YUGIOH

Hopeless Collisions

Chapter 17.

"Kaiba???" Joey snapped.

Yugi didn't understand, either. "But, that doesn't make sense. I've seen Kaiba. If he's a danger to anyone, it's himself. How can Kaiba be a problem?"

Ishizu looked down at the ground. "I had once feared this, when Marik and Kaiba were both at the Battle City Tournament. But after Kaiba had shown such great dislike towards magic, it placed my soul at ease that such an omen would never come to pass."

"What Omen is that?" Tea asked.

Ishizu answered her, "After the great battles have passed and the Pharaoh was locked away, one most trusted to the Pharaoh stepped forward and threatened the world with his power. No one expected it to happen, no one expected one so close to the Pharaoh to betray him so deeply....but it had happened. The High Priest Set planned on using a shadow magic so powerful, that it could result as the end to everything."

"But, how could this be?" Yugi asked. "Weren't such powers locked away?"

"Yes, but with the right combination, there was still a way to break the barrier made by the Pharaoh....and only a certain combined bloodline could succeed in doing so. Set was unique, for he was a direct descendant to more than one wielder of a Millennium Item. His father held the Eye, and he held the Rod. He was also related to the Pharaoh himself, but none could wield the puzzle without first defeating the Pharaoh to do so. And since he was locked away, that was not an option. But with such power wielded in even one Millennium item, two would easily double one's power." Ishizu stated.

"So, you're saying this priest guy could use two items?" Tristan asked. "I didn't know a person can do that."

"Only certain people are chosen to wield one of the items....even less could wield two. Set was one of those people." She then turned away, continuing. "But, mortals can only handle a certain amount of energy within them. The power of using two items at once can consume anyone who dares try....they will lose themselves within the power."

"But, what does that have to do with Kaiba?" Tea asked. Her eyes then widened, saying, "Wait, I remember! On that tablet you showed us, Yami faced this high priest. And that guy looked just like Kaiba!"

"Hold on, a minute!" Joey spat. "Are you saying that Kaiba's trying ta use two a these items?"

Ishizu nodded. "That is what the prophecy states. And if he succeeds and cannot be stopped in time, the whole world could be in great danger."

"But....what about Shadi? Doesn't he wield 2 items?" Yugi asked.

Ishizu smiled. "Shadi chose to be a guardian and protector of the Millennium Items. He sacrificed his life and mortality to be a holder of the Scales and the Key. And even after all that, he will still never dare attempt to use them both at once. Even he could be consumed if he tried. His immortality prevents the power's temptations on him while simply holding them, and rids him of the emotions of greed and lust. Only duty is left within his spirit."

Joey winced hearing that. "Yeech....that's harsh!"

"But, none of this makes sense. Just because some prophecy says he's gonna do this....it doesn't mean he will. I mean, we all know that Kaiba doesn't believe in magic. So, why out of the blue would he even try to use one of these items? And why are you two so worried? I mean....Kaiba doesn't even have one of these Millennium thingees." Tristan stated.

Marik now came forward, stating, "A few days ago, Kaiba came to the museum demanding to have the Millennium Rod. He battled me for it and won."

"What?" Yugi gasped.

"It has all ready begun, my Pharaoh. He was barely stopped in the past. Even so, his power decimated the remainder of Egypt as we know it, before his reign of terror finally ended. If this begins again...this time, he may finish what he started so long ago. He may very well be your greatest adversary, yet." Ishizu told him.

Marik added, "Fortunately, he still only has the Millennium Rod. As long as he doesn't get the Millennium Eye, we will be safe from fate repeating itself. It is important to find out who has the Eye and prevent Kaiba from getting the second Millennium item. Pharaoh....do you know where the Eye is?"

"The last one who had the Eye was Pegasus, and it was supposedly stolen by someone." Yugi said. "Shadi came looking for this person and ran into me. I guess whoever did this wasn't found."

Marik didn't look happy, and said, "This sounds like the work of the dark spirit that is within your friend, Bakura. During the time I sought revenge against you, Bakura had approached me for my item. Where 'is' Bakura, by the way?"

Joey shrugged, "There's times he'll show up, and other times he wont."

"We kinda assume maybe it's the other evil Bakura making him go somewhere else. We just got used to him not being around 1/2 the time." Tristan added.

"Fools! If we have no idea of Bakura's location, then Kaiba may have all ready gotten to him, by now!" Marik stated.

Yugi answered, "We'll head over to Kaiba's, now. Maybe I can talk some sense into him before he does something crazy. I just can't imagine that Kaiba would even want the items. What could he possibly use them for?"

"The High Priest Set was originally obsessed by the loss of the woman he loved. He was determined to bring her back, no matter what the cost. Perhaps the loss of Kaiba's brother had triggered this event to unfold. Whatever the reasons are....I can only hope he is stopped in time." Ishizu answered.

'Kaiba....no. I should have known he'd try something extreme. But, trying to obtain Millennium Items?' "Right." Yugi nodded. He turned to the others, saying, "Let's go....we'll head to Kaiba Corp."

"Wait a minute!" Tea said, stopping them from going. Tea turned to Marik and Ishizu, saying, "Just one question. You said this Set guy tried to bring back someone he cared for. Could he succeed in bringing back the dead?"

Ishizu looked sad from Tea's question. "Yes....he could. But, to open the door to the dead is to open a Pandora's Box. The dead would walk the land, and the sealed Shadow Magic would be released, as well. He must be stopped, Tea."

Tea looked down. "Oh...."

Yugi put a hand on Tea's shoulder. "I assumed that if Ishizu is right, Kaiba still only has good intentions in mind. It'll be hard for all of us to know he can't bring Mokuba back. But, we have to make him understand. I know Mokuba wouldn't want all this to happen, just for him. Come on....let's go."

Tea smiled. "Yeah....you're right, Yugi."

As they left, Marik said, "Perhaps this time, with the Pharaoh alive, such devastation will not take place as it had in the past."

"....either that, or the presence of the nameless Pharaoh may even help ensure the destruction of everything." Ishizu added, with concern.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Bakura left the car by himself, as a limp arm remained dangling out of the side of the car's rear seat. He approached the doors where two guards stood, who immediately opened the doors for him once he arrived. Inside, another guard lead Bakura to the elevator, which lead to the room where Kaiba was to meet with him.

Kaiba watched as the elevator opened and Bakura came out, while yet another body from one of his guards lay on the floor dead. Kaiba glanced down at the guard, crossed his arms with annoyance and looked over at Bakura. "You have some sort of problem with escorts?"

"I prefer my breathing space....and they get in my way. But, let's skip the pleasantries. I was told you have something that I want." Bakura then grinned evilly down at the Millennium Ring pointing right directly towards Kaiba. "And from the way my Millenium Ring is reacting....you obviously have it with you, now."

Kaiba reached behind his back, and drew forth the Millennium Rod. "You mean, 'this'?"

Bakura's eyes widened in instant shock. "You....you've been using it. Your power is greater than it should be." Then with an evil grin, he said, "So....let's get down to business. You haven't truly wanted me here to give this item to me, did you? What is it that you 'really' want....my soul?"

"Hmph....not my interest." Kaiba snorted. "Actually, I was told you have something that I'm looking for. I believe you recall the Eye that Pegasus used….I want it."

Bakura looked amused. "Is that so? And what makes you think I would have it?"

At that moment, Pegasus casually walked out from another room and crossed his arms, silently watching the exchange of words. Bakura noticed his presence, and muttered, "Oh....I see." Bakura then laughed, stating, "Who would have thought that two heated enemies would attempt to join forces? So, what could Pegasus possibly be offering you in order to give him his Eye back? Perhaps your brother's soul?"

"It's not for him." Kaiba answered, with a hint of a smile.

Bakura raised an eyebrow, thinking for a moment. 'Could the Priest know the secret of obtaining all the Millennium Items? It can't be. Besides....he was always so loyal to the Pharaoh. It doesn't make sense. Perhaps Pegasus is manipulating him. Yet, the priest is not one to be so easily manipulated. Maybe the loss of his brother has blinded him. That must be it. The fool....'

Bakura smirked. "You understand it will do you no good. You were not chosen to wield it."

"What do you care?" Kaiba asked. "Here's the deal....you want the Rod, I want the Eye. We Duel to see who's worthy of getting the prize. Agreed? If I lose, the Rod is yours."

"Agreed." Bakura answered. Of course, he knew to defeat Kaiba was to defeat someone with a monster that could defeat a god. 'Perhaps, earlier than I anticipated....but I'm sure I can do it. I would have to eventually, anyway.'

"Then, show me your end of the deal." Kaiba demanded.

Bakura brought forth the Eye. At the sight of it, Kaiba nodded....and in the background, an evil grin formed on Pegasus' face. 'Soon, Kaiba-boy....everyone will get exactly what they want.'

x-x-x-x-x-x-x

It was a harsh struggle between Kaiba and Bakura. For the longest time, it looked like Kaiba was losing. But when he summoned his Ultimate Dragon, Bakura's monsters weren't strong enough to stop it, especially with the magic and trap cards Kaiba added on to protect his mighty beast.

With a final blast from his Ultimate Dragon, Bakura was tossed across the room of this Shadow Game, and his life points were reduced to 0....he had lost.

Bakura cried out, "Nooooo!" Before the magic of the Millennium Ring came to life and he was sucked back within it. Ryou lay there stunned and confused, not knowing what was going on.

Kaiba approached and bent down, saying, "I'll take that, if you don't mind." Picking up the Eye.

"Uh....okay." Ryou blankly said.

Kaiba then graciously helped Ryou up and slipped the ring off Ryou's neck. "I think we'll take this off for now, as well. Don't worry....I really don't want this thing. But, I don't want anymore 'casualties' with my security, either."

"What?" Ryou asked, and followed Kaiba's line of sight to see a security guard laying on the floor of the elevator. "Oh, my! Did the ring do that? I am so sorry! I....I don't know what to do."

"Don't worry about it. I'm not blaming you. Roland will escort you back to the limo and take you home. And try not to talk to Yugi about this incident. I wouldn't want him to think you've been wandering around murdering people, after all." Kaiba said to him, hoping that would be enough to keep him quiet.

"No....I suppose not." Ryou said, looking down in guilt.

"Roland!" Kaiba ordered. When the man arrived, he said, "Take him home."

"Yes, Mr. Kaiba." Roland answered, and led Ryou out of the room.

Kaiba now approached Pegasus. He handed the ring for him to hold onto, since it was no use to him. Kaiba then showed him their prize....the Eye.

Pegasus was giddy with excitement. "We're so close, love. Soon....Mokuba will be part of your family again!"

Kaiba brought his hand to Pegasus's face, answering, "And so will you." Locking lips with his. Kaiba pulled away, and added, "I really have no way of paying you back, when we succeed."

Pegasus smiled up at him. "Being with you is payment enough...."