Life's Second Chance

A Game of Chess

"F3 White Knight," came the reminiscing fellow. It had been ages since the young man had any time to breath, and here he lingered in his own safe haven. A decently sized room with a grand piano to one corner, hanging plants strewn across the room. Red velvet drapes complimented with an earthy carpet added to a cozy wooden cottage atmosphere. Though only Mid-October, the nights have already grown cold and bitter. A smile was drawn as this young man's opponent was forced straight into his trap- making him set the stage for the ultimate sacrifice.

"Are you sure you want to do that Kaito?" came a very confident yet sly tone, "I still don't see how you can regain the Pacer with the wrong girl in the MIB's hospital wing."

"Who said I was after her heart on that play?" came the smooth lyrics of the young man.

"Oh? " The older man just chuckled as he pulled up his pawn, by how the game was set he was quite close to checkmating the White King. " I thought your main intention, was to release the Beast back at M.I.B headquarters."

"Who said I didn't?" came a snide remark as Kaito leaned back in his antique armchair.

Reading the impish glimmer in the other's eyes the unnamed speaker also leaned back, as if mirroring his challenger's stance, "You knew all this would happen didn't you?"

" Ralf my good man, the thing about this game..is always staying more than ten steps ahead of your opponent." Came Kaito's casual display. "What's a bigger advantage is knowing exactly how your opponent thinks." Grinning as he leaned in to place his bishop on H3-an insecure square no doubt.

"This is a dangerous game you play brother." Came Ralf's remark as he frowned deeply; his mind focused on his next move. "If it wasn't her heart you wanted on that move, then what exactly was your plan?"

Kaito snickered, "Do you know what happens when you provoke a pit bull? Starve it and beat it, then let it face another dog? Regardless of who abused it, the animal's anger would be released on the first living thing it sees." Pausing, the young man looked the older man in the eyes, "Better yet, when dealing with a three way draw, wouldn't it be much easier to have the first two kill each other off?"

Catching Kaito's concept snickered, "Interesting..simple..yet effective. Never knew you to be so perceptive," joked Ralf half halfheartedly. "But you do know how much of a pain that Agent Kay can be right? Duty always comes first. What makes you think he'd buy into the whole deal?"

When no response was emitted the man of twenty-eight looked up to see his brother put on a very dissatisfied, and nonchalant expression making Ralf arch his eyebrows.

"Let's just say you can't teach an old dog new tricks..but you can force him into a corner if you have the club. One thing all beasts know of is pain, and he knows it all too well." It was when his brother brought up the other Agent, a certain Jay that forced Kaito to laugh. "True, he would be more suitable for the job, but that's what ol'Kay is going to expect. I can bet you that he'd gotten rid of that joke of an Agent already, leaving the very sensitive juvenile and himself behind." Supporting his head on arched fingers that rested lazily on an elbow propped up on the arm of his chair, looked on at the other, "I believe it's your turn." His voice was flat and obviously bored.

Pausing as Ralf calculated his next move, ignored the fact that the tea boy had brought in a tray of warm refreshments and cakes. "So tell me..what's going to happen to Ray? I do believe she's on the rampage."

Taking a sip of his steaming Earl Tea, Kaito chuckled, "You worry too much, and in any case, I do believe that it's May we have to worry about."

Meeting the crystal blue eyes of his older half brother, closed his eyes as he took another sip, "As you know the hybrid's mental capabilities are very limited. May's emotional and mental state matches that of a five year old making her reactions hard to predict. This could cause more of a problem then Ray who I know so well." Opening his hazel eyes, Kaito added, "After all, Ray is the one who's quite easy to read. If anything else she'd come straight here within the next night or two."

Taking a sip out of his own cup Ralf quizzed, "What makes you so sure?"

"Aside from the history we both share, let's just say there's a mutual agreement. She wants to be free of the pacer, and I want the bomb. I'm the only one who has the finger prints that match the security pads imprinted on the device. So you see, the predestined time limit was placed for this exact reason, or have you forgotten?"

Looking at his younger brother, Ralf leaned back in his chair and crossed his legs, "Let me guess..Should she actually escape, the time limit would force her to seek you out. I'm quite impressed, you really thought this one through."

Taking a bite out of a strawberry tart Ralf chuckled, "By the way, Zed called in a while back, said something about May waking up and that everything was set for the city-wide black out. And as it turned out, Limburger had indeed agreed to your terms. I've taken the liberty to send our men down to Chicago right now."

"Very good," came the pleased Kaito as he bit into an éclair. "Looks like the pieces are set, how are arrangements with the transporter?"

"Karbuncle said it's ready to go when we are," came Ralf's care free tones.

"Perfect. All we need is the Queen to make her appearance."

A knock on the double mahogany doors forced both characters to face the entrance to their little apartment. And as a man wearing a black suit walked in to whisper something into his ear, Kaito just smiled. "Speak of the devil, please send her in."

Ralf chuckled, " Ohh..You're good.." He cooed darkly. "Oh and it's your move," he concluded flatly. Taking a sip of his tea added, "I have but one more question, how -" as his brother made his move Ralf was quick to jump in and kill the Queen. " Haha! Gotcha! Finally! Had my eye on this piece for the longest time," the young man beamed.

Chuckling Kaito grinned, "You were asking me something?"

"Oh yea, how are you going to set them against each other?"

Looking his brother darkly in the eyes Kaito smirked sinisterly, "Force them to Sacrifice the Queen of course.." and as he made his final move, his brother's Dark King was taken,

" Checkmate."