AN: Again, a new chapter in Seto Tales. Um, this happens during the
episode where Seto and Mokuba's souls are set free and they wake up. Yea.
I tried to stick as close to the episode as possible, but I might have
gotten a few things wrong. Anyway, this on isn't as angst-y as the others.
A lot of it is implied or glossed over. You know I try, but somehow it's
almost a happy subject. Now you KNOW I'm crazy. Whatever. It's like your
favorite birthday party, where everything goes right. It's almost
impossible! Well, I tried. Tell me what you think. Remember, angst level
is low on this one.
Wake-up
I raise my head, glance around my holding cell and attempt to piece together what had happened while I tried to stand.
'Last thing I remember is defeating Pegasus. Then that awful darkness.' I shiver at the memory. 'But how long ago was that? A day? A month? An hour? And why am I back here? Where is here?'
I sigh and take a paper clip out of my belt. Obviously, Pegasus didn't feel the need to search me since I was missing my soul. Growling, I step out of my holding area and pick up my briefcase from the table. About the climb the stairs, I stop.
'Mokuba.' I realize. 'Have you forgiven me, little brother? I failed you, and I suppose you know that, don't you? I failed! How can I face you again? Oh my brother. But if I'm free then you must be as well. I'm coming for you once again.'
I quickly run up the stairs, stumbling once or twice as I get used to walking once again. I finally find a door and step outside. I look up and curse as I'm outside the castle. I walk along the perimeter and smile as the breeze rakes through my hair. I play with the thought of just lying down on the grass and enjoying the day for a few minutes, but remember Mokuba, so I press on. I turn a corner and see the gates in front of me. I tell my legs to walk forward but they won't listen. They're listening to and agreeing with the small, nagging, bit of my mind. The part I hate but know is right.
'How can I face my brother? He hates me now. Hell, I hate myself!' I ask myself, slumping against the wall. Sliding down so I'm sitting on the grass, I lean my head against the wall. 'I was so close. So close, Mokuba! I tried, but I couldn't. I'm a failure. He knew Mokuba. Some how Pegasus knew every card I was going to play, and I don't just mean Duel monster cards.'
I close my eyes and the day of my duel flash in front of my eyes.
'I had him where I wanted him, Mokuba. I was in the castle and he was standing in front of me. I wanted to kill him. Tear him apart and force him to give you back, but I had to play his game. So, I played my trump card. My new holographic generators. You'll love them. You always did enjoy realism. But, then he pulled his own trump card. You. He wanted me to duel you, Mokuba! And you just stood there. Didn't know who I was, or what was happening. I could have cried. But I couldn't duel you, not my own brother. Not the boy I was trying to save. So I gave in. I let him win that round. But that was the war. Everything else was just a game for him. Just a silly little bit of entertainment for him! You and I were just toys for him to play with! Oh how he enjoyed killing me. And at the very end, I begged you for forgiveness. I pleaded for you to pardon me, because I had tried my hardest. And he told me what I already knew! MY BEST WASN'T GOOD ENOUGH! Not for you Mokuba. I'll never be good enough for you. Please Mokuba. If you can hear me. Forgive me. I'll try again. Harder! I'll...'
"Brother!" I hear someone calling. "Seto!"
'It's you! It's you, Mokuba!' I want to shout and cry and hug you, but then I remember my failures. Besides, you're probably with Yugi and his friends. Shouting and crying would be... undignified. I allow myself a small smile and stand up, brushing the grass off my coat. Pushing open the gates, I continue to smile. I was right of course. Yugi and the others had saved you. I walk forward slowly but you do what I wanted to do. You run forward and grab me around the waist in a tight hug, squeezing me, as if you're afraid I might disappear. I fight the urge to hug you tightly, and move so that we're at eye level. I wanted to beg you to forgive me, but you're already talking. I think I'm replying, but I'm not sure. I'm standing and looking down at Yugi. I tell him that I'm indebted to him. I am really. He saved Mokuba. He saved my world, because Mokuba is my world. Oh, and he probably saved my life while he was at it but I'm not important. I look back at Mokuba and smile at him. He seems to have forgiven me fully. Of course, I knew he would. Mokuba forgives so easily.
'Still an innocent child, despite it all.' I muse.
"Ready to go back home Mokuba?" I ask him. "Back where we both belong?"
I smiles and nods, taking my hand. I smile back.
'I'll promise you again, Mokuba. I'll protect you. I'll never leave you. I'd die for you, brother.' We walk back to the helicopter and I remember the times I considered suicide. But he wouldn't let me.
'He needed me then and still does today. I'll be there for you Mokuba.' I promise my brother. 'I'll be right with you until you don't need me anymore.'
Wake-up
I raise my head, glance around my holding cell and attempt to piece together what had happened while I tried to stand.
'Last thing I remember is defeating Pegasus. Then that awful darkness.' I shiver at the memory. 'But how long ago was that? A day? A month? An hour? And why am I back here? Where is here?'
I sigh and take a paper clip out of my belt. Obviously, Pegasus didn't feel the need to search me since I was missing my soul. Growling, I step out of my holding area and pick up my briefcase from the table. About the climb the stairs, I stop.
'Mokuba.' I realize. 'Have you forgiven me, little brother? I failed you, and I suppose you know that, don't you? I failed! How can I face you again? Oh my brother. But if I'm free then you must be as well. I'm coming for you once again.'
I quickly run up the stairs, stumbling once or twice as I get used to walking once again. I finally find a door and step outside. I look up and curse as I'm outside the castle. I walk along the perimeter and smile as the breeze rakes through my hair. I play with the thought of just lying down on the grass and enjoying the day for a few minutes, but remember Mokuba, so I press on. I turn a corner and see the gates in front of me. I tell my legs to walk forward but they won't listen. They're listening to and agreeing with the small, nagging, bit of my mind. The part I hate but know is right.
'How can I face my brother? He hates me now. Hell, I hate myself!' I ask myself, slumping against the wall. Sliding down so I'm sitting on the grass, I lean my head against the wall. 'I was so close. So close, Mokuba! I tried, but I couldn't. I'm a failure. He knew Mokuba. Some how Pegasus knew every card I was going to play, and I don't just mean Duel monster cards.'
I close my eyes and the day of my duel flash in front of my eyes.
'I had him where I wanted him, Mokuba. I was in the castle and he was standing in front of me. I wanted to kill him. Tear him apart and force him to give you back, but I had to play his game. So, I played my trump card. My new holographic generators. You'll love them. You always did enjoy realism. But, then he pulled his own trump card. You. He wanted me to duel you, Mokuba! And you just stood there. Didn't know who I was, or what was happening. I could have cried. But I couldn't duel you, not my own brother. Not the boy I was trying to save. So I gave in. I let him win that round. But that was the war. Everything else was just a game for him. Just a silly little bit of entertainment for him! You and I were just toys for him to play with! Oh how he enjoyed killing me. And at the very end, I begged you for forgiveness. I pleaded for you to pardon me, because I had tried my hardest. And he told me what I already knew! MY BEST WASN'T GOOD ENOUGH! Not for you Mokuba. I'll never be good enough for you. Please Mokuba. If you can hear me. Forgive me. I'll try again. Harder! I'll...'
"Brother!" I hear someone calling. "Seto!"
'It's you! It's you, Mokuba!' I want to shout and cry and hug you, but then I remember my failures. Besides, you're probably with Yugi and his friends. Shouting and crying would be... undignified. I allow myself a small smile and stand up, brushing the grass off my coat. Pushing open the gates, I continue to smile. I was right of course. Yugi and the others had saved you. I walk forward slowly but you do what I wanted to do. You run forward and grab me around the waist in a tight hug, squeezing me, as if you're afraid I might disappear. I fight the urge to hug you tightly, and move so that we're at eye level. I wanted to beg you to forgive me, but you're already talking. I think I'm replying, but I'm not sure. I'm standing and looking down at Yugi. I tell him that I'm indebted to him. I am really. He saved Mokuba. He saved my world, because Mokuba is my world. Oh, and he probably saved my life while he was at it but I'm not important. I look back at Mokuba and smile at him. He seems to have forgiven me fully. Of course, I knew he would. Mokuba forgives so easily.
'Still an innocent child, despite it all.' I muse.
"Ready to go back home Mokuba?" I ask him. "Back where we both belong?"
I smiles and nods, taking my hand. I smile back.
'I'll promise you again, Mokuba. I'll protect you. I'll never leave you. I'd die for you, brother.' We walk back to the helicopter and I remember the times I considered suicide. But he wouldn't let me.
'He needed me then and still does today. I'll be there for you Mokuba.' I promise my brother. 'I'll be right with you until you don't need me anymore.'