Notes: Thanks to MoonlightTyger and Azalea542 for plot help!

Chapter Four

Everyone was stunned to receive the phone calls about the unusual visitor, but Lector was right that they all wanted to hear what he had to say. Over the next couple of hours they all trickled in until the living room was full.

Kalin sat with Lector and Nesbitt, studying the large group in mounting amazement and a bit of awe. Some of these people were gone in his time. The ones who were around looked older then. They were so young now, many of them close to Kalin's age. It was so surreal to be sitting here, surrounded by all of them. Some were legends in the future. No matter how badly he felt about himself, it still felt special. He wouldn't have appreciated it in the past, but he could now.

He was still conflicted about what he should do, though. He had given in and admitted the truth when Lector and Nesbitt had guessed correctly—he hadn't really expected anyone would. But should he keep on with that? Should he really tell everything he knew? If he knew what the right thing was to do, he would do it and not be shaken from it. When he wasn't sure, he could and did bend.

"So who is this guy anyway?" Joey frowned, his eyes flickering in suspicion.

"His name is Kalin Kessler," Nesbitt said.

Lector nodded. "I found him out in the storm last night."

"So, you're from the future," Atem said in intrigued amazement. "I should have guessed."

"I was trying hard not to advertise it," Kalin said. "I just wasn't very good at it."

"Eh, I'm still not sure I believe it," Joey said with a frown. "How do we know it's not just some big snow job?"

"Maybe the fact that he knows things about us that aren't public and hasn't wanted to say how," Nesbitt grunted. "He has to get his insider information from somewhere. In the future, things must be different and our secrets are known."

Yami Bakura folded his arms and still looked skeptical. "There's also the fact that any time portals have opened up, they've been to other dimensions," he pointed out. "How do we know this person is from our future as opposed to some other dimension's future?"

Kalin perked up. He hadn't even considered something like that. It had been hard enough to swallow that he had come to another time, but another dimension too? That would certainly relieve some of the burden on his heart. If he didn't have to fear changing his friends' personalities by telling these people of his future, maybe things would work out for the best among all of them.

Lector also perked up. He had been so shaken that he hadn't thought about that either, but the suggestion gave him hope. He still feared the truth because of Kalin's strange reaction to Mokuba.

"I would suppose that if something is said about our past adventures that isn't true for us, we would know Kalin's world is not ours," Atem said.

"I don't even know that I know a lot about your pasts," Kalin objected. "I know things that are public in my time, such as about the virtual reality misadventures and the fight against Zorc. Mostly I know what you're up to in my time." He frowned and looked away. "And if I tell all about my future, and you're able to change it by knowing, I don't know how it might negatively change my friends since that would change how they grow up."

"I would say this," Gansley spoke. "Tell everything you know about us. Perhaps something you say will help us determine whether you're from our world or not. Then we'll go from there."

Nesbitt suddenly thrust his hand in front of Kalin's face. "Do we have rings like this where you're from?" he demanded.

Kalin studied the citrine ring on Nesbitt's finger. "Yes," he said slowly. "You're protectors of the world, but mainly for things relating to ancient Egypt or Atlantis. My friends deal with threats born of South American origin. Their powers come from there as well."

"Well, that's unique," Crump blinked. "I'd like to hear more about that. I study cultures of the world."

"Maybe later," Kalin said.

Bakura bit his lip. "Is Yami also a protector of the world?" he asked.

Yami Bakura grunted and petted their tuxedo cat Oreo as she purred in bliss.

Kalin looked to them and hesitated. "You are," he said slowly to Yami Bakura. "Or you were. . . ."

"Were?!" Bakura exclaimed.

Yami Bakura's eyes narrowed. He didn't like the sound of that either. "If people are dead, you need to tell us," he said. "You've come this far. Don't stop now."

Kalin sighed in resignation. "The city started being powered by a very unique reactor that drew on the positive energy generated by dueling," he explained. "The first version of it was faulty and exploded. Some people were lost in the blast, including both of you, Yugi Muto, and Mokuba Kaiba."

Gasps went up all around. Oreo yowled.

Seto looked sick. As Mokuba turned to look up at him, he pulled his brother close. He wasn't prone to showing affection with others watching, but now he didn't care anymore. Mokuba clutched him close.

"Seto Kaiba never recovered," Kalin said. "He quit Dueling and became a recluse in his mansion. Others seized control of the city and turned it into a totalitarian establishment. Kaiba didn't even care anymore."

"Doesn't he even still run KaibaCorp?!" Mokuba cried.

"He's mostly a figurehead now," Kalin said. "To lose you made him give up on life."

Mokuba looked down, tears pricking his eyes. "No. . . ."

Seto gripped Mokuba's shoulder. Even if that was them in another dimension, he could see himself feeling similarly if the same thing happened here. To lose Mokuba would be to lose the most precious thing in his life.

"What about Téa?!" Yugi exclaimed. "Kaiba cares a lot about her too! I'm sure she'd try to get through to him!"

". . . She tried," Kalin admitted. "Their marriage couldn't withstand what happened. She left Domino City in grief and despair and moved to New York City."

"I won't believe this is our future!" Téa burst out. "Maybe we can prevent it, or maybe it will never start happening here at all! We don't use a reactor."

"Seto Kaiba funded the research," Kalin said. "He never forgave himself."

Seto's eyes narrowed. "You can bet I won't fund any such research," he growled. "The idea sounds ludicrous anyway. Turning energy from dueling into the power to run a reactor?! It's no wonder the thing blew up!"

"Although if it's supposed to happen, someone else will fund the research when the time comes," Solomon pointed out.

"I still don't believe destiny is the answer to everything," Seto growled. "And if someone else funds it, I'll just make sure none of us are around when the time comes."

Yugi was reeling. But, suddenly realizing something else, he shook himself out of his shock and horror. "Hey, you didn't know about Atem," he said to Kalin. "Does that mean Atem isn't around in your world? That would indicate right there that it's another dimension!"

"I've never heard of Atem before," Kalin admitted.

"That doesn't necessarily mean it's another dimension," Gansley pointed out, although he also wanted to believe that.

"Perhaps not, but it seems like a good indication that it might be," Solomon said. "Maybe he never came back in that world."

"Came back?" Kalin blinked. "From Egypt?"

"Not quite," Yugi said with an awkward smile. "It's a long story."

Lector was silent, badly shaken by these revelations. He also looked to Mokuba. To think of a future where something this horrible happened and some were lost forever while others never recovered . . . ! It was unbearable. The only comfort was in thinking at least it wasn't their dimension, but even then, it was still devastating to think of it happening to any Mokuba. And Yugi and the Bakuras too. . . .

Mokuba met his gaze and came to him now, letting the man pull him close in a hug. Mokuba snuggled close. "I don't want such an awful future," he choked out.

"We won't have it," Lector insisted.

Kalin clenched a fist. "But . . . if it changes . . ."

"If it's another dimension, what we do in ours won't affect yours," Yami Bakura said. "And if it's supposed to happen, it will no matter what we do to try to change it."

"But maybe at least we'll have a chance of escaping our personal fates," Lector said. "Thank you, Mr. Kessler, for finally telling us."

"There was a time when I never would have," Kalin said. "I guess right now, when I don't know what the right thing is to do, I was easier to bend."

"Hey," Téa realized, "what if your world is that one we've visited before?! Portals have opened up from it more than once!"

"Oh no!" Yugi exclaimed. But then, just as quickly, he relaxed. "No, it couldn't be that one," he realized. "The virtual reality problems didn't happen there."

"Unless that came later in that world," Yami Bakura grunted. "In another dimension, things could either not happen at all or happen differently."

"But those other uses were starting to make friends with Yugi and everybody last we knew," Crump objected. "The other uses wouldn't suddenly turn on them!"

"No, I don't think they would either," Atem said.

Tristan growled. "Well, supposing any of this is true, it probably is our dimension!" he said bitterly. "It sounds about like what would happen to us. We're always thinking our problems are over only to find they're not!" He glared at Kalin. "But I'm not sure I really believe anything this guy says anyway. I mean, when does the supernatural stuff stop?! That can't always be the explanation for everything that goes wrong!"

Nesbitt grunted. "There was a time I felt like that," he said. "I guess by now it feels like magic and the supernatural is always going to be intruding on our lives and it always is the explanation for everything." Disgust dripped from his voice. "That said, Lector and I tried to think of other explanations ahead of that."

"And then he just said you were right when you guessed time travel?" Tristan snorted. "Maybe you should have him take you to this portal and look through it to make sure it's real."

Kalin stood. "I should really go back anyway," he said. "All I've done is cause more of an upheaval. Apparently that's all I know how to do."

Lector got up as well. "Now, that's not true," he insisted. "We needed to know the information you brought. Right now we don't know whose dimension is at stake, but we are now forewarned and can prepare." His expression softened. "And we will do everything we can to make sure your friends are not negatively impacted."

Ishizu nodded. "I believe in destiny and that you were brought here for a reason, Mr. Kessler," she said. "If that is true, then telling us about this was truly the right thing to do."

"I want to believe that," Kalin admitted.

"And truthfully, I do think you must be from another dimension," Atem said. "There would be some mention of me if it were ours, especially when you know of Yami Bakura. Apparently he still came back in your world, but I did not."

"Came back from where?" Kalin frowned. "The story was that he was Bakura's Egyptian cousin."

Yami Bakura finally smirked. "Try Many-Great-Grandfather instead," he said. "The Pharaoh and I are both from ancient Egypt."

Kalin stared. "Ancient . . . Egypt. . . ." He should be more shocked, he supposed, but maybe in some strange way it made sense.

"And the Pharaoh was really the one who earned the King of Games title," Yami Bakura continued, enjoying himself now. "Although little Yugi came into his own and earned it as well."

Oreo purred and nuzzled him and he scowled. ". . . Cat."

Bakura chuckled. "You know you appreciate it, Yami."

Kalin watched and shook his head. They both loved that cat. She had been there on that horrible day too and had been lost with them. . . .

Mokuba was now sitting by Marik, and he suddenly looked up with wide eyes. "I just thought of something!" he exclaimed. "When most of the alternate Big Five were lost in that other dimension we went to, we found out they were still alive and they'd been sent somewhere else instead of being vaporized! What if that could be true for everyone lost in Kalin's dimension, or at least some of them?!"

Kalin's eyes flickered with surprise, but he didn't look hopeful. "The lost souls who perished when the reactor exploded are still in the area," he said. "There's a gateway to the Underworld there. I sensed the spirits when I was using that dark force, and my friend was almost dragged into the Underworld with them."

"WHAT?!" Joey screamed in horror.

"It's okay, Joey," Serenity tried to soothe him. She looked to Kalin. "That doesn't mean everyone died! Maybe some people really did fall into a dimensional rift! When the reactor was kind of supernatural anyway, the explosion could have opened a hole in space."

"It's a long shot," Nesbitt frowned. "There isn't always an explanation that allows for people to come back from the supposed dead."

"But sometimes there is!" Serenity insisted. "When we've personally seen it happen, how can we just ignore it when it might be happening this time too?!"

Atem smiled a bit. "It's difficult to argue with that logic," he commented.

Johnson looked to Serenity. "Are you saying you think all of us should go over to this boy's dimension and see if there's any way to bring back those of us who went missing?"

"I think it's something we need to try," Serenity insisted.

"And I agree with her."

Everyone looked up with a start. It was Seto who had spoken, much to everyone's shock. He was normally the last person who would want to plunge into a mysterious disaster, but now his eyes were flashing with determination and resolve.

"When Mokuba was one of those lost, I can't let it stand, even if it's another Mokuba," Seto said. "I have to know if there's a way to save him."

"But not all of us should go over," Yami Bakura pointed out. "Only some should go. We have no idea what might happen over there."

Immediately most of the group began talking at once, volunteering themselves or go or suggesting ones to stay back. Kalin stared at the group in amazement and disbelief. "You're all so willing to plunge into the unknown when it might not even work out," he said.

"What? Aren't we like that in your world?" Joey countered.

"Those of you I know of are, yes," Kalin said. "It's just like my friend. He will never abandon someone in need or someone he cares about."

Lector gave him a kind look. "Then that means he is definitely still your friend and will want to see you," he said.

Kalin looked away. "That isn't the issue, though." He paused. "And I really don't know that it's a good idea for you to cross over to my time. I'm not sure what the political situation is now, but up to very recently, the politicians were covering up the truth about the reactor explosion and were saying it was an earthquake that caused the city to split. If you start poking around where you shouldn't, especially in a time you're unfamiliar with, you'll probably just bring down a lot of trouble on your heads."

"That's a good point," Gansley remarked. "When that other Big Four disappeared and their Lector was grieving so much, they weren't even to be found in their own dimension at all; they'd crossed over to here. Going over there didn't actually help the problem."

"But we'd know if there was another Mokuba and Yugi and more Bakuras running around here," Joey objected.

"There's something else you should know, as long as you know this much," Kalin said. "The explosion happened 17 years ago in my time."

Dead silence.

"They've been missing for 17 years?!" Joey cried.

"Or dead, most likely," Kalin said, "along with the other lost souls."

". . . It's still possible they ended up over here," Bakura said.

"Most likely not," Atem frowned. "If they ended up in another dimension, they would seek us all out for help."

"Except that if they ended up in our dimension 17 years ago, most of us would be babies," Téa said, "or not even born. . . ."

"The Big Five would have still been adults then," Atem said.

"Yeah, but would we even believe a wild story like that?" Nesbitt grunted.

"Maybe not, but you'd remember if someone told you such a story, wouldn't you?" Atem said with a bit of a smirk.

"I certainly would," Johnson admitted. "I don't think they fell into our dimension."

"In any case, I don't think you'll learn anything from my time," Kalin said. "If you're really going to believe this science-fiction idea that they could still be out there somewhere, you'd need to check other dimensions."

". . . Well, we do still have that candle-holder that opens portals to other dimensions," Mai said slowly. "But how would we use it to check anywhere very quickly? We'd have to keep going in and looking around everywhere until we found our counterparts in each dimension, and who knows what would happen to us while we were looking!"

"Plus the fact that this is most likely fruitless to begin with," Kalin said. "You won't find these other versions of some of you alive."

". . . You know, we could go to your world and to this place where the lost souls are and try to reach out to them," Serenity said. "We could try calling to Mokuba and Yugi and the Bakuras and see if any of them answer, or if any of the lost souls know where they are."

Joey gawked at his sister. "That's a terrible idea, Sis! If these lost souls are really so vengeful, they're not gonna want to tell us anything! And we might just get dragged down with them!"

Kalin hesitated. ". . . It is possible you could learn something if you could talk to my friend's father," he said at last. "He perished in the explosion as well, but he kept his sense of self and his sanity. He saved my friend when he fell into the pit."

"That could be our best bet," Atem said, perking up. "But I believe Bakura is right that not all of us should cross over to that world."

"I'm going," Seto said flatly.

Mokuba immediately leaped up too. "So am I! This other Seto is hurting bad and I want to help him!"

"I will go," Atem said.

"And I want to go too!" Yugi exclaimed.

Kalin just stared at them and shook his head. "I still don't know that this is a good idea. Something could happen to all of you over there."

"So you'd better come along as our guide," Joey retorted. "I'm goin' too!"

"Are at least some of you guys going?" Mokuba asked, looking to the Big Five.

Lector sighed. "I got us all into this by trying to find out what was bothering Mr. Kessler. I feel like I should go along."

"Then I'm coming," Nesbitt growled.

"And perhaps we should leave it at that," Atem interjected. "We don't want to generate too much attention by having too large a group."

"You'll probably generate attention with only one or two of you," Kalin said.

"I have to admit that's probably true," Mai said. "And honestly, a part of me is wondering if we shouldn't leave well enough alone with this. It's probably not true. If a dimensional rift opened, why didn't all the lost souls fall into it?"

"Maybe it only stayed open for a few seconds," Mokuba frowned. "I want to believe we can do something about this! When the other Seto's hurting so bad, we have to try!"

"It sure is a crazy chance," Crump said. "But . . . I'd sure take it if there were even the smallest odds that I could save any of my buddies, if it was them."

"I imagine we all feel that way, no matter how foolhardy the attempt might be," Gansley said.

"So let's get going already!" Joey exclaimed.

Everyone stood and headed for the door. Nesbitt turned to look at Kalin with a frown. "There's something else I'd like to know," he said. "You've been very secretive about your friend's name. Why?"

Kalin sighed in resignation. "Because his last name might strike a nerve." He glanced to Seto and Mokuba. "His name is Yusei Fudo."

As he had thought, Seto went stiff. "Fudo?!" His eyes narrowed. "There's an intern at KaibaCorp by that name!"

"That's probably his father," Kalin said. "He was one of your scientists, and the top researcher on the Ener-D reactor project."

Seto narrowed his eyes. "That reactor is not going to happen in this timeline," he vowed. "Never!"

And from his vehemence, Kalin again wondered if he had made the right decision.