Hello everyone! I hope my updates are coming soon enough for everyone. My life is still pretty hectic but I'm trying to update as soon as I can with each chapter. Thanks for your patience my loyal readers!

-B


This chapter goes into the next stages of the Junior Division Semifinals.

However, there is a little perspective of Mrs. Kaiba, just to break up the dueling. I want to say again that you don't have to read Year of the Fox's works to understand this story, but it would help. A lot of people seem critical of how Seto Kaiba could fall in love, let alone have a family well her fics simply show how it happens.

Hope you enjoy!


Chapter 8:

^^Jemmea Kaiba^^

I watched my husband and daughter walk into the garage to head back to Kaiba Land for the day's start as I was finishing my breakfast. Even though I don't personally like the game, I'd tolerate it for the people I love. It means the world to both Seto and Artemis and I will do anything for my family. My thoughts then wondered to my family as a whole.

With Seto announcing our family vacation, I felt happy again. Seto is my compliment and I love him, but since we told the children of his past and this magic saved the world crap, he has been more distant, spending more hours at the office and less at home. I know when he is in tournament mode, he's a different person, but his own daughter is competing and I don't think he realizes it. I am slightly weary of his reaction to Jackson being there as well. I hope it helps matters rather than making things worse.

My thoughts travel to that day I spent with Avery last week. I'm not a huge shopper or completely materialistic like most CEO wives would be, but I do like nice things.

**Flash Back**

I was on my way home after a long day at the nearby Domino Outlets with Avery. We had been looking for stuff for Jackson's annual care package, when we pasted a thrift store. A jewelry counter sat in the window. A necklace sparkled as I passed and it made me pause. No piece of jewelry could compare to my engagement ring and wedding band Seto got me, but why not look?

I looked in the case and there sat an odd necklace but it was beautiful. It was a simple stone that looked like it was a piece of something before. It was blood red like a ruby but it was opaque. I asked to see it and I felt a spark as I pick it up.

"It is one of an 8 piece set. The stone was once an Egyptian artifact but when it broke into pieces it lost its value" the clerk spoke briefly noticing my curiosity. How interesting, I wonder where the other 7 pieces are?

"Jem, it would look beautiful with the dress you plan to wear for the tournament opening next week" Avery pushed.

"How much are you asking?"

"$25" I said handed him the cash and walking out without another word or thought.

**End Flash Back**

I put down my drink and walked up to our bedroom. I picked out a blue sundress that would prove cool in the heat of the day. I showered and looked down at the necklace I wore last night. For some reason, I felt compelled to wear it even though, it wouldn't match very well. I won't be in the spot light at all today so, what does it matter. I finished getting ready for the day with high hope. I called for Jackson to come down and we made our way to the tournament.

^^Liam Masters^^

When I reached Kaiba Land the next morning, I looked at my duel disk. I have dueled so many times before, why does this tournament seem different? I walked around aimlessly as the starting tone was given. Where were Zella and her friends? I couldn't wait around for them. I went deep into the theme park in search of my first opponent of the day. I found a beginning boy around thirteen and he was an easy victory. I felt bad; he reminded me of myself just four years ago, but no one went easy on me. A two projected from my duel disk.

"One more," I whispered.

I looked up and my victory was even sweeter as I saw her from the corner of my eye. I turned towards Zella to notice that she was dueling once again. I walked over. She had her Blizzard Princess on the field, and her opponent, a boy I have seen only a few times before, had only a Karibo on the field. She will end this soon. She was a different person when she was dueling. She was so sweet the first time I met her. But, as she learned how to duel, she has become aggressive, confident, and talented. With more experience, she will rival me.

I don't know what draws me to Zella. She is beautiful, not doubt, smart, and a good duelist. Everything I always wanted in a girl. I doubt she likes me, though. She lights up when Leroy is around, but she couldn't possibly like him, could she?

My insecurity made me miss her last move and the number three projected from her duel disk.

"Three!" I was caught off guard. She made it to the next round. I was happy for her, but if she has the required wins, then others do too, which means I need to find another duelist and quickly.

I left the group of spectators without being noticed. I continued my journey and finally won my third duel and secured my spot in the quarterfinals. I smiled as a walked up to the registration table where a man removed a chip from my duel disk and handed me the card to proceed to the Kaiba Dome. There were only two cards left for the Junior Division and all eight for the Senior Division have been claimed already and it's not even two o'clock.

Now I can find Zella and her friends to cheer them on. After I spent some time looking for them,' instead, I heard an announcement come over the speaker as it did last night.

"Duelists, I'm happy to announce the semifinals are closed and those proceeding for the Senior Division include: Yugi Muto, Joey Wheeler, Mai Valentine, Marik Ishtar, Seto Kaiba, Jared Stark, Hugo Matters, and Dawn Swift. Congratulations. For the Junior Division, the Semifinalists include: Zella Muto, Artemis Kaiba, Liam Masters, Gwen Wheeler, Athena Chang, Edward Dextric, Dakota Helix, and Paxton Black. Quarterfinalists, you have a two hour recess, but then report to the Kaiba Dome for duel selection. Spectators will be admitted at 6 PM with the start of the Junior Division. Good luck to all"

I took a deep breath and started towards the Kaiba dome to start my final preparations

^^Zella Muto^^

I walked with my two friends that had made it to the quarterfinals. I could only help but smile as I swiped my card to reenter the Kaiba Dome. Liam was already there and I saw the other finalists. My first official tournament and I was in the quarterfinals. Mokuba was on the main stage now, since Mr. Kaiba was a competitor.

"Duelists, I will now display the next round pairs. This is done randomly. First the Junior Division."

Liam was against Athena. I was against Gwen. Artemis was against Dakota. The other guys were paired against each other. Liam and Athena's duel was first. It was a close one from the start. But when Liam played combined his Red Eyes Black Dragon with his Dragon Rider, she was finished. The Dome erupted with applause. He shook her hand and returned to sit with us.

As my duel was announced, I looked down at my friends and smiled. I didn't matter if I win or lose I'll have my friends

"Good luck Zells" Artemis said smiling.

"Yea good luck" Liam said in a flat tone. That was weird. I guess for him, this is a just competition. I guess tournaments can do that to people. I looked at Gwen.

"No matter how this ends, we made it this far," I said as we walked down to the areana.

"Good luck Zel" she said turning towards her side of the field.

"Good luck" I said as she left.

"May the duel between Gwen Wheeler and Zella Muto begin!" Mokuba said over the intercom.

I looked up to see my parents sitting in the audience waving and cheering us on. It gave me the confidence I needed going up against one of my best friends.

"Let's duel!" We activated our Duel Disks and drew our first hand. I had drawn my Dark Magician Girl. That was a good sign. I also had my Little Magician and some good magic cards.

"Gwen, you go first." I offered.

"Don't mind if I do," she said drawing and summoning a Harpie Lady and placing one card face down.

"I summon my Little Magician in defense mode and place two cards face down" I said making a good opening move I hope. The duel was off to a good start. It wasn't nearly as fast as Liam's duel but we were both down to our last 500 life points. I had Dark Magician Girl on the field and my Monster Reborn magic card still to be activated. I also had Mirror Force face down.

"I play Monster Reborn to bring back my Blizzard Princess! Dark Magician Girl destroy her Harpie's Pet Dragon. And Princess wipe out her life points!" That was it. I was in the next round. Gwen wiped a small tear but smiled. I went over to hug her and we left the field.

Artemis was up next. She was pinned against a longtime rival Dakota Helix. Artemis was a strong and hostile duelist like her father. She didn't care who you were in a tournament. If you stood between her and the win, she would take you out. Dakota stood no chance against some of her new cards. It was a good duel. He stood his ground against her Griffins and Dragons but eventually Artemis won out.

We didn't really pay much attention to the other duel. Paxton Stark won and would face Artemis. I however had to face Liam.

I don't know why, but since that day we tested the duel disks I've felt drawn to him. He is definitely cute and a good duelist. But he is a year older and so much more committed to Duel Monsters than I am. He has been fighting for this for years. It's his last year in the Junior Division. I closed my eyes as Mokuba announced the next round pairs. I took in a deep breath and stood opposite Liam. I got serious and activated my Duel Disk. I drew my cards.

"Ladies first," he said offering the start of the duel to me.

"I play Alchemist Magician in attack mode. I then place one card face down."

"Not bad, but I play my Crawling Dragon in attack mode. Destroy her magician." My life points dropped to 3400.

"I summon Magi Cat but then sacrifice it to bring my Blizzard Princess to the field." The duel raged on until I was down to my last 400 life points. He has two low level dragons on the field, which means he's going to sacrifice them for a Monster that can destroy my Ice Queen and Dark Magician Girl.

"I sacrifice my elemental wind dragon and armed dragon to summon Clear Vice Dragon! He has no set attack points because for half of my life points he earns double the attack points of your monster! My dragon attack her Ice Queen and end this duel!" My life points hit zero and I smiled. I didn't want to be the one to take his title from him. I looked up and he was gone.

I bumped into Mrs. Kaiba as I exited the arena, literally.

"Oh Zella..." She looked flustered. I moved past her, but then she spoke up again.

"How far you've gotten with your lack of experience, you should have no shame. Artemis must be a good teacher." She never spoke to me without Artemis standing right next to me.

"Thank you..." I mumbled. Her hair fell free today but she wore a red necklace that did not match her blue sundress at all. How odd.

We made our ways through the crowd to the VIP section. My dad, Joey, Mai, Mr. Kaiba, Marik, the other senior division finalists, Gwen, Paxton, Dakota, Athena and Stark were all there. This is the quarterfinalist seating. My dad looked proud of me and nodded to confirm my belief. I sat down to watch a duel that will surely go down in history. Artemis was facing Liam for the title.


So there it is! I hope you enjoyed it!

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Author Questions:

Who do you guys think is going to win? Artemis or Liam?

How do you think Kaiba is going to react to Jackson?


Here's a little sneak peak at next chapter!

I am slightly relieved. I couldn't face my best friend. Besides Liam and I have some business to finish. We both have a title under our belts, so it's time to see who is truly the best.