. "Wish I could see it... Sounds pretty..."
He smiled as he pet Yugi's hair. He looked at Seto. "There is one chance..."
The brunette was watching the paire quietly. "How?"
"The shaman told me that the Ocean Angel was actually summoned a millenia ago, on the ancient isle of Splitpaw."
Splitpaw, the merchild folk tale legend about a tribe of albino gnolls with mysic powers beyond any gnolls.
"So the Ocean Angel is immortal?"
"Yes. The Ocean Angel was summoned by the efforts of the Splitpaw Pack; the Sea Elves, our distant cousins; and a very powerful sorcerer elf that made himself human. You know the story...Sugoroku the Immortal?"
Yugi looked up, started. "Sugoroku?"
The lot looked at Yugi as Yami nodded. "Yes."
"Thats my grandfather's name."
"Huh. Ironic."
"How can he have the same name as someone from one of your legends?"
"The name isn't exactly uncommon, Yugi."
The teen went quiet, deciding to listen once more.
"We need to find the isle, and talk to the Splitpaws. Perhaps we can find Sugoroku and find the Ocean Angel. But...the place probably doesn't exist..."
Joey suddenly looked at Yugi before looking at Yami. He started to say something when Fippy spoke up. "That's not...exactly accurate, sir..."
Amythest and blue eyes looked up at the gnoll now.
"I actually found the island on my travels. If we can get to the ocean, I can lead us there."
Seto closed his eyes for a moment. "You and Joey are the only two able to walk. One of you needs to find a town to get help."
Fippy syarted to move when he smacked himself upside the head. "I am SUCH an idiot!"
Seto looked at him now. "What do you mean?"
"Every region of the wold have packs of gnolls hidden. We're about as numerous as humans, as the merpeople once were. One howl can call us for some help!"
"Then do it!"
He nodded and started to howl, when he went into a hacking fit. "UGH...my thoat...bleh...ugh!" More coughing.
Shaking his head he couldn't help but chuckle.
He tried to clear his throat. "This is no good...but I'll keep trying!"
"Thats all that counts."
He tried again, going into another hacking fit. Clearing his throat, he tried one more time. A howl came out...but it wasn't from Fippy.
Surprised, he looked towards the source.
Standing up behind him, howling to the sky...was Joey himself. He took a deep breath and belt out another long beautiful gnoll howl.
"Joey...?"
He let another one as Fippy chuckled. "Shadowpaws. They always knew how to hit the best notes."
"He's a gnoll...? But... How...?"
"Isn't it funny how everything comes together like this? Joey was my best friend all those years ago. He's Serenity's big brother."
Ice blue eyes went wide now as it all clicked into place.
Joey sat down and panted. Suddenly howls reverberated from the nearby woods, drawing Joey and Fippy to alert. "Timberpaw Pack!"
Yugi was shaking slightly at the howls, it sounded too much like wolves.
Yami held onto Yugi as Timberpaw Gnolls emerged from the woods. Joey sighed and looked to Seto.
"Guess we both had our secrets."
He smiled a bit and gathered Joey into his arms. "Yea, we did."
"We need to get to some water fast, Yugi's looking bad again." Joey said.
He nodded and Joey and Fippy made short conversations with the gnolls in their own language once they arrived. They were willing to help and went to pick up Yami and Yugi. "They said there's a river in their woods that leads to the ocean."
Seto smiled softly at that. "Can they provide us with some food as well? Yugi was only just rescued and hasn't recovered his full health."
Joey asked, to which they nodded. Joey smirked as he looked back at Seto. "They'll be happy to help."
"Good. Lets get out of here"
They were quickly carried into the woods and down to their village, where a river flowed through the middle of it. They helped the merboys into the water before some of the gnolls children ran up with baskets of fruit to offer them.
The brunette gladly accepted the food with smiles and thanks, noticing that Yugi was extreamly nervous and hiding behind his mate.
Yami held onto Yugi and nuzzled him. -Its okay, they're friends.-
Amythest eyes were uneasy, still clinging to Yami tho he did look towards the food wistfully.
Yami offered Yugi an apple with a smile, looking to Seto. "Well this scene looks familiar."
"Mine and Joey's wedding day is what this reminds me of."
"I was thinking of another child who was this nervous meeting gnolls for the first time and being clingy."
Cluckling softly he nodded. "That would of been me."
Joey stared at Seto. "Seto? Clingy?"
"I was what you would considered a child at the time, having lost my parents the same day we rescued you and Yugi from the ship."
"Ah...wait...WHAT?" He stared at Seto. "You...Yami...the ship...?"
Slowly, he nodded.
"Then someone lied! I knew that ship exploded, but someone said some diver pulled us out! I KNEW there was some kind of coverup!"
"Humans didn't know what happened so they filled in the facts with something that was beleivable."
Yami looked at Seto. "The scientists that captured you must of knew. I mean, a thousand dead bodies doesn't get ignored unless a govermnet agency was covering it up."
Slowly, the brunette nodded, smiling faintly when Yugi finally snatched up a fruit before darting back to his mate's side.
Joey sat on the edge of the bank, drinking some orange juice that was made for him and Fippy. "We can rest here, then we'll travel to the cean and nmake our way for the island."
Seto nodded slowly in agreement, keeping an eye on the small youth that nibbled at his fruit hungerly.
Yami gently kissed the other once he was done eating. "I love you."
Yugi's face lit up happily at the kiss before returning it. "I love you too, Yami."
He rubbed noses with him before smiling. "As long as you're with me, I'll always be happy."
The youth giggled happily before trying to reach for another fruit without leaving his mate's arms.
The gnoll children watched and giggled happily as they got to see real merboys for the first time in their lives. They were eventually called to bed by their parents.
Having eaten his fill of fruits, the youngest of the three merboys was curled up within Yami's arms asleep, a look of content on his face.
Yami was actually watching the gnoll children as their parents brought them into their homes. He gave out a soft sigh after they were gone, and Seto could instantly detect the emotion of longing in his sigh.
"Remember what the Elders told you, that there will be a way to continue our kind through humans."
"Yes. you're right. I am now feeling the longing in my heart, but I question if Yugi's ready."
Blue eyes watched the sleeping youth quietly for a moment. "He would not of become your mate if he was not ready."
He nodded. "I still have you to thank. You brought him to the island just to meet me."
"I figured he would catch your attetion, no one back in Japan intrested him."
He nodded. "He told me how you two met in the orphanage."
"Yes, turned out his lost his parents in the ship explosion. He was adopted shortly before I myself was."
Joey looked down at this point. "That's not exactly true. That was the government coverup."
"Pup, I was there. The only ones who got away from the ship before it exploded were you and Yugi."
"Yea but Yugi's parents weren't on it. There were no parents."
He looked at him in confusion now. "What do you mean?"
"A japanese orphanage had offered to take kids from the US that had no parents or living relatives and take them to Japan to live. Yugi was an orphan with no past he could remember, and I had no past I could TELL anyone, so we were some of the kids that were to be taken. But that paticular ship was also transporting some criminals that slipped out past US security onto the ship. When the ship had the accident, the government didn't want anyone finding out their security had been laxed in lettingf criminals escape on an orphanage ship, to they made up the escuse of thew ship being a passenger ship and sent us on a plane instead. The dead merfolk only added to the complication and coverup."
"We never went back to the ship so I don't know if they did anything to the place."
"The only thing Yugi says he rememebers is a grandfather he once had, but we don't know where he could be."
"Well he did say his name awhile ago."
He nodded. "We'll worry about that later. Let's just get some sleep. We have a long road ahead."
Seto nodded slowly before finding a place to sleep for the night.
Joey smiled before pulling Seto into his own arms as he rested on the bank of the river.
Sighing quietly he didn't move away, deciding to rest.