Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Seto's Wish ❯ Chapter 16

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

Kaiba b-lined straight home. He had a project that needed to be done, yesterday, and had no idea if he even had the parts for it. But he was pleased to find his other self seemed to have an interest in attempting to invent things, himself. There was a clutter of random circuit boards and broken machines down in the basement. Yet, this other Seto never seemed to really achieve anything. Immediately Kaiba sat down and got to work on the items he had available.
 
He was first bothered by Angie, who came home and noticed he was downstairs. She approached him, and rolled her eyes. “You're not playing around with doodads again, are ya?” she asked.
 
For the moment, Kaiba ignored her, and she was assumed he wasn't going to say anything. But then he scribbled something down and gave her a note, along with the last of his money he had on him. “These are a list of things I still need. Would you do me a favor and get them for me?”
 
“Do I look like your delivery girl?” she snapped back.
 
But then she froze as he looked over to her and for once didn't have a cold glare on his face. “Please?” he asked.
 
As she paused, looking down at him and wondering if she should, he then remembered something he brought downstairs with him and picked up a very familiar dueling belt, and offered her a slight smile. Angie practically fainted, seeing him with it. `Oh, my god! He has the dueling belt I got him. Maybe he's really getting back to normal again!'
 
A big wide smile came on her face, and she hugged him, saying, “Seto, you're you! God, I missed you!” She then pulled away wiping a tear from her eye, as she chuckled, “Who would have thought I'd be saying that ever, huh? Fine, I'll get you're stupid stuff. But you owe me.....got it?”
 
“Thanks.” he said simply, keeping his words to a minimum, so he wouldn't give himself away.
 
After she left, he tossed the belt back down on the floor, after pulling another tiny screwdriver from it, as he continued to work on his Duel Disk. Though Kaiba felt it was the stupidest dorkiest looking thing to hold Duel Monsters in.......it was great for holding tools. `I wonder if she'd be mad if she new I turned it into a tool belt?' he wondered, as he continued his work.
 
Angie soon delivered the parts he needed, and then left. By that time, he had arranged the meeting to show off his device by late afternoon. So, he continued to work on his project, until it was finally 4:30. That meant he only had an hour left to work out any bugs. After another 1/2 hour, he was distracted to hear what sounded like a small army of people walking around above his head. “Hmph.....looks like the whole gang finally came back.” Then with a smirk, he added, “......perfect.”
 
It was barely 5 minutes later before they all headed downstairs to see what Kaiba was doing. Joey was as usual the first to speak. “Hey Seto......Angie said yer working on something again. So, wussup?”
 
Kaiba showed it off, stating, “It's called a Duel Disk, and this item's going to make Pegasus Land look like a joke, by the time I'm done.”
 
“Yeah, right......and how are you gonna do that?” Tristan asked.
 
Kaiba turned away, as he asked them, “Have you ever heard of a place called the Dance-athon Arcade?”
 
Tea beamed at that, saying, “Of course, how couldn't we? We used to dance there all the time, remember Seto?”
 
Kaiba tried not to flinch at the thought, thinking, `Maybe that wasn't the best opening line.' Ignoring the entire question from Tea, Kaiba turned stating, “Well, that place is about to re-open. And that's exactly where Noah and myself are going to Duel.”
 
“Oh, wow! That guy's re-opening the place??” Yugi asked, excited.
 
Joey just scratched his head, asking, “But how's he gonna do that? I mean.....after Pegasus Land opened up, they were more interested in going over there.”
 
But Kaiba only smirked, stating, “Not once they see the new patented Holographic system that we're going to have running there. Kids can go to Pegasus Land all they want for the rides......but when it comes to Duels, they'll be returning to the old Dance-athon in droves.”
 
At that, everyone blinked. Tristan cleared his throat, saying, “Did you say `we'? Like you, and the Dance-athon guy? No offense, Seto.......but you never build a working thing in your life.”
 
Kaiba then smirked, saying, “Then why don't you stick around and see for yourself? I have an appointment with him in twenty minutes to show him my design. You don't have to take my word for it......you can all see it for yourself.”
 
“But, I don't understand.” Angie said. “When did all this happen? You're actually going to go into business?”
 
“Is that so unbelievable?” Kaiba asked. “And Noah's even going to help with the grand opening. Our duel in one week will open the doors for all his fans to come in and witness. His popularity is going to bring the business back to life.” Then with an evil sneer, Kaiba added, “Dance-athon will be known as the place where Noah was crushed.”
 
There was still disbelief in everyone's eyes at that statement, but they chose not to say anything. Instead, Yugi said, “But, Seto......that's in one week. Can the Dance-athon arcade really get up and running in that quick amount of time.”
 
At that point, Kaiba hesitated. He eyes connected with Yugi's as he stated, “It could if the place had enough man power to help get it all fixed up.”
 
Everyone was silent, as they realized what Kaiba was saying. Joey swallowed, as he said, “Uh, Seto....you know we're not supposed to help you with anything to do with Noah.”
 
“You're not.” Kaiba answered. “You'd be assisting John Foley in getting his business back up and running again. If Noah happened to go there, that's not your problem.”
 
But they still looked a bit worried about it. Yugi dropped his head, muttering out, “Seto, I.....we......”
 
Kaiba then stood, snapping, “Do you really want to just stand around and do nothing? Noah has already taken everything important from you, Yugi. He has taken your pride and your will to fight. He even took your grandfather's health from him. Are you just going to stand around and take it? Wheeler......how long do you plan on cow-towing to him? This is your chance to do something against him, to help in getting everything back that he took from you. You can just stand around and hope he goes away someday, or you can fight. Now, what's it going to be?”
 
“But Seto, if you loose this battle, nothing's going to change.” Tea said.
 
Kaiba then turned to her, stating, “And what makes you think I'm going to lose?”
 
Again, Kaiba was returned by silent stares. Angie finally spoke, saying, “Seto......you never won a battle. You know this. They'll be happy to stand by and cheer you on, but.....”
 
At that moment, they head the doorbell ring.
 
“That's them, now.” Kaiba said. “Fine. You need convincing that I'll win? Then come upstairs with me, and I'll give you that proof.”
 
x-x-x-x-x-x-xx-x-x-x-x-x
 
Kaiba and John Foley headed out to the back yard of the house, with his 2 sons and their 2 friends, along with Yugi's group following behind.
 
With everyone in back, Foley said, “Seto, I'd like to introduce to you my two sons Karl and Michael, and their friends Karen and Shawn.”
 
“How do you do.” Kaiba said, shaking hands with them all.
 
Karl said, “Dad says you have something amazing to show us. I can't wait to see it.”
 
“I hope you don't mind that we brought a few friends over.” Michael added.
 
Kaiba glanced at them, looking them over for a moment, before answering, “Not at all.” reminding himself to get the item patented as soon as Foley and the others were gone, to make sure no one could try and steal his idea. He then turned towards Joey, saying, “Now to show off this little device, I'm going to need a guinea pig. Wheeler......you'll do just fine.”
 
“Me??” Joey asked, stupidly. He approached, asking, “What am I supposed to do?”
 
“Simple. You're going to duel me, and I'm going to stomp you.” Kaiba smirked.
 
That seemed to get Joey in the gaming spirit, as he whipped out his deck, saying, “Yeah, I'd like to see you try!”
 
“I don't need to try to go against a duelist as lame as you. This won't take long.” Kaiba said. Kaiba handed Joey the duel disk and explained to him how it works. When it looked like it finally sunk into Joey's head, Kaiba stepped a certain distance away, and turned to face him.
 
Kaiba then explained, “Now, just incase you're still having trouble grasping what I already explained to you twice, I'll go first so I can show you first-hand.”
 
Kaiba drew his card, and looked over his hand. “I play one card face-down, and then Ryu-Kishin in attack mode.”
 
Everyone was shocked to see how realistic the card looked on the field.
 
But right after the shock, Joey noticed something not good. Once again, he felt his friend made a mistake. It was a weak dark monster on the field that was placed in attack mode. And it wasn't the first time Seto made such a mistake, either......especially when he's stressed from an audience watching him.
 
Joey glanced at what Kaiba just did, then the others, and finally back again. Part of him was tempted to let Seto make a fool out of himself, from what he believed to be a mistake. But despite how cocky Seto's been acting, Joey also still saw him as a friend. And Seto was offering to try and save them, and Angie did say he was showing signs of being normal again.
 
“.......I said I end my turn, Wheeler. Are you going to draw today, or continue to zone out like a pathetic dog?” Kaiba then snapped.
 
That brought Joey back to reality, as he growled at him. “You know, I really should let you do this to yourself. But I can't......cuz we're friends. Dammit, Seto.....you gotta change your monster in defense mode, or you're going to get creamed!”
 
Tea gasped, just now noticing, herself.
 
Kaiba raised an eyebrow at this. “Are you trying to tell `me' how to play the game?” If it wasn't that he still had to try and look respectable in front of clients, he would have laughed in Joey's face. But instead, he merely smirked at him, as he stated, “I never change my mind on the decisions I make. Now make your move, Wheeler......you're starting to bore me.”
 
“I gotta admit. That monster picture looks amazing!” Yugi said. “How did you do it, Seto?”
 
“It's the new holographic technology that I'm using to make the monsters come to life. Since I had such a short time to put it up, the sound quality is still not perfect......but all will be completed correctly, when it's time to battle Noah.” Kaiba replied.
 
“Fine, you want to embarrass yourself, then be my guest!” Joey snapped. “But don't say I didn't warn you. I summon Flame Swordsman to the field! Flame Swordsman, attack his Ryu-Kishin!”
 
Everyone was fascinated by how the monsters looked so alive. They also looked worried that Joey was going to humiliate Seto in front of the people he was trying to impress. Yet, as the Flame Swordsman charged to strike, Kaiba spouted, “I activate my Crush Card!”
 
“......you're what??” Joey asked.
 
Kaiba smirked. “You fell right into my trap, Wheeler.......just as I expected you to. My Crush Card virus infects all monsters with 1500 attack points and higher, whether it be on the field, in your hand, or even in your deck.....crushing every powerful beast.”
 
“What?? No, my deck! All my strong monsters are gone!” Joey exclaimed.
 
Kaiba just laughed. “It's only fitting for a duelist of your level to have an equally pitiful deck. But don't worry.......seeing who I'm fighting, there's probably not much to infect in the first place.”
 
Joey just growled more, spouting out, “Yeah, just wait till next turn. I'll show you! I......I end my turn.”
 
“That's it? Nothing else to put down? Hmph.....I suppose I shouldn't have been expecting any better.” Kaiba stated. He drew his card, stating, “Now.....it's time I show you what a real duelist is capable of. If you don't have the ability to keep up with me, Wheeler.....then I might as well make this a quick match. I play Lord of Dragons in attack mode, and combine it with the Flute of Summoning Dragons!”
 
Joey's jaw dropped, nearly dropping the cards in his hand as the others gasped. Angie asked the others, “Where did he get cards like that?”
 
“Forget them......where did he get cards like `that'!!” Tristan stated, and pointed at the next set of holograms.
 
From the Flute's calling came not one.......but 2 Blue Eyes White Dragons onto the field. Kaiba may not have had the sound quality quite right, but he made sure his dragons were perfect in every way. As they appeared onto the field in all their greatness, they let out a mighty roar, and stared down menacingly at Joey, who even backed up a few steps in fear.
 
“Is something wrong, Wheeler? Looks like even a mutt knows when he's in the presence of a something more superior than himself. Don't worry......I'll make this as painless as possible. You have one more turn to live.....then I'm afraid the battle's over. You can always quit now, and save yourself the embarrassment.” Kaiba told him.
 
And Joey couldn't believe it......Seto never made him feel so terrified in a Duel Monster's game before, and from him of all people. They were normally equal in abilities, but Joey could usually beat him, when under pressure. But today.....he never saw anything like it. `And where he get those cards? I don't remember him having even one Blue Eyes before!'
 
“Joey Wheeler never gives up!” Joey said. “I summon Alligator Sword in attack mode, and I attack your Lord of Dragons!” Alligator Sword charged forward and killed Lord of Dragons. Kaiba's life points went down 400. Kaiba didn't look too impressed, but said nothing......waiting for Joey to finish.
 
Joey looked at his cards, and realized Kaiba was right......there was nothing left to do. “I......end my turn.” he muttered, weakly.
 
“That's it?” Kaiba spat. He then laughed manically, stated, “Idiot......you just committed suicide with that move. Then again......you had no chance, anyway.” Kaiba drew, looking over his hand. He could summon another monster, place another card.....but Kaiba simply didn't see the point.
 
“It's over, Wheeler. I told you I'd devastate you, and I always keep my word. Blue Eyes, destroy his Alligator Sword!” The Blue Eyes sent a deadly blast of power from his mouth, disintegrating the monster that screamed as it died. Joey's life points fell quickly from 4000 to 2500. Joey was launched back from the holographic blast, and looked up in horror to see the other Blue Eyes powering up.
 
“Tell me, Wheeler......do you already feel the crushing hand of defeat?? Hahahahahaha!!! Blue Eyes, White Lighting Attack!!” Kaiba cried out, in sheer ego, the very size of the dragons on the field.
 
The Blue Eyes omitted a mighty roar, about to blast Joey. But suddenly the hologram fizzled once....twice......then both Duel Disks powered down. Everyone stood staring in confusion, wondering what happened.
 
“Shit.” Kaiba muttered, pulling a screwdriver from his back pocket underneath the trench coat and began to unscrew it.
 
“What just happened?” Joey asked, silently relieved that final blast never came down to take him out. That was way too real for his liking, to have such a powerful monster breathing down at him like that.
 
“There's obviously still some bugs in the system. It's expected, since I only had 4 hours to do this in.” Kaiba muttered.
 
Finally, one of John's sons found his voice and he managed to mutter out, “Wow.....”
 
“That.......that was like.......totally amazing.” Michael said, joining his brother in finally speaking again.
 
Karen said nothing, she just stared in awe. And Shawn started to literally cheer. “That had to be like the coolest Duel Battle I have ever seen! That was awesome! Man, if you guys are going to be putting Dance-athon back up with that, you're like going to blow Pegasus Land away!”
 
Now John approached, saying, “I agree. I know nothing of the game.....but after seeing that, there's no doubt in my mind what this device of yours is going to do with the business. Um......did you set up a patent on this yet.”
 
“No. That was in fact my next stop.” Kaiba said, putting the Duel Disk away, realizing he'd just have to finish it later.
 
“Well, you better get there soon. The patent office is only open till 6.” he said.
 
Kaiba nodded, “Agreed. So we'll start tomorrow then?”
 
“My boys here will start tonight, and we'll see you tomorrow. Are these the people you were talking about helping you?” John asked.
 
Kaiba then looked over at them, to see if they were with him or not.
 
With a smile, Yugi approached, saying, “That's us. We'll be happy to help our friend with this. I hope this goes well for you both.”
 
“As do I, son. It broke my heart to see that place go down once already. I'm going to be putting everything into this last chance.” John said.
 
Suddenly, the Mom called out into the backyard, “Kids, dinner!”
 
“I better get going, then. Until tomorrow then, I'll see you there.” John said, and began to walk away with the other 4 people, which all looked very excited.
 
“.......until then.” Kaiba muttered. He then glanced towards Angie, saying, “I have to make it to that office. Tell Mom to save some for me when I get back.”
 
“Sure, bro.....no problem.” Angie said, giving Kaiba a thumbs up. The others headed in, as Kaiba rushed away to get the patent in, on time. In one week would be the big day........and Noah had no idea what Kaiba had in store for him.
 
x-x-x-x-x-x-xx-x-x-x-x-x
 
Over the next course of the week, the group worked hard on fixing up the place, along with John, his sons, and their friends. Yugi never felt so good working with so many to accomplish a goal, and hadn't felt so good about himself in a long time since Noah had been squashing his spirit.
 
Kaiba was right.....it may not be much, but it at least it felt like they were doing something to help bring Noah down.
 
“But what if he loses?” Joey had asked on more than one occasion.
 
Yugi just smiled, and said, “We're going to believe in him, Joey. I'm with him 100%, and after what I saw him do......he may just win.”
 
“There's still something weird about him, Yugi. I've never seen him gloat like that. He still don't act like himself, at all.” Joey said.
 
/It doesn't matter./ Yami stated to his light, as their direction turned to look at Kaiba arguing with one of John's sons on the placement of some of the arcade games. /He has a duelist spirit within him, Yugi. I've felt it. I believe in him./
 
x-x-x-x-x-x-xx-x-x-x-x-x
 
Later that night, despite all the hard work they did, Kaiba was still up doing more research on the computer, finding out all he could about what happened to Mokuba and the adoption by Gozaburo.
 
Suddenly Kaiba stopped at a very interesting piece of information, his eyes wide in shock. He then typed up something quick on the computer, printing something out to be submitted to a government building first thing tomorrow morning. But the piece of information he found......suddenly, all at once all the pressure that was on him flowed away. Kaiba grinned ear to ear and laughed like a maniac.
 
........that is, until his sister yelled at him to shut up and go to sleep.
 
He quieted down, but gloated quietly. “Well, stepfather.......I'd call this checkmate. I win.”