Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Seto's Wish Alternate World Conclusion ❯ C36 Take Down! ( Chapter 36 )

C36 Take Down!

 

GSeto ran upstairs, and went into a room that offered a front window, which would allow him to see when this other version of him came back. `How do I stop him?' he wondered. He couldn't think of a way. They were so much older and more experienced than him. They seemed so much better, smarter, and more confident than he was. Plus, they all automatically seemed to realize he couldn't be trusted.

 

`I could run away.' he thought. But then he'd never be with Mokuba. And if he stayed, they'd use that device to send him home. `I have to see how that thing works.' he thought. If he could see how it works, then he'd know how to avoid it. Then he could maybe take the escape route.

 

`But they'd know what I'd do.' he thought. Not if they thought he had no intention of running. `That might work!' he thought, but it was risky. He could wait till most of them were gone while watching how it worked, then go right up to be sent back as well. But instead of letting them, he'd instead snatch it quick and send the last remaining away, instead. And before someone could get it back.....he could smash it!

 

It certainly wasn't the most complicated or ingenious plan in the world. But maybe that's why it would work. All the others would probably expect him to do something more well-planned. So, if he did something simple and quick, they wouldn't have the chance to do anything, until it was too late. Then he would finally be with Mokuba.

 

That's when a strange shot of guilt hit him. What about `his' Mokuba....the one back home? `Mokie....' For some reason, he never thought of that. He wouldn't actually be with his Mokuba.....would he??

 

`It doesn't matter.' he thought, sadly. `What could I do for him, but fail some more and cause more misery? He'd be better off without me. I can't seem to do anything right, anyway.' He was a failure. Even in this world, one Kaiba was trying to wander the universe to save another Mokuba. But what about his brother? To help another, he's failing his own. And all these other Kaiba's stuck here.....maybe he caused that, too. And none of them seem to know what to do. No matter how old he is, he still can't seem to do anything right.

 

GSeto then noticed a vehicle coming to the gate. No......more than one. `Why are there so many?' he wondered, suddenly having a feeling that something was very wrong.

 

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

 

KTristan leaned against the counter, trying to waste time in here as long as possible without having to go back into that room. He wondered exactly what this other Kaiba's plans were in order to get one more body. If he was coming with the intention of giving them false information about sending them back, it meant a few things. He did have a device, but it would knock people out instead.....or this Kaiba was going to go all out and try to render them all unconscious at once.

 

KTristan found it no surprise if this other him went overkill and planned on taking them all down. Then they could swap a body, and together they wake them up, claiming it was a mistake of some sort.

 

But KaibaS1's question returned back to his head, as he continued to think about it. `What does he get out of it??' What indeed. Maybe this other Kaiba was simply doing this to know whom he could and couldn't trust. But wasn't there also a possibility he had his own interest that he didn't tell them about?

 

`But then, what would that be?' KTristan silently questioned to himself.

 

But before he could think any more on it, he suddenly felt the presence of another nearby. He turned to see......himself. Actually, it was one of the Kaiba's who had followed him, and he quickly realized this Kaiba was the oddball he was trying to avoid the most.

 

MKaiba eyed him warily, as he said, “I thought you wouldn't mind getting some help to get a drink. After all, since it's not your kitchen, you probably don't know where anything is......right??”

 

KTristan avoided eye contact from this one, muttering, “Of course.” as he tried to refrain from his usual body movements of crossing his arms, and giving that `go away' feeling to anyone around him.

 

MKaiba went to the fridge, and opened it, asking, “What would you like?”

 

The whole scene looked wrong to KTristan. As himself, he never played the friendly host, and would certainly not care what a person wanted to drink. Eyeing him curiously, KTristan put on another fake smile in an attempt to act like one of Yugi's idiot friends. He then shrugged, saying, “Just give me whatever you like. It doesn't matter to me.”

 

MKaiba was so concentrated on KTristan's every movement, that he didn't even think much on what he was doing, himself. “Okay.” MKaiba said, grabbing a container from the fridge and pouring a glass of red liquid. “Here, this is my favorite......” he said. An instant after he said it and noticed the eye subtly rising on KTristan, he gulped and stuttered out, “I-I mean.......my brother's favorite.”

 

A cool dark smirk began to uncharacteristically appear on KTristan, as he said, “Your brother's favorite.....hmm? That's interesting, I thought a moment ago you said it was `your' favorite.” He then began to approach MKaiba, causing that version of Kaiba to back away fearfully, as he said, “So, since when does Seto Kaiba stutter? And since when does he show fear towards anyone, or decide to play the oh-so pleasant host?” Now practically up in MKaiba's face, KTristan hissed, “Why don't you tell me who you `really' are?”

 

Suddenly changing from fear to aggression, MKaiba took a step back but said in defiance, “And why don't you..... `Tristan'?? Because you obviously don't act like him. Why don't you tell me who `you' really are!”

 

KTristan hesitated, realizing he probably shouldn't have acted that way. Even if he was right about this Kaiba, even if this was Mokuba, it didn't mean that he was `his' Mokuba......did it? Could he trust telling this one? It could blow his plans. KTristan sighed, and said, “All right.....this is what we'll do. We'll both come clean, and agree that this secret will be kept with each other and no one else, no matter what the reason.....agreed?”

 

“Okay.” MKaiba said.

 

“Promise.” KTristan ordered.

 

“I promise.” he said. Then retorted, “You, too!”

 

“Fine......I swear. Not without your approval.” KTristan said, quickly adding in a sub clause, just incase.

 

They then stared hesitantly at each other, as MKaiba said, “You first.”

 

He gave a smirk, saying, “I think you all ready know who I am.......Mokuba. I'm your brother.” Then glancing towards the living room, he added, “Well......one of them, I guess.”

 

“How did you turn into Tristan?” Mokuba asked.

 

“I answered first who I am. It's now your turn.” KTristan said. “How did you end up looking like me?”

 

MKaiba looked down sadly, saying, “Well......it was your decision, actually. You......you put me into this body.”

 

KTristan's breath hitched as Mokuba said it, but not for the same reason that MKaiba had thought; He assumed KTristan was shocked and fearful over such a possibility. Yet, unknown to Mokuba, KTristan had already been there. “Let me guess.” KTristan said, without even giving him a chance to finish the story. “You were dying, your brother was out of options, he did the one thing he thought could save you. And now your brother remains in the computer system of Kaiba Corp, helping you anytime he can.”

 

MKaiba looked up in shock. “Uh......well, yeah. But how did......??”

 

“M-Mokuba......” KTristan said, stuttering for the first time, as hope was trying to seep inside. “I didn't exchange bodies.......I didn't have one to begin with.”

 

“......Seto?” Mokuba asked, fighting back tears. All at once, the two embraced, as they began to realize the other might be the real brother of the other, and not just one from another dimension.

 

Suddenly another Kaiba voice interrupted their pleasant reunion, as VWKaiba said gruffly, “I hope I'm not interrupting anything......”

 

Since the 5 minutes were up, VWKaiba volunteered to go and find where GSeto went. His first stop was the kitchen to see if he went there. But, seeing one of the Kaiba's hugging Tristan was not something he was expecting.

 

They both immediately pulled apart and looked over at VWKaiba, whose arms were crossed with an eyebrow raised in curiosity. KTristan was frantically reading the other Kaiba that approached, and from his lack of expression, he'd guessed he didn't get the chance to hear what any of them had to say. He must have simply walked in and noticed them embracing. MKaiba looked like a deer caught in the headlights, and KTristan felt he had to do something to protect Mokuba's identity. What would be another excuse for this happening?

 

So, KTristan put on his best outward embarrassed look that he could, and snapped at the both of them, “You guys are everywhere! Next time, `Kaiba' why don't you stay out of my way, and stop running into me. You're acting just like that other weird Kaiba is around Joey!”

 

At first, MKaiba looked at KTristan aghast, but quickly recovered realizing what he was up to, as KTristan quickly walked away back to the living room. And sure enough, that seemed to work, as VWKaiba eyed him with surprise, saying, “You, too? What's with you people?” He quickly headed into the kitchen, as he continued to muttered, “The rest of you can't possibly be clones of me......I couldn't imagine acting this way in my worst nightmares!”

 

MKaiba had to keep himself from laughing, as he turned to head back into the living room. But before he could, the doorbell rang. MKaiba stopped and turned, heading for the door. But as MKaiba headed that way, he could hear KTristan practically running up, saying, “That's probably the others.......I'll get it!”

 

MKaiba stopped, wondering why his brother was so anxious to get the door, or was this his way of pretending to be Tristan? He still had to figure out how and why he was in Tristan's body in the first place, as well as.......where was the real Tristan in the first place?

 

KTristan quickly stopped him, muttering quietly, “Let me get this. Why don't you go to your room for now.”

 

“What's going on, Seto?” MKaiba asked.

 

KTristan sighed, saying, “I'll explain later. Trust me......this is for the best, for everyone involved.”

 

MKaiba wasn't sure what to think of this, but he trusted his brother. So, he nodded, and headed upstairs towards his brother's old room. But on his way, he stopped and peaked around the corner to see what was going on.

 

As KTristan answered the door, MKaiba saw yet another Kaiba with hoards of guards surrounding him, all pulling out their weapons, aiming at KTristan at the moment. KTristan did not look concerned though, and nodded respectfully at DTKaiba. Closing his eyes and putting on a cocky grin, he imperiously held up one hand, causing the guards to lower their weapons to him.

 

DTKaiba now asked, “Where are they?”

 

KTristan answered, “One is in the kitchen, all the others are together in the living room.” unaware that GSeto had left the room after he did.

 

“And Yugi's group?” DTKaiba asked.

 

KTristan nodded, “They're there, as well.” He then glanced at the guards, before asking, “I hope you made sure the guards are aware of what they're about to see.”

 

“Don't worry.” DTKaiba grinned evilly, “They've been prepared, and told all about the `impostors'.” DTKaiba then turned to the guards, saying, “You heard him. Now take care of the problem.”

 

“Yes, Mr. Kaiba.” the head guard said, as they charged ahead.

 

MKaiba was presently at the top of the stairs, quietly looking down at what was going on. He was horrified to see the guards all charge forward, as they surrounded the two areas of the house. There was yelling on both sides, and he turned pale hearing gunfire. No......he realized by the sound from the guns wasn't right. They weren't guns, they were tranquilizers.

 

MKaiba let out his breath, now relived that no one was injured, but was still worried about why this was happening. Why did his brother plan this? And why was he working with this one other version of him? Mokuba was also getting some bad vibes from this newest Seto Kaiba, but he didn't know why. Whatever it was, he had a feeling that this one was different from all the others. He somehow felt......dangerous.

 

“Looks like we're being invaded.”

 

MKaiba almost jumped ten feet in the air from the voice next to him. It was GSeto now watching next to him. “The pointy-haired one......he's like me too, isn't he?”

 

MKaiba sadly nodded.

 

GSeto smiled sadly and looked down. “I never thought I could become Gozaburo. How could it have happened?”

 

“Y-your not him.” MKaiba said, looking back down at DTKaiba. Is that was he was sensing? Could this version of his brother be `that' evil?

 

As this chaos was going on around them, KTristan asked, “Where's the other one?”

 

DTKaiba simply shrugged, saying, “He needed a trim. He said he'd meet us in a little while.”

 

KTristan simply nodded in understanding.

 

They then walked into the living room and as DTKaiba looked around, he suddenly realized the count was wrong. He clearly remembered there were at least 5 other versions and he only counted 4. It was now DTKaiba's turn to ask, “Where's the other one?”

 

“The other one?” KTristan asked. He quickly realized GSeto was missing, which could be a serious problem. Yet at the same time, he didn't want the guards to storm upstairs where he probably was, and attack his brother, instead.

 

“I know there were at least 5. Now, where's the last Kaiba?” DTKaiba asked.

 

“Actually, there's two more.” KTristan said. “Another one appeared on your way here.”

 

“Oh?” DTKaiba asked, as he began to wonder if there were still more to arrive. “You said they were all here. Why are we missing two?”

 

“I went in the kitchen for a minute. The other one must have went upstairs.” KTristan said.

 

DTKaiba turned to KTristan, glaring slightly up at him. “Maybe you didn't hear me well. We're missing 2. You mentioned one of them.....where's the last one?”

 

“The second one is not a problem. He's also upstairs in our bedroom. But, I don't want the guards harming this one......understand? He's with us.” KTristan said, sounding almost....protective.

 

DTKaiba looked annoyed by this, saying curtly, “I didn't say we can recruit anyone else. It's difficult to trust each other. So....why so protective? I never realized you could have a liking to yourself before. This is new.”

 

It was an obvious taunt, but KTristan didn't get angry from it. If anything......he seemed to expect it. Instead, KTristan avoided eye contact with the other, saying, “I promised this one I wouldn't give away his secret. You're just going to have to trust me on this.”

 

“Well.......I'm afraid I don't trust you. So, unless you tell me why I should protect this one, we're going to take him down as well. So, what's it going to be, spike-head? You tell me, or he falls.....” DTKaiba snapped, not understanding this one's attempt in protecting another in the least.

 

KTristan glanced in the direction to where MKaiba went, causing him and GSeto both to quickly duck away to avoid being seen.

 

Despite them trying to hide though, KTristan still saw them both. He didn't like the idea of Mokuba hanging with another version of himself.....especially the younger one. But it was still understandable for Mokuba to do so. The hard part was going to be trying to get his brother to understand why he was doing this. `He's not going to understand at all.' he realized, which meant this whole plan could fall apart very easily, if they let Mokuba's guilt get the best of them.

 

Either way, he KTristan felt bad enough knowing he was going to have to break a promise to him, yet again. He finally turned back to DTKaiba, and quietly muttered, “He's really Mokuba...... `my' Mokuba. Just.......don't tell him I said anything, okay? I promised I wouldn't say anything to anyone without his approval.”

 

KTristan may not have trusted DTKaiba as far as he could throw him, but he did believe when it came to Mokuba he could trust him. No matter what this Kaiba was like, KTristan was certain that none of them would ever think of harming their own brother. But then, most Kaiba's had done all in their power to bury the past of what they once became, desperately trying to forget it......which is why it never even dawned on him just how dangerous this one might be. KTristan in fact trusted this one more than GSeto, due to his age, never realizing the true enemy was right before him.

 

DTKaiba smiled and nodded, saying, “I understand. Just allow me to alert the guards on avoiding that room.” DTKaiba snapped his finger, causing a good percentage of the guards to return to him. “Roland, is everyone taken care of ?”

 

“Everyone is knocked out cold, Mr. Kaiba.” the head guard said.

 

DTKaiba smiled calmly, saying, “Good. Subdue this one, as well.” He added, nodding to KTristan in front of him.

 

“What??” KTristan asked, in surprise. But he had no time to react, as one of the guards immediately shot him in the back with a tranquilizer dart.

 

With the look of surprise still on KTristan's face, MKaiba had to watch in horror as his brother fell to the ground.

 

The dizziness quickly took claim of him, but he was not out yet. DTKaiba stood over him, saying, “And don't worry about that `guest' of yours in my bedroom.......I'll make sure my guards take care of him, as well.” DTKaiba then laughed coldly, as the blackness finally took claim of KTristan.

 

They didn't hear what KTristan said to this other Kaiba, but DTKaiba was definitely loud enough in his reply, for both MKaiba and GSeto to hear what was said. GSeto turned to look at MKaiba in fear, as if to silently ask him, `Weren't you in the bedroom?'

MKaiba looked back at GSeto with the same look of fear, and nodded.....seeming to understand the silent question. GSeto asked, “That pointy haired guy didn't know who you are.....did he?” he quietly asked.

 

“What do you mean?” MKaiba asked in fear.

 

GSeto said, “You know......you're not me. You know you're not.”

 

MKaiba looked down in shame. “How long have you known?”

 

“In the living room, when you defended me. Why would I protect myself?” GSeto asked.

 

He knew that was probably a dead give-away, but he couldn't let his brother attack himself like that. “Yeah....he knows.” MKaiba replied, grateful that he didn't push the question about himself further. He didn't want to tell GSeto why he looked like a future version of his brother, instead of himself.

 

After MKaiba's response, he could instantly see the panic increase in GSeto tenfold, coming to the same understanding that MKaiba was having. If Tristan knew.....if he told DTKaiba in hopes to keep him safe, as any Kaiba might do, and was taken down for it.....that would mean this Kaiba for some reason didn't care in the least about Mokuba's welfare.

 

MKaiba immediately grabbed GSeto by the hand that instant and ran with him up the stairs, quickly saying, “It's not your fault, Seto. He's not like you. No version of my brother would do anything to hurt me.....you have to believe that! There must be something wrong with him. Maybe he's brainwashed, maybe we're wrong and he doesn't really know the truth, or maybe this one really `is' an imposter.....”

 

The guilt was all ready pouring through GSeto as he thought how one version of him would betray Mokuba. `No. He's wrong.....I would betray him.' he sadly thought. Hadn't he all ready betrayed his brother, by leaving him in the orphanage, giving up on him, and now trying to make plans on staying here and never going back? `I betrayed him. It's my fault......' he thought, blaming himself for what DTKaiba was doing.

 

In the distance, they could all ready hear DTKaiba spouting commands to find MKaiba and take him down. MKaiba immediately tried to direct himself towards his own bedroom. But, GSeto stopped him quick, saying, “Are you crazy? We can't stay here. We have to take the emergency exit!”

 

“But the other Mokuba is still in the bedroom!” MKaiba explained.

 

GSeto quickly realized he was right. He couldn't let Mokuba stay in there to also be possibly harmed. This version of himself seemed insane and ready to dispose of just about anyone and anything. `I betrayed him.' he thought in his head again. At once, GSeto felt he really did deserve all the pain he had gone through, and all the torture that Noah had done to him. No......he deserved more than that. If Mokuba couldn't escape from here, he was about to be responsible for Mokuba getting captured from his own self......possibly even killed.

 

They immediately ran to the bedroom, where the sick Mokuba had returned to some time ago, and was presently sleeping.

 

They kept the lights off. GSeto locked and watched the door, as MKaiba shook Mokuba awake....quickly after, putting his hand over his mouth. Mokuba was startled, unsure why he was being woken up, and why this Kaiba was covering his mouth, as he tried to muffle out his retaliation.

 

“Shhh!” MKaiba said. “They'll hear you!” He finally pulled his hand away, as he continued to whisper, “Listen.......we gotta get out of here, we're in danger. There's another Seto that just appeared, and this one's crazy or something! He just brought the guards and knocked everyone out!”

 

Mokuba groaned, assuming this one was probably just as paranoid as his own brother, and probably just assumed they're all fakes except for himself. This one undoubtedly woke up by himself, and didn't realize the world had changed around him. And since he wasn't with the other versions of himself to be updated on what happened, Mokuba believed that he probably assumed the worst and over-reacted.

 

“Fine, let me up.” Mokuba croaked out. He got up, putting his brother's sweater on and some shoes, then said, “I'll take care of it.....”

 

“No you're not!” GSeto whispered back at him, causing Mokuba to stop. So, there were two were in here.

 

MKaiba touched his shoulder, saying, “He's right....there's nothing you can do. We have to get out of here now, before it's too late.”

 

“Sir......I heard a voice in there!” a guard suddenly said to another outside the hallway, causing both GSeto and MKaiba to freeze up in fear. Before either of them knew it, the door slammed opened, pointing guns at both MKaiba and Mokuba, as they prepared to fire.

 

Mokuba stood up and cried out, “Stop this!!”

 

All at once the guards froze, realizing it was Mokuba himself in the room. One of them cried out to Mokuba, “Mr. Kaiba, this person in the room with you is `not' your brother! Please stand clear!”

 

GSeto was tight against the wall to the side of the guards, and at the moment.....none of them saw him. He wasn't sure what to do. Should he attack? There were too many. But if he didn't, Mokuba could get hurt. But he's never retaliated against guards before! What could he do? `If I can cause a distraction, maybe they could still both be safe.' he thought. It was worth the sacrifice. For Mokuba......it was always worth it. And yet, no matter how he tried, he couldn't make himself move....too overwhelmed by his own fear.

 

Mokuba made sure to stand in front of MKaiba to ensure his safety, as he said, “You're not shooting anyone! Put your guns down!”

 

“This person is a potential threat to you, sir.......a possible terrorist. I highly advise you step away from the impostor!” the guard said.

 

“He is no threat to me.” Mokuba said. “And I am ordering you to stand down!”

 

There was now hesitation in the guard's voice, as he said, “But I......have orders from your brother, sir.”

 

“And how do you know that `he's' not an impostor?” Mokuba asked. When there was no answer from the guard, Mokuba sighed, and said, “Listen....I'll go talk to my brother. Until we get this worked out, I am advising you to order the other guards back, right now!”

 

Finally, the guards lowered their weapons, saying, “Yes, Mr. Kaiba.” and began to back away. MKaiba finally let out the breath he seemed to be holding the entire time, not even realizing it.

 

GSeto also released his breath, feeling a mix of pride in his brother and shame in himself for being so weak and helpless to do anything for him. His own fear was only proof that he was right about himself. Even now, he couldn't save his brother.

 

It caused a growing frustration in himself that he could allow himself to be so weak and not be there for him. Could this be the real reason why he had not been able to help his brother where he was from? He had givin up, assuming there was no way to save him. But maybe he was wrong.....maybe there was still hope to save his brother. Maybe his own fears were what was really getting in the way of protecting him, just like what happened now. `I wont let that happen again, Mokuba.' he quietly told himself. `I promise you, I wont let anything get in the way again.....no matter what.'

 

Mokuba looked up at MKaiba, and said, “Well, come on.......we'll get this taken care of.”

 

“I don't think it's safe to go down there.” MKaiba said.

 

Mokuba just smiled, saying, “Just because you don't trust yourself, doesn't mean you wouldn't trust me. Come on......”

 

MKaiba couldn't help but smile at his own logic, but then remembering what he had witnessed, he called out, “No, Mokuba....wait!” But he was already 1/2 way down the hall.

 

MKaiba glanced at GSeto and said, “Stay here.....I'll get him.” He then turned back towards the door and moved quickly to catch up. When he was caught up, MKaiba then followed behind, as some small attempt to protect him. It would be what his brother would want.

 

GSeto watched them both leave, a new found fire burning in his eyes. Even now, he could feel the fear of not wanting to leave.....not wanting to get hurt again. But for the first time in a very long time, he buried that fear.....now determined to protect Mokuba, no matter what the cost to himself. He hoped Mokuba was right, and they were both mistaken from what they saw. Maybe DTKaiba would not try to harm him when they saw him. But he had a feeling, that was not going to happen.....Mokuba was walking to his doom. `I will protect you, Mokuba......no matter what.'

 

GSeto then quietly slipped from the room, following them from a distance and waiting for the right time to do whatever he might have to do, in order to help him out.

 

DTKaiba was not pleased when his guards returned empty-handed. He was even less pleased when he heard that they had been ordered by his brother not to fire.

 

DTKaiba stood there in all his glory, surrounded by his guards, and looking up at the massive staircase, when Mokuba began to head down the first flight of stairs. MKaiba was behind him, and stopped him by grabbing hold of his sweater.....preventing Mokuba from going any further.....keeping him from taking the other set of stairs down to reach the first floor.

 

Mokuba looked up at him for only a moment for MKaiba to shake his head slightly, in concern for him, trying to warn him of the danger. But Mokuba simply sighed, hoping MKaiba would understand the situation by now. He'd have to talk to this particular `brother' from here. He then turned back, ready to face this newest Kaiba.

 

DTKaiba watched his brother with cold interest, almost feeling some sort of respect towards Mokuba, who looked down at him with such strength and defiance in his eyes. Without looking away from his newest opponent, he said to the guards, “I had given you an order to take care of the impostor.......I will not have my orders disobeyed.”

 

“Seto.......why are you doing this? These people aren't a threat to you.” Mokuba said, sniffling because of his cold.

 

“You have no right to interfere.” DTKaiba said coldly.

 

Mokuba snapped, “I have every right! This is my home, and these are my guests.”

 

Then a hint of a smile formed on his face, as DTKaiba said, “No.......this is not your home. Guards, take him down, as well.”

 

Mokuba's eyes widened in shock, unable to comprehend what he had just heard.

 

And DTKaiba noticed even now, the guards were still hesitating. He snapped angrily, “Do you all have a hearing problem? I said `shoot him'!!”

 

And to make a point for them, DTKaiba snatched the gun out of one of the guards' hands himself, aimed it right at Mokuba, then with a feral grin on his face, fired the gun.

 

“No!!” GSeto cried out, as he jumped in front of Mokuba, taking the hit.

 

Mokuba cried out, “Seto!!” as both him and MKaiba helplessly watched GSeto slide limply down the second set of stairs.

 

GSeto smiled weakly at them, saying, “I didn't fail, this time......run.”

 

Before DTKaiba or any other guard could take a second shot....MKaiba grabbed Mokuba, then quickly turned and ran with him back up the second flight of stairs. A few tears trickled down his face, as the picture of GSeto falling stayed clearly in his head.

 

Mokuba was still in shock, as he finally cried out again, “Seto!! We can't leave.....we have to get him! He's hurt!!”

 

“We have to go. They're not gun shots, they're tranquilizers. We can't help them if we're taken down, too!” MKaiba said, using his other hand to wipe the tears off.

 

“But, why did he shoot at me?? Seto wouldn't do that!!” Mokuba insisted, refusing to believe what he just saw.

 

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

 

DTKaiba turned to his guards after they left, and snapped, “What the hell is the matter with you people? If you fired when I first told you to, we could have had all three of them!”

 

The guard looked surprised at him, as he said, “B-but......that's Mokuba Kaiba!”

 

“Sure it was.....and I suppose the person that was cowering behind him was me. The `real' Mokuba I all ready called and made arrangements for him to be safe and far away from here. I assure you, that is `not' the real Mokuba Kaiba!” DTKaiba yelled at them.

 

He then aimed the gun at the guard that questioned him and fired, causing him to fall to the ground as the others backed away. “Anyone else that tries to betray me will next time get more than just a tranquilizer shot. I will not accept disobedience!!”

 

“Y-yes, sir!” they all said in fear.

 

He smiled, “Good. I'm glad we have an understanding. Now, find them and take them both down!”

 

The guards nodded and quickly charged up the stairs, while DTKaiba found a couple more guards to clean GSeto up. He then turned and walked back into the living room, making sure the guards had no problems cleaning up the others.

 

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

 

Mokuba and MKaiba didn't have time to go to where the main secret passage way was. So instead, Mokuba directed him back to his room. Mokuba moved them to the closet, opened the secret entrance and were both about to slip in, when they heard, “Freeze!!”

 

They both froze, MKaiba's back facing a guard who was holding a real gun to his back, since this was the guard DTKaiba took the tranquilizer gun from. “Don't make me have to shoot. Mr. Kaiba would prefer you intruders to be alive.”

 

MKaiba then looked down at Mokuba who was smiling and holding up a bat for him. MKaiba knowingly smiled back down at him, as he said to the guard, “Okay, okay.....we're coming out.”

 

As the guard backed away to let them back out, MKaiba slowly back out, then abruptly turned, smacking the guy in the side of the face. The man landed.....out cold.

 

“Hope I didn't hurt him too bad.” MKaiba muttered. “It's not his fault.”

 

“He'll be fine.” Mokuba said. “Let's just get out of here!”

 

MKaiba took the body and shoved him under the bed, so he couldn't be seen. He then moves back to where the guard was and noticed the gun laying there. He then bent down and picked it up.

 

Mokuba saw what he was doing, and blurted out, “We're not supposed to play with guns.....Seto's rules!”

 

Instinctively, MKaiba dropped the gun quickly and kicked it away, also remembering the rules. Then he looked at Mokuba and their eyes locked. Mokuba wasn't sure why he had even said it. All he knew was seeing MKaiba holding the gun, and Seto's words of no touching guns hit him. But now MKaiba feared that Mokuba had no doubt on who he really was.

 

But they didn't get a chance to talk, as they heard more guards in the hallway. MKaiba quickly pushed Mokuba back into the closet and closed the door, as they slid into his secret exit just before more guards came in to further investigate. They squeezed down the narrow hallway, making it to the ventilation shoot to the first floor.

 

Once on the first floor, Mokuba stopped.

 

“What's wrong?” MKaiba asked.

 

“When this is over, will you tell me who you are?”

 

“What?”

 

“I said, when this is over, will tell me who you are? I don't know how but something tells me we know each other. But, one thing's for sure.....you are not Seto.”

 

“I don't know.....we'll see. Now, lets go.”

 

“But, this still doesn't make sense....none of it! Seto would never act that way. Maybe after seeing so many him's, he just assumed I wasn't me, either. Do you think maybe he was only being paranoid?” Mokuba asked, as he started moving forward again.

 

“I don't know.....do you really think Seto would take the chance of it not being you?” MKaiba asked.

 

Mokuba shook his head no, unable to believe that, but he still added, “Well, it was a tranquilizer, right?” trying to ignore the sadistic grin his saw on his brother's face when he fired the gun. “Maybe that meant he still had no real intention to hurt me.”

 

“I don't know, Mokuba. We'll just have to figure it out later.”

 

“Okay.” Mokuba said, and then quickly darted out the secret door to the outside.

 

“Hello, Mokuba.” Kaiba's voice said to him, now that he was outside.

 

Mokuba squeaked in surprise.

 

MKaiba froze when he heard another Kaiba's voice outside and Mokuba's startled sound. `Damn, is it that evil one? How could he have found us?'

 

Mokuba looked up, hoping to see his own brother back. But, instead standing there was DTKaiba, still holding the tranquilizer gun, which he was casually aiming right at him. “Did you think I wouldn't figure out how you planned on escaping? After all, I was the one that helped design the route.....remember? Where's the other one that helped you escape?”

 

Mokuba blinked, startled from what he was saying. He then got up and said, “Gone. He told me to escape this way, and he'd distract the guards and find another way out. I don't get it, Seto......why are you doing this? You sound like you all ready know I really `am' me.”

 

“Oh, that's right......you're expecting me to coddle you, like all those other versions of myself were doing. Well, I'm afraid I don't play their pathetic game. Obviously, those other versions of me are weak, and just as pathetic as you are. That's why I'm winning this game.”

 

“Game? But.......” Mokuba muttered. His eyes then narrowed, saying, “Wait a minute. If you don't care so much, then why are you just putting everyone to sleep?”

 

DTKaiba gave a cold laugh, saying, “That's easy. What's the fun of destroying and humiliating Yugi, if I don't have an audience to witness his downfall? And who better as a witness than all the other versions of me that had somehow failed in the attempt. I will prove to them all that I am the only true Seto Kaiba, the one worthy of that name! But, don't worry, little brother.....they'll have their time to die, soon enough.”

 

Mokuba then snapped at him, “So then, why are you so worried about me? Are you `afraid' I might have the power to stop you, Seto??”

 

“Don't push your luck, brat. You couldn't do anything right now, if you tried.” DTKaiba snapped back.

 

Mokuba asked, “Then why are you so worried about what I do? You got Yugi, already.”

 

DTKaiba glared down at Mokuba in contempt. He absolutely hated Mokuba.......he possessed everything that he lacked, and reminded him of everything that he once was. He was once weak and pathetic, just like Mokuba. But, he would crush those memories, even if it meant he had to crush Mokuba to do it. “Shut up!” DTKaiba snapped. “You disgust me! Everything about you is pathetic! No matter where I am, I can't seem to escape the shadow of you cringing behind me at all times. It makes me sick, just looking at you!”

 

Mokuba was shaking, listening to this, and finally cried out, “No, `you' shut up! You are not my `real' brother! The real Seto would never say such things to me! My brother cares about me.......all you care about is yourself and hurting people! You're no better than our stepfather!”

 

Mokuba was suddenly cracked in the face by DTKaiba's hand, causing him to land hard against the ground. He looked up in shock and horror at his brother's cold and hate-filled eyes. “I am `better' than he is.” he hissed. “My only weakness has ever been you! Gozaburo was right. I should have just left you there at the orphanage, instead of adding more baggage to my life! I was stupid and weak then, letting myself worry about something more than myself.”

 

DTKaiba then laughed madly, adding, “What a fool I was then! I could have left years before. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have even had to be in that damn place!”

 

Mokuba's eyes were free-flowing with tears by then, hearing his own questions and insecurities slipping so easily from DTKaiba's mouth. Mokuba always felt that his brother would have been better off without him. His own brother told him that was never true. But now the things DTKaiba was spouting was exactly what Mokuba had wondered, had feared. `.....it's true.....'

 

But DTKaiba just kept talking, as he now spat out, “To this day, I often wondered why Gozaburo never sent your ass back there. Not like I would have objected or anything.....” mocking him further.

 

Mokuba was crying so hard now, that he barely was able to say. “Then why do you care if I see your victory or not? If what you say is true.....then you've already got everyone you need to witness it. It shouldn't matter to you if I'm there or not. What could I do to stop you?”

 

DTKaiba then yelled, “Fine! Then, go run away like the pathetic little rat you are! What do I care? Maybe this'll finally teach your other brother's a better lesson. While they fought to try and protect you, all you did was run away. You make me sick! Get out of my sight......and don't come back! There's no place for you here!”

 

The words and actions stung him. But, Mokuba ran, anyway. He knew he couldn't do anything while imprisoned with the others. He had to find help.......but where? He finally knew what version of his brother that was. All the others he felt a warm, loving, safe and secure feeling from. He felt the exact opposite from him. He realized that this version must have been before Yugi's penalty game at Death T. It was the only way Mokuba could explain why this Seto hated him so. It was the only time Mokuba ever remembered his brother hating him this much.

 

DTKaiba had conflicts within him, after Mokuba ran off. Part of him was angry at himself for leaving such a loose end to wander around. And Mokuba was right.....inside, he truly wanted his brother there to witness his victory. Whether it was for him to cheer for him at the sidelines like he always did, or to crush his and all the other Kaiba's hopes, he wasn't quite sure. Either way, he had let him go.

 

There was even a small part that actually felt relief for doing so, knowing he was now safe. Again, that part was quickly squashed, insisting he didn't care about him. But most of him decided that Mokuba really wasn't worth bothering with. `Besides.....' he thought. `It probably wouldn't be long before he runs into our final group, arriving here to witness my triumph.' Once again, DTKaiba laughed madly, as he headed back into the mansion.

 

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

 

MKaiba was so scared, he didn't know what to do. He had heard the whole thing, and felt the same heart ache as Mokuba did. Trying to control his own crying, he kept thinking, `I was right all along. Seto never needed me.....I was just a burden. Look at me! I even have his body! He lost his life for me. Why did I ever have to be born? Why do I always seem to cause so much pain to him???'

 

“You can come out now.” the voice of Kaiba said to the sniffling noises inside the tunnel.

 

MKaiba was terrified, never realizing that the evil Kaiba might still be there. `No! It's him! He found me!'