Author's Note: Sorry it took so long to get this chapter up! I'd like to thank all who voted/commented/suggested ways to write the matches because it was greatly appreciated. *-^ Now, on with the tournament!
Card Seller: M-Mr. Kuja, sir. I'm so glad you could make it.
Kuja: Yes, well, as the judge I'll be able to showcase my entire line of cosmetic products. I call it "Kujalicious".
Card Seller: I-I'm sure it will be a big hit!
Kuja: You're right. I've already got a weekly show on the Gaian Shopping Network (thanks to a little… persuasion…)
* enters stadium *
* inside stadium *
* a sign is hanging over a table that reads "Sign Up Here". *
Beatrix: (I can't put my real name. What if someone who knows me is here? So,… who's name can I put? Who would never sign up? …I know!)
* writes *
B-R-A-H-N-E.
* enters waiting room *
* * *
* Zorn and Thorn read the sign *
Zorn: "Sign Up Here"?
Thorn: Write our names, we must.
* sign names *
Zorn: Do you have the cards?
Thorn: Yes. And "fixed" they are!
Zorn and thorn: Hee hee hee!
* enter waiting room *
* * *
Stilzkin: I can't believe that Card Seller didn't want one of my "value deals". I even offered to throw in some extra—oh, this must be where I sign up. But, …what is this thing?
* picks up a pen *
…I know! It's a microphone! I guess I'm supposed to—
* takes deep breath *
STILZKIN!! …There, I'm all signed up.
* walks into waiting room *
* * *
Lowell: * sees "Sign Up" sign * * looks at pen on the desk * Ugh! I can't use that! It's full of icky germs. I'll just use this.
* uses his "name stamp" *
Perfect. As always.
* enters waiting room *
* * *
Lani: * reads sign * "Sign Up Here". Alright, I'm gonna give myself one of those cool nicknames.
* writes *
"Ax Woman Lani"
There. That ax will be mine! Mwahahaha! …Wait, that sounded like Kuja. Oh well. Mwahahaha!
* enters waiting room *
* * *
Eiko: Yay! Time to sign up!
* runs over to "Sign Up" table *
Vivi: I-I hope this tournament isn't as hard as it sounds. I just learned how to play Tetra Master last week…
Steiner: Don't worry, Master Vivi. I'm positive you'll do well.
Vivi: Th-thanks, Steiner.
Zidane: He thought you were cute, Dagger. I don't know why he wouldn't just admit it!
Dagger: Calm down, Zidane. It's all right.
Eiko: Come on, guys! Hurry and sign up!
* enters waiting room*
Vivi: * sighs * Time to see what I'm made of…
* enters waiting room *
Steiner: I didn't see Trixie's name on the sign up list. I guess she's not here after all! But I did see a woman by the name of "Brahne"… Could it be Her Majesty? )
* enters waiting room *
Dagger: Zidane, are you coming?
Zidane: He thought you were cute, Dagger.
Dagger: … …Zidane, do you know the meaning of the word "obsessive"?
* Zidane and Dagger enter waiting room *
* waiting room *
* Zidane, Dagger, Vivi, Eiko, Steiner, "Brahne", Zorn & Thorn, "Ax Woman Lani", Lowell, and Stilzkin are sitting here, waiting. Let's see their thoughts *
Zorn: (This is our competition? Hah! We will win for sure!)
Thorn: (Oh, no! Princess Garnet, it is! Oh, well. Beat her too, must we.)
Stilzkin: (Wow. Look at all these people who could buy "value deals"!)
* money signs appear in his eyes *
(I could buy a million Kupo Nuts!)
Lani: (All right, time to get serious. I need that ax and that ax needs me. Hmm, what color of ax would match my outfit?)
Lowell: (These barbarians are my competitors? I hope they know how to behave in front of celebrities like myself!)
Beatrix: (Aaah! Zidane! Princess! Vivi! Eiko! And… Steiner!)
* pulls hat down to cover front of face, even though she is wearing sunglasses *
(I hope they don't recognize me!)
Zidane: (Hey, it's that cute Lani girl from Maiden Sari. Maybe after the tournament I could-)
Dagger: (Don't even think it, Zidane!)
Zidane: (Dagger!? How'd you get in my thoughts? Hey, we must be telepathic or something!)
Dagger: (I guess… So you better watch what you're thinking!)
Zidane: (Then I guess I can't think at all. Heh heh.)
Vivi: (I wonder what I should choose if I win? No, I shouldn't think about winning. What if I don't win? Oh, well, it wouldn't be that bad…)
Steiner: * looks around * (Good. Trixie is definitely not here. Although… No, the woman in the hat is definitely not her. She would never wear such a moth-eaten thing.)
Eiko: (Why is everyone so quiet? They must be thinking about strategy. I know what my strategy is. It's…) To win!
* everyone looks over at Eiko *
Eiko: * blushes * Oops. Did I say that last part out loud?
* everyone sweatdrops *
* Kuja enters *
Zidane: Kuja!? * goes into battle stance and battle music starts to play * Huh? Where's that coming from? Ahem. Kuja!? What the hell are you doing here!?
Kuja: * Mwahahaha's *
* everyone stares blankly *
Kuja: Sorry. Force of habit. Zidane, my furry-tailed friend, I am here only to act as judge for this tournament, not for any battles. We can save that for after the tournament…
Zidane: How do we know you're not lying?
Kuja: Honestly, Zidane. Me? Lie? Never! Well, maybe just once… or twice… or, oh, I'm not lying now monkey!
Zidane: Oh. Okay.
Kuja: Now, as the judge, if there are any problems you can ask for my official consent. And, if you want it to be done fairly, you'll buy some of my cosmetic products.
* waves hand and entire line of "Kujalicious" products appears on a tray *
Eiko: * rushes over to tray * Oh, boy! Pink nailpolish! Blue nailpolish! Black nailpolish!
* Beatrix, Lani, and Dagger run over to tray *
Lani: Yellow lipstick! Green lipstick! Purple lipstick!
Kuja: My personal favorite is a fuchsia and mauve combination.
* all girls fuss over products, Kuja looks quite pleased *
Zidane: Girls…
* * *
Kuja: (Heh. Everyone bought something. That turquoise lipstick will look great on Zidane.) The chart on the left shows who you will compete against in your first match.
# Chart #
- Zidane vs. "Ax Woman Lani"
- Vivi vs. Stilzkin
- Steiner vs. "Brahne"
- Zorn & Thorn vs. Lowell
- Eiko vs. Dagger
Kuja: The matches will begin now. Everyone enter the correctly numbered door.
* everyone enters doors *
* Match 1: Zidane vs. Lani *
Lani: No! I can't believe I lost! And to you, too! No new ax for me…
Zidane: Hey, no hard feelings, huh? So, how about a little… kiss?
* leans over to kiss Lani *
Lani: No way, loser. * walks away *
Zidane: * falls on face * Ouch.
* Match 2: Vivi vs. Stilzkin *
Vivi: W-wow! I won.
Stilzkin: Yeah. Great job, kid. Don't you feel sorry for me?
Vivi: W-well…
Stilzkin: That's just what I thought. So, how about buying a "value deal"?
* Match 3: Steiner vs. Beatrix *
Beatrix: (Yes. I won. I am gong to be the master!)
Steiner: Great job, m'lady.
Beatrix: * nods *
Steiner: If you don't mind my asking, why haven't you spoken a word?
Beatrix: * opens her mouth, but then closes it * (If I speak, he'll know it's me!)
* a breeze blows Beatrix's hat off. [Don't ask me how a breeze got inside a building. Maybe it was the air conditioner. Or maybe Steiner… Never mind! ^-^] *
Steiner: Tri-trixie!
Beatrix: Ha ha ha ha ha! Don't tell anyone about this! My reputation is at stake!
Steiner: Of course! I understand.
Beatrix: Good. * puts hat back on *
* Match 4: Zorn & Thorn vs. Lowell *
Zorn and Thorn: * dance around wildly * Heh heh heh!
Lowell: Why you filthy clowns! How dare you taunt me! I am Lowell Bridges, the star of Moogle Wa-
Zorn: Oh, shut up you losing loser!
Thorn: Losing loser you are! Lose to us you did!
Lowell: Ugh! I don't have to take this! I told my manager this city was full of rogues like you!
* Match 5: Eiko vs. Dagger *
Eiko: Yay! I won!
Dagger: I guess I need a little more practice…
Eiko: A little? I practically won every one of your cards.
Dagger: All right, a lot more.
Card Seller: * in the shadows * (Damn. The cute one lost.)
* * *
* * *
* Zorn and Thorn are dancing around *
Thorn: Hee hee hee. Win, we did!
Zorn: Yes. And it was easy!
Card Seller: Excuse me, but I've just been informed that you will both have to compete separately.
Zorn: What? Why?
Card Seller: Well it's only fair to the other players. And if you don't agree to this, you'll be disqualified. (My job is at stake too!)
Zorn and Thorn: Humph.
* * *
Card Game Usher: The second round begins now!
* Round 2: Match 1: Zidane vs. Zorn *
Zidane: Yes! Whoo hoo! I'm in the third round! That prize is gonna be mine!
Zorn: No! How could I lose? Brother, you shall avenge me!
* Round 2: Match 2: Vivi vs. Beatrix *
Beatrix: * shakes her head in disgust * I lost. But I wish you much success, Vivi. * takes off hat *
Vivi: B-beatrix? I… beat you?
Beatrix: At Tetra Master, yes. But in battle, not yet. For now that my Tetra Master career has gone down the drain, I will continue to serve the great nation of Alexandria with the utmost care and consideration.
Vivi: Y-you sort of are beginning to sound a little like Steiner.
Beatrix: … … … You're right…
* Round 2: Match 3: Eiko vs. Thorn *
Eiko: I-I lost… to a clown? And one that talks backwards, too…
Thorn: Hee hee, little girl. Lose to me, you did!
Eiko: * sighs *
Card Seller: Pardon me, um, Mr. Zorn?
Thorn: Thorn it is!
Card Seller: R-right. I'm afraid I have to disqualify you.
Thorn: What? Do you? Why?
Card Seller: We have evidence that you've been using a… loaded deck.
Thorn: Preposterous this is! Cheat, I-
* extra cards fall out of his sleeves *
Card Seller: * picks up one of the cards * Fake. Just as we suspected. Come with me.
Eiko: Wait! Does this mean I won?
Card Seller: … … No.
Eiko: Damn. …Whoops! Did I say that? Hee hee.
* * *
Card Game Usher: Final Round begins now!
* Final Round: Zidane vs. Vivi *
* Zidane and Vivi enter game room *
* waiting room *
Dagger: They've been in there for hours. What's taking so long?
Steiner: Trixie… lost? I'll never be the same again. Boo hoo hoo!
Eiko: Vivi vs. Zidane? Boy, Vivi doesn't stand a chance.
* * *
Card Game Usher: The final round has come to a conclusion. And the winner is… Vivi!
Dagger, Eiko, Steiner, and Beatrix: Huh?
Vivi: * steps out of game room * * blushes *
Zidane: * comes out of room, behind Vivi * Hey, good work, Vivi.
Vivi: Th-thanks.
Card Seller: Now, it's time for you to choose your prize, Mr. Vivi.
Vivi: Umm, I think I'd like… a ticket to "I Want To Be Your Canary." I didn't get to see it last time…
Card Seller: A ticket? That's it? A-are you sure?
Vivi: * nods *
Card Seller: W-well it's your decision. Please, follow me.
* * *
* Zidane and Kuja are sitting at a table in one of Treno's bars *
Zidane: Man, losing stinks.
Kuja: Tell me about it. This morning, I lost my hot pink lipstick. I was going to wear it especially for this tournament.
Zidane: * sweatdrop * So anyway, Kuja, why did they say you were a "judge"? You really didn't judge anything.
Kuja: Well, * whispers * between you and me, it was for shameless publicity purposes only. To sell my "Kujalicious" products and make lots of money for charity.
Zidane: Wow. That's really… nice… of you. I'll buy some more since it's for a good cause.
Kuja: Great. * smiles * (Heh heh. The only "charity" is my wallet.)
* * *
* Zorn and Thorn are sitting by Treno's fountain *
Thorn: Lost, we both did. With "fixed" cards even. Know, how did they?
Zorn: I don't know. What are we going to do?
Thorn: Know, I don't.
Father: * runs towards Zorn and Thorn with the fire extinguisher still in his hands * There they are son!
Boy: * follows Father * Yay!
Father: Prepare to finally be extinguished clowns!
Boy: Yay! Yay!
Zorn and Thorn: Aaaah! * run up towards Treno's Inn *
Father: Come on son. * follows Zorn and Thorn * We will extinguish you filthy clowns!
Boy: Yay!
* So, what'd ya think? Please review. I took the lazy way out of writing the matches. ^-^ Anyway, I have some ideas for new stories, but it probably will take me awhile to get them up with school and all. Be patient. ^-^ *