(A/N: There's nothing more I enjoy than a little suspense build up. That's mainly what this chapter is. But don't think you can just skim the chapter, I'm throwing a little dash of plot bunnies into this chapter, plus the first match of the Battle City finals will be announced at the end. Get ready, cause now that you're on this ride, there ain't no gettin' off).
Night had fallen on Domino City. All of the big buildings were lit up like gigantic fireflies. At the eastern edge of the urban jungle, an unfinished stadium sat on the ground with cranes and other industrial vehicles nearby. For Seto Kaiba, it was the perfect place to kickstart his tournament.
Kaiba's chopper descended downward from above into the center of the stadium and dropped the Kaiba brothers off, along with two of his finest security officers and Chihiro Fujisaki, whom Kaiba wanted on hand in case of a programming emergency. Kaiba was not without his respect for others and because Chihiro had alerted him to Osiris the Sky Dragon earlier, he would reward Chihiro with the chance to see his glorious triumph in the Battle City Finals.
My competition, Kaiba thought, If you can call them that, will be arriving shortly. Along with the two remaining Egyptian god cards.
"Hey, bro, look, someone's already here," Mokuba pointed to a young man sitting on top of one of the boxes littered amount the inside of the stadium.
"Turn on the lights!" Kaiba shouted at one of his officers, "No one should be here without first checking in with me," he demanded.
"Er, right, turn on the lights!" his officer called to maintenance as the entire stadium was illuminated and a figure stepped towards Kaiba, having been sitting cross-legged on top of a box this whole time. The trespasser was a young man with a green hoodie unzipped with a white t-shirt underneath. He also had on black jeans and brown hiking boots, but most strikingly was the young man's gray eyes and milky white hair.
"Oh, so this is the spot for the finals, after all. I got worried when no one showed up and I was here before the sun set," he said. "Sorry, didn't realize you were supposed to get here first."
"I'll take your apology at face value as long as you explain who you are," Kaiba told the young man.
"Me?" the young man asked. "I'm Nagito Komaeda." He outstretched his arms and smiled creepily. "I look forward to fulfilling these battle city finals with hope!"
"The only hope that's going on in this tournament finals is the lack of it that anyone else has of beating me," Kaiba said firmly.
"Ah, but wouldn't that fuel your own hope?" Nagito asked. "The hope that you won't be defeated."
"Please, I don't need hope. I'm self-assured in my skills to beat everyone here, including you."
"What about Yugi?" Nagito asked.
Kaiba only grimaced and made no reply.
"Don't worry, Kaiba. I promise not to get in between you and your archrival," Nagito said. "And I just want to make yours and Yugi's final showdown shine even brighter by losing to one of you in the finals. As long as I can duel one of you and give it my all, that's all that matters to me."
"Well good, someone that knows his place in this tournament," Kaiba said with a smug smirk. "But now that the formalities are out of the way, let's see your locator cards so I can be sure you're not just talk."
"Sure thing," Nagito said and handed over his six locator cards to Kaiba's security officers.
"Congratulations on reaching the battle city finals," one of them told him.
"Here is your finalist ID card," the other told Nagito, exchanging it for the locator cards, "Don't lose it."
"I'll try my hardest," Nagito said.
"So, is it just you and me here?" Nagito asked.
"So far," Kaiba said. "I'm expecting the other fourteen finalists shortly."
"Ah, look!" Mokuba pointed. "Here comes Yugi's group."
Yugi, Joey, Mai, Sonia, Gundham, and all their friends approached the stadium with a mix of cheerful looks and sunny dispositions.
Mahiru immediately snapped a photo to commemorate her first step into the finals as a spectator.
"Oooh! Ooh! Mahiru, take a picture of Ibuki!" Ibuki exclaimed.
"All right, all right, hold still," Mahiru said as Ibuki ran over to one side of the stadium and posed.
"So, Yugi, you made it," Kaiba said.
"Of course," Yugi said as he and the others held up their locator cards.
"So, that makes seven finalists, including you and me, Kaiba," Nagito said.
"Thank you, I can count," Kaiba retorted.
"Hmm, wait a sec, don't we know you?" Téa asked, pointing at Nagito.
"Oh, you remember me?" Nagito asked. "Sorry, I don't think I remember meeting the two of you?"
Ibuki ran over. "Wh-what are you saying, Nagito? You met Téa and Joey when you helped take Bakura to the hospital."
"Huh? Oh yeah, I suppose I did. Sorry, I guess I just have trouble remembering unremarkable people."
"Unremarkable? Why you—"
"Save it for the tournament, Wheeler," Kaiba said. "Unless you want me to disqualify you like you should be already."
Joey just growled.
"Pay Nagito no attention," Gundham told Joey. "His outlook on life greatly differs from us all."
"Still, I am surprised to see you here, Nagito," Sonia said. "Did you have much trouble with Marik's Rare Hunters?"
"A bit," Nagito said. "But, I'm all good now."
Yugi gasped. "You ran into Marik too?"
"I guess you could say that. He took control of one of his minions and dueled me through them. That was how I got my final locator card."
"And like that, you've contributed more to these finals than Wheeler," Kaiba chuckled. Joey, again growled.
"Oh," Ibuki said as she heard footsteps. "Here comes someone."
"I sense a malicious aura," Gundham said. "Everyone be on your guard."
The group tensed up.
"Must be Marik," Joey said.
"Let's not jump to conclusions," Mahiru said. "But just in case it is," she held up her camera. She wanted to get an unexpected first mug shot at the creep that had had his minions chase her around the city for a great length of time.
As the figure emerged from the unlit part of the stadium, he was revealed to be a young man with blond hair, tan skin, purple eyes, leather pants and a purple, sleeveless shirt.
"Wait a sec," Joey said, running up to the guy excitedly, "I know you, you're Namu."
"You saved Bakura's life," Téa said, joining Joey in front of their supposed friend.
Namu, or more accurately, Marik, smiled like a true gentle soul, "Glad I could help," he said nicely with a smile. "Where's Bakura now?" he asked.
"Resting, in the hospital," Téa said.
"Excellent," Marik said. "I'll do anything to help someone in need."
Joey, however, suddenly seemed to be on alert to Marik's act. I don't know what it is, but there's something I don't trust about this guy.
"So, Joey," Marik said, keeping up the act, "It looks like we both made it to the Battle City Finals, didn't we? I didn't think I'd get this far, but after I met you two I've been winning every duel."
"Whoa, really?" Ibuki asked, looking at Namu with a rather surprised expression, surveying him like he was some sort of scenic overlook at a fancy hotel. She hugged Joey's arm. "Maybe Ibuki should stick around Joey more often then. I bet it's his good luck rubbed off on you."
At this, Mai frowned. "If Joey's luck is rubbing off on anyone," she said, sticking her nose in the air, "It's me. After all, I won my duel against Sonia and it was the toughest duel in Battle City I'd faced up to that point."
"Holy crap!" Ibuki exclaimed, "So Joey's luck is donatable by exposure." She began rubbing her arm fiercely against Joey's arm. "Joey I need some of your good luck."
"Ow! Ow! Ow! Ibuki stop that!" Joey exclaimed trying to fling her off. "Tristan, get this crazy broad off me."
"Your friend seems…energetic," Serenity said to Mahiru, finding the best word she could to be nice about it.
"She's always like that," Mahiru said.
"Still, I can tell, Joey likes her company," Serenity said as Joey put Ibuki in another headlock and noogied her, causing Mai to flick him in the temple and scold him for treating a girl that way.
"Theoretically, I suppose someone has to," Mahiru said, rubbing her head and closing one eye. She then glanced aside, blushing. "Though I'd be lying if I said Ibuki's cheer wasn't contagious."
Ibuki was now hugging Joey again and Mai looked absolutely livid. "No one said you could cling to him like a Koala Bear, don't you have any manners?" Mai asked her.
"Aw, come on, we're all pals around here," Ibuki said with a smile, "Plus, we're all part of the same band."
"That doesn't mean you can hang off me like a freaking monkey," Joey said, rubbing his hair. "Seriously, Ibuki, personal space, why dontcha?"
"So there's a time and a place when Joey wants Ibuki to jump all over him."
"Uhhhh…" Joey was going to answer, except her saw Mai glaring at him like a fearsome demon.
"Man, what I wouldn't give to be in your shoes," Tristan said, putting his arms up behind his head. "You got two gorgeous women fighting over you."
"Do I look like I'm enjoying this?" Joey shouted at him.
Yugi then approached the situation and Téa introduced him to Namu, telling him about what happened to Bakura. "It's an honor to meet you, Yugi," Marik said, extending his hand for Yugi to shake.
"Namu," Yugi said, shaking it, "Thank you for helping out, Bakura. Any buddy of Joey and Téa's is a buddy of mine."
"Too true!" Ibuki cooed, knowing she fit into that category.
"I'm so happy to be surrounded by such a welcoming crowd," Marik said, "I just hope everyone I meet tonight is as friendly as you people."
Eh, maybe he's not so bad after all, Joey thought, rubbing his head. What do I know?
"Fate be willing there is guaranteed to be a dark force headed this way," Gundham said, head turned to the side. "No doubt that malicious Marik Ishtar will be here."
Ibuki gasped. "That's right. Marik's totally like a final boss character. No way he's not going to be in the finals."
And he likely has the last Egyptian God Card with him, Yugi thought.
"Hey, you know, Ibuki just thought of something," Ibuki said. "Namu, how'd you escape from the Rare Hunters. Joey and Téa were in peril, but what about you?"
"Huh?" Joey's suspicions jumped back to active. "Yeah, Ibuki's got a point. What happened Namu?"
"Yeah, seriously, didn't Celeste drag you away?" Téa asked.
Marik froze. Argh! These fools have called my bluff. Think, Marik, think. You have to have a reasonable explanation for how you—
"Of course he's all right," a whimsical, sophisticated voice echoed through the stadium, "I let him go."
Celeste! Marik thought, turning his head to face the incoming gambler.
"Well, well, well, look who actually made it to the finals," Joey said, sounding annoyed. "So, pick up your last two locator cards, Frenchy?"
Celeste held up six locator cards. "It was easy," she chuckled. "I happened to run into a few dullards fleeing the graveyard crying monster. I fought two of them in a triangle duel and they fell victim to my new deck," she chuckled, fingers over her lips. She then looked at Namu. "Though, I'm surprised to see you Namu. If I had known you were such a powerful duelist, I would've had you brought straight to Marik. You likely would've made an excellent mind slave."
Witch! How dare you mock me to my face! Marik thought. However, given he was pretending to be this Namu character, he simply gave Celeste a scared look and took a few steps back from her.
"Don't worry, Namu," Yugi said, "Celeste won't try anything funny now, right Celeste?"
Celeste chuckled. "Well, I can't promise that."
"Celeste," Kaiba said to her. "You're already on thin ice with me. Try to keep your little schemes under control."
"Message received, Kaiba," Celeste said with a sweet smile.
"So that's nine of us now," Sonia said. "That means there are seven more finalists yet unaccounted for."
Ibuki's hair horns wobbled back and forth. "More footsteps!" she declared, pointing behind Kaiba this time.
Arriving on scene, Chiaki on his back, Hajime stepped out into the light. "This looks like the place," he said.
"Who's that?" Sonia wondered aloud. "Wait a sec," she then noticed Chiaki on Hajime's back, "Chiaki?"
Kaiba's eyes shrunk in and no one had ever seen the head of KaibaCorp move so fast as he dashed over to Hajime. The spikey haired duelist actually stumbled back a little.
"What happened?" he demanded out of Hajime.
"What? What's eating Kaiba?" Joey wondered. He then noticed that Ibuki had vanished along with Sonia, Gundham, Mahiru and Nagito.
"Chiaki!" Sonia called her name again.
"She's fine! She just needs some rest!" A voice called as Mikan Tsumiki came bounding into the stadium only to prat fall into the ground and whine. Mahiru immediately ran over to help her.
"Chiaki, we're here," Hajime said, turning his head towards her as best she could.
Chiaki's eyes fluttered open to the sight of bright stadium lights and the concerned faces of her friends. "Sonia," she mumbled, given Sonia was in her direct line of sight.
"Chiaki, please tell me you're all right," Sonia said, worried.
"She'll be fine," Hajime said. "She was in a pretty rough duel back in the cemetery. She slept on my back the whole way here."
"And you are?" Gundham asked.
"Me? Hajime Hinata. I'm a Battle City finalist."
Kaiba recognized Hajime from his research, but he didn't want to play his hand too early. He played it cool. Instead, he focused his attention on Chiaki, "Nanami, you're a disgrace. Wake up!"
Chiaki's eyes shot open and she yawned, using her hand to barely cover her mouth. She then squirmed to climb down off of Hajime and stood next to him. "Oh, hello, Kaiba."
Kaiba then noticed her injury. "Your leg."
"Oh, it looks worse than it is, at least now anyway," Chiaki said. "Mikan helped me."
"Were you set upon by the Hound of Baskerville?" Gundham asked. "Such a grave wound in that pattern can only be the work of demons."
"Honestly, that's not far from the truth," Chiaki said. "I'll explain later." She looked up at Kaiba. "Thank you for being worried about me."
"Worried, please," Kaiba scoffed only to smirk obnoxiously, eyes closed, "I just thought that this tournament would be a disgrace without the person that helped beta test my duel disk technology when it was in early development."
"Wait, you did what?" Hajime asked.
"Kaiba and I have a history of sorts, I guess you could say," Chiaki told Hajime. "I told you I'd met him before, right?"
"Well yeah, but I didn't know you dueled him."
"What's all the commotion?" Joey asked as he, Yugi, and the others approached the area.
"Oh, Yugi Mutoh," Chiaki said, looking straight at the teen. "Nice to meet you," she said, hands firm on her bag straps.
"Um, nice to meet you too I guess," Yugi said, nervously rubbing the back of his head. "Who…are you, exactly?"
"Her name is Chiaki Nanami," Kaiba introduced. "She's Hope's Peak Academy's Ultimate Gamer and about the only other duelist I know besides you that can keep pace with me."
"Yeah, but I lost last time," Chiaki said. "Although, to be fair, you still needed bugs worked out with the duel disk so by the time we had a continuous run, I don't know how the other duels would've played out."
"Heh, I know how they would've played out same as any other duel I duel in. I win," Kaiba said.
"Well if you've got Rich Boy's respect, you must be a pretty sharp duelist," Joey said.
"Please, Chiaki could duel circles around you, Wheeler. She's several times the duelist you'll ever be."
"Yeah, then I want to duel her in the first round so that I can prove you wrong!"
"Hey, hang on now, no need for all the hostility, right?" Hajime asked.
"I agree," Sonia said. "Chiaki, congratulations on reaching the Battle City Finals."
"Thank you, Sonia. And…I'm glad to see all of you here. But…what are you doing here, Mahiru?"
"I'll tell you later," Mahiru said, giggling. "Congratulations, Chiaki."
"Heh, not that we expected any less from the Ultimate Gamer," Gundham said with a smirk.
"I'm more interested in your friend there," Nagito said curiously, "Where'd he come from?"
"Hajime's my friend from the reserve course," Chiaki said with a smile. "You should see him duel, he's very good."
"Indeed, I checked the logs myself," Kaiba said, making direct, narrowed eye contact with Hajime. "I've got my eye on you, Hinata."
Hajime gulped.
"You're so nice, Chiaki, helping a reserve course student with his hope," Nagito said. "Still," he said, finger on his temple, giving Hajime the stink eye. "If you think you're still in shallow waters, be prepared to drown. This tournament isn't for talentless hacks like you."
"If you've got a problem with me, say it to my face," Hajime said, stomping towards Nagito.
"Problem? Nah, I'd say you're the one with the problem. A normal guy like you in a tournament full of Ultimates? I doubt you'll get past the first round."
"You think you're better than me?" Hajime asked, glaring.
"I am better than you, if only by so much."
"Nagito, that's enough!" Chiaki shouted, upset. Nagito looked at her. "Hajime is my friend, just like all of you are my friends. So if you don't have anything nice to say to him, keep your mouth shut."
Nagito quickly stuffed his hands into his pockets and smiled. "Well, I guess if that's a direct request from our class' Ultimate Gamer and our class representative, I'll obey it. Still, even if you want to coddle him, that doesn't change reality."
Chiaki puffed her cheeks and now glared at Nagito. He could be so rude. She turned to look at Hajime and brushed her hand on his arm. "Don't listen to him okay. I have confidence in you and that's all that matters, okay?"
"Awww, Chiaki's sweet on the guy," Ibuki laughed. "Now Ibuki gets it."
Both Chiaki and Hajime had simultaneous, embarrassed gasping reactions. "N-no! Y-you've got it all wrong!" Hajime exclaimed, waving his hand in front of his face rapidly. "Ch-Chiaki and I are…are…" He stuttered, trying to answer that question.
Fortunately, Gundham saved the situation. "Hajime Hinata, was it?"
"Y-yes," Hajime stuttered.
"Pay no attention to our resident Jester, he speaks nothing but noise," Gundham said, referring to Nagito. "Making it to the Battle City Finals alone is proof of your skill." He held his hands up in the shape of knives. "Whether you rise or you fall is a direct result of your action or inaction. Dueling takes far more than a single talent to master."
"Well, unless you're me," Kaiba said, given his talent was Ultimate Duelist.
"Not helping," Chiaki stated.
"So if you are surrounded by Goliaths, do not be dissuaded if you believe yourself to be David. If fortune is willing, you will find your opportunity to unleash your furious sling and eject your rock of justice at your overwhelmingly powerful foe, regardless of who he or she may be."
"Aptly put, Gundham," Sonia said firmly, understanding all of that. She gave her hand to Hajime to shake. "Nagito does not speak for all of us. For me, any friend of Chiaki's is a friend of mine."
"Oooh! Oooh! Ibuki too!" Ibuki said and rushed over to the opposite side of Hajime so she could be closer to Sonia.
"Ah, thank you," Hajime said and awkwardly shook Sonia's hand.
"My, such a strong grip, Hajime," Sonia said as the two pulled their hands away. "Are you sure your talent is not arm wrestling?"
"Well, I did work out a lot in middle school," Hajime said with an embarrassed smile, "I tried to stay in every club I could think of, hoping my perseverance would get me into Hope's Peak, that I would be seen as good at something."
Nagito thought to say something, but just kept his passive smile like Chiaki asked, especially since she looked right at him after Hajime finished speaking.
"Well, you made it here," Yugi said to him. "So, like Gundham said, that's proof of something."
"You're darn right it is," Joey said and held up his arm. "We underdogs gotta stick together. Put her there, Hajime."
"Uh, thanks," Hajime said, feeling rather welcomed. Chiaki just smiled and laughed.
A silence fell on the crowd as the situation seemed to simmer down, at least until Mikan freaked out. "AAAAAH! I forgot about Bakura!" She ran out of the stadium.
"Bakura?" Yugi asked.
"She can't mean our Bakura, can she? He should be in the hospital," Téa said.
But no, Mikan did indeed mean their Bakura. She walked with him, shoulder to shoulder, apologizing on the verge of tears. "I'm so sorry," she said. "I thought you were right behind us. Usually I'm the one that gets left behind."
"Mikan, really, it's fine," Bakura said with a kind expression.
"Bakura, what are you doing here? You should be in the hospital," Téa said. "And you look even worse. What happened to your shirt?"
"I bet it was the Spirit of the Ring," Yugi said with a glare.
"Can't be," Tristan said.
"How come?" Téa asked.
"I chucked that thing into the deepest part of the woods back in Duelist Kingdom never to been again."
"I dunno, that trinket looks pretty millennium to me," Ibuki said, observing the item around Bakura's neck. Mahiru snapped a photo, giving Bakura temporary light glare.
"U-um, M-Mr. Kaiba," Mikan said.
Kaiba looked at the Ultimate Nurse with his usual, stern gaze.
"I was…I mean…I just…umm…" Mikan stuttered and then looked like she was going to cry.
"What she's trying to say is that we brought Bakura here to ask from assistance from KaibaCorp medical," Chiaki said. "Mikan's coming along as a spectator in case I collapse due to my leg injury or any other complications."
"Mmmhmm! Mmmhmm!" Mikan nodded nervously, eyes clenched shut.
"They'll be plenty of medical staff on hand once the finals get started, but I doubt any of my staff members pair up to the Ultimate Nurse," Kaiba said. If there was one thing the man respected above all else it was skill and talent. "If you're even half the medical examiner as Chihiro is a programmer, having you on board might help my own staff learn a thing or two."
Mikan just whined and nodded in acceptance.
"Mikan, are you okay?" Mahiru asked.
"Y-yes," Mikan stuttered, looking at Mahiru, though she certainly didn't sound it.
"So what exactly happened, Bakura?" Yugi asked him.
"I dueled it," Chiaki said to Yugi. "The spirit of the ring, I mean."
"And she won," Hajime said, putting a hand on her shoulder, "But that's Chiaki for you."
"I caused a little bit of a ruckus," Bakura said. "I'm truly terribly sorry for all the trouble I caused."
So, that fool failed to hold up his end of the bargain, Marik thought, hearing all of this. He looked towards Celeste. More importantly, why has that witch not exposed me in front of everyone? She's seen my face, so why hasn't she let Yugi and his friends, or even Kaiba know?
Celeste saw Marik looking at her and just smiled sweetly with a giggle. Marik only growled.
That girl must be a truly skilled duelist, Yami told Yugi. To have bested the spirit of the ring in a shadow game, and without a Millennium Item.
I agree, Yugi responded back. I guess Kaiba's respect towards her really goes a long way.
Indeed, to face a shadow game and walk away with only a wounded leg and nothing more, I don't know whether or not to say if she's lucky or someone we should be wary of, Yami added.
I'd say both, but only wary in that she'll be a tough opponent. She seems nice enough, Yugi told him.
Yami didn't answer back. Perhaps it was his skepticism towards complete strangers. Perhaps it was the fact that Chiaki had good relations with Kaiba. Or perhaps he was just extremely focused on the task ahead. Regardless of the reason, he didn't seem ready to warm up to the young gamer as much as his counterpart seemed to. Although, to be fair, Yami just figured he had to be the cautious one between them. After all, sometimes the most fearsome of devils could hide behind the sweetest of smiles.
"Um, excuse me! Is this the location of the Battle City Finals?"
Everyone walked back towards the other side of the stadium entrance where a young teen dressed similarly to Nagito, but with the same hairstyle as Hajime entered the stadium. He had a duffle bag with him as did the girl running up behind him in the sailor uniform.
Now who's this boy? Marik wondered.
"This is the place," Yugi said only to make the teen gasp in surprise.
"Wh-whoa, y-you're…"
"Hmm?"
"You're him. You're Yugi Mutoh."
Yugi chuckled with a smile. "You have me at a disadvantage."
"Oh, sorry," the teen said. "My name is Makoto, Makoto Naegi. I'm a Battle City Finalist, um, like you, I guess. Well, I mean not like you like you," he said. "You're like way better at this game than I am." Makoto rubbed his cheek. "I think I got through this tournament through sheer luck."
So, Kaiba thought approaching the area, That's the duelist that managed to defeat Sweet Orchard.
"Looks like we're at the right place," Komaru said, smiling to her older brother. "I'm Komaru," she said to Yugi. "Makoto's like a huge fan of yours. I guess you could say he's a bit star struck."
"Well, I mean, this all still feels so surreal," Makoto said. "I mean, I'm in the finals of a huge tournament with Yugi Mutoh and the reigning champion, Seto Kaiba. And me? I'm nobody."
"No mere nobody could defeat my little event duel," Kaiba said, approaching the area. "To say you got here by pure luck is doubting your own abilities."
"Ah, Seto Kaiba!" Makoto exclaimed.
"You know him too?" Yugi asked Kaiba.
"Well, I wouldn't say I know him, but there was a special event I was holding in the tournament at the mall. It was set up so only a true duelist like you or me would have the skill to win. And Makoto managed to do it."
"I don't get it, what's so special about this duel," Joey said, as the group approached the area.
"It was a five on one duel," Makoto said. "With special rules. All my opponents got to go before I did, but they could only play one monster and one spell or trap card between them."
"Five opponents and one monster each…" Joey said, counting on his fingers.
"Basically between the five of them, they had a full board," Chiaki said.
"And only 1000 life points per duelist," Kaiba said. "It was meant as entertainment. I didn't think anyone would actually pull it off."
Makoto rubbed the back of his head. "Well, I just got lucky, I guess."
"Hey, luck's part of any duel," Joey said.
"Oh, here, here," Celeste said with a smile.
Even if they're all fated to lose to me, this tournament is shaping up nicely, Kaiba thought. His gaze shifted rapidly from Makoto to Hajime and then to Chiaki. No one can say I haven't wrangled some of the finest duelists around when the world sees what those three are capable of.
"Um, Mr. Kaiba," Makoto said.
"What?" Kaiba replied.
"Um, is it all right if my little sister spectates? She's kind of been my moral support all throughout this tournament, so um…"
"Of course she can stick around," Mokuba said. "Seto already planned to let Yugi's friends spectate, so it's not like he can deny anyone else showing up. Besides, you'll all get front row seats to the greatest tournament KaibaCorp has ever produced."
"The first of many," Kaiba said, tooting his own ego.
"What's with the duffle bag?" Tristan asked Makoto.
"Well, Komaru and I had to stay overnight last night at hotel," Makoto said. "And we went back to get our things after I won six locator cards. We didn't know how late the tournament would go or if it would go into tomorrow, so I brought a change of clothes and some of my favorite snacks."
"Nourishments will be provided throughout the tournament finals," Kaiba said, "But I'll give you points for planning on the part of hygiene."
"Wow, a compliment from the Seto Kaiba," Komaru said with a bright smile. "Those don't get thrown around often."
"Y-yeah," Makoto stuttered and then ruffled through his hoodie pockets. "Um, Mr. Kaiba, could um…" he held out a pen and paper, "Could I get your autograph?"
"You want my autograph?" Kaiba asked. He'd heard Makoto singing Yugi's praise earlier. He felt like he was being pitied.
"Well, I mean," Makoto said, putting a hand on his chest, "You're…kind of like my hero."
Only Mokuba noticed, but Makoto's words hit a spot of Kaiba that the hardened CEO denied existed inside his icy cold heart.
"I started dueling because you were an inspiration to me," Makoto said. "You picked up the game…and you weren't that much older than me and you became the world champion. You even got Hope's Peak to recognize your ability. It was amazing." He smiled. "I mean, if the two greatest duelists in the world, you and Yugi, are my age, then the least I could do was try. I mean, I love new fads and games. I even bought a starter dragon deck because of your Blue-Eyes," Makoto said.
Kaiba tried hard to hide it, but Mokuba could see it plain as day. Kaiba was touched. "Heh," he smirked. "I suppose I do inspire a young generation of wannabe duelists. Give it here," he said, regarding the pen and paper.
In a flourishing gesture, Kaiba signed his name on Makoto's notepad, handing it back to Makoto with a click of the pen.
"Aw, wow, that's so cool!" Komaru exclaimed. "You gonna hang that on your wall when we get home?"
"Yup," Makoto said, putting the notepad away, "I've got just the spot for it too."
"Man, who knew Kaiba was going soft?" Tristan stated.
"Oh, I guess you guys just haven't seen that facet of Kaiba very much," Chiaki said. Yugi and his friends looked at her. "I mean, I guess he's just hostile to you guys because Yugi beat him and he can't stand Joey, no offense," she said to Joey.
"None taken," Joey replied.
"But Kaiba can be a decent human being."
"Chiaki, that's enough," Kaiba said to her. He had a reputation to uphold.
"Oh, sorry," she apologized.
"Well, with Makoto here that makes twelve finalists," Marik, still acting as Namu said. "We're only missing four more."
"Try three," a cool, composed, condescending voice stated.
"Only one voice could sound that annoying in only two words," Tristan said.
From the edge of the coliseum, Byakuya Togami stepped forward and had six locator cards wrapped in a rubber band. "Six locator cards," he said, tossing them Kaiba's way. The tournament host caught them with no trouble.
"Togami," Kaiba said as the young blond approached the area.
"What? Surprised to see me? Were you hoping I'd be too late to enter?" Byakuya asked.
"Heh, hardly," Kaiba said with a smirk. "I wanted another chance to crush you. After all, when I beat you this time, Wicked Dreadroot will belong to me."
"Oh? That thing," Byakuya said. "I don't need it anymore. I'm afraid another duelist has it in their grip now."
"You lost it?" Kaiba asked, sounding angry.
"Power isn't everything, Kaiba," Byakuya said. "I would've thought Yugi Mutoh would've taught you that."
Kaiba only growled.
"Like a phoenix from the ashes I've risen once more," Byakuya said and pointed a declarative finger at Kaiba. "And I plan to take you down and show this world who really is deserving of the title of World Champion."
"Who's the suit?" Joey asked.
"Byakuya Togami," Tristan said, "Some big shot rich guy with a bad attitude."
"Did you say Byakuya Togami?" Mai asked.
"Uh, yeah," Tristan said.
"Then this tournament just got a whole lot harder," Mai stated.
"Hmm?" Byakuya asked, looking Mai's way. "Well, well, well, Mai Valentine. Interesting to spot a familiar face."
"You know this guy?" Joey asked, sounding freaked out.
Mai stared at him. "We dueled once. It was his first tournament ever."
Byakuya chuckled. "Yes, and I remember how quickly your harpies fell to the bottom of the food chain."
"So, he's good?" Joey asked Mai.
"More than good, he's a prodigy, the sole heir to the Togami Fortune. Anything he sets his mind to, he masters quickly, dueling is no exception."
"Could not have given introductions better myself," Byakuya said. "By the way, have you given any further consideration to my proposal?"
"The answer's still no, sorry kiddo. Not interested."
"A shame," Byakuya said. "Brains and beauty in one package are hard to come by. Our progeny would've been quite a sight to the world to behold."
"I told you before, kid, I ain't nobody's baby mama."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, what the hell are you two talking about?" Joey demanded to know.
"Togami wanted to make me the mother of one of his illegitimate children," Mai said. "Ain't know way I'm getting saddled with a kid without a ring on this finger and even if marriage was the proposal, I hate arrogant men."
"And that's why I said it's a shame, but that's your call to make," Byakuya said. "I'm not my father, I don't intend to force my concubines to bear my children. Instead, you will simply feel the shame and regret that you were not a part of what could've been your cut of the glory."
"Look, fame and fortune might be my game, but any kids I have are free to pick their own destiny, got it? So, let this be the last time we talk about this, unless you want to go shopping for new glasses."
"Wow, Mai's sounds so cool," Serenity said. "I want to be just like her when I get older, feisty and confident."
"You like feisty and confident?" Mahiru asked.
"Yeah," Serenity said. "You and Mai are really cool, Mahiru."
"M-me?" Mahiru stuttered.
"Yeah, I want to be able to stand up to Rare Hunters like you did," Serenity said. "I mean…I'm pretty meek myself. Joey always stood up for me and I had a weak constitution growing up, so I never really had a chance to stand on my own."
"Yeah, but I'm not, I mean…" Mahiru didn't want to mention that she wasn't full of boundless confidence. Natsumi's image flashed in her mind and Mahiru shuddered. Thankfully Serenity still had her bandages on and couldn't see that. "Well, I mean, thanks for, um, thinking I'm cool."
Serenity just laughed happily.
"So, how many does that make?" Byakuya asked Kaiba.
"Counting you, thirteen," Kaiba said.
Byakuya looked at all the people wearing duel disks, only to notice Ibuki and Bakura. "There are fifteen here, aren't there?"
"Two of them are knocked out spectators," Kaiba said.
"Yeah," Ibuki said, bopping herself on the head.
"Long story," Bakura said, rubbing the back of his head.
"So then the rest…" Byakuya said and looked around. He then spotted Nagito. "Oh great, you."
"Heh, fate's funny, huh?" Nagito asked.
"You know each other, Nagito?" Chiaki asked.
"We dueled," Nagito said. "I won."
"I see, so that means the Wicked Dreadroot resides in your deck," Kaiba said.
"Wicked…Dreadroot?" Nagito asked, sounding confused.
"Nagito doesn't have it," Byakuya said. He pointed at Celeste. "The person that robbed me of Wicked Dreadroot was her."
"Guilty as charged," Celeste chuckled.
"Wait, you got that huge monster from this guy?" Joey asked, pointing at Byakuya.
Wait, what? Kaiba hissed. His eyes darted from Byakuya to Celeste and then to Joey. But that would mean such a rare card is now in Wheeler's deck. Impossible! It has to be! "Wheeler, let me see that card."
"What? So you can tear it in half the way you tore Yugi's grandpa's Blue-Eyes? Fat chance, rich boy."
"Show me the damn card, Wheeler, or you're disqualified this instant!" Kaiba demanded.
"All right, all right, yeesh," Joey said, though he stood where he was and held up Wicked Dreadroot.
"By the foul breath of Anubis!" Gundham gasped looking at the card.
"4000 attack points?" Sonia shuddered.
"Ya happy?" Joey asked.
Kaiba stared at the Wicked Dreadroot. Something he thought a complete impossibility was reality. Joey had one of the most powerful cards in all of Duel Monsters, a rare, one of a kind monster that nearly destroyed him in his duel with Byakuya. I don't believe this. Even though I was able to scrape by Togami in our duel, Wheeler now has the most powerful card he used. And there's no telling what else Wheeler scrounged together. I can't believe this! If I have to duel Wheeler, I'm actually going to have to try. This is a nightmare! "Happy? No," Kaiba answered. "But I'm satisfied. Put it away before you give yourself a paper cut."
"Yeah, up yours too," Joey responded.
"Hmm," Bakura said. "Would that be finalist number fourteen?"
The others all looked in the opposite direction as a tall man with tan skin and a big purple cloak stepped towards the group. He had tattoos on the left side of his face and olive green eyes.
"This guy looks familiar," Joey said, "And that's a mug you don't forget." As the tall man neared, Joey gasped, "That's the guy!"
"He's the one who kidnapped me!" Mokuba whispered.
"State your name, right now," Kaiba demanded calmly.
"I am Marik," the tall man said.
Growling, Joey ran in front of the guy, standing with his body perpendicular to Kaiba. "I'll kick your brainwashing keister!"
"You are no match for me, fool," Odion, pretending to be Marik, said calmly.
"Brainwashing?" Makoto asked.
"What's this guy's deal, anyway?" Komaru asked.
"Bad guy," Téa told her. "Real bad."
Joey growled. "The only reason I'm not tossing you out on your cape right now," he said, "Is so I can save my energy kicking your butt in the finals, got that pal?"
"I should disqualify you right now," Kaiba said. "For capturing my little brother, Mokuba. But you have something I want," Kaiba said and then clenched his fist. "And before the finals are over, your Egyptian God Card will be mine!"
"Egyptian God Card?" Komaru wondered aloud, looking at Makoto.
"Don't look at me, I don't know what they're talking about," Makoto said.
"I get the feeling we missed out on like a huge story that we got thrown straight into the middle of," Komaru said.
"Same here," Hajime said.
This Egyptian God Card must be really important, Chiaki thought. Kaiba loves his little brother more than anything. If he's willing to still let Marik compete in spite of that… she sighed and pulled her hood up over her head. Oh, Kaiba, I thought you were past this.
So, that's Marik, huh? Nagito thought.
"Doesn't look like you have too many friends around here, tattoo face!" Mokuba snapped.
Odion said nothing and just walked over to an unoccupied corner of the stadium, standing with his arms folded.
Celeste glanced over at the real Marik.
Why is she looking at me? Is this what she was waiting for? Is she going to expose me in front of everyone?
Marik held his breath as Celeste walked towards Odion and curtsied. "I do so hope my interference earlier has caused no bad blood between us. Twas a pleasure to work with you, Marik, however temporary."
That witch! Marik exclaimed. If Odion didn't reply carefully it could ruin the whole plan right now.
"Likewise," Odion replied.
Marik let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. He was grateful Odion was always a man of few words in public.
A few minutes passed before anyone else showed up, bored, Joey said, "Hey, where are the next two finalists."
"To be fair, we all did get here, early," Chiaki said.
"Makoto and I brought a board game if anyone else wants to play," Komaru said.
Chiaki whipped out her game girl. "Glad I brought this," she said. She looked at Hajime. "Co-op?"
"Uh, sure."
However, before anyone could get involved in anything, Ibuki exclaimed, "Ibuki hears voices."
"It's this way! Come on, we're almost there!"
"All right, all right, don't run. You'll fall and scrape your knee if you're not careful."
"Who's that?" Joey asked.
Gundham chuckled, "Well, I'll be a herald to Lucifer."
From the stadium emerged several boys with green hair all in the same style. They all wore matching pink shirts, but only one of them, the tallest had a duel disk.
"BAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Gundham cackled. "Well, look who took my advice and came back stronger than ever. Good to see you, Esper!"
"Isn't that Espa Roba?" Mai asked, "The renown psychic duelist?"
"I think so," Yugi said.
"Gundham, you know him?" Sonia asked.
"Yes, he was one of my many victims as I clawed my way up the ladder to the finals. He had but one mere locator card when I left him a fearful wreck on the ground."
"But I took your advice and I tempered my psychic powers. Now I'm stronger than ever!" Espa declared.
Gundham laughed. "Yes, I can tell, your battle aura hungers for a challenge."
Espa marched straight up to Kaiba. "Here," he said, handing Kaiba his locator cards, "Six locator cards."
Kaiba graciously accepted the cards from Espa and one of his staff members handed Espa an ID card. "Brought the whole family out, I see."
"Just my younger brothers. I wouldn't be here if they weren't always supporting me."
"That's what we're for, right Makoto?" Komaru asked.
Makoto rubbed the back of his head.
"Looks like we're one of the last one's here, bro," Espa's eldest younger brother said.
"Seems that way," Espa said.
"That makes fifteen finalists," Kaiba's staff member said. "Since you all have gathered here, there is something we now need to explain. Even though your locator cards brought you here, this is not actually the location of the Battle City finals."
"What? Are you joking?" Mahiru gasped, looking worried.
"I have a no humor hiring policy," Kaiba said.
"Yeah, your face is funny looking enough for your whole staff," Joey said, taking a proper jab.
Mai sighed. Joey could be so childish.
"The actual arena should be arriving shortly," the other staff member said.
"I'm lost," Joey said.
"Where are the finals?" Yugi wanted to know.
The lights in the stadium suddenly shined upwards and heralded in a gigantic blimp rising up over the sky.
"Um," Chihiro said, "Please stand back so it can land. We'll all be boarding shortly."
"Oh, it's…it's just a blimp," Mahiru said. Come on Akane, move faster. She was worried the blimp would take off before Akane and Hiyoko arrived.
"So we're dueling in the sky?" Yugi asked.
"You got it," Mokuba said, excited, "In fact, four thousand feet in the sky to be exact."
"Sounds like fun," Ibuki said.
"You got barf bags on board?" Joey asked, "Just checking."
"And that's why I told you accepting the Fat Burger Pizza challenge wasn't a good idea," Mahiru told him.
"Aw, come on, it was totally worth it," Joey said, rolling up his shirt to reveal another t-shirt underneath I that had a burger patty surrounded by pizza crust on it. "Thanks to that we all ate for free."
Mahiru sighed.
"Listen up!" Mokuba declared. "It's time to board KaibaCorp aircraft three for the start of the Battle City Finals." A staircase unfolded so the finalists and spectators could all board the blimp.
"We'll depart as soon as the sixteenth duelist arrives," Kaiba's staff member said, "Climb aboard and watch your step."
One by one the finalists all got on board. Nagito was determined to go last. He was afraid he might trip and knock into everyone and cause the whole line to collapse.
"A girl could get use to this kind of treatment," Mai said as she boarded.
"Oh, no arguments there. This is truly the lap of luxury," Celeste said.
"It's all right, I suppose," Byakuya commented.
Hajime headed up after the three of them and then noticed Chiaki having trouble raising her leg up. "Here," he said, "Take my hand. I got you."
"Thank you, Hajime," Chiaki said and carefully got herself up the stairs with Hajime's help. She stumbled once, but he was there to catch her and pull her back towards him. Chiaki landed against her injured leg and groaned.
"Oh no, Chiaki!" Mikan exclaimed.
"I-I'm fine," Chiaki said.
"Not fine enough to climb steps," Hajime said and looped his arms underneath her legs. "Here, I got you."
Chiaki was just speechless and embarrassed to be cradled up a staircase, but Hajime put her down the moment they were on the blimp. However, Chiaki hissed the moment she put her leg down.
"We need to get her to a medical room immediately."
"It's down the hall," Kaiba said. "You can't miss it." He tossed Mikan a security clearance card with a syringe symbol on it. "You'll need this."
Mikan nodded as she caught the ID card and she and Hajime helped Chiaki to medical.
"I can't wait to get on board and see you in action, Makoto," Komaru said. "This is going to be so much fun."
"Yeah," Makoto nodded.
As the other finalists got on board, Sonia noticed Mahiru lagging behind, gazing wistfully at the stadium entrance. "Mahiru, is something the matter?"
"I just…I told Akane to bring Hiyoko."
"Well we can't take off until the last finalist arrives," Sonia said, "It'll be all right. I'm sure they're not far."
"Well they better hurry up," Kaiba said, "My tournament stops for no one. I'm letting all the other spectators on board because they're already here and there's no point in giving Yugi's friends special treatment. I know he'd just complain how he needs his dweeb patrol if I said no." He glanced back at Mahiru, "But I'm not letting some nobodies halt my tournament. Got that? So get on or stay here, I don't care which." Kaiba then marched onto the blimp.
Téa, who had been listening from the entrance, came back down to talk to Mahiru. "You and Hiyoko are really close friends, right?" she asked. She'd heard all about Hiyoko at dinner.
"More like I'm her only friend," Mahiru said. "At least, that's how she sees it."
"Well, I know Kaiba can be a jerk, but none of us could've expected that this would all take place on a blimp. Why don't you call her and apologize?"
"I would, but she doesn't have a cell phone and…neither does the person bringing her."
"Indeed," Sonia reaffirmed.
"Well, why not bring her back a souvenir, as an apology?" Téa suggested.
"Eh?" Mahiru stuttered.
"Friends make mistakes, but close friends don't let that ruin their friendship. Take Yugi and me for example. This one time when we were kids, Yugi told me he'd be at a dance recital I had, but he wasn't there at the start of the afternoon matinee. But, not only did he wind up showing up, right as I was about to go on, he brought me flowers and he stayed for the whole evening show."
"Uh, that sounds like a bit more than friendship," Mahiru said.
Téa laughed. "I could see why you'd think that, but we were like nine. Besides, it was his grandpa's idea. They stopped at the flower shop and got stuck in traffic. Yugi explained it to me later."
"But…it's not like I can just buy flowers on a blimp," Mahiru said.
"I'm sure you'll think of something." Téa said. "You seem like a smart girl."
Mahiru felt reassured by Téa's words. "I'm sorry, what was your name again?"
"It's Téa," Téa said. "Téa Gardner."
"Thanks, Téa," Mahiru said and followed Téa into the blimp with Sonia in front of them.
And that was when the final duelist showed up, dressed in mysterious beige clothing and a veil covering her face, her blue, piercing eyes adding to the air of mystery about her. Ishizu Ishtar had arrived on the scene and, with that, all sixteen Battle City finalists had arrived. And, just like that, the blimp took off.
Not five minutes later though, a short, ponytailed blonde and a tall, muscular well-endowed tan girl appeared. It was Akane and Hiyoko, arriving just a bit too late to catch the ride.
"What? Where is everyone?" Hiyoko snapped. "You said the stadium!"
"This is the stadium," Akane said. "Wait, look up there. Is that a blimp?"
Hiyoko looked up at the blimp. "Are…are we late?"
Akane looked upset. "I'm…sorry."
Hiyoko stomped on her foot. "This is all your fault!" she shouted. "If you hadn't stopped for food every five minutes we would've made it here on time! Why are the finals even taking place on a blimp? What if Mahiru is scared of heights?" Hiyoko's eyes welled with tears. "I hate you, Akane! This is all your fault! You and Mahiru betrayed me!" Hiyoko then kicked Akane in the shin and ran off in tears.
"Hiyoko, come back here!" Akane called after her, but despite her tiny body and bulky kimono, Hiyoko had fleet footwork. "D-Dammit!" she cursed at herself. She ran after her. "Hiyoko, stop running! It's not safe to run around like this at night!" she called out in worry. She sighed. This is going to be a long night. She looked up at the sky. Don't worry, Mahiru. I know it's not your fault. I'll take care of Hiyoko. You have fun up there. She then bolted out of the stadium proper to chase down her classmate.
Shortly after the blimp had taken off, Hajime and Mikan helped Chiaki into medical. With Hajime's help to keep Chiaki restfully still, Mikan cut off Chiaki's bandages so she could replace them with new ones. Her leg still looked mangled up and there was bruising around some of the sutured wounds with fresh blood seeping out of some of the punctured holes."
Hajime held his hurl, looking pale.
"Is it really that bad?" Chiaki asked.
"You can't feel a lot of it because I shot you up with a special painkiller," Mikan said. "But yeah, you opened up some of the wounds again when you fell. You really need to stay off your leg, Chiaki. You can't duel like this."
"But…I have to, I promised Hajime."
"But if you push yourself you might cripple your leg for the rest of your life. As a nurse, I have to advise against that no matter what," Mikan stressed.
"Can't we use like a splint or something? Maybe she can duel leaning on a crutch?" Hajime suggested.
"Splints would only be good if the bone was out of place," Mikan said. "Her leg's just mangled up with so much skin missing from all the wounds. It won't heal properly if she doesn't stay off it for a while."
Suddenly the door opened and Kaiba stepped in. "Oh, Kaiba," Hajime said.
"How's our patient?" Kaiba asked.
Mikan suddenly hid behind Hajime, using him as a human shield. "Ch-Chiaki's leg is in really bad shape." She peeked over Hajime's shoulder. "Um, she really shouldn't be dueling in her condition. If she stands on her leg, it could cause permanent injury to the muscles and tendons and she'd be limping for the rest of her life."
"I…see," Kaiba said.
"I promise I'll duel," Chiaki pleaded, "Please don't disqualify me, Kaiba."
"You made the choice to come here. Disqualifying you now would be unsportsmanlike," Kaiba said. He closed his eyes and thought things over a minute. "How long would it take for anesthesia to set in? We have access to top of the line medicine on board this blimp. I leave nothing to chance."
"Well, I mean, theoretically if she rested for about three hours she might be able to stand up for a little while, provided we have the right medication."
"All I needed to hear," Kaiba said. "See to it."
"W-wait, you're still going to have her duel," Mikan said, getting out from around Hajime as Kaiba turned his back to her.
"Three hours would be enough time between now and the final match of the first round. While I wanted to leave things entirely to random chance, I also want to see one of this tournament's top players in action as long as she's demanding to be allowed to compete. I don't let guts like that go to waste. If you say three hours, I'll give you until the final duel of this round."
"Kaiba, you're a good man," Hajime told him.
"Don't think I'm going soft, Hinata. I'm just doing what's necessary to run my tournament."
"I'm not accusing you of anything, but I just appreciate you understanding the situation."
"I owe Chiaki for helping me work out the bugs to the new duel disk. This is just an extension of that. If you're saying this is born of sympathy, you're wrong." Kaiba then walked out the door. Mikan then stepped over to the opposite side of the room towards the cabinet and began looking for specific medicines.
"Are you sure you're going to be all right?" Hajime asked Chiaki.
"I'll be fine," Chiaki said. "I'm in good care if Mikan's watching out for me."
Hajime looked concerned.
"Go," Chiaki said. "You should enjoy the tournament with or without me there. Remember, Sonia welcomed you even if Nagito was being insensitive. And it's not just us here. Makoto, Yugi, Joey, and Espa Roba aren't even from Hope's Peak. They seem nice enough."
"Yeah, I suppose that's true enough," Hajime said.
"I'll be fine right here, Hajime," Chiaki said, smiling at him. "I promise I'll be up there to duel when it's my turn, but right now I need to rest. You don't need me to hold your hand anymore. So go out there and stand on your own."
Hajime nodded. "All right, but if you need anything, just send for me, okay? I'm here for you."
Mikan then walked back by the bed with a cart stacked with a clear glass bottle full of amber liquid and a syringe. "She'll be just fine," Mikan said with a smile. "I'll take good care of her."
"Yeah," Hajime said with a smile. "I'm sure you will." He headed off and the door closed automatically behind him.
Mikan began pulling doses of the drug in the bottle into the syringe so she could inject them into Chiaki's leg. She was going to have to give Chiaki new stitches in a few places after that tumble and reapply some anti-bacterial cream right on the wounds to clot the blood.
"Um, Mikan," Chiaki said.
"Y-yes?" Mikan asked, jumpy.
"You can keep doing what you're doing," Chiaki said. "I didn't meant to startle you."
"O-oh," Mikan said and began injecting Chiaki's wounds. "What did you want to ask me then?"
"Are you…afraid of Kaiba?" Chiaki asked.
Mikan almost dropped her syringe. "I…wouldn't say I'm scared of him. I just…"
"It's okay. You can tell me. I won't laugh at you, or judge."
Mikan held her hands by her chest. "Kaiba…well…he doesn't seem so bad, but…the way he looks at me."
"Oh, yeah, he scowls pretty fiercely doesn't he?" Chiaki asked rhetorically.
Mikan injected her leg, causing Chiaki to close one eye from the needle piercing her skin. "I just…I know Kaiba's not a bad person. He's under a lot of stress. I can tell just from looking. I just…I want to help, but…every time I try to talk to him, I just…I can't. …Okay maybe I'm a little scared of him. That's why I had to hide behind Hajime earlier. I can't even make direct eye contact with Kaiba. It's silly, I know."
"Why though?" Chiaki asked. "You talk to Gundham just fine and he's just as intimidating, more so I'd say if you don't know him very well."
"But Gundham's nice on the surface," Mikan said. "And besides, Kaiba's older than us."
"Do you have a crush on him?" Chiaki asked bluntly and out of the blue.
Pure spit went spewing out of Mikan's lips and she completely bugged out. "No! No! No! No! No! No! Y-you've got it all wrong! I-I don't have romantic feelings for him or anything like that. Th-that's silly," Mikan fanned herself. "M-me and Kaiba that's just…silly."
"You're thinking about it," Chiaki said, bluntly again.
"I am not!" Mikan denied. "B-besides, th-there's no way Kaiba and I could ever work out." There was a brief silence. "But…I mean…if he did like me, it might make my mom happy."
"Why?"
Mikan didn't answer.
"Mikan?"
"Chiaki, um, I don't mean to sound mean, but could you stop asking questions and just go to sleep?"
"Okay," Chiaki said. "Can I have my Game Girl?"
"Sure," Mikan said, handing it to her. Chiaki turned on the console and began playing, leaving Mikan to her work on her leg.
Me and Kaiba, Mikan thought. That's the silliest thing I've ever heard. There's no way a guy like him would notice or even be nice to a fragile, dirty thing like me.
After checking into her room, having a shower, reapplying makeup and putting her clothes back on, Celestia Ludenburg bopped about the hallway, counting the numbers on the doors. Let's see, she thought, and looked at her ID card: number nine. If I'm nine and I was the ninth one to arrive, then he should be… Celeste stood in front of the door with the number 8 on the card reader. Hmm, best not to assume.
"Oh, hello."
Celeste turned her head to see Mai nearby.
"Celeste, right?" Mai asked.
"That's my name, yes," Celeste said. "Celestia Ludenburg."
"Fancy," Mai said. "Couldn't stay cooped up for too long I take it?"
"Just a bit," Celeste said, glancing sideways. "I was actually looking for Namu. Have you seen him?"
"I think he went right for his room," Mai said.
"I see. What number are you, Mai, if you don't mind me asking?"
"I got five," she said. "And I think Joey got lucky number seven. Kaiba definitely has one, the self-righteous egomaniac."
Celeste chuckled. "That certainly suits him. Hmm," she said and tapped on the 8 door.
"Just a moment!" She heard Marik's, the real Marik's voice, from inside, though acting in his Namu demeanor.
Jackpot, Celeste thought. "Mai, if you don't mind, I need to have a quick chat with Namu."
"Say no more," Mai said and slapped Celeste on the back, "Have fun."
I think she has the wrong idea, but I'm in no hurry to correct her, Celeste thought.
Marik then opened the door to his room. "Oh, it's you. What do you want, witch?"
"May I come in?" Celeste asked.
Marik said nothing, but turned around and left the door open for Celeste to follow him inside. She closed the door behind her.
"State your business, witch. I was in the midst of preparation."
"Now, Marik, why so hostile? Do you see me as an enemy now?"
"You completely botched my plan to have Yugi destroyed by Joey Wheeler. Forgive me if I'm not exactly warm and cuddly to your presence."
Celeste chuckled. "Then I'll make this short. I have a proposal for you, Marik."
"Now you're the one propositioning to me?" Marik asked, irritated by Celeste's audacity.
"Oh come now, I think you'll like my proposal," Celeste said.
"I'll be the judge of that," Marik said, "But continue."
"You're going into this tournament with a one in sixteen chance of winning, two if you count Odion. That doesn't leave you with very good odds to acquire both Egyptian God Cards, now does it?"
"Make your point, witch, if you have one."
"Well, it's just, wouldn't it be sad, Marik, if a dark horse were to sweep in and knock you off your feet, shutting down everything you strived for just because you didn't see them as a threat until it was too late."
"My victory is guaranteed. I don't need any more help than I have."
"Really? Because last I did inventory, you have several duelists looking to gun you down in a manner of speaking. And I don't think you want to make me your enemy."
"You think I'm scared of you?"
"Scared? No. But I think I'm better off as your ally than your enemy, don't you agree? And I feel the same about you."
"If you thought that you would not have betrayed me," Marik said. "What's to stop me from turning you into my mind slave right this second?"
"Because when I walked in here I told Mai I wanted to speak with Namu. If I walked out of here as your mind slave, wouldn't that raise suspicions to Yugi and his friends. Also, I've noticed that you have limitations for your hold on your slaves. At some point I will have enough free will to expose you, Mairk, likely before you are ready to expose yourself. You take control of me," Celeste said, chuckling, "You can kiss the element of surprise goodbye."
Marik clenched his teeth. "What do you want?" Celeste was starting to irritate him. Now he understood why she hadn't exposed him to Yugi yet. She was using it to blackmail him into whatever scheme she had concocted.
"You said you wanted to become pharaoh and rule the world, correct?" Celeste asked.
"Yes, I did say that," Marik answered.
"Well then," Celeste said. "Every Pharaoh needs a Great Royal Wife and I don't see a woman in your life." Celeste chuckled. "I'd like to put forth my candidacy for the position?"
"What?" Marik asked flatly.
"Come now, Marik, is it so hard to figure out?" Celeste smiled. "A man in power is an attractive thing and I, for one, don't wish to grovel at your feet, if I could be your bride instead."
"You're serious?" Marik asked, still baffled by the proposition.
"I am," Celeste answered. "I will help you defeat Yugi on the grounds that, should you win the whole tournament, you make me your royal wife when you become Pharaoh."
"And why should I trust you?" Marik asked.
"Oh I'm not a difficult girl to please, Marik," Celeste said. "I want the simple things in life, money, fame, a slew of vampire butlers to wait on me hand and foot in the middle of a Transylvanian castle. You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours."
"And what if you should fail?" Marik asked.
"Then this annoying girl shall be out of your hair," Celeste said. "But think not of my circumstances, think of yours. Am I not a powerful ally, especially since you know my deck now almost as much as I do?"
Marik had to admit, Celeste had a point. "Very well, Celeste. I accept your deal. See that you make good on your proposal and help me defeat Yugi Mutoh. But mark my words, if you cross me again, you won't live long enough to regret it!"
"Excellent," Celeste said with a sweet smile and, as before, chuckled and said, "It's a pleasure to be doing business with you, Marik."
As soon as she said that, an announcement played over the loudspeaker. "All Battle City finalists, please report to the main hall."
"Sounds like that's our cue," Celeste chuckled once more. "Shall we?"
The sixteen finalists, and their family members and friends, gathered in the main hall as requested by the KaibaCorp staff. A buffet spread was laid out for all of the finalists to enjoy and Joey wasted no time chowing down. Mahiru, of course, took as many pictures as she could.
"Where is Chiaki?" Sonia asked.
"Mikan's taking care of her," Hajime said. "She said she needed to rest."
"Poor thing," Komaru said. "Is she all right?"
"It's just a leg injury," Kaiba said. "No need to act like it's a travesty."
You're hardly one to talk, Hajime thought, giving Kaiba a sharp gaze.
"I shall bring her some of this food," Sonia said. "She should not starve simply because she is tired."
"I'll bring her some," Mokuba said, loading up a plate. "You need to stay here since you're a finalist and all."
"Hey, that reminds me, whatever happened to the sixteenth finalist?" Mahiru asked. "Did we take off without them?"
"Oh they're here all right," Kaiba said. "But that hardly concerns a spectator like you."
"Just saying it'd be bad form if you left without one of your finalists, no need to cop an attitude," Mahiru replied.
"Eh, just ignore him. He's always in a sour mood," Joey said.
"If I could continue," Kaiba said and then nodded at his security officer. "Roland, proceed."
"Right," Roland, an older man with flat, black hair and a mustache said. "Welcome one and all to the Battle City finals. If I could draw your attention over here please." An apparatus rose out of the ground with a glass ball surrounding a Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon statue with fifteen balls inside. "This apparatus is designed to select our finalists by absolute, one hundred percent certain random chance. It will decide who will duel similar to how lottery numbers are drawn. All of the balls in here have each finalist's ID card number on them, barring number eleven, Chiaki Nanami, due to her sustained leg injury. She has been slated for the final match."
Chiaki, Hajime thought.
"All other numbers will be chosen two at a time and no other finalists will be called until the winner of one match has been decided."
"That means only the person not chosen for the second to last matchup has any edge," Téa said. "Because they know they'll be dueling Chiaki."
"Not that that would help them in any way," Kaiba stated. "It's like dueling me, victory is non-existent."
Makoto gulped. He really didn't like the sound of that. He really felt like an antelope in a forest full of lions.
"Chin up, Makoto," Komaru told him. "You'll be fine."
Makoto just nodded.
"The selection for the first duel will now commence!" Roland declared. "The first duelist will now be chosen."
Everyone watched as all the balls blew around like seeds off a dandelion as the air inside the sphere blew them around until one finally fell into the mouth of the middle Blue-Eyes head.
"I hope you're chosen big brother," Serenity said. "Then I can take my bandages off and watch you duel."
"Knowing Joey's luck he'll probably end up dueling Togami or Marik in the first round."
"Feh, I don't care who I'm up against, I'll take 'em all down! Bring it!" Joey declared confidently.
The ball rolled out of the machine and Roland picked it up. "The first finalist chosen is number 9, Celestia Ludenburg!"
"My, my, my that didn't take long," Celeste chuckled.
"Wha? Frenchy?" Joey gaped.
Celeste chuckled. "Worried we'll have a rematch, Joey?" she asked.
"Yeah, right. It'd end exactly as it did before and this time I've got your rare card."
"You'd like to think that, wouldn't you?" Celeste asked.
"Look, the other ball's been picked!" Komaru pointed out.
Everyone waited with baited breath. Hopes for being picked and not being picked were varied throughout the room as the ball finally rolled outside of the apparatus, allowing Roland to pick it up and look at it. He held it up and looked at it as a screen flashed on the back wall, "The first matchup of the Battle City finals has been decided." He turned the number around to show the crowd as mug shots of the two duelists appeared on either side of a big VS on the screen. "Duelist number nine, Celestia Ludenburg shall duel Duelist number three, Yugi Mutoh!"
(A/N: It! Is! On! The first duel of the Battle City finals: Celeste Vs Yugi. The Queen of Liars Vs the King of Games! Who could've predicted this round one shocker? Unfortunately, it'll be a bit before I'm able to get to chapter 30. I er, I haven't planned out any of the duels to the finals ^^;. I was so concerned with getting Bakura and Chiaki's duel out and then got asked for more, I pumped this one out as quickly as I could and now I'm without outline material. Don't worry, I already know who all the matchups are, I just haven't had time to choreograph a play by play. Once I have though, we'll be back and we'll be ready to kickstart the Battle City finals with a bang! Place your bets now folks? Who do you think is dueling who? Who shall triumph? Who shall fall? Who shall be sent to the shadow realm and who shall not? Who shall walk away with their head held high and who shall go home, hanging their head in shame?
You won't have these questions answered for a while. And, until then, as always, from all of me, to all of you, let your hearts stay human and your wrath draconic. Ja ne!)