A/N: Sorry for the incredibly long delay in updating this chapter has actually been ready for sveral days but atuff has prevented me from posting. Basically, I hydroplaned while on my moped and crashed (I'm ok except for a few bruises and my scooter is okay except for broken handlebars), I had a big test in Italian, two group projects due, and bad weather including a Tornado Watch yesterday and today. I'm actually live streaming the weather currently because there's a possible tornado nearby headed in my direction. There's already confirmed reports of large hail damage and a possible tornado on the ground. Needless to say, I'm on high alert. But posting this is a nice, calming distraction.

That said, y'all enjoy this have a great week. ^_^

Chapter summary: In which the Court and League exchange information and Mokuba divulges information.

Equivalent Exchange

"J'onn!" Yugi blinked when several other people materialized in his hospital room. "Oh, you're here too?"

"Is that a problem?" Shayera asked asked, folding her wing to keep them from interfering with the medical equipment.

"No, I'm just surprised, that's all," Yugi said, waving his hands defensively. "I didn't sense you."

"Indeed," Yami said, appearing sitting on the bed next to the King. "It's one of the reasons why you were able to capture Kaiba when you first met him."

"Because I'm not human," she said nodding.

"Partially yes," Yami agreed. "The other reason was you were airborne, I understand. Sensing someone when they or you have no contact with the ground can be tricky."

"I see," Diana murmured thoughtfully.

"It's good to see you too, Wonder Woman," Yugi said with a smile. "What's the occasion?"

"We can't visit a friend who's hurt?" she asked.

Yugi's positively beamed next to Yami who appeared surprised. "Of course!" he chirped happily. "Although," he added shyly, scratching his head, "I'm not really hurt anymore. Jounouchi and Honda were able to heal me. It just aches a bit now."

"Actually," Yami said, speaking up, "since you're here, we might as well tell you. We're leaving. We need to contact Pegasus for help."

"Pegasus as in Maximillion Pegasus?" Shayera asked, raising an eyebrow incredulously. "I thought he was dead."

"He is," Yami said calmly, "here."

"You mean another version of him," Diana said shrewdly.

The Pharaoh nodded but it was Yugi who spoke. "We need more cards to boost our magic," he said slowly. "It also wouldn't hurt to have allies in other realities should we need them."

"Even though Pegasus tried to kill you," Shayera said.

Yugi's eyes dropped sadly. "He was trying to resurrect his lost wife," he said softly.

"He went about it the wrong way, granted," Yami said, "but he did help bring the Shadow Games back which has been both a boon and a curse. It's possible he may have become a friend if he managed to survive Bakura taking the Eye from him in another reality."

"And if he still has the Eye or he is not a friend?" J'onn asked.

"Let's hope that's not the case," Yugi said.

"But if it is," Yami said seriously, "I doubt he would be able to stop us from leaving should we wish to."

"Do you plan to go alone?" J'onn asked.

Yugi blushed. "Well, not...yes?"

"Unless you're offering to come with us," Yami said. "We wouldn't mind."

The Manhunter nodded. "I would, yes," he said. "I was unable to accompany the Regent when he left but perhaps I can make up for my mistake."

"Hardly a mistake," Yami said, sliding off the bed to stand. "Green Lantern went in your stead and has been rather helpful since."

"You can communicate across dimensions?" Diana gasped. "I'm impressed."

"It takes more energy than usual but nothing taxing," Yami said. "We informed him of your suspicions that Ares was behind the bombing."

"How did-?"

"Green Lantern informed us of your suspicions when he arrived to meet the Regent," J'onn said. "I assume one of the two Shadow users, Amelda or Raphael, informed you of this."

"Indirectly, yes," Yami confirmed.

"They called Anzu," Yugi said, "and she told us when we held Court." His violet eyes dimmed. "I heard you were planning on visiting the tomb dig, Shayera," he said. The winged woman nodded and he sighed. "Then you should know they found the entrance. It's only a matter of time before they get inside. The traps and spells inside the tomb should hold them back for a while but..."

"It has been over 5,000 years," the Pharaoh finished slowly, placing a reassurring hand over Yugi's. "Traps can fall to ruin like so many civilizations have during that time and all spells have a half life. Nothing last forever."

Green eyes narrowed. "Then I'll do my best to help slow things down," Hawkgirl said.

"You should also know my Triad as well as Ishizu may need to bring knowledge of our existence out into the open," Yami said sternly. "It'll be a last resort but..." He shrugged. "They may not have a choice. Kaiba is suffering the debilitating effects of this. We felt it in this reality."

"Could it kill him?" Diana asked.

"I hope not, but I cannot say for certain."

"We're leaving as soon as we can," Yugi said. "We need the advantage as soon as possible."

"Has something else happened?" J'onn asked.

The King and Pharaoh met each other's eyes speaking silently to each other in their own way before Yami bowed his head in acquiescence. "Yes," Yugi said. "Ishizu saw Kaiba die."

"What?!" Shayera exclaimed.

"It was in a vision," Yugi explained. "We know the assassin can travel between worlds, and can steal our Monsters from us-"

"Steal your Monsters?" Diana said. "How?"

"If we knew that, we would likely be able to stop it," Yami growled, crossing his arms and sulking. "He stole Jounouchi's Red Eyes Black Dragon. Literally ripped it from his card. It's gone completely. Jounouchi can't even feel it anymore let alone summon it. He...isn't taking it very well."

"I'm not surprised," Diana said nodding.

"We still don't know how he's able to do what he does or why he's doing it," Yugi said. "In her vision, Ishizu saw the assassin steal Kaiba's Blue Eyes White Dragon from him in the same manner Jounouchi's Red Eyes was stolen. Then he shot Mokuba. Kaiba... He ended up committing suicide," the King finished softly, eyes lowered. "I've never seen him so devastated before."

"Why kill Mokuba?" J'onn asked, his golden alien eyes soft and sympathetic. "What purpose could murdering a child have?"

"I don't know," Yami replied. "Mokuba is guided and protected by Ra-Horahkty, the Creator God of Light. She is the head of the Egyptian Gods, the most powerful, and the absolute authority in anything and everything relating to our domain. Even our gods, Ra, Osiris, and Obelisk bow to her will. If Mokuba ever summoned her, anything and everything could happen. She has a will of her own."

"Why not just summon her and end this then?" Diana asked.

Yami and Yugi were already shaking their heads. "It doesn't work that way," Yugi said. "Once summoned, she will not obey our commands. She commands us and we bow to her."

"She isn't a Monster to be summoned lightly," Yami said. "I did so once and only because it was either summon her watch the world be destroyed. It nearly killed me. She cannot exist outside the Shadow Realm without directly channeling through her summoner, using their soul as fuel. Mokuba could summon her, but it would probably kill him in the process."

"That's why he usually just lets her guide him and why she protects him even without being summoned," Yugi said. "She can do that where ever our gods can't. Ra and Osiris can communicate with us but in order to directly use their power to attack or defend, they must be summoned."

"I see," Diana murmured, crossing her arms thoughtfully.

"So," Yugi said, "after that gloomy thought, Yami and I are leaving as soon as we can. J'onn," he asked, looking up to the alien, "are you ready to leave now or do you need to get ready?"

The Manhunter nodded. "I am ready now."

"You're leaving now?" Shayera asked.

"Time is short," the Pharaoh said. "You should hurry to Egypt as soon as you can as well."

"I was planning on it," she said.

"I'll return to the Themiscyra and keep an eye on the proceedings there," Diana said. "Maybe I'll learn something worth mentioning."

"Good luck to you," Yami said.

"And to you," the Amazon princess replied. She tapped her communicator and said, "Wonder Woman to Watchtower."

"Superman here," came the superhero's voice.

"Shayera needs a ride to the dig in Egypt and I'm heading back to Themiscyra," she said. She glanced at J'onn who nodded silently. "J'onn's going with the King and the Pharaoh."

"Where?"

"Another reality," Diana said.

"That's-"

"It will not be unusual to me," the Martian said suddenly. "I am not from this world so the differences should not be as jarring. The chances of a paradox occurring are also slim."

"That's true but-"

"I am going, Superman," J'onn said. "I will be back soon, I promise."

After a beat of silence, Superman's voice returned. "I guess there's no changing your mind, is there?" he asked rhetorically.

"No," J'onn replied anyway.

A sigh echoed through the tiny speaker followed by a heavy, "Alright. Just stay safe."

"That would be preferable, yes," J'onn said to which Yugi snickered.

"Wonder Woman out," Diana said, switching off her communicator. "I'll see you all later then." She stepped forward and vanished leaving those remaining in the room staring where she had been with various expressions of surprise.

"Remind me to take Diana with me next time I go shoe shopping," Shayera said, before tapping her communicator. "Shayera to Watchtower. I'm ready to teleport."

"Got you," Superman replied.

Then Hawkgirl vanished in the familiar flash of a teleport. J'onn turned to Yugi who was sliding off the bed with Yami's help. The IV needle was still in his arm and a few sticky sensors were still adhered to his chest but otherwise, he seemed alright.

"The moment, I take these off, the nurses will figure out what's going on," he said. "Get ready to get out of here in a hurry."

J'onn stepped forward, placed his hands on both Yugi and Yami, and became incorporeal. Instantly, the adhesive sensors and IV fell away from the King as he too became incorporeal who blinked in surprise.

"Or you can do that," he said with a giggle. The machines began beeping with increasing frequency and pitch catching his attention. "Hold on," he said.

He and the Pharaoh closed their eyes and drew on their Shadows, calling to their gods and asking for their power. This would be the first time they had ever initiated a travel between realities, but perhaps this experiment could firmly determine whether or not they needed to be in the not-place that served as their Court in order to do so. Hopefully, it was not required.

The Shadows flooded them, Ra's flames burning through the King's veins, Osiris's lightning tingling through the Pharaoh startling a yelp out of J'onn. The two monarchs instinctively grabbed hold of the Martian telepath and pulled his mind close to theirs, shielding it from the effects of the Shadows as best they could. After what felt like minutes, there was a rush of air then silence.

He was gone. Helios was gone. Ares had taken him. Where was Seto?

Dark gray eyes lifted to stare dumbfounded at the man who had stabbed his friend and recognized the familiar horror and shock there. Mokuba had felt the same when Seto freed him from Noa's mind control during their stint in his stepbrother's virtual world. If it was the same or similar to what he had experienced, then Logan would need sympathy not anger. It was not his fault Helios had been hurt.

Mokuba stepped forward noticing Logan's body tense but did not stop. The mutant reminded the young Keeper of how Seto looked when he had become Set reborn during Akhenadin's sentencing a year ago. Alone, guilty, horrified, scared, and confused.

"It's okay," Mokuba said softly, holding out a hand. "I'm not mad. Are you okay?"

Logan blinked at the boy in stunned confusion. He tilted his head as if listening to something but otherwise remained still, waiting for Mokuba to approach.

"I'm not mad," Mokuba said, continuing forward. "It was Ares, not you. It's not the first time he's done that to my friends." When he was close enough, he put a gentle hand on Logan's wrist and gazed up at the mutant carefully. "Helios is alright too, I promise."

"I'm afraid that's not true," Ororo said gently, stepping close and placing a hand on Mokuba's shoulder. "A wound like that-" She stopped abruptly, glancing at Logan spoke.

"I..." Logan stared down at where Mokuba was touching him just above the blood covered knived still extending from his knuckles. "I killed him."

"Well, yeah you did," Mokuba said awkwardly, "but not really." He winced and reached up to scratch his head nervously. "See, he can't die that way. You basically knocked him out. He broke his neck and back when we first got here. He can heal, like you can. He'll be okay." He returned his hand to Logan's and smiled. "So it's okay. We'll get him back." He jolted upright and grinned as a sudden thought occurred to him. "My brother's gonna flip when he hears Ares messed with Helios. Fireworks!" he cheered, pumping a fist in the air.

"What do you mean heal? I thought he could control solar energy and gravity," Jane said, crossing her arms and staring at the boy. Her head tilted slightly to the side as if listening to something.

"You seem to be taking this rather lightly," the mutant with the red goggles said sternly, stepping up next to Logan.

"I've seen worse," Mokuba said casually. "Besides, it's Ares's fault. He started this. But don't worry," he added with a smirk. "My nii-sama will break him for doing that."

"Perhaps," a new voice said, drawing everyone's attention, "we should discuss this big brother of yours more seriously." Charles drove his wheelchair towards the group, his gentle eyes now had a hard edge to them. "Storm, Jane," he said to the two women present, "please make sure all the children are safe and then meet us in my office. Scott," he added to the young man with red goggles, "go with them please." He turned his eyes back to Mokuba. "I think it's time we learned the full truth of what is going on here."

Mokuba's shoulders drooped and muttered softly in Japanese. This was going to be a long day.

"Now," Charles said.

"Is everyone okay?" Mokuba exclaimed cutting off the professor.

"Everyone is fine, Mokuba," Charles said placatingly. "Just a couple bumps and bruises, thankfully. Your friend Helios was wise to take the fighting outside. It limited the damage."

Mokuba heaved a sigh of relief. He did not like the idea of hurting other kids, neither did his brother. He liked the people here. They reminded him of the nicer kids at the orphanage before Gozaboro had adopted him and Seto.

"You were an orphan?" Charles asked suddenly.

Mokuba tensed and gulped, quickly trying to think of a way to block out Charles's abilities. It was too much like Pegasus, even if Charles meant no harm.

"Ah, I see," Charles said, nodding slowly. "That explains your mistrust of telepaths." Mokuba almost smacked himself for thinking of the former Industrial Illusions CEO. Charles just smiled gently and said, "I promise, I won't hurt you. I don't believe in harming someone if I can avoid it. It's a last resort only."

Mokuba nodded. "His name was Pegasus," he said, deciding to at least explain that part. "He convinced the Board of Trustees to betray me and my brother while he was...in a coma," he admitted slowly, glancing around nervously. "There's a specific code they need to take complete control of our company so, when my brother suddenly woke up, they kidnapped me and sent me to Pegasus hoping he'd be able to extract it from me with his...power. He didn't get anything," he said proudly. "Then nii-sama came after me and with some help was able to get me back."

"And this Pegasus was a telepath, I presume," Charles encouraged.

Mokuba nodded. "Yeah."

"I see." The professor settled back in his wheelchair and resting his nose gently on his steepled fingers. "Now perhaps you could tell us why this person, Ares I understand his name is, attacked you friend. I assume he was after your friend and not you, am I correct in that assumption?"

Mokuba nodded. "He and Helios aren't..." He hummed thoughtfully. "Helios is under my brother's protection from his boss who wants him for..." He paused again. "What is the word for, ah," he waved his hands trying to articulate what he wanted, "not saying something when he probably should have or..." He bit his lip.

"Why don't you try thinking it and I'll try to understand," Charles offered genially. Mokuba nodded and grimaced as he attempted to picture what he wanted in his mind. Charles tilted his head to the side and asked, "Conspiracy?"

"What's that mean?" Mokuba asked curiously.

"Generally it means plotting or conspiring for an unlawful plan," Ororo said from her position standing near the window.

Mokuba shook his head. "No, it wasn't deliberate," he said instantly. "He didn't tell his boss because he didn't think it involved him."

"So he withheld information which directly or indirectly lead to something happening which he may or may not have predicted," Charles guessed.

"Yeah, pretty much," Mokuba said. "It wasn't his boss's business. He kept the information secret because it didn't matter at the time."

"But it matters now," Scott said from his place by the door.

"No," Mokuba insisted. "It doesn't. Zeus is just a control freak."

"Zeus?" Charles asked.

Mokuba blushed. "He's Helios's boss. He's a bastard."

"Zeus, as in the Greek god Zeus?" Jane asked incredulously.

"What, you mean like Thor?" Logan pressed.

"No, I don't think so," Charles answered instead. "Helios knew of Thor but the Thor I saw in his mind was different in appearance from the Thor we know. I'm assuming this Zeus is also from another reality."

"How did you-!" Mokuba smacked a hand over his mouth and sulked when he realized he all but confirmed Charles' theory. He was not doing very well with this right now.

"Calm down, Mokuba," Charles said gently. "My friend Doctor Strange informed me of your origins. He told me he's met a group of travelers who are also looked for someone, the younger brother of one of their group."

"Seto!"

"Seto," Charles commented, a small smile tugging his lips. "Is that your big brother?" Mokuba nodded enthusiastically. "Then I should tell you he's looking for you. I wasn't able to get a lot of information during the short time we could talk, but Stephen told me the last he heard of the group, they were in the western United States. They use some sort of magic but can't track them."

"I'm not surprised," Mokuba said with a shrug. "Our power's kind of sneaky. And my brother doesn't like being spied on."

"You have a very protective older brother," Logan said, speaking finally.

Mokuba turned to the mutant sitting quietly in the corner watching the proceedings and smiled. "I like him that way," he said happily.

"If I may," Charles said curiously. "You told Logan that he did not actually kill Helios. Is that true?"

"He can't die like that," Mokuba said nodding. "He's...well, I guess I can say. It's doesn't really matter. Helios is immortal and invulnerable. He can't age and can't die from conventional means. Only someone like him or a weapon made by someone like him can actually kill him. At least, that's what I think he meant."

"Fascinating," Charles murmured.

"He's a Titan," Mokuba said.

"A Titan?" Scott asked.

"The guys who came before the Greek gods like Zeus."

"So he's older than Zeus," Jane said. "Huh. And he served Zeus until this whole fiasco happened?"

"Well," Mokuba said morosely, "he didn't really have a choice."

Charles's eyes narrowed then softened sadly. "I see," he murmured. "My sympathies."

The Keep shrugged. "He and Selene got away. My nii-sama was protecting him until we fell into this world."

"Yes," Ororo said, "and how did that happen?"

"The balcony we were on was bombed" Mokuba answer simply. "My brother tried to save me but the assassin shot him and I fell. Helios jumped out and took the landing so I wasn't hurt. We landed here. I'm not sure how or why but..." He shrugged. "That's what happened."

"And Ares followed you," Charles said. "Is he the assassin you mentioned before?,

"No," Mokuba said. "That's someone else."

"How do you know this?" Jan asked.

"I...a friend of our said the bomber and the shooter were two different people," he replied.

"And how would you know that if you fell after the bombing?" Scott demanded suspiciously.

Mokuba shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "She can see the future," he mumbled. "It's not the permanent future," he said quickly. "Nii-sama proved that when he defeated her in a duel after she saw him lose to her in a vision."

"So she can see the future if things continue as they are," Charles said. "Most impressive."

"Still," Ororo said. "You knew that was going to happen and you continued to let it."

"We changed it!" Mokuba shout furiously. "She saw my brother die in her vision and he's still alive. We changed it just-"

"Not enough," Logan grumbled.

"My nii-sama's alive," Mokuba said firmly. "He's alive and he's coming for me."

"I believe you," Charles said quickly before anyone else could speak. "I do, Mokuba. I believe you. I'll contact Stephen and hopefully we can find your brother and bring him here. Why don't you come with me?"

Hope kindled in dark gray eyes and Mokuba's smile glowed. "You can find him?"

"With your help, I'm sure we can," Charles said. "It could take time, but I promise, I will help you." He glanced over his shoulder. "Logan," he said, "why don't you come with us."

Logan grimaced. "And if I say no?"

Mokuba focused his eyes on the mutant and widened them just the way he knew always got Seto right where he wanted him. "Please?" he asked and cackled inside when it worked just as well on Logan as it did on Seto. Maybe this would not be a bad day, just a long day.

"Before we go, I do have one last question," Charles said smoothly. "You said Helios was under your brother's protection. Why? Why get involved in something like this in the first place?"

Mokuba hesitated before sighing. "The information Helios has is about my nii-sama," he said reluctantly. "Seto's powerful enough to keep everyone under his control hidden if he wants to. He kept Helios hidden for a year before now."

Charles gazed at Mokuba closely. "You think the assassin who shot your brother may have something to do with Ares tracking down Helios. Why is that?"

"I just do," Mokuba answered seriously. He shrugged self-consciously. "It makes sense."

"I agree, it does," Charles said. "Let's go find your brother now, shall we?"