Chapter Text
"Fractured Duality"
Alternative Universe - Phase Two
Episode Six
"The Power of Yoh"
(1)
“And then what happened?”
“To be honest, my memory is a little hazy after that.”
“Oh.” sadly sighed Hao, “Well, I guess that’s to be expected. It seems to be the nature of this place. To forget.”
“I may not remember everything that happened next, but I remember how it felt.” softly replied Yoh, tilting his head back slightly and looking upward at the one he was laying on.
Hao lowered his gaze from the vast starlit sky above them and looked down at the glistening eyes of his identical twin gazing up at him.
“I was proud of everything we had achieved together. It felt like we had done something remarkable. Like, we had broken the rules, in a way… and found a new way forward. A new destiny.”
Hao watched how his brother’s eyes sparkled like the stars above them as he finished telling him the astounding events of the Shaman Fight final - and Hao was instantly reminded of the fateful night before they both competed together in the Fight for the first and last time in his own memory. Which transpired to be the last time he remembered them both being together in the same capacity, at all.
“Heh.” breathed Hao, smiling. “Breaking the rules”… “a new way forward”… “new destiny”…” he repeated, slowly, “Those feel like the right words to describe how this feels, right now.”
The pair remained silent as they absorbed that ideology for a moment, then their eyes drifted back to look up at the illusionary star lit sky above them.
“What about you?” quietly asked Yoh, “What is the last thing you remember?”
Hao paused for a moment. He closed his eyes tightly, searching his mind.
“I remember… feeling lost. Empty. Though at the same time, strangely, it felt like I was home. Then I saw you.” replied Hao, opening his eyes and transfixing his gaze back on the sky. “You were wearing that stupid shirt.” he chuckled, smiling a bit.
“Ah, that shirt.” giggled Yoh.
“Then… everything just fell into place. We were home again. I couldn’t believe how easy it was. It was like waking up from a very, very long dream.”
Yoh remained silent for a moment, then he looked up once again at Hao’s face.
“Perhaps that’s what this is. Just a very, very long dream.” said Yoh, a little wearily.
Hao glanced down again and met Yoh’s kind eyes once more. He smiled warmly at his little brother.
“And if that’s really all this is, what all of it was, then, I’d do it all over again. Just to be here, like this, with you.” gently replied Hao.
At that moment, the twins eyes were instantly drawn to two bright falling stars roaring across the night sky. The long dazzling streaks trailing behind them remained in the sky for a few seconds before they vanished into the vast nebula above.
The pair simultaneously considered the short celestial event they just witnessed as a sign that everything will be okay.
“There’s still so many things about this world we don’t know,” whispered Yoh, eventually, breaking their shared peaceful contemplated silence. Hao kept his gaze on the spot in the sky where the stars had been.
“Yeah,” he replied, nodding his head slightly, then a knowing smile began to spread across his face. “And I already know what you’re thinking.”
“What?” chuckled Yoh, smiling. “What am I thinking?”
“You’re thinking about the others.” replied Hao, closing his eyes.
“How did you know?” laughed Yoh, craning his head back again to try and meet Hao’s gaze.
“Because I know you.” smiled Hao, he lowered his head for a moment, allowing his long hair to cascade down to one side. He lifted his hand to gently remove the long strands of his hair out of Yoh’s face so he could see his eyes.
“Oh, for a moment there, I thought you could read my mind.” jokingly replied Yoh.
“Maybe I can, you’d never know.” chuckled Hao, smiling broadly. The pair let out a mirrored laugh.
“I am thinking about them.” admitted Yoh, smiling. He then sighed deeply. “I wonder… what are they doing in a world… where there’s no reason to fight each other?”
Hao thought about it for a moment before responding.
“Perhaps… there could be a reason.” muttered Hao, a little hesitantly.
“What?” breathed Yoh, now sitting up and shifting himself so he was face to face with his twin.
“A reason to fight. I know many of them would want something to fight for. It’s in our blood, after all.” sighed Hao, meeting Yoh’s confused though optimistic expression.
“But… how? How could we…” Yoh trailed off, then he looked back towards the spot in the sky where they had witnessed the falling stars.
“It’s just an idea, but… if we’re going to do something about it - there’s something important we need to do first.” Hao got up from his sitting position and approached the tombstone that was sitting idle behind them. He reached behind it and picked up something, then he turned around to face his little brother and presented him with a very recognisable and important item.
Yoh got to his feet and smiled warmly at the restored weapon, like he was meeting a very good friend for the first time in a long time. He then looked up and met the glistening eyes of the one who had brought them together.
“I think it’s time we went to see your fiancée about a samurai.”
(2)
“Why is it, whenever something extraordinary happens, it’s always you two?”
“”What?”” overlapped the twins.
Kino sighed deeply, there was noticeable tension in the room as her grandsons awaited for their Grandmother to continue. The pair shifted uncomfortably on their feet before simultaneously stealing a glance at one another. The feeling shared between them was like they were a pair of small children awaiting to hear what their punishment will be for their misbehaviour.
“For centuries, our ancestors prepared each new generation for the next Shaman Fight, to ensure the prosperity and security of our children’s children, to protect humanity from the very real danger and mighty power that — is something amusing to you, child?”
Yoh was doing his best to stifle a nervous laugh. Hao elbowed Yoh hard in the chest.
“S-sorry, Grandmother.” mumbled Yoh, clearing his throat. He smiled a bit as he briefly made eye contact with the “very real danger and mighty power” his Grandmother was just talking about, who was glaring back at him intensely. Though after a moment, his eyes softened, and he smiled slightly at his little brother, too.
“Grandmother Kino. We understand it’s a lot to take in.” sighed Hao, now turning his attention back to his bereft Grandmother.
“I had already accepted that our family’s fate had changed from the day you were both born, but I did not envision the depths to which our changed fate expanded to the rest of the world.” sighed Kino, pinching the bridge of her nose.
The brothers smiled awkwardly at each other once again. Yoh shrugged his shoulders a bit as they communicated with one another in their silent way.
“Any skilled astronomer would tell you,” Kino continued, “that mathematically speaking, it would be impossible for our planet to be the only one with life in our entire observable universe. The same can be said for the Spirit World. There are countless - infinite worlds out there beyond our own. It would be arrogant to assume we are the only ones to exist within it…”
Hao swallowed nervously, unsure where this was going. Yoh blinked, slightly confused.
“But what you are telling me is… that the King has already been decided. And that King, as we feared, is our great ancestor: Asakura Hao.”
Hao felt a pang in his chest as his own Grandmother referred to him for the first time in his life like he was a different person than the grandson standing in front of her.
“Why do you say it like that?” spoke up Yoh, with a inflection of agitation, “Like it’s a bad thing?”
“Yoh.” interjected Hao.
“No - wait a minute,” went on Yoh, unable to hide his confrontational tone, he shook his head as he spoke, “I was there. I know what happened. And he is going to be a great King!”
“Did you not hear what I just said, child?” snapped Kino. “You’re assuming that the brother you saw win the Fight and the one standing next to you are the only two versions of Hao to exist in our entire universe?“
The twins froze for a moment as Kino’s words came down on them like a mighty invisible force.
“The only reason we are even having this conversation - the only reason you are both standing before me and telling me this remarkable yet outrageous tale - is because someone intentionally intervened in your fate. Perhaps there may be other realities where you both did not turn out so lucky.”
A foreboding silence grew in the room. Yoh’s confrontational demeanour wavered for a moment.
“But why would that matter?” muttered Hao, “There is only one King.”
“Exactly. There is only one King. But aren’t you living proof, my child, that there is not only one Hao?” replied Kino.
Yoh turned his head and met his twin’s pained expression. Yoh reached for Hao’s hand and reassuringly gripped his fingers in his. He turned back to his Grandmother.
“I think that you should have a little more faith in him.” said Yoh, firmly. “Are we not proof enough that someone’s path, someone’s destiny - is not set in stone?”
“Yoh… it’s okay. Grandmother Kino is right.” sadly sighed Hao.
Yoh snapped his head back to look at his twin, who was looking back at him with a sympathetic smile.
“Nii-chan…” sadly whispered Yoh.
“We are the lucky ones. When I first met you in that world, you didn’t even know me. So what if… we had never met? What would have happened then?”
Yoh blinked at Hao’s words.
“I…” began Yoh, “I… I don’t know.” he whispered, sadly.
A long silence grew between them again as all three considered Hao’s questioning words. Then Kino sighed deeply once more.
“You both may be the reason for a lot of troubling questions that do not bode well for this old heart of mine, but you are still my grandchildren. I urge you both to consider this matter as one that should not weigh too heavy on you. And I, too, consider myself lucky as well, to have lived in this world and watched you grow together into the young shaman you are today.”
The twins locked eyes with one another again before they turned back towards their grandmother.
“”Thank you, Grandmother.”” they echoed with a mirrored smile.
“So,” continued Kino, eventually, “You have come to speak with Anna, have you?”
“Yes.” replied Hao, “We have a lot to explain to her, as well.”
“Don’t bother.” came a familiar stern voice. The twins turned their attention to the Itako marching into the room. She immediately locked her eyes on Yoh’s stunned expression and crossed her arms.
““Anna!”” echoed the twins.
“You don’t need to explain anything. I already know everything I need to know.” she snapped, as she flicked a loose strand of hair from her face.
“You - you do?” babbled Yoh.
Hao quietly examined the familiar face standing in front of him. He was relieved to see Anna looking exactly how he knew and remembered her - from her short black dress, ocean blue beads and trademark red scarf she wore upon her head.
“Of course I do. I am Anna the Itako. I was going to be the wife of the Shaman King - but I’ll settle for the title of “inter-dimensional sister-in-law”.”
Hao tried his best not to laugh when he saw Yoh’s dumbfounded expression gazing back at Anna.
“And don’t think for one second that just because there’s not going to be a Shaman Fight in this world that it changes anything, Yoh. I am still your fiancée here in the same way I was in our other world.”
The twins remained stunned into a joint silence by Anna’s words. Even Kino momentarily looked surprised, but then a little amused grin spread across her face.
“So. You’re here because you obviously need my help. Well, let’s get on with it then. Don’t keep me waiting!”
(3)
“One I place for my father - two I place for my mother - three I place for my brothers back home - in my home land, I pray for your souls - if you hear my voice at the ends of your world, then rise! Hear the sound of my beads and come to me!”
Hao and Yoh watched with wide eyes as Anna performed her Itako-style ritual and fell into a deep trance - as she held her beads above her head - the space all around her filled with flaming wisps and a breeze whipped up around her. The orbs began to manifest into a recognisable shape, and within moments, the legendary samurai spirit materialised in front of their eyes.
“Amidamaru!” delightfully cried Yoh, smiling happily at his good friend with glistening eyes.
“Yoh… Yoh-dono?” stammered Amidamaru.
“It’s so good to see you!” continued Yoh, “Ah, I’m so sorry to have dragged you back to this world so soon…”
“This feels… so strange. I feel strange.” mumbled Amidamaru, looking towards the ground, his expression showed he did not seem to be aware of what was going on around him.
“Hm? Amidamaru?” blinked Yoh, confused. He shot a concerned look at Anna before looking back at his old friend. “Is - something wrong, Amidamaru?”
Hao remained quietly observant of the scene in front of him, though his mind began to whirl with possibilities and questions.
“Perhaps summoning spirits in this realm is a little different than in our old world,” wondered Anna, “I completed the ritual in the same way as I would to call a ghost from the Great Spirits into the living world, but perhaps that is not appropriate, here.”
“Are you okay Amidamaru?” worriedly asked Yoh, but his Spirit Ally did not respond. Yoh then looked towards Hao - hopeful he may have an idea what to do.
Hao’s eyes were drawn to Harasume in Yoh’s grip, then he looked back at Yoh’s worried face.
“Yoh. Form your most familiar oversoul with Amidamaru, the one that most closely represents your bond with him.” commanded Hao, firmly.
Yoh froze for a moment, but then he nodded his head at Hao’s words.
“For that, I would need the - ”
Anna immediately presented Yoh with the Futunomitama no Turugi prized sword. Yoh froze again, stunned to see the red artefact directly in front of him.
“I had a feeling this would come in handy.” she said with a confident smirk. She then exchanged a silent look with Hao - who looked back at her with a knowing and determined smile.
Yoh gladly accepted the Asakura family’s prized possession, he then looked up towards his good friend who was brooding quietly beside him with distant eyes.
“Don’t worry Amidamaru, I’ve got this. We’ve got this.” nodded Yoh, determinedly.
Anna and Hao took several steps back as they both knew what they were about to witness in front of them.
Yoh took a deep breath as he stood directly in front of the samurai spirit. He held both of his weapons firmly in each hand and closed his eyes.
Amidamaru’s form instantaneously began to change and his glowing radiance was instantly drawn to Yoh’s dual weapons. Yoh then held both his hands above his head as his magnificent giant dual oversized “Spirit of the Sword” oversoul materialised in his hands and effortlessly sliced through the air as he pointed it directly to the sky.
Hao silently observed Yoh’s calming aura as he united with his destined Spirit Ally in front of his eyes once again. Hao’s mind fell back on the time they both worked tirelessly day and night to achieve such an impressive form. And almost as though Yoh could read his mind, Hao watched as his little brother lowered his gaze and met his big brother’s proud expression and he beamed a big toothy grin at him.
After a few moments of silence, Yoh calmly dissolved the giant oversoul form and Amidamaru once again materialised by his side. Yoh took a few steps towards his friend and examined him.
“Amidamaru?” quietly muttered Yoh.
“Yoh-dono… I… I must apologise, for I do not seem to understand what - ”
Amidamaru cut off his words as Hao and Anna came towards him. Amidamaru’s eyes widened when he saw Hao.
“Your majesty!” gasped Amidamaru, bowing his head at him.
Hao stopped in his tracks - stunned by the samurai’s words.
“No - no Amidamaru… Hao is not…” stammered Yoh, smiling awkwardly. Then he paused, stunned, before making eye contact with Hao - the twins gazed at one another for a moment as the same realisation began to dawn on them both.
“What is going on Yoh-dono?” questioned Amidamaru, the samurai spirit looked on in confusion when he saw Hao beaming a kind radiant smile at him.
“Hm, well that is certainly a lot more convenient.” scoffed Anna, with a hint of sarcasm.
(4)
“Hao-sama!” delightfully yelled Opacho, leaping into his arms as he stepped through the front door of the Onsen. Hao happily embraced the little girl, giving her a welcoming squeeze in return. “Opacho missed you!” Hao laughed softly.
“I missed you too Opacho.” chuckled Hao, carrying her into the house followed immediately by Yoh, Anna and Amidamaru.
“Uh, I-I’m sorry Hao, I may have already told her about your plan to…” quietly muttered Tamao as Hao entered through the kitchen doorway carrying the excited toddler in his arms.
“Let’s go!” cheered Opacho, now leaping from Hao’s arms to the ground with a confident smile. She began to march herself towards the open door, brushing past the two who were walking through it.
Anna and Yoh stepped to the side as the child pushed her way through them. They locked eyes with each other briefly before looking back into the house to see Hao and Tamao looking equally bereft as the child they both cared for disappeared out the front door.
“But Nii-chan, it’s late. Where are you gonna go at this time of the night?” giggled Yoh.
Hao sighed, shaking his head with a kind smile as he hurriedly followed after the infant in his care. He picked up her sneakers and orange puffy jacket from the coat rack on his way out the door.
“I’m sure we’ll figure something out.” he said hurriedly as he passed his twin and his future sister-in-law. “She’s the most at home under the stars, anyway.”
Anna and Yoh exchanged another silent look with one another before they turned to the pink haired shaman who was still frozen to the spot. Tamao then turned her attention to Anna.
“Hi, Anna.” she greeted with a soft smile. “It’s - it’s so nice to - .”
“Why are you still standing there?” interrupted Anna, sternly. “Aren’t you supposed to be going on this little family trip?”
Tamao blinked, stunned by Anna’s words and familiarity with the situation.
“F- family trip?” she repeated, blushing. “I- I assumed she just wanted her…”
“Tamao?” called a voice from outside. “Are you coming or…?”
Tamao’s eyes widened as she heard Hao’s voice calling for her. She reached for her jacket from the kitchen counter and hastily followed after the two who were waiting for her outside.
As the front door of the Onsen closed behind them, Anna and Yoh locked eyes with one another once again. Yoh smiled awkwardly.
“I know, I was just as surprised as you are.” he laughed.
Anna didn’t respond, she simply walked a few paces into the house to inspect its condition.
“You never take me out on any star gazing date nights.” she said, coldly.
Yoh felt a chill run up his spine at his fiancée’s words. Amidamaru gave his master a sympathetic and strained smile as he watched on at the familiar scenario.
“What?!”
End of Episode Six