YUGIOH
Hopeless Collisions
Chapter 9.
Randal was paged, and summoned to Kaiba's office. It wasn't long before the man showed up, and seemed very surprised....Kaiba was in decent shape for the first time in weeks. His skin color was even returning to a more healthier look, since he finally ate something. The second surprising thing was seeing Pegasus in the room, who got up and locked the door once he was inside. "Kaiba here wants to have a talk with you, Randal...." He said, observing with interest.
"Sir....what is this about?" He asked.
"You can say I have a new....product, and I decided to make you the guinea pig." Kaiba said, bringing forth the Millennium Rod, which came to life. "And since you have betrayed me anyway, I don't see any reason why I shouldn't use you for this little experiment...."
Randal had been backing up, as soon as he felt the power of the Rod being drawn towards him. "Stop." He whispered, then begged, "Please!" The man then screamed for a moment, his body finally slumping to the ground, limp.
Pegasus smiled, saying, "Don't worry, his screams only echoed into the Shadow Realm....no one outside this room would have heard him. We'll simply call security and say he collapsed like this, letting your people take him to the hospital and permanently out of your hair."
Kaiba's eyes were closed, as he breathed in, feeling an almost euphoric sensation. Pegasus smiled knowingly, saying, "Yes, that's the power you're feeling growing inside of you, after sacrificing a soul into the Shadow Realm. It's an incredible feeling, isn't it? You'll get used to it...."
Kaiba said nothing at the moment, as a cold smile formed slightly at the corner of his lips, and he clutched the Rod tighter. He never felt such a sensation before....and he liked it. "Kaiba?" Pegasus asked.
Kaiba finally turned to Pegasus, and said, "I want to know more....what's next?"
Pegasus smiled, pleased with Kaiba's new sudden anticipation and willingness to use the Rod. 'Yes, you're finally beginning to embrace its power, aren't you?' He thought.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x
They moved to Kaiba's normal holographic testing system on duel monsters, with only him and Pegasus inside. There, Pegasus helped him to reveal how to summon forth the Shadow Realm itself, in order to create a Shadow Game. The last thing he needed Kaiba to learn was to focus on the power and intensity of the Millennium Rod, itself.
"Do you feel it? Another person with a Millennium Item could challenge you directly, fighting it's power against yours....winner takes all. It's a dangerous chance to take, because this is a test of power and will, while the Shadow Games are more of a test of strategy, making the odds a bit better. You should not have to worry about this too much, especially when you begin to absorb more souls. Remember, you are not just a chosen of the Millennium Items....you are a directly descended reincarnation of the High Priest Set. A person would have to be a fool to try and challenge you in this way." Pegasus said.
"You seem to think I'm worried....you're wrong." Kaiba said, dripping with over-confidence.
Pegasus smiled, saying, "Well....it's been a long day. Let's go get some supper, and head back to your house. Tomorrow, I want you to get away from the office awhile. Go wander around....gather some mind slaves for yourself, suck some others into the Shadow Realm and absorb their souls, as well. I want you to gain more in power, as you learn to get used to wielding it. By the next day, we'll see how we can combine this magic with your virtual reality....all right?"
Kaiba simply nodded, and was ready to head out with Pegasus.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x
The Rod was securely tucked in the inside of his trench coat out of sight, as they sat down at a fancy restaurant to eat. A strange warmth emanated from the item which he felt against his back, as he sat down at their table. It felt good....almost like some kind of security blanket he had with him, or similar. Kaiba had trouble really defining what he was feeling from it. But this item seemed to give him a new high, different from the buzz he was getting from the alcohol. He now craved more from the Rod then he did the alcohol. In fact, since he absorbed that man's soul into the Shadow Realm, he had lost all interest in the mind-numbing liquid.
Pegasus ordered his food and drink, and then Kaiba did the same....ordering an ice water for his drink. After the waitress left, Pegasus smiled, saying, "Wow....I didn't even have to remind you about the alcohol." As Kaiba glared at him, Pegasus's smile widened, saying, "It's the Rod, isn't it? You've adopted a new craving, instead. But, don't worry....that's a good thing."
"You know, I'm really getting tired of you pretending to know me. For someone who lost his ability to read minds, it's amazing how that doesn't seem to stop you from shutting up about your pathetic 'know it all' attitude." Kaiba snapped, irritated.
"I don't need the Millennium Eye to see you falling in the same pattern that I did. But, don't feel too bad about that. It's probably good to have someone around you that has done it all before. After all, you know what they say....birds of a feather flock together." Pegasus practically chimed.
Kaiba's jaw clenched, saying, "And don't compare yourself to me, either! I'm nothing like you!"
But it caused Kaiba to become curious why he so willingly accepted letting Pegasus come to supper with him. When Pegasus suggested it, he didn't even protest. Did he feel he still needed him? He hated the thought that he needed anyone....but after what he'd been through in the last 24 hours, he wasn't certain about anything, anymore.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x
It wasn't long before they made it back to Kaiba's home, and both entered inside. His workers were shocked to see him back and looking semi-normal, as he pointed towards the living room, asking, "Was the mess with the mini-bar cleaned up?"
"Yes, sir. We took care of that earlier today....though I'm afraid there was nothing left worth saving." The butler said.
"That's fine, I'll get it replaced another time." Kaiba replied, no longer having any interest or need for it, and headed to his room.
Pegasus followed behind, and soon joined him in his office. The new laptop that Kaiba called for earlier was perfectly in place on his desk, and it took no time at all for him to b-line right to it, sit down, and start working. it was all he could do to try not to be reminded of Mokuba, which was nearly impossible at home. But by this time, he had managed to convince himself of the words that Pegasus said to him, yesterday. He did not need to mourn over Mokuba's death. He could instead accept it as only a temporary leave....one way or another, he was going to get his brother back.
"Working? Don't you think you should relax?" Pegasus asked.
"No." Kaiba answered. He opened his mouth, almost ready to state his need for work in order to keep Mokuba out of his head, before catching himself in time. Maybe he was starting to get 'too' used to having Pegasus around him.
He would reveal nothing, even if Pegasus probably all ready guessed the actual reason for it. So instead, he stated, "Since I'm supposed to wander around sucking up souls tomorrow, it would be a good idea to atleast get some work done now, so I don't get too far behind."
"Well....I could help you with that." Pegasus said.
Kaiba glared at him, snapping, "You're not taking over my business."
"Oh, please....not that again. I all ready explained to you 'why' I wanted your business. It had nothing to do with your corporation, only your Virtual Reality technology. And we're now working together, so why would I want to mess that up?" Pegasus then smiled, adding, "Besides, as the owner of Industrial Illusions, it's not like I'm not qualified to handle it. Plus, I'm retired....so I have all the time in the world just to help you out."
"Whatever." Kaiba grumbled, focusing back on the laptop. "I'd prefer to take care of it, myself. Why don't you go somewhere....go read your comics or something. Maybe you can go relax, like you were suggesting to me."
"Fine, have it your way." Pegasus said, leaving the room as he was asked.
Kaiba was finally alone, with Pegasus out of sight. But, it took until after he left to realize he really didn't want him to leave. Now all alone, there was nothing left to focus on except himself, his laptop, and the memories of his dead brother.
But with his pride still in check, he refused to let himself try and drag Pegasus back, either. His only option left was to focus on work, which was exactly what he did.