A/N: Never thought I would return to the YGO section so soon. I've actually had the idea for this story running around in my head for a good few months, but I could never rouse myself to actually write it. Therefore, you have Miss Elvendestiny, one of THE most talented writers out there, to thank for inspiring me to finally get off my lazy arse and get to work after she posted her own Seto and Amelda fic, "Fates Intertwined"—it's really worth checking out.
All right, now on to a couple of things about the story itself. I guess you can think of this fic as a songfic with a ridiculously long intro. In case you don't know, "Easier to Run" is one of the singles on Linkin Park's "Meteora" CD. I could have written this story without the lyrics but I was listening to it one day and thought that it fit perfectly with what I was trying to say.
Secondly, as to the use of Alister as a name in this story. For the longest time I pulled my hair out over the dilemma of (just ask Elvendestiny) whether to use Alister, which is a very cool name in my opinion; or Amelda, the true name in the Japanese version. I must tell you that I have little or no respect for the American dub version of YGO because it's been tailored for toddlers (or even lower). I generally don't like the changed names in the American version either, with the sole exception of Alister, which I've always thought to be a nice name. Therefore, in the end I decided to use Alister, so please bear with me.
Also, you'll find that there are only three characters in this story (thanks, Samuel Beckett): Alister, Mokuba, and Seto. I could easily have included Yugi and the gang, or even Alister's little brother, but in the end I decided I could get my message across without them.
One more thing: be prepared for some major OOCness. Actually the fact that the characters are very OOC primarily at the end of this story is a crucial part of the plot because I'm trying to convey what all the characters have to hide. Therefore, if you can't bear to see a usually badass character curl up and cry, be mature and find something else to read. If you flame me about it, you'll be ignored and possibly scoffed at.
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh.
Easier to Run
BEGIN
He did not often get correspondence, and often went days without emails, weeks without phone calls, whole months without letters. So when Alister had received the simple letter that was not postmarked from DOOM, he had not known what to expect.
Now he stood alone in the dark room, facing the dawn through the lightening window, clutching the piece of paper in his hand so hard that his knuckles turned white. He had already read the letter several times, and could recite its words.
Hi, Alister.
This letter will be short because I don't know when my brother's going to come back. I'll cut to the chase: meet me at the Kaiba mansion, 2:00 AM Thursday morning. You can get to the back gate by turning into the southern drive and cutting across the courtyard. Make sure none of the sentries see you. I'll meet you at the gate and tell you everything then. I'm counting on you to come. It's an opportunity for both of us.
Yours,
Mokuba Kaiba
He had first read the letter in the afternoon. Then had followed several hours of endless pacing, lasting into the sunset, the twilight, and the darkness that was nighttime. And now, with the first rosy rays of morning seeping into the sky, he still could not decide.
It sounded too much like a trap. It was just like Seto Kaiba to exploit the opportunity, to take advantage of Alister's concern for Mokuba and use his own little brother as bait to reel him in. The heartless bastard. If he could just have one chance…
Stop lying to yourself. Will that change anything?
Inwardly he kicked himself; it was that voice again, the soft voice that had somehow found a foothold in the back of his head after that climactic confrontation with Seto Kaiba aboard the falling plane. He had been able to tune the voice out these past few months but now it was dominating more and more of his thoughts.
If you kill Seto Kaiba, will that change anything?
He wanted to answer that it would, that it would change everything—he would finally be able to walk about and breathe the air freely again without a dark cloud hanging over his head. But was that true? Would killing Seto bring his brother back? Or stop the endless destruction tearing through the world at this moment, wreaking havoc, destroying homes, breaking families apart…
It's an opportunity for both of us.
His hold on the letter tightened. Turning from the dawn, he walked across the room to the dresser and, removing the key from his pocket, slowly unlocked the second drawer and pulled it open. He gazed with affection at the artillery that bristled within. In an age when all else had failed him, his weapons had always seen him through. If the situation were to arise tonight, they would do so again.