A Note From the Authors: Behold the Four Conflicts of Barak & Yami -
1. In Ancient Egypt, when Barak was sealed away into the Ring
2. In the woods, at Duelist Kingdom
3. On the blimp, at Battle City
4. In the pyramid, at the Egyptian Tournament
Chapter 13
"Preparations…"
"I'm heading out, Vitani!" Kaiba called as he picked his briefcase up from the kitchen table. She seemed to be doing fine now, much to Seto Kaiba's relief. It was Friday already… just one more work day before the glorious weekend, "Do you need a lift?"
"No, I think I'll be fine," she replied from the living room, where she was straightening up Mokuba's mess from the game-fest of the previous night.
"Alright, I'll see you at work." Kaiba headed out the door without looking back, calling over his shoulder, "Your bus is waiting for you Mokuba!"
"Oh, crap!" the younger Kaiba cried, racing through the living room, and grabbing his backpack, "See you tonight, Vitani!"
Vitani smiled and waved as the little boy practically flew out of the manor. Just another few minutes with her nice hot coffee and then she'd have to enter the hectic world of business again. Pity.
Suddenly she felt a chill as a figure appeared from out of nowhere behind her. Chalie, the most loyal bodyguard of Seline Chrysogonus, was hovering several inches off of the ground about two feet away. Not that it was Vitani recognizing this fact. Jetsu's deep green eyes looked the man over boredly, "Yes?" he asked, putting down the steaming cup Vitani had been holding and turning to face the guard.
"We have prepared our end of the bargain. My Mistress now only requires the sacrifice of one human soul to complete the spell that will create a new form for you, Maeda." Chalie explained, noting the swiftness of the change in control of the body.
"Fortunately for you, I have one right here. Her punishment for betraying me should be nothing less than death." Jetsu said, gesturing at himself.
"Ms. Chrysogonus thought you would want it that way. The spell shall be performed tonight, in the museum. See you there." Chalie disappeared again, leaving only Jetsu standing alone in the room. He closed his eyes and let Vitani out. It would be the last time he was forced to share bodies, and the last time that Vitani would see the light of day…
The Egyptian swayed where she stood, feeling a cold sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. It had happened again…she had blacked out…he had taken control again. And yet, she was exactly where she had been before the world had gone dark. What had he needed to do…? Was he simply proving a point? Trying to shake the horrible feeling of dread slowly enveloping her, she grabbed her work things and left the manor, wanting to get to work (and Kaiba) as quickly as possible.
* * *
It had been another typically boring day at school. The last few days hadn't really been anything out of the ordinary, but Yugi was beginning to get a funny feeling in his stomach. He looked around to see if the spirit of the Puzzle was outside anywhere, but didn't see him. 'Yami? Are you there?' Yugi called within his mind, walking home slowly and trying to avoid suspicion by not talking to himself.
A brief moment later Yami materialized, translucent, beside his young host, murmuring, "I'm here…is something wrong?"
'I'm not sure, really. Ever since Athena's visit I've had this bad feeling that I can't put my finger on. I know I've never been able to sense magic or anything, but something about that museum has got me worried.' Yugi had deviated from his usual course and was heading towards the Domino Museum, which seemed to look down upon all of the surrounding buildings.
"I know what you mean…" Yami said, staring up at the building, and Yugi noticed for the first time that there were darks circles under his eyes, as if he hadn't gotten a good night's sleep in a long while, "I've been sensing it too…"
'What do you think is going on in there? I remember Barak's Ring detecting that there was a Millennium Item in there somewhere…' Yugi had come to a halt at the front of the museum, reading the sign outside the door that told of minor renovations having closed the building for the day.
Yami sighed, "Yugi…I'm afraid I lied to you…that day when we first came here, Barak and I found what remained of the Millennium Shield down in an off-limits section of the museum. I didn't want to worry you then…and it seemed completely devoid of all its former powers, so I didn't consider it a threat…I'm sorry I didn't tell you before."
'Why would anyone want a Millennium Item that had lost its powers?' Yugi wondered, staring through the clear glass doors into the empty, dark museum. He had chosen to ignore the fact that Yami had kept him in the dark. That didn't really seem important right now, 'And that still wouldn't account for the magical activity, if it was unusable…'
"That's what worries me…" Yami said, "Perhaps that Seline woman has discovered a way to unleash the Shield's powers or perhaps…" he paused for a moment, putting his thoughts together, "Its old master has been calling to it…after all, Athena said Vitani may be struggling for control of the Sword."
'Do you think that Jetsu is still… well…?" Yugi started, trailing off quickly, as if afraid of the answer.
"I'm not sure…" Yami said, sensing the panic rising up in his counterpart, "I didn't want to believe it myself, but…" He kicked out at the marble steps leading up to the museum angrily, "If only there was someway to figure it out without having to barge in there and put you in danger. I wonder if Athena is having any more luck at getting through Kaiba Corp. security…an actual meeting with Vitani would answer a world of questions."
'If only we could go talk to her everything would be a lot easier to figure out, but I doubt Kaiba would let us see her…' the young teen stated sadly.
"I suppose it doesn't hurt to try…" Yami shrugged, "How far of a walk is it to the Kaiba Corp. building from here?"
'I lot longer than I want Grandpa to worry,' Yugi told his counterpart, reaching into his pocket and pulling out some change, 'Let's find a pay phone first.'
* * *
The sky was turning red as the young dueling prodigy and his ancient spirit guardian pressed the call button on the tall steel gate outside the main building of Kaiba Corp. After a moment, when the pair wondered if anyone would even bother to answer, a crisp female voice came through the small speaker beside the button. "State your name and business, please."
"Um…Yugi Moto," the teen said nervously, noticing the security camera above them for the first time, "And it's very important that I speak to Seto Kaiba as soon as possible," he added at Yami's urging.
"One minute, please," the female voice said. Another long moment passed, "Seto Kaiba is currently unavailable. Would you like to leave him a message?"
Yugi gave Yami a 'what-now?' look and the Pharaoh took control of the body. "Tell Kaiba that I need to speak with him about his personal assistant…and her…previous employer. He'll know what I'm talking about."
The voice sighed, then continued in a more frazzled tone, "Young man, Seto Kaiba is the head of Kaiba Corporation. He is a very busy man-"
"Tell him," Yami said more firmly, looking right up into the security camera that was tracking him.
"…Very well…" the voice said, and another moment of silence fell. Then there was a loud buzzing sound and the gates swung open. "Please proceed," the voice said.
"Thank you…" Yami said as he strode up the long front walk and through the double door into Kaiba Corp.'s main lobby. One glass-elevator ride later, he was standing at the doors to Kaiba's office.
"Kaiba!" Yami called as he pushed open both of the double doors, "We need to talk!"
The boy-billionaire was seated in a high-backed chair behind an elegant desk, with a wall of windows behind him. He looked nearly as drained as Yami did, and did not look at all happy to see the Pharaoh. "What do you want?" he asked.
"A Grecian girl came looking for Vitani several days ago. Why wasn't she allowed to see her?"
The brown-haired computer-genius frowned. "Vitani was…unfit to have visitors that day…"
"Unfit?" Yami repeated incredulously, raising an eyebrow at the boy billionaire, "What was the cause?" This would either confirm his suspicion that Vitani was losing control of the Millennium Sword, or that Kaiba was completely clueless about the possible danger of this situation.
Kaiba's face contorted as he evaluated his options. "Why do you care?" he said, deciding to answer the question with one of his own, "What has the Greek told you?"
"She told me that Vitani might be fighting a losing battle with her Item," the Pharaoh replied quickly, "There's a possibility that we could all be in great danger," Yami paused, taking in a deep breath. His worries had kept him up during the nights and he was now paying the price. He and Kaiba apparently had something in common.
Kaiba stood suddenly, slamming his fist down on his desk, "You think I don't know that?" he said angrily, as some sort of emotional dam crumbled inside him, "You think I can't handle it, right? I won't lose her to him, Yami! Dammit I lov-" He broke of suddenly, face flushed, as he slumped back into his chair, spinning it slightly towards the window, knowing he had let too much slip.
Yami started, taken aback by Kaiba's outburst. He leaned forward, his hands on Kaiba's desk. He began speaking quickly and more quietly, "Then you know? But… there's nothing we can do for her, not now. If he shows himself to us, then I might be able to defeat him in another duel-"
"I don't want your help!" Kaiba snapped, spinning back so they were face-to-face, "I can fight my own battles, Yami."
As Yami searched for his next argument, the door swung open and who should walk in but the young woman they had just been discussing. She looked paler than usual, and more than a little surprised to see her boss's guest. "Yami!" she said, nearly dropping the pile of papers in her arms, "Um…what are you doing here?"
Yami glanced over at Seto Kaiba, who was also staring at the sudden appearance of his assistant, "She knows, doesn't she?" he asked the brown-haired man.
"Of course she does," Kaiba muttered, and then said more loudly, "Perfect timing, Vitani. We were just talking about you actually."
"…What about?" she asked, setting the papers down on Kaiba's desk, eyeing both men warily.
"Athena's in Japan, Vitani," Yami said, "She's worried about you. She – and I – want to help you."
Vitani's expression showed gratitude for a moment, but then she shuddered; her posture changed dramatically and her eyes darkened, "It's far too late for help, my Pharaoh." Jetsu Maeda stated coldly.
Yami stiffened and Kaiba got to his feet once more, baby-blue eyes narrowed. "I won't lose her to you, Maeda," Seto growled.
"There's nothing you can do to save her now, Mr. Kaiba. You couldn't even defeat me with a partner on your side," he directed his attention to the Pharaoh, "Surprised to see me, Yami?"
"No…" Yami said, "Not pleased, but not surprised. I don't know what you're planning, but you won't get away with it."
"I'm planning to rid myself of this miserable host body, if you must know," Maeda told them, looking rather annoyed, "It certainly isn't my look, anyway. I give her until the end of this day to live, so you might want to say your good-byes now. I'll be sure to pass them on…"
"You bastard!!" Kabia shouted. Yami watched him, as he quick as lightning, pulled none other than the Millennium Rod out of his desk drawer and point it threateningly at the body of his assistant.
Jetsu let out a long, loud laugh, "You don't even know how to wield that Item, let alone be a challenge for me with it." He raised his right hand and closed his eyes. In an instant, the Millennium Sword had appeared in his right hand, where he held it tightly in front of him.
"Don't push me…" Kaiba snarled, his own blood pounding in his ears.
"Don't tempt me, Seto Kaiba. It has been six long months since I last drew blood…"
Yami stepped forward, the Puzzle and Egyptian Eye on his forehead glowing brilliantly, "There'll be no blood drawn today, Maeda."
"But there will, my Pharaoh," Jetsu said, scowling at the man. He jerked a finger at himself and grinned savagely, "Hers. Enjoy your last hours, boys!" he closed his eyes and gave up his control of the body.
Vitani came to with a most bizarre sight before her. Both young men in front of her, Millennium Items wielded and poised for battle. She felt the Sword in her hand and tossed it aside quickly. "I…he…what happened?" she stammered, putting a hand on her chest, "What did he say to you?"
Yami glanced over at Kaiba uneasily. The brown-haired man slid the Rod into a holster on his hip under his suit jacket and then came around the deck to stand in front of Vitani. "Come on…" he said, "Let's get out of here." He put an arm around her shoulders and steered her out of the office, giving Yami one last meaningful glance before leaving the room.
"Wow…" Yugi said, appearing beside Yami a moment later, "Who would've thought Kaiba was capable of caring that much about anybody…"
"His protectiveness of her puts her at even more risk," Yami sighed, the Eye symbol fading from his forehead, "Her mental defenses, if she had any left, will remain down for whatever is to come tonight."
Another voice cut through the thick evening air in reply. "I'm afraid you are correct, my Pharaoh," said a man's voice with a thick Arabian accent.
"Shadi!" Yugi cried, as both he and Yami turned to see the white-robed man standing by the large windows, with another young man beside him, "And…is that Void?"
The young man nodded, smiling slightly, "It is."
"I assume you two have come because of Vitani's situation?" Yami guessed.
Shadi and his apprentice exchanged quick looks before the older man nodded, "Indeed…and we fear for the young woman…but more so, we fear what a newly-reborn Jetsu Maeda would mean for the world."
"Newly-reborn?" Yami echoed, thinking out loud, "But how? The minute he destroys Vitani (if things go according to his plan) he'll have no host! Then the Sword could be sealed away and his spirit with it."
"Don't you think Maeda would've known about that?" Void asked, "He wouldn't risk destroying himself…he has a plan."
"One we are currently still speculating," Shadi said, "But our research leads us to believe he may be in the process of creating a new form for himself."
"How can someone just create a new body for themselves?" Yugi asked, sitting down on Kaiba's desk. Yami folded his arms, almost indignant at Void's comment.
"Not alone, to be sure," Shadi said, "And so I must ask you…has there been any sign of another dark magic-user recently? Someone who may be aiding him?"
Yugi looked over at Yami, who was leaning on the desk, "The Spirit of the Ring detected the presence of a Millennium Item at the Domino Museum. We explored the restricted section and found Jetsu's old Millennium Shield, but it was nothing but a hollow shell. There was no magic left within it. The Ring also pointed up at the Museum owner for a moment. What was her name, Yugi?"
Yugi thought hard, "Um… Seline Chrysogonus, I think…"
"I am not familiar with that name…" Shadi said, "But the museum may be worth watching tonight."