***** 2 wks later, At Battle City Finals *****
I bet people'll talk about this tournament for ages! I thought as I let my feet dangle over the bench. I've already heard comments like: This is got to be the coolest tournament ever, not just for duel monsters! and I can't wait to see what Kaiba Corp'll bring out next!
Though I knew of my brother's plan to get some cards, I was having fun, too. Right now, it was getting close to sunset, and the finalists should be arriving soon. I knew that Yugi Motoh was one, and his friend Joey was another, though my big brother said it would only be by luck if he even found his way here. He hated him with a passion for some reason. Not that I blamed him.
I craned my neck eagerly toward the entrance, fidgeting with my excitement. Seto said there would be Kaiba Kraft 5, a blimp waiting for us. It had recently been built and was brand new. I hoped that no one would fall over. That would be too bad for them.
Soon, three figures appeared in the entrance of the bright stadium. I was right, and there was some girl that had been at Duelist Kingdom before. I think. She'll be kicked out soon, I guess. The real battle would be between Yugi and my brother. None of the others were even in the same class.
I greeted them and they smiled and said hello. My brother came at a more leisurely pace, with Roland and Walter, the two security guards. Before, there had been a scare that someone had snuck in, but it had been nothing. I told Yugi about this.
"I wonder who it was," he said, looking at his tall blond friend who shrugged in answer.
"Probably some creepozoid tryin' ta get admitted as a finalist." They showed their Locator Cards to Roland, who gave them a boarding pass.
"Boarding pass?" They both look confused.
"You mean . . .. we're not duelin' here?" I looked at Joey, wondering why he spoke so weird.
I watched with pride as their eyes widened when they all saw the blimp. "We're going on a blimp ride," I informed them eagerly.
"A Blimp?"
"Isn't that dangerous?" asked the girl.
"It's perfectly safe, as long as you do as I say." answered my brother, who was watching the entrance. I looked over my shoulder as a robed man came to us. His face was ugly, a very dark brown with strange looking tattoos. I've never seen someone with tattoos all over their face.
"And you are . . . .?" My brother narrowed his eyes sharply. Earlier, I had been kidnapped with Tea by someone named Marik, who was somewhere in our tournament. I jumped a little when I heard him say his name.
"I am . . . . .Marik."
Joey growled. "Why ya no good brain washin' freak! I oughta pound yo' face in for playin' wif muh noggin!" He held his clenched fist right in front of Marik's face. I thought that was a very brave thing to do. Also, very stupid.
"It doesn't look like you got any friends here, Tattoo Face!" I put in. I didn't enjoy being kidnapped at all. Big brother stepped forward.
"I ought to kick you out of this tournament right now for kidnapping my little brother," he seethed at him dangerously. "But you have something I want. But once I get your card, I hope you know how to fly."
I was about to add, "Yeah! Cuz your getting a no parachute!" Even though he could've used his weird cape for one, I bet! But just then, the other finalist arrived.
"Bakura!" exclaimed Yugi. "You should be in the hospital!"
"I'm fine," he answered with a smile. I shook off the vague feeling of uneasiness at the sight of him. Nothing was to ruin this big night. Soon after, the fifth finalist arrived, a foreign looking boy with light blond hair. He looked like this boy in my class for Saudi Arabia, I think. Yugi and his friends seemed to recognize him, they must be friends too.
"Time to start boarding, you imbeciles," Seto turned abruptly, and I followed.
"But . . .the sixth finalist hasn't arrived!"
"Oh, well." He disappeared inside. I turned to help Roland supervise as the others started boarding. I didn't want any lawsuits if someone broke their legs. Tea and some other boys I didn't know wanted to come too, but Roland said they couldn't. Until I said it was fine.
So they came in and I went to help guide everyone their the rooms they'd be staying in. They oohed and aahed over the interior; it was nothing to me, ut I guess it looked impressive to them. I looked at that Bakura boy again. There was something strangely familiar about him. I thought that I saw a secretive look pass between him and that foreign-looking kid, Namu or whatever. But it was probably nothing.
****** Later, at first battle *****
I stood beside Seto as Yugi and that Bakura boy took the platform. Why couldn't I stop thinking about how familiar he looked? My instinct told me to look further into it, but I probably had no instincts anyway. Yet.
They went through the usual routine of shuffling their deck and cutting them. I couldn't see well because of the upraised platform. I wished Seto would pick me up so I could see better, but I knew better than to ask.
A cold wind bit into my cheeks. The others were shivering too. I was wearing my heavy jacket and I was cold, so they must be freezing. "First, state what you hope to gain from this," Yugi was saying. He sounded different.
A picture of him dueling against a little girl flashed through my mind. I had no idea why. I stood on tiptoe, trying to see well. THe other boy had his head down. A cold gust blew into my face, but I could still see his strange smirk.
I heard the others have a conversation. Some thing about a ring and an item. About Yugi's being good, and Bakura's being bad. I saw my brother roll his eyes at this; he didn't believe them. Now had he believed Yugi earlier about that he was really some pharaoh, and he had to save the world from evil. Even I have to admit, that seemed pretty far fetched.
But what was really strange was that Bakura guy changed personality. His cards seemed the deal with ghosts and spirits, and he was winning. I saw my brother lean in suddenly. His lips were moving; he was muttering under his breath. Yugi was losing. I watched his he dramatically took up a card, held it up arm length, turn it to face him and smile. I knew as my brother did; he'd drawn Slifer, his God Card.
That clinches it, I thought as an enormous snake seemed to wrap itself around Kaiba Kraft 5, though it really was a dragon. I couldn't help but be awed; Seto had done a really good job with the holographic visuals. I turned back, just as their was a huge explosion, and Bakura was lying face down on the floor. Obviously, he had---
A loud gasp excaped me suddenly. I doubled over, clutching my stomach; my whole body hurt like when had a fever once. Seto asked me if I was all right. Just as suddenly the pain lessened a little bit. I nodded and he shouted over his shoulder, "Everyone inside for the next drawing of finalists."
Joey and the others helped Bakura off; he was obviously in pain. They were talking about where a ring was, I had no idea why they would be discussing that of all things. I turned to follow Seto back in, reminding myself to bring a hat next time. I held the elevator for them, and they nodded thank you. The hurt boy was leaning heavily, he didn't look well. For some reason he scared me.
Especially when he looked straight at me with this eerie stare . . . .
** ***** That night *******
I dozed on a comfortable armchair, Seto's coat around me. He was looking for some translations to Ra, the third God card by internet. Strange pictures kept flashing through my mind-- things like the real Marik, and an eye. It made no sense. Plus, I kept seeing black clouds. I turned my attention to my watch: nearly four in the morning.
"Seto, even you need sleep," I mumbled to him, but he paid no attention. He seemed to be deep in thought. I guessed because he was thinking all the weird things that had happened last night . . . . .
All the sudden, I fell asleep for a few minutes then woke up. I knew it was only a few minutes because Seto hadn't moved. There was slight shaking.
He got up. "Turbulence," he said to no one in particular. I hopped out of the chair and he put his coat on as he walked to the main cockpit. I followed closely behind, passing small windowspaces as I looked out of them. Then I heard a raspy, grating voice.
I'mmmm baaaaacckk . . .. did you miss me? I froze solid at the sound.
TBC
Read! do it! or review pwease? that will be good too ^_^