Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Seto's Wish Alternate World Conclusion ❯ C10 Training ( Chapter 10 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

C10 Training
 
Kaiba glared down at Seto for a moment. Then with a snort, he stated, “Train `him'? Why bother.....it would just be a waste of my time.”
 
“You don't think I can handle it?” Seto asked.
 
Kaiba gave him an amused smirk, stating, “I don't have to think about it.....I know you can't handle it. There is no possible way you could ever come even close to my level of abilities!”
 
Seto glared angrily at him, and snapped, “And why is that.....because I didn't turn into a cold-hearted jerk like you??”
 
Kaiba turned away from him, and replied, “You know, you really shouldn't talk about yourself that way. Have you forgotten, you're supposed to be another version of me? How sad....for a supposed genius, you certainly have a strange way of showing it. What a total waste of human existence.”
 
Seto muttered, “Fine. Well, maybe I don't have all the wealth and power you do. But I have something better.....I have friends.”
 
Kaiba winced, just hearing that come from the mouth that was supposed to be him. He turned around, snapping, “I've heard enough! It makes me sick just looking at you! You have the nerve to try and claim you're better than me?? While you spent your time `hanging out' with your friends, I dedicated my entire existence struggling for my brother's benefit. Everything I've done I've done for him! Can you honestly say the same, `Seto'??”
 
Seto took a step back from Kaiba's speech, his words hitting a chord.
 
“Just look at you....you're pathetic. Your whole life was growing up being coddled by your parents and your annoying friends......you've never had to struggle for one single thing!” Kaiba snapped, continuing to bash him down.
 
Kaiba now glared at him. And in so doing, only seemed to grow even more disgusted at him. “And sadly enough, as much as I've tried.....I can't find one thing in you that could possibly reflect me in the slightest. You're not even a shadow of who I am. If there was anything.....anything at all in you that could reflect the true potential that you were destined for......you would have all ready broken away from your pitifully sheltered life by now, and worked that much harder to free Mokuba. But then, maybe you just don't care what he had to endure at the hands of that madman and his brat kid.”
 
“That's not true! I do care what happened to Mokie! It broke my heart to see him hurt or sad knowing there was little I could do about it!”
 
“Hmph.....yeah, you look broken-hearted.” Kaiba said, unconvinced. “I'm sure it really pained you to be hanging out with your little geek friends, while Mokuba's being tortured at his home!”
 
“It.....wasn't like that!” Seto cried out.
 
“You think because you hang out with Yugi's group and I don't, that makes you better than me? If anything, it's just the opposite. Thanks to the lessons of `my' past, the only thing that remains of my heart belongs to Mokuba. But, you.....your dedication to your friends become a liability that only weighs you down, making you be the pathetic person that you are, now! Have you ever thought about how Mokuba feels, while watching from his private prison in that mansion as you go skipping by with your friends? I'm surprised Mokuba even believes you care about him, considering you never set your mind to try harder to beat Noah! Why don't you just admit it.....you gave up on him, to focus on your pitiful friendship!”
 
“That's not true!” Seto said. “I never gave up, I continued to fight for him!”
 
Seto's head then dropped to the ground in shame, as he stuttered uncertainly. “M-maybe you're right. Maybe I should have fought harder....maybe I could have done better. But I never once gave up on trying to free Mokuba.....”
 
Kaiba only scowled at the uncertain reaction from Seto, something he only saw from him as a sign of weakness. “`Maybe' you should have tried harder??” Kaiba shook his head at him, in disgust. “No, you weren't giving up on him.....you're giving up on yourself. And that's just as bad.”
 
Kaiba turned away and spat out, “Why don't you just quit now and go crawl away into another universe, so you don't have to embarrass yourself any further. You're hopeless......”
 
“No! I'm not giving up on anything! That's not what I meant, at all!” Seto yelled, growing in frustration with this other him. “Maybe I didn't grow up the same as you......but I said I never gave up on trying to free Mokie. And I never will, no matter how many times I fail.....I will still stand and fight for him!”
 
Kaiba finally stopped, after Seto began to yell at him. Without turning his way, he gave a slight smirk, saying, “All right, kid. Maybe there's still a little backbone in you, after all. I suppose I could at least try and see if there's a chance for you absorb anything.” Kaiba then kept walking, heading into his office.
 
`Kid? Who's he calling kid?' Seto thought. Then realizing he got Kaiba to actually agree, he whispered, “Yes!” keeping himself from doing a happy dance with Kaiba still not too far from him.
 
He then turned to Aiko, asking, “Uh.....what do I do, now?”
 
Aiko shrugged, “I suppose you follow him.....”
 
x-x-x-x-x-x-x
 
On his way to his office, Kaiba nearly tripped as a familiar cat darted from nowhere, and tackled his leg. He stared at the thing in bewilderment, as the thing attempted to playfully bat at his lower pant leg, fascinated at the material's movement due to its paw hitting it.
 
Kaiba's surprise quickly grew to irritation, as he bent down and picked up the cat. He couldn't believe he had to accept one of Wheeler's `gifts' into his house. “The things I do for you......” he muttered, thinking of Mokuba.
 
x-x-x-x-x-x-x
 
Before Seto was able to leave, Kaiba strolled back into the room, cat in his arms. He walked over to Mokuba, and gently shook him awake. “Come on, kiddo....get up.”
 
“Why are you waking him?” Seto asked.
 
“Seto's right.” Aiko said. “He just went to sleep not that long ago. Personally, I'm surprised he managed to sleep through the yelling.”
 
“Hmm?” Mokuba quietly muttered. “What's up, big brother?” he asked, sleepily rubbing his eyes.
 
In reply to Mokuba's question....Kaiba brought his hand over holding the cat, and plopped it unceremoniously next to Mokuba.
 
Mokuba looked sheepishly up at his brother, and muttered, “Sorry, Seto. I'll put her in her room.”
 
“You woke him up, just to have him take care of his cat?” Seto asked. As he did, all he could think of was, `Wasn't he preaching to me a minute ago how he dedicates his life to that kid? He sure has a funny way of showing it.....'
 
“He needs to go to bed. He shouldn't be sleeping on the couch in the first place.” Kaiba answered.
 
Mokuba then turned to Seto, saying, “It's my fault, anyway. I got this as a gift from Joey, but Seto doesn't really like cats. So, he told me to keep Tipper in the cellar, to keep her from running around the house. I should have listened to him.”
 
“You don't like cats?” Seto asked Kaiba. Seto never had a problem with animals.....so, why would another version of himself not like cats? Then another thought hit Seto's mind, and he asked, “Wait a minute.....if you don't like cats, then why do you have one?”
 
“Because it's `his' gift.” Kaiba answered, as if Seto should have figured that out. Kaiba then narrowed his eyes at Seto, asking, “Why.....is there a problem with that?”
 
Seto shrugged. “Well.....it's just strange that you hate cats and still allow Mokuba to have one.”
 
“Seto's not a cat-hater....he just doesn't like them!” Mokuba said in his defense, as if that made all the difference in the world.
 
Kaiba then snapped at Seto, “You do realize these stupid comments you're making are not helping your case, any....”
 
Kaiba then turned to his brother, saying softly, “Mokuba.....put your kitten downstairs in her room, then get to bed.”
 
Mokuba nodded, “Okay, big brother.” and did as he asked.
 
Aiko then added, “I'll go with you, Mokuba.” and followed Mokuba, to allow Kaiba room to try and train Seto.
 
x-x-x-x-x-x-x
 
Kaiba headed straight to his office, totally ignoring Seto who followed along and wasn't even sure if he was supposed to follow or not. `So, is he going to try and teach me something, or just pretend I don't exist?'
 
`Why am I doing this again?' Kaiba wondered, as he went in to his office and turned to watch Seto carefully follow him in. Looking at Seto again was an instant reminder why. Seto was supposed to be some kind of alternate reality version of him. If that was true, then there should be at least some part of himself he could find in Seto to do what was needed to do.
 
Kaiba honestly didn't want to see another version of him as hopeless. He didn't want to believe in any possibility that without his disastrous past, he may have never had the chance of becoming anything like the man he was, now. Not to say he liked being who he was, but being a loser that could not defend Mokuba was unacceptable.
 
Seto entered the room, looking around in awe. “Wow.....you really like dragons. Just look at this place!”
 
Then again.....maybe he `wanted' to prove to everyone else that this other version of him was a failure. Maybe Kaiba was just looking for a reason to suggest his other idea to Aiko.
 
“Let's get started.” Kaiba said, closing the door.
 
x-x-x-x-x-x-x
 
Kaiba decided to start by first teaching Seto how to duel better.
 
Seto was stunned by the cards he was looking through in the deck Kaiba handed him. “Hey, you have some pretty good cards. And.....you have 3 Blue Eyes White Dragons! How did you do that?”
 
“The first thing we need to do is properly teach you how to play the game.” Kaiba stated, trying very hard to ignore Seto's stupid comments.
 
“I know how to play!”
 
“If you knew how to play, you wouldn't have everyone continually wiping the floor with you.” Kaiba retorted.
 
Seto looked down. “Well.....I try.”
 
“That's another problem. You have to stop thinking that you're going to try and do your best, and concentrate on succeeding. I was taught from a very early age what the penalty of defeat was.....something you obviously never learned.” Kaiba said, as he moved to his suitcase filled with cards, opened it up and began to organize some of them together.
 
“Penalty of defeat?” Seto asked.
 
Kaiba continued to ignore Seto, as he said, “Another problem among many is the lack of useful cards you have. Thankfully between me and Mokuba, you now have a decent deck.”
 
“What do mean by that?”
 
“That means you have better cards. Don't tell me you didn't understand that, either.....” Kaiba said, already getting agitated.
 
“No, that's not what I meant! What I meant was.....what do you mean that you and Mokuba put my deck together?” Seto asked.
 
“Even though Mokuba doesn't remember, somehow his soul ended up sharing the same body with your Mokuba.”
 
“What? How? Why?”
 
“How should I know? All I know is when I went to your world, I learned that it wasn't just your Mokuba, but mine as well.” Kaiba paused for moment, thinking of that painful time. Until Seto showed up, he had nearly convinced himself that it was all an illusion and it never really happened. Mokuba never got that sick.....he never almost died.
 
Perhaps that was yet another reason he hated this Seto so much. His very presence here was a constant reminder of just how real it was, stopping any further denial from kicking in. Mokuba almost died....he almost lost his brother, forever.
 
Of course, it also didn't help that he came back with Seto's deck, meaning he had six BEWD cards, total.....something which was impossible without three being fakes.
 
Mentally shaking the thoughts about Mokuba dying from his head, Kaiba turned back to Seto, glaring at him almost hatefully. “So, incase you didn't figure it out, yet.....the deck your holding isn't my deck, it's yours. When I came here, this deck came with me. And now it's back in your hands.”
 
“You mean.....this is `mine'?” Seto asked.
 
Kaiba sighed at the stupid question. So, Seto didn't realize it....idiot. This was going to be a loong night. “Let's just get back to the game, all ready. You now have a deck that's similar to mine in that time period, with all three Blue Eyes White Dragons.”
 
“Wow.” Seto said, looking them over again. “And, I never even used the one Blue Eyes I had.”
 
“I know.....and that was your first mistake.”
 
x-x-x-x-x-x-x
 
Kaiba started to teach him the best he could to get Seto to properly use his deck to his best ability. And after an hour of this, it looked like Seto was slowly beginning to make some progress. He was a fast learner compared to the average person on the street, but not nearly fast enough for Kaiba's taste.
 
From there, Kaiba showed him some older tapes on various dueling strategies that many decent players have used, including Kaiba using a very similar-styled deck. After getting Seto to absorb some of that, it was time to take a break from Dueling and turn his attention on Kaiba Corp.
 
Kaiba explained the aspects of what he had to go through on a daily basis at work. Unfortunately, Seto was quickly lost due to the overwhelming information. Deciding to try a different approach, Kaiba next showed all the various back-stabbers he had to deal with while in charge of the company, in hopes to show Seto how he should never trust anyone.
 
The only problem that kept coming up was anytime Seto tried to question Kaiba on what happened to him while Gozaburo was in charge, he either side-stepped the issue, or altogether refused to answer.
 
x-x-x-x-x-x-x
 
Meanwhile in the alternate world, the gang had decided to take a break at the Domino Park.
 
“Calm down, Angie....we'll get Mokuba back. You'll see.” Tea said, trying to calm her friend down.
 
“So, uh.....Angie. No offense, but.....why you acting all protective of Mokuba, all of a sudden?” Joey asked.
 
“He's my brother! Why shouldn't I be?” Angie asked.
 
“We know that, Angie.” Tea said. “But when Seto was here before, you seemed to be more jealous that Seto acted like he cared more for Mokuba than you.”
 
“Yeah.” Tristan agreed. “And now, you seem to be acting almost as mental as him!”
 
Everyone glared at Tristan for the rotten comment, and he quickly added, “Uh......no offense.”
 
Angie looked down at the ground and smiled. “Yeah.....I guess I was acting kinda jealous before, huh? I just didn't understand why my own brother seemed to act like he cared for him more than me. But, you know.....after I've been around Mokie for the short time I had, I think I finally started to get it.”
 
She then looked back up at the others, saying, “He had to focus more on Mokie than me, cuz the poor kid really needed it. I was safe in my own home with my parents, while he was in there with Noah doing who knows what to him!”
 
Angie looked away, watching the other kids play in the park around them. “I was always the youngest of the family, with everyone always treating me like a little kid. But then suddenly for the first time in my life, I had someone that really needed me. Seto was always there to give that to me, but Mokie never had anything like that.”
 
She then looked at the ground in despair. “He counted on me to keep him safe and help him. And all I did was fail him.....”
 
“No you didn't!” Joey insisted. “It aint your fault, Angie!”
 
“Joey's right, Angie.” Yugi said. “I'm sure you did your best to protect him.”
 
“No, I didn't! If I did, I wouldn't have lost him in that crowd!” Angie cried.
 
Tea placed a hand on Angie's shoulder. “Don't blame yourself....it couldn't be helped.”
 
“After what Mokie did to try and protect me, I should have been able to do more......” Angie said.
 
“Protect you, how?” Joey asked.
 
“Earlier, Mokie spotted Noah's goons before I did, and pulled me into an alley quick so that they wouldn't spot us.” Angie said.
 
“Sounds like the kid's got guts.” Tristan said.
 
“And now.....he's in that house, probably letting himself get hurt to protect me again! And I can't even do anything to help him!”
 
“Stop it Angie!” Yugi started. “No one blames you for what happened with Mokuba! You did your best to save and protect him. I don't think Mokuba would blame you, nor do I think he'd want you to.”
 
Angie finally calmed down, after hearing Yugi's words. “You're right, Yugi.....I have to be strong. I can do this! With or without anyone's help, I'm going to try to get Mokuba back!”
 
“That a girl.” Tristan said.
 
“Well, except for maybe the `without anyone's help' thing.” Joey said. “I mean, you don't gotta worry about us, Ang. We'll be right there to help you get Mokuba back!”
 
“Yeah! We'll help find your older brother, then together we'll save Mokuba from Noah's evil!” Yugi added.
 
“Thanks, guys.” Angie said.
 
“Well, now that that's over with.....lets get back to searching!” Joey said.
 
Everyone nodded in agreement and went back to searching.
 
x-x-x-x-x-x-x
 
Meanwhile, Kaiba was getting more and more frustrated with trying to teach Seto all he felt he needed to, in such a small amount of time.
 
He'd been at it for over two hours and felt like he was right back to where he started from. Though Seto was learning from what Kaiba was teaching him, nothing would be able to teach Seto the training expertise that he had towards Duel Monsters.
 
In fact......one of the main problems Seto was having, was the ability Kaiba had with being able to pull exactly the right combination of cards that he needed. The worst part about it was Kaiba had no way to explain it to him, either. He told Seto it was skill and knowledge of knowing his cards so well, which wasn't entirely true.
 
Somewhere deep down....Kaiba knew why this happened. Yami had achieved his goal in teaching Kaiba the Heart of the Cards, whether he wanted to accept it or not. And somewhere in the very back recesses of his mind....he did believe. But believing it and admitting it were two entirely different things.
 
Basically, Kaiba's pride was in the way. He would rather rip out his own tongue, before openly admitting he believed Yugi's nonsense to anyone, even himself......even another reality of himself. So, how in the world could he ever teach anyone the ability he learned, when he could barely understand or acknowledge it, himself?
 
Either way, Seto's skills were simply too lacking for Kaiba, to find him capable of doing anything that was necessary for the trip. Of course.....with this true, then the next plan Kaiba had in mind looked like he would have to bring up, after all.
 
Before Kaiba could do anything else, there was a sudden knock on the door. “Come.” Kaiba coldly commanded, assuming it was Aiko.
 
But it wasn't.....it was Mokuba. He was wiping some tears from his eyes, as he came over to Kaiba and hugged him.
 
Seto had no idea what was going on, and Kaiba became quickly concerned.
 
“I'm sorry, Kaiba.” Aiko said, now entering. “I told him to stay in bed.”
 
“What's wrong?” Kaiba asked, in concern, automatically fearing the worst.
 
“I'm sorry, Seto.....I had a nightmare, and......” Mokuba hiccupped from being upset.
 
“Calm down.” Kaiba said. “What was it?”
 
Mokuba was still clutching onto his stuffed dragon for dear life, as he was now holding his brother just as tight, trying to keep from trembling. “It - it was Pegasus. He was coming after me, again. Everywhere I ran, he was still there with that eye of his glowing at me. What if he comes back again?”
 
“Again?” Seto asked. Just how much did Kaiba and Mokuba keep from him, anyway? And why would Mokuba be afraid of someone like Pegasus?
 
“It wont happen....I promise you.” Kaiba said, holding him. Kaiba then added, “I had our best people investigate Pegasus fully. Not only did Pegasus now retire, it seems that stupid of Eye of his was stolen. So, I guarantee you have nothing more to worry about.”
 
Mokuba looked up at Kaiba, asking, “Really?”
 
Kaiba smiled, and nodded. “I guess we're not the only ones he pissed-off.”
 
Seto also wondered about this eye they were talking about, but decided it wasn't worth asking.
 
“Kaiba.....do you want me to take him back to his room?” Aiko asked.
 
“No, I'll take care of it. We're finished here, anyway.” Kaiba said.
 
“We are?” Seto asked.
 
“You are?” Aiko questioned. “So, does that mean he's ready?”
 
“That was it??” Seto asked. He then shook his head, saying, “Geez, and the way you were acting, I thought I had all this stuff to learn. I don't see what the big deal was, then. Maybe I was just smarter than you thought.”
 
“Yeah, right.” Kaiba muttered, picking his brother up and headed towards the door of his office, to leave. “.....you wish.”
 
“What? Well, wait a minute!” Seto said, grabbing his arm and stopped him in his tracks. “What the hell are you trying to say, here?”
 
Kaiba turned, giving a death-glare at his counter part. “First of all.....watch your language in front of my brother. And secondly, unless you want to lose that arm, I suggest you let go.....NOW.”
 
Seto quickly let go.
 
“Kaiba, please.....is he ready or not?” Aiko asked.
 
Kaiba sighed, irritated by the both of them. He was tired of dealing with this, and wanted to go down and relax in the living room with his brother, before explaining. But obviously they weren't going to let him leave until they got an answer now. `Fine......they want an answer, I'll give them an answer!' With that, he walked over to the couch in his office, and gently laid his brother down in it.
 
Kaiba then remained standing, as he turned and faced the two of them, like he was facing an opponent. “Personally, I thought it was rather obvious.....but I guess not. The only things my teachings have done was to prove just how inept this person is! There is no possible way he could handle the job!”
 
They both looked at him in stunned silence, as he calmed back down and smirked. “There's your answer. Satisfied?”
 
“No, I'm not. You'll need to come up with a better answer than that!” Seto argued, as he and Aiko waited for Kaiba to say more.
 
Kaiba turned away, ignoring them both. “I don't need to explain myself to you. Maybe you should go to Kaiba Land and challenge Wheeler for while, until you can learn to at least beat someone in a Duel. In fact, maybe you should take his place for a while and let `him' go, instead. Even Wheeler would have a better chance at saving Mokuba from your world than you would.....which is pathetic, in itself.”
 
“That's bullshit! Maybe the problem is my teacher sucks!” Seto snapped at him. “Don't think I can't tell that you're hiding things from me. You haven't been telling me everything. So, how am I supposed to learn if you don't tell me? If there's more I need to know, then why don't you teach it to me?”
 
Kaiba turned, with hate burning in his eyes towards Seto. “Because there are some things I refuse to teach you! Believe me.....if there's anyone who deserves to be taught the way I was, it's you. But there are just some things I will not stoop to. I will not become that man, no matter how much you beg for it!”
 
Seto wasn't sure what to say. The fact of the matter was.....he just didn't understand. And Aiko, who did know what Kaiba was talking about, didn't know what to say to him, either. But she knew that Seto couldn't stay. So, what other choice was there?
 
Kaiba calmed down again, and finally walked over and sat down at his desk, indicating he was willing to talk to them more on an even level. The others also sat in seats on the opposite side of the desk, once he sat down.
 
Kaiba took a calm breath, stating to Seto, “After Mokuba's nightmare, it should be pretty apparent, even to you, that he had his share of kidnappings in the past. I've all ready had my share of having to deal with every lunatic that's shown up at our doorstep. There's nothing I'd really be able to teach you that could help. Every situation is unique. There is no way you'd be able to handle it, and not enough time to teach you what you'd need to know, anyway. Point blank, you don't have the experience or the know-how. You can't duel, you can't fight, you can barely even think for yourself. You're pathetic.....it's stupid to even consider having you go.”
 
“I just don't see what the problem is.” Seto said. “I'm just going to be popping in and out of different areas, until I hit my world. You act like I'm about to face a battle zone.”
 
Kaiba shook his head. “If you're appearing in various worlds that involve us, then very likely you `are'! There's not even enough time to teach you to properly defend yourself, if you run into trouble!”
 
“What do you mean? I know how to fight!” Seto stated.
 
“We've all ready been through this before.” Kaiba said. “So, what do you plan on doing when you appear in a world where you're face to face with Gozaburo?”
 
“I'm not sure.”
 
“Wrong answer......hesitation would be your downfall. You also trust too easily. Knowing you, you would probably make the stupid mistake of turning your back on him. So, after you're on the ground bleeding, with him laughing down at you.....what's your next move, genius?” Kaiba retorted.
 
Seto then stood, snapping, “Well, then maybe it's time you give me a fight lesson! Or better yet, maybe I'll teach you, this time!”
 
Aiko quickly decided to jump in before a fight could occur, which would only serve to wake up Mokuba up. “So what do you think we should do?” she asked Kaiba, which seemed to help calm Seto down. He moved slightly away, and sat at the couch next to the sleeping Mokuba.
 
Kaiba ignored Seto, and turned to Aiko as he calmly stated, “Simple. I don't think he can handle the traveling. Who knows.....maybe he's right, and the slim chance that nothing will go wrong will actually occur. But, why take the chance? It was my fault for not thinking ahead that Noah might come back after Mokuba, when I freed him. So, it's my responsibility in the first place to fix the mistake.”
 
“What are you saying?” Seto asked.
 
“I'm saying I'll be the one traveling the dimensions, instead.” Kaiba explained. “I can handle anything that comes along far better than you.”
 
“I can do it!” Seto snapped. “Mokie's my responsibility!”
 
“That's a nice sentiment, and if you were simply going straight to that reality....I'd be more than happy to let you go make a fool of yourself. But not under these circumstances.”
 
“Aiko, talk to him!” Seto said.
 
“There's another one of your many problems.” Kaiba stated.
 
“What problems?” Seto asked.
 
“Aiko.....in that closet over there are some pillows. Get one for Mokuba.” Kaiba said, ignoring Seto yet again
 
Kaiba then got up and walked over to the couch. “Move!” was all he said to Seto, who quickly got up and moved away from him. Seto didn't know how to react when Kaiba got that way. He was so angry and cold, it reminded him of Noah.
 
Aiko got him a comforter as well, which Kaiba used to cover his brother up to make the kid more comfortable as he slept, and make sure he didn't get a chill.....he still had a fever, after all.
 
When Kaiba was done, he moved away from the couch towards Seto....once again bringing his attention back to the alternate version of him. He then stated coldly, “What I mean is that you can't even fight your own battles. The first sign of trouble, and you start whining to some woman to solve your problems for you.” It might have been an insult to Aiko herself, but Kaiba was simply too arrogant to consider that, or even care.
 
“Fine,” Seto said, approaching Kaiba. “Well, I'm going and you can't stop me!”
 
Kaiba answered coldly, “You're going to have to go through me, first.”
 
Seto hesitated, not expecting such a confrontation from him.
 
Kaiba then added, “If you can successfully do that, I'll take back everything I said about you, and you can go.”
 
Seto still hesitated. Aiko could see a problem was about to occur, and started to frantically wave behind Seto's back against it, to warn Kaiba not to do this.....that the noise would probably wake his brother up.
 
But Kaiba ignored Aiko's signals, as he continued to face down his counterpart. Kaiba now smirked, stating, “What's wrong.....don't you think you can handle it? Maybe you should go crawl away now with your tail under your legs, while you still have the chance.”
 
Seto's anger was now peaked. It was bad enough having to deal with the local bullies in his world, but to have his own self-talk down to him like that was too much. He took a swing at Kaiba, who was of course ready for it. In fact.....he was purposely baiting him, just to make a point.
 
Kaiba grabbed his hand, twisting his wrist while his finger pressed hard against a nerve point, causing him to cry out. In an instant, he had his other self down on his knees, helpless and pathetically trying to break Kaiba's hand grip....failing miserably. Unfortunately, Seto's cries also woke Mokuba. But at the moment, Kaiba only focused on his other self. He brought his head dangerously close to Seto's face, hissing, “You can't even deal with yourself........what makes you think you can handle anything else out there??”
 
“Seto?” Mokuba weakly called out.
 
Kaiba threw Seto back and walked over to Mokuba. “It's nothing.” Kaiba told him brushing his bangs, kissing his forehead and covering him up better with his comforter. He then sat down beside him. “Look kiddo.....the only way to get Seto home is to travel dimensions. But if he goes himself, he wont survive the trip.”
 
“So, what's going to happen?”
 
“I'm going to go in his place.” Kaiba told him.
 
“Do you have to go?” Mokuba asked.
 
“Yes. But, I'll be back....I promise. I wouldn't leave you.”
 
Mokuba smiled and hugged him. “I love you, big brother.”
 
“Yea.....me too, kid. Me, too.” Kaiba said squeezing him tight. “Now, I want you to stay here on the couch and rest, so that Aiko and Seto can look after you....all right?”
 
“Okay, big brother. I promise.”
 
Kaiba laid him back down and kissed his forehead. “Good. And then I'll give you your surprise as soon as I get back.”
 
“Can't I have it now?”
 
“No. Right now you need your sleep. You've been up a lot later than you should have been, tonight. Now, get some rest.” Kaiba then frazzled his brother's head and made sure he was covered good. He then kissed his forehead goodnight, and stood away from the couch, turning back towards Seto.
 
Seto was still on the ground at the time, and he grabbed Seto's arm.....motioning for Seto to join him, at the same time for Aiko, as well.
 
“Why are you letting him stay here, instead of his room?” Aiko asked, as they walked outside the office.
 
“I was planning on putting him in his room. But now that I've thought it over.....I'd feel better if he was down here while I'm gone, where I'll be counting on you both to watch over him.” Kaiba then looked at Seto, as he added, “And there better not be any problems with my brother, while I'm gone!”
 
“So, why are you looking at me?” Seto asked.
 
“Because of how incompetent you have been towards your own brother!”
 
“How do we even know he is my brother?” Seto asked. “No offense, but things aren't exactly the same in my universe.”
 
“No kidding. We'll discuss that at a later time. I don't have time to deal anymore of your stupidity, right now.” Kaiba said. “In the mean time....you will keep my brother safe, or there will be hell to pay! Now, Aiko.....explain to me how this golden box of yours works again.”
 
Aiko explained again exactly how it worked and what to do in order to activate it.
 
“We must know when you've reach the right reality. If you don't activate the box within two weeks after arriving, it will activate automatically.....pulling you to a new reality whether you want to or not.” Aiko said.
 
“So, how do I stop it?” Kaiba asked.
 
Aiko explained, “Place your locket on the box when you're certain you are in the correct reality. Mokuba's will then glow and it will allow me to then access the correct portal to that world. Once you've confirmed the right reality, the box will then allow you to leave when you're ready.”
 
“Good. I'll handle Noah while I'm there.”
 
“No. I'll deal with him.” Seto said. After Kaiba glared at him from the comment, Seto added, “You even said.....I need to prove myself to both Mokuba and to me.”
 
Kaiba smirked....he couldn't argue with that. He then gave Aiko the same protective warning about his brother he gave Seto, then activated the box and finally vanished.
 
“Do you really think he can handle it better than I could?” Seto asked.
 
“I can't say......I've never been to alternate realities besides this one and your own. But Kaiba did make some valid points.” Aiko replied, hoping Kaiba was up to the task of handling all that was going to be coming his way.