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Fanfic Chapter 96: The Battle Ship
Episode Basis: Let the Finals Begin

Previously on Yu-Gi-Oh! Mai was approached by Jean-Claude Magnum, actor, stuntman, and apparently the only Hollywood Heartthrob to fail How to Swoon a Woman in college. Mai was hooked into dueling him, for if he won, Mai would marry the guy and he would take her place in the Battle City Finals. Obviously, this made both Joey and Mai pretty ticked. Magnum's ninja monsters, however, were no match for Mai's skills and newly-constructed deck. Mai won the duel but Magnum wouldn't let her get off that easily. As it turned out, one of his monsters was real and it kidnapped Mai. Joey and Harold worked together and freed Mai. Perhaps Magnum should've stuck to acting instead of venturing into the kidnapping business.


Kaiba and Mokuba stood at the center of the stadium. With them were two Kaiba Corp. employees and one of the Battle City Finalists.

"It's almost time for the Finals to begin," Mokuba commented. "The other Finalists should be here soon."

I'm just waiting for the two remaining Egyptian God Cards, Kaiba thought.

"Seto, I have to admit, I'm a little nervous, I mean these Egyptian God Cards you're waiting for are the most powerful Duel Monster cards ever made. Remember what happened to Pegasus? Having that Toon World card drove him insane."

"True, but there's one huge difference between Pegasus and me and that's skill. Pegasus relies on cheap tricks and illusions to overwhelm his opponent. I rely on my skill and my deck."

Mokuba nodded firmly.


In the darkness of the unfinished stands, Marik and Odion watched Kaiba. "Soon Kaiba will become a pawn in his own game," Marik told his servant. Odion was silent, his usual response. "The Shadow Powers were sealed within the seven Millennium Items thousands of years ago. But over time, sorcerers learned to use the Shadow Powers and release the monsters. When the Shadow Powers began to get out of control again, the Pharaoh declared the Millennium Items to be hidden, spread throughout the land so that nobody would ever be able to wield them. He also wished his Millennium Item, the Millennium Puzzle, shattered so that nobody could wield its powerful magic. But then one boy did the incredible: he assembled the puzzle and released the Pharaoh's soul. While I need the puzzle to obtain the power of the Pharaoh, the Pharaoh also needs the Puzzle to reveal his memories. These Battle City Finals will be an all or nothing for me and the Pharaoh, Odion, and this is where I need your help." Odion turned to look at his master. "Right now, those fools believe me to be a friend named Namu. For the finals, everyone must think that you're me. That way, I can get close to them and then crush them with my Egyptian God Card!"

"An excellent idea, Master Marik."

Marik pulled out a duplicate Millennium Rod. Odion gasped. "This is just a fake copy of the Millennium Rod. It has none of the powers that the real Rod has but it should be enough to convince those little whelps that you are me."

"I will do as you command, master Marik."


On the other side of the stadium, another figure sat down, this one keeping more in tone with the darkness so that nobody would see him.


"Someone's coming!" Mokuba announced. Yugi, Mai, Joey, Harold and their friends entered.

"Are we too late?" Yugi asked Mokuba.

"Looks like we're too early," Harold commented.

"Well that's a switch for me," Mai cracked.

"Not at all, you're right on time," Mokuba said.

One of the Kaiba Corp. suits came up to them. "Excuse me; please present me with your locator cards." Yugi, Joey, Mai, and Harold displayed their six locator cards. The suit looked over them before turning to Kaiba. "They all have six locator cards." Upon receiving Kaiba's nod, the other suit handed each of the Battle City finalists a card. "These are your tournament ID cards. Make sure you have them with you at all times."

"Okay, six of the finalists are already here," Mokuba said making entries on a list.

"Six?" Joey asked. He counted himself, Mai, Yugi, Harold, and Kaiba. "I'm only counting five, who's the sixth?"

"Me, genius," a sharp voice said. A girl stepped into the dim lighting. She had dark brown hair pulled back in a ponytail and blue eyes. She was dressed in a cranberry-colored blouse and blue skirt. Her Duel Disk stuck out of her backpack.

"And you are…?"

"The name's Amara Penfield; and you might as well go home because I'm going to duel circles around you."

"Big talk coming from a pip squeak," Joey said.

"Amara was actually here even before me and Seto arrived."

"I got my six locator cards on the first day," Amara boasted. She stared hard at Yugi who backed up into Tea. "Hey, you're that Yugi Moto kid, aren't you?"

"Yeah," Yugi replied carefully.

She tilted her head sideways. "Funny, I thought you would've been taller."

Harold interrupted this awkward moment by saying, "Someone's coming." Everyone turned to face the stadium's entrance.

I have a bad feeling about this, Yugi thought and he knew Yami agreed with him.

The person who entered was a boy with blonde hair and tanned skin wearing a pink hooded shirt with no sleeves and black pants.

"It's Namu," Tea said, actually sounding relieved. She and Joey ran up to him.

"Tea, Joey," Namu greeted. "Can you believe it? I actually made it to the finals!"

"Are you okay, those Rare Hunters beat you up pretty badly," Joey commented.

"No worse for wear," Namu said shrugging.

Something ain't right, Joey thought. Why wasn't Namu captured along with us? It's like they were targeting specifically us and only got Namu 'cause he gets in the way… eh, maybe I'm thinking too much.

"Yugi, this is Namu, he helped save Bakura," Tea introduced.

"Wow, Yugi Moto," Namu said shaking Yugi's hand. "It's a real honor, I've heard so much about you. I always wanted to meet you face-to-face." There was something about that last sentence that chilled Yugi.

"Well… any friend of Joey and Tea is a friend of mine," Yugi replied nervously.

"Hey, someone else is coming," Amara pointed out. Everyone turned to see who the newcomer was.

It was Bakura.

"Bakura, what are you doing here?" Joey asked.

"You should be in the hospital," Tristan added.

"Oh, I'm fine," Bakura said. "The Doctor said the injury wasn't that serious." As he raised his arm to scratch his head, he revealed his bandage with caked blood on it. He also revealed his Duel Disk.

"What are you doing wearing a Duel Disk?" Harold demanded to know.

"Well how else was I able to get into the finals? Oh, that reminds me…" Bakura went up to the Kaiba Corp. official. "Here are my locator cards."

As Bakura passed Marik, Marik thought, Excellent, Bakura is holding up to his part of the bargain.

"It's like he won all six in one duel," Amara commented. "And I thought I was fast."

"Who's that?" Harold asked. Once again, everyone looked towards the entrance. A tall man wearing a purple cloak walked in.

"Uh… your name, sir," the Kaiba Corp officer requested.

"My name is Marik."

"I should kick your brainwashing keester for what you did," Joey said.

"I should too," Kaiba said. "For what you did to Mokuba… but the fact of the matter is, you have something I want."

He's talking about the third Egyptian God Card! Yugi realized.

"It's time to let you all know," the Kaiba Corp. officer said. "That while the Duel Disks have led you all here, this is not where the finals are being held." Everyone gasped. "The real arena should be here shortly." As he spoke, a low rumble came from the air. A large blimp flew over head and landed.

"Please tell me that's just our mode of transportation to get to the real arena."

"You'll find out soon enough," Mokuba said. "In the mean time, Kaiba Craft 3 is ready for lift off."

The other Kaiba Corp. official stood at the top of the boarding stairs. "Please, will all the Finalists board.

Marik and Odion boarded first followed by Bakura and Amara. Mai and Harold soon followed. Yugi and Joey were the last of the invited finalists to board.

As Tristan, Tea, Duke, and Serenity moved to board, the first Kaiba Corp. official blocked their way. "I'm sorry, you can't board."

"Huh, why not?" Tristan asked.

"Only those with tournament IDs may board, everyone else must be turned away!"

"But… I was really looking forward to seeing my brother duel," Serenity said disappointingly.

"Come on, can't you cut us some slack?" Tristan asked.

"No, those are the rules!"

"Give it a rest, Roland," Mokuba said stepping up to them. "You're letting me on and I don't have an ID card.

"But... those are Mister Kaiba's rules," Roland protested.

Mokuba looked towards his brother, "What do you say, Seto? I really don't think having them on will make much of a difference. At any rate, it'll make it seem more fun."

"Whatever," Kaiba said.

"Sounds like a yes to me," Mokuba said. "Climb on board, everybody." The non-Duelists cheered and climbed on board.

Roland's assistant looked at Kaiba. "Sir…"

"Just let the dweebs go," Kaiba said. At any rate, having audience there to acknowledge my victory will just make it a lot sweeter. As Kaiba and Mokuba started to climb aboard, Kaiba ordered, "Prepare for take off immediately."

"But sir, the final Duelist hasn't arrived yet."

"It doesn't matter; I have all I need already on board."

"Yes, sir," Roland said as he headed for the cockpit. Roland's assistant turned to look around when he noticed that someone was entering. It was a woman in a white dress. Her face was covered with veils but her blue eyes shown with purpose.

"I am here to participate in the finals," she said. "Am I on time?"

"Yes, ma'am, I just need to see your locator cards."

"Of course." The woman displayed her locator cards and the employee. As he was looking them over, someone crept underneath the ramp. The person leapt on half-way up the stairs and jumped the rest of the way.

Only the woman saw it and she said nothing.

"Everything checks out," the assistant said. He handed her the final ID card. "Please board, we're taking off right now." The engines were already powering up.

"As you wish," she said and climbed up the stairs. The assistant followed. As he pressed the button to raise the ramp and close the hatch, he saw something out of the corner of his eye. He looked around but the woman was half-way down the hall.

That's strange, I wonder if there's somebody here, the assistant thought but dismissed it as just his imagination and went up to the cockpit.

The blimp began rising from the ground kicking up dust in the process. The landing skis were pulled in and the blimp started to head towards the coastline.


On board, Yugi, his friends, Kaiba, and Amara have gathered in an Observation Lounge. The large bay window provided a spectacular view of the city below.

"I'll say this for Kaiba Corp., they don't do anything small," Duke commented.

"Are you kidding, this is a small shindig compared to the parties held where I'm from," Amara commented.

"And where did you say you were from again?" Tristan asked.

"I didn't," Amara replied giving Tristan the evil eye. "But since you asked, I'm from America."

"Ah, that explains it," Tristan said.

"And just what the heck is that suppose to mean?" Amara snapped.

"The view here is so beautiful," Serenity commented. "Thanks for bringing me, Joey."

"Hey, anything for you, sis, and now that you got your bandages off; I can't wait to show you how I kick butt."

"I'm afraid it's going to be a long wait," Kaiba cracked. "A Duel Monsters Tournament is no place for low-level Duelists like you."

Joey was about to retort but Serenity beat him to the punch, "Look, buster, if you have a problem with my brother, you take it up with me."

Kaiba thumbed his nose at the younger Wheeler. "If I wanted to pick on babies, I would've gone into the day care business." Kaiba ended the discussion and went up to Yugi. "Yugi, I noticed that you haven't played your Egyptian God Card yet."

"I wasn't allowed to," Yugi explained.

"I know, but now I expect you to include it in your deck. When this tournament is over, I'll be the Number One Duelist in the Land and owner of all three Egyptian God Cards." Yami emerged and glared daggers at his rival. "Playing it or not is your choice, but I expect it to be in your deck when the finals begin." Yugi said nothing. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have a tournament to run." And he left.

"Anybody besides me want to slap him senseless?" Harold asked.

"Leave him alone, Harold," Bakura said. "He's just doing what he usually does, looking out for his best interest." The undertone to Bakura's voice was dark, which Yugi picked up on.

"Maybe, but I still want to slap him senseless."


Joey and Serenity walked into Joey's room. The room was not very big, but it was comfortable. A single bed, a fridge, and an easy chair adorned the eight-by-ten room topped off with a porthole. Serenity was immediately attracted to the porthole. "I can't believe what I'm seeing," she said. She turned to Joey, "Thank you, Big Brother, I owe you so much, more than I could ever repay."

"You don't have to repay me anything, sis, we're family."

Serenity nodded, "You're right, I don't care what Kaiba says, you're the best Duelist I know… and the best friend I know."

"Thanks, Serenity, and with your support, I'm going to kick everyone's butt! I am totally in the zone, nothing's gonna distract me."

"Hey, mind if we come in?" Tristan asked. Joey face-faulted as Tristan, Duke, and Tea all walked in.

"What are you three doing here?"

"The rooms here are only for Duelists," Tea complained as she checked out the room service menu. "We need some place to set up camp."

Now that we're close, I can ask Serenity to check out the view, Tristan thought.

"You're right, the view is beautiful." Tristan halted in mid-step. Serenity was already checking out the view… with Duke Devlin. She hates me, Tristan wept.

"Why don't you go bug Yugi or Harold?" Joey recommended.

"Joey, behave," Serenity scolded.

"Sorry, Serenity, but they're totally throwing me off my zone."

"Actually, we already been to Harold's room," Tristan said. "Guy's fast asleep. And we figured Yugi would need to be left alone. He's got a lot to focus on."

"Oh, and I don't?" Joey sighed frustrated and sank into an easy chair.

"Hey!" Joey opened his eyes in time to catch a soda thrown to him by Tristan. "Sorry for interrupting your quiet time."

"I guess it could be worse, you could be Kaiba," Joey cracked. "Hey Tristan… thanks for taking care of Serenity."

"Hey, I was glad to help you two find each other."


Kaiba stared at Obelisk the Tormentor. It's almost time, he thought. Soon I will return to my rightful place as the Number One Duelist and then everyone will have to acknowledge my greatness, even Yugi.

Outside, Roland's assistant approached the door to Kaiba's cabin but Mokuba stopped him. "Where do you think you're going?"

"I… I thought I should inform Mister Kaiba that I believe there's a stowaway on board."

"Kaiba's busy preparing for his duels; he's left explicit instructions not to be disturbed." Not wanting to risk Mokuba's wraith, let alone Kaiba's, the suit turned away.


The moment I've been waiting for is about to arrive. Soon I'll use my mighty Obelisk the Tormentor to crush Yugi and Marik and once I obtain all three Egyptian God Cards, I'll be unstoppable. Unfortunately, I don't know what Marik's Egyptian God Card is. I'll have to have Mokuba scan the card once it's played. A card fell out of Kaiba's deck. Kaiba picked it up: it was his Blue-Eyes White Dragon. A long time ago, I thought this dragon was the most powerful card in Duel Monsters, but Yugi's proven to me that a Blue-Eyes isn't invincible. But now… he held his Blue-Eyes side-by-side with Obelisk the Tormentor. I've been given a taste of true power, and I find that I want more. Right now, the only thing my dragon is good for is to use as a tribute for my Egyptian God Card.

Once again, Kaiba heard a sound that resembled a dragon roar. He placed the Blue-Eyes at the bottom of his deck.


Mai sipped a glass of wine in her room, I may have been shut out at Duelist Kingdom, but not now. This time, I'm not stopping until I reach the stop. And nobody, not Yugi, not Joey, not even Kaiba's going to stop me.

Harold was still asleep in his room. His deck was on a table. The top card was Serapheem.


Amara was modifying her deck. I won't lose, not after I worked so hard to get here. They say Yugi and Kaiba are unbeatable, well I think it's time to see if those rumors are true. I can't be intimidated by them. I'll prove that I can play with the big boys.

Odion was meditating, I must not fail Master Marik, he thought.


Marik sat staring out the porthole, twirling his Millennium Rod. I've manipulated so many people, I can't lose. I was still able to maintain hold over Tea's mind even after that whelp Harold beat her with his ritual monster. Plus I duped the Spirit of the Millennium Ring into helping me as well. With them and Odion at my side, the power of the Pharaoh will soon be mine!

Yugi had deconstructed his deck on the table and was now looking at his Egyptian God Card. If I really want to beat Marik and Kaiba, I'll have to do what Kaiba says and put Slifer in my deck. But is it the right move?

"I'm sure it was," Yami answered appearing behind him. "And no matter what, you must believe in your self and your deck. I believe that is the key to controlling Slifer."

Yugi nodded, "I'm also worried about Bakura. I don't think that's Bakura at all." Yugi thought back to Duelist Kingdom.


Change of Heart-Bakura phased through the Lady of Faith, his face replacing that of the Lady of Faith's. "I've taken over one of his cards instead of yours." Both Dark Magician-Yugi and Yami-Bakura gasped at the act. "I'll control her while you attack me, you can win against the evil me!"

"I can't! I'd be destroying you!"

"I don't care! It's better than being a slave to an evil spirit! DO IT!"

"Be quiet," Yami-Bakura snapped.

"I have a better idea," Dueling Yugi said. His Millennium Puzzle started to glow and thrash wildly. An Egyptian-looking eye appeared on his forehead. "If the Millennium Ring can pull souls from people, maybe my Millennium Puzzle can put them back." When the Duel Monsters looked next, they saw that regular Bakura was back in his body and Yami-Bakura was dressed as the Lady of Faith. "Listen closely, Yugi, use the power of the Dark Magician! Send him to the Graveyard now!"

"You got it. Dark Magic Attack!" Yami-Bakura was pulled into a vortex and transported to the Graveyard.


"You defeated him and sent him to the graveyard, Yugi," Yami reminded.

"Yeah, and then Tristan and Harold got rid of the Millennium Ring… didn't they?"


"Hey Casper, catch!" Tristan called throwing Mokuba. The boy's body slammed into Bakura's head and the two went tumbling down. The cloaked figure caught Mokuba but Bakura ended up unconscious. The cloaked figure ripped off Bakura's Millennium Ring and Frisbee-tossed it to Tristan who did the same to it over the ledge and into the forest.


"You can disrupt the path between a Millennium Item and its holder all you want," Yami said. "But it'll always find its way back. The Ring found its way back to Bakura."

"That means that it'll be tougher than ever to win this tournament."

"Yes, but for our sake and the sake of the entire world, we must succeed."

"Attention," a voice on a PA system called. "The Battle City finals are about to begin, will all Duelists and guest please report to the main hall immediately!"


As Joey exited his room, Kaiba was walking by. Kaiba made a point of shoving past Joey's shoulder knocking him into the door jam. "Hey, watch it!" Joey shouted. Kaiba just continued on his way. "Man, I can't wait to beat the pants off of that guy."

"Joey," Marik called walking out of his room. "Well I guess this is it, may the best man win."

"Don't worry, I intend to."


Yugi inserted his deck into his Duel Disk as he switched with Yami. Facing the door, he announced, "It's time to duel!"

The End