A/N: Action! Um...sorry not sorry. *hides*

Chapter 5 summary: In which pride allowed the mess to continue, was conquered briefly, and resulted in tragedy.

Pride Comes Before the Fall

:There certainly are a lot of people here,: Seth said, following behind Kaiba in a spirit form that was invisible and intangible to everyone but the Regent.

Kaiba did not bother responding mentally or verbally, his discomfort was clear enough to Seth. The only redeeming factor about the number of people present was the children. There were children everywhere which was why he had allowed Mokuba to dress casually. He did not want his little brother to stand out. He and Mokuba were orphans too, after all.

He had allowed himself to relax enough to speak politely to the investors and guests who had come to visit. All the proceeds of this event were going towards the orphanage KaibaCorp and Queen Industries were building and all the venders had volunteered their food and services. The official ground breaking ceremony would happen at one in the afternoon at the construction site nearby. Immediately after Kaiba and Oliver dug the first hole, the construction workers would step in and begin building. After that, everyone was free to go and do as they wished. Kaiba had planned on retreating to the Java Script cafè for a much needed coffee with Mokuba, but now it all depended on what happened before then.

Ishizu shifted restlessly beside him but made no other movement. She had helped the police find the first bomb which had been hidden under one of the tables. It was a homemade device that was designed to cause more fire and heat than shrapnel damage. It had been safely deactivated and removed before anyone was allowed inside the conference center ballroom.

Kaiba's lips twitched at the theme. He had to admit, Oliver knew how to tease him. The ballroom's formal name was the Egyptian Ballroom and was appropriately Egyptian themed. The walls were painted a textured cream with traditionally painted reeds and papyrus plants waving in an artistically rendered breeze. Several columns half embedded in the walls added to the illusion that the room was actually an outdoor pavilion. The ceiling was painted a deep blue reminiscent of the Egyptian sky at midday. It brought back memories that Kaiba both enjoyed and preferred to forget.

He glanced longingly out the open windowed doors to the balcony where several guests were standing enjoying the view. He badly wanted to join them, to leave the stuffy, human filled room just for a couple of minutes. But one glance at Ishizu's sharp gaze and he gave up the idea.

Arrow was leaning against one of the many columns in the wall observing the crowd. Diana, wearing her distinctive swimsuit-esque outfit with her lasso at her hip, was talking to a group of children who were enthralled by her, particularly the girls. It took Kaiba a moment to reach out with his Shadows to find J'onn. The telepath had taken on the form of a black man with a stern expression and curious eyes. Kaiba had been careful not to touch the Martian's mind, aware of the painful reaction that would most likely result.

Shaadi was with Helios following Mokuba around. Mokuba and Helios were talking animatedly while Shaadi listened quietly. It fascinated Kaiba how quickly Mokuba had befriended the Greek Titan. The Regent placed most of the blame for Helios's growing boldness on his little brother. Mokuba had a way of bringing out characteristics in people Kaiba could not. It was something Kaiba respected as both a CEO and a big brother.

"Their putting up the fountain," Ishizu murmured.

Kaiba glanced over his shoulder and noticed the servers were indeed setting up the chocolate fountain. That meant they were running out of time. He reached out and tugged Arrow's Shadows, receiving an answering tug. Shaadi tangled his own Shadows with Kaiba's and Arrow's indicating he was also aware of the situation and asking what he should do.

:I can go outside,: Seth offered. :It will throw off the shooter. The gunshot should scare everyone out of the building.:

:It would,: Kaiba admited. :But how would I explain being in two places at once?:

:Use the restroom?:

Kaiba snorted drawing a confused look from his Priestess. He cleared his throat and muttered, "Seth," under his breath.

Ishizu nodded with a sly smile. "Should I leave you two alone?" she asked sarcastically.

"Actually," Kaiba said, "yes." At her confused and slightly offended gaze, he elaborated in soft Japanese. "I'm going to make myself scarce. Seth wants to go on the balcony and draw the sniper's fire."

"But if he's shot-"

"He won't be," Kaiba said firmly. "And even if he it, it won't kill him. He'll just return to me. The shot should attract enough attention to encourage the people to leave without causing too much panic."

"What about the plan with the smoke bombs?" Ishizu asked, eyeing her Regent critically. "I thought you agreed to abide by that plan."

Kaiba shrugged. "I did. But how many people do you know react in a calm and orderly manner when faced with something like that?"

"How many people do you know react in a calm and orderly manner when faced with a gunshot?" she countered.

"Not many," he admitted reluctantly. "But it would be less chaotic than a bomb threat." Ishizu nodded slowly but was still not entirely convinced. Finally Kaiba sighed. "I want to see where the sniper could be hiding. It's likely he'll leave if he thinks I'm dead and not start shooting anyone he comes across. Also, I want him caught not dead. I want to know who's behind this. In order to do that, I need to know where he is."

"The police are doing that."

Kaiba shook his head. "They are ready to do it, they aren't actually doing it. I doubt they would start scouring buildings for sniper sightlines on a tip, even if it was from Arrow. The only reason they looked for the bomb was because you 'found' it."

Ishizu opened her mouth to speak when she noticed something over Kaiba's shoulder. Curious, Kaiba turned and saw none other than Green Lantern walk into the room. The tall man was greeting by a warm hug from Diana and a nod from Arrow.

"Are you going to talk with him?" Ishizu asked softly.

"Yes," Kaiba said. "In private. Seth can do some wandering as my replacement while I'm gone."

Without waiting for his Priestess's expected argument, Kaiba walked towards the metahuman. Metahuman, such a strange word. English really was a confusing language.

"Lantern," he called, drawing the dark superhero's attention.

"Kaiba," he said, holding out his hand. "Nice to see you again."

"I could say the same," Kaiba replied in English, taking Lantern's hand firmly. He did not smile but he did nod politely. "Could I have a word with you in private?"

"Am I in trouble?" the man joked semi-seriously.

"Not at all," Kaiba said, turning to guide the man to a side room. "There is just something I need to finish and I would rather no one saw us."

He waited to close the door behind them until he felt Seth appear next to him in spirit form and slip out back into the room. Now he could be aware of what went on both outside this room as well as speak to Green Lantern. It was something he was still getting used to, being in two places at once, but was enjoying the learning process. So long as people kept their hands off of Seth. He still did not like other people touching his Ba, especially since the feeling bounced back to himself.

"Alright, I'm curious," Lantern said, breaking the silence. "What did you want to talk about?"

Kaiba braced himself. There was a reason he had been careful not to mention this to Ishizu, Shaadi, Oliver, or even Mokuba. It was embarrassing and humiliating but necessary. He had put it off this long, no point waiting any longer. He planted both of his hands on his sides, straightened his body, and bowed deeply.

"I apologize," he said simply.

Lantern stepped back in surprise raising his hands to ward off Kaiba's bow. "Woah, woah, apologize? What? You don't need to apologize for anything. Don't bow either. It's weird."

"It's traditional," Kaiba said, mildly annoyed. "And yes, I do need to apologize. I made you a promise last we met that I failed to keep."

Lantern shifted, obviously trying to remember what the young CEO was referring to and failing. "I honestly have no idea what you're talking about," he said seriously. "What promise?"

Kaiba straightened and crossed his arms with a frustrated huff. "Remember when we first met on the Watchtower last year? After the incident with the Priest, Marik?"

"Yes, I remember," the superhero said, nodding slowly.

"I promised you would stand as a witness in Marik's Judgment Game, but it never happened." Kaiba took a steadying breath. "I wanted to get this over with before I left last year, but I suppose now will do." He felt his Shadows swirl around him as he obediently knelt on one knee, crossing his arms over his chest so his fingers touched his shoulders. "I broke an oath I swore to you that, although not witnessed and bound by the Shadows, was still a promise I failed to keep. For that I apologize and ask your forgiveness. Should you wish to cast a Penalty Game, you have but to name it. The Shadows will decide what is fair."

Green Lantern stood staring at the Regent of the Shadow Realm and Earthbound Shadow Kingdom in astonishment. He knew Kaiba was a proud young man so this must be incredibly humiliating for him to endure. Also, it was over nothing serious, not to Green Lantern at least.

"I..."

What was he supposed to say? What did anyone say in a situation like this? It was not like proud, powerful men such as Seto Kaiba knelt before you submissively on a daily basis. This had not been in the Justice League handbook. He ran his ringed hand over his face and waved Kaiba back up. Unfortunately, Kaiba's head was bowed and the sharp blue eyes were closed so Lantern was forced to grab the Regent's arm and bodily drag the young man back to his feet.

He gripped both of Kaiba's shoulders firmly with his hands and said, "Look, son. I don't want anyone bowing to me. We're equals. Yes, you made a promise. Yes, you broke it, but it wasn't on purpose. I know that and you know that." He released his hold on the surprised youth and crossed his arms. "Now, you're taking this seriously, much more seriously than I would've imagined. I don't even remember this. You had to remind me. I consider what happened to Marik in the Pharaoh's Judgment Game payback in full. You don't need a Penalty Game."

"I still made a promise I failed to keep," Kaiba countered sternly. "I don't take broken promises lightly."

"Neither do I," Lantern said sternly. "But I also know when to accept the fact that sometimes life decides to kick us in the ass and screw up our plans. You made a promise you had every intention of keeping. The Pharaoh didn't know about your promise and cast the Penalty Game while you were resting. Marik's Penalty was good enough for me. I don't hold anything against you." He held up a hand to stop the Japanese youth from interrupting him. "If you insist on me punishing you for that slip-up, then consider everything that happened after that with Akhenadin," Kaiba winced, "as payback enough."

Kaiba processed this information. His Shadows retreated, glad they no longer had to cast a Penalty Game on their Regent, but wanting to be absolutely sure. They did not punish the same person for the same crime twice.

"Are you sure?" the Regent asked.

"I'm sure, son," Lantern said. "All's forgiven and, frankly, forgotten. Until you brought it up, that is." He extended his hand. "So, how 'bout we shake on it and let bygones be bygones."

Kaiba stared at the open hand for several seconds before taking it. He heaved a sigh of relief before his eyes lifted to Lantern's glowing green warningly. "If you tell anyone I bowed to you-"

"I'm sorry," Lantern interrupted. "I seem to have blanked out there for a second. Did you say you wanted coffee? So do I. Why don't we go get some?"

Kaiba paused before smirking. "I could do with some coffee. Hopefully they've replaced the pots with fresh batches by now."

"Let's hope so," Lantern said.

The superhero moved to the door. Just as his hand touched the doorknob, Kaiba flinched as a phantom pain burned his head. Both he and Seth cried out as his other half immediately returned to his soul room. Cries drifted through the closed door accompanied by the sound of running feet.

"Kaiba," Lantern called. "Kaiba!"

Kaiba shook his head, feeling dizzy as the phantom pain continued to pulse right between his eyes. :Seth?: he called mentally. :What happened?:

:He shot me!: Seth snapped. :Right in the head.:

:The sniper,: Kaiba realized. :Did anyone find the second-:

BOOM!

"-bomb," he whispered, eyes wide.

Lantern swung open the door and was met by the sight of people rushing madly out of the ballroom. Kaiba pushed past the hero as the man took flight and began scanning to room with both his eyes and his Shadows. Ishizu was next to Shaadi, clutching her side. It was painful but not serious. Shaadi had a gash on his forehead, again painful but not serious.

J'onn had shifted to his more well known form and had joined Diana and Green Lantern with the rescue efforts. The second bomb had been destructive but focused on destabilizing the far side of the room near balcony. The balcony.

Kaiba yanked his Shadows away from Shaadi and Ishizu to focus on the balcony and was horrified to feel both Mokuba and Arrow there. He raced through the smoke and debris to the jagged edge of the room where the glass doors had been and fell to his hands and knees. The balcony had fractured so half of it was dangling dangerously over the ground far below. But it was not the structure that caught his eye, it was the sight of his precious baby brother clinging to a crack just far enough away to be out of reach.

Kaiba examined the balcony for a split second before crawling out across the expanse. He reached for Mokuba's hand only to flinch back when something pinged the stone between his fingers. A bullet. Kaiba snarled. He would be damnded if he let a mere bullet keep him from his brother.

"Mokuba!" he called.

"Ni-sama!" Mokuba cried. He held out his hand, fingers stretched out so they brushed Kaiba's hand. Then the balcony jolted, dropping several feet and dislodging the two brothers from their precariously balanced positions. They would have tumbled into the air had Kaiba not managed to grab Mokuba's hand and a jagged piece of metal that had once been part of the railing.

He would not loose his brother. He would die first.

"Mokuba," he called in Japanese. "Just look at me. Listen to me. Don't let go of my hand, no matter what. Do you understand?"

Mokuba nodded, tightening his grip as determination lit up his eyes beginning to drown out his fear. "I trust you, Seto."

Kaiba smiled at his given name and turned his head to see if there were any handholds or places where he could brace himself firmly enough to pull them up to better position. Suddenly, his vision was filled with black and green, the vigilante.

"Kaiba," Arrow called. Kaiba looked up to see the vigilante dangling from his bow on a cable he had fired into the wall further up the building. His booted feet were braced against the broken balcony so he could repel down to where Kaiba was precariously hanging. Arrow reached out his hand and grabbed the Regent's arm. "I got you. Helios," he called over Kaiba's shoulder, "make sure Mokuba gets out okay."

Helios must have nodded because there was no verbal response. Kaiba freed the hand clinging to the metal bar and grabbed the vigilante's arm. Arrow pressed a button and the cable began reeling the three passengers up the damaged balcony.

Kaiba returned his focus to Mokuba. Helios had somehow been able to climb down the jagged stone and brace himself between a crack in the balcony and the remains of the twisted metal railing so he could help keep Mokuba away from any jagged edges as best he could. Things were beginning to look up; so naturally that was when everything fell apart, literally.

The destroyed balcony jolted downward again, forcing Arrow to kick away from the stone so he wouldn't loose his footing and fall. Kaiba, still clinging to the vigilante's arm, swung out with Arrow's movement using the chance to haul his body higher. Mokuba freed one of his hands and reached for his big brother's wrist hoping to get a more firm grip. But then Kaiba cried out as a tearing sensation ripped through his right shoulder causing his grip on Mokuba's hand slip.

It was just a little slip, but it was just enough for Mokuba to slide through his weakened fingers and fall. Kaiba watched in horror as Helios leapt out to catch Mokuba, managing to catch his brother's vest only for the piece of stone he had been brace on to give way. Helios yanked Mokuba close, wrapping his body protectively around the small boy as they fell, hoping to take the brunt of the damage knowing he would survive. He yelled something unintelligible, downed out by Mokuba's terrified screams.

Never in his life had Kaiba Seto ever seen his brother in such intense, painful detail before. Dark gray eyes, wide with terror, stared up at Kaiba. Tears of fear lined the lids and dark eyelashes. One small hand remained free of Helios's protective body and was reaching up to Kaiba, pleading with him to save them. But Kaiba could do nothing but watch as Mokuba plummeted to the ground.

"Ni-sama!"

Then, without warning, they vanished without a trace. One minute they were there, falling, Mokuba screaming, crying, terrified, betrayed. The next they were just...gone as if they had never been there. Mokuba's silenced cries echoed eerily in the burning air filling Kaiba with a sinking despair he had not known for a long time.

"Mokuba!"