Hey guys, I have returned with a new chappie! Yaaaaah! ::coughs:: Anyway, as I have mentioned before, this is the first of the last final chapters of this story. The reason these chapters are going to take some time to go up is that I'm concentrating on setting up the ending so they will take ALOT of concentration. To those who wonder if there will be a sequel... all I have to say is this... when you read the ending, you can review and ask for a sequel. If enough people want one so badly that they start begging... (lol).... than I'll proceed with a sequel, but if you all think its best to leave it be than it shall be done. I write for my fans and if they want a sequel - they get a sequel and if they don't than hey, I ain't gonna complain! So anyways, read on and I hope you enjoy the new chapter!

Chapter Twenty One: The Race to Kaiba Corp and The Beginning of the Ceremony

Kaiba paced.

How could he have not known this was going on in his own company? Was his board working with this Tskusa guy in order to rid of him? Kaiba didn't think very lightly considering they had already tried to kill him twice and it was pretty evident that they couldn't kill him themselves. It was obvious they needed outside help to take down someone with such high intelligence and cunning skills. He stopped pacing to shake his head in grief and than returned to his steady pace again, continually shaking his head at the utter disgust of the situation.

Sydney and the others sat on the couch as he continually paced. He looked deep in thought and by his expression, they could tell he was battling himself over exactly what to do. Sydney sighed and snuck a glance at Yami, who noticed and only nodded slightly, his expression full of concern. They all knew how important Kaiba's company was to him and the thought of this going on beneath his nose must have permanately damaged his ego.

"Let's go."

Everyone's heads shot up at Kaiba's words and realized he was already making his way out the door. They had no time to even respond let alone think as the group barreled out the door after him. Sydney took the lead and found him at the street already, his hand digging into the inside pocket of his trenchcoat, slipping out his cell phone and flipping it open to place it to his ear. As the group neared him, they could hear his cold tone.

"Yes, it's me you fool," Kaiba said flatly,"Send a limo over to South Birk. Don't ask questions - just do it!"

"Seto?" Sydney dared to ask what he was doing as he closed his cell phone and turned to her slightly.

Kaiba looked at her than the others and kept his tone steady,"Look, don't bother sympathizing. My company is indeed important to me but the board has planned to kill me before. If this in turn causes the destruction of my company, than I will just have to learn to deal with it."

Everyone was swept into silence until the limo arrived.



Once inside, Mokuba was itching to break the silence. Sydney could tell by the look on his face that he was ready to bombard Kaiba with a million questions like he had done earlier but she knew that was the last thing he needed right now. Especially when his company had been harboring evil - under his nose even! Sydney's eyes widened as Mokuba's mouth opened at Kaiba's still figure. Kaiba was sitting, staring out the window, his arms crossed and his expression blank. Mokuba was about to ask a question but Sydney's figure flung forward and clasped over the young child's mouth. Unfortunately, she acquired everyone's attention - including Kaiba's.

He stared at her strangely,"Sydney, I don't if this is a stupid question or not but why is your hand covering my brother's mouth?"

Sydney laughed slightly and she sat herself between the two,"No reason, just trying to lighten the moment."

Mokuba looked at her strangely and went to open his mouth but her look haulted him. She than looked back at Kaiba, trying her best to smile but to no avail. Everyone could tell she was lying. Sydney cursed herself mentally. She had never been very good at lying - her face usually gave it away. Kaiba simply stared at her than leaned forward, placing a lingering kiss on her cheek before slowly pulling back.

"I know what you're trying to do," He said to her with a slight smile,"But you don't have to."

"Seto, I -"

He shook his head and she silenced. He gave her a reassuring smile and turned to look back out the limo's window as the Kaiba Corp building slowly came into view. Something unusual caught his eye. The entire front entrance was guarded, but what for? He never had guards at the front entrance, atleast not as many as there was now. Now he was going to have to go through the hassle of getting through them and that meant he had to yell. Once the limo came to a stop, he didn't even bother to wait for his chauffer to open the door, he just swung it open and marched to the entrance that was heavily guarded.

Sydney quickly shot up after him, so as did Mokuba. The others took a little more time, having been capitivated in actually seeing the building so up close before. Once they reached Kaiba and Sydney's side, they couldn't help but hear the heated argument Kaiba was having.

"What do you mean restricted entrance?!" Kaiba practically growled,"I own this fucking place! Step aside!"

The guard tried hard to keep his composure,"I'm sorry Mr. Kaiba but the board made strict orders and I must follow them."

Kaiba was becoming angry,"Since when?! You're employeed under me not those blundering fools!!"

"I'm sorry, sir."

The group watched nervously as Kaiba began to pace again. The guards all looked at him strangely as he paced right in front of their hold. Sydney was seriously beginning to worry as she watched him pace. He had such a distressed look on his face, like he had lost everything and now his world was crumbling. Sydney couldn't blame him. His mansion was nothing more than burned wood and plaster, his company had been snatched from underneath him and now he was pacing back and forth, running his hands through his hair so fast and quickly that she was beginning to think he was going to pull it out.

"Seto," Mokuba spoke up suddenly as Kaiba slowed his pacing to look at him. Mokuba approached him and whispered something as Kaiba leaned downward more to hear it. Kaiba than nodded and than grinned momentarily before walking up to Sydney and pulling her aside with them. Yami, Joey and Bakura watched them strangely as Kaiba and Mokuba talked to Sydney.

"So what do ya think der talkin' bout?" Joey asked the other two.

"I don't know but I don't like the way it looks," Yami said disapprovingly,"I'm afraid we don't have much time either. If Tskusa knows we're here, than he undoubtingly put these men here to stop us."

Joey nodded and opened his mouth,"Do ya think-"

"WHAT?! You've got to be kidding me?!"

Yami and Joey exchanged looks at Sydney's reply and than over at where they were standing. Kaiba suddenly got down on both knees and actually looked like he was begging. This got a chuckle out of Joey and unluckily for him, Kaiba gave him a glare before returning to Sydney.



Sydney let out a huff and finally nodded, pulling Kaiba up by the collar of his coat. It was obvious she hated seeing him beg like that because it was a very Un-Kaiba like characteristic. Than again, these were desperate times and desperate times called for desperate measures but the three didn't think it had actually gotten THAT desperate. The three came over to join the other three and Kaiba leaned inward.

"Okay, we have a plan," Kaiba told them,"Sydney's going to get us in."

Yami stared at him,"How?"

Sydney huffed,"I'm going to flirt with them."

Kaiba couldn't help but laugh slightly,"Better you than dressing Wheeler up as a woman which, may I add, was our back up plan."

Joey shot him a death look,"WHAT?!"

Yami looked at Kaiba,"Kaiba, this is not a good idea. Do you know how much danger you could possibly be putting her in?"

Bakura joined in,"He's quite right. Those thugs look very intimidating."

Kaiba sighed than shot a look at Sydney. So maybe it was a little hasty asking her to do this, but there was no other way. They all knew they needed to get inside. The place contained not only the last item but Tskusa as well and it was very clear that Kaiba's authority wasn't going to get him in this time. He felt so pathetic.. weak even. He had never felt these emotions before. He was always so used to be the one in charge, the one looking out not the one looking in.

Kaiba turned to Joey,"Hey the option's still open Wheeler."

Joey growled,"It ain't happenin'!"

Yami tried to surpress a chuckle at the look on Joey's face.

Kaiba laughed slightly than turned to Sydney,"Look, Yami has a point. I can't let you go through with this, you could get hurt."

Sydney couldn't help but raise her brow,"Please, if I can tame you, I can tame them no problem."

Everyone's faces contorted slightly and Sydney laughed. Kaiba let out another slight laugh, shaking his head slightly. He couldn't help but understand what she meant. He had used to be so cold, so unfeeling but the moment Sydney stepped into his life, things had changed and he became a new man. A man that held feelings for another besides his brother, someone who was willing to put his past aside and work with the ones he used to hold spite for. He turned slightly and looked to the group of men than back to the young woman beside him.

He gently lifted her chin,"You be careful. Once you get past them, we'll meet up on the top floor in my office."



Sydney nodded,"Sounds like a plan."

He kissed her quickly and slowly drew away,"I mean it, be careful.... and don't have too much fun."

Sydney's brow wrinkled at those words,"Hmmmph.. you never let me have fun.."

Joey rolled his eyes,"Okay love birds, ya done?! We runnin' on a schedule here!"

The two looked to see Joey tapping his watch in frustration.





"Master Tskusa they have arrived."

"Hmmm.. right on time too," The dark figure replied as he gazed through the darkness toward his servant,"I promised you power, Seto. I think it's time you achieved this goal."

"Thank you Master."

Tskusa watched as the priest slowly came into his view, dressed exactly how he had instructed him to dress. He was quite a copy of the real Seto Kaiba and he would prove a greater purpose to himself than to the others. After ridding of the real Seto Kaiba, Seto would take his place and destroy the others for him. Than the ceremony could commence without any distractions and he would have endless power.

"Make haste, Seto," Tskusa instructed,"None of them should realize the disappearance of the real Kaiba if you act quickly. Make sure he is taken out - permanately."



"Yes, Master," Seto replied with a heavy smirk,"Than I shall do as you instruct and rid you of that princess and pharoah."

Tskusa waved his hand and Seto slowly turned to leave him alone in the room again. He slowly rose from his seat and approached the alter that would be used in the ceremony. His eyes ran over all the provisions he needed from the ceremony. A book of the anchients, a dagger drenched in holy blood, a gauntlet to be filled with the blood of an Ordiant, which he was planning to use Sydney's, and the last was the last Mystical Item. The ceremony called for atleast one of the Mystical Item's to be present during the commencement. Than he could open the portal and than release his pent up power. Than he would rule over all humans.... for eternity.



"This way."

Kaiba slowly headed down the hallway with the others following him. He had gotten past the guards no problem after they had been distracted by Sydney. He couldn't help but smirk at the scene she had made. She did everything that a woman could possibly to do to get attention and he almost got side tracked for a second watching her. Now they were on the second floor of Kaiba Corp. making their way to his office to meet Sydney.

"Whoa," Joey suddenly commented behind him,"Dis place sure is fancy!"

"This is not the time to admire the scenery, Joey," Yami's voice said as Kaiba continued to walk forward in a steady pace.

"Alright already, sheeeesh," Joey started to walk again and caught up with the others rather quickly.

They walked down the length of the corrider and stopped when Kaiba suddenly ceased in his path. The others started to look around him, thinking that something was blocking his path or someone had spotted him. Kaiba just stood there, silent and not saying anything.

"Is there something wrong, Kaiba?" Bakura finally asked after a couple moments of silence.

Kaiba turned slightly and sighed,"We lost Mokuba."

Suddenly all of them looked behind them to see that they did lose Mokuba, for the young boy was no where to be found. Kaiba growled angrily at himself for being so careless, especially with his brother. He was all he had left of family and here he was so distracted in getting to his office to see Sydney again that he had completely forgotten to make sure his brother had gotten here alright.

"I'll go look fer 'im!" Joey told them all,"I'm sure he just took a wrong turn or somethin'!"

"No, you moron," Kaiba suddenly snapped,"You'd end up getting both of you lost. I'll go."

"But - " Joey started to only be cut off.

"My office is on the fourth floor," Kaiba instructed as he pulled a key out of his pocket,"Use this key to open the elevator and get to the fourth floor, my office is the last door in the back of the floor. There should be a side office before it, that's my secretary's. Think you can handle that Wheeler?"

Joey huffed," 'A course!"

"Good," Kaiba turned and began to head back the way they came.

"Wait a second," Yami haulted him and Kaiba stopped,"What about you? Are you going to make it back alright?"

Kaiba snorted and turned slightly to look at him,"I'll be fine. Tell Sydney not to worry."

Yami nodded,"We will wait for you. Let's go guys."

Kaiba waited until they had disappeared and turned to head back down the hallway. His eyes darted back and forth and he suddenly realized that offices were empty. He was sure he would have noticed that on his way up the this floor but it hadn't hit him until now. There was not one person working. Kaiba raised his eyebrow slightly as he turned the corner again and looked down the length of the hallway.

He didn't know where Mokuba could possibly be. Mokuba knew Kaiba Corp. almost as well as he did, but than again he had gone the back way and Mokuba barely knew the back way into the building. It was strange that Mokuba didn't say anything when he had lost touch of the others. He was sure the boy would have either yelled out to him or had taken a different elevator up to his office and call him on the office phone to let him know they're alright.

His walk was cut short when the shrill ring of his phone went off. Kaiba let out a sigh of relief. He had a strong feeling it was Mokuba, calling him from his office. Kaiba quickly removed it from his trench coat and flipped it open.

"Mokuba?"

"Mokuba?" A familiar voice asked confused,"Why are you asking for Mokuba?"

Kaiba sighed at Sydney's voice,"I can't find him. I retraced my footsteps but I have no idea where he is. Are the others there yet?"

Sydney's voice haulted than spoke,"Yeah, they just walked in now. Seto, be careful okay?"

Kaiba snorted,"I'll be fine. If it makes you feel better, you can talk to me on my phone while I look for him."

"Okay," She replied,"That does make me feel better."

Kaiba rolled his eyes slightly and continued his trek down the hallway. He turned another corner and suddenly saw two figures causing him to retreat back into a corner. He hid in the darkness and leaned out slightly, trying to make out whose figures they were.

"Seto?"

Kaiba covered the phone for a second than replied,"Shhhh..."

He covered the phone again and watched as the two figures talked. He couldn't really make out their words but one started walking in his direction and he froze. He tried to keep his breathing as steady as possible and clasped his hand tightly over the phone, hoping to not be discovered.

"Master Tskusa is preparing in the basement," The one figure suddenly spoke a he stood beside Kaiba but looking at the other figure,"We must rid of these intruders immediately."

The other figure nodded and than said,"What about the boy?"

Kaiba's eyes widened when he suddenly realized he was talking about Mokuba. Kaiba's eyes narrowed in anger as he waited for the figure to reply.

"Kill him."

Kaiba's face contorted and he almost dropped the phone. He was going to kill his brother... the only brother he had. Kaiba fought every instinct he was having from ripping the man's head off. He stood silently waiting as the other figure nodded and slowly turned to walk away. The man in front of him stayed still for a moment than headed in the opposite direction. Kaiba finally let the phone go and brought it to his ear.

"Sydney?"

"Seto?"

Kaiba relaxed slightly at the sound of her voice,"Yes, I almost had an encounter. They have Mokuba."

"They?" Sydney asked,"Whose they?"

Kaiba looked around and began to follow the way the other figure ordered to kill his brother took. He weaved around slightly as he saw the man at the end of the hallway turn to head down a different path. Kaiba stopped slightly in his pursuit and thought for a moment.

"I don't know who they is," Kaiba told her finally,"All I know is that they're going to kill him and that's NOT going to happen. Not while I'm still living and breathing."

"Seto don't do anything crazy," Sydney scolded through the phone,"If you get yourself killed that's only going to make Mokuba sad."

"I'm not going to get myself killed," He hissed angrily,"I'm going to save my brother."

"Seto-"

Kaiba flipped the phone close, hanging up on her before she could reply. She didn't understand, no one would. He promised his brother that he would always look after him, that he'd always be there for him and he was intending to keep that promise, even if it did kill him. He was the only family he had and he'd go through any lengths to get his brother back.... anything.





Sydney angrily slammed down the phone in Kaiba's office, causing the others to eyes her strangely. She got up from Kaiba's chair and huffed, walked toward the door of his office but was haulted when Yami's figure blocked her path.

"Where do you think you're going?"

Sydney frowned,"Step aside, Yami. Seto is in danger and I'm going to stop him from doing the dumbest thing he's ever done."

"What?" Joey asked from behind her,"He just went ta look for Mokuba."

She sighed and crossed her arms,"He found out that they have Mokuba and he's determined to save him."

Yami looked at her,"I know you're concerned Sydney but I think we both know by now that Kaiba can handle himself. If he can get out of a collasping building, I think he can handle a couple of Tskusa's guards."

"A collasping building?!" Bakura and Joey asked in unison. Sydney waved them off and stared at Yami for a moment. She couldn't let Kaiba do this alone. He had no idea what he was up against. Sure, he was rather strong for his age and had powers but his powers didn't aid him in physical combat.

"Yami, he could get hurt," Sydney tried to explain to him,"What would we do than?"

"He will be fine," Yami insisted,"We all have to come up with a plan to stop Tskusa and try to think of the deed at hand. Kaiba will return with Mokuba and everything will be fine."

Sydney sighed,"Fine."

"Alright," Yami said relieved that everything was finally under control,"We can call Kaiba if we feel he's been gone for too long. If he doesn't answer than we'll find him."

Sydney nodded,"Thank you, Yami."

Yami merely nodded in return and looked away at both Joey and Bakura. Both of them each gave him a nod and Yami nodded in return. He didn't know what was to become of Kaiba but he was going to continually reassure Sydney. They both needed to be calm to perform the ensealment. They can't act on any other feelings besides the task at hand or they'd risk ripping the portal open instead of sealing it closed.





"Help! Seto help me! Help!"

"Shut up and quit squirming you annoying child!"

Mokuba continued to struggle, twisting his arms at an attempt to break free from the man that held onto him. He had been taken while the others had gone ahead and he had paused to rest. He didn't think he was going to be snatched away so easily or without his brother knowing. He was beginning to lose hope that his brother was coming for him. No! Kaiba was going to come for him and he'd get free!

He began to thrash harder and scream at the top of his lungs, trying naything to buck free from the man's hold. Finally the man became angry and slammed the child against a wall, causing Mokuba's body to go limp and silent. The man let out a sigh and began to tie him up, starting with a gag around his mouth to keep the inconsistent screaming under control.

Mokuba roused an hour or two later and opened his eyes. His vision blurred than focused and rested on the image of his brother, standing before him. It was Kaiba, his trench coat was around him and he was looking down at him.... with a scowl?

"MSheto... mhehlp mhe!"

His brother stood fast, his arms crossed and his eyes narrowed in anger. He kneeled down before Mokuba's figure, making their eyes meet and Mokuba suddenly began to back away. Those eyes.... those eyes were not the warm eyes of his brother. Those eyes were cold, frightening..... evil.

And furthermore, they were green.