YUGIOH

Hopeless Collisions

Chapter 20.

Joey looked like he was about to throw-up. "Okay....now this is getting 'really' sick! You're trying to say your his lover 'and' his Dad???"

The true insanity that was held within Pegasus' psyche was really starting to show on his features, as he turned to Kaiba, saying, "Don't worry, love....I'd be more than happy to be both for you. Back during Egyptian times, family members always inbred to get the purest bloodline. And since you'll be in charge of the world soon anyway, who would question you? Certainly we can work this out."

"You killed Mokuba." Kaiba hissed, not caring about anything else being said. "You're going to pay!"

Kaiba's arm now moved the Rod up, as both came to life. Again, Pegasus screamed....as his good eye rolled back into his head, and he instantly collapsed.

There was a long silence, as everyone stared down at Pegasus. Yami then looked over at Kaiba and said, "Kaiba....I'm sorry for Pegasus's deceit. Let's get these items back to Ishizu, now. She'll be relieved to know...."

"She's not getting anything, Yugi. Who said I'm done with them?" Kaiba asked.

Yami blinked. "You're not still thinking of bringing Mokuba back. You looked into Pegasus' mind! You had to have seen what will happen....what his plans were!"

"I don't care. Mokuba is all that matters. I wont fail him again." Kaiba answered.

Joey snapped, "What are you, nuts?? You're going to destroy everything!"

"I can't let you do this, Kaiba!" Yami stated, as he brought his hand out towards Joey to hand him his duel disk....preparing to challenge Kaiba in a duel.

Kaiba smiled coldly, both his eyes glowing to show the extent of power flowing through him. "You can't stop me, Yugi. You want a challenge? Challenge 'this'!"

Yami cried out as Kaiba's two items challenged his one. Yami quickly fell backwards, overpowered by the combination of them.

"Yugi!" His friends cried out, moving down to him.

Joey leaped up, saying, "That's it! No one hurts my friend and gets away with it!"

"Stupid nobody." Kaiba snapped, moving the Rod up in his direction. "Maybe you fools would like to play with these for a little bit. Let me show you what the combination of two items can do....especially after defeating the power of the Pharaoh."

A crack suddenly opened in the air, as shadowy creatures came out with glowing red eyes. Everyone backed away in fear, as Kaiba turned and walked away....laughing madly as he left.

"Get back!" Yami weakly cried out. He used the puzzle, forcing the creatures back into the crack that was still open.

But Yami looked tired and the opening was not closing. "I....can't do it!" Yami said. "I'm too weak to close it. I wont be able to keep them in there, for long. Everyone will have to get out of here...."

"Perhaps I could be of assistance." A voice hissed behind him. Suddenly the crack closed up and re-sealed itself.

Everyone turned to see it was Ryou. But he was now wearing the ring, and looking a lot more foreboding.

"It's you!" Yami said.

Bakura grinned coldly, "That's correct, Pharaoh. Kaiba was foolish enough to give Pegasus the ring for me to easily take back. Now I am free again!"

"Great, like we don't have enough problems! So, what do you want, now?" Joey snapped at him.

Bakura sneered, "You misunderstand my intentions. I have no interest in letting the priest get away with what he is doing. Even I wasn't aware of anyone that was capable nor foolish enough to use two items at the same time."

Bakura then turned to Yami, stating, "I propose a temporary truce, for now. If you need help in dealing with your priest, then I will give you that."

"Why?" Yami asked. "What's in it for you?"

"Let's just say these actions interfere with my own plans, which I will not permit! We are wasting time, here. Is it a deal, or not?" Bakura snapped.

Yami nodded. "Very well. But, Kaiba's gone, now. He could be anywhere. How do we find him?"

Bakura turned, and immediately his necklace pointed down the hall Kaiba went. "You forget that my ring is able to detect other Millennium Items. Now, let's go....time is of the essence."

Immediately, Bakura began to quickly follow the path his ring made for him, as the others followed behind.

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

"Activate the holographic systems, now." Kaiba ordered.

His security answered, "Yes, sir."

Immediately, the newly redone systems came on-line and the image of Mokuba appeared before him. "Nisama....it's so good to see you! Are you here to revive me?"

Kaiba smiled confidently at the image, as he lifted his Rod. Both items began to come to life, as he said, "That's exactly what I'm here for. We'll be together again soon, Mokuba....just hold on a little longer."

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

"It's down here...." Bakura was saying and suddenly gasped.

Even Yami felt the shock of what Bakura felt. "Such power!" Yami said.

"No....it can't be too late!" Bakura snarled and ran towards the door, with Yami close behind.

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

Kaiba could feel death itself, as he was once again challenging the spirit realm in order to take back the soul that he felt rightfully belonged to him. Kaiba was challenging the forces of nature, itself.

"Mr. Kaiba! The power may still not be enough! Our systems are threatening to overload!!" His technicians cried out to him.

Kaiba muttered quietly, "It doesn't matter, anymore." He knew, now....even if the computers blew up, he would use the will of his own power to keep that image there. Nothing was going to take Mokuba from him again.

A massive crack was opening in the air, like he had done as a distraction to keep Yugi's friends at bay. But this door wasn't simply a door to the Shadow Realm....it was a door between the dead and the living.

Both Bakura and Yami stormed in, as Yami cried, "No, stop!!"

Too late. An explosion of dead spirits came pouring from the crack he had created in the fabric of reality, smashing right through Kaiba, who fell back onto the ground.

Kaiba shook his head and looked up to see the image of Mokuba, looking down on him in concern. "Seto!" He called out to him. The computers now over-loaded and once again exploded from all around them. But the form of Mokuba remained, seeming to be see-through.

"Mokuba....." Kaiba stated, as he began to get back up.

Just then, Yami moved between them, grabbing onto his arm. "Kaiba....there is still a chance to close this thing. It's probably too powerful for both me and Bakura, combined. But if you helped....we can still stop this madness!"

Kaiba pushed him aside, snapping, "I don't give a damn about that! I didn't do all this just to lose him again!"

"Don't you understand, yet?? You can't bring one life back, without releasing every dead spirit within! You're attempt to save Mokuba will only destroy us all! Even if you do bring your brother back, the dead will destroy all life that's left....including him!" Yami argued.

Kaiba yelled, "No they wont! I won't let them harm him!"

At this time, Yugi's other friends managed to show up, but stayed at bay from all the ghosts flying around everywhere.

"Seto...." Mokuba said sadly. "Please listen to Yugi. You can't do this...."

Kaiba's eye twitched, looking madly at Mokuba. "No! I wont lose you again!"

"I'm sorry, Nisama." He said. Suddenly, Mokuba's form vanished from sight.

"Mokuba!" Kaiba cried. Assuming Mokuba was sucked back inside like before, he pointed the Millennium Rod at the crack, with full intent to drag his image back and try and force it to become solid, once again.

Again, Yami forced Kaiba's attention to him, as he snapped, "If you don't help us now, then it'll be too late. Not even 'your' new-found power will be enough to stop them! Even Mokuba doesn't want this....don't you understand that??" Yami called to him. "Besides....even with two Millennium Items, it still wont be enough to make Mokuba back alive!"

Kaiba's eyes twitched madly, concerned that maybe he was right, as he glared intently at Yami. "Is that so? Then maybe I need more power. Pegasus said you're also some ancient relative of mine. So then, if I can defeat you, I should be able to control the puzzle as well!"

"Are you insane??" Yami snapped. "Look at what those items have all ready done to you!! No one has the strength to use more than one Millennium Item at the same time. These things are destroying your sanity, your mind. Think about it, Kaiba....do you really think you're in control, anymore? It's these items that are now controlling you!"

"Ridiculous! I am in control! The power of the gods now rest within me! And after I take your puzzle, my strength will be beyond the gods! Ahahahahaha!!!"

Joey just stared from the doorway, thinking, 'Man....Kaiba's totally lost it!'

Yami grabbed him by the collar and shook him, crying, "You've got to snap out of it!!"

A glowing eye appeared on Kaiba's head as he cast Yami back across the room. "You dare try and touch me? You should be on your knees to me!"

"He is too far gone. We'll have to battle him together." Bakura said.

The others suddenly charged in, as Joey spat, "Yeah....Bakura's right, Yugi. And we'll be here routing for ya!"

"You can do this, Yugi!" Tea said.

But would it be enough? Yami knew they were all ready both defeated by Kaiba, one way or another....both weakened by Kaiba's new strength. Even combined, he and Bakura probably didn't have a chance to stop Kaiba. And if Kaiba gained his puzzle....it really would be done and over with. But, even if they did stop Kaiba....there would be no way in their weakened state to stop the dead from destroying the world.

That left Yami only one option. And maybe it could be the key to finally reaching Kaiba....if he could succeed.

Yami stated, "If you want my puzzle so much, Kaiba....then you'll have to duel me for it!"

"Why waste the time? I can challenge you directly and get the same desired affect." Kaiba sneered, lifting the Rod.

Joey was ready to charge in front of Yami, to shield him from anything Kaiba did to him. But, Yami lifted his hand to keep him back, still desperately trying to get through to Kaiba.

Yami explained, "The Kaiba I knew would never back down from a duel! Will you not challenge me? Are you afraid? The voice in your mind that commands you not to duel me....is it truly your own, or is it the combination of your Millennium Items now ruling you?"

"I all ready said I am in charge!!" Kaiba snapped, the Eye of Horus glowing dangerously on his head.

Tristan muttered, "Oh, yeah....he's just fine."

"Sure, Kaiba always has a weird glowing eyeball stuck to his forehead." Joey chimed in.

Yami stood in full confidence, and pointed to him. "Then prove it! I challenge you to a duel!! Bring your dragons forth and face me like a true duelist!"

'I will defeat him easily.'

'No....we have to make this quick for Mokuba. Take the puzzle, and you will have control over the three items that are rightfully yours. You will make the gods bow before you!'

"Kaiba....wouldn't you prefer my defeat to be from hands of your dragons? Would that not be a perfect victory for you?" Yami asked.

'A perfect victory. Yes....my victory over him has to be perfect!'

'No! He's trying to deceive you so you can't get the third item.'

'That's preposterous. The only way for me not to succeed would be if I lost the duel.'

'Exactly....you've lost to him too many times, all ready. Don't take the chance!'

Kaiba's eye suddenly widened in shock, as realization finally hit him. Yami was right....somehow these things were trying to control him. He would never believe in trying to take the safe way of defeating Yami. He'd never believe he had no chance of beating him, or that Yami was better than him. And if that wasn't his voice, then the voice in his mind wasn't his own.

The Rod slipped from Kaiba's hand, as he dropped to his knees, crying out, "Get out of my head!!"

"Kaiba...." Yami whispered. Yami then cried, "Kaiba, fight it!! You have to pull the Eye out!!"

The others quickly looked away, not wanting to see that. But, Tea then looked at the still open portal. 'But, what about these creepy ghosts? Can Yami stop this thing, himself?'

"Now, while he's distracted....we can take him down!" Bakura said evilly, pulling out a knife.

Yami stopped Bakura, saying, "You will not harm him."

"Are you insane?? If he can't regain control, we are all done for!" Bakura snapped.

Yami turned to the struggling Kaiba and said, "He'll beat this....I believe in him."