(AN/ I am going to skip Mai's duel with Magnum. The reasons? One, it
really has nothing to do with anything. Two, I don't care much for it.
Three, people have been complaining for an original duel. Four, I don't
feel like typing it. Five, I want to move on. But, if enough people
comment on it, I will go back and add it in. That is up to y'all. And, as
always, please read, review, and enjoy! ( )
"We made it! The finals!" cheered Joe as the group looked around the arena that the locator cards had led them. The group was Joe, Yu-Gi, Mai, Téa, Tristan, Duke, Serenity, and Shayla.
It was a large stadium, perfect for dueling. The only problem was it was incomplete, it hadn't been finished being built. It was also very empty. The only other people there were the Kaiba brothers.
"Hey, where is everyone?" asked Joe.
"Present us your locator cards," said a tournament official as he walked over.
"Here they are!" said Joe, proudly.
"Here are mine," said Yu-Gi, pulling his out of his pocket.
"Hey! Don't forget about me!" protested Mai as she stepped forward with her cards.
"What is going on?" asked Tristan as he looked around. "This hardly looks like a place for finals."
"And where is everyone else?" asked Duke.
The three finalists were given tournament ID's with their name and a number on it.
"So, who else are we competing against?" asked Mai.
"So far only Seto Kaiba has arrived," answered one of the officials.
"I don't like this, I really don't," muttered Shayla. There was something bothering her, something that she couldn't figure out. And that fact didn't make her feel safer.
"I think it's going to be great!" said Serenity. "I can't wait to see Joe win a duel." Shayla offered a weak smile.
There was a draft, followed by one of the doors opening. A boy walked in. He had pale blond hair and wore a sleeveless hoodie that had gold chains across the front. He looked around semi-nervously, trying to be sure this was the place he wanted to be.
"Hey! It's Namu!" exclaimed Joe when he saw the newest finalist.
"Hello, Joe. I can't believe I made it this far," greeted 'Namu.'
"Well, I'm glad you did," said Téa.
"Thanks, how's Bakura doing?" asked Namu.
"What happened to Bakura?" asked Shayla.
"He got attacked in an alley and he is now in the hospital," answered Tristan.
"Oh, my!" gasped Shayla.
"Luckily Namu found him, otherwise..." Tristan trailed off.
"Oh, Yu-Gi, this is Namu. He's the one who saved Bakura," introduced Téa.
"Wow! The Yu-Gi Motou?" asked Namu. "It's an honor."
"I have a bad feeling about this.." thought Shayla. Another surge of magic had followed through the stadium. Her Millennial Scales had started to vibrate in her backpack. Something wasn't right. She was going to have to be careful, before things got worse.
"Well, Namu, I'd hate to break it to you, but your winning ends here," said Joe. "Because I'm going to win this thing." There came an unmistakable snort from Kaiba. He and his brother had watched most of the conversation without participating.
"Hey! Look!" exclaimed Tristan as someone else entered. "It's Bakura!"
Bakura had just staggered in, looking haggard and pale.
"What are you doing here, Bakura?" asked Téa. "You should still be in the hospital."
"Yeah, you look like you could hardly stand," added Tristan.
"I'm fine, really," said Bakura, although he didn't look it. He raised a hand to scratch his head sheepishly. This brought his duel disk into plain view.
"What are you doing with a duel disk?" asked Joe.
"Well, how else would I enter the Battle City finals?" asked Bakura.
"You're a finalist?!" gasped Joe.
"Of course," said Bakura. "Here are my locator cards." He held them up.
"Will the two new finalists please come here and get their ID," said one of the officials. Bakura and Namu walked over.
"Supposed to be in the hospital?" asked Duke, skeptically. Joe and Tristan just looked a bit embarrassed.
"Something is very wrong," muttered Shayla as she tried to understand what her scales were telling her.
"What is?" asked Mokuba, who had walked over.
"There is powerful magic here," answered Shayla, slowly. "And something..evil."
"Look!" said Bakura as he pointed to the entrance. "Another finalist has arrived."
"That has to be him!" Kaiba gasped.
A tall man wearing a dark robe had entered. Only part of his face was showing, and that was covered by a strange tattoo.
"I know you!" exclaimed Joe, enraged. "You're the creep who was in the warehouse."
"He's the one who kidnapped me!" exclaimed Mokuba.
"I am Marik," said the man in a low voice.
"His voice does sound familiar.." said Shayla, thoughtfully. "Then why are my scales acting up?"
"I should have you disqualified for hacking into my tournament, cheating, and kidnapping my brother," said Kaiba as he walked over to 'Marik.' "But you have something I want."
"Disqualified?" asked Shayla. "He should be arrested!"
"Was it that bad?" asked Mai.
"He almost threw me out of a helicopter," grumbled Shayla.
"What?" asked Duke.
Shayla started a brief explanation of her experience with the rare hunters for Duke, Mai, Serenity, and Téa. Occasionally, Mokuba would interrupt with some details that she had missed.
The rest of the group was confronting Marik, making various threats and promises to cream him in a duel.
"Let's get going," said Seto to one of the officials.
"Right," he agreed. He cleared his throat and addressed the group. "Thank you all for participating and making it this far. While the locator cards directed you this far, this is not where the finals will be held."
"What do you mean?" demanded Joe.
He was answered by the roof of the stadium opening. With sunlight streaming in it was clear that something large was in the back.
"That's the Kaiba Corp. 3," said Mokuba, proudly. The Kaiba Corp. 3 was a very large blimp.
"The Battle City finals will take place 4000 feet above it," continued the official. "So if the finalists will board.."
That was all the encouragement they need. The large group began to walk towards the entrance to the blimp.
"Woah! One moment!" exclaimed the official. "Not all of you!"
"What do you mean?" asked Mai. She was halfway up the stairs, turned around and looking back. Joe was right behind her. Everyone else was still trying to get on.
"Not all of you are finalists," he said. "I'm sorry, but..."
"Cut it out, Rollin," replied Mokuba. "You're going to let me on, right?"
"Yes."
"And I'm not a finalist. So you have to let them on as well."
Rollin, the official, seemed at a loss for words. Finally, he turned to Kaiba, who was heading into the blimp. "Should we let them on?"
Kaiba glanced disdainfully down at the group for a moment before shrugging his shoulders. "Whatever." He boarded.
"You heard him, let's go!" exclaimed Tristan as the group rushed on.
"Come on!" urged Mai as she took Shayla's hands. Shayla had been hesitating, for good reasons. "If everyone else is going to have a cheerleader, I want one too!"
"Me? A cheerleader?" asked Shayla as Mai escorted her onto the blimp.
Soon the stadium was empty, save the hum of the blimp's engines.
"Take off," ordered Kaiba.
"But what if someone else arrives?"
"Everything I need is already on board. Take off," repeated Kaiba as he retreated further into the ship.
"What do we do?" asked the pilot to the official.
"We take off," answered the official, not daring to cross Kaiba.
The engines revved to life as a sole person entered the arena. She was wearing a long, white robe associated with middle eastern fashions.
"Excuse me, miss, the Kaiba Corp. 3 is beginning to take off," said the official.
"That is why I am here," she replied. She held out six locator cards.
"Well, then, you'd better get on board," he said.
"Thank you," she replied, calmly, as she entered.
The doors shut behind her and the Kaiba Corp. 3 began to ascend into the sky.
************************************************************************
"What is with all the racket?" asked Drake as he entered an abandoned stadium with Lara.
"Look!" she said as she pointed up to the rising blimp.
"I wonder what that is about?" asked Drake.
"What brings you here?" asked a minor official as he walked over.
"Let me think.. The Battle City finals?" said Drake as he whipped out six locator cards.
"I'm sorry, the finals have left," said the official.
"What do you mean left?!"
He pointed up. "The Battle City finals take place on that blimp. Mr. Kaiba has just ordered it ascent. It won't land until the finals are over."
"Why that dirty, rotten, egomaniac!" exclaimed Drake, furiously.
"How can it take off without all the finalists?" asked Lara.
"Listen, we follow Kaiba's orders. Kaiba orders the craft to fly, we take off," answered the official. "If you have a problem with it, take it up with him."
"Oh, we will!" exclaimed Drake, vehemently. "Come on!"
"Right..." agreed Lara.
"He can't stop us! I'm going to crash his party!" said Drake.
************************************************************************
Everyone had dispersed to his or her room. At least, those with rooms did. The officials hadn't been prepared for so many 'cheerleaders.' As a result, everyone was crashing in Joe's room until some rooms were made ready for them.
Well, not everyone. The finalists had all sought out solitude to finalize their strategies. The only one who was walking around was Shayla. She was at one of the exterior levels, hoping the fresh air would calm her nerves and clear her mind. It wasn't.
The overwhelming presence of the Millennial Items was making her nauseous. It wouldn't have been so bad had they been used for good purposes. But with the Ring and Rod reverberating with evil, and the stolen Eye somewhere nearby, it was no wonder she was feeling a raging magic storm again.
Her scales weren't helping any. Back at the Duelist Kingdom they had lied dormant, simply because she had yet to realize their potential. But now they were beginning to activate, drawing her deeper into the world of magic, the world that she had been futilely trying to escape from.
Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad if she actually knew how to use her Millennial Item. But she had shied away from magic. Her scales acted randomly, at times when her heart was the strongest. She had yet to harness their full power. That was something she knew she had to do, soon...and she shuddered.
But it wasn't solely the magical that was making her uneasy. The normal also had its problems. Her scales had told her that things weren't as they seemed. There was deception, to a large level. And even if the person was being honest, there seemed to be an overwhelming weight of ulterior motives. The air was thick with tense, making it impossible for Shayla to relax. Her nerves still weren't settled from her trip in Marik's helicopter.
"Oh, gosh," she groaned as the blimp swayed in the evening breeze. "I am going to be sick..."
With that she quickly walked up the hall to the one restroom she had found and started to puke her guts out.
"I really don't like this," she groaned as she left, once more pacing on the exterior corridor.
She stopped when she heard footsteps approaching her.
"Who's there?" she called.
"What are you looking for, child?" asked a strangely familiar voice.
"Do I know you?"
"I am Ishizu, and I am a historian," answered the woman.
"You're the one from my dreams!" exclaimed Shayla, before she realized it the words were out of her mouth.
"This goes far beyond dreams," she replied. "You have much potential...Come with me."
Shayla nodded and followed the sound of her footsteps, alarmingly aware of how much this was like the first dream she had had.
"What is going on?" asked Shayla, at length.
"Come inside," said Ishizu as she opened the door to her room. Shayla stepped inside, found a chair, and sat down.
"You have many questions," said Ishizu.
"Yes," answered Shayla. "..But not much of it makes sense."
"Only the future can bring understanding," replied Ishizu, her fingertips brushing her necklace.
Shayla shifted uncomfortably in her chair, pulled her backpack closer. This brought a minor insight to her. "You have a Millennial Item, don't you?"
"Yes, I possess the Millennial Necklace," answered Ishizu.
"This is way too ironic..." started Shayla.
"Attention all finalists," announced a voice over the PA. "Will all finalists report to the main hall."
"Are you a finalist?" asked Shayla.
"Yes."
"Shouldn't you be going?"
"No. This is merely to determine the first two competitors. I will not be chosen."
"How do you know?"
"You already know the answer to that."
"Your Millennial Item? What does it do?"
"It allows me to see through time," answered Ishizu.
Shayla nodded, surprised and a hair nervous. At least Ishizu was being nice to her, unlike half of the bearers of Millennial Items.
There was a knock at the door.
"Come in," said Ishizu. A minor official entered.
"Mr. Kaiba requests your presence for the beginning of the finals," he said.
"That is not necessary, I will not be chosen. But I know who will be. And the fate of the world rests in one of their hands."
"Ummmm...I'll report back to Mr. Kaiba," stammered the guard, clearly unease with Ishizu's tone. He made a very hasty exit.
"Good luck, my pharaoh," muttered Ishizu as the door closed.
"What do you mean about the fate of the world?" asked Shayla, clearly very apprehensive.
"That has to do with the power of the Millennial Items, the knowledge of the past, and the truth about the Shadow Games," answered Ishizu. "Are you ready to learn?"
Shayla swallowed, then nodded. Her left hand had subconsciously slipped down and was clutching her backpack tightly.
"That is good," replied Ishizu with a slight smile.
************************************************************************
AN/ Sorry it took so long to update. I've had computer problems like you wouldn't believe. For more info see my bio. In fact, if anything comes up, it will be in my bio, so y'all might like to check it out from time to time. And, as always, please read, review, and enjoy! (
"We made it! The finals!" cheered Joe as the group looked around the arena that the locator cards had led them. The group was Joe, Yu-Gi, Mai, Téa, Tristan, Duke, Serenity, and Shayla.
It was a large stadium, perfect for dueling. The only problem was it was incomplete, it hadn't been finished being built. It was also very empty. The only other people there were the Kaiba brothers.
"Hey, where is everyone?" asked Joe.
"Present us your locator cards," said a tournament official as he walked over.
"Here they are!" said Joe, proudly.
"Here are mine," said Yu-Gi, pulling his out of his pocket.
"Hey! Don't forget about me!" protested Mai as she stepped forward with her cards.
"What is going on?" asked Tristan as he looked around. "This hardly looks like a place for finals."
"And where is everyone else?" asked Duke.
The three finalists were given tournament ID's with their name and a number on it.
"So, who else are we competing against?" asked Mai.
"So far only Seto Kaiba has arrived," answered one of the officials.
"I don't like this, I really don't," muttered Shayla. There was something bothering her, something that she couldn't figure out. And that fact didn't make her feel safer.
"I think it's going to be great!" said Serenity. "I can't wait to see Joe win a duel." Shayla offered a weak smile.
There was a draft, followed by one of the doors opening. A boy walked in. He had pale blond hair and wore a sleeveless hoodie that had gold chains across the front. He looked around semi-nervously, trying to be sure this was the place he wanted to be.
"Hey! It's Namu!" exclaimed Joe when he saw the newest finalist.
"Hello, Joe. I can't believe I made it this far," greeted 'Namu.'
"Well, I'm glad you did," said Téa.
"Thanks, how's Bakura doing?" asked Namu.
"What happened to Bakura?" asked Shayla.
"He got attacked in an alley and he is now in the hospital," answered Tristan.
"Oh, my!" gasped Shayla.
"Luckily Namu found him, otherwise..." Tristan trailed off.
"Oh, Yu-Gi, this is Namu. He's the one who saved Bakura," introduced Téa.
"Wow! The Yu-Gi Motou?" asked Namu. "It's an honor."
"I have a bad feeling about this.." thought Shayla. Another surge of magic had followed through the stadium. Her Millennial Scales had started to vibrate in her backpack. Something wasn't right. She was going to have to be careful, before things got worse.
"Well, Namu, I'd hate to break it to you, but your winning ends here," said Joe. "Because I'm going to win this thing." There came an unmistakable snort from Kaiba. He and his brother had watched most of the conversation without participating.
"Hey! Look!" exclaimed Tristan as someone else entered. "It's Bakura!"
Bakura had just staggered in, looking haggard and pale.
"What are you doing here, Bakura?" asked Téa. "You should still be in the hospital."
"Yeah, you look like you could hardly stand," added Tristan.
"I'm fine, really," said Bakura, although he didn't look it. He raised a hand to scratch his head sheepishly. This brought his duel disk into plain view.
"What are you doing with a duel disk?" asked Joe.
"Well, how else would I enter the Battle City finals?" asked Bakura.
"You're a finalist?!" gasped Joe.
"Of course," said Bakura. "Here are my locator cards." He held them up.
"Will the two new finalists please come here and get their ID," said one of the officials. Bakura and Namu walked over.
"Supposed to be in the hospital?" asked Duke, skeptically. Joe and Tristan just looked a bit embarrassed.
"Something is very wrong," muttered Shayla as she tried to understand what her scales were telling her.
"What is?" asked Mokuba, who had walked over.
"There is powerful magic here," answered Shayla, slowly. "And something..evil."
"Look!" said Bakura as he pointed to the entrance. "Another finalist has arrived."
"That has to be him!" Kaiba gasped.
A tall man wearing a dark robe had entered. Only part of his face was showing, and that was covered by a strange tattoo.
"I know you!" exclaimed Joe, enraged. "You're the creep who was in the warehouse."
"He's the one who kidnapped me!" exclaimed Mokuba.
"I am Marik," said the man in a low voice.
"His voice does sound familiar.." said Shayla, thoughtfully. "Then why are my scales acting up?"
"I should have you disqualified for hacking into my tournament, cheating, and kidnapping my brother," said Kaiba as he walked over to 'Marik.' "But you have something I want."
"Disqualified?" asked Shayla. "He should be arrested!"
"Was it that bad?" asked Mai.
"He almost threw me out of a helicopter," grumbled Shayla.
"What?" asked Duke.
Shayla started a brief explanation of her experience with the rare hunters for Duke, Mai, Serenity, and Téa. Occasionally, Mokuba would interrupt with some details that she had missed.
The rest of the group was confronting Marik, making various threats and promises to cream him in a duel.
"Let's get going," said Seto to one of the officials.
"Right," he agreed. He cleared his throat and addressed the group. "Thank you all for participating and making it this far. While the locator cards directed you this far, this is not where the finals will be held."
"What do you mean?" demanded Joe.
He was answered by the roof of the stadium opening. With sunlight streaming in it was clear that something large was in the back.
"That's the Kaiba Corp. 3," said Mokuba, proudly. The Kaiba Corp. 3 was a very large blimp.
"The Battle City finals will take place 4000 feet above it," continued the official. "So if the finalists will board.."
That was all the encouragement they need. The large group began to walk towards the entrance to the blimp.
"Woah! One moment!" exclaimed the official. "Not all of you!"
"What do you mean?" asked Mai. She was halfway up the stairs, turned around and looking back. Joe was right behind her. Everyone else was still trying to get on.
"Not all of you are finalists," he said. "I'm sorry, but..."
"Cut it out, Rollin," replied Mokuba. "You're going to let me on, right?"
"Yes."
"And I'm not a finalist. So you have to let them on as well."
Rollin, the official, seemed at a loss for words. Finally, he turned to Kaiba, who was heading into the blimp. "Should we let them on?"
Kaiba glanced disdainfully down at the group for a moment before shrugging his shoulders. "Whatever." He boarded.
"You heard him, let's go!" exclaimed Tristan as the group rushed on.
"Come on!" urged Mai as she took Shayla's hands. Shayla had been hesitating, for good reasons. "If everyone else is going to have a cheerleader, I want one too!"
"Me? A cheerleader?" asked Shayla as Mai escorted her onto the blimp.
Soon the stadium was empty, save the hum of the blimp's engines.
"Take off," ordered Kaiba.
"But what if someone else arrives?"
"Everything I need is already on board. Take off," repeated Kaiba as he retreated further into the ship.
"What do we do?" asked the pilot to the official.
"We take off," answered the official, not daring to cross Kaiba.
The engines revved to life as a sole person entered the arena. She was wearing a long, white robe associated with middle eastern fashions.
"Excuse me, miss, the Kaiba Corp. 3 is beginning to take off," said the official.
"That is why I am here," she replied. She held out six locator cards.
"Well, then, you'd better get on board," he said.
"Thank you," she replied, calmly, as she entered.
The doors shut behind her and the Kaiba Corp. 3 began to ascend into the sky.
************************************************************************
"What is with all the racket?" asked Drake as he entered an abandoned stadium with Lara.
"Look!" she said as she pointed up to the rising blimp.
"I wonder what that is about?" asked Drake.
"What brings you here?" asked a minor official as he walked over.
"Let me think.. The Battle City finals?" said Drake as he whipped out six locator cards.
"I'm sorry, the finals have left," said the official.
"What do you mean left?!"
He pointed up. "The Battle City finals take place on that blimp. Mr. Kaiba has just ordered it ascent. It won't land until the finals are over."
"Why that dirty, rotten, egomaniac!" exclaimed Drake, furiously.
"How can it take off without all the finalists?" asked Lara.
"Listen, we follow Kaiba's orders. Kaiba orders the craft to fly, we take off," answered the official. "If you have a problem with it, take it up with him."
"Oh, we will!" exclaimed Drake, vehemently. "Come on!"
"Right..." agreed Lara.
"He can't stop us! I'm going to crash his party!" said Drake.
************************************************************************
Everyone had dispersed to his or her room. At least, those with rooms did. The officials hadn't been prepared for so many 'cheerleaders.' As a result, everyone was crashing in Joe's room until some rooms were made ready for them.
Well, not everyone. The finalists had all sought out solitude to finalize their strategies. The only one who was walking around was Shayla. She was at one of the exterior levels, hoping the fresh air would calm her nerves and clear her mind. It wasn't.
The overwhelming presence of the Millennial Items was making her nauseous. It wouldn't have been so bad had they been used for good purposes. But with the Ring and Rod reverberating with evil, and the stolen Eye somewhere nearby, it was no wonder she was feeling a raging magic storm again.
Her scales weren't helping any. Back at the Duelist Kingdom they had lied dormant, simply because she had yet to realize their potential. But now they were beginning to activate, drawing her deeper into the world of magic, the world that she had been futilely trying to escape from.
Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad if she actually knew how to use her Millennial Item. But she had shied away from magic. Her scales acted randomly, at times when her heart was the strongest. She had yet to harness their full power. That was something she knew she had to do, soon...and she shuddered.
But it wasn't solely the magical that was making her uneasy. The normal also had its problems. Her scales had told her that things weren't as they seemed. There was deception, to a large level. And even if the person was being honest, there seemed to be an overwhelming weight of ulterior motives. The air was thick with tense, making it impossible for Shayla to relax. Her nerves still weren't settled from her trip in Marik's helicopter.
"Oh, gosh," she groaned as the blimp swayed in the evening breeze. "I am going to be sick..."
With that she quickly walked up the hall to the one restroom she had found and started to puke her guts out.
"I really don't like this," she groaned as she left, once more pacing on the exterior corridor.
She stopped when she heard footsteps approaching her.
"Who's there?" she called.
"What are you looking for, child?" asked a strangely familiar voice.
"Do I know you?"
"I am Ishizu, and I am a historian," answered the woman.
"You're the one from my dreams!" exclaimed Shayla, before she realized it the words were out of her mouth.
"This goes far beyond dreams," she replied. "You have much potential...Come with me."
Shayla nodded and followed the sound of her footsteps, alarmingly aware of how much this was like the first dream she had had.
"What is going on?" asked Shayla, at length.
"Come inside," said Ishizu as she opened the door to her room. Shayla stepped inside, found a chair, and sat down.
"You have many questions," said Ishizu.
"Yes," answered Shayla. "..But not much of it makes sense."
"Only the future can bring understanding," replied Ishizu, her fingertips brushing her necklace.
Shayla shifted uncomfortably in her chair, pulled her backpack closer. This brought a minor insight to her. "You have a Millennial Item, don't you?"
"Yes, I possess the Millennial Necklace," answered Ishizu.
"This is way too ironic..." started Shayla.
"Attention all finalists," announced a voice over the PA. "Will all finalists report to the main hall."
"Are you a finalist?" asked Shayla.
"Yes."
"Shouldn't you be going?"
"No. This is merely to determine the first two competitors. I will not be chosen."
"How do you know?"
"You already know the answer to that."
"Your Millennial Item? What does it do?"
"It allows me to see through time," answered Ishizu.
Shayla nodded, surprised and a hair nervous. At least Ishizu was being nice to her, unlike half of the bearers of Millennial Items.
There was a knock at the door.
"Come in," said Ishizu. A minor official entered.
"Mr. Kaiba requests your presence for the beginning of the finals," he said.
"That is not necessary, I will not be chosen. But I know who will be. And the fate of the world rests in one of their hands."
"Ummmm...I'll report back to Mr. Kaiba," stammered the guard, clearly unease with Ishizu's tone. He made a very hasty exit.
"Good luck, my pharaoh," muttered Ishizu as the door closed.
"What do you mean about the fate of the world?" asked Shayla, clearly very apprehensive.
"That has to do with the power of the Millennial Items, the knowledge of the past, and the truth about the Shadow Games," answered Ishizu. "Are you ready to learn?"
Shayla swallowed, then nodded. Her left hand had subconsciously slipped down and was clutching her backpack tightly.
"That is good," replied Ishizu with a slight smile.
************************************************************************
AN/ Sorry it took so long to update. I've had computer problems like you wouldn't believe. For more info see my bio. In fact, if anything comes up, it will be in my bio, so y'all might like to check it out from time to time. And, as always, please read, review, and enjoy! (