Notes: You may notice that the opening scene has been changed in places, casting an entirely different light on the character involved. The idea of having him be schizophrenic no longer appeals to me, for many reasons, and the story was stalled largely because of this. Thanks to brainstorming with Stacey, I have determined how to alter things. I apologize for the heavy delay with the story and I hope that it will pick up again now that I have changed this element.
Chapter Three
The tall, ageless man hovered in the shadows of his chamber, studying the three small family units as their current actions were reflected in the large crystal shards assembled neatly in a row in the stone floor. He could care less about the Kaibas and the Ishtars, but his expression became intensely interested upon seeing the three former Doom warriors in the crystal on the right. This was something that he had not expected in the least. He came closer for a better look.
"Raphael. . . . Alister. . . Valon. . . . You are all well, I see," he mused. "None of you seem to be suffering any ill effects of your pasts." But he knew that, indeed, they still did suffer—and that a part of each of them probably always would. Their families had been taken away from them and they had been used as pawns in a cruel game of failed rebirth and redemption. Raphael, especially, had been crushed and shattered by Dartz's betrayal. And somewhere deep in his heart, he still carried the pain and hurt from that time.
The enigmatic stranger sighed, shaking his head, and leaned back, continuing to watch the trio thoughtfully. The fact of them being there did not disrupt his plans, though it did indeed make things somewhat awkward. If he were to be discovered by them, then that could turn things upsidedown. Of course, the Kaibas would most likely recognize him as well, if they saw him, but with the way things usually went it seemed more conceivable that he would eventually have a meeting with the bikers and not the Kaibas. And anyway, the Kaibas did not have as much of a reason to hate him as the bikers did.
He did not blame them. Why should they not hate him, after what he had done? He had destroyed their lives. Even though he had not been in his right mind, that did not change the fact that their families were dead because of him. In his corrupted state of mind, he had believed that their fates were already set in stone and that he was merely helping them to fulfill their destinies.
He turned away. I've caused so much heartache and pain, not just for them, but for my own family as well. And Phiona is still lost to me . . . to us. . . . Even though we have all been given second chances at life, we haven't seen any sign of Phiona. Perhaps . . . she wasn't returned to Earth, as we were. But . . . why wouldn't she have been? If a second chance would even be offered to one such as I, then certainly Phiona deserves the opportunity as well. She was so pure and good. . . .
Maybe . . . she didn't want to come back. . . . In the afterlife, she must have been happier than in a mortal realm. . . . Or maybe she did come back, but she doesn't want to be with us any longer. He swallowed hard. Maybe she doesn't want to be with me . . . after what I've done.
"Bah!" he muttered low and abruptly, standing up and walking away from the crystals. He was allowing himself to get too caught up in his thoughts, as had often been the case recently. He crossed to the large window overlooking Juno and gazed out, watching the rain as it began to slow to a stop. It was such a great pity, really, that Juno had been reduced to this. It had once been a great land—a paradise. But maybe . . . no paradise ever remained forever. And the Talisman had destroyed this one! Sapphire had believed that it would help her, but it had turned against her in the end.
The Talisman is not really unlike the Orichalcos. It could even be fueled by the same evil force that powered the Orichalcos. I don't know. But I do know that if it isn't stopped, it will be instrumental in the fall of Juno. And then the rest of the world will fall as well. Of course . . . many of the inhabitants most likely deserve destruction. But . . . I will not allow a repeat of my mistakes. I won't stand by and allow the dimensions to obliterate each other, especially not now that I have my family back.
He turned away from the window. It was time that he went and found what the rebels were up to. Colchis had been training them for a grand battle that he had been preparing, and this man had offered his assistance as well. What Colchis did not know what that this man was a spy, infiltrating into the group to learn of their plans. Sapphire had met him once or twice, in passing, but she did not know who he was or if he was an ally or an enemy. But that was just as well. He would prefer to work in the shadows. The fewer who knew his true motives, the better.
Now he came back to the crystals, studying the images within them again. It fascinated him as he watched the eight young people leaving their rooms to go to the banquet hall for dinner. Sapphire was such a strange ruler and it was in keeping with her oddness that she had chosen the eight that she had. Why look! There was even a young child with them! Though, to this man, who had lived for millennia, they were really all children.
He gazed at the bikers once more. Raphael gazed ahead, his blue eyes dark and penetrating. His gaze seemed to pierce the very soul, just as it had always been. Alister's gray orbs were clouded and displayed little of what he was thinking underneath his flipped red hair. But he must be thinking plenty. He always was. And there was Valon, tagging along and trying to keep up while at the same time looking about the palace corridors with a certain captivation. His wide blue eyes, filled with childlike curiosity and awe at the castle's interior, placed him firmly as the youngest of the three, though he was no less important or reliable. At one point he blinked and stared so intently at something that it seemed that his vision had broken through the barriers and that he was now gazing at the man who was taking such an interest in watching them all. But of course he could not see the unknown spy. For now, at least, he would remain quite unknown.
He sighed. They would most likely end up in some sort of trouble, now that they were here. He just hoped that he would not have to worry about getting them out of it. There were too many other things that he had on his mind. He would really be perfectly content if he did not have to personally encounter them at all. And he was certain that they would prefer that as well.
The sound of the door opening caused him to turn. He smiled when he saw his young daughter standing there. Greeting her by name, he asked, "What is it?"
She bit her lip. "It's Colchis," she reported quietly. "He's outside." She knew what her father was doing, and she was concerned, knowing that it was risky. But she was happy that he was trying to help correct this problem before it went out of hand. Now he was once again the father that she remembered from before his mind had been corrupted.
"I see," he said quietly. "Well. I'll go out to meet him then." He laid a hand gently on her head as he passed by. She watched him go, praying that Colchis would never learn the true reason as to why her father was helping him.
Sapphire's palace was fashioned with many fascinating niches and secret passages, as the Ishtars were all well aware. None of them could forget their escape from the crazed army that had led them deep into the secret chambers of a seldom-traveled tunnel. If it hadn't been for Paul leading them safely out, they might have been captured for certain.
Marik sighed as he rolled onto his stomach in the spacious suite he and his siblings were occupying. He had been spending a happy time with Kade as the child had led him throughout the palace and showed him all his favorite places to go, but now Kade was down for a nap and Marik was back to his worried thoughts of what to do for the failing kingdom.
"So many people perished here before," he murmured quietly, hugging the down pillow and looking over at Rishid, who was sitting at a desk, and Ishizu, who was looking out the window. "Paul . . . Adelpha . . . Kade's father . . . and so many nameless persons. . . . They all died trying to stop Fafnir and Colchis and the Red Zealot." He spit the last words out as if they tasted bad. He had been so horrified and disgusted when he had discovered that his Yami was the assassin terrorizing the kingdom! Thank goodness he was gone now . . . at least, Marik hoped he was gone. He hoped it with all of his heart.
"Yes," Ishizu replied, a hint of sadness in her gentle, melodic voice. "And most likely there will be other casualties this time. . . ." She couldn't ignore the uneasy feeling that something horrible was bound to happen before their first night here was even ended. Subconsciously she clenched her fist. What if her brothers were destined for horrors again? She couldn't bear the thought, but she knew it was likely. Even Mokuba wasn't really safe here. In spite of Sapphire's vision—and her own—she couldn't see the logic of sending for a child. How could Mokuba really do much to help in a world where even adults had trouble staying alive?
"But we will stay strong to each other," Rishid put in, "throughout whatever happens." And he would continue to protect his precious brother and sister. Harm would not come to them if he could help it. And he intended to make certain that he could, indeed, help it. Being back here in Juno only made the memories of seeing Marik laying so lifeless all the more pronounced and horrible. He remembered it all in frightening detail—the blood running from the deep wound in Marik's back, the boy's cold, pale flesh, his vacant lavender eyes as he had told Rishid of the light he had seen. . . . And involuntarily he gave a shudder. He wasn't pleased to be back in Juno, though he was glad for Marik's sake that he had been able to come and find Kade again. And if they were all needed, then Rishid was glad that they were here. Indeed, they truly had to save Juno if they wanted to save their own world, it seemed. And there were many good people in Juno that Rishid didn't want to see die. He determined to do his best to see to it that there were no more needless deaths at all.
"Of course we will," Marik vowed, still clutching the pillow. "And somehow, we have to triumph! So many lives depend on it . . . including Kade's. . . ."
At that moment the doorknob turned and the child in question bounded in cheerfully. "Dinner's all ready, Mr. Marik!" he chirped. "You and your brother and sister can come eat now!" He beamed, showing his white teeth. All of the Ishtars had to smile back gently at this sight. He was such an innocent, loving, trusting child. And he reminded Ishizu and Rishid so much of Marik when he had been that age.
Marik set the pillow down and climbed off the bed. "Alright then," he smiled, "shall we go? I am feeling hungry after our journey here." He ruffled Kade's curls and the child giggled happily, hurrying to the door and then turning to wait for Marik and the others. When they came, the siblings were led down the hall to the banquet room, the wonderful aromas making them realize just how hungry they were. None of them had any idea of what a nearby madman was plotting.
Sapphire smiled weakly as she watched her son and all of their guests eating the hearty banquet that had been prepared in honor of their arrival. Valon, especially, seemed to be enjoying himself, judging from the way he was greedily chomping on the edibles. Both Alister and Raphael were shaking their heads and giving him stern looks as they ate in a much quieter manner, but Valon paid them no heed. Sapphire just hoped the streetwise teenager wouldn't wind up choking.
"You said you would explain more over dinner." Seto's cold voice cut through the air like a knife. He wanted to get down to business and hear some logical explanations and instructions. He had spent the afternoon pondering in the room he and Mokuba had been given, just wanting out of the entire situation—or at least, for Mokuba to be allowed to go home. But he knew that Mokuba wouldn't go back without him. And as much as he hated to admit it, if Sapphire was right about their dimensions' futures being intertwined, then it was probably quite necessary to fix the problems that were going on. He couldn't deny that Mokuba had been right—Seto did care about the children and didn't want them to be suffering. But more than anything else, he didn't want Mokuba to suffer.
Sapphire sighed, setting her fork down on her plate. "Yes," she agreed, "I remember. And I intend to, though I am afraid there is little I can give in the way of explanations for where the Talisman might be or what Colchis is planning." Her blue eyes took on a deep, faroff gaze. "Suffice to say," she said finally, choosing her words carefully, "that this has become a cursed land, Seto Kaiba. And there are many who do not accept my rule as queen. This is partially because of how I was forced to go into hiding with Kade for so long after Fafnir murdered my husband—Kade's father. Some of the people feel that it was wrong of me to abandon my subjects as I did." And she didn't blame them for being upset by it. Sometimes she had wondered if she had made the right decision. Perhaps Kade would have been safer in the end if Sapphire had remained at the palace and had tried to correct what had happened. But Fafnir's power had been so great that she had been afraid for her son's life. It was understandable that she had fled.
"And what is the other part?" Raphael spoke up when there was a lengthy hesitation in Sapphire's explanation. He watched as she blinked, startled, coming out of her reverie and fully realizing where she was once more.
The woman sighed. "The other part," she admitted, "is that a good portion of the kingdom revered Fafnir and can't believe that he was the wicked man we know him to have been. This faction was furious when they found out that Fafnir had been killed in battle. They believe it to have been a secret, devilish plot devised by me and some of my loyal followers in order to reclaim control of Juno for myself." She glanced at Kade, seeing how he seemed to be involved in eating his dinner and describing to Marik what each kind of food was like. He didn't seem bothered by the discussion topic. Sapphire hoped that it was really true and that he wasn't just trying to put on a brave front. But usually he ignored "grownup" discussions, finding them either too boring or too depressing. Sapphire hoped that he had ignored this one and had not heard her mentioning his father's death. It had been an event that had affected the child deeply and had caused him to cling desperately to Marik when they found each other, considering the teen to be a surrogate father.
"It sounds," Seto remarked, "as though you govern an irritating and uncontrollable bunch of people." It was all familiar to him, as CEO of KaibaCorp—the slanderous rumors, the believing people, everyone united for one purpose—that of bringing Seto Kaiba down. But he had always withstood it all and had refused to allow their attempts to work. He wouldn't be as successful as he was if he had ever given in to the pressure he was faced with constantly.
Sapphire sighed, then gently smiled as Kade innocently asked for someone to please pass the potatoes. Alister, who was nearest to the bowl, passed it along to the child, who beamed and said thank you in such a sweet voice. Kade was such a refreshing respite from the queenly duties she bore. He brought such a joy into her life. If anything happened to him, she didn't know how she would ever bear it.
"They are confused," she said now in answer to Seto's statement. "So much has gone on in this land, where they have lived and loved and hated for all of their lives. There have been many deceitful rulers and much betrayal. It is only natural that they would not accept me after what I have done—and what they believe I may have done." In truth, she wasn't certain that she would be the ruler much longer. There were not many of the palace servants and guards whom she fully trusted. Every morning when she awoke and found that she was still alive, she was both surprised and thankful. She feared that one day there would be an assassination attempt that would not fail—and Kade would be left alone. She couldn't let that happen. But she would not speak of these things while Kade was present. Even when she thought he wasn't listening to the conversations, she usually found later that he had been listening better than she had thought, especially if talk of her safety had been involved.
Valon dipped a river of gravy over his potatoes. "So," he spoke up, "what about those crystal things we were given?" he wanted to know. "What are they even supposed to do?" He blinked across the long table at Sapphire, his blue eyes full of curiosity and confusion. To be honest, he was slightly leery of the gem that was in their possession. After the Orichalcos stone, he didn't know that he wanted anything more to do with any kind of jewel reported to contain magical powers. Perhaps he generally seemed to be the most carefree of the trio, but in actuality he could be serious as well. Behind the constant laughs and smiles he hid quite a bit of the pain he had suffered throughout his short life.
Sapphire ran a hand over her brow as if she was feeling ill. Truth be told, she found that another of the headaches that had been plaguing her of late was coming on. She had never understood why she had been getting them, but she had noticed that they had begun shortly after the Talisman had started behaving erratically. She had to wonder if there was a connection.
"I wish I could be of more help when it comes to the crystals," she announced quietly, "but I know little more than any of you. The crystals were delivered to me when I awoke from my vision and I knew that I had been told to send them to you, but I was not told what powers they held or how they would be of help." She knew Seto Kaiba, especially, was going to be disgusted with this information. And she supposed she didn't really blame him. He was worried about his brother's safety since they had been thrust into this strange kingdom and wouldn't take kindly to the fact that Sapphire didn't know what the crystals were for.
Indeed, Seto's lip curled in disgust. "Is there anything you do know about how we're supposed to protect our worlds?" he growled. "You mentioned someone named Colchis and indicated that he is probably behind the devastation. Do you have any idea where he might be operating from?" The sooner they could find the one responsible, the better. Then they could stop him and return home.
Sapphire shook her head. "The only place I knew to check was his brother Fafnir's home, but he was not there. Colchis had worked and lived here in the palace, until the events leading up his brother's death forced him to flee." And of late, without any semblance of an army, she couldn't possibly have even looked for him anywhere else. Of course, the eight people she had now were hardly an army, but they would have to do. She was confident that they could—and would—save Juno. They had to. They were her last hope.
Seto frowned darkly. It seemed to him as if they had been sent to complete a mission that was next to impossible. They didn't even have anything to go on! Finding one man and a malfunctioning Talisman in this kingdom would not be easy. And from the way it seemed, they would have plenty of opposition. The only thing holding him back from ordering Sapphire to return him and Mokuba at once was the thought that their dimension could wind up in a catastrophe of its own if Juno fell. He wasn't certain that he really believed they had crossed over into another dimension, but he did know that if one country fell in the world he knew, it could affect other countries as well. For now, he would consider Juno as an undiscovered country and not an alternate dimension. That helped him deal with things better.
"I saw a suspicious-looking group of people from my window," Alister spoke up now, looking to Sapphire for an explanation. "They were carrying weapons and seemed to have a definite destination in mind. I would assume that they are part of the rebel movement?" Or maybe something else. Mercenaries, perhaps?
Sapphire was troubled at Alister's news. "The rebels try not to be seen openly carrying weapons," she said slowly, "and especially not that close to the palace. The only reason they ever would is if they were about to stage an attack." Immediately she demanded to know what direction they seemed to be headed in and Alister informed her that they were going away from the palace. If they had actually stayed near the palace, he would have told her sooner, he said.
Marik frowned, listening to their conversation. "If they weren't among the rebels who want to overthrow you, then who could they have been?" he wanted to know, watching Sapphire carefully for her reaction. He realized that she might not want to talk about this further in front of Kade, and he would definitely understand if she didn't. The child shouldn't have to be continually exposed to so much at his young age!
"Juno has become overrun with madness and outlaws," Sapphire replied after a pause. But Kade already knew this well. Sapphire never let him roam outside the palace any more for fear of what he might run into. There were so many enemies afoot! "I believe that many criminals attempting to escape justice have come here to hide. And with such criminals come other entities that generally would not be welcome—mercenaries, bounty hunters, fighters-for-hire. . . ." She put a hand to her forehead again. The headache was becoming more intense. And each time the troublesome ailment came upon her, it stayed longer than the last. Sapphire didn't know what she was going to do. Not even her physicians could determine the cause of the headaches. She personally wondered if it had any connection with the problems in Juno and the Talisman's disappearance.
"Are you okay, Mommy?" Kade asked now, watching her with worried blue eyes. He knew of her headaches, though she tried not to let him see the severity of the pain she would go through when she had them. But Kade was more attentive than Sapphire realized. He knew she suffered and he was worried for her. She hadn't had a spell for a few days now and they had both hoped that perhaps there would be no more. But now it was happening again. Kade determined to ask Marik if he knew of anything that could be done. After all, the child thought innocently to himself, Marik was wise. Surely he would know what to do!
Sapphire looked up and tried to smile weakly. "Yes, darling," she managed to say, slowly getting up from the table. The pain was worsening and she wanted to retreat to her quarters quickly before it intensified to the point where she would begin having double vision and vertigo. That had happened the last two times she had experienced this and she was certain it would happen again now. "But . . . I am afraid you must excuse me now," she said, looking at her guests now. "It's . . . it's been a long week and I am growing weary." Her hand shook as she gripped the back of the chair for balance.
Instantly Ishizu rose and went to her, seeing her distress and agony. "Please," she implored softly, "allow me to come with you." She looked into Sapphire's blue eyes with her own. It was obvious, at least to her, that there was more to the ruler's sudden illness than she was letting on. If they got away from the others—and especially Kade—perhaps Ishizu would be able to help Sapphire and determine what was wrong.
Sapphire looked at her with immense gratitude. "Thank you," she said gratefully, her voice shaking. Ishizu carefully began helping her toward the door.
Kade leaped up now and ran over to them, his innocent eyes shining with worried tears. "Mommy, it's happening again, isn't it?" he wailed. "It's those awful, mean headaches!" He gripped a handful of Sapphire's gown with his small hands. Marik got up as well, to go over and comfort him. The others looked on, concern and confusion written in their eyes and their expressions.
Sapphire smiled again, but it was weak and her desire was increasingly to go lay down. "It's not bad, Kade," she reassured him. "I just need to rest for a while. You can show Marik around some more in the meantime. I'm sure you haven't shown him all of the palace yet." She chuckled softly, now slightly leaning on the wall.
Kade bit his lip. "No," he admitted, "I haven't, but Mommy. . . ." He started when he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder.
Marik smiled down at him. "Let's let your mother rest now, alright?" he said. "I'm sure that after a good rest she'll feel refreshed and the pain will be gone." At least he hoped so. He knew that neither he or anyone else there was aware of the reason for Sapphire's illness. He hoped that Ishizu would be able to find something out.
The child sniffled. "Okay," he mumbled, letting go of Sapphire's dress and letting her and Ishizu continue out the door. When they were gone, he immediately embraced Marik for comfort and told him of what he knew when Marik prodded him gently for information. The Egyptian teenager—and the others—all listened grimly, none certain of what the reason might be unless it was the immense stress the poor woman was going through. And that was quite likely. They hoped that it was only that and not something more serious.
Sapphire didn't return for the rest of the evening. Her guests soon retired to their rooms, save for Marik, who stayed with Kade and traveled with him to several more of the child's favorite locations in the palace, and Ishizu, who talked with Sapphire long into the hours as the woman tried to sleep but continually would wake up again. Rishid busied himself with a book he had found in the suite he shared with his siblings, on the history of Juno. He remembered some of the kingdom's past from their previous visit and his brief tenure as king, but it wouldn't hurt to brush up on some of the various events that had helped make Juno what it once had been. Perhaps he would even find a clue that would help them.
Seto, bored and frustrated still, finally decided to simply go to bed. There wasn't much that could be accomplished at night, he figured. He didn't want to explore a strange land when it got late. There was no telling what he might run into. Early in the morning he would go exploring, probably with the others in tow. But he wished Mokuba, at least, would stay back at the palace. At the moment, he knew, the child had gone exploring the palace on his own. Seto wasn't too worried, as long as Mokuba didn't venture outside. And he was certain that wouldn't happen.
Alister and Raphael, meanwhile, were discussing what should be done and what might go wrong on their escapade. Raphael, who was pessimistic anyway, was finding so many new ways that disasters could happen in this odd world. And Alister, who had already experienced a war, was quick to supply other possibilities as he thought of them. Naturally the conversation became quite macabre and Valon found himself wanting a break from it all.
Quietly he slipped out of the room and wandered down the marble corridor, still awed by the splendor and majesty of the building. It wasn't like the Orichalcos temple where he and the other two had once lived. That location had been dark and mysterious, with the torches casting strange shadows on the walls and floor. This palace, in contrast, was bright and cheerful, though a certain sadness swept down the halls and was obvious in any room Valon was in.
He shuddered, remembering Sapphire's sad eyes. How much had the kingdom suffered before she had sent for Valon and the others? And how much more would it still suffer? . . . How much would they suffer? He doubted that they would all come out of this unscathed. That would be naive and childish thinking. There was practically a war brewing in this land! And Valon was certain that it would, indeed, break loose. Sooner or later they would all be caught up in it.
Heh. . . . Never once thought, when I was just an orphaned anklebiter in Sydney, that I would wind up joining an organization like Doom, meeting the two best friends I could ever have, and later on end up being sent to a messed up alternate dimension and being one of the only people who can save it. It's kinda crazy.
As he continued around the corner, he heard a horrible crash followed by an alarmed scream. Instantly alert, he immediately began to run, hoping to find the source of the calamity. It looks like things aren't wasting any time happening!
The first person he met was Ishizu, emerging from Sapphire's room. Her normally calm blue eyes were now filled with a worry that Valon hadn't seen from her before. "Do you know where my brothers are?" was her greeting.
Valon frowned. "Naw," he replied, "I haven't seen them. Why? What's wrong? Do you know what that crash was?"
Ishizu nodded grimly. "I had a vision," she informed him. "Somewhere in the palace, a fire has been started!"
Valon stared at her in disbelief. "Well, let's find out where, then!" he cried, running off down the hall again. He couldn't know that he was being observed, and not by Ishizu nor anyone else in the palace. Nor could he have known the events that would happen in the next twenty-four hours and where he would be before the next evening.
