Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Children of Destiny ❯ Unleashing ( Chapter 16 )

Unleashing

Sam: ^()^ EH OH!!!! *looking the review column* before I start this I want to straighten some things out.

Yugi's Angel: Yes the story `is' still about Yugi/Gabriel, which is what I'm finally getting back on track to now. The Katsuya/Seth situation was only supposed to be a side thing to establish grounding for their relationship but since I'm not a professional writer who gets paid to write this kind of stuff I go off track. Anyway the thing is the story is like a tree… where lots of little itty-bitty stories branch away from the main plot, (with the Katsuya/Seth as the main spin off) and basically they screw up my brain really badly. Read Vote your Fanfic and you'll see why. @_________@

Zoolander: I'm afraid `this' story is not going to tell you how Katsuya turned bad but… there will hopefully be a spin-off fic explaining it in full detail. T__________T I'm sorry for leading you astray but you must understand… THERE'S TOO MUCH GOING AROUND IN MY HEAD AND I CAN'T CONTROL IT AAAAAAAARRRRGGGGGGGHHHHH!!!!! (About the borrow the brain thing… I'd `give' it to you if you really wanted it `that' badly but I must tell you my brain's a ticking time bomb and will be ready to explode any second and it will be very messy and mess up your pwetty carpet)

LS: Poor, poor Madyamisam doesn't own any Yugioh characters. The only things she does own is the computer she's typing on, the baddies, a few OC characters and her ticking time bomb brain…

Sam: @____@

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The scenes had shifted, as Yami and others seemed to float alongside the memory following the four mysterious foreigners. They were silent as they trekked across the deserts sands towards northeast. Halfway on a ship where they had set sail to the islands of Greece was where the blonde princess sighed and sat down massaging her feet. The bodyguard dressed in white had disappeared to the top deck.

"So how did it go?" a voice asked the group that was there. It was then that the two other bodyguards had taken off their masks and let down their hoods. It was revealed that the one in black appeared to be a child version of Ryou whilst the one in red revealed to be a Chibi Malik.

"Awful…" the chibi Ryou look alike replied.

"Absolutely terrible" added the platinum blonde. The young princess brushed off her blonde wig revealing locks of brown.

"We got laughed at all the way out of the kingdom," the little princess pouted. Then out of the shadows dressed in an elaborate green tunic and carrying the great gold staff with the dragonhead resting on a crystal ball. His blonde hair tied tightly in a bun on the top of his head, which was wrapped in a cloth… (A/N: It's like Chung Li's bun hair from Street Fighter except that it's only one on the top of his head instead of two). Chibi Katsuya stood grinning whilst staring with his jade green eyes down at his three friends.

"Then that means its all going according to plan," he said. The little brown-headed girl stared up at the young man with confused eyes.

"But… I don't get it… why has the emperor ordered me to swap positions with Yin, why did she throw away her hand when she could have won the match and WHY DO I HAVE TO WEAR THIS STUPID WIG!?!?!?" she yelled. Katsuya bit his lip sheepishly but was cut off with a giggle from the young girl's companions.

"The wig was my idea," the Malik look alike answered before the fuming little brunette chased him all over the place.

"ISHIZU SATO, COME BACK HERE!!!!" she screamed. The one called Ishizu stuck out a tongue at the little girl before he dashed out onto deck. The white headed chibi shook his head before he finally spoke up.

"You ought to stop your little sister before she kills Ishizu, Katsuya" Katsuya merely smiled before sitting down on the table. "Um… Katsuya I need to know, why did the emperor have Shizuka and Yin swap positions? Yin would have surely won the pharaoh's affection from her looks alone" Katsuya blinked.

"I don't think it is my place to say… I'm sure if Yin wants to divulge her and the emperor's plans then it would be better coming from them rather than me…" the little white headed chibi pouted but shrugged and a mischievous smile spread upon his lips.

"So… how about you? Why didn't you come to the banquet?" he asked with a glint in his eye. Katsuya shifted in his seat whilst a slight pink tinge went to his face.

"I… had other things to attend to"

"'Other' things? As if between you and… you-know-who?" Rei prodded. Large green eyes glared defiantly at earth brown ones.

"Cut that out Rei… Nothing's up… Ling just requested my company with her and Anduin at the Greek islands… that's all…" he replied.

"Was it Ling or `Anduin' that wanted your company?" Katsuya went a shade of red and glared at his friend. Rei however just grinned whilst glancing at Katsuya now and then making him even more uncomfortable than before. The three invisible spectators however seemed to be moved away from them and led up to the upper decks where the stranger in white stood letting the breeze of the Mediterranean sea air blow upon the soft silk fabrics and gradually peeling away the veil that covered her face. Yami's eyes softened as he stared at the little girl.

"Yin" he whispered afraid to even touch her in case she broke from his contact. Young Yin stood in the open as the white cloth had unravelled the ebony hair tinged with crimson streaks and golden bangs fluttered against her amethyst eyes and her perfect porcelain face. The veil was plucked off her shoulders and flew away into the air as if beginning a journey of it's own. She smiled as she watched the sun set in the Egyptian sands and sailed away home. Yami watched as the little princess had travelled over the vast lands of Greece, Turkey, India and Russia to finally reach the great doors of the Forbidden City (1). Her servants and loyal friends Rei, Ishizu, Katsuya and Shizuka marched alongside her being welcomed by their families.

"Oh Rei… you must have had a tiring journey…" a woman said embracing the white headed child. A man hugging the young platinum blonde followed this. He was almost definitely Ishizu's father. Katsuya's little sister squealed seeing their parents wave at them happily.

"Katsuya… it's mama and papa" she squealed running towards them and jumping into their arms. Katsuya followed walking towards them in a more sensible manner. His mother embraced him.

"We have missed you both so much…" she whispered in his ears, her unshed tears lingered in her eyes whilst their father stared proudly at the two children. Yami and the others however happy for the young children to be reunited with their parents pressed on to follow Yin. Yami growled at the sight as he stared at the emperor and one other. His eyes narrowed at the man with sleek white hair and deep blue eyes dressed in robes of blood red and black with a chain of small bones painted in silver fastening a long cape to his tunic. The emperor was also not happy to see Gabriel who stood in all his arrogant glory. Dressed in gold, the symbol of royalty and on his throne, the sculpture of a dragon's head on his right and the phoenix on his left together hanging next to him like his personal guardians.

"Your Grace… I assure you your daughter will be in safe hands and your kingdom even more powerful once united with mine…" The emperor let out a silent exasperated sigh.

"Your empire has grown considerably in these recent years Gabriel but I must decline your offer… besides… the daughter you seek is to be accosted with the Prince in India by the next moon…" Gabriel glared angrily.

"Surely you are mistaken for I recall that my kingdom is far greater than this prince in India…"

"True… but what I seek kingdoms that govern their people with fairness and justice… not with tyranny and the use of the dark arts"

"You are afraid of those simple parlour tricks?" the man scoffed. "Honestly Emperor Xia I would have expected a better reason than that"

"Do not mock me in my own kingdom Gabriel… I do know the difference between harmless parlour tricks to the kind that you use…" Gabriel glared as his cerulean eyes burned bright red with anger and fury and threw a fireball at the emperor. The two sculptures either side of the emperor began to glow themselves and from their eyes of blue and green shone a shield that smothered the fiery attack against the king. Emperor Xia glared at Gabriel whose angry sneer turned to a halfhearted shrug.

"Merely testing your… abilities your grace. They are much to be admired," he said retracting the attempted assassination. The emperor merely stared at the demon lord showing no fear or anger. Gabriel bowed his head breaking any connection of eye contact the emperor had tried to hold on him. He knew that the emperor was renowned for his keen ability to read people and kept his head down but by doing so he had noticed the tri coloured hair of the small child that had crept her way into the court and was now peeping behind her father's throne. She had noticed him gazing at her and shied quickly away. But in that split second his eyes dilated at the sight of the little girl and he let out a silent gasp at the beautiful innocence and purity in her soul. The emperor narrowed his eyes attentively at the demon lord before he continued.

"Unfortunately all my daughters who have come of age already have suitors of their own. The only ones that I have left still have a few years yet to go before they become the respectable age to be a woman"

"Then I shall wait until they become of age and in these years… I shall gain one of them so help me" Gabriel announced glaring at the emperor before he flicked his cloak to the side and strode out of the palace. The emperor sat glaring until he disappeared before he closed his eyes and sighed. He let a smirk cross his lips as Chibi Yin peeped out into view blinking innocently up at him.

"You need to be extra careful from now on little one…" he whispered as he pulled the little girl onto his lap. Yin smiled as she cuddled against her father. "Let's just hope that this Prince Yami lives up to our expectations hmm?" Yin smiled and nodded happily. "So, what's he like?" the emperor asked childishly. Yami was also eager to know as he stepped up closer to hear Yin's answer. The child sat thoughtfully pursing her lips and for the first time spoke.

"A little big headed for my taste…" she answered simply. Yami fell over making a face whilst his friends broke into hysterical laughter. Yami pulled himself back together before he crossed his arms pouting disapprovingly at her evaluation. "… but I trust he'll take good care of Tyrande…" Yami's pout turned into a warm smile before the little chibi discussed other things with the emperor and then hopped off to play. Yami followed as her maids had gathered around with a little casket of a pure white rabbit. Yin brought it out and petted it whilst sitting at the pond. "Oh!" she cried in surprise as all of a sudden the white rabbit had leapt out of her arms and hopped away. She immediately chased after it until it had reached at an awkward edge at the pond. She tried to reach out to it whilst hanging suspended over the pond and threatening to fall into it and soon enough she slipped and yelped taking a breath before she plummeted into the coldness of the water. It never happened as she felt strong arms grasp around her waist. She looked up to see that the white headed man with blue eyes had come her way and had quickly dove to her rescue. Gabriel had had a glimpse of the little princess only for a brief second but it was enough to pique his curiosity and desire to gaze upon once more and from this he had found his chance. Yin could tell that the moment he laid eyes on her his eyes had filled with desire. He looked over her shoulder and gently scooped up the rabbit with one hand before easing into Yin's arms and wrapping his arms around her. She wriggled a bit but seemed subdued by his touch on her porcelain face. (A/N: Paedophile) His fingers traced a line across her lips and brushing gently against long lashes with a feather like touch. His trademark had always been in seduction as he pulled her closer to him. Yami stared horrified at this and yelled and shouted at little Yin who had gone glassy eyed.

"LEAVE HER ALONE!!!!" Yami yelled going to ram at Gabriel only to just past harmlessly through him like a ghost.

"Sssh…" Gabriel whispered as his lips brushed against her hair then her skin so light and gentle upon almost like a breeze upon the fair smooth complexion.

"Yin!!! Yin look away!!!! Yin!!!" Yami resorted to yelling at Yin. The Sennen eye upon his forehead glowed and Yin blinked.

"Huh?" the glassy look disappearing as she snapped out of her trance. Realising their current position she wriggled out of the white headed demon's grasp and held the rabbit close to her heart.

"Yin…" Gabriel whispered to the little girl who backed away. There was a sense of gentleness in his voice, something totally different from what Yami had seen with his previous encounters with Gabriel. "I'm sorry little one if I frightened you…" Yin frowned and wanted to get away but she was trapped in a corner where the only exit was through Gabriel. Gabriel inched closer to her with a coaxing gaze and smiled almost lovingly. Yin narrowed her eyes as she held the innocent rabbit closer to her.

"Yin!?!?" a voice yelled in the distance distracting the white headed man long enough for her to slip past him. She glanced back at Gabriel and though she never spoke Gabriel could tell that she wanted him to stay far away from her. Yami sighed in relief then glared at Gabriel.

The memory then started to melt away again to reveal that they had been put forward for a few years. Akunumkanon sighed as he entered his chambers after a long hard day with the council discussing of the petty problems his people had. He sighed as he went pass his chambers noticing the figure sprawled against the desk of a huge pile of scrolls. Akunumkanon bit his lip as he saw his son fast asleep after an incredibly hard day of schooling. The black and white kitten that was curled next to him opened one eye and unravelled herself before lowing her head low as if bowing in respect to the great pharaoh. He smirked whilst stroking her chin before he glanced at the work of the foreign scriptures of Mandarin that he had ordered Atemu to learn within 6 months. He then noticed his wife Anya leaning against the doorway staring at him.

"I've been too hard on him again haven't I?" he asked his wife. Anya shrugged.

"Yes, you have… " Anya replied with a smirk. Akunumkanon cringed at such a direct answer. "Well let's run this through and you can see it for yourself. First you forced him to learn the political concepts of the largest empire in the known world at the age of five. Then you paraded him around to search for a future wife at the age of eight and now you're making him learn a whole different language from scratch from a land that he hasn't even heard of and not just any language but one that has 1000 characters (2) in it's alphabet plus you want him to accomplish this within six months… Have I left anything out?" Akunumkanon bit his lip, his wife appeared to be the only one that could make him cower and that was saying something judging from his position. He sighed.

"I should make it up to him"

Anya smiled before she spoke of her advice. "I'm happy that we were blessed with such an intelligent son but one needs to understand, he as the future pharaoh should have the right to having everything… that includes the simple things that our people give to their sons and daughters" Akunumkanon glanced at Anya then smiled nodding in agreement. The queen returned the gesture and went on her way to bed. Atemu started to stir from his slumber and a smile crept on his lips. Blinking a couple of times he realised he still had a lot of work to do and went into a panic then noticing the looming figure in front of him. He shrunk a little before finally meeting his eyes with the pharaoh who had put on his strict and serious mask, which he had used countless times in the council down at Atemu. Atemu tried not to look to intimidated and prepared for the worse. Akunumkanon's expression softened.

"Finish with this page, then go to bed. I'll talk to you in the morning" he said before he went to his chambers leaving a very confused Atemu.

"Mueh" Tyrande went rubbing her face into Atemu's hand. The young prince smiled at the feline before he went back to his studies biting his lip in concentration trying to figure out a particular character. He hesitantly drew on the character then frowned. He had to be careful. One accidental could change the whole meaning of the word and perhaps the whole sentence too. He was surprised when Tyrande had got on her hind legs and placed her paws on his book looking cutely at him.

"I don't think I have the energy to play with you Tyrande. I do want to actually sleep in my bed tonight…" he explained to the kitten before nudging her away and trying to figure out the answer which eluded him to no end.

"Mueh…" came a reply as the little kitten had jumped back on his desk and did something very strange. Atemu's eyes looked at her incredulously as she seemed to analyse his answer with the instructions given in the book before she dipped her tail into the ink and traced a line upon the signature. Atemu looked at it and somehow the symbol fit with the answer.

"You know you could have told me you knew this stuff," he pouted whilst Tyrande merely mewled in what looked like a smile. After working out some other symbols he had found another difficult question to answer and pondered before writing it down then looked at the little kitten for confirmation. Tyrande glanced at the answer then the question then shook her head and corrected it for him. He smiled as they had finished the page in almost no time at all.

The next morning Atemu stretched and snuggled in the bed that he hadn't slept on for months considering he would normally fall asleep at his work desk or stayed up for the whole night. He sighed and smiled at the kitten beside him that was curled up on his pillow. Then the door to his chamber opened as his father came in. He sighed knowing that it wouldn't last before he was off to another gruelling task set for him for the day. Akunumkanon however pushed him back onto the bed.

"You need the rest. I'll talk to you while you're in bed" he said. Atemu looked strangely at this sudden change. "As we know you're coming to age very soon and it is high time that you were allowed to venture outside the palace walls…" Atemu resisted the urge to roll his eyes "at least without having to sneak out and perhaps… further than that even… a lot further…"

"What do you mean?"

"In the next full moon I'll be travelling up north and… you'll be coming along too" Atemu blinked not believing his ears; his eyes seemed to go starry from these news.

"Really?" he asked. Akunumkanon smiled nodding. The smile had widened until it was almost painful and it took all the self-control Atemu had to not glomp his father and keep himself contained as he was taught to do. The month had passed briefly as father and son along with Seth, Honda and Ishtar left their kingdom and trekked across the sands of the Sahara Desert then past the Greek islands heading east. They had reached the leafy rainforest in India when it happened. The earth quaked beneath the travelling caravan.

"WHAT'S HAPPENING!?!?" Honda yelled when suddenly the cracks upon the floors opened up and swallowed the four friends. Darkness and shadow gave way to light, as the youths became conscious again only to find themselves strapped by the arms with some kind of silk interwoven into catacombs of a huge web. A distant scuttling sound shifted in the stale air as Yami saw his younger self-struggling against his bonds.

"Seth? Seth!?!?" Atemu cried out in the dark and looking around on the huge web that had trapped all of his friends and yet the blue-eyed brunette wasn't there. Hairy legs then suddenly appeared and a dark patch of liquid seemed to form around the base of the foot and left a puddle against the dead leaves strewed across the floor. The moonlight seemed to reflect the light of eight large eyes glaring unblinking at the many victims tied to the web.

"Sisters… we have more… guests" it spoke as fangs dripped with venom and lust as the hairy bodies of the great arachnids seemed to stand on end.

"What are those things?" Atemu whispered to himself staring wide-eyed at the looming shadowy figure.

"Oh I'll tell you what they are…" a voice spoke to him quite casually. Bakura who was watching groaned in embarrassment as he saw his cocky young self-having a panic attack.

"THEY'RE THE LAST THINGS WE'LL SEE BEFORE WE DIE!!!!!" young Bakura screamed. Yami looked at the former tomb robber.

"It's no wonder why I hated you…" he remarked receiving a growl as his answer. Slowly as though as they moved into the light the body of the arachnid had disappeared replaced with the figure of a beautiful woman. (A/N: Inspiration from the film `Pirates of the Caribbean' Johnny Depp is SO funny… weird at times… but funny…) Almost naked safe with few measly silk scarves wrapped around them, most of the boys seemed to be in awe at their voluptuous beauty whilst Bakura and another trembled at the sight of them. The spider/woman smiled before she moved to a poor red head that was probably there at the same time Bakura was trapped in the web.

The woman smiled then kissed him on the lips, gentle at first as if coaxing him to give in then slipping a her tongue into his mouth and tasting the inside. Breaking off she licked his forehead where a stain of purple appeared from her saliva. The youth's breath was shallow as he tried to see what the colour was on his forehead. The woman looked behind her at the arachnid figures and nodded her head in a confirmation of some kind where then many seemed to gather around the poor youth. Cutting him down the hair legs carried the boy into the shadows followed by the woman.

"No… NONONONO!!!!" the young red head screamed as the sound of ripping flesh echoed from his tortured voice. Though it was in the shadows Atemu could vaguely see from the moonlight as the creatures crowded around the young man and long fangs appeared in an execution style before plunging in into the body. The body convulsed and shook as if being sucked dry. The screams had died down now into weak groans and eventually silence except for the sick sounds of broken mutilated flesh being mauled away before something was tossed into the light seeing parts of the red scattered across the floor, an arm lay limp and twitching nearby Bakura, the skin a sickly green colour whilst the head of the red head who had rolled next to Atemu, the eyes had rolled into the head showing nothing but the white of the eyeball, whilst a sickly green slime dripped from the wounds and mouth. Yami closed his eyes tightly hoping that it was just a horrible nightmare.

"Believe it or not but that's not the worse thing that could happen…" uttered a cheerful voice breaking the terrifying silence among the youths. Bakura's face went paler than ever had been seen.

"WHAT IN RA WOULD BE WORSE THAN BEING RIPPED APART LIKE THAT!!!!" Honda screamed hysterically turning his head to the speaker.

"What are those things?" Atemu asked. This time another voice answered him.

"They're spider demons who call themselves Arachnymphs and like spiders they catch their prey by getting letting them fall into their special pitfall webs they've built to catch some poor unsuspecting traveller and then it's as you've just seen, it's usually males they like to hunt though they don't mind having a girl for tea now and then…" the four youths widened their eyes considerably whilst listening to stranger. They noticed the stranger was dressed in foreign silk of an aqua blue cloak, a hood shadowing over the face. Beside him who was obviously a companion of his was in similar attire aside from the colour of being a fiery red instead of the watery blue.

"You said there was a fate much worse than what that boy just faced" Ishtar whispered trying to keep his voice from shaking. "What is it?"

The two looked at each other where a smirk played on their lips. "Well…" the red hooded stranger began. "That licking thing they do to your forehead is a kind of indicator. Usually it's purple and you've just witnessed what happens when your mark is purple so I won't really go into the grisly details… on a very, very rare occasion one gets marked with gold and that means they've struck gold" the stranger paused for dramatic affect. "And when that happens they take you inside that cave… leaving the rest to either escape or die from hunger and thirst" he turned his gaze towards a misty opening of a large cavern opening. "Not entirely sure what happens in there but survivors that have seen this incident said the victims were taken into the cave where they would cry, groan and scream for days before it fell silent again… and as for the victim? They never came out…" the four youths gulped at the explanation and shuddered at the thought.

"I don't really like where this is going…" Honda whimpered at the thought. The red hooded stranger shrugged.

"Ah don't worry… as I said it's a very rare occasion giving the rare circumstances…."

"And what are those rare circumstances?" Bakura asked.

"Well…" the blue hooded stranger began but the red hood that loved to talk about these things continued.

"Any of you guys have royal blood in you?" The youths glanced at Atemu. Atemu nodded hesitantly not liking where the conversation was heading. "Still a virgin?" Both Atemu and his future self flushed bright red on the cheeks. "I guess that means yes… ooh… the Arachnyphs are going to have a field day today…" he said with a laugh. Atemu's face immediately paled at the thought. Soon after `they' had returned, the hairs prickling again before they stepped back into the moonlight revealing the deceiving figures of the beautiful women. She glided her way towards the stash of boys before her eyes flashed towards the tri colour headed one. Atemu's stomach jolted as she traced a long slender finger across his dry lips. This time she didn't kiss him but licked his forehead. It seemed that the kiss was just arbitrary. The others widened their gaze and Atemu could only guess that this was not a good sign. There was an excited clicking among the latter of spiders whilst the `taster' for that was what they were called smiled with a glint of exultance in her eyes. The bonds holding him to the main web were cut but he was still unable to move from the constraints around his arms and legs. He felt himself being lifted and carried away… into the cave. Seeing this Atemu began to struggle against the constraints whilst his companions looked on in horror. After a good way being dragged into the cavern one of the Arachnymphs hollered.

"Mistress!!! We've finally found you a mate!!!" Atemu's eyes widened whilst the white headed invisible observer glared at present day Yami.

"Mate?" the poor youth whispered as the head of the Arachnymphs glided her way towards him with a seductive sway in the hips.

"And he's indeed quite a specimen…" she admired before licking her lips before running her nose against Atemu's cheek letting him feel the humidity of her breath. "I'll be having you screaming for days… but you need not fear… it is painless…" she whispered. "To be more precise… it'll be… pleasing" the spider demon's voice was filled with desire as she traced a slender finger down Yami's chest past his abdomen and ending by hooking it upon the belt to his pants.

"You were going to get f***ed to death!?!?!?" Bakura yelled. "OH THAT'S SO UNFAIR!!!!" Yami tried not to roll his eyes when the groups view were directed back outside. The stranger in the blue hood whispered noticing a wagon pull in the distance above the web.

"I see Yin's signal… your cue Ishizu…" The Malik look alike sighed before looking up.

"Can't we wait until the first scream? I was just getting comfortable and plus this web is doing wonders for my complexion" (3)

"Ishizu!!!" Rei glared at the blonde, half of it in irritation the other in disgust. The Malik look alike pouted before his body began to light with a red aura and with that the web was engulfed in flames. Half of it burnt the rest of the web collapsed releasing its captives. "Alright you lot into the clearing… MOVE, MOVE, MOVE!!!!" Rei ordered as the Arachnymphs were alerted that they're prey was escaping. The youths all raced into the distance out of the nest.

"Who are you?" young Bakura cried to Rei.

"Escape now… introductions later… I'll cover you" was the reply when the Ryou look alike pulled what looked like a little piece of silver timber from behind his ear. Bakura had not looked impressed.

"Oh so you're going to fight gigantic spiders with harsh language and a twig? Brilliant" he drawled sarcastically when one of the Arachnymphs launched at him. Bakura had shrieked like a girl and shrunk into a pathetic ball on the floor before noticing that there was no impact, no sickening mauling. He looked up, as Rei was holding off the spider; the so-called `twig' was now a mithril staff (4) covered in black Celtic markings, which was wedged just behind the fangs that was dripping with venom and twitching to get at the two.

Rei shoved and the spider demon was flipped onto her back. The eight legs flailed helplessly as the huge arachnid tried to roll over. Rei grabbed Bakura by the tunic and flung him to towards the exit before stumping the staff into the ground whereby a spring of water welled up from the ground. As if attached by a string to the staff the spring of water flowed wrapping itself around it, the effect turned it into a liquid whip where Rei flicked the staff once the whip lashed out with extreme ferocity slashing down at the Arachnymphs. The spiders scattered and regrouped into their humanoid forms as webbing spout from their mouths. Rei twisted, turned and flipped dodging the sticky webs before whipping the staff around in a swiping motion, the water whip sliced across their abdomens causing a rippling effect in the air. As soon as the air stilled several blocks of ice stood where the spider/women were.

Bakura widened his eyes as he heard muffling sounds within the blocks of ice. Rei stumped his staff on the floor again this was followed by an explosion. There was an unearthly shriek as parts of frozen demon limbs and blood shattered across the floor. A particularly big piece of ice had landed right into Bakura's lap. It was a frozen head where it was caught halfway through metamorphosis in the demon's attempt to break out of her icy prison. Eight eyes across the head were black whilst the pale white skin of a porcelain face seemed to stretch into two elongated pincers. Bakura yelped before tossing the head away and scrambled towards Rei. They heard screaming as Honda and Ishtar were running for their lives as the arachnids ran scuttled after them. Ishizu drew one of this twin sabres and struck the ground, the spark caused a fire to erupt and burn the highly flammable webs. In a swift movement he slashed at the main holdings making the net of fire collapse on top of the demons. He drew back as another wave roared towards him. Standing back he opened and in a flame throwing affect a jet of fire shot out from Ishizu's mouth. With so many demons burning the dark sky was lit up in an orange glow. Ishizu whimpered and coughed a bit.

"This is going to give me heart burn all night…"

"Let's go…" Rei urged before dragging his friend towards the exit.

"Wait what about Yami? You can't just leave him!!!!" Ishtar cried.

"He can handle himself…" Ishizu said waving it off.

"You two have the power to fight those things… why can't you help our friend!?!?" Honda yelled. Rei glanced at his companion.

"Don't worry he'll be fine. He's not weak and pathetic like you make him out to be…" Rei said. The said ex-pharaoh who was in shock was opening and closing his mouth like a goldfish. When the image changed as the leader of the Arachnymphs who was oblivious to her slaughtered brethren was leaning over to him. Atemu backed away from her towards the wall when he felt something cold. Glancing behind him he saw buried underneath the earth was a scabbard. He breathed heavily as the Arachnymph approached closer. A hissing followed by screech uttered in the cave. Tyrande had shot out of the leather pouch that Yami kept by his side at all times and prepared to do battle with all her might, she scratched the Arachnymph's face. Whilst the spider demon was busy ridding of the little feline that was clawing and scratching at her he silently dug up feeling more of the scabbard under his fingers and eventually felt the hilt. Tyrande sensing that she had bought him time dodged just as he went to slash at the demon. Quick reactions had resulted in the spider demon only having part of her hair being cut off. She hissed as Yami ducked his new weapon at the ready whilst Tyrande had scrambled back into the pouch. (A/N: ^__^ Such a clever kitty)

"You want to play rough eh? Very well" she said as the hairs on her porcelain body began to grow thicker, her skin becoming rougher as six bulges appeared around her head before turning black into eyes. Atemu looked all around him for an escape route but he the only exit was to get passed huge spider in front of him. Breathing steadily something seemed to click. He stood legs shoulder width apart holding the sword hovering above his head, index and second finger pointed outwards, thumb, third and fourth fingers pressed against the pericardium meridian. (5) The demon struck, Atemu's reflexes sharper than usual blocked the fangs, the metal scrapping against the hard black enamel whilst it twitched letting venom drip from the ends to the floor.

Atemu winced at t sizzling sound made on the floor where the venom landed. Gulping he held steady forcing himself to relax and sink letting the pressure being placed on his knees. Seeing as it was a stalemate attack, the spider demon drew back to strike again, this time Atemu twisted his waist redirecting the force of the attack around him before driving the sword to the side impaling right at the area between the huge abdomen and the head of the spider. There was a shriek as he withdrew the sword letting the huge arachnid topple over, a mass of green goo leaking where the fatal wound was. Atemu wasn't sure if she was dead but he ran for it not wanting to find out.

"HEY!!!!!" a voice yelled at him. The blue hooded stranger was driving a wagon and waved for him to get in.

"YAMI!!! Thank the Gods" Honda cried. Atemu sighed in relief noticing all his friends had escaped… except Seth. Atemu leaned against the wagon rocking side to side from the bumpy journey out of the area.

"Mueh"

Atemu looked down as the little black and white striped kitten had poked her head out of the leather pouch. Atemu smiled sadly playing with the silky fur that he loved to touch. They had found themselves in the middle of a city, there they were met up at one of the inns where an emissary from Emperor Xia was waiting.

"Prince Atemu…" he announced bowing low as was the custom of that to royalty. "We are relieved to find that you are well. Your father and the emperor were both quite anxious when you were captured by the Arachnymphs and-"

"AND NOTHING!!!!" Atemu yelled "I lost my friend back there!!!" Atemu and the others were hurt and angry but the emissary was calm and collected.

"Actually… the apprentice of the High Priest has been located and he is presently in the care of one of the Emperor's most trusted generals"

"Seth's alive?" Atemu asked not believing his ears.

"Hai… now that your worries have been settled the emperor and your father will be waiting for your arrival at the Forbidden City… General Rei and Ishizu will be your escorts, in the meantime please rest here for the night, you'll need it to recover your strength for the journey tomorrow" As that was that the emissary bowed and left the group of friends looking very bemused. Exhaustion paid a heavy toll and all of them after stripping off their clothes had fallen asleep instantly the minute they had hit the pillows. Atemu sighed as the blinding sun was cast upon his face. He screwed his face groaning a bit before he opened his eyes. He blinked a couple of times noticing the kitten purring contently in her sleep as she had cleverly chosen a shadowy spot where the sun would not be able to wake her. He looked at his temporary room, of course it wasn't as big as his own but it was quite cosy. A table and chair, some shelves, a cupboard, a washing bowl, his silk bed, a girl standing by his bedside. Atemu frowned at the last part before he widened his eyes. He yelped bringing the silk sheets to his chest considering that he wasn't wearing anything. (A/N: *drool*) The girl blinked.

"Good morning…" she said.

"Whoareyouwhatareyoudoingherewhatdoyouwant!?!?!?" Atemu blurted as his face became as red as a beetroot considering that he was naked in bed, in front of a member of the opposite sex who was standing there holding his clothes, undergarments included. (A/N: *laughing evilly*).

"My name is Yin milord, I was sent to be your personal servant by the Emperor and I wish that my services help make you feel more comfortable on your journey to the Forbidden City" she replied. Atemu gulped not noticing an amused smile playing on Yin's face. She turned her back towards him whilst preparing the water just right for Atemu "To start… you should get changed, breakfast will be ready when we come down"

"We? Don't you mean just me? I can change on my own you know" Atemu remarked indignantly whilst at the same time his face was becoming redder. Yin giggled silently but seeing as her back was turned Atemu didn't see. Tyrande had opened one eye before shaking her head and going back to sleep. After the amusing (at least to Yin that is) fiasco Atemu had managed to get downstairs where Ishtar, Ishizu, Rei, Honda and Bakura were eating. Well Honda was at least. Pretty soon they had set out coming where they came across the forest of bamboo. Hearing commotion they headed onwards to see a great battle between a young blonde and a greasy headed young man.

"SETH!!!!!" Atemu cried joyfully seeing the blue eyed brunette alive and well with a young woman by his side. She was quite a pretty one and seemed to be a lot like Yin. Perhaps they were siblings.

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"Yami?" a voice whispered to him as Yami looked down to Yugi who had woken up. Everything went white as Yami found himself back in the cavern, the memory archive had faded away and replaced with the earth quaking below them. There was a blackout in the caves as all the surrounding torches had gone out, with a flash the group of hikaris and yamis had appeared to be in a room of paintings where he noticed the picture of Rei, Ishizu and Katsuya nearby.

"What are you lot doing here!?!?!?" a voice cried. Yami turned to find that their Seto, Isis, Serenity, Tristan and Joey were there along with the strange man they had seen at the tavern. Yugi blinked in confusion whilst Ryou and Malik were now just starting to wake up. There was roar coming from outside as the earth rumbled on and screams and yelling of alarms followed.

TBC

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