A/N: I'm not as thrilled with this chapter as I am with the previous chapters. I think part of it the fact I got distracted by football. Out of all the teams my family follows, only UGA won. Oklahoma lost (I almost cried), Alabama lost, and Texas A&M lost. *depression* I also had the goal of posting this before 4pm on Saturday. Yeah, 1:20am Sunday morning is close enough, I suppose.

IMPORTANT: The continuity of the first part of this chapter coincides with the scene in chapter 11 where J'onn and Batman 'interrogate' Kaiba.

Of Lunatics and Kohai

To say Green Lantern was confused was an understatement. He normally did not investigate robberies because those were typically allocated to the local or state authorities. But this particular robbery had all the hallmarks of a super villain so the Justice League was called in. So far though, there had been no forward momentum on the investigation.

This was partially due to the curator for the Ancient Egyptian exhibit at the museum, Ishizu Ishtar. The woman was supposedly the head of an ancient family with connections in the Egyptian government. Her brother, Marik Ishtar, was somewhat of an elitist. He only spoke Arabic even though it was painfully obvious to everyone involved that he not only understood but possibly even spoke perfect English. He simply refused to speak it unless he wanted to, which was never.

It did not help that the albino from England, Ryou Bakura, followed Marik around like a puppy. It was obvious the poor boy had a severe case of puppy love for the Egyptian native. Green Lantern was not one to judge someone based on such unimportant things as sexual orientation, but he felt almost sorry for the clumsy albino boy with big brown eyes. From the looks of things, Marik was a huge tease who had no intention of delivering on his promises.

Green Lantern massaged his forehead in growing frustration. According to his compatriots back in the United States and the Watchtower, the mess in Starling City was beginning to get out of hand. And where was he in all this? Stuck in Cairo, Egypt, trying to convince an immovable woman to let him do his job and investigate the robbery. All he wanted more than anything else was to go back to the Watchtower and join his friends in helping Green Arrow handle the insanity in Starling City. But that insufferable woman simply refused to let him.

Speak of the devil, none other than the Ishizu Ishtar came around the corner and walked down the large hallway towards him. She was deep in conversation with another Egyptian in traditional garb and a turban who appeared tired and in need of a good rest. Ishizu spoke to him in soft but urgent Arabic as they walked together. Her cloth dress and shawl rippled behind her as she moved. Her headdress was pinned to her hair with golden hairpins but the cloth that usually covered her face was gone.

"Excuse me, Miss Ishtar," the super hero called, gaining the attention of both Egyptians.

Ishizu stared at him carefully for a moment, measuring him, before turning back to her companion. She said something in Arabic to which the man nodded in what could have been relief and walked away. That man's eyes were an odd shade of brown that could have passed for orange. They unsettled Green Lantern in a way he could not quite explain.

"Do you require anything, Mr. Lantern?" Ishizu said in her accented English.

"I was wondering if you knew where Marik is," he replied. "I would like to speak with him."

"He is indisposed at the moment," Ishizu said, face perfect for a high stakes poker game. "Is there something I can help you with?"

"I would like to speak to him about the robbery once more."

"Oh. I thought you were informed," the Egyptian woman said, tilting her head in what could have been mild surprise.

"Informed?" Green Lantern repeated in confusion.

"Yes. Your presence here is no longer required." Ishizu began walking again, brushing past the hero with a straight back.

"No longer required?" Lantern gasped. "There could be a super villain out there and you're telling me I'm not required?"

"There is no super villain simply because there was no crime."

"I beg your pardon?"

Ishizu turned back to Green Lantern with a calm expression. "The object in question has been found and put on display once more. It was misplaced during the move to our new location and was assumed to be missing. I apologize for using your valuable time. You are free to leave."

She nodded to him in an illusion of respect and continued walking away leaving Green Lantern standing in the hallway in shock. No longer needed? Misplaced? Bullshit. Green Lantern had seen the security footage. The bejeweled dagger had been in full view of the cameras until the night it went missing.

He walked through the exhibit to where he knew the dagger was supposed to be on display. There was indeed a dagger there in a display case, but it was not the same dagger. To be fair, it was a very good replica, but the jewels were not quite in the right alignment. This was a fake. So why the lies and trickery? For a coverup, this was certainly not at all decent.

But where was Marik? Normally, the annoying Egyptian could be seen trailing after his sister with Ryou not far behind. Come to think of it, he had not seen either Marik or Ryou since earlier this morning. Where could they have gotten off to?

He pulled out his communicator and pressed a button. "Batman, this is John."

"Batman's busy at the moment," Wonder Woman's voice replied. "What do you need?"

"I've been called off the case," John Stewart, the Green Lantern, said. "I can't push anymore without causing trouble."

"I see. You need a ride out?"

"Later, yes." John glanced around the room and made his way to a small bench in an alcove nearby. "Right now I'm more interested in figuring out why I'm getting stonewalled. Also, I haven't seen the troublemaker or his clutzy boyfriend for a while and that in and of itself is disturbing."

Diana chuckled. "I suppose you're referring to Marik and Ryou."

"Yes."

"Cute nicknames."

John groaned. "You have no idea." He settled back against the wall behind the bench. "Any news from Starling City?"

"Actually yes," came the surprising answer. "We have someone in custody."

John sat up in surprise. "The culprit?"

Diana did not reply right away. "I personally think so, but J'onn disagrees."

Green Lantern crossed his arms in thought. "J'onn has good instincts. I trust his judgement."

"So does Batman, but you didn't see what this guy can do."

"What can he do?"

"Almost escape from four of our team in a matter of minutes."

John blinked in surprise. "He's good. Who caught him?"

"Shayera, Arrow, and Flash distracted him but J'onn actually incapacitated him. Arrow is checking for any security cameras in the area to go over the footage. Maybe we'll find proof enough to convict him."

"Good. This guy have a name?"

"Seto Kaiba if I heard correctly. I'm not exactly an expert on Earth languages so I could be mispronouncing it."

"Seto Kaiba," John said, trying out the name. Why did that name sound familiar?

"He's unconscious right now but J'onn and Batman just went in to check on him. I'll alert you if he wakes up and we get any information from him."

"Good. Keep me in the loop."

"No problem."

"Good luck Diana."

"You too John."

John switched off his communicator and stood, only to notice something in the corner of his eye. He glanced over and saw the Egyptian man from earlier standing silently on the other side of the room watching him. They stared at each other for a good long minute before the Egyptian turned away and walked out of the exhibit. That guy really gave John the creeps.

Shaadi was not thrilled by the news of his Regent's capture, but it was news nonetheless. He set out to inform Ishizu, if the woman did not already know. He suspected she did not. The Priestess's ability to see the future was not a predictable thing; it came and went unless she forcefully brought on a vision, which often had consequences. So perhaps she did not know.

It rankled Shaadi to know the Regent had been captured. He knew Seto Kaiba was not a pushover by any means which meant something had happened to catch him off guard. That, or the Justice League was more formidable than he first thought. It could be a combination of both, although Shaadi leaned more towards the first explanation.

Either way, the Pharaoh and the King needed to know this new information. Unfortunately, he was exhausted from teleporting to and from Japan once today, then again with a passenger. If he had to, he could do it again, but he doubted he would remain awake for long upon reaching Japan. To reach the west coast of the United States in his current condition was impossible.

He needed to rest. Just the thought of it made his eyes droop. He needed to recharge his soul. Shadow magic used the soul as an energy source; thus it took time for the soul to recuperate from extended use.

Forcing back his exhaustion, Shaadi entered Ishizu's office and nodded to her when she looked up. The window behind her was opened up to the busy streets of Cairo below. Papers lay scattered across her desk, fluttering from the breeze blowing in through the window.

"The Regent has been compromised," he said simply in Arabic.

Ishizu sat ramrod straight, eyes wide. "When?"

"Recently. I do not know exactly, but it has been since I contacted the King. I suspected something happened, but I thought it had something to do with the Games. I did not anticipate his capture."

"Who...?"

Shaadi lowered his voice. "The so-called Justice League."

Ishizu remained silent for a moment, eyes lowered in thought. "How did you find out?"

"I listened in on the," Shaadi hesitated awkwardly, "Green Lantern's communication."

Ishizu nodded. "Have you rested yet, friend?"

Shaadi allowed a small amount of exhaustion to show, wrinkling the corners of his eyes. "Not much. Bakura wasn't happy with me for taking him away without telling Marik."

Ishizu snorted in a very unladylike manner. "I'm sure. You do realize Marik will find a way to get him back."

Shaadi sighed. "Yes, I believe he will."

Ishizu studied her friend closely. "You're worried."

"I am." Shaadi strode forward and sat in the chair across from Ishizu's desk in exhaustion. "The Regent is strong but his weakness is well known."

"Mokuba," Ishizu whispered.

Shaadi nodded. "Yes. And now that the King and the Pharaoh have decided to go to the United States, I cannot help but worry."

"You think it is too coincidental."

"I do. By all rights, the Regent should have been able to handle the situation in Starling City by himself. That he was captured alone is worrisome. But there is also the Judgment Game itself to consider. The Game Master he punished was not the instigator of the other Games prior which means there are multiple perpetrators."

Ishizu leaned back in her chair thoughtfully. "Or one person manipulating others."

Shaadi blinked and looked up in surprise. "Is that even possible?"

"When my brother had the Millennium Rod, he could force others to play Shadow Games," Ishizu said, steepling her fingers.

"I had forgotten that." Shaadi's eyes widened at the new possibility. "But the Millennium Items are gone now. Who would have the knowledge or the power to do such a thing?"

"I do not know." Ishizu stood and walked to her window. "Who do we know from the past who had powers like this?"

Shaadi considered. "Those in the Inner Court certainly can." Eerie brown eyes met Ishizu's dark blue. "Of the Outer Court: I could if I utilized the powers left to me by the Millennium Ankh, your brother as you mentioned most likely still can to an extent, and perhaps the Thief. None of the others can that I know of."

The Priestess crossed her arms and hummed. "My brother and you have been under watch, as has Bakura. None of you have left Egypt or have the power to control something like that from so far away. It could not have been any of you."

"No one from the Court then," Shaadi murmured.

There was a knock on the door causing both Egyptians to jump. They glanced at each other in surprise, before Ishizu controlled herself. "Who is it?" she called in Arabic.

"It's Green Lantern, Miss Ishtar."

Shaadi met the Priestess's eyes waiting for her queue. She sat at her desk and straightened her back. "Enter," she called in English.

The door opened and a tall black man with glowing green eyes and wearing a black and green suit that hugged his muscular body. He stepped inside before noticing the same Egyptian man seated across from Ishizu eying him with a perfectly calm expression. He nodded to the silent Egyptian but received no response other than a steady, unblinking gaze. He shifted uncomfortably and returned his attention to Ishizu.

"I'm sorry but my duties call me elsewhere," the Green Lantern said.

Ishizu stood and calmly walked around her desk to the tall man. "I wish you well," she said, extending her hand.

"Good luck to you too," he replied, taking her hand and shaking it. He turned, pausing under the intense scrutiny of the silent, male Egyptian before leaving, closing the door behind him.

"I thi-"

Shaadi held a single finger up, silencing his friend. He stood and strode to the office door, pressing his ear against it. He leaned back and smacked the door good and hard earning him a startled yelp from the other side. He waited until footsteps faded away before sighing and returning to his seat. Ishizu gazed at him, her brow raised questioningly.

"Eavesdroppers," he said simply.

She nodded, fighting back a smile when more footsteps pounded up the hallway. Before either of them could move, the door burst open revealing a harried looking Marik. Erratic violet eyes darted around the room frantically before settling on Shaadi.

"Where are they?" he demanded, advancing on his unmoving elder.

"Marik behave yourself," Ishizu commanded.

"Where is Bakura?" he said, louder this time.

Shaadi stood, using his subtle height difference as a silent warning. "Safe."

"Where?" Marik growled. Shaadi remain silent. "If you won't tell me, I'll find him. And you won't like how I do it."

Ishizu made to speak when Shaadi raised a hand, stopping her. "He is in Japan," he said simply.

"Japan?" Marik gasped. "But he was here this morning. He was with me just two hours ago. I got up and he was nowhere to be found. How the hell did he get to Japan?"

"I took him there," Shaadi replied.

"You...you took him there?! How? Why?"

"Teleport and because the Green Lantern was getting too close to the truth for comfort. If he decided to ask the right questions, the Court would be brought to light." Shaadi narrowed his eyes. "Next time, control your bedmate."

Marik's face burned at the implied insult. "You don't command me. I am not in your Triad. You had no right to take Bakura and Ryou away from me."

"On the contrary, the King asked that I do so."

"On your request, no doubt," Marik hissed. He took a fistful of Shaadi's robe and yanked. "Bring. Him. Back."

"I will not."

"Bring him back!"

Shaadi shook his head. "Just as you do not answer to me, I do not answer to you."

Marik practically vibrated with fury. "Then I'll get them back and you won't like how I do it."

He glared furiously, eyes flickering to his sister who met his gaze firmly, disapproval written clearly on her lovely face. Marik fought the urge to wilt under that look but held strong. Instead, he cast one last burning gaze at Shaadi before turning on his heel and stomping out of the room. He had to get to Bakura. It was just his luck a certain person with the unique capability of traveling great distances quickly was leaving soon. A simple change in the passenger list would solve his problems, would it not?

He smirked and snuck off to catch up to the very person he had been attempting to avoid all day. This should be fun, just like old times.

Kaiba Seto stared out through the viewport in mental turmoil. Mokuba. He had to get back to Earth. He had to get back to Mokuba.

"Kaiba," J'onn said, placing a hand on the CEO's shoulder.

The brunette flinched away, throwing the alien a glare that was not as poisonous as it normally was. "Don't touch me, telepath," he snapped.

J'onn removed his hand. "Are you well?"

"I'm fine." A lie but J'onn did not call Kaiba on it. "Not only did you kidnap me but you dragged me off the face of the planet." The cold edge returned to those blue eyes. "That's low, even for you."

"Hardly a kidnapping," Flash said. "You did attack us."

"You threatened me. I acted in self defense." A smirk appeared on Kaiba's face. "Now, unless you want to fight me again, I suggest you take me back to Earth."

"We can't let you do that," Superman said, stepping forward so he stood facing Kaiba directly. He had several inches on the Japanese businessman but it did not seem like much the way Kaiba held himself.

"Oh you can't?" Kaiba mocked.

"No."

Blue eyes stared hard at Superman, sizing him up and obviously finding him lacking. His smirk filled his face. "Then you shouldn't have let me near your computers."

"Ototo-kun."

"Don't call me that," Kaiba snapped.

"I've got some bad news," Noa said, appearing on the monitor nearest Kaiba.

Blue eyes glanced at Noa before returning to Superman. "Can it wait?"

"It'll have to," Superman interrupted. "You still owe us an explanation."

"Seto," Noa said, voice subdued. "It's Mokuba."

Kaiba stiffened, eyes widening a fraction. He turned to Noa, completely dismissing Superman. "Where is he?"

"That's just it," Noa said, appearing distracted for a moment before a digital map of the earth appeared on the screen. "I tracked his phone when I sent your message." A pin dropped in the middle of a city on the west coast of the United States. "Seto, he's in Oregon."

"What?!"

"So are they."

That gave Kaiba pause. His mind raced as multiple plans were born and died in an attempt to recover the situation. "Did they get the message?"

"Yes." Kaiba felt a slight relief. "But they're still moving to Starling City."

"Who are 'they?'" Arrow demanded. When Kaiba did not respond right away, the vigilante grabbed Kaiba's shoulder intending the gain the other's attention. Instead, he got his arm twisted away, a hand clamped on his throat, and a pair of glacial eyes glaring into his own.

"I said, don't. Touch. Me. Oliver Queen," Kaiba hissed. "Now, I-"

"Ototo-kun."

Kaiba rolled his eyes. "What?"

"Why does he call you 'little brother?'" Batman asked, voice stern and bat-arang in his hand ready to use.

"Because I'm his older brother," Noa replied, appearing on the monitor closest to Batman. "Kaiba Noa. I thought that was obvious. Don't you do background checks on your 'guests?'"

"Noa!"

"Got it," came the reply.

"Wait!" J'onn called.

"I have somewhere to be, telepath," Kaiba snapped.

"You are innocent. Why fight us?" the Martian asked, truly curious.

"You attack, I defend. That's how the game works."

"You think this is a game?" Arrow hissed. "My people are dying."

"So are mine!" Kaiba said viciously. "Why else do you think I would get involved?"

"You are defending your people," J'onn said.

Kaiba never looked away from Arrow's hard green eyes when he responded. "Yes."

"Then we have something in common," Diana said, speaking for the first time. "You want this to end just as much as we do. Let us help you."

"I neither need nor want your help," Kaiba said. "All you 'heroes' ever do is interfere and cause trouble."

"Let us help," J'onn said, stepping towards the still entangled Arrow and Kaiba. "You know what we are fighting. You use the same...power as the enemy. Let us help you."

Kaiba did not move right away. Only the soft whisper of "ototo-kun" from Noa finally seemed to bring him out of this thoughts. He released his hold on the vigilante and stepped back. He eyed the green Robin Hood-esque Oliver Queen before him, the hood having been thrown back in the scuffle. He reached out for his Shadows and brushed the faint Shadows clinging to the vigilante.

They responded to him, curling around his own hesitantly. Surprisingly, Arrow jumped. "What was that?"

Kaiba blinked in surprise, then smirked. "You felt that." It was not a question.

"That was you?" Oliver asked, glaring at his counterpart. "What did you do?"

Kaiba merely laughed. This time, J'onn was not the only one to flinch at the unhinged edge to the cackles. "As of now, your business is my business, kohai."