Chapter 54:

*Seto's POV*

I stood looking out the window over the skyscrapers and streets surrounding me. Domino City. Where Mokuba and I struggled early in life. Where I have grown a company from near ruins to a multi-national-multi-billion-dollar corporation that will forever be remembered for my name. Where I was reunited with the only woman I will ever love. A place, that should we decide to have a family, we will raise our children. A place I could call home. A figment of mind that was almost taken from me; I almost lost everything.

"Big brother." I was tore from my musing by the sound of my younger brother.

"Thanks to that lunatic Dartz and the stunts he pulled, our company's reputation is shot." I started harshly. I turned from the city view to see Mokuba sitting near our model of Kaiba Land and Roland standing approximately three feet back from my desk.

"Now, it's up to you to fix it." I commanded my right-hand man. After the whole fiasco, I promoted Roland to head of operations.

"Yes sir." He said confidently with a nod. Roland was one of the few employees I trusted to carry out any task given to him. Previously, I thought he only would complete it in fear of my wrath, however recent events have shown me his true loyalty.

I sat down at my desk looking at the damage reports over and over; it would take something big for us to turn this situation around in time for the holidays, which was when we had our highest gross sales.

"Hey Seto, I have an idea. Let's plan a big event to celebrate Kaiba Land's Grand Opening." Mokuba suggested.

"Yes, something that will grab the attention of every news station in the country." I continued picking through my emails until I saw an email from Industrial Illusions. It was the monthly list of new cards they were releasing. I couldn't help the grin that found my lips. A tournament.

"I think I know just what to do…" I added the new cards to my database.

"The ultimate tournament." I said starting the plan a possible format and locations for the event. Kaiba Land would offer many different environments for the duels and the finals could be held in the Kaiba Dome for the whole world to see.

"That's it! We'll gather the greatest duelists from around the world and let them duke it out for a chance at the championship title. It will be the biggest thing since Battle City."

"Let's hope so." I said pulling out the old tournament contracts from my last event. Battle City had been something I wanted to forget for some aspects but in another it was a treasured memory. Despite my humiliating defeat, I was reunited with Rika, something that I would never trade away for anything. I glanced down at the sole picture I had on my desk. It was Rika and me after one of the dates we had over the summer. She was leaning up and kissing my cheek as I smiled gently at Mokuba who took the picture for us. But then I snapped back to business reality.

"Roland, update these tournament contracts." I said handing him the clipboard. It would just need some brief tweaking, nothing significant.

"Yes sir, right away. If you don't mind me asking Mr. Kaiba sir, what are you planning to call this new tournament?"

"The Kaiba Corp Grand Championship." I said thinking simple was better.

"Excellent choice sir."

"Let's get this show on the road." Mokuba said excitedly. I was glad to see the enthusiasm on the boy's face. Since the Dartz ordeal, he hasn't quite been himself. To be honest, none of us have but my little brother lost the shine in his eyes. Ri thinks it's because I was gone for some time, they presumed I was dead. She was never clingy in any sort, a very independent woman, but since then, I can't help but find her more attentive to me. She sees her own beliefs in Mokie's eyes.

"Fire up the chopper Roland! It's time to track down the best duelists in the world!" Mokuba said looking at Roland. I simply crossed my hands and watched as the hyper ball of energy that was my brother started towards the door.

"Mokuba, we have to decide on who is going to be invited to participate first." I said halting him.

He frowned but then the realization hit him.

"I guess so, I was gonna start with Yugi and go from there…" He said looking down.

"It's a practical idea but we need more than just our normal duelists, we need different: American, Chinese, French, Spanish, German. Any country that has participated internationally must have a representative."

"Well for starters, Yugi, Rika, and you." Mokuba said taking a sheet of paper off my desk.

"Mokuba, I can't duel. It will be too hectic and I'll be needed on the business side." I saw the light in his eyes dampen.

"Seto you have to duel. It's your tournament."

"I know it is, however, restoring our company and ensuring there are no hiccups are more important. There will be other tournaments; I must prioritize at the moment. Besides Rika was the official runner up of Battle City, she and Yugi should represent Domino." He nodded understanding.

"Okay so America, there are three regional champions. Then you have China, Russia, and the European champions." He said continuing with his notes.

"Sixteen duelists besides Yugi, Mokuba, I'll trust you to pick them. You can leave first thing in the morning to start notifying the competitors. I'll give Rika her invite."

"You just want another excuse to see your girlfriend." Mokuba said raising his eyebrows suggestively.

"You can go take it to her after school if it's that big of a deal Mokuba." I said rolling my eyes at his tease. Ra knows if I did take the invitation to Rika, I would most likely spend the night with her again. Not that it was a bad thing in the least. I was able to relax and rest with her. I just had so much to do and she could be very distracting without even realizing it.

"Seto…" His voice and snapping fingers tore me from my inner monologue.

"Sorry, just thinking."

"About Rika no doubt."

"You're too smart for your own good Mokuba." I said reaching down and ruffling his hair.

"Now, before you leave, I want a list of the duelists you pick." I said smiling down at my little brother.

"Of course big bro!"

**Rika's POV**

I heard my cell phone ringing as I was walking home from school that afternoon. I looked down to see Seto's number shining back at me. I was still getting used to having the mobile phone but I loved the gift from him nonetheless. He had insisted I had a way to contact him, especially after recent events.

"Hey Seto, what's up? You usually don't call until everyone leaves for the day." I was happy to hear his voice but it was odd timing on his behalf.

"There's an issue at the Kaiba Dome. I'm sending Roland now to pick you up; we'll fly over there immediately. Mokuba is with Yugi and the geek squad. They're stuck inside, everything is locked down."

"What has my brother gotten into this time?"

"I'm not sure. Some sort of virus has hacked the Kaiba Corp mainframe. Apparently, there are still areas of weakness after the Dartz attack."

"Oh Seto…"

"Roland will be there in a couple of minutes if he's not already there." The line went dead before I could respond. I looked up the street to grandpa's shop and sure enough, Rolland was leaning against the KC car waiting for me.

"Good afternoon Miss Magruda. I wish it was under better circumstances."

"Oh, I know Roland. Now let's go find out what's going on with Moki and Yugi."

"Our systems indicated a break of security last night which planted a virus to launch this afternoon. Surprisingly it went undetected until the virus had already hacked the Kaiba Dome Mainframe." He informed me once we were inside the car.

"Seto is absolutely livid right now." I added.

"He just wants those he cares about safe. That includes you and Mr. Mokuba." Roland stated matter-of-factly

"I know, best not keep him waiting." I chuckled and watched as the city flashed by me.

We reached the launch pad just a few minutes later and Seto was waiting by the helicopter. He opened his arms and I wrapped mine around his waist.

"I'm just glad you're okay. I can't deal with both you and Mokuba in trouble."

"If he's with my brother he'll be okay Seto. As much as you don't want to agree to that."

"This is bigger than duel monsters. This is a very technologically sophisticated attack far beyond most computer specialists let alone any duelist."

"Oh."

"Come on let's go to the heart of the issue."

"I'm excited to finally see Kaiba Land in all its finished glory."

"I was hoping you would see it on a day we could enjoy it together not when it was under siege." Seto said looking out into the sky. It seemed for every step forward, there were three steps back.

"I'm proud of you no matter what." I said placing a hand on his cheek. He smiled gently, but eventually, his serious features returned.

"We're here. Roland, have the pilot land right outside the dome."

"Yes sir, hold on, we'll be landing shortly." We landed about a minute later and I saw Moki, my brother, and the rest of the dweebs coming down the steps.

"Thank Ra, they're okay." I said as Seto opened the door and called for his brother.

"Mokuba!"

"Hey Seto!" Mokie came up as Seto stepped down on to the ground. I followed close behind and pulled the boy into my arms.

"You're a little late to save da day, doncha think? Yugi already did dat! But since you're finally here, maybe you could fix up dat fancy computa of yours, Rich Boy! " Wheeler came up and pointed a finger at Seto. I gladly stood in front of him and pulled his finger out of my boyfriend's face before he pissed off Seto too much.

"Settle down, mutt. Listen there's nothing wrong with that computer. It's the hacker that broke in that's the wacko." Seto said surprisingly even toned.

"Who was it?" Mokie asked.

"I don't know yet. There's a long list of suspects. As we've seen many times in the past, the Kaiba Corporation has its fair share of enemies. So it doesn't really surprise me that someone is trying to sabotage my new tournament. But mark my words this punk will be found and punished." Seto said determined.

Whoever, this fool is just poked a bear that he shouldn't have. This tournament means a lot to Seto, more than Battle City ever did. The future of his company was resting heavily on the outcome of this event and the grand opening of the parks. It was his last big move to restore things back to a pre-Dartz phase of life. I for one will fight tooth and nail to find this criminal and punish them for trying to ruin this great feat.

"Roland, I want security tripled for tournament registration tonight we can't afford any more unexpected interruptions. I also want someone with Mokuba and Rika at all times. An attack on either of them would be just as harmful than any technological strike against me. The only other attacks this week should be in a duel!"

"Yes sir. Of course, consider it done." Roland nodded.

"Oh and anyone who is late for registration will be disqualified. Mokuba, please make sure Wheeler's late. Come on Ri." Seto said starting to head to the main park offices. I fell into step with my boyfriend and smiled as Wheeler finally digested his words.

"Hey hold on, I know an insult when I hear one! Look at me when I'm yellin' at you!" I just smirked as we continued our journey. The further we got from the group, the more Seto relaxed.

"I have a new dress for you to wear tonight, it will be at your apartment unless you want to get ready here with me."

"Seto it's a tournament-opening ceremony; I didn't think it would be black-tie." I asked confused.

"It isn't but I want us to make a statement. It is the first public outing we're making together. I didn't get you a ball gown; it's a skater dress as the clerk called it. I think you'll like it."

"Okay, I'll trust you on this. You do have good taste." I said recalling all the previous outfits he's picked out in the past. I was a pretty lucky girl given my boyfriend is so good at so many things.