Chapter Nine

Serenity sighed as the groups headed back to the portal. They had decided on taking two limousines, and Tristan had opted to ride with the group that didn't include Serenity and Duke. It was all too obvious why.

"There hasn't really been a chance to talk about it, but Tristan's obviously upset about what we learned about us," she said quietly to Duke, who was twirling a piece of hair around his finger.

"I know," Duke frowned. "It seems like there's always a setback just when we think things are better." He looked to where Carly was happily talking with Yugi. "I wonder if we should ask her if Tristan's always iffy about us being married in her world."

"I'd like to hope he could get used to it," Serenity said. She sighed. "But maybe he never can. I always thought of Tristan as a brother, and at first I didn't realize he felt differently about me, but then I knew and I felt badly for him."

"Yeah." Duke stared off into the distance. If their positions had been reversed, could he have handled things any better? He had always had so many girls hanging around him, unlike Tristan, but they had been shallow and he had never been serious about any of them. Not until Serenity had come along. If he had not been able to have her, he very well might have felt bitter and discouraged.

"We'll have to talk to Tristan when this is over," Serenity said. "Or we could talk to him when we're in Rebecca's van again, but it would probably be better not to talk about it while all this is going on. . . ."

Duke fully agreed. There was too much of a danger that Tristan would make a scene. They really didn't want that around their new friends.

"I wonder if we're really going to get to bring back the missing people," Serenity said. "It seems almost too good to be true that they really are alive, but we have experienced miraculous things like that before. . . ."

Duke nodded. "It really sounds like this other dimension is going to experience some of that . . . if we can figure out how to get the portal open. But if Luna can be transported there and back, I wonder why this Ancient Fairy Dragon can't do that with these people."

"Maybe that would take more strength than she has, when there's four of them and Oreo?" Serenity suggested.

"Maybe," Duke said noncommittally. "Or maybe things aren't exactly what they seem. Doesn't it seem a little too perfect to suddenly find someone who knows about everyone being missing and where they are? She came to us, even!"

Serenity sighed. "I'd rather think it really is real," she said. "I don't like to question it."

"Sometimes things have to be questioned, though," Duke said. "Otherwise, you could get duped by every creep that comes along."

"I can't think that little girl would be like that," Serenity frowned.

"Maybe not her, but what about this Ancient Fairy Dragon?" Duke countered. "None of us know anything about that card! How do we know it's benevolent?"

"I know."

They looked to Kalin with a start as he spoke. He had been sitting quietly in the back, not speaking.

"So what's the deal with it?" Crump asked.

"She's one of the dragons that helped fight against the Dark Signers when they originally emerged 5,000 years ago," Kalin said. "She's a servant of the Crimson Dragon, who stands for righteousness and light."

"The Dark Signers have been comin' out for that long?!" Crump exclaimed.

"Technically, they can only come out every 5,000 years," Kalin said. "But I will never not wish that I hadn't accepted the mantle when they came this time."

"Yeah . . . we all get that," Crump said. "We sure wish we hadn't done a lot of the garbage we pulled either."

"But we're all grateful for the second chance we were given," Lector said.

Kalin stared out the window. "After everything you did, how do you even feel worthy of it?"

"I usually don't," Nesbitt grunted. "But when I have it, I don't want to waste it."

The cars pulled up at the KaibaCorp grounds and everyone started to get out. Kalin still looked thoughtful from the Big Five's words and didn't speak further. Luna led the way to the portal, looking around longingly at the beautiful Domino City as she did. "I wish we didn't have to go so soon," she lamented, "but we really don't have time to explore."

"Maybe after all of this is resolved, you can come back and celebrate Christmas with us," Téa suggested. "We were going to have our annual party tomorrow night. You're all welcome to come."

"Seriously?!" Leo stared in awe. "And there'll be lots of good food?!"

"Of course," Téa said, laughing. "The food is always Joey's and Tristan's favorite part. Bakura's too."

"Alright!" Leo pumped the air. "We are so coming, Sis!"

Luna started to smile. "Yeah. . . . We should do that." She climbed through the portal, still smiling to herself.

"So who's all going this time?" Joey wondered. "Some of us are staying back again, right?"

"I guess so," Serenity said slowly, "although I'd really like to see when the dimensional rift opens and everyone gets to be together again. . . ."

"Oh what the heck, let's all go," Crump said. "We've got the portal-opener, if we need it."

"And just how will you all fit?" Rebecca frowned.

"It looked like your van had enough room to rival a bus!" Crump countered.

Rebecca smirked a bit. "Well, I do have the best industrial model. I wanted plenty of room for anything and anyone I needed to bring on my tests."

Tristan frowned. "If it's as bad over there as you're all saying, Serenity shouldn't have to see that."

"It's okay, Tristan," Serenity said kindly. "I can take it."

"Yeah, but . . ." Tristan protested.

"It's Serenity's decision," Duke pointedly interrupted. "She doesn't need people deciding for her."

Not wanting an argument to break out, and just wanting to get on with what they needed to do, everyone else started to follow Luna through the portal. They wanted to focus solely on Rebecca's van, but it was impossible not to take in some of the devastation and destruction from Zero Reverse. It was all around them, chilling them to the bone.

Solomon gasped under his breath. All the knowledge in the world of what he would see didn't prepare him for the actual sight of it. "Yugi . . . that other poor Yugi. . . . He was caught in all this. . . ."

Yugi laid a hand on his shoulder. "I know, Grampa. It's awful. But we're going to get that other me back. . . ."

Solomon shakily nodded. "I hope so. . . ."

Bakura was also horrified. "Oh . . . !" He clutched Oreo close to him and she meowed, not liking the scene either. It only felt unnaturally cold.

Serenity couldn't refrain from a gasp. "Oh . . . ! This is worse than anything I could have imagined," she exclaimed.

"You see?!" Tristan snapped at Duke.

Duke looked horrified by everything as well. But he turned away, drawing an arm around Serenity's shoulders. "Let's get to the van."

Serenity shakily nodded. "We've got a job to do."

A strange mist began to rise from the ground as they walked.

"The spirits are becoming annoyed that we keep coming back," Yami Bakura remarked.

Oreo yowled.

"Or maybe they're upset that anybody escaped through that dimensional rift when they all died," Crump gulped.

"They probably are," Luna said softly.

"Let's get out of here!" Leo exclaimed.

Everyone crowded into the van, which by now was absolutely full to capacity. Rebecca sped off, soon arriving at the bridge and crossing over it.

Carly wildly waved her hand. "My car's still there!" she announced. "Maybe some of us should get out and follow you there?"

"Yes, do that," Seto grunted. With not quite enough room even in Rebecca's industrial and futuristic model for the entire group, Mokuba was on his lap, Luna and Leo were sharing a seat, and Yugi had somehow ended up on Kalin's lap. Solomon and Marik were on the floor.

Rebecca pulled over to the curb. "How many people does your car seat?" she asked.

"Um . . . five, if I'm lucky," Carly said.

"Great," Rebecca said. "Just make sure to really follow me. And we'll keep in touch on our phones." After a quick exchange of numbers, Carly loaded her car with passengers and both vehicles set out again.

"So, who are we getting first?" Rebecca brusquely asked. "The Big Five or Kaiba?"

"Getting the other uses would probably be easier," Crump said. "And they'd probably have their own transport, so we could divide up into more vehicles."

"How is this Big Five's relationship with Mr. Kaiba?" Gansley asked. "Did they repair the problems between them?"

"Yeah, they did," Rebecca said. "There won't be any trouble about that."

"Good to know," Crump said. "But I wonder if pretty much everything happened the same here except for the Pharaoh apparently not coming back. . . ."

"Oh, I'm sure some other things have been different," Rebecca said.

"Yeah, I hate to think how Joey and Tristan had trouble with Mr. Kaiba after the explosion," Serenity frowned. "They must not have gotten as close as they did in our world. Mr. Kaiba even nearly died trying to save Joey. . . ."

"I'm pretty sure that didn't happen," Rebecca said. "Although even if it did, that wouldn't mean things couldn't go wrong later."

"I'd rather think it wouldn't," Serenity said.

Nesbitt looked to Kalin. "You were surprised when you found we were all staying at the same house. Do we not do that here?"

"No, you do," Kalin said. "I just didn't know you'd started it that long ago."

"Maybe here we didn't," Crump shrugged. "But okay, so if we're doin' that here, we could be at any of five places! . . . And what about Penguin World?! Did we build that here?"

"And did it survive the explosion?" Gansley frowned.

"Penguin World is thriving in New Domino City," Rebecca said. "It did survive the explosion, although it sustained some damage to some of the rides and the midway was temporarily shut down while those were repaired. All the penguins were okay."

"Well, that's a relief," Crump sighed. "Hey, is George still around?"

"Yes," Rebecca said, "and still jumping on Nesbitt's lap."

Joey blinked. "Are you serious?! But it's been 30 years!"

"Emperor Penguins can live up to 50 years in captivity," Rebecca recited, as if reading from a textbook.

Lector chuckled at Joey's expression. "So am I right to assume that you're at least somewhat close to us?" he asked Rebecca.

"Nesbitt has been trying to help me find the dimensional rift," Rebecca said. "Naturally it's somewhat out of his line of expertise, but things have changed a lot. He's been building machines to try to detect anomalies in the space-time continuum."

". . . Yeah, that's pretty different, alright," Crump blinked.

Nesbitt grunted. He could hardly say it was nonsense after all this, but it still sounded strange for him to be creating such things.

"All of you were at his house last night, so that's where we'll try first," Rebecca said.

"I guess the original rich part of town stayed here in New Domino City, didn't it?" Yugi realized.

"Yes," Rebecca said. "Some homes were damaged by the earthquake the explosion caused, but almost everything was rebuilt."

"'Almost'?" Téa blinked.

"Kaiba never repaired the damage to the Kaiba Mansion," Rebecca said.

"What?!" Mokuba exclaimed.

"That's so sad," Serenity frowned.

The neighborhoods they were passing were growing increasingly wealthy, with spacious homes and garages that became larger and more numerous the farther they went. At last things began to look familiar, and when Rebecca pulled up in front of the alternate Nesbitt's house, Nesbitt was gratified to find that he recognized it.

". . . So, is there anything we should know before we meet these guys?" Joey asked. "You know, so we won't be too surprised or something."

"Yeah, and blurt something stupid," Tristan added.

"I didn't say that!" Joey boomed.

"No, but I did," Tristan countered.

Rebecca was already leaning out the window to press the intercom button. "They're pretty much the same, really," she said. "Hey, it's me," she said into the intercom. "I need to talk to all of you right now. I have some visitors with me. It's kind of hard to explain."

The intercom crackled. "Fine," another Nesbitt grunted. "Come in."

"Wow," Crump said. "If that's not surreal."

The large gates creaked open. Rebecca drove in and up the winding driveway, parking by the garage. She was out in an instant, shutting the door after her. "Alright, I'll go up first, by myself, and try to prepare them for the shock," she said.

The garage was already opening. The alternate Nesbitt was standing there, clad in jeans and a work shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His hair was still dark brown, but a bit streaked with gray. Otherwise, he scarcely looked 71.

"We must have Atlantean blood in this world too," Crump said. "It's nice to see how it's workin'!"

Nesbitt quirked an eyebrow but nodded in approval.

The alternate Nesbitt's gruff expression softened as Rebecca came over to him. "What was so urgent?" he asked.

"Well . . ." Rebecca half-turned and gestured back at the van. "There's been some really big developments in our quest for alternate dimensions. Right now there's currently a portal open in the Satellite, and it led to an alternate Domino City from thirty years ago."

The alternate Nesbitt stiffened. "WHAT?!"

"There's other versions of you and the others in my van, along with . . . others," Rebecca said. "And that's just for openers."

Deciding that was a good cue, Crump opened the door and got out. "Hey," he said with a wave.

The alternate Nesbitt just gawked at him. ". . . Hello," he said slowly.

Carly pulled up just then, breaking the awkward moment. "Hi!" she greeted. "I'm Carly Carmine, a reporter. I'm covering this story."

The alternate Nesbitt didn't look impressed. "You must have a very open-minded boss," he flatly commented.

Carly gave an awkward laugh and rubbed the back of her head. "Well . . . not really."

". . . Can we all just come inside?" Rebecca asked. "We need to talk with all of you, in private."

The alternate Nesbitt nodded. "Yeah, sure. Come on." He walked across the garage to the door leading into the house.

The large group trailed after him, taking in the workbenches and various projects in assorted stages of completion. Nesbitt was especially fascinated by what looked like an elongated robot torso on one of the benches, but he had no chance to ask about it before they were all inside and the rest of the alternate Big Five was standing in the hallway to greet them.

"I don't know how to explain this," the alternate Nesbitt said to them. "There's other versions of us from an alternate Domino City, thirty years younger. . . ."

His friends were gawking now, but the alternate Lector swiftly tried to shake off his bewilderment and just bowed in politeness. "Welcome to our home," he said. As he straightened, he caught sight of Mokuba and wavered. "M-Mokuba?!" The color drained from his tanned skin and he almost looked faint. Gasping, the alternate Crump and Johnson reached to steady him.

Mokuba came forward, smiling sadly at his friend. "Hi, Lector. . . . I'm sorry I'm not the Mokuba you knew, but the good news is, we've come to tell you you can get him back. The others too!"

"W-What?!" Politeness forgotten, the alternate Lector just stared at the boy and then up at the rest. "Is this true?!"

"Yes, it is," Luna said. "We'll explain everything."

"Please do," the alternate Gansley growled. He looked the oldest of the group, which he was at age 90, but he still seemed of completely sound mind, to his counterpart's relief.

Now everyone was led into the large living room. When they were all settled, the long explanation began. The alternate Big Five listened, absolutely stymied, and asked many questions. By the time everything was finally straight, nearly another hour had passed.

". . . Wow," the alternate Crump said at the conclusion. He sank back into the couch.

"You believe it, don't you?" Luna pleaded.

"It's a great deal to take in, to say the least," the alternate Johnson said. "But it's highly unlikely it's all being made up. Yes, we believe you."

"And now we have to get Kaiba onboard?" The alternate Crump just shook his head. "Good luck with that!"

Mokuba bit his lip. "But . . . won't he believe us too?"

"I most certainly hope so, Mokuba," the alternate Lector said. He still looked like he wondered if he was living in a dream himself.

"Let's go right now and try!" Mokuba leaped up and hurried to the door, then looked back at the others. "Are you with me?"

"Of course." The alternate Lector pushed himself up and walked over to the boy, his sky-blue eyes filled with wonder. "Mokuba, you don't know what it does to me to see you again after so long . . . even though you're a Mokuba from 30 years ago. . . ."

Mokuba looked up at this other version of the man he loved so dearly as his and Seto's former caretaker and current friend. This Lector was 75, but he still seemed the same. Mokuba smiled and leaned in, hugging him close. "I think I know," he said softly. "Sometimes I've thought you were dead too. . . ."

The alternate Lector's eyes filled with surprise. Then he smiled, holding the child close. "We've been through so much, haven't we."

"I guess that's something that never changes no matter what dimension we're in," Mokuba said.

Téa brushed aside a happy tear. "Okay, guys. Let's go talk to the other Kaiba so we can get everybody home!" she declared.

Everyone fully agreed and they headed outside. As had been thought, the alternate Big Five provided a limousine and the group divided three ways. Those riding with Rebecca breathed a sigh of relief as more space was freed.

It wasn't a long drive to the Kaiba Mansion, but as they approached, the alternate Lector looked to both Mokuba and Seto in apologetic concern. "I am sorry for what you are about to see," he said. "I am afraid it's going to be an unpleasant surprise."

Mokuba looked down. "Rebecca said the other Seto didn't fix the damage," he said quietly.

"No, he didn't," the alternate Lector said.

"We even offered to do it for him," the alternate Nesbitt grunted.

Seto was looking at something else. He drew a sharp intake of breath. "What . . . !"

Mokuba looked up with a start. "No. . . ." The wall around the mansion was badly cracked. Some of the bricks were even missing. As they reached the gate, the house beyond also bore cracks in the edifice. Several windows were boarded. The walkway was cracked as well.

"What does it look like inside?" Seto frowned.

"There's a huge crack in the basement floor," the alternate Crump said. "You . . . well, the other you . . . just put a big rug over it."

"There are cracks all over the walls," the alternate Johnson said. "And I believe some parts of the attic roof started to leak."

"The only thing Mr. Kaiba made sure of was that your room was renewed, Mokuba," the alternate Lector said. "He couldn't stand for it to be damaged."

Mokuba looked down. "Poor Seto. . . ."

The alternate Lector sighed and leaned out the window to press the intercom button. "This is Démas Lector," he announced. "I need to speak with Mr. Kaiba."

An awkward pause. "You know he never wants to see anybody anymore, Mr. Lector . . . unless it's on company business, and very little of that. . . ."

Mokuba looked down. This Velma sounded completely worn-out.

"I'm afraid this is quite urgent," the alternate Lector said. "You know that Nesbitt has been trying to help Mrs. Hawkins-Muto find a portal to an alternate dimension. Well, such a portal has opened, and other versions of some of us have come through. There's an alternate Mokuba."

Velma gasped. "Mr. Kaiba will never believe it!"

"Would you tell him anyway, please? There's more; it seems there's a way to reach our Mokuba and the others, but we need Mr. Kaiba's help." The alternate Lector leaned worriedly on the wall.

"I . . . I'll tell him," Velma stammered.

"Don't bother," came another voice.

Mokuba gasped. It was hardened and cold, but there was no doubt about it—it was Seto's voice. His Seto narrowed his eyes. The alternate him sounded absolutely immovable.

"Seto, it's really true," Mokuba tried to say. "It's all true!"

"Fairy tales," the alternate Seto snorted. "Or my imagination. You're not really here. I always hear you up and down the halls, in every room, but you're never there when I get there! I'm tired of believing what I hear. My mind isn't reliable anymore!"

Tears pricked Mokuba's eyes. "Oh Seto. . . ."

His Seto gripped his shoulder. "This actually is real," he said.

A scoff. "Don't you think I could dream up a scenario like this for myself? I know what the Big Five have been working on. I could all so easily imagine it turning out right!"

"You're not, Seto!" Mokuba cried in desperation. "You're not! Please just take the chance one more time and come out!"

"No. I can't do this again." The intercom went dead. An uncomfortable silence filled the air.

Finally the alternate Crump exhaled loudly, looking awkward. ". . . Well, this isn't gonna be easy, is it?"

Nesbitt folded his arms. "Things have been coming to us too easily. Of course something would go wrong!"

Leo groaned and propped himself up on the wall with an elbow. "But . . . if we can't even get in to see him, what are we gonna do?"

Mokuba looked undaunted. "I might not know this specific Seto, but I think some things are universally true about all of them. I'm going to get in to see him! And when I do, I'm sure I can get him to listen to me!"

Leo's eyes filled with uncertainty. "I hope you're right. . . ."

Luna smiled. "I'm sure he is. After all, we know all about siblings having special bonds. Right?"

Leo finally smiled too. "Right."