Chapter Five-Escape

Noa was leaning against the glass door, when he heard a most welcome voice. It was Seto. He seemed to be talking to someone. He peered out into the corridor, and saw Mokuba too. I had a feeling Mokuba wouldn 't listen to me. Such a fool. But the middle Kaiba admitted to himself that he was glad his little brother hadn't obeyed.

"Noa. Are you all right?" Mokuba ran to the glass door, tugging the handle.

"I'm fine. You two should probably go find Veronica. Gozabouro took her somewher e, and I hate to think what he has planned for her.

"So do I. But don't worry. We've already taken care of that." Seto looked around. "Mokuba, see if you can find a control panel somewhere. I think these cells are computer operated." He watched as Mokuba did a quick sweep of the room, smiling. Like Seto, Mokuba had a knack for computer operating.

"Found it." Mokuba immediately went to work trying to decode the locks. "Do you think one of these codes will release Veronica too?"

"Possibly. Hurry, Little brother. The clones will only detain them for thirty minutes." Seto told him.

"Clones?" Noa looked at Seto. "What have you done?"

Before Seto could explain, there was a loud crash in the upper hall. He glanced up, and began to smirk. "Well well....." Gansley and Krump were chasing "Noa" down the corridor. "Mokuba, hurry!"

"One code, coming up!" Mokuba studied the screen. "Alright. Right, about...now!" As he said, Noa's door swung open. "Yeah!"

"Nice job, little brother." Noa hugged him gently. "Come on. We bette r find Ronnie."

"No need." Veronica appeared from around a corner. She looked weak, and tired. "Noa.....is it really you?"

Noa ran to her, put a hand out to steady her. "Yes, it's me,Otoota." He looked her over. "What has he done to you?"

"I....don't remember, but I'm hurting..a lot." She leaned more on Noa now, and the boy picked her up.

"Alright, Ronnie.....we're leaving now." Noa turned to look at Seto and Mokuba. "You guys ready?"

"Yeah." Seto led the way back to where he and Mokuba had sneaked in. They were all almost out when the alarm sounded. "Damn....they must've beaten the clones or something. Mokuba, you and Veronica keep going."

"What about you and Noa?" Mokuba gripped the weak girl's arm tightly.

"Just get her ove r to the other island." Noa pointed. "I constructed that place for her before I came to live with you guys. My father can't get there yet."

"Right." Mokuba began to pull Veronica down the metal walk,but Veronica broke free of him, and ran back to Noa. "Ronnie, come on!"

"Go on, Sister. I'll be right behind you. I promise." Noa hugged her tightly. "Mokuba will take care of you until I can get back to you, okay?"

"Alright......" Just then, Krump appeared, and she gasped. "Not again..."

Mokuba grabbed her from behind though, and pulled her along before the old guy could touch her. "Not again." He replied in a firm voice. He didn't look back, not sure he wanted to see what was going on. "Come on, Veronica. We have to hurry. If that was Krump, you know Gansley won't be too far behind him."

"What's going to happen to Noa?!" The girl replied fearfully. "That's all Gozabouro wanted. He didn't really want me."

"I know the feeling." Mokuba muttered. "Do you get used as bait a lot?"

"Well.....not really. Only here!" They both leaped a gap, which became a stone wall. "Whoa......Noa made this place?"

"For you." Mokuba smiled brightly, turning to look back at where they'd come from. "You can't even see the other side."

Veronica turned to look too. "Wow...." She sat down on the extended bank. "Do you think Noa and Seto are okay?"

"I don't know.." Mokuba looked over at Veronica. "Do you think your brother is worried about you?"

"Maybe...." Veronica gasped suddenly, and doubled over. "Ahhh! Oh man..I'm hurting..."

"Ronnie?!" Mokuba moved over to her, and looked her over. "What did he do?!"

"I said I don't remember...just....there was a lot of sharp objects involved." Veronica lifte d up her shirt a bit, and looked. "He.....cut me...a lot."

"Holy crap...." Mokuba studied the gashes. "Why'd he do that?"

"Because I wouldn't let him use my Key. I'm the only one who can use it." She bit her lower lip. "But...how can I feel anythin g? This is the virtual world,right?"

"Not unless they're pulling the same thing with you Noa pulled with us. Didn't you feel pain last time you w ere here?"

"Well....yeah, but...not like this..it was more emotional pain than anything else."

"Right." Mokuba hugged her gently. "It'll be okay. Noa and Seto will be coming through that portal in no time." As Veronica finally gave into her exhaustion, and fell asleep, Mokuba turned once more to the crystal wall. Please,Big brothers. Come soon. She needs to get out of here.