Disclaimer – I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!

*Rated M for Mature

Summary: Joey went missing first. Then it was Seto. Nearly a year has passed since they disappeared. Now, with Pegasus and Zigfried joining forces to claim Kaiba Corp., things take a turn for the worst. Mokuba, desperate to save the company's name, sets up a Tag-Team Duel Monsters Tournament where the winners get Kaiba Corp. But the return of two unexpected individuals causes quite a stir.

Chapter 1

Mokuba fiddled with the tie around his neck. It felt more like a noose. He'd gotten a call at five that morning, his board of directors calling an emergency meeting. For what? He didn't know. What did he know? He was only thirteen.

Sighing to himself, he fiddled with the tie once more, hoping that he looked at least somewhat presentable before heading into the conference room. The board members were already seated, staring at him as he entered, with their hard gazes boring into his small figure.

As he seated himself in a chair between them, he put on as stoic a face as he could muster. "What's this about? I have a company to run."

"That's what we're here to discuss with you," said Masashi. "Kaiba Corp. is losing more money than it's making. We're no longer at the top of the gaming industry."

"I know things have been hard since your brother's…disappearance," continued Hisao. "And you've done well to live up to his name. However, we believe that your running of the company is out of your hands, so to speak."

"You mean to say I'm incapable of running the company," Mokuba ground out, swallowing hard. He could feel his throat tightening as panic began to seize him.

"We're not saying you're incapable—"

"I think we are," interrupted Kaede, his brow wrinkling in agitation. "Mr. Kaiba, you are young. So was your brother when he ran this company, but he was at least motivated in keeping it alive. You have done nothing but skate by and all of us have suffered for it!"

Mokuba clenched his fists. Perhaps Kaede was right. He hadn't really been motivated enough to keep the company going. The loss of his brother had plagued his thoughts too much. But he'd done his best. "I've worked hard for this company."

"Hard? You don't know the meaning of the word," snapped Kaede.

"Now, Kaede," warned Masashi.

"No. He needs to hear this," Kaede retorted. "Mr. Kaiba, when's the last time you came up with an original idea for the company?"

"…I haven't."

"And when's the last time you've sought out investors, business partners, or anyone to keep this company going? Or anything for the interests of our customers?"

"…"

"In a year's time we have yet to put out anything new. We've done nothing. Our competitors have overtaken us drastically and all you can do is sit there and take it. Are you proud of yourself? Are you proud of letting your brother's dreams turn to ashes?"

"Kaede!" scolded Hisao. "That's enough!" Kaede grumbled to himself before crossing his arms and turning his gaze toward the window.

Mokuba unclenched his fists, closing his eyes as the world seemed to pass by him in a blur. He'd failed. Not only had he failed himself, but the company, his employees…his brother. What would Seto say to him if he was here?

"Mr. Kaiba," started Masashi slowly, "we've received a joint offer from Maximillion Pegasus and Zigfried von Schroeder. They would like to jointly own Kaiba Corp. The offer, I must say, would have you living comfortably for the rest of your life. But, of course, it is ultimately your decision. Nothing is set in stone."

"However, if that decision isn't what's best for the company, you can expect to be relieved of your duties. That isn't set in stone either," stated Kaede, his expression cold.

Hisao sighed. "We'll leave you to your thoughts," he said. He and the other board members rose to their feet and left the conference room.

Mokuba leaned backward in his chair, his mind racing a mile a minute.

Flashback

Mokuba had a hard time grasping what was going on. He'd been waiting outside Seto's office when Yugi had shown up, his face pale and stricken with worry. Yugi had told him that Joey was missing. He'd just upped and vanished. No note, no phone call, not a word. He was just gone.

Then Yugi had entered Seto's office. And it had probably been to inform his brother of Joey's disappearance. Yugi hadn't been in Seto's office for more than a minute before his brother started screaming at Yugi. It had sounded as if Seto had completely lost his mind. Had he been upset about Joey's disappearance?

But now, as he stood outside of his brother's room, he wasn't so sure. Ever since that day Yugi showed up at Seto's office, his brother had kept more to himself. He didn't even see him anymore. Seto wouldn't see him when he was at work and by the time he came home, Mokuba was already in bed.

And he just continued to stand outside his brother's door. Should he knock? Should he just enter? Or should he just leave his brother alone?

Even though thoughts of Seto additionally missing meetings and press conferences worried him, the thought of what was wrong with his brother upset him the most. He didn't know what was going on. And he feared that confronting his brother would just make things worse.

So he continued to stand outside the door, waiting—hoping—that Seto would come out and things would get back to normal.

End Flashback

"But things never got back to normal," Mokuba said aloud. He loosened the tie around his neck and pulled it off, shoving the troublesome material into his jacket pocket. Rising to his feet, he headed for the door. But whispers from the men he'd had his meeting with reached his ears.

So he stood in front of the door and listened.

"It's a shame what's happened to the poor boy," he heard Masashi say. "He's been through so much. What is he? Thirteen?"

"Yes," said Hisao. "It was just too much for him, I suppose."

"We should have done something sooner," stated Kaede. "We should have done something in the beginning. Maybe we relied too much on the idea that he'd be like his brother."

"Hm…we were definitely wrong there," Hisao replied.

"The kid's smart," continued Masashi, "but he's no Seto Kaiba."

Finally, the voices faded, which was a relief to Mokuba. He didn't feel he could take anymore. He knew he wasn't his brother, but that didn't make him any less a Kaiba.

Sniffing, he fought back the tears that threatened to fall. After all, Kaibas didn't cry.

Flashback

Seto was gone now, too. First Joey, now Seto. What had it been? A month since Joey had disappeared? And now it was his brother.

"I know this is hard for you," said Masashi, one of the directors of the board. "But we need someone to run the company since your brother is—"

"—gone," Mokuba finished as he attempted to keep his face blank.

"Yes," Masashi replied slowly. "Your brother hasn't been working for nearly a month and the losses for the company have already begun. We have elected you as the new head of the company."

"I understand," Mokuba said as he fought back tears. He needed to be strong, emotionless, cold. Like his brother.

Masashi smiled at him. "Good, good. We expect great things from you, Mr. Kaiba. Great things."

Mr. Kaiba. That wasn't him. That was his brother. But his brother was gone. And he was probably never coming back. Why would he? He hadn't left him a word of any sort. If he was coming back, wouldn't he have said something to him? Anything?

Taking a deep breath, he held his head high. The tears that had threatened to fall were gone. Kaibas didn't cry.

But they sure did feel alone.

End Flashback

Mokuba rubbed his face a few times before leaving the conference room, hoping to push away any dismal thoughts from his mind.

It didn't work.

He began to wonder how Seto had been able to do such great things for the company. Or just in general. Even when he was younger than him! Sure, Mokuba was thirteen now, but he was nowhere near his brother's capabilities.

Had he really underestimated all the work his brother had done? Had he even taken him for granted? Had his brother left because no one appreciated him enough? Including him? Had he somehow made Seto think he didn't love him? Care for him? Had he sent his brother that message in some way?

But it wasn't true! None of it was true! He loved his brother! He cherished him! If only Seto could be there so that he could tell him that!

"Seto," Mokuba cried softly, "I love you so much. I miss you. I can't do this by myself!"

Finally—finally—the tears fell. He couldn't take it anymore. He was alone, under too much pressure to meet up to everyone's expectations, and couldn't handle this on his own.

He wasn't Seto Kaiba. He was Mokuba. Just plain Mokuba. A thirteen-year-old boy who desperately wanted to run into his brother's strong arms and feel safe again.

But there were no strong arms to run into. There was no embrace that would make him feel safe. There wasn't even a voice that would tell him everything would be all right.

Because Seto wasn't here.

Crossing his arms, Mokuba hurriedly left Kaiba Corp., his mind racing a mile a minute. Even if Seto wasn't here, he had to do what was best for his brother's memory; he had to save the company his brother had worked so hard for somehow, especially for Pegasus and Zigfried. But what could he do?

Mokuba plopped down on the flimsy bed of the motel room he was staying in. He'd been there ever since he'd lost the mansion a few months ago. He'd had to pay for things in the company somehow. The mansion was the biggest asset he'd had. And with that gone, all he had were a few sentimental possessions in his motel room.

He took a deep breath and contemplated the situation Kaiba Corp. was in. There was no way he'd give up the company to the likes of Pegasus and Zigfried. He had to find another way to save the company. What would his brother have done in such a situation?

Slowly, an idea started to hatch in his brain. A small smile began to grace his features. To be honest, he couldn't remember the last time he'd smiled. It must have been awhile; his face was starting to hurt.

And as his idea came full circle, he reached for the phone. He needed to call an emergency meeting with his board of directors.

Sitting confidently and poised at the head of the conference room, Mokuba drummed his fingers on the table as he waited patiently for his board of directors to seat themselves around him. Once they were seated, Kaede immediately spoke up.

"What's this about?" he demanded. "Have you made a decision after all?"

Mokuba allowed himself to smirk. "I've made a decision, but not one you might have anticipated."

A vein in Kaede's forehead began to bulge in anger. "Look here—"

"Mr. Kaede," Mokuba interrupted, "even though I was elected into this position, you still need to respect me and the decisions I make. I understand the situation this company is in. Whether I like it or not, it is my fault and I take full responsibility for it. But that doesn't mean I can't do what's best for the company even now."

Masashi cleared his throat. "What did you decide?"

"I'm aware that I may not have been what was best for the company and that all of you feel you made a poor decision in electing me to run it. And I won't let that happen again. I will not accept the offer made by Pegasus and Zigfried. I have something else in mind."

"Oh?" started Hisao, his interest in what Mokuba had to say piquing.

Mokuba smirked again. "Kaiba Corp. will host a Tag-Team Duel Monsters Tournament within the next week. Duelists will have to sign up in pairs in order to compete. The winning team will receive Kaiba Corp. since duelists—or anyone interested in gaming, really—may know what's best for the company. This tournament would also draw in sponsors, fans, and other recognition within Domino and abroad.

"However, there will be some stipulations. Even though duels will be a determining factor in the winner, we need something more than just dueling skills. That is why I'm requiring that each team develop a proposal for how they would move the company forward. This includes coming up with fresh ideas for the company, such as new cards, a new gaming system—you get the idea.

"These proposals and ideas will be reviewed by you—the board of directors—myself, the fans, and the other duelists involved. And regardless of who wins, everyone who has pitched ideas for the company—ideas that have been approved—may invest in the company to really jumpstart it, throwing Kaiba Corp. back to the top of the gaming industry."

When Mokuba finished speaking, excited chatter erupted amongst the board members. Even Kaede looked pleased with the idea.

"We accept this proposition," announced Masashi, a smile on his face. "But I am curious. What's in it for you? I'm honestly surprised you would go to these lengths."

"I don't want to see what my brother worked so hard for end up in ruins. If anyone should run Kaiba Corp., it should be someone worthy," he replied.

Mokuba took a deep breath. The press conference was about to begin. He could already feel the cameras on him. He would be televised nationwide. And he could only hope this would really be for the best.

Suddenly, he was given the green light.

"I know many of you are curious as to why I've called this press conference so suddenly. And I know great things haven't come from Kaiba Corp. in some time. That is why I will be stepping down as head of the company," Mokuba started.

Immediately, the whispers began rippling throughout the crowd.

"That doesn't mean I'm stepping down quietly. So I've decided to have Kaiba Corp. host a Tag-Team Duel Monsters Tournament. The winning team will then jointly own the company and they will hopefully bring great things to people around the world.

"However, there is a catch," Mokuba continued. "Many people can duel and win, but it takes motivation, ingenuity, and a creative mind to keep a company like this going. That's why—as a stipulation for the tournament—each team is required to present a proposal for how they would move the company forward and a prototype for what products we might hope to see in the future brought on by the company."

Mokuba could feel the crowd's excitement by this news. The volume of their voices began to rise.

"Teams must sign up by the official start date, which takes place a week from now. You may sign up at the front desk of Kaiba Corp. or access the company's website and enter online. Once you enter, specific instructions for the tournament will be given to you. Thank you all for listening. You may start signing up…now!"

People started scrambling in random directions. Camera crews bolted for the inside of Kaiba Corp., hoping to catch footage of big name duelists signing up for the local news later on.

And as everyone slowly left the area, Mokuba sighed to himself. He really hoped he was doing the right thing. Now all he had to do was talk to Yugi. Then everything would go according to plan.

End Chapter