YUGIOH
Blast in the Past
Chapter 10.
Yugi and the gang found the address, and entered the strange-looking store. "What a weird place." Tristan said.
"Yeah, kind of creeps me out." Joey said.
"It's probably just all show." Yugi said, trying to keep calm.
'I wouldn't say that. I sense a great deal of various magic in this room. Whoever is selling these items, must know a lot about magic.' Yami stated.
They walked over to the counter, and Yugi said, "Uh....excuse me...."
"Greetings, greetings, I see I have customers." The old man said. He suddenly froze in place, looking at Yugi's necklace. The old man then hissed, "What an incredible necklace you have, young man....ooooh" His hand moving towards the necklace.
Yugi quickly backed away in fear, clutching the Millenium Puzzle protectively, as Joey jumped in front, saying, "Listen you freak-show, keep your creepy hands off my friend!"
His hand reared back, as he noticed Joey now, saying, "Ahh....you're the one with the wish. So, another satisfied customer? Have you come to praise me?"
"Praise ya? Are you nuts? That's not what I wanted, at all!" Joey said.
"You said you wanted to be rid of him. Well, he is certainly out of your hair now, is he not?" The man asked.
"Well, that's not what I meant...." Joey sighed. "Listen....Kaiba can be a real jerk, sometimes. But I was wrong to think or feel that way about him. He has a little brother, Mokuba. That kid depends on him. If Kaiba don't come out of it, something terrible will happen to his brother. I can't have that on my conscience. Please....you gotta help him come back!"
The man looked at Joey, then turned his attention back to Yugi, saying, "You know that item is magical that you wear....did you know that? Do you know what that is?"
"It's a Millennium Puzzle, from ancient Egypt. I know it's magical. Please sir, what did you do to Kaiba? Is he cursed?" Yugi asked.
"Seto Kaiba has been blessed....." The man said.
"You call that blessed?" Tristan asked.
"Heeheeheehee...." The old man cackled. "Few have ever been given such a rare opportunity as this. Kaiba was granted his hearts greatest desire."
"I don't get it." Joey said. "How can sitting and rotting in a hospital bed be someone's greatest desire?"
"Looks can be deceiving, young man." The elder said. "Physically he is here, but spiritually and mentally, he is no longer. He has been brought to another world....a world where his soul would find the most peace. Where Seto Kaiba is now, he is happy."
"Somehow, I find that hard to believe." Tristan said.
"But his little brother needs him, sir. How can we bring him back?" Yugi asked.
The old man answered him, "I'm afraid young one, you can't."
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Seto was walking home with his brother, while thinking through this dilemma. He had a girlfriend that counted on him getting money for some concert. He needed to find a way to get this money, yet refused to steal in order to get it. He didn't want to stoop to working at some burger joint, and even if he did he wouldn't get the money in time, anyway.
"Hey Seto, what are you thinking?" Mokuba asked.
"There's a concert coming up, and I need to find a way to get the money for it." Kaiba unconsciously answered him.
"Wow....I know what that concert is. Can I go with you? Please, Seto?" Mokuba asked.
Kaiba turned to his brother, his heart going out to him. "I'm afraid you're too young, kiddo. These concerts can be dangerous, especially if this concert is attracting the type of people I've seen today. I'm sorry Mokuba, you can't come."
Mokuba's heart sank, and Kaiba frazzled his hair, as they went inside. He then looked over at his mother, who was writing some kind of schedule on the calendar. Kaiba walked over and smiled, saying, "I'm home."
She turned and said, "Oh….hi, honey. Mokuba....go wash your face, you got some kind of dirt on it."
"Yes, Mom." Mokuba said, running to the bathroom.
"Mother....Mom...." Kaiba said, this kind of question feeling very awkward in his head. "This may not sound good but, um....could I borrow some money for a concert this weekend?"
She grunted, and turned, "You know I don't like you going to those things!"
Kaiba crossed his arms, yet lowered his head, feeling disgraced just having to beg for this, "I understand that. But, I promised Mai I would take her. She's my...."
"Girlfriend....I know that, Seto. Listen, we're not made out of money, here. And you don't do enough to deserve this. You've got to learn to start being more responsible." She said, crossing her arms as well, looking kind of like Kaiba, at the moment.
"Yes....I know." Kaiba said, looking her in the eyes. "You're right, mother. I've already begun to do as you and Dad suggested for me to do this morning. I got an A today on my test....and I'd be happy to do whatever chores you want me to do here, in order to earn it."
"You got an A? Chores? Who are you trying to fool?" She said, now putting her hands in her hips. "You better not be taking drugs."
"Dr-...." Kaiba stammered out, getting frustrated that she didn't believe him. "Yes, I got an A on my test today. I guarantee you this will begin to be an everyday occurrence. And I also plan on proving that I am worthy of getting this money, by doing what you need me to do here. Now, do you have something you want me to do?"
"Sure." She said. "You can start by cleaning your room. And honey, if you did get an A like you said....I want you to understand that cheating on a test is no way to earn our respect."
"Cheating?? I did not cheat on a test!" Kaiba snapped.
"Don't you give me that tone of voice. If I find out you cheated, this concert will be the least of your worries. You will be grounded, do you understand?" She asked.
Kaiba clenched his jaw then took a deep breath, not used to being talked down to this way, and forcing himself not to snap back at her. "I understand." He said in a very controlled tone, then turned and marched into his room.
Narr: Some people might not like the attitude of the mother in this chapter. Keep in mind that Kaiba's mother is not seeing Kaiba as Kaiba. She is seeing him the way Seto normally was in her world, which was a slacker and a teenage rebel, getting into trouble, lying all the time, and failing everything. As for Kaiba, despite the person he is and how he's used to being....I can see him trying to be as patient and as respectful towards his parents as he possibly could, despite the accusations and despite being put into a situation where he's no longer in full control of his life.