Chapter Three: The Ghost of Christmas Present, Huh?
"Kaiba lay in his bed and waited for the clock to chime. He knew now that there was no escaping these ghosts that Yami had foretold of, his encounter with the ghost of Christmas Past was a terrible one so what would the next one bring?" Charles narrated as he and Shippo sat on Kaiba's window ledge. Shippo huddled up close to the window to capture the escaping heat from inside.
"I don't see why we can't go inside and wait for the ghost." He complained.
"Kaiba's still awake in there, he'd have our heads if we snuck in and got caught." Charles said then he turned to look at Big Ben in the distance. "It's almost two in the morning, get ready."
"Ready for what?" Shippo asked. Suddenly the bells tolled and then a bright light filled Kaiba's room. It blinded Shippo, and sent Kaiba's straight up the bedpost. After the light subsided Kaiba looked out from behind his bed curtains and saw that his bedchamber was now filled to the brim with wrapped gifts, food of all sorts, holly, mistletoe, and gigantic jolly man with white hair, bare chest, and green robes.
"Merry Christmas Kaiba Boy." The Spirit said.
"Oh no, not him!" Shippo exclaimed. "He is the ghost of Christmas Present?"
"Who better?" Charles asked. "Kaiba's eyes grew wide as he looked around at all that had been done to his room in that instant and his heart wondered with fright at what visions this spirit would show to him."
"Come on out of there Kaiba boy and know me better." Said the spirit who was now shrinking down to what would be considered a normal size. Even then he was still quite tall and his snow white hair hung down over one eye.
"I beg your pardon…spirit." Kaiba chocked out as he rolled his eyes back. "I was afraid… I think I still am."
"It is given. Do not fear me Kaiba boy, I am Pegasus, the Ghost of Christmas Present, this is Christmas morning, and we are about to go out into the world." He said. Kaiba turned to the window and was amazed to find that the sun was out and that the streets were full of people. He was so surprised in fact that he could not believe it until he'd gone to the window and thrown it open himself.
-Transition-
"Himself?" Shippo cried. Just then he and Charles were knocked down off the window ledge and landed head first in the snow. Luckily there was about three feet of it piled up by the side of the house were the young children of London were building snow forts and castles from which to have their annual snowball fights. Shippo almost immediately popped out, but as he shook the snow off, he looked over at his friend.
"Sou- I mean, Mr. Dickens?" Shippo asked, seeing the boy laying still in the snow. Shippo panicked and hopped over, shaking the narrator's shoulder. "Charles! Are you ok?"
Charles sat up straight and without missing a beat said, "With a wink and a nod, the Ghost took Kaiba by the arm, and led him out the window and into the world."
Just then, over head, Kaiba and the spirit came flying out and both landed on the other side of the fence, in the streets of London.
"That's amazing concentration after getting a concussion," Shippo remarked.
-Transition-
Kaiba and the Spirit stood in the middle of the street and watched as people walked right by them, carrying presents, turkeys, and other Christmas fare. They wished each other the best of days and carried on with their business, and under the mistletoe of many doorways, the ladies and gentlemen would exchange pecks on the cheek in friendship. In the park, a boy's choir and orchestra played a jolly Christmas tune. Passersby stopped and listen to them for a while.
And as Kaiba walked on with the Spirit, the Ghost glowed with merriment at seeing the world so at peace.
"Ah," the Spirit sighed, "Isn't it magical, Kaiba boy? No hate, no anger, nothing but good will and good tidings to all." The Spirit then sprinkled a handful of water onto a group of people coming by. They immediately turned to others coming along and wished them a Merry Christmas.
"What was that you put on them?" Kaiba asked.
"A Blessing," said Pegasus the Spirit, "My own."
"You're gay, aren't you?" Kaiba asked him suddenly.
"Well of course I'm gay," Pegasus said, "It's Christmas- everyone's happy and gay!"
"Not that kind," Kaiba said, "But you said yes anyway, so I'll leave it at that."
"Now now," Pegasus said, taking his hand, "We have much to do today." Then, though Kaiba dragged his feet, Pegasus led him off through the streets until they came to a fair sized, 19th century town house.
"You recognize it, don't you Kaiba?" Pegasus asked.
"Of course," Kaiba said, "This is where my brother lives. He's having some sort of party."
"Ah, then let's join. I do so enjoy a party," Pegasus said, going through the wall, and pulling Kaiba in with him.
-Transition-
"Mokuba and Rebecca entertained their guests at length with stories and food and drink with much Christmas cheer," Charles said, as he and Shippo snuck around to grab a bite off the table.
"You sure they won't mind us being here?" Shippo asked him.
"Course not," Charles said, "For you see, Mokuba's was kind and generous soul, and it was his custom to have as many people over as possible at Christmas."
"Ah, you sure do serve up a good party," said Mr. Taylor.
"I haven't eat this good since last year," said Mr. Wheeler.
"And Rebbecca's decorations are beautiful," Miss Yuka said.
"You've outdone yourself again," Miss Ayumi, Mr. Taylor's fiancée, said.
"Thank you all very much," Rebecca replied. "But the party's is just beginning, right Moki?"
"Right," Mokuba said, "Next is time for a few games."
"Oh we love games!" their guests cheered.
"Oh then we didn't miss it!" Pegasus also cheered.
"I think I'll pass," Kaiba said. However, soon his younger brother stepped up, adjusted his frock coat, and began turn at twenty questions.
"Now, I'm thinking of something," Mokuba said, "You all have to guess what it is."
"Is it animal or mineral?" Yuka suggested.
"Animal of course," Mokuba said.
"What else?" asked Mr. Taylor.
"Yeah, what else indeed," Mr. Wheeler said, "I know what he's thinkin of."
Mokuba blushed, "I'm not thinking of that! Now guess."
"Does it live in the city?" Aymui asked.
"In the city, where else?" Mokuba replied.
"Is it a cat?" Mr. Taylor tried.
"No," Mokuba said.
"A dog?" Mr. Wheeler asked.
"Oh no," Mokuba said, nearly laughing,
"Is it an unwanted creature?" Rebecca suggested.
"Well yes, sort of," Mokuba said.
"Oh, is it a mouse?" Yuka asked.
"No."
"A cockroach?" Aymui asked.
"No."
"Is it Weevel Underwood," Mr. Wheeler asked.
"Worse than that, Joey," Mokuba said.
Kaiba stood against the wall, solid for the moment, pondering the game. His scowl deepened.
"Something the matter, Kaiba boy?" Pegasus asked, obviously amused.
"I think I know what it is," Kaiba said, having been quite good at games himself at one time, "And I personally don't like it."
"Wait," Rebecca sad, "If it's it an unwanted creature in the city, and isn't a rat, a cockroach, or Weevel, then there's only thing it could be!"
"What ?" Everyone asked.
"It's Ebenezer Kaiba!" Rebecca said.
"But of course," Mokuba answered. Everyone started laughing, and Kaiba turned away.
"I'm sorry about that Kaiba boy," Pegasus said.
"Really, as if you didn't already know," Kaiba said to the wall.
"Well… yes. But I'm still sorry."
"Talk about harsh," Shippo said, from where he and Charles were munching on apples.
Then, Kaiba turned and said, "It's just, he made such a fuss about me coming to this very party. I suppose it hurt him that I said no."
"It's just now dawning on him?" Shippo exclaimed. "What a jerk! How could he not know that this would hurt his brother's feelings?"
"Shhh," Charles said, "Come on, we gotta stay with them." he pointing to the two figures that were now going through the wall again.
-Transition-
"Perhaps seeing a place of happiness and comfort will cheer you up," Pegasus said. And when Kaiba lifted his head, he saw that they were in a back alley street, in the middle of the old downtown district.
"This is a place of poverty," Kaiba objected, "What possible good could seeing this do me?"
"Turn around and you'll see," Pegasus said, pointing behind him. Kaiba turned, and saw Yugi coming down the street. In Yugi's left hand was a small crutc- too small for himself- and on his right shoulder was a small child. A little girl with long black hair, and smile so sweet it would give you cavities.
"Papa, when we get home will Mama have the dinner ready?" the girl asked him.
"Of course, Rin," Yugi said, "Your mother's the best cook in London. Not even the King and Queen dine as well as we do. Did you enjoy church today. Rin?"
"Oh yes, Papa," Rin said.
"I never knew he had such problems," Kaiba said as he watched Yugi come up to the house that he and the Spirit stood beside.
"Well of course not," Pegasus said seriously, "You never asked." and he went inside, not waiting for Kaiba this time. Kaiba followed in after him, and watched as the Spirit blessed the food that Tea Cratchet set on the table as Yugi and Rin put up their ragged coats. Meantime, two other, more healthy children, who looked more like Tea and Yugi, worked to decorate the house.
"This all looks so beautiful," Yugi said to his wife. "You work so hard, Tea."
"Not as hard as you work," she said. Then she ushered their children around the circular table.
As Yugi sat, he took up his pewter cup, filled with water, and said, "First, to my lovely wife, who prepared this meal,"
Tea blushed as their children raised their cups and thanked her greatly.
"And now, it only seems right I lift my glass to my employer. I give you Mr. Kaiba, the founder of the feast."
"Me?" Kaiba wondered. "He's toasting me?"
"The founder of the feast indeed!" Tea said, angry. "If he were here right now, I would give him my mind to feast upon- and I bet he would choke on it!"
"But Tea, it's Christmas," Yugi said, trying to calm her down. "What about the children?"
Tea looked to her children, who looked up at her, questioning, and she sighed. "Very well. I suppose if I must toast to Mr. Kaiba, then I wish him good health, and a very happy new year."
"That's the spirit, Mama," Rin said. "And God bless us, everyone."
With her simple words, the family finally began to eat. And still, Kaiba and Pegasus watched.
"Such a meager meal for a large family," Kaiba mused. "Is that all he can afford?"
"On your pay it is," Pegasus said. "But Yugi isn't the one you must worry the most for."
"Who then?" Kaiba inquired. He looked back at the happy family, and his eyes fell upon Rin. "Not her…"
"Yes," Pegasus said, "She's a very sick child."
"What will happen to her?" Kaiba asked.
"That is the future, Kaiba boy, my realm is the present. However, if these things remain unchanged, then I see and empty chair, and a crutch without an owner."
Kaiba closed his eyes, and when he opened them, they outside, in a church yard, under a large bell tower.
"Spirit, what's happening?" he looked, and gasped. Pegasus was not the young man he appeared at first to be. He was now very old, his face lined in wrinkles, a white beard hanging from his chin.
"Spirit-!" Kaiba exclaimed.
"Do not be surprised, Kaiba boy. I do grow old, after all." the old Pegasus said.
"Are all Spirits' lives so short?" Kaiba asked as Pegasus stood near a stone bench.
"Oh, yes," Pegasus replied, "My time upon this earth is very brief. I feel it will end on the stroke of Midnight."
Almost immediately, the bell tower behind them stated chiming. Up in the steeple, Shippo pulled the chord as Charles counted the strikes. And suddenly, Kaiba was aware of something not belonging to the Spirit, under his robe.
"Spirit," Kaiba said, "Is that a foot, or a claw?"
"Perhaps both," Pegasus said, opening his robe. Kaiba cried out in shock. Two starved and gaunt looking children were clinging to the inside of the Spirit's robe. One was a girl with long white hair, deal flowers garlanded in the lock, and holding a mirror. The other was a freckled boy with black hair held in a pony tail, and brown eyes that looked soulless and dead.
"Who are they Spirit?" Kaiba demanded. "Are these children yours!"
"No, Kaiba boy," Pegasus said, grabbing the children's shoulders. "They are Man's Children! This girl is Want, and this boy is Ignorance. The girl is fearsome, but most of all, beware the boy! For on his forehead is written the doom of mankind."
-Transition-
"Eight!" Charles called from the bell tower above them, Shippo still swinging, and getting a bit dizzy. "Nine!" "Ten!"
-Transition-
Before his eyes, Kaiba watched Pegasus and the Children of Man begin to disappear. His heat started pounding in his chest as fear grew inside him. "Spirit!" he called out. "Don't leave me in this place!"
"I think I must in fact," Pegasus said. "And now I leave you with the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come! Go forth- and know him better Kaiba!"
With that, Pegasus was gone. And as the sky above them became filled with clouds, and cold, bone chilling wind from the north, and fog curled up around Kaiba's feet. As he backed up, his back hit what felt like cold stone. But when he turned around, he was confronted by a hooded figure, taller than he, that trailed a black mist behind it's ominous black cloak.
-Transition-
"Charles, I'm really scared!" Shippo cried, cowering.
"M-me too!" Charles concurred. "Sorry, Kaiba, but you're on your own!" Kaiba looked to see the two children retreat into the church, and slam the door. Then he turned back to the silent Spirit, who reached out a pale whit hand to summon him.
Authors' Note:
In case you didn't guess, Want is played by Kanna, Ignorance by Kohaku