New Chapter!!! Sorry I didn't update last week. I had serious writers block and so I needed a break. I want to thank all my reviewers for reviewing. You all keep me inspired.
Special thanks to Shadowfoxninja for grammar check on last chapter. You'll be happy to know I actually pre-read this entire chap. I love to know what I need to work on!!
Also big thanks and kudos to Dragonlady222! You are the greatest reviewer!!! You've reviewed on nearly every chapter on all my stories and I greatly appreciate it!
Anyways, on with the story!! The title I'm sure will make you all happy (people who were upset I didn't put Yami in last chapter.). SO ENJOY!!!!
Read and review.
/blah/ - Yami speaking.
\blah\ - Kaiba speaking to Yami
'blah' - thinking
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Second Chance Chapter: 5 Yami and the Cockroaches!
"Seto! Come on!" Mokuba shouted hurrying down the steps. Kaiba grinned at his brother's enthusiasm.
"You act as if we're going to be late." Kaiba chuckled. Mokuba put his hands on his hips and stuck out his lower lip.
"Well if you move any slower then we will be!" Mokuba replied. "To think the CEO of Kaiba Corp. late to his own tournament! That's a good image." Kaiba shook his head and slowly stepped down from the last step. "Seto!" his brother cried impatiently.
"Oh alright." Kaiba walked his normal pace toward his brother. Mokuba smiled and raced off around the corner. "Mokuba, slow down." Turning the corner himself Kaiba gasped. This wasn't his street! The road was crushed and broken. The sky had turned dark and cloudy. Buildings were caving in on themselves. Wind scattered dead leaves and debris across the street. "Mokuba?" Kaiba called. No answer.
Fear shot at the CEO's heart forcing him to walk so fast he was nearly jogging. Soon he was running. The sidewalk kept going straight. There were no turns or side streets it was just completely straight. Kaiba called for his brother again. Still no answer. Screams sprang out of the air to Kaiba's left. Turning his head he noticed an alley. Looking forward again he was shocked when he noticed he was facing a wall. Taking a deep breath he sprinted down the alley hoping his brother was in that direction.
Bright lights danced near the end on the walls. More screams rang out. Kaiba sprinted with all his might until he skidded to a halt in the middle of a street. Glancing around he saw buildings on fire; people were running in every direction in fear! Huffing Kaiba called for his brother again.
"MOKUBA!!"
"Seto." Came the soft reply. Kaiba turned around and saw his little brother standing in the front of a burning building. "I miss you." The building shifted causing debris to fall to the street.
"Mokuba get away from there!" Kaiba yelled frantically. He began to race toward his brother when all of a sudden the building blew apart! A black creature with red beady eyes and long hairy legs sprung from the earth. Hissing loudly like a snake it sprang forward toward Kaiba's little brother. Its jaws opened wide ready to devour!
"MOKUBA!!" Kaiba's eyes shot open. At first he didn't know where he was but slowly everything came rushing back. Closing his eyes frustrated the man tried to pull himself up. His hand grazed something sharp peering down Kaiba nearly fainted. "GAH!" He cried. He stared in disgust and horror at the giant bug head that lay on the ground. It was enormous, nearly the entire size of Kaiba himself. Its eyes were as big as two basketballs and its antennas were hairy. His hand had touched the pincers that were protruding form the thing's grotesque mouth along with other teeth.
"Don't worry he doesn't bite…well not anymore anyways."
He stepped back and tripped falling in something sticky. Looking down he nearly cried out again when he noticed the body of the bug leaking out its inner fluids. Quickly standing up he attempted to wipe the slime off. He pressed his non-sticky hand on his heart to steady his breathing. A low chuckle erupted in the middle of the room causing Kaiba to jump in fright.
"He's dead you can stop having a heart attack." Kaiba wheeled around at the voice. There was no one there.
"Where are you?" Kaiba rasped. His voice had gone dry from his initial fright.
"Open your eyes and not your mouth and maybe you could see me." The person replied. The voice sounded familiar but Kaiba couldn't pin point it. The room was extremely dark. The only source of light was from a small hole in the top of the ceiling. Glancing Kaiba could make out a dark silhouette of a person standing in the corner.
"Who are you?" Kaiba questioned his voice returning.
"Who am I? The question is who are you? You're the intruder not me." The man replied calmly.
"I'm nobody to be concerned about." Kaiba remarked. He wasn't sure if he could trust this person so he was determined to give the man as little information as possible.
"Oh, come now. I'm just curious." The person moved and disappeared deeper into the shadows. "It's not everyday I get a visitor. Unless you count the cockroaches, but they aren't very good at having a conversation." That voice sounded really familiar! Kaiba dug deep into his brain and tried to think whom it belonged too.
"If you step so I can see your face I'll answer your questions." Kaiba answered warily. The man chuckled to Kaiba's right sending cold shivers up his spine.
"If you wish." There was a swoosh and Kaiba came face to face with walking shadow. It held the shape of a man but there was no face or any features of the like. Kaiba leaped in fear connecting his back to the wall. "I'm afraid I'm not much to look at, but I'm still working on the details. Now, answer my question." Suddenly it clicked.
"Yami!" Kaiba breathed shocked.
"Excuse me?" The shadow replied confused.
"About time! I finally found you!" Kaiba cried happily.
"Who are you?" Yami demanded. His tone had suddenly changed from curiosity to wary and defensive. "And how do you know my name?"
"You can't recognize me?" Kaiba questioned. He suddenly realized his outfit was covering his face. "It's me, Kaiba!"
"That's not possible. Kaiba died nearly three thousand years ago." Yami replied angrily. Kaiba could see that Yami wasn't going to believe him easily. He tried to come up with a way to prove he is who said he is. "I don't know how you got in here or who you are but you better speak fast before I blow a hole right through your chest!"
"I got sucked in by that door of yours, that's how I got in here. As for who I am I already told you. I-am-Se-to-Kai-ba." Yami flicked his hand and a purple mist shot from his fingertips and wrapped around Kaiba's body squeezing him till he could barely breathe. Kaiba could have kicked himself for being so stupid.
"I'm not a fan of liars, especially those who bring up a painful past. You've got one last chance to tell the truth." Yami growled. His voice grew dark as he threatened the man. Kaiba coughed as he tried to writher free.
"I'm telling you…the truth!" Kaiba choked. "I can…prove it!"
"Then prove it." Yami replied tightening the grip on the man's body.
"Ask me anything! What is something only I…er…Kaiba would…know." Kaiba suggested. His vision began to grow hazy from the lack of oxygen. Yami stared at him for a while as he thought of a question.
"Who was my hikari?" Yami challenged.
"Yugi Mutou!" Kaiba rasped. The shadow shifted in surprise, but then it seemed to grow darker as it thought. This couldn't be Seto Kaiba. He died! He was an old man! This guy was too young. His eyes may be the same and his voice may still have the same richness, but Yami refused to believe he could still be alive. Kaiba choked and gasped for air. It felt like his ribs were being crushed under a ton of bricks.
"That was an easy question." Yami growled thinking harder. The shadow seemed to shift its weight and then it stood straight up. Kaiba coughed as darkness began to creep in. "What is my real name?" Yami asked slowly. Kaiba had to think for a moment. To him that memory was only fifty some years ago. Searching his brain he remembered.
"A-Atemu." Kaiba gasped. The purple wisps disappeared. He slumped to the ground choking for air. Yami flickered and disappeared. A flash of white light erupted into the corner. Kaiba walked carefully toward the glow minding the scattered bug parts on the floor.
"Yami?" Kaiba called. The light dimmed revealing the one thing Kaiba had been searching for, the Millennium Puzzle. Stepping forward he grasped the golden object in his hands. A light brighter than the one before shot out of the eye enveloping Kaiba in its brightness. The room spun and everything disappeared. Kaiba gripped harder on the item to help save his balance. Wind rushed around his body ripping at his clothes. Kaiba felt something snap in his brain. A rush of pain filled his head causing him to gasp. When the pain grew so intense and Kaiba began to rock back and forth on his feet everything stopped. The room came back into focus, the wind and the light stopped, and the pain in his head disappeared. Kaiba shook his head confused and when he looked down the puzzle was safely hung around his neck. "Yami?"
/I would run if I were you, Kaiba. / Yami's voice spoke in his head. A soft skittering noise was heard behind him. Kaiba turned around.
"I thought you said it was dead." Kaiba whispered.
/I said that one was dead. / The cockroach hissed low in its throat as it stared with it's giant eyes. Kaiba slowly inched to the left never leaving eye contact with the bug.
"Um…" The cockroach snapped its pinchers and charged forward. Kaiba dodged to the side. The cockroach rammed its head into the wall with a sickening smack. Kaiba leaped over a fallen case and sprinted toward the door. The roach hissed and began to follow after. Kaiba ran blindly through the dark tripping over debris and slipping in bug guts.
/It's catching up. / Yami chuckled.
"Shut up! You're not helping the situation!" Kaiba yelled angrily. A light protruded from the puzzle's eye.
/Happy now/ Kaiba didn't answer. He lunged at the door and flew it open. Ben stared at him incredulously, his arms filled with objects.
"There you are! I've been looking all over for…" Kaiba rushed passed him with a panicked expression on his face. "What's wrong with you?"
"RUN!" Kaiba yelled.
"What? Why?" Kaiba turned around in time to see the giant bug crash through the wall and grasp Ben with its pinchers. Kaiba gagged in horror as he watched Ben scream and then be ripped in half.
/Oh, sucks to be him. / Yami spoke. Kaiba took off out of the museum putting as much space as he possibly could from him and the feeding cockroach.
Kaiba continued to run as fast as he could until he reached the city park. Dropping to his knees in exhaustion he gripped the street sign pole in fear.
"I can't believe that just happened." Kaiba muttered. His limbs shook from the adrenaline. "I hated the guy with a passion, but that was just wrong."
/Life moves on. / Yami replied with little interest. Kaiba opened his mouth to retort, but the honking of a jeep interrupted him. /Oh look; there's more of you/
"Kaiba! You alright? Where's Ben?" Duke cried leaping out of the door. Kaiba stood up shakily and glanced briefly at the direction he had come from.
"He's dead."
"Damn it! I knew one of us should have gone with him! He got too cocky!" Joey yelled angrily slamming his fist down on the hood of the car. Kaiba felt a sensation of shock pass through his heart. He could feel Yami staring at Jonouchi's reincarnation.
"How did you know to get over here?" Kaiba asked suddenly.
"You're and Ben's heart rate sky rocketed. Then Ben called over the radio that you were missing and he couldn't contact you." Duke replied shrugging. A beeping red light suddenly popped up in all of their goggles.
"We need to go." Joey announced quickly. As if on cue a large roach smashed through the side of a building followed by three others. Their antennas twitched at the smell of food. The men jumped into the jeep. Duke squealed the tires as he hit the gas.
"Shit!" Joey cried as he looked at the radar. "There's more of 'em!"
/They're probably all re-ally hungry, too. / Yami chuckled.
\You're enjoying this aren't you? \ Kaiba thought back disgustedly.
/Absolutely. /
Duke gripped the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles were pure white. They rocked around as the turned corners and thudded over debris. Joey stared at the radar intently. His brows were furrowed and his teeth were gritted together.
"They're catching up!" Joey announced.
"I'm going as fast as I can without flipping us over!" Duke barked in frustration.
"Then open the back!" Joey growled. Duke flipped a switch near the gearshift and the back of the jeep slowly opened. Kaiba gripped the seat in front of him as he looked back. Multiple cockroaches were following so close if they were to leap they could reach. They scuttled over the buildings and broke through heaps of garbage and walls.
"What are you doing?" Kaiba called over the wind that was rushing through the vehicle.
"Getting my revenge!" Joey replied as he climbed over his seat. He hopped in the back with Kaiba and kneeling down on the floor he pressed a few buttons on a keypad that was hidden beneath the chair. A small compartment slid open to reveal a very, very large weapon. Joey lifted it up and positioned himself so he was laying flat on the ground with the gun over his shoulder. "You see them cartridges in the bottom there?"
"Yeah."
"Give me one!" Kaiba grabbed the box shaped cartridge and handed it to Joey. He shoved it snuggly in its compartment and released the safety on the weapon. Shifting slightly he moved the eyepiece so he could see. "I suggest you cover your ears!"
Pulling the trigger a barrage of bullets shot out of the gun. Kaiba watched with a sick fascination as they connected with the mutant insects. Green fluid spurted out of the wounds as the roaches hissed in agony. Joey aimed and shot one in the eye. It popped like a balloon and the creature slipped and fell to the ground and was trampled over by its fellow insects. Joey slapped Kaiba on the thigh directing for another cartridge. Kaiba handed over another and soon a volley of metal flew through the air. Another bug was shot down, but was soon replaced by its sister. Joey continued to fire and Kaiba continued to hand him cartridges, but no matter how many roaches he seemed to kill they were immediately replaced by another, sometimes by two or three. They gun fire pushed the bugs back slightly but not far.
"Hold on!" Duke called. The jeep jolted and Joey went airborne.
"GAH!!" Joey cried. He rolled out of the jeep losing the gun in the process. Kaiba reached out with one hand to grab him while the other held onto the side of the vehicle. "Pull me up! PULL ME UP!!!" Kaiba attempted to pull him up, but the jeep jolted again sending Kaiba nearly careening over the side as well. Joey's feet were now skidding on the ground and Kaiba was suspended halfway on the back of the car and the other half above the ground.
"DUKE!" Kaiba called. But Duke couldn't hear them. Kaiba looked back and noticed the roaches gaining. Panic whirled through his head as he desperately tried to hold onto the jeep and Joey at the same time.
/Looks like you're in trouble. / Yami laughed. His spirit suddenly appeared sitting on the back of the jeep looking down at the terrified men. He was dressed in his Egyptian attire. Kaiba glared at him.
"Help us out!" He yelled.
/Now that's no fun. / Yami replied smirking. Kaiba noticed that the pharaoh's eyes didn't hold the same care and love they used, too. They were darker and held anger and satisfaction instead.
"Yami!" Kaiba roared. Yami placed his chin in his hand and smiled.
/What/
"Help us out!"
/Why should I. You all left me in that museum to rot for three thousand years and you suddenly expect me to help you/
"You're still mad at me?!" Kaiba questioned perplexed.
/I don't know?/ Yami spoke. He tapped his finger on his chin in a thinking gesture. Kaiba turned back and saw that the cockroaches were even closer. He could hear their hisses above the wind and the cries of a slipping Joey.
"Joey hold on!" Kaiba cried. Joey's hands were beginning to slide from Kaiba's grasp.
"Easier said than done!" Joey shot back. Kaiba turned back toward the spirit.
"Please, Yami!" Kaiba pleaded desperately.
/Just a minute I'm still contemplating if I'm still mad at you./ Yami smirked. Kaiba closed his eyes in frustration. His strength was leaving him he couldn't hold on much longer. Taking a deep breath he spoke.
"I'm sorry." Kaiba muttered.
/What was that? That almost sounded like an apology!/
"I'm sorry!" Kaiba yelled angrily. Yami stood up and smiled.
/Works for me./ Yami disappeared. Kaiba suddenly felt a strong ancient power surge through his body. There was a flash of light and the next thing he knew he and Joey were thrown back in the jeep. The puzzle vibrated against Kaiba's chest and suddenly a bolt of blackness shot from the eye. Kaiba and Joey watched in amazement as a giant monster appeared.
"Slifer." Kaiba whispered shocked. The red dragon flew into the air and roared. It opened its lower mouth and with a great inhale it spit out a giant stream of fire. The roaches hissed and screeched as they burned, withered, and died. The dragon let out a final roar and disappeared in a puff of smoke.
"What da hell was that?" Joey questioned shocked. They both looked down at the golden upside down pyramid. It's light faded and disappeared. "Kaiba, what's goin' on?"
"I don't know."
The jeep finally came to a halt at the ship. Kaiba and Duke jumped out and had to help Joey since his legs and been brutally beaten.
"You idiot! Learn to drive!" Joey yelled angrily at Duke.
"I told you to hold on!" Duke shot back. There was more relief in his voice than anger that his best friend was still alive. They gently set Joey down on the ground and examined his wounds. It was obvious that his left leg had been broken. His shoes had probably saved his feet considering the entire toe of one of the shoes had been torn completely off.
"He's going to need a doctor." Kaiba spoke.
"Yeah, you'll be lucky not to lose your legs!" Duke replied shaking his head.
"What!" Joey cried suddenly afraid. "I ain't gonna lose my legs, huh uh! Am I? Hold on now don't you ignore me! Am I going to lose my legs? Duke you bastard …" He continued to rant even after they strapped him into his seat. Duke drove the jeep back into the ship and Kaiba stood staring at the outside through the ship window. Joey watched him cautiously.
"You positive Ben's dead?" Joey questioned.
"Unless you can suddenly reattach a mans head then yes." Kaiba replied grumpily. He couldn't tell whether he should be happy or extremely angry. He had found the puzzle, but at the cost of another man's life. He apologized to the pharaoh, but was nearly killed by doing so. Yami wasn't as he remembered him. He was much darker and full of anger. What had happened to him?
"What is that thing?" Joey asked wincing as he tried to shift to a more comfortable position. Kaiba stared at the item that hung around his neck.
"A family heirloom." He replied.
"What?! But you've got amnesia you can't possibly know that!" Joey answered confused.
"I remembered suddenly after I saw the building." Kaiba explained. "It was a very important piece of heritage in my family until all this happened." He directed toward the destroyed land. "We've been searching for it ever since."
"I have a real hard time believing you." Joey replied narrowing his eyes cautiously at the ex-CEO.
"Is it as hard as believing in that dragon that just saved your life?" Kaiba questioned raising an eyebrow. Joey sagged back in his chair and sighed.
"I suppose not. I'll believe anything after that."
"Good." The two sat there silently for a moment. Joey continued to stare at the puzzle as he allowed his brain to process the little information he could.
"Well, if that is yours, like you said, then I'd hide it before they find out about it or they'll take it away." Joey spoke tiredly. Kaiba gripped the rope that secured it around his neck.
"What do you have in mind?"
"There's a secret compartment underneath the cushion in your seat." Joey smirked. "I use it sometimes to smuggle pieces I've found. When we land hide it in your jacket. It's a little bulgy but hardly noticeable if you do it right." Kaiba lifted the cushion of his seat and hid the puzzle in the little open square area. Replacing the top he sat down and pretended nothing had happened. Joey chuckled slightly.
"This day sucks." Kaiba muttered. He sighed and leaned his back against the seat. His arms hurt from the jeep ride and his head was pounding. When that dragon had appeared it felt as if his body had been sucked of its strength.
"Yeah it does. I kinda feel bad for Ben, but I guess he had it comin'. Pegasus is goin' to be pissed when we return, though. That's the third guy in a month that's been killed." Joey sighed and closed his eyes. "Oh well, right now I really don't care. I hurt, I'm tired, and I just saw the weirdest thing ever. I think I officially deserve a nap." Kaiba smirked as Joey fell asleep. Duke a moment later walked in and slumped in the captain's chair.
"I need a vacation." He mumbled. Sitting up he strapped his self in and started the engine. About ten minutes later they took off toward the station. Kaiba closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. There was a sudden weird sensation that poked at the corner of Kaiba's mind. It reminded him of someone knocking. Not sure what to do he imagined opening a door. Yami suddenly appeared in front of him, a smirk plastered on his face.
/Well that was fun./ Yami commented. Kaiba glared at him angrily.
\Go away.\ Kaiba growled. Yami let out a low chuckle.
/Not going to happen./ Yami replied. /I'm afraid the puzzle has chosen you for its wielder./
\Peachy.\ Kaiba muttered. He then scowled at the spirit in confusion. \I thought I had to be wearing the puzzle or be near it or something to talk to you.\
/Kaiba, I'm underneath your butt. I'm not that far away. But yes you're right. I have to be near you to talk to you and you have to be wearing the puzzle to invoke its powers or to allow me to posses you./ Yami grinned at Kaiba's expression when he mentioned possessing. /Don't worry, I wont without your permission./
\Like you're ever going to get it.\ Kaiba replied. Yami grinned and stared at the ex-CEO for a moment. He had taken the mask off and the goggles. Yami could now clearly see his face. As he looked he noticed his eyes seemed to hold a bit of wisdom in their blue depths. \I know I'm pretty, but you don't need to stare.\ Yami snorted and looked away.
/Well, there's no question now that you are Seto Kaiba./
\But there is question as to if you really are Yami.\
/What?!/ Yami spoke confused. /How would I be anyone else?/
\I don't know, but you definitely aren't the same person I knew all those years ago.\ Kaiba replied. Yami's eyes went from crimson to a dark blood red. Kaiba shifted uneasily under the pharaoh's gaze.
/I've been sitting in a room with cockroaches for three thousand years devoid of human contact. If you were in my position you'd be a little different too./ Yami growled defensively.
\Maybe, but you seem angry not insane.\ Kaiba replied. Yami snorted and glared out the window. He looked like he was remembering something. His glare suddenly passed and turned into a sorrowful expression. He looked down and his feet and mumbled something before he disappeared.
/I've seen too much./
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Finally, Yami has come into the picture and my mutant cockroaches! I hope you all like it. Next chapter will be soon. I just have to get rid of this nasty cold that's disrupting my brain thoughts. Please review!! It's always nice to know what you all think.
Tootles!!
-Tragedyluver