Disclaimer: I do not own any of the rights to the characters of Yugioh. Thanks you Takahashi. You're the bomb.

Hey, it's really a bit sad we love to see Joey in pain, Seto in denial, and Mokuba a brat. Well, why mess up a good thing. Lets, do it. Thanks to my loyal reviewers I will write on, you guys are like dark chocolate and caramel syrup, mixed with nuts...mmmmm good...

Review, Let me know how you feel...

Recap

The guys only had seconds before Seto forced open the door and the water came flooding in. . .

Chapter 4: Despair, I defy you...

The water rushed in swiftly, but Seto had already calculated the risk, and he was prepared for the rush opening the door had caused. He dove underneath a wave and found the water freezing to his skin, causing a sharp intake of air to escape from his lungs. Riding against the small current, Seto pushed his way forward and started swimming with strong even strokes, of course he was a lst place champion swimmer. The other rescuers followed behind, saying prayers, hoping to make it through, as Seto broke the wave and surfaced. The water only rose to their chest, but the small current produced by the waves was strong. Seto believed they had to be in a lecture hall of some sort because tops of chairs in neat little rows could be scene floating above the surface. Keno spotted a partially submerge broken fire hydrant which had apparently surfaced during the quake. The fire hydrant explained the flooded room but the source and why it was there needed to be resolved. Seto hated loose ends.

Keno, one of the rescuers volunteered a suggestion which only irradiated the CEO. "Hey Kaiba, I think this confirm Pegasus's suspicions concerning the flood and the old fire engine house. A water line must have broke and its flooding the museum. If we don't stop this. The damage could destroy the entire building!"

"Quiet, it's easy to see the problem! Tell me something I don't already know. If that is all you can contribute, you are useless to me." Seto was already scanning the ceiling for a possible way out to the top floor, because the trio was standing in water chest high and it was sneakingly raising higher. "In case you haven't noticed the water is still moving and we have limited air. I suggest we find a way to climb up to the top of that ledge and hope there is a solid floor on top. Toss me a line, now!!"

The smaller rescuer, volunteered to go first because he was the lightest. Seto pitched a grappler hook up and latched it onto a ledge above them. The smaller man climbed up the rope and found solid footing to stand on. He removed the hook from the ceiling floor and secured it to a steadier beam on the wall. Bracing his feet and holding the rope, he called down for the others to climb. Seto went last, since he was the smartest of the group, he actually looked back and remembered the emergency equipment. The bags which contained the supplies and clothes needed for the mission, were floating in the water. "Damn it looks like I am the only one with brains," he thought as he fished the emergency supplies out of the dangerous water. Quickly everyone got dressed and Seto tried to reconnect with Pegasus.

Pegasus, much to the surprise of the CEO was a step ahead. "Kaiba! Kaiba answer me!"

"I'm right here, idiot. It looks like a water line has been tapped into and it will flood the building if you can't stop the flow, Pegasus. You were correct, which I find refreshing- concerning the old firehouse theory. My question to you is; What fool would build over an old existing structure without securing the foundation first? "

"Damn Kaiba, you can be such a pain in the ass. I know what you are implying and I'm not biting today. My business ethics are not the issue now. Don't bite my head off, you fool. You can use me for your personal pleasures later. First, are you all right? Second, I already have Mokuba checking blue prints. Just so you are aware, Mokuba has already attacked me and I had to retrain him physically. He'll most likely accuse me of molesting him, just to piss you off. Oh, no need to worry, we both know he's not my type, Kaiba boy."

Seto growled into the receiver, " Pegasus you are one sick bastard. So what else is new? However, I don't really care who or what your type is. Just keep your hands off my brother and any details concering your sex life you can keep to yourself. I don't want to hear about, got it."

"Oh . . . Kaiba- boy you wound me . I thought you cared, old man. Mm . . . I wonder who has your cold, cold heart. Oh yeah, I mean ice cold heart. They do call you 'ice man.'"

"PEGASUS!!!!!!"

"Ok, Kaiba I will get back to the issue..."Ohh, but I love it when you talk dirty. Ok, . . . Your assumptions are correct. Directly underneath the museum there is a large water vein which is connected to the city power source. That is why the current is so strong. It appears the contractors tapped into it as a sneaky and cheap way to use water, which they were not going to pay for. I'm having it cut off at the source. It should take about fifteen minutes before it will be under control. Mokuba is pretty good at hacking into private computer system, naughty, naughty, Kaiba boy. What other tricks have you been teaching the kid? Anyway, the issue still remains concerning the water already in the building. I need to know exactly what your present location is. You are placing yourself in danger because of the flooding and the city is expecting more tremors. Kaiba, Kaiba are you listening to me, you have got to get out of the building!!"

"Do you think I came here because I wanted to be trapped in a building which is flooded and falling down around me at very turn? Of course, I need to get out of here, so do your job, or do I have to come up there and instruct you in person."

"Oh. . . we could have cheese and wine snacks, yes that would be lovely. Of course I know how important this is Seto Kaiba. Why else did you call me. But you are just to damn tense, calm down" barked Pegasus.

Seto didn't understand 'calm down,' he didn't operate like that. Listen, Max, just find where Joey is and fast. Talk to Mokuba, maybe he can remember something else before the fall. You claim to know all the secrets that surround the construction of this old piece of junk, well open up your loonie toon head and unplug your mind. I should have never agreed to Mokuba and Joey coming here in the first place."

"All right, Kaiba, can you describe the room, you are in?"

"Pegasus, this isn't a tour, I don't have the patience or time for this. Ok, I see Western style paintings and broken statues of horses, deers, and buffalos. Oh and a big hole in the ceiling." He was getting very impatient and needed to move this project on. "Listen we are going to try and see what's on the other side of this door."

"Kaiba, stop, wait just a damn second. Ok... I got it...Don't open the door! That area sounds like the section Mokuba said was completely cut off and separated by neither a floor or ceiling. If you open the door, its most likely going to be nothing but air on the other side. I believe you are on the opposite side of the split both Mokuba and Joey fell through. You have to go up and around so you won't fall victim to the same thing. You should be able to come out on the other side and that is just above the vent that they climbed out of." Pegasus wiped his brow and turned to Mokuba with a worried look on his face. Mokuba who was busy typing on his portable laptop didn't notice the man. Pegasus smiled and hoped Seto would have the chance to see his brother again. It was a known fact Mokuba hated the 'Toon Master' with a passion, so Seto kept the relationship shared with him a secret. Yet Pegasus really care for the little Kaiba and wish him well. He would aid Seto in finding Joey and hopefully heal a few open wounds along the way.

"Ok, men, you heard Pegasus, lets go, and I don't want any mistakes." Using the same technique, the three men climbed up another floor and luckily landed in a room with solid flooring, or at least enough to stand on. But the door Pegasus described was blocked. It would take an army of soldiers to move the ceiling that now rested in front of the door, blocking their only avenue of escape.

"Pegasus, the door is blocked. There has to be another way out of this room. Find it and now!" Hollered Seto.

"If you are in the area I believe you to be in, you only need climb through the air shaft and I think you should find Joey. I am picking up vital signs registering on your laptop which is being transmitted to me. Look at the screen to the upper right. I have programed a small system which records concentrations of heat. Can you see the red dot on the monitor in front of you?"

In his mad desire to escape the water and climbing up to the next floor, Seto had forgotten about the small hand held computer in question. He reached inside his water proof pocket and withdrew the item. Flipping it open, Seto quickly located the three dots which represented his party and off to the right he could see a small solitary dot . 'My god could that really be Joey. They were close.'

"Seto, can you find the shaft, it should be along the wall. Shafts are usually hidden behind curtains or pictures in all the rooms. I remember Mokuba said they followed a rat through one."

"Yes, I can see it." Whispered the CEO, as he turned his head back to the computer and watched the lone dot it continued to flash but not as brightly as the others, could this mean anything? 'Joey, Mokuba's friend, my mutt. Why is my heart racing now as I think about him trapped?' The feeling was unnatural to Kaiba, and he felt very uncomfortable. The CEO's thoughts drifted, thinking about Joey, as Pegasus snapped him back to the present with his low voice.

"Seto, I need to tell you something. Joey's life readings are not very strong moving. I fear Joey could be. . . . Oh! . . . Mokuba I didn't know you were there." Pegasus flinched and covered up the monitor hiding it from Mokuba. It seems he had been hovering behind his back and listening to the conversation with Kaiba.

"What are you saying about Joey? What are you trying to hide from me? Damn it, Pegasus, what have you done?! If you have hurt my brother. Tell me, tell me!" Mokuba could read people just like his brother and he really did not trust Pegasus. When Pegasus started to whisper and speak low, Mokuba began to get suspicious.

Seto could hear Mokuba's raised voice and he realized the two were in a battle. "I don't have time for this, Joey's life is on the line and they are foolishly fighting." Seto hoisted his body up into the shaft with the aid of Keno and tentatively climbed inside the narrow structure. Damn, it was dark and damp, probably moisture from the air conditioner. Grumbling to no one in particular he started to back out and explain the new plan, the ground suddenly started to shake.

Keno reached in and grabbed Kaiba's leg pulling him out before he got trapped in the small tunnel. Moments passed as everyone held their breath. "Everyone Ok?!" asked Kaiba.,"Pegasus,! Mokuba are you all right?." Fear clouded his words as he waited for an answer.

"Nii-sama, I'm Ok." Mokuba was just frighted, Suddenly his hatred of Pegasus did not mean anything anymore. His concern for Joey and his brother rattled his soul. 'Please be ok, Joey, you have the art show, and you have me. Please God, don't take Joey away. I . . . . I know it is selfish to ask, but he understands me, and he's my first real friend. I love him so much.' Mokuba squeezed his eyes tightly together and tried to remember Joey's face. The image he pictured in his mind only filled him with more despair. Joey looked so still and his eyes were black holes, Mokuba screamed.

Quickly Roland rushed to Mokuba's side, shaking him gently out of the daze he had slipped into. Pegasus, torn between the situations unfolding; Mokuba's shock and Joey missing, had to make a decision on what to do first. He grabbed the laptop which had fallen on the ground and punched in the necessary codes to locate the boy. "Seto, you have to listen. I fear the worst, I don't have a reading on Joey anymore. He spoke quietly and without emotion. "Seto, I don't know where Joey is, after that last shake his life dot has vanished from the screen. You have got to think about yourself and Mokuba now. You have to face the fact that he might be. . ."

"What Pegasus? Say it . . . No, you're a coward . . . Just as I thought . . . . There is nothing to say, so don't. Don't ever say those words. Get Mokuba on the line, now." Mokuba, leaning on Roland walked over to the white haired man, still angry and set down on the opposite side of the table. The three waited in silence for Kaiba to speak.

Kaiba knew they were not going to like his words, people rarely did. It was not necessary to understand just to do exactly what he wanted without question. Those were Kaiba's laws and damn to those that didn't understand the facts of life. Well class was in session starting right now.

"Mokuba, Pegasus, you are both a huge disappointment to me, fighting at a time like this. Why are you acting like a pair of useless idiots? Enough! There is only one matter that should be on everybody's mind. It appears Roland is the only sane person worth talking too," he paused to allow his every thought to sink inside.

Pegasus I don't need any red dots to tell me Joey is alive. Yes, alive those were the words you were afraid to say, or not. I am sending your men back, they are only slowing me down. I can handle this from here by myself. I will be going forward through the shaft and down the hole . Joey should be on the other side. Now if the two of you can regain the use of one tenth of your brain cells, I could use a little help. However, if you can't be of any more help to me go and Mokuba, you can set in a corner somewhere, and continue to feel sorry for yourself or let me do my job in peace. Well, what is it going to be?'

Neither spoke, simple because everything the CEO said was true. It only took a moment for Mokuba to register exactly what his brother meant by the words 'I'm going in.' Mokuba immediately panicked.

"Nii-sama, please think about it, maybe there is another way." He turned to the man presumed to be his enemy, pleading. "Pegasus you've got to help him. What if he gets trapped in there, Pegasus. The tremors could start up again. Seto, I don't want to lose you to." His words were rushed and he was having a hard time talking and breathing. "No my God, this just can't be happening." Mokuba grabbed Pegasus suit jacket and started to shake him violently. It wasn't done with hatred this time, the boy was just scared.

"Seto, Mokuba is right. It's to dangerous. Just give me a minute. I'll find another way. " Pegasus turned back to his computer, with Mokuba clinging to his back. The boy was completely out of control and in shock.

Seto's heart hurt for his brother, but he had to think of Joey first, somewhere lost and alone in this hell. Joey had saved Mokuba's life. "We don't have a minute, have you forgotten why I am here. I'm going in. I've made up my mind."

"Seto, Nii-sama, DONT!!!...Mokuba screamed sliding down Pegasus back. Roland came over and kneeled down beside the distraught youth. Mokuba didn't care what they thought of his actions. He only knew the fear had returned that he might not ever see his brother again.

Pegasus, looked down at the youth trying to hold back the tears. He wanted to comfort Mokuba but stopped and decided Mokuba would resent being so helpless in his face. Besides Roland could help him better right now. His job had not changed he had to help Kaiba. So he returned to the monitor and searched for a different escape route. 'Where in the hell was Joey's red dot, was he still alive? Seto was so sure, so he had to believe in him too. 'Ok, Seto I'm with you, I'll find a way out.'

The two men helped Kaiba back up into the shaft and pushed supplies behind him. It was obvious this is where their journey ended. Kaiba had little faith in anyone, other than Mokuba, so he dismissed them. It was just too dangerous.

He told them to leave. However these men were soldiers and they decided to stay on for a while just in case, he was indeed successful and needed to report information to Pegasus.

Inch by inch the CEO crawled through the passage and found a small beam of light ahead. Slowly he opened the vent which led to the other room and hoped his foot would find solid ground.

For a moment Kaiba thought he heard voices, but he attributed the sounds to the constant stress from his job and the current situation.

mean while

Pegasus looked up and a small smirk appeared on his face, it had taken less than two minutes to find another way out. He attempted to reach the party, but he was to late. Seto had cut off communication, and entered the vent on his own. ' Seto, why couldn't you just wait one more minute.' Pegasus put his head down between his legs and sighed. It was a long time since he felt any emotions for anyone. Funny someone he tried to destroy gave him back his heart. 'Be safe my Kaiba-boy.'

Luck followed the CEO and he was able to stand, some would later say, 'he was a saint.' Walking around the ledge with his supplies now stung over his shoulder Seto searched for clues. Maybe Joey had fallen out of range of the monitor after the last shock.

All Kaiba could see in front of him was a black hole and a criss- cross network of beams. It looked like ceilings and floors had fallen away and you could see miles down into another world. To the CEO it could have been hell's mouth, open waiting to devour its victims. If Joey was caught up in that maze, it would be next to impossible to find him. Damn it, where do I go now. In despair he fell to his knees and rubbed his dirty hands through his hair. Eyes burning with anger and sweat, he wanted to claw out the images and find relief. Seto almost gave in to hopelessness, but instead the great pride he felt took control of his mind and body.

'This just can't be the end. I promised Mokuba I would find him, and I, Seto Kaiba will. This is bullshit, and I will not give in to it, never . . .' He wiped away debris which had fallen in his eyes and looked through the maze one more time. This time he pushed self-doubt, on the back burner of his mind. To many people were depending on him. 'I am a Kaiba, and this is not the end,' he thought. Seto moved around the ledge, there appeared to have been more light coming from this new angle. He flattened his body on the floor and peered over a dangerously hanging beam, then something shiny caught his eye. 'What's that . . . could it be . . . please God . . .' Seto leaned further over the black hole he called hell's mouth and he saw what looked to be something golden, almost honey blonde. Even in this tangled web of broken beams Joey's hair shown through like a beacon of light. My God, I think I have found him...

Hey, should we go on...r/r... next up It hurts, Seto...

Love you all, thanks for reading...

A/N I don't know if a flooded building would react this way, so there are no facts, just my thoughts...