Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Gi Oh!. I like to pretend I do, but unfortunately, I don't. I also do not own the song by Queensrÿche Revolution Calling, which this chapter is named after.
A/N: The purpose of this chapter, other than setting up for the next one (which sets up for the rest of the story) is to give you a vague idea of what this world – or at least the war – is like. So it's still a bit short. Work with me here; it'll get longer.
If you find it confusing, good. It's supposed to be for a while.
"In other news, yet another rebel attack has led to the destruction of the KC Research Facility in Osaka, Japan. The base, a site of major scientific discoveries since it was founded over thirty years ago, exploded early this morning. The person responsible has not yet been identified. The police have–"
The ten-year-old boy turned the news report off, smirking. Seto's mission had been successful, it seemed. Not that he had had any doubt that it would. His brother never failed.
Mokuba sighed, running a hand through his long, messy black hair. His smirk faded to a look of worry. He hated it when Seto was away on a mission. It wasn't the missions themselves that he disliked, but while he understood their importance in freeing the world from the totalitarian dictators who currently ruled, anything could happen to the agents chosen to carry them out. His brother could be injured, captured, or even killed, and there wouldn't be a thing he could do about it.
It would be different if he could accompany his brother. His facial expression changed once more, this time to a scowl. He had the training, and he had been through more mock battles and practice missions than he cared to recall at the time. He was one of the best in his age group, and he had never been able to understand why he always had to remain on the sidelines.
But all that was different now. He had turned ten last week, scant days before his brother had been called away to his latest assignment, the destruction of the Kaiba Corporation's Research Facility in Osaka. That was the age that most agents were assigned their first mission.
Hr brightened at that thought. Seto wouldn't be going alone next time, he was sure.
He shook his head, amazed that the older boy had managed to escape a partner before now. Very few agents worked alone. Most were assigned partners that they would work with for the rest of their lives. These partnerships were considered almost sacred bonds, and the pair involved was always very close. Only two things could separate them. The first was the end of the war. When – if – it was finally resolved, there would be no more need for missions.
The second was death.
Mokuba steered his mind away from that train of thought. He refused to acknowledge the very real possibility that was his brother might someday share the same fate as hundreds of agents before him.
He was fairly certain that the only reason Seto had yet to be paired was because their superiors, either through observation or conversation (he wouldn't put it past the older boy to walk up to General Pegasus himself and make his opinions known) were aware that the young agent would, under no circumstances, allow his little brother to be partnered with anyone save himself. He had certainly assured Mokuba on many occasions that, when the time came, they would work together.
His thoughts were interrupted by a series of beeps, followed by a loud whooshing noise: the sounds of someone entering the keycode into the pad on the wall outside and opening the door. Other than Mokuba, only one person knew the correct code to disengage the locking mechanism and allow them entrance to the apartment. The boy beamed, turning around to face the door as a tall figure stepped inside.
Seto was home.
"Big brother!" The raven-haired child cried out in delight, his worries banished for a time. "You're back!"
"Of course I am, Mokuba," the fifteen-year-old replied with a small smile. "Don't tell me you were worried, kid."
Mokuba ran forward, embracing his beloved brother. "I always worry when you're away on a mission," he said, the words coming out slightly muffled from against Seto's shoulder. "Something could happen, and I'd wouldn't even know it!"
"Not going to happen, kid," Seto reassured him.
"But how can you be sure?"
"Mokuba, I'm S4913." The brunette put extra stress on his official registration number. Despite his young age, that number was one of the more well-known in the force; he was, after all, one of the best. "It's not going to happen."
Mokuba hung his head. Many might take his brother's words, which he knew had been only half in jest, for arrogance, but he knew better. Seto had every right to be proud. "I know, Seto, I know. It's just… you're good, Seto. Everyone knows that. But you're not invincible." He sniffed. "I'd feel better if I could come with you. At least then I'd know what's happening."
Seto eyed him. "That's true," he agreed. He hesitated before adding, "You know, Mokuba… You're old enough now to start accompanying me. You've had enough training."
Mokuba smiled. He did know that, but it still felt good to hear his older brother say it. "You think so?"
Seto nodded. "Yes. I've been keeping track of your progress, little brother. You're been ready for a long time."
Mokuba's smile grew. Seto didn't give compliments easily.
"Tell you what, kid. I need to report to HQ later anyway." It was standard procedure that all agents report to headquarters after completing a mission. There they would inform the head of their division about all that had transpired during their assignment. "We'll request that you be added to the team then."
"You mean it?" Mokuba squeaked. He could hardly believe it, but he knew that Seto was telling the truth. The older boyrarely joked, especially about something like this.
"Of course," Seto confirmed unnecessarily. "Right now though, kid, I want to take a shower."
Mokuba gave him one last hug before stepping back and allowing him to enter the apartment that the two brothers shared, alone save for each other.
Seto followed him inside, walking over to the couch in the center of the room. The couch, along with a table, two chairs, a lamp, the holographic TV generator, and a single cabinet containing a game of old fashioned chess made up the boys' sparse living quarters. They didn't even have beds; they slept on mattresses on the floor. All in all, the small apartment had only two rooms, excluding a closet and bathroom: the combination living room/kitchen unit where they now stood and a shared bedroom.
Seto sat on the couch with a sigh. He looked tired, Mokuba noticed. He always did when he returned from a mission.
The older boy slung his pack from his shoulders and unclipped his belt from around his waist. He carefully laid them out on the couch, then stretched and stood. Mokuba knew from long experience that after Seto had showered, each piece of equipment would be carefully examined, cleaned, and assessed for even the tiniest of flaws. Broken gear could cost an agent his life, and S4913 never took any chances.
As Seto made his way to the bedroom door – the bathroom could only be reached by going through the bedroom – Mokuba sank down onto the spot he had vacated on the couch, staring dreamily into space. Seto paused at the door, turning back to look at him.
"Kid?"
Mokuba jerked, realizing he'd been spoken to. "Hm?"
He met his brother's piercing blue gaze and knew what he wanted before the other could even speak.
"I was just thinking about the missions," he answered the unspoken question. "I can't believe I'm finally gonna get to come with you. I mean, I know they're dangerous, but the somehow I can't help felling excited. I finally get to make a difference, you know?"
Seto gave him a grave nod. "There's a revolution calling, little brother."
Mokuba smiled determinedly. "And I'll answer."
He was surprised to see sadness flicker across the ice blue eyes, but then the young rebel smirked. "No, little brother," Seto said, turning to open the door. "We will answer."
A/N: No, Seto is not the president of Kaiba Corp. in this story. It's an AU, remember? So don't flame me saying, "OMG, you baka, why would Seto blow up his own building!" or some such silly nonsense. I told you, if you don't like AU, go away.
I despise begging, but I will anyway: leave a review before you go?
