Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Guardians of the Watchtowers ❯ Surprises ( Chapter 14 )

So it's been a while. Sorry. Damn midterms and essays. Ugh. Anyways, since it's Spring Break, I've got some time now to write. Slight problem though…er…I started this fic last summer, and I'm a bit lazy to re-read what I've already wrote. And my memory is not so good…so, if there are any inconsistencies that you happen to notice, sorry about that. *shrugs* What can I say? I'm lazy. ;)

Fanfiction reviewers:

Yugi-obsessed- glad you liked it! Thanks for the review!

Mistress Ethereal- Thanks so much for the nice comments. I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for the review!

Soul Dreamer- LOL, yeah I kinda "borrowed" the term. I've only seen Inuyasha once, and he happened to use Wind Tunnel that time. Lucky me, eh? Thanks for the review!

Tarika Rania- Wait and see! :) Thanks for the review!

Mediaminer reviewers:

Calupe- LOL, thanks for the review! At least one person from here is still reading! ;)

Disclaimer: No, I don't own Yugioh.

Warning!! Character death in this chapter. Though not at all graphic.

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Chapter 14: Surprises

As the group of nine approached the dark iron gates of Castle Istar, the dread that Yugi was feeling intensified considerably. The closer they got to the Castle, the more he could feel the dark magicks radiating from it. He shuddered a bit as he felt a strong wave wash over him. What were they up to?

Yami answered his unspoken question. "The Elders are calling for all of their forces to come to the Castle. In a matter of hours, all the demons, vampires, werewolves and any other creature that live here in Arawn will be here, ready for the upcoming war. Sides will be chosen, alliances made, and the final battle will begin."

War? Sides chosen? Yugi shook his head. "What do you mean by "sides"? Aren't all the creatures here in Arawn under the rule of the Elders?"

"Yes, but there are many who despise them, tire of their rule. As a group, they are the most powerful creatures because of their age. You see, they were here from the very *beginning* of the Arawn's existence. They *created* Arawn."

Raven came up to them. "Which is why it is incredibly foolish of us to go up against them *alone*." She shot a nasty glare at Bakurian and Marius, who were walking up ahead of them. "We don't have much of a chance against their power."

"Raven, could you *be* any more pessimistic?" Bakurian called up from ahead. He turned to look at her. "Have a little faith in our powers. We *are* the Guardians of the Watchtowers, you know. We are quite strong, if I do say so myself."

Golden eyes narrowed dangerously at him. "Your arrogance will be the end of you," she stated coldly. "We control four elements. They control all the dark magick of this world. We may be strong, but they are stronger still."

"Pfft," Bakurian snorted. "You worry too much."

Raven muttered her reply under her breath, which Yugi couldn't understand. Didn't sound too nice though, so it was probably best that he didn't.

They had arrived at the gates. Yugi stared up at the dark iron gates looming before him, his eyes large and wide. The gates were old and corroding, looking rather rusty. Behind the gates were two very large black doors. Yugi could slightly make out some symbols etched onto the dark wood. Didn't have a clue what they meant though.

As if it was expecting them, the gates swung open with a loud creak first, then the heavy black doors behind them opened as well. The wide corridor revealed looked long, lighted solely by torches down both sides. It looked strangely familiar to Yugi…

A small gasp escaped from Yugi as he recognized where he had seen that corridor from before, and he grabbed onto Yami's arm. Yami glanced down in concern. "What is it, Yugi?"

Yugi could barely find his voice. "Th-that corridor…I recognize it. It's exactly like the one from my dream…"

Marius rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Oh, knock it off with that dream already, will you? It's getting tiring. Annoying little human."

Yami narrowed his eyes at Marius. "It's not uncommon for humans to have premonitions. I still think we should be taking Yugi's dream seriously."

"Yes," Raven agreed. "It is still not too late to summon Slifer."

"And give up our powers?" Marius retorted. "Never. I don't believe in that premonition crap. We can defeat the Elders on our own just fine."

Raven motioned towards the fire-lit hallway. "Then go right ahead." Marius and Bakurian walked in first with Bakura and Marik next to them. Yami and Yugi went in next. With a sigh, Raven shook her head and went in as well. Belinos nudged Kaiba with his nose, who finally stepped into the hallway. No sooner had Belinos stepped in, that the massive doors slammed shut, the noise echoing down the hallway. Raven quickly walked back to the door and tried the handles. They were locked. She looked at the others. "Looks like only one way to go, now."

The group proceeded slowly down the long corridor, cautious of any thing that might pop up out of nowhere. Halfway down, and still no sign of any disgusting creatures, Kaiba remarked a bit casually, "Shouldn't there be any… guards posted?"

Raven nodded. "Usually, there are guards lined down both sides. Something is not right."

"They are probably all waiting for us in the Throne Room," Yami said thoughtfully.

"Wonderful," Raven muttered. She looked at Yami. "Perhaps…" she said slowly, "the humans should wait here with Belinos then? We don't know what kind of trap the Elders are planning. And if they are all waiting for the moment we step into the Throne Room, then…" she trailed off.

Yami nodded his understanding. "Then Yugi and his friends will be at great risk. It is probably safer for them to stay behind."

Images of himself running down the long corridor flashed through Yugi's mind. "No way! I'm staying with you!" He looked up pleadingly at Yami.

Yami stopped and knelt down beside Yugi, so that they were at the same eye-level. He placed both hands on his shoulder, and locked gazes with him. "Yugi, I can't fight at my best if I am constantly worrying about your safety. If you stay here with Belinos, then I know you'll be safe and away from harm. Do you understand?"

Yugi shook his stubbornly. "But what if those things come after us here? I'm no safer here than I am with you." He lifted his chin in defiance.

"Raven and I will cast the strongest protection spell we know. We'll even get Marius and Bakurian to help with boosting its power. You'll be safe, I promise."

"Speaking of those two dolts…" Raven glanced around the hallway. "Where are they anyways?"

Yami snapped his head up in surprise, quickly rising to his feet. He glanced around the wide hallway as well. They, along with their human-look-alikes, were no where in sight. That could mean only one thing…

His suspicion was confirmed by a loud shout of "Tintila Kemen!" followed by the rumbling of the ground beneath him. That was Marius's element at work. His gaze locked onto Raven's, and they nodded in understanding before taking off at a full sprint down the remainder of the hallway. Yami glanced back briefly only to yell, "Yugi! You and Kaiba stay here with Belinos!"

Yugi was about to run after them, as was Kaiba, but both were stopped by a large white wing. The dragon shook his head, as if to say, they were told to stay put. Kaiba became enraged at this. "Belinos, don't you get it?" he said angrily. "Raven will *die* if we don't help! Do you really want that to happen?"

Belinos looked at the wolf-boy yelling at him, then down the corridor where Raven had disappeared into. Raven was not going to be too happy with him for not listening to her…But then again, an angry Raven was better then a dead one, so…With a low grumble Belinos took off down the hallway, Yugi and Kaiba right behind him.

The three burst into the large room, the dragon letting out a huge roar as they did. Both Yami and Raven turned around in surprise at the same time. "Oh hell they are stubborn," Raven half-muttered to herself before sending yet another gruesome ghoul flying. This was not good.

Yugi glanced wildly around the chaotic room. He saw the Air Guardian fighting against a very-familiar looking creature with six arms, each holding a deadly sword. The Earth Guardian was fighting a whole host of undead things. Yugi had thought that the creatures would be attacking his friends as well, since the Elders wanted them dead in the first place. But for some strange reason, his friends, as well and himself and Kaiba, were left alone. Only the Guardians, and now Belinos, were battling. Something seemed…off. But he didn't have much time to ponder what that might be, for his gaze next fell upon four old men in long, black robes. They were standing together at the very front of the room. And they were smiling too. Yugi's eyes widened as he recognized the one from his dream. The Elder caught his gaze, his smile widening even more. Raising one arm into the air, he called out in a loud voice, "STOP!"

At once, the undead creatures stopped their fighting, their arms falling limp to their sides, their bodies going perfectly still. They retreated back to one side of the room. The four Guardians stopped fighting as well, breathing heavily and gazing around the room in wonder. They finally turned their gazes to the Elder who had called off the attack. Pegasus. Yami narrowed his eyes. He possessed the most power of the group, and was very, very dangerous.

Pegasus was still smiling as he lowered his arms. "Well done, Guardians! All of your powers have certainly grown since they were first given to you, all those centuries ago. You've done remarkably well against my minions. Surprisingly so, actually." His emotionless eyes narrowed at them. "Pity you all have to die now."

Bakurian glared defiantly up at him. "We're not the ones who'll be dying this night, you old fool!" He grinned. "You had prophesized yourselves that the four Guardians of the Watchtowers of Light will bring destruction to you and this world. Well, we've found all four humans, and now the prophesy will come true!"

He was met with laughter from the four Elders. Marius leaned over towards Bakurian and muttered under his breath, "I think they've all lost it."

Pegasus stopped his laughing abruptly. "You are the fool, Bakurian! There IS no such thing as the Guardians of the Watchtowers of the Light! It was all a lie to get you four to bring these humans to us. There is no prophesy of Arawn's destruction." He grinned wickedly.

Yami growled low in his throat. "And just what do you want with Yugi and his friends?"

The Elder looked at him. "Why, to replace you four as the new Guardians of the Watchtowers, of course."

Crimson eyes widened. "That's not possible. They are too pure of heart to be Guardians of this dark world."

"Oh really now? Well, they won't be once they witness the deaths of the ones they *love*. Love can be such a destructive thing, now can't it? It can turn even the purest of hearts into complete darkness, given the right stimulus of course."

Raven, who had been silently observing all of this, now raised her head to glare at the Elders. "I knew something was not right when I first caught glance of Kaiba." Her eyes shifted briefly towards Kaiba, before returning to Pegasus. "He's not as "pure" as Yugi and his friends. I've suspected since then that this might be all a hoax. Looks like my suspicions were correct."

Pegasus gave a shrug of his shoulders. "A little too late, now isn't it Raven? Next time, you should listen more closely to your instincts…then again, there won't BE a next time." He chuckled a bit. "Now, I have a surprise for you and Yami." He snapped his fingers sharply and two cloaked figures stepped out of the shadows behind him. They both came to stand in between the Elders and the Guardians.

The first figure removed its cloak, revealing straggly blond hair and a wicked pair of fangs. The vampire smiled menacingly at Yami, and said in a low seductive voice, "Hello Yami my love. I'm back. Miss me much?" She grinned.

Yugi felt his stomach drop at the sight the demented vampire, even though he was half-expecting this to happen. If his dream was correct, then she had come back even more powerful (and insane) than before. He desperately hoped that his dream would not become the reality…

The second figure had removed its cloak as well. He had short, dark hair, and was holding a sword with a wolf skull hilt in one hand. He looked at Raven and smiled widely, his fangs showing. "Ah, Raven. It's been so long since we last met. You look as beautiful and alluring as always. I'm so sorry that things between us couldn't work out." His voice was dripping with fake regret.

Raven's fingers tightened over the stake that she was holding as images of that horrible night flooded through her mind. Her other hand was also clenched tightly. She took a deep breath, then hissed in a low voice, "Angus. You're going to pay for murdering my family."

He laughed in response. "You couldn't kill me then, and you certainly won't kill me now. I've grown so much more stronger than before."

She growled. "We'll just see about that."

Pegasus grinned. "Well isn't this a happy little reunion? Old lovers reuniting at last…" He glanced over at Kaiba.

The tall boy looked at Raven, then at the vampire named Angus, then back at Raven. Those two, together? He felt his heart drop slightly at the thought.

Pegasus continued speaking. "I guess they really are no longer lovers, seeing as how he killed her family to gain his immortality. And people wonder why it is so difficult for her to love and trust again." He grinned evilly. "Didn't I say love was destructive? It could do so much damage." He sighed. "But enough reminiscing. It's time now for the Guardians to die, and for them to pass on their duties to others. But first, I think I'd like to torture them a bit longer." He closed his eyes and started chanting in an unfamiliar language. The other three Elders joined him as well.

Thick, purplish-black mists began to gather around the Elders as they continued their eerie chant. Raven's eyes widened when she recognized the spell. It was their favorite way of killing, called the Lumbarion. The black mists would surround the victim, literally choking them with darkness and death. It was a very painful and agonizing death. Hence why the Elders loved it so much. Raven's breath quickened as she desperately tried to figure out who their intended victim was. It couldn't be any of the four humans- they were wanted as the new Guardians. It couldn't be any of the four current Guardians either- that was what Isabella, Angus, and the minions were for. That left only one other person…or rather dragon.

"BELINOS!!"

But her warning was too late. The thick dark mists had already surrounded the unsuspecting dragon, quickly engulfing him. From within the mists Raven could hear, as well as feel, the dragon's pain as the evil choked the life out of him. "NO!" Raven screamed. "Belinos! Hang on!" She was about to dash into the dark mists, to try to fight it from within, when a hand was firmly clamped around her arm. She whirled around to face her cousin's concerned face.

"Raven, you can't do that! It'll end up killing you too!"

Tears were already streaming down her face. She never cried. Not since that day when her family was killed…She looked from the black swirls to Yami to the black swirls again. She could feel the dragon's heartbeat getting fainter and fainter…until she felt nothing at all.

Promptly, the Elder stopped their chanting, and the dark mists gradually faded and cleared away. The once-mighty dragon lay in a crumbled heap, his eyes closed, his body still. Raven collapsed to the ground as fresh tears fell. She turned her teary gaze towards the Elders. "Bastards," she said, her voice raspy.

Pegasus shrugged. "I never did like that menace anyways. Always sticking his nose in where it most certainly didn't belong." He narrowed his cold black eyes. "Well, looks like now he won't be meddling in anyone's affairs." He let out a trill of evil laughter. When he finally stopped, he was grinning again. "My minions, attack and kill those Guardians once and for all!"

Yami glanced at the steadily approaching host of minions, then at his cousin. She was certainly in no condition to fight. And with that damn Isabella and Angus here as well…there must be a way out of this. Then a thought came to him, and he instantly shouted, "Megilor en' kalyd me'a!" An incredibly bright light flashed across the room, effectively stopping the minions in their tracks. The Elders too were blinded from the light- they were nearly cringing away from its brightness. Yami took this opportunity to escape, calling out to the others, "Hurry! Run! We don't have much time!" He grabbed a hold of Yugi's hand with one hand, and was trying to tug Raven to her feet with the other. But Raven would not budge. She just sat there, staring at the body of her fallen friend, her face still wet from her tears. "Raven, it's too late for Belinos now! We *will* avenge his death, but now we have to run! Raven!" Yami shouted at her in vain.

Suddenly, the tall human boy came up to them and effortlessly scooped her up into his arms. She didn't protest, and Yami wasn't about to complain either. With a nod, they both took off after Bakurian and the others. Bakurian had already used his element to shatter one of the windows, giving them a way out. They all safely got out of Castle Istar and made a run back into the depths of the woods…

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Okay, I'm gonna stop here. Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Er…mostly talk though, I guess. Oops. Oh, and I'm sorry if any of you like Pegasus, but I needed an evil leader and was too lazy to come up with a name on my own. *shrugs* On another note, I hated having to kill Belinos, but as you'll see in the next chapter, it's an important part in the story.

Translations:

Tintila kemen!: Earthquake!

Megilor en' kalyd me'a!: Swords of Illuminating Light! (Sorry, but I couldn't find the translation for `revealing'. Close enough though.)

I'll try to get out another chapter before classes start back up again on Monday. Try being the word. Thanks for reading and please review!