Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Seto's Wish Alternate World Conclusion ❯ C21 Death T ( Chapter 21 )

 

C21 Death T

 

Kaiba quickly looked around the room he was in, from this newest universe. As anxious as he was to make it to his destination, he sadly realized this must not be it either, since he was in the mansion once again.

 

In fact, he was right in front of his office computer, which was showing the latest stock exchange for Kaiba Corporation, on the percentage of who owned what.

 

But before he got a good look at it, the door to his office flew open and Mokuba came in. “Setooo! I need to talk to you!”

 

At least he knew Mokuba thought he was alive and was his normal young self. In fact, he seemed even younger than he remembered him to presently be. But then, after seeing him at all those other various ages, he wasn't sure if it was the correct age as his Mokuba or not.

 

Only now did Kaiba then realize what Mokuba was wearing, which looked like some kind of king's robe. Was it Halloween, already?

 

“What in the world are you wearing?” Kaiba asked.

 

“Don't you remember? You got this for me. It was a matching set for the both of us.” Mokuba said, trying not to sound hurt.

 

`A matching set?' he thought. There was a tingling in the back of his mind that was trying to remember, but he couldn't for some reason, as if the memory was blocked out.

 

“When's the meeting, by the way?” Mokuba then asked.

 

Kaiba asked, “What meeting?”

 

Mokuba gave a sarcastic smile, muttering, “You know what meeting....'the' meeting. When you and Gozaburo finally face-off. And you're going to win.....aren't you, big brother?”

 

Kaiba's eyes widened, as he realized what Mokuba was talking about. He glanced down at the monitor immediately, afterwards. The combination of stock between Kaiba, Mokuba and the Big 5...which were also listed on the screen, outweighed Gozaburo Kaiba by 2%. It was the final meeting; it was going to take place any time, now.

 

Mokuba was now looking down at his hands nervously, as he then asked, “Seto, do you remember the bet we had?”

 

“No, what bet?” Kaiba asked blankly, looking horrified from what he was seeing, realization hitting him what he was about to do.

 

“You're supposed to be in T5, while I'm in T4. But you bet on T5, didn't you?? How could you do that? How could you bet against your own brother!!” Mokuba shouted at him.

 

It was like a nightmare returned to life to haunt him, as Kaiba heard the words from Mokuba's mouth. It felt like the same recurring nightmare he had over and over again, as he whispered, “Death T...this can't be happening.”

 

“Seto! Why did you bet against me??” Mokuba asked, as Kaiba closed his twitching eyes, having trouble staying in control, never wanting to remember any part of these moments again...ever.

 

Again, Mokuba snapped, after Kaiba still didn't answer. “Why did you bet against me!!”

 

“BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT GOING!!!” Kaiba suddenly boomed at him.

 

“Wh-what??” Mokuba asked, backing up.

 

“You heard what I said. You're not going to be a part of this...I refuse to let you.” Kaiba snarled. If this happened again, he would be damned before he let his brother step foot into that monstrosity of a game he created. He almost killed his brother once; he was not going to allow it to happen again. Never...never again.

 

“But Seto, you promised! You said I could help! I want to help you go after Yugi. I can do it, Seto...I really can!” Mokuba whined, thinking that his brother was saying these things because he had no faith in him. His brother thought he was just a loser...a waste of his time.

 

“What happened last night, Mokuba? Tell me what happened between you and Yugi?” Kaiba asked. Mokuba choked on his words...he hoped that his brother wouldn't find out about the game. Mokuba poisoned certain foods, to try and kill Yugi. Mokuba lost, and he had to eat the food. Fortunately, his servants had the cure close at hand, preventing Mokuba from dying.

 

“Yugi won, didn't he?” When Mokuba didn't answer, he snapped, “DIDN'T HE???”

 

“I...I'm sorry, Seto. I was only trying...trying to help. He was mean to you and I wasn't going to let him treat my brother that way.....” Mokuba mumbled out, nervously.

 

“You were poisoned, Mokuba! You could have died! Don't you understand that???” Kaiba yelled at him. But Kaiba wasn't angry at Mokuba...he was angry at himself, for ever letting these things happen to him.

 

Mokuba began to go into tears now, as he hiccupped, “Please Seto, please let me try again! This time, I promise I can do it! I can beat Yugi!”

 

This was no longer the Mokuba that could handle doing things on his own, no matter how much he tried to prove his brother, otherwise. This was basically the same as `his' Mokuba. He would fail, and Kaiba would punish him for it. Mokuba would almost die, but be saved by his own adversary before that happened. No.....not again.

 

Kaiba now pulled himself from his computer and dropped down to Mokuba's eye level, holding onto his shoulder, saying, “Mokuba.... listen to me. You don't have to prove anything to me, do you understand? It's `my' job.... my job to take care of things, my job to protect you. I know I haven't been the same as I used to be and I'm sorry. But soon.... things are going to change for the better. We're going to be free, I promise you. Remember the games I told you.... the games we have to play, when we battle against our stepfather?”

 

“Y-yes....” Mokuba said, rather surprised by Kaiba's sudden soft tones. He hadn't seen his brother talk to him like that in a long time.

 

“Well right now, me talking to you here.... this isn't a game.” Kaiba said and hugged his brother. “You mean everything to me, Mokuba. Don't let what happened to us make you ever forget that. I know I haven't shown it yet, but it's coming. I.....” Kaiba couldn't say it. He was never one to express feelings. And how could he say he loved someone, when he wasn't even sure what love felt like, anymore?

 

But this whole thing about re-living Death-T was seriously messing him up. He felt, he had to say something. He owed Mokuba that. “I love you....and I always will.” There.....he said it. He just hoped he wasn't lying to Mokuba, or saying something that he'd never be able to prove to the kid.

 

“I.... I love you too, Seto!!” Mokuba gushed and hugged his brother tight, tears falling from his eyes, tears of joy. He never thought such words would ever fall from his brother's lips again. `My brother still cares....'

 

“Now listen...you will not be a part of this game. I know you are trying to prove to me you're valuable, but you don't have too. I already know that...you're more valuable to me than you can ever imagine. I'm not forbidding you because I don't believe in you; I'm forbidding you because I refuse to put you into that kind of position. Okay, kiddo?” Kaiba asked.

 

Mokuba smiled, saying, “Okay, big brother!”

 

Kaiba sensed the door-handle turn and immediately leaped away from Mokuba, remembering how he still had to act the part. His stepfather wasn't down, yet. Kaiba still had that meeting to go to and then he no longer had to worry about it. The door opened and the evil butler came in, saying, “Master Seto, your stepfather has arrived. You are expected at the meeting.”

 

Kaiba looked down at Mokuba and gave him a particular look and the slightest nod, signaling something to his brother. Kaiba hated what he was about to do, but only one last time and then he could witness Gozaburo's death. “Go cry in your room, brat. I have important things to deal with now, without your senseless groveling.”

 

“Yes, Seto...” Mokuba said looking sad and turned away...wiping the tears from his eyes. He began to mope away, only taking a second to glance up at the butler, while he left the room. This was nothing new...it was a game that was played all the time, after all.

 

Kaiba had to turn away afterwards, to hide the pain in his face. He never thought he would have to do something like that ever again, and only brought back the nightmares in his mind. `Mokuba, forgive me.'

 

But if Gozaburo or the Big 5 sensed his weakness now, it was too risky for him to chance any of them might possibly pull out and take Gozaburo's side.

 

“Tell them I'll be right there.” Kaiba ordered, as the butler nodded and left.

 

Seto Kaiba looked down at himself...he was wearing the white uniform that his father made him wear since he had been adopted by him. He hated this uniform. After his battle with Yugi, he remembered burning it the first chance he had. It was still never enough to take away the hate and guilt he felt for himself after almost murdering his only brother.

 

Yet, the only good thing that came out of this was about to take place. He was about to crush his stepfather and win the game.

 

`But this was another dimension.....what if I'm destined to lose here?' he wondered.

 

No.....he'd never second-guess himself. The numbers were accurate and showed the same thing. And for a chance to watch Gozaburo throw himself out of the top window of Kaiba Corp once again, it was well worth the risk.

 

Kaiba grabbed his briefcase, making sure everything was ready. He then turned and headed to the meeting.

 

x-x-x-x-x-x-x

 

Everything went as Kaiba had expected, to his delight. All the fools of the Big 5 took his side, yet Gozaburo still thought he had an Ace in the hole.

 

He laughed evilly, stating, “You think you've won, Seto? Did you think I wouldn't consider the possibility that my own men would try and stab me in the back? I predicted everything, and came prepared. You might have the power of the Big 5, but I still have something you `didn't' expect!”

 

“And what would that be?” Kaiba asked casually, even though he all ready knew Gozaburo's supposed `ace'......his brother.

 

“I've taught you well in showing that brotherly love is no place for business. Unfortunately, those same teachings also taught your brother to fear you! I've had a long talk with Mokuba over the last few days. And I'm afraid he's on `my' side!” Gozaburo spat.

 

Kaiba just watched calmly as a guard opened the door, and Mokuba came into the room.

 

“That's my boy.” Gozaburo grinned, as Mokuba was lead to him. He laughed coldly as he stated to Kaiba, “But maybe I didn't teach you enough, boy. You were so blind to simply assume Mokuba would follow you, you obviously never saw this deceit. And with Mokuba's share, that still makes me in charge!”

 

The Big 5 looked like they were sweating bullets. But Kaiba remained perfectly calm.....it was all part of the game. Mokuba thought he never proved himself to his brother. But he did prove himself more than anything, when he deceived Gozaburo and agreed to offer his shares to him. And it was Gozaburo that was proved the fool, to trust Mokuba's word and not have it sealed in writing.

 

Kaiba looked to Mokuba and asked, “Mokuba. Tell us where your shares are going.”

 

Mokuba finally looked up from the floor and gave Kaiba an evil grin. “You, of course, big brother!”

 

“What??!!” Gozaburo exclaimed, totally shocked as he watched Mokuba blindly run to Kaiba's side. He was so sure that Mokuba had turned on Kaiba.....Gozaburo just couldn't believe that some stupid kid duped him like that.

 

Gozaburo admitted his failure and Kaiba's victory. And he announced to Kaiba that he would show him one last lesson before he left: a lesson to teach him that death means failure.

 

Gozaburo leapt from the window, watched by the emotionless figures of the Big 5. But this time, Kaiba could not simply stand still like they were. He quickly stood and leapt to the window, to anxiously watch the man fall to his death, his eyes dancing with joy and glee.

 

Kaiba had never been able to get sick of the image of Gozaburo Kaiba falling to his death, and splattering his brains all over the sidewalk. Kaiba laughed evilly, cackling like a madman. It caused Mokuba to back away in fear of him, as he watched in horror his own brother taking pleasure in watching any man die like that. But Kaiba did not go as far as stick his head out the window to get a better view. He didn't for two reasons...one he didn't want it to look like he had anything to do with it to the public eye, and two he didn't trust the Big 5 not to try and push him out the window next.

 

Kaiba now turned calmly, saying, “I believe our business here is taken care of. Johnson.....I trust you to take care of the reporters on this situation.”

 

“Of course, Master Kaiba.” Johnson nodded.

 

“I have work to do. Mokuba...come.” He said coldly and left the room, his brother following loyally behind.

 

Kaiba already knew he had all his paperwork in order and ready to send out, that would make the changes to stop all operations pertaining to weapons and development. The Big 5 had no idea what was about to transpire. It would set everything into motion that would cause Pegasus to go after him and the Big 5 to turn against him.

 

And how tempted Kaiba became at this moment to simply challenge Yugi himself, with the knowledge he had on Yugi's deck. A few minor changes to his own deck and he was positive he could easily take down Yugi and win instead of lose. But, he then turned to see Mokuba and knew he couldn't do that. The Seto Kaiba of `this' world had to lose. If he didn't, he would not receive the penalty game from Yugi and would remain the tortured soul that he became. He would not let any more harm come to his brother.... the Kaiba of this world had to suffer the same fate.

 

And he hated that Kaiba.....that side of him. Perhaps that's also a reason why he considered jumping in, taking the chance of losing to Yugi, getting hit with a penalty game once again.....paying for the crime that he committed. He deserved it.... he deserved worst. Yugi should have killed him for what he did. Yet, the fool spared him.

 

Kaiba waited until Yugi got through with Death T - 3, before he announced that Mokuba had become ill and could not participate in Death T - 4. Therefore, Yugi was automatically directed to Death T - 5, which caused the crowd to immediately start moving. Kaiba found Mokuba and told him not to let himself be seen until he's done with his battle against Yugi. He also told him not to hate Yugi for what he's done, no matter what.....and to respect his strength in playing. He made Mokuba promise if something happened to him, to let Yugi and his friends go. These things upset Mokuba, but Kaiba muttered that there is no game without sacrifice. He then went back to his office and then quickly activated the box so that the Kaiba of this world had to deal with everything.