A/N: Hey peeps, responses to your reviews are at the bottom of the chapter. No rambles this time. Hope you all enjoy!

Chapter 25: Joey's Time

Press Conference: Carlos Smith of the Arkansas Razorbacks:

"Personally, I think they could be one of the best shooting teams in the country. If they can shoot the ball well on a given night, they can beat just about anybody in the country, including Jump City."

Charlie: Hey there people! You're live with Chris and Charlie here, Metro 8 Sports all the time. It's time to take some of your phone calls about today's topic: The Domino City Saints. This was a team that just a few weeks ago got over 100 points dropped on them by Louisville at Freedom Hall, now they're a potential Top 25 candidate. Let's welcome Shawn, what do you think?

Shawn: I love the way that they've been able to come together since Seto Kaiba came back; he's been a spark all season. I don't see a reason why they can't win the Metro 8 Charlie.

Chris: Settle down my friend. They still have a long row to hoe. Before their HUGE game with Gonzaga over the weekend, they finish up home non-conference with Grambling State, the best team out of the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Then they have the grind of the Metro 8 conference regular season with all of its pitfalls…

Charlie: Come on, Chris. Drink some of the Kool-Aid here! They're 10-3, they won the Christmas Classic Tournament at Notre Dame, they just pummeled Mount Union by 60 last night, they're playin' with spring in their step. This team is HOT!

Chris: Ladies and Gentleman, please excuse my colleague here, he's had a wee bit too much caffeine. Here's Makoto on the hotline…Makoto, what do you think about these kids?

Makoto: First of all, I just want to say that Seto Kaiba is the HOTTEST guy on the planet! That being said, it's going to be pretty tough for them to win the Metro 8 this year. It's going to be difficult.

Charlie: Even though I'm happy with this team, I'll have to say I agree. They open up Metro 8 play at Lazarus Polytech, who has really come on strong in the last few weeks. Then there's always the Big Three of the Conference to contend with: Jump City, Saffron State, and Viridian College.

Chris: That's what I'm talking about. You and I both know that this conference usually gets only one team in the NCAA tournament every year. The last time we sent more than one was 1980, when Saffron State and Domino City both earned invites.

Charlie: Let's bring on Troy. Troy, what's on your mind?

Troy: Hey…where's the love for Duke Devlin? He helped pull the slack while Kaiba was suspended, and he and Yami have helped him carry this team all year. This guy's gonna be an All-American before he's done, I guarantee it!

Chris: You may be right, Troy. This Duke is as good a player as I've seen in a long time. Let's talk to our old buddy T.K. on the line. T.K., how've you been brother?

T.K.: I'm doing fine, gentleman. I know this team is the cute, feel-good story of the year so far, but come on! WIN THE METRO 8? Not a chance in Hades! They're just too many good teams in this league, and I think they'll eventually fade out as we head towards conference tournament play. You guys take care, all right?

Charlie: Will do, T.K. To tell you the truth, I think they can beat the Titans.

Chris: You think they can beat the Titans? That's like saying an ant could crush an elephant!

Charlie: Yeah, if Domino City doesn't beat them, I see the Titans running the table. Well, thanks for listening to our Topic of the Day segment; we'll be back after these messages.

Domino Dome

January 2, 2006

Pep Rally

Nathan stood in front of the crowd of students that had gathered in the arena for the school's first pep rally in nearly a decade. He just stood at mid-court, hearing the chants for his team and his colors. After a five-minute standing ovation, he was finally able to speak.

"I just want to thank you all for coming out tonight for this quick little pep rally. I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is we have to play yet another school from Louisiana whose nickname is 'The Tigers'." (A/N: Grambling State and LSU are the two schools in Louisiana nicknamed the Tigers. If you recall, they faced LSU in a previous chapter.)

For about twenty seconds, the crowd booed him in mock-disapproval.

"The good news is we'll have a nice Stuffed Tiger collection going pretty soon! Anyways I'm just here to thank you so much for welcoming me to this city, to this university, to your family. I'm blessed. I just hope that you all will continue to come out and support these fine young men. Um…Joey. Didn't you say you had an announcement to make?"

Joey nervously stepped in front of the crowd, taking the microphone from his coach before giving him a hug. Before he left to go a seat, Nathan left Joey with two words of advice: Stay Calm.

"How ya's doin' tonight?"

Someone shouted a compliment, which was followed by applause.

"Thanks…um…Mai…could you come down here please?"

As a confused Mai made her way down to the arena floor, Seto Kaiba and Yugi sat side by side.

"Fifty bucks says Wheeler chickens out."

Yugi frowned at his teammate. "You know we're not technically supposed to gamble."

"Oh…so you're a chicken too?"

"No…just don't like to gamble money. Make it fifty wind sprints and you have deal."

It was Kaiba's turn to frown. Yugi knew how much Kaiba hated the coach's conditioning program, especially the wind sprints. "Alright runt, you have a deal."

Now that Mai had joined them on the floor, he held her hand as he continued to speak. "Mai…there's something I would like to do for you, a little sign of appreciation, I guess. Hey…tune up da band!"

The band, conducted by his sister Serenity, began playing a song that he had chosen for her, and they began to dance a little.

Suddenly, some of the other band members stopped playing and began to sing a song for the two lovers.

Heeeeeey... Hey Baby! I wanna know…Would ya be my friend?

Heeeeeey…Hey Baby! I wanna know…Will you be my girl?

Before the last part of the song came on, Joey dropped to one knee (much to the crowd's approval).

Heeeeeey…Hey Baby! I wanna know…Will you marry me?

Mai pulled Joey up off of the floor as he pulled out the ring he had gotten her. Her answer was swift.

"Yes…I'll marry you Joseph."

What kind of a sap am I? Writing such fluff…anyways with more than half of the season behind them, Domino City prepares for two very crucial games. First, can they survive the Grambling State Tigers in their final non-conference home game? Then, the Bulldogs of Gonzaga welcome them to The Kennel. Even if they survive, will the grueling Metro 8 schedule derail them? Or will something else stand in the way? Find out next time!

Now for the reviewers:

Telecoi: Thanks for the props. Personally, I think my attention to detail sucks (maybe its because I'm my own worst critic) but I'm glad you think it's pretty good.

Shy and LeighC: Thanks for the review, and I hope this chapter lived up to your expectations. Y'all take care, OK?

Anime Ruthless: Glad you like how I structured the games and such. I try to keep it interesting yet realistic in a way. Thanks for reading.

Malik and Kaiba: Keep it up I will! Thanks for reading friends.

The Broken Bow: OMG, you updated! Gotta go check it out whenever I finish things I got to finish. Thanks for reading.

The Mystic Goddess: It's been a while to hear from you. Whenever you catch up to here, I hope you like what you've read. Thanks for reading.

Before I blast of at the speed of light (via Team Rocket of course) I just want to say this…I guaran-damn-tee there will be at least one super plot twist next chapter. If you paid attention early, you may have seen this one coming (HINT HINT!).

BDB…. out