Disclaimer: Here's a question for you: If they were mine, why am I writing an implausible story about them and not having this storyline animated and shown on late night television? ((shakes head)) Honestly, people… .

A/N: Um… I guess I should point out that Seto's pov is NOT my own. Seto is a fun jerk who has many, many issues, and I was doing my absolute best to try and see things from his perspective. shrugs It all has to do with parenting, you see.

Ooh! Also, of course, this story title is entirely due to my beta-reader who is much, much more creative than I think I could ever be. Thankies, Lady Gal!

Night Of Souls

Chapter One

Seto was sitting at his desk when Mokuba walked in. The soft click of the door brought up the narrowed eyes and then caused them to soften minutely.

"Mokuba," Seto greeted amicably, though only discernable to one who'd spent a lifetime getting to know him. "What are you doing here?"

Mokuba grinned as he clambered up into his brother's lap. "I was bored, so I decided to see how the preparations for the upcoming duel tournament were coming!" Mokuba began to squirm, impatient to see the progress.

Seto snorted. "It's going as well as can be expected, all things considered. The revenue it's going to generate is impressive, despite the pointlessness of it all."

"Oh, come on!" Mokuba poked him in the stomach. "I think a junior championship is a great idea!"

"It will be boring. There will be nothing but inexperienced amateurs, all under twelve years of age."

"Well," Mokuba thought hard. Seto did have a point. "If you don't want to do it, then um… why are you doing it again?" He squirmed once more, trying to get comfortable on Seto's skinny, leather-clad legs.

Seto lifted Mokuba easily onto the high stool next to his chair. "You sit there, remember?" He let a smile escape as he fondly ruffled the black hair, "At least this way you can see the reason." So saying, he opened the "Comments" folder. "Here."

Mokuba's eyes widened. "Those are a lot of comments."

"Ah," Seto grunted. "And they pretty much say all the same thing: 'I want my child to play in a duel tournament where he has a chance of winning!'" Seto frowned, peeved to no end at the overprotective parents. "I don't see the point. If the kids want to win, they should just practice more."

"But we have to give the public what they want, right?"

"Unfortunately."

"Still, I can see their point," Mokuba continued. "I mean, it must be frustrating to enter competitions where you know you'll lose."

Seto frowned, "I've said it once and I'll say it again: If they want to win, they should train harder."

Mokuba gave in to the urge to roll his eyes. "Big brother, think about it. What real chance does a normal kid have against an invisible spirit-pharaoh who is literally the King of games and who's practically older than time? Or you, for that matter? You had to do way more work than anyone with a sense of humanity would allow!"

Seto sighed and firmly repressed the scarring memories of his childhood. "You have a point." He smirked and, in the privacy of his office, gave a small bow. "Right again, genius."

Mokuba giggled. "So what are you going to do about Yami, then?"

Seto returned to his pensive frown. "Well, the last thing we want with a bunch of inexperienced kids around is Yami showing up with an announcement about the end of the world. I was thinking of just ordering the main culprits off somewhere."

Mokuba frowned too, unconsciously imitating his brother's expression. "Maybe you could pretend it's a prize or something? Like, send them to a resort and let them bring a friend?"

"That would probably get rid of the whole gang, but that's not necessary and it would be unnecessary expenses. What we need is to just send off the shrimp and Yami, and probably the mutt as well."

Mokuba opened Seto's desk and pulled the concealed group picture that Yuugi had given Seto last Christmas. "What about that quiet one?"

Seto wracked his brain, then widened his eyes in remembrance. "…Bakura? Holy crap, I forgot about that guy. We need to get rid of him, too."

Mokuba looked up. "I thought he seemed nice."

"Only when he's using you."

"Oh."

"Yes. Indeed."

There was a pause as they worked their way through the dilemma. Finally, Seto gave up. "I'll just tell them to move out for the tournament. They'll do what I say, thanks to that 'common courtesy' they think they have."

"I guess…"

Seto glanced over. "You think I'm taking advantage of that?"

Mokuba fidgeted. "A little. I mean, Yuugi and Yami have done a lot for us."

Seto paused, then clicked a couple times on his computer. "Tell you what, then. KaibaCorp has many connections to global resorts. I'll send them each a letter with a choice of where they can go. I'll even pay for the trip – it won't cost us that much."

Mokuba instantly lit up the room with a bright smile. "That would be great! That way, both groups can get what they want! I mean, they get a vacation for Halloween and we get a non-disastrous tournament for a change!"

Seto rolled his eyes. "Hopefully."

Mokuba hopped back onto Seto's lap and dutifully ignored the cynicism. "Great! Let's go for lunch!"

"Aibou! We have mail from KaibaCorp!"

"What?"

Yuugi came bounding down the stairs, his eternal, energetic cheerfulness bringing an unbidden smile to Yami's lips. Wordlessly, he handed over the unopened letter; absentmindedly following his aibou over to the couch as he once again memorized his light's features.

"Oh my gosh! Yami, did you see this?! Seto is nice – I just knew it!"

Yami raised an eyebrow. "Why? Has he finally apologized for doubting my authenticity?"

Yuugi paused. "Um… no. But he is giving us a free trip! Look!" Yuugi thrust the letter into Yami's face, making the solidified spirit step back in sheer surprise. Recovering quickly, he gently removed the paper cut hazard from Yuugi's soft hands and read the letter himself.

He paused, stared into space for a second in utter bewilderment, and then read it again.

"I … see."

"Isn't it great?! We might not be able to go to the duel tournament, but we can go to any one of these vacation spots! Oh, gosh. I'm all excited! Let me go grab the dice upstairs – we can play a game to decide where to go!" Yuugi rushed upstairs, leaving Yami to slowly blink at his sudden absence. Glancing down at the letter again, he frowned. "I don't know what Seto is saying," he announced to the empty room. "What does he mean that I always bring plagues of crazy Egyptian disasters?"

A/N: Well, that's chapter one done! Yuugi and Yami have gotten the letter – joy! Chapter two is next (in this ordered system that we so conveniently have in the English language). There, it's Joey's turn, not to mention Ryou and Bakura!

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Oh, right! Revieeeeews? ((blinks hopeful eyes at you)) I'm in the middle of massive essay writing / midterms, so I'd really appreciate some encouragement, not to mention constructive criticism. Thank you!