WhiteAsukalover: Aw, why thank you once more for your wonderful review! Enjoy!

MythCreatorWriter: Woah, not a lot of people reviewed this chapter… odd. Anyhow, really? You had tears in your eyes? Awesome! That means that I'm doing my job right!:D I'm glad you like Mokuba's part. I always find it a bit iffy, but a lot of people tend to like it! It makes me quite happy. Well, you don't need to worry any longer about those forgotten lines, for I'm here to write the story, and to say the lines they never said!(gosh, it makes it seem like I have this enormous and holy responsibility… in a way, or… something… its late x.x) Anyhow, thanks a bunch for your review and enjoy the chapter!

AmePiper: Hi Na Na Face! I heart you! No one reviewed this chapter… it makes me cry ;.; But as always, I shall slip a little review reply in here, just for you, cause you're my little girl :3 Plus, I know your busy and sick and having a hard time, and believe me, I HEART YOU. Wait… I already said this… gosh, I have been completely off today. Oh well, I hope everything is going well in Amey-sexy land! Smile darling, the world loves it when you do! Enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 18: Existence is Futile

-M-

We sat there; watching and waiting. There was a tall, lean man on the screen in front of us. He wore a long white trench coat, and had short straight hair. He looked angry, determined… all traits of a man whom had lost something he had held dear to himself; something he intended to get back by all means necessary. But really… this person's existence meant nothing to me, since the person I held dear was sitting beside me with her arm draped around my shoulder.

"Look at him…pathetic, don't you think?" Noah asked me, staring at the screen ahead. The man walked through two automatic metal doors and near the tracks of the subway. A train in the shape of a Blue-Eyes White Dragon approached and opened its doors. "He's has no idea about who he's about to deal with."

I sat there silently, watching the screen blankly. There was a deep feeling of remorse as I watched the scene play out, but I hadn't the slightest clue why. I felt as though it were my fault that this man was about to walk into such an obvious trap, but… there was nothing I could do, or nothing I wished to do. After all, if my brother didn't approve of it, then I wouldn't either.

Noah tightened his grip around me, all the while nuzzled his head against me. "Don't you listen to a word he says," Noah commanded of me. Suddenly I felt the urge to speak and respond.

"Yes Nii-sama, not a word," I said like a robot. I snuggled up closer to Noah. Things were about to go down, and I had this deep inner feeling that I didn't want them too. Noah began softly playing with my hair, watching the screen with delight.

"You're such a good boy, Mokuba. It pains me to have to leave you," Noah gently removed me from his arms and rose to his feet. I immediately got up as well.

"I will follow you. To the ends of the virtual world, if you wish it." Noah shook his head.

"I'm sorry to say that you won't be accompanying me this time… but not to worry, I'll be seeing you soon enough." I stared at him, looking for answers.

"But why? Where will you go?" Noah pointed towards the screen and I turned around.

"That is the man I must face and defeat in a duel to re-claim what is rightfully mine, my dear brother. I cannot take control of Kaiba Corp. unless I do it." I looked down with shame. Of course I couldn't help him defeat that man… I was so useless after all. Noah placed his hand under my chin and lifted my face to look into mine. He smiled… or maybe that was a grin.

"Don't worry, you will see me soon enough. If things don't go my way… you'll be able to help me." I smiled.

"I will? You mean it?" I asked with excitement. Noah nodded. The bad feelings vanished and suddenly I felt productive. I was happy to have a purpose in Noah's plan. I bounded up and down with excitement, just as Noah began to step away.

"Now you sit and stay right here. You'll be able to watch me on the screen as I duel while I'm gone. Wish me luck." Noah saluted me, just before he snapped his fingers and disappeared. I did what he had asked and sat down. When I looked back up at the screen, the camera was focused on Noah. He was in a different location, standing on a platform surrounded by molten lava.

The camera changed angels, and now it showed a random hole appearing in the sky, just a few feet above the lava, train tracks appeared, and the Blue-Eyes train came to a stop. Seto stepped out of it and onto the platform, also surrounded by the molten lava. Noah stood apart from him, his hands in his pocket, looking confident as always. I pondered how I was part of his plan and how I would help him, but then I stared at Seto.

It caused me to hold my breath as he stood there. His fist tightened by his side and his face was strained with angry emotions. I could tell by his body language, but mostly a deep look into his eyes. He was fighting for someone he cared for.

"Welcome Seto, I've been expecting you," Noah said with stride. Seto's eyes narrowed and he took one step forward.

"Noah! Where's my brother? What have you done with Mokuba?" Seto yelled.

"Oh, you mean my brother?" There was another growl, another look of frustration. Seto gritted his teeth.

"Watch what you say, Noah."

"Oh please Seto, get over yourself and drop the tough guy act. You're not fooling anyone." Noah paused and brought his hand to his face and gripped it into a fist, "The time has come that I will finally prove to myself and my father that I'm superior to you in every single way."

"Then how is it that I'm the president of Kaiba Corp. and you're not?"

"It was the result of an unfortunate twist of fate that never should've happened. My father had always intended to pass the company onto me, until a series of events changed that… but soon I'll be able to regain that position as president of Kaiba Corp. and finally be able to correct the past!" Seto looked down and smirked.

"It won't mean a thing." Noah glared at him.

"What did you say?" Seto looked up.

"How do you expect to run a company when you're already dead?" Noah gasped and his eyes widened. "That's right. I saw those videos and I demand to know what's going on and who you are." Dead or not, Noah was still my brother. These realizations didn't get to me. I would stand by him till the end.

But still… a little part of me… wondered what was going on, and a tiny molecule in me wanted to believe that Seto was a good guy… fighting for a good cause… For now, I would have to wait and see what would happen next.

-S-

"So you want the truth, Seto? Well, fine… I suppose it's reasonable to give you an explanation, at least before I destroy you," Noah tapped himself on the forehead, "As you may have noticed, I haven't aged in years. In fact, this isn't even my real body. What's left of me is right up there." Noah held out his arms and looked up. My head turned up as well and looked to the sky. A glowing blue ball appeared as it floated and pushed away the clouds. I stared at it, baffled. What was it supposed to be?

"What is that? Explain yourself Noah!"

"That is a shell, the outer layer that protects and nourishes my brain. It's what holds and keeps my conscious alive." I couldn't believe what I was hearing. That sphere was his brain… it held his conscious? How was that possible? Noah is dead… or… is he? I began to question what I had seen earlier.

"That's supposed to be your brain?"

"Yep, as you said before, my body is dead, but my brain remains in that sphere, which is hardwired to a computer that projects this image of me. I hadn't always been contained to this form, though… I use to be a normal kid," Noah began. I could see this was going to lead up to a boring flashback, but I was more interested in answers than being entertained. "I was the born as the only son of Gozaburo Kaiba, the richest and most powerful man in the world. I was given every luxury money could buy; my father's servants would wait on me hand and foot. I was destined for greatest, and was groomed for success from the moment I was able to walk.

"Professors and educators from around the globe jumped at the chance to teach me. All of the greatest mathematicians and scientists were lured to the front door by my father. He's soul purpose was to help me to become well-rounded and well-educated as the next heir of his company. So as you can see, I was destined to be the next ruler of my father's company, and I would have, if it had not been for a freak accident.

"There's no real need to go into much detail, but as a result of a car accident, I in critical condition and near death. My father did all that he could to save me, it was no use. Then he did the only thing he could do; he connected my mind and downloaded my every thought and memory, turning me into a virtual being whose power is limitless! But then… you came along. Originally my father had only adopted you to motivate and challenge me to help train me to take over Kaiba Corp. But after the accident, that was no longer possible without a body of my own. Until now!

"I am no longer human. I exist only as a file in my father's computer. But once I defeat you in a duel, I'll finally be able to prove that I'm superior to you! Once I do that, I'll upload my mind into your body and return to the real world to take my rightful place as president of Kaiba Corp." I knew he was trying to be serious, but I couldn't help but laugh at him. And I did. I had a good laugh too. "What's so funny?" Noah questioned.

"Do you really expect me to believe that? I mean honestly, the only thing more ridiculous than that story is you challenging me to a duel."

"Then let's duel. What better way to prove myself than by defeating you at your own pathetic game." That was it; I was through with this kid. He was really starting to annoy me.

"Look kid, I've heard enough. I rebuilt Kaiba Corp. from the ground up, I did it all by myself, on my own terms, without any help. The company is what it is today because of me. There's not another person who could run it better than I could, especially not some brat like you," I yelled.

"Really?" A wave of lava shot up from the pool in between us and then fell back down. I kept my eyes on my opponent though. I was going to beat this kid so bad at card games he wasn't even going to have a brain anymore. I was tired of his stories, tired of his monologues; it was time to end all of this. "Then let the duel begin. Choose your cards."

"I already have," I said as I flipped out my duel disk, "And I've already chosen my deck master as well. The monster I chose is Kaiser Sea Horse!" The monster appeared floating beside me as I placed my deck into my duel disk. Already I had a plan in my head, a strategy about to unfold. I didn't think Noah had a clue what he was getting himself into. I was going to tear him apart.

"I've been waiting for this moment for a long time, Seto," Noah held out his own arm and a duel disk appeared attached to it. He flipped it out, and his own dueling deck was installed into his disk. "You're about to lose everything." I smirked. I would've been amused if I didn't already plan to brutally defeat him in a duel.

"I'll go first," I declared, drawing my hand as well as an extra card. I glanced at my hand; I already had a perfect and deadly strategy to use against Noah. He wouldn't know what hit him. "I summon Giant Germ in attack mode!" I announced, placing the card on my duel disk. Giant Germ appeared on the field in front of me.

"I'll also place one card face down and end my turn." I looked down at my card with satisfaction, and determination. Noah made two very big mistakes; his first was taking Mokuba, and his second was challenging me to a duel. Once Noah attacked my Giant Germ, my Crush Card would be activated and would be able to destroy every monster in Noah's deck with an attack over 1500 attack points. This duel would be over before Noah would even have a chance to put up a fair fight. "Your move, step brother," I said mockingly.

"My pleasure," Noah drew a card from his deck and put it into his hand, "I'll summon Chiron the Mage." I was anxious for Noah to make his attack. Chiron the Mage had 1800 attack points, but it wouldn't matter soon. Once he attacked my Giant Germ, it would all be over with. But before the next move could be played, I heard someone calling my name from behind me.

"Be careful, Kaiba!" I twisted around to find, none other than, Yugi and his friends on another platform a couple feet away.

"Yugi?" How was it that every time I was in the middle of dueling someone, Yugi and his friends seemed to show up? I didn't exactly mind them watching me duel, in fact, I liked that idea. I loved to put on a good show for a crowd when I was about to thrash someone at duel monsters. The only thing that really bothered me about them being there was their constant talking and commenting in the middle of the game.

"Wow, Kaiba vs. Noah? This has got to be the show of the century!"

"He can't let Noah win… if Noah wins, we'll all lose!" My eye twitched a little from annoyance. They had used that line at least five times already since we had gotten trapped in this place. I had to really hand it to Yugi; he was the only duelist that had ever bested me in the world and he sure was the best at pointing out the obvious.

"Come on Kaiba, don't lose all focus now that you're fans are here. They came to see a show, after all, and I expect to give them one," Noah said, bellowing an evil laugh afterwards. I hated that kid so much. "Then they shall witness not only your greatest fall, but also my rebirth into the real world!"

"That Noah kid is nuts!"

"Kaiba has to duel him with all he's got to defeat him…"

"I hope he can defeat him, for Mokuba's sake at least." My heart stopped at the mentioning of Mokuba's name. Mokuba… my brother… he was in danger. I tended to get so wrapped up in a duel; that sometimes my mind found it hard to focus on anyone else. But Mokuba… he needed me the most, he needed me to beat this guy and get him out of here. And I wasn't going to disappoint him. Not now, not ever.

I was going to make it up to him by giving Noah the most painful beating he will ever get.

A/N: Hello one and all, readers of Consequences! So, sorry this came a bit late(6 or 7 days to be exact… isn't that crazy?! I practically took a week to write this!) And really, it's been taking me so long because, I don't know. This story is coming up to one of the most epic climaxes, and I guess I just want to do it right. I started looking over the next couple episodes, dreading having to write the Noah duel, but I realized that I'm going to come across some GREAT arguments between the two brothers, so I'm actually a bit excited. The only thing I'm somewhat worried about is the next chapter ending where I want it to end, but we'll just see what happens. Thanks for being so patient, and I hope you enjoyed the chapter!