Duel 8 – Precipice of the Second Stage

Tem sat alone on the gold trolley, painfully aware of how empty it was in comparison to the first he had ridden while in New Domino City. He stared out of the window, the scene of distant buildings shining against the darkening sky nearly made him forget he was overseas. He looked down at the bracelet on his right wrist, its three blue dots signifying his victories seemed brighter than any city light he'd ever seen.

"I can't believe I didn't lose once…" Tem's heart raced and he felt his grin become uncontrollable. "It wasn't easy, but I'm one of the sixteen duelists moving onto the Second Stage." His grin vanished and he gulped. "If I'm one of the later contestants to make it, does that make me one of the weaker duelists?" He subconsciously gripped the duel bracelet. "I mean, a robot made it in almost the first hour!" Tem shuddered. "But it's probably programmed with tons of strategies, so I guess that makes sense."

A sudden realization dawned on him. "Then that would mean Jake is the strongest duelist, since he came in behind the robot!" Tem couldn't help but feel his hands shake. He recalled the game he and Jake had played on the boat ride to New Domino City. "He did have that Synchro monster I'd never heard of before, and he is a turbo duelist." He looked up to the screens showing information of the last few duels. "I should have looked at his duels so I could see what kind of deck he uses." His heart then dropped into his stomach. "Has everyone else seen my duels? If they already had three wins, then they'd have nothing but time on their hands!"

Tem shuddered. "That would mean even Vergil saw my deck." Tem frustratingly messed up his hair. "After I worked so hard to get ahead of that jerk!" Tem stopped for a moment. "He's not a better duelist than I am!" He shouted, standing up on his feet. "Just because you qualified for the second part first doesn't mean you're a stronger duelist! The only reason he got ahead of me was because I was watching Johann's duel!" As almost on cue, Tem spied Johann's face on one of the monitors. "He's in a duel right now? And it's the third win he'd need?!" Tem cheered at the screen. "Go for it, Johann! There are still a couple of spots left!"

The trolley came to a stop as Tem watched the rest of the tournament results go by. He heard someone board the trolley but didn't pay them any mind. Until…

"Well, well, the kid made it after all." Tem recognized that voice. He looked up to find Vergil standing across from him holding a soda cup and a bag of what smelled like food. "And you weren't dead last. I guess even the Second Stage would have some weaklings taking part."

"Oh yeah?" Tem pointed to their faces on a screen. "You're only one slot ahead of me, so what does that say about you?"

Vergil's eyes widened for a fraction of a second before he scowled and sat down. "Whatever." He reached into his bag and pulled out a hamburger and started eating. Tem smirked triumphantly, until the scent of the hamburger hit his nostrils. He felt his stomach let out a low rumble, and noticed Vergil look up at him. "What was that noise?"

"Wh-what noise?" Tem looked around sheepishly.

"You made a noise just now."

"No I-" Tem's stomach grumbled much louder this time. "Didn't."

"Don't tell me that you've been so caught up in the tournament, that you didn't stop and get something to eat?" Vergil grumbled. "Only an idiot would try to go the entire eight hours without eating, especially when the food is free."

"Wait, what?!" Tem shot out of his seat. "There's free food?"

"You didn't read the pamphlets on the boat." Vergil commented, taking another bite.

"I did." Tem shot back.

"All of them?"

"Most of them…"

"Most of them?"

"I skimmed… a few." Tem admitted in defeat. "But why's the food free?"

"It's less of a hassle than converting everyone's money." Vergil took a sip of his soda. "If you can rent an entire city for a day, you might as well pay off the local restaurants."

"That's amazing." Tem looked out of the window of the trolley, his eyes scanning for restaurants.

"I'm amazed you knew where to go after getting your final win." Vergil's comment made Tem shiver. "Though, you probably had someone tell you that, too."

Simone's smiling face immediately flashed in Tem's memory. "N-no."

"But do you know what awaits us there?"

"The other duelists who qualified before us." Tem replied bluntly.

"Do you know what we receive for getting this far?"

"We get something?!" Tem spun around to Vergil.

"You really are something." Vergil shook his head. "We get cards."

"We get free cards!?" Tem nearly jumped up and down.

"It's to build rapport with the duelists, and to make the tournament more interesting. According to the pamphlets, at least." He stared at Tem who wasn't containing his excitement. "Man, you really are a child."

Tem remembered the Simone that Johann had faced. "I'm not a child!" He rebutted, aware of how much he sounded like her. "I'm fifteen!"

"Really?" Vergil laughed mockingly. "I didn't mean to insult you, sir." He laughed even more.

"You don't look that much older than me. I'd guess eighteen?"

Vergil stopped laughing, clearing his throat. "I'm considered an adult."

"Yeah right." Tem stared at Vergil for a moment, but then his attention was drawn to the large building ahead of them. "Whoa, this building is nothing like the trolley stations I've been to so far."

"Of course not." Vergil commented, standing beside Tem to look at the building. "This is taking us to where the second part of the Eagle Cup will be held."

"Why are you telling me all of this?"

"Hm?" Vergil looked over at Tem.

"When we first met, you acted like a jerk. You even greeted me like one when you noticed me on the trolley just now."

"I don't want you to have any excuses." Vergil uttered as the trolley slowed to a stop and made his way past Tem.

"What do you mean excuses?" Tem called after him.

"For when I beat you, and everyone else, and become the champion of this tournament." Vergil walked through the trolley station toward a large pair of doors.

"Man…" Tem muttered. "Why is he so difficult?" Tem disembarked the trolley himself and made his way through the doors. He gasped at the sudden light, covering his face as he stepped forward. His eyes adjusted, and he looked upon a large platform with two dueling fields flanked by stands for a massive audience. "Isn't this…" He felt his heart race. "I've seen it in magazines and in old dueling videos, but I never thought I'd actually be here myself!"

"Magnificent, isn't it?" Tem spun around at the sound of the sudden voice. He saw two men in gray suits with black button up shirts beneath standing shoulder to shoulder facing him. "What better location to hold the finals for what people have so affectionately dubbed the Eagle Cup!"

Tem felt his surprise diminish when he heard a voice, yet neither man opened their mouths. "Uh…"

"You must be another of the contestants." Tem looked around. The voice suddenly sounded aggravated. "I'm down here." Tem looked down, and saw… something behind the two men. "Step aside, you imbeciles!" They did as instructed, and Tem's gaze fell upon a very short man with bulbous eyes and neck ruffles. He cleared his throat, the action making his neck seemingly vibrate. "I'll have to see your duel bracelet, young man." He snapped his finger and one of the men in a suit gestured for Tem's wrist.

"Alright." Tem complied, his eyes captivated on the short man. He hardly noticed the light from a scanner go over his wrist. The scanner beeped, and was given to the short man.

"Tem Uraki." The short man read the scanner. "Congratulations on three consecutive victories. You're a part of the few here who didn't have a loss." He glanced at the expression on Tem's face. "Is there something wrong?"

"I'm sorry." Tem snapped himself back to reality. "But… who are you?"

The short man's smile wavered. "It makes sense that someone so… young," Tem noticed his tone shift. "Wouldn't be aware of who I am. My name is Robert Bufo, and I am the Vice President of Iniquity Industries. You may call me Mr. Bufo."

"Oh, you're Bufo?" Tem remarked. "I always thought you'd be… taller." The two men in suits took steps further away from Bufo, prompting Tem to look at them curiously.

"Tem Uraki…" Bufo's teeth were bared in a sort of smile. "Please proceed through those doors and await the rest of the participants for the second stage." Tem looked to where he gestured and opened his mouth to say something. "Now!" Tem jumped at the hostility in his voice, swiftly making his way to the doors.

"I must have struck a nerve…" Tem looked over his shoulder, watching Bufo make crude gestures as the two men tried to pretend they weren't there. More Iniquity Industries and Kaiba Corp employees ushered Tem further down the hall and given clearance beyond a towering pair of doors. His eyes adjusted, and he found himself standing just outside of a large dueling arena in the center of a humungous stadium.

"The Memorial Circuit…" He marveled, looking up at the empty seats and the monitors and projectors. "Where some of the greatest duelists in the world made their debut. I wonder where the original turbo dueling track is…" Tem looked around, and noticed off in the wings were and a handful of men and women in gray suits gesturing him over. He jogged over, still taking in the sights.

"You are instructed to wait here while the remaining duelists arrive." One of the women instructed. "This is the lobby. There are refreshments available in the waiting area beyond these doors. Further inside the waiting area and to the left, you'll see another door that leads to the smaller ready area. The waiting area is exactly what it sounds like, while the readying area is where the participating duelists await their announcement." He nodded and made his way down the stairs and into the waiting area, taking one last look at the large arena. As soon as he entered the room, he was noticed by the duelists already there.

"Took you long enough." Vergil bumped into Tem as he walked past him.

"Watch it!" Tem shouted as Vergil went through the other door that led into the waiting area. Tem sucked his teeth.

"Man," a woman with blue eyes and short red hair started. "That kid really knows how to tick you off, right?" Tem turned his attention to her as she approached him. "As soon as he waltzed in here, he started eyeing everyone down and trying to smack talk us." She wore a short black skirt and red blouse that was slightly buttoned down with a long brown coat and heels. Her duel disk was a model Tem recognized as an old Duel Academy model, but with custom red colors. "You should pick better friends."

"Vergil's not my friend," Tem replied quickly. "He's set on being as mean as humanly possible."

"Oh, so you already knew his name?" She laughed. "So much for not being friends."

"We're in a tournament," Tem offered swiftly. "Of course I know his name."

"Oh yeah?" The woman grinned mischievously. "Then what's my name?" Tem froze. "I thought so, Tem Uraki."

"How do you know my name?" Tem's eyes widened.

"We're in a tournament." The woman's reply made Tem's face go red. She pointed to one of the larger monitors in the room; it was replaying Tem's duel against Simone. "That was a pretty good duel, especially when compared to your duel against those first two guys you faced."

"You saw my duels?" Tem felt his face heat up and a sense of dread creep up as he realized what that meant. "You know my deck!"

"Yeah," She laughed boastfully. "It's a perk those who win first get. We got to see replays of almost all the early duels." She then leaned a bit closer to Tem. "Well, the important ones, at least. The duels of those who are most likely making it here. Heck, I even got to see a duel or two from the guys who got here before me." Her laugh grew when she saw the look of disbelief on Tem's face. "It must hurt, right kid?" She laughed louder. "You worked so hard for those three wins, but now you learn that not only am I ahead of you, but I also have a huge advantage!"

Tem clenched his fists as she laughed in his face. He noticed an almost formless shadow on the wall move. It peeled itself from the wall, and turned out to be a massive man over six feet tall and muscular. His jade eyes seemed to glow with rage, augmented further by his fiery red hair flowing down his jawline although it was in a ponytail, as he looked over at Tem and the woman. Tem's eyes were drawn to a scar under his right eye then to another sort of injury on his face he couldn't distinguish. "Shut up." His hoarse voice came from somewhere under his large, forest green jacket.

The woman stopped laughing abruptly and turned to face the man. "We've already been over this, tall, dark and gruesome. You don't talk to me that way!"

"Then stop your prattling." His walk was slow, intentional and daunting. His footsteps echoed in the spacious room, adding to his intimidating presence. "I'm tired of hearing you boast about being in fourth place."

"Then get out of the waiting area and go to the readying booth like the others!" She gestured to Tem. "I'm not done hazing this child yet."

"I'm not a ch-" Tem stopped when the man was upon him and the woman, both of which had to look up to him.

"You," his eyes fell on Tem who finally placed his Irish accent.

"Y-yes?" Tem gulped, suddenly unable to speak clearly.

"Good job making it this far."

"Uh," Tem hadn't expected the praise. "Thank you. You too, mister. I… I guess"

"I didn't think you'd be pulling for the pipsqueak, Mr. Green." The woman scoffed. His eyes fell on her for a moment as she spoke what Tem assumed was the man's name.

"Sheryl Alison." Green spoke; the woman seemed to freeze for a moment at hearing her name. "You're in my way." He gestured to the door behind her that Vergil had gone through earlier. Tem immediately moved to the side, but Sheryl lingered for a moment, straining her neck to look up at him.

"You better hope you get eliminated before you get the chance to face me in the tournament, buddy." She moved to the side when she noticed some members of Iniquity Industries in gray suits looking over in their direction. Green's eyes didn't move from the door as he walked past her. Sheryl looked back at Tem whose eyes were still peeled at the doorway where the man just was. She huffed and went to go watch the monitor.

Tem moved away from the center of the room and approached the tables with food and drinks, happy to be away from the tension. His eyes fell upon someone holding a newspaper in one hand and eating a sandwich with the other, occupying one of the only two seats near the table.

"May I?" Tem pointed to the free seat. He got a garbled noise of confirmation from behind the newspaper and sat down, letting out a breath of relief. "That was rough."

"Tell me about it." Tem stiffened at the voice. "I thought you weren't going to make it for a minute there, kid." Tem looked over as the paper was lowered, and he was met with a familiar, crumb covered face.

"Jake!" Tem shot out of his seat, knocking it over.

"Tem!" Jake took a bite of his sandwich.

"What are you doing here?!"

"Enjoying my newspaper and sandwich in what was once peace, until you got here." He gave a small smirk. "You have a knack for stirring up trouble."

"Why didn't you say something?"

"Like what?" Jake raised an eyebrow.

"I don't know," Tem began "Something to maybe help me out?"

"I was enjoying my newspaper and sandwich." Jake stared Tem in the eyes and finished his sandwich. Tem felt a vein in his forehead twitch. "Besides, you had it under control." Tem opened his mouth to object, but Jake handed him a can of soda. "Take a seat and relax. You've earned it." Tem looked at the can, then at Jake, before picking up his seat and sitting down. He took the can of soda and pressed it on his forehead. Jake folded the newspaper and tucked it into his jacket, getting a can of soda for himself. "To making it to the second round." Tem looked at Jake again. There was a swirl of thoughts in his mind and words on his lips, but the small smile on Jake's face and the gesture of a small toast put Tem in an odd sense of calm. He and Jake toasted and took a sip of their sodas.

"Oh yeah," Jake spoke up after a moment. "We never formally introduced ourselves." He shrugged. "Ah well, we know each other's name now, no big." Jake took note of the weary expression on Tem's face. "Something up?"

"I don't know, really. I've just been thinking a lot about… life." Tem shook his head.

"Ooh, this sounds interesting." Jake spun his chair around to sit in reverse, draping his arms over the back and facing Tem. "Go on." Tem gave Jake an incredulous look. His expression slowly changed to one of conflict to quiet resignation.

"I've been thinking about the duels I've had since I got here, and all the duels that led me to this point, to get here." Tem gripped the soda can. "I lost a bunch of times in my early days of dueling. For a while, I was considered the weakest kid in my neighborhood. A big part of that was because my brother couldn't afford to spend much money outside of living expenses. It was just us for as long as I can really remember, and while it sucked sometimes, I wasn't going to complain about not having good cards when he was trying so hard to keep a roof over our heads."

"That's rough, buddy." Jake had gathered an assortment of finger food on a plate and handed it to Tem. "I wasn't sure what you liked, but definitely eat something."

"Thank you." Tem accepted with a small smile. He went to eat something, but then glared at Jake. "You're not giving me this out of pity, are you?"

"I can hardly hear your backstory over your grumbling stomach." Jake's beaming smile made Tem's ears heat up a bit. "We've got some time before the others get here. Keep going."

Tem shoveled some food into his mouth, now realizing just how hungry he really was. "Hey, wait, why am I opening up to you like this?"

"Why not?" Jake shrugged, eating from a plate he made for himself. "I'll go next to make it fair."

Tem gave Jake a sour look. "Alright, fine. But only because it'd be rude to just stop." Tem opened another soda and sipped from the can. "So when I got older, I managed to help a few stores clean and stock inventory, and I even babysat for some of our neighbors and walked their dogs to get a bit of spending money. I built my deck by saving and scrimping and trading." Tem put down his soda and picked up his deck box. "I lost the first few times I finally got my deck to what it is now. But I took it as a learning curve, and I didn't give up. I then got an invitation to the Eagle Cup in the mail, totally out of the blue, and I knew that this was what all that hard work led up to."

Jake let out a low whistle. "That's pretty intense, kid." His eyes darted to the front door as two more people walked in. Tem didn't seem to notice them, or the analytic expression Jake wore as they looked around. "But do you think your hard work can take you to the top?" When Jake turned his attention back to Tem, the teenager had a determined expression on his face.

"Yusei Fudo became known as the Satellite's shooting star. Syrus Trusedale was said to have a terrible losing streak when he was attending Duel Academy." Tem stared into Jake's eyes with conviction. "And the undisputed King of Games came from a small, family run card shop. If those duelists can rise up and become the greatest of their time, why can't I?"

Jake seemed taken aback by Tem's comment. He put his hands up defensively and offered a smile. "You're absolutely right, Tem."

Tem didn't appear to trust Jake's nonchalant reply. "And in case you forgot," Tem clenched his fist toward Jake who raised an eyebrow. "Neo Copan City happens to have a duelist who's in the pro circuit right now!" Jake looked Tem up and down, then started to pick something out of his teeth. Tem growled. "He comes from my city and is only a few years older than I am! If I were born a bit earlier, I could be the one in the pro circuit right now!"

Jake let out a chuckle. "You're talking about the guy in the American circuit, right?"

Tem gawked at Jake. "The guy? The guy?! Do you know how silly you sound?"

"I feel like I just upset a fan boy." Jake stood up from his chair. "Time to go. This place is getting too crowded for my tastes." The comment made Tem look around. He hadn't noticed how much time had elapsed, or how many more people were present. He saw the woman named Sheryl boasting to two of the new faces and frowned. "Later." Jake waved over his shoulder to Tem as he headed to the readying room.

"Hey, wait a minute, Jake!" Jake looked over his shoulder at Tem. "You didn't tell me anything about yourself."

"Oh yeah," Jake's tone made Tem sigh. "There's not much to say, really. I guess I worked hard, too. I won a few local tournaments, and one day someone knocked on my door inviting me here. I figured, why not? I always wanted to see Japan. So here I am."

"That's it?" Tem asked in disbelief. "Someone came knocking on your door and now here you are?"

"That's what I said." Jake gave Tem an odd look. "Maybe it's because I'm a turbo duelist, and they wanted to inspect my duel runner first so they came and got me a bit earlier? I don't know. But Japan is a pretty cool place!"

"Don't you want to try and become number one?" Tem stood out of his seat. "Don't you want to be King of Games?"

"Eh, I'll place third or something." Jake shrugged. "Bronze gets a nice little cash consolation prize, and I'm sure the cards we're about to get can resell nicely." Jake rubbed his fingers together with a sinister smile.

"You're only in it for the money?" Tem's voice carried across the room, earning a few looks.

"You say that like it's a bad thing. Isn't the money a good incentive for you, too?"

"Well," Tem looked caught up on his own words. "Yeah, but the money isn't just for me!"

"That's noble of you or whatever," Jake turned away from Tem. "But not everyone is here for such fantastical reasons, kid. Some of us are just here for business." Jake looked back at Tem with a mischievous smile. "And some are really just here for the ride."

Tem watched Jake saunter across the room to the door labeled Waiting Area. "That's such a lazy way of looking at things!"

Jake stopped, his hand on the doorknob. He turned back to Tem with a grin on his face. "Maybe!" Jake's laugh echoed down the hall as the door closed.

Tem stared at the door for a few seconds before becoming aware that most people in the room were staring at him. He sheepishly picked up his seat and sat down in the corner, looking at the screen showing information on a few duels. He came to realize, since his arrival, that nearly all the slots of the remaining sixteen participants for the second stage had been filled.

"Everyone," a woman in a gray suit spoke up. "You're all to move into the readying area where we'll soon be dispersing the cards promised to you all. Afterwards, you'll be escorted to your hotel rooms where your belongings will be awaiting you."

Tem, along with the other participants moved through the door and down the hallway. Tem immediately identified Jake and Vergil on opposite sides of the waiting room. He spied the massive fiery red mane of hair that was the man called Green in a corner, leaning into the crevice as though having his back exposed would be the death of him. Most of the duelists there looked around the room, sizing everyone up. He noticed that most people's eyes shied away from Green, no doubt from his physical intimidation. He saw a few people stare at Jake, a pair were even whispering to themselves. He wasn't sure if their comments were about his duels, or the amount of food he was eating.

"There are two duelists arriving shortly." The woman from earlier announced. Another door opened and revealed a large, cube shaped machine being wheeled in. "That apparatus will unregister your duel bracelets from your duel disks, and then dispense your cards."

The door from the ready room opened up. A member of Kaiba Corp moved to the side to let the last two duelists enter. "These two have already been updated on what's about to happen."

"Johann?" Tem smiled at the older man who looked exhausted.

"Ah," his voice was uneasy. "Young Tem." He waved and hobbled over to Tem. "I'm glad to see you made it."

"I'm glad to see you made it, too!" Tem frowned. "But why do you look like you're in such bad shape?"

"My last duel to make it here was a harrowing one." Johann smiled meekly. "I'm admittedly spent, but I managed to keep my promise and meet you here." Johann fell onto a couch not too far from Tem. "I just need to take a break. I'm sure there'll be enough cards when my time comes." Tem felt a bit concerned but his attention was quickly drawn to the center of the room.

"Alright, I'll be calling you all to the middle of the room-"

"Actually," everyone turned around at the sound of the voice. There were two men in gray suits with black button up shirts beneath standing shoulder to shoulder. "I'll be the one to do the honors of giving our wonderful duelists their new cards." The two men stepped aside, and Bufo made his way to the center of the room.

"It's the short guy." Bufo's head snapped to the direction of the duelist who spoke the words. They froze up, then pretended to whistle innocently.

"Congratulations, duelists," Bufo began, his eyes still on the duelist who spoke out of term. "For making it to through the qualifiers and here, to the Iniquity Industries Tournament. As a reward for making it here, as well as a thank you for all your hard work, we of Iniquity Industries have taken it upon us to gift you all with some cards. In alliance with Kaiba Corp, we have gathered a multitude of cards that should help boost all of your decks, and make the tournament even more exciting." The machine behind Bufo started to hum.

"I will now call your names in the order you qualified. There is no need to worry, as we already ensured that everyone and their cards are accounted for." Bufo pulled a cylinder from his pocket and a hologram popped up. "First, we have Jake Greene."

All eyes fell on Jake, who swiftly wiped his hands and mouth on a napkin, then sauntered to the center of the room. "You guys have some great food here." He smiled at Bufo as he removed his duel bracelet. "I think I've already put on five pounds."

"We aim to please." Bufo responded, taking the bracelet and placing it on the apparatus. The bracelet slipped inside one of the ports, and after a few beeps and hums, a small manila envelope fell out of the base and into the curve of the machine. Bufo gestured to Jake, who then reached in and took the envelope.

"It's like a vending machine." Jake chuckled, slipping the envelope into his jacket pocket. "Speaking of, I could use another soda. Thanks for the cards." He waltzed out of the center, heading back towards the serving table.

Tem shook his head. "Seriously, how did he get here first?"

"Right?" A young man standing beside Tem responded to Tem's rhetorical question. "He doesn't seem to be taking this seriously at all!"

"I know!" Tem looked over at him. "It's upsetting. Hey, aren't you one of the last two people to make it?"

The young man clearly didn't appreciate that. "Y-yeah…" He stammered. "My name's Jason by the way."

"Sorry about that." Tem offered. "I'm Tem."

"Nice to meet you, Tem." After a moment Jason asked. "Didn't a robot get the first spot, not that Jake guy?"

"Oh yeah," Tem recalled. "I guess… it doesn't need any new cards?"

"That's rather unfair if you ask me…" Jason stopped, gulping when another person made their way to the center of the room. "Look at that Green guy. He's huge!"

Tem nodded, watching as Green picked up his envelope with deft that most wouldn't think possible from such large hands. "He looks less like a duelist, and more like a movie villain."

"He does look like a bad guy…" Jason started. "But the cool thing about being a duelist is that no matter who you are or where you're from, you can be a duelist so long as you like the game."

Tem looked at Jason, then back at Green. "Yeah, sometimes you forget that." He looked at Jake who was in the corner of the room chugging sodas. "Especially when you see people like him."

They continued to speak for a while, until Tem heard his name. He rushed to the center of the room. "Alright, it's my turn!"

"Yes, it is." Bufo spoke hurriedly. "Your bracelet, please." Tem complied and watched as the bracelet was traded for an envelope from the machine. "Your new cards."

"Yes!" Tem nearly snatched the envelope from Bufo and excitedly tore at the corner.

"Don't do it, kid." Tem barely heard Jake's voice. He looked over his shoulder just as the envelope burst open. His new cards scattered at his feet, landing in all sorts of positions and a few landed edge-first.

"My cards!" Tem exclaimed, dropping to his knees to pick them up. He felt his face heat up as he hurried to gather them. Some of them were face up, and Tem prioritized those as everyone could see them. It was bad enough the stronger duelists already saw his deck, but now his new cards were on display for everyone to see! In his panic, Tem nearly bent one of his cards. He heard a few of the participants chuckling, particularly Sheryl's shrill laugh.

"So, I guess they do give you cards based on your deck build!" Her laughter overtook the room as Tem gathered up the last of his cards.

"That's enough," Bufo spoke, gesturing to Sheryl for silence. She glanced at him, as though weighing her options. She silenced herself, but her eyes were on Tem as he shuffled to a corner of the room. She noticed Jake approach Tem, and the two began talking. "Now for the next contestant…"

"My cards…" Tem arranged them neatly and tried putting them back in the envelope.

"I tried to warn you," Jake shook his head. "Opening that up while all eyes were on you was a bad idea." Tem turned to look at Jake. "Though, that was the worst possible outcome. Tough luck."

"Tough luck?" Jake raised an eyebrow at Tem's tone. "If you hadn't called out to me, this wouldn't have happened!"

Jake looked back at Tem's hostile expression. "I guess I had a part in it." He turned away from Tem. "I'll leave you alone, then."

Tem watched Jake walk away before turning his attention back to his cards. "It's fine…" Tem consoled himself. "Just because they know which cards I have, doesn't mean they're guaranteed to beat me." Tem hardly paid everyone else attention as the card giveaway concluded. He followed the instructions afterward and boarded the luxury bus to the hotel where the duelists participating in the second stage would be staying.

"You are welcome to spend your time however you see fit, but the tournament starts at ten am on the dot tomorrow." All the contestants were in the lobby, being debriefed. "All necessities will be provided to you within the hotel, including security. However, if you go out of these doors, you are held accountable for your own actions. Dismissed."

Tem rushed to his room to freshen up, eat something, then headed right back out the front door. "I saw a card shop on the way here. It may be a last minute effort, but it'll throw off some of the people who've already seen my deck!" On his way out of the door, he narrowly bumped into someone. "Oh, sorry-" He stopped, looking up at Jake. "Oh, it's you." Tem suddenly remembered what had happened at the card giveaway. "Uh, about today…"

Jake walked past him without a word and walked toward the elevators leading to the hotel rooms.

"Yeah, I guess I deserve that for earlier…" Tem hung his head as the elevator doors closed. Tem abruptly slapped his hands to his face. "Now's not the time! I don't know when that shop closes!" He rushed out of the door, and onto the streets of Japan…

End