His first Blue Eyes White Dragon had been luck of the draw. In the literal sense. He had won his first tournament and the prize had been to draw a random rare card.
He had looked at his prize in wonder. Not only was it one of the most rare cards in the game, but a small shiver ran down his spine to see that it mimicked perfectly the card his brother had made for him so long ago. It was the same dragon that haunted his dreams and protected him from nightmares.
The first time he played it. . .
Well what he always said happened was that the card had just caught the light in a weird way. It was a very strong light. And the card had caught it at just the right angle.
The flash had blinded everyone in the room.
He never mentioned what he'd heard. The low rumbles and soft clicks that echoed through his mind. They had sounded strange, deep and powerful though somehow warm and encouraging.
That was when the obsession began. He vowed to collect all four dragon cards by any means possible. The idea that he was their rightful owner consumed him and there was even a trace of jealousy at the thought of anyone else laying their hands on the gorgeous creature.
The first time he tested the Blue Eyes on his holographic system only fueled the passion. The creature was beautiful as it materialized before him. The armor caught and reflected the light giving it a light blue tinge and it's bearing gave the impression of overwhelming power and grace. Then his dragon turned and he froze under the piercing gaze of it's deep blue eyes. It's gentle clicks and purr-like rumbles broke past the bounds of his mind and filled the small gaming room. It had taken all his composure to hide his surprise and continue the match. Though he was sure Mokuba had seen his shock. He never could hide anything from Mokuba, his brother knew him too well.
The only time Mokuba mentioned it, however, was a couple days later when he asked how Seto had found such wonderful sound files for the dragon. Seto never answered.
He allowed the obsession to turn dark after that point. No longer caring who he hurt in his race to possess the other cards.
The madness grew, mingling with other dark emotions until he lost his original direction completely and went so far as to tear the fourth card.
By then he was too far gone. He didn't hear as the gentle sounds turned to screeches, screams and guttural cries that shook the darkness as he ripped the card in two.
Fortunately for him, someone did hear. Someone heard the pleadings and cries of the broken creature, hurt and lost because of its master's madness. His dragon pleaded for his life and the other listened.
The other was known for his ruthlessness but the dragon's cries moved him. When Seto lost the dual, the other didn't take his life or his mind as he had done to the losers of so many other games. Instead he took the madness. He banished the dark side that had possessed the boy. The creature cried in jubilation. Seto, however, remained cold outwardly, now himself again but left to deal with the shame and embarrassment that of what he had done, the hurt and pain he had caused, and the dishonor he brought upon himself.
Seto sat alone in his room staring blankly at the dark computer screen. He had turned it off hours ago intending to sleep but hadn't been able to move. His thoughts flashed over his period of darkness and tried to reconcile what had happened in that last dual.
He didn't hear his door open but looked over as it clicked closed.
Mokuba leaned against it, unsure.
"I saw the light still on," he offered in way of an excuse for intruding on his brother's privacy. Seto had been so quiet and withdrawn lately though, and Mokuba's worrying had finally given him the courage to confront his brother about it.
He opened his mouth to say more, but then met Seto's eyes. They were open and unguarded for the first time in years and they were filled with pain.
Mokuba abandoned everything he planned to say and practically ran to comfort his brother. He took a chance and climbed into Seto's lap, wrapping his arms around him and cuddling close like he had done as a child. Not that he was all that much older now.
Seto looked surprised but didn't protest and after a moment he relaxed, accepting his brother's comfort. He wrapped his arms around Mokuba, gathering him closer and buried his face in his brother's soft hair.
They sat there for a while, enjoying each other's presence. Mokuba was the first to speak.
"It's ok Seto. Whatever is wrong, it's gonna be ok."
Seto smiled into Mokuba's hair, remembering how often he'd used those exact words on his younger sibling when times were hard. Then he turned serious again.
"I was . . . different for a while, wasn't I?"
"Yeah," Mokuba admitted softly. "But you're back now, that's all that matters."
Seto was startled when soft clicks in his head echoed the sentiment.
They were right, he realized. The darkness was gone and he finally felt like himself again. He still didn't believe in magic or possession, but damn, he did feel better. He silently admitted to himself that it had been with Yugi's help and that he might just owe the punk a favor.