Tournament of Souls Chapter 13

After the Finals

"What's the point of all those push ups if you can't lift a bloody log?" – Alfred in Batman Begins

"The show must go on."

Editors' Note: The first time we looked this over we almost killed the author because he switched from the past tense to a present tense narrative a few times. He has also done this a few times in previous chapters. However, we are told that he has a reason for this. However, you, the readers, will not know what this is until about the second chapter of a different story. As for when this story is going to get started, we have not been informed. But keep an eye on your "Author Alerts". If you don't have this author on your author alerts, first of all, the majority of you deserve awards for being able to check it so frequently. Secondly, you should get him on your author alert.

After it was all over, Lucien thought that dealing with the ceremony afterward was harder than winning the tournament. But then again, Mr. Dongard helped. He had single handedly driven away the hordes of local news reporters clamoring for an interview.

"Sorry 'champ' but you can meet with your adoring public on your own time." He said rolling his eyes. Alicia walked up and handed him her deck as well as that of Max, the duelist who had defeated Raoul. Lucien looked through both decks and found several cards that could improve his prototype deck that he planned to use for the State Championship. However, when looking through Alicia's deck, he was startled. Neither Jinzo nor Spell Canceller was present.

"Alicia, you forgot to give me Jinzo and Spell Canceller." She shook her head.

"No, you see, they weren't a part of the original deck. When I received that deck to use as an eliminator, I made some edits so that I would have a greater chance of making my way to the top. However, I only have to give anyone who defeats me the original deck."

Mr. Dongard coughed to get their attention and waved over Mr. Kiwasaki who was carrying a rather large briefcase.

"I'm afraid that's not what the paperwork says miss. You had to sign several documents in order to become an eliminator." He took several sheaves of paper from the briefcase. Mr. Dongard- not an environmentalist. If you take out the "environ" you've got it just about right though. Mental he is.

"Here you signed agreeing to turn over the deck that you received for use as an eliminator to any who defeat you and to do the same with the deck of any other eliminators that you happened to defeat. And over here under the fine print, you signed agreeing to give the deck that you used for the tournament to any who defeat you as well as agreeing to not to tell anyone that you are an eliminator before you are either defeated or the quarter-final round. That means that you have to give Mr. Morningstar any cards that you removed or added to the deck at any point during the tournament."

Lucien winced at the formality but stepped forward to accept Jinzo and Spell Canceller. But as he closed his fingers around the cards, he noticed the tears in Alicia's eyes. Rather than taking the cards then and there, he let them hang there in limbo. He realized then that Alicia had been using the cards as a crutch, she was afraid of what her opponent could do to her plans with spell and trap cards, and so had included these cards, extremely valuable ones at that, in her deck to assuage her fears. With them on the field, she felt invincible.

And now Lucien had to take them away.

"I understand how much these cards mean to you. But you must learn to be responsible for your actions. And you need to learn not to rely on only a few cards. You need to trust your entire deck. Your deck is your team; all members must be equally important and not detract from each other. If you need them, I'll let you keep these cards, just say the word." Mr. Dongard scowled but Alicia looked at Lucien teary eyed and released her grip on the cards.

"No, you're right. I need to learn to trust my deck, not just a few cards. Take them. You deserve it." Mr. Dongard cleared his throat loudly and shooed her away.

"Now, Mr. Morningstar, select your team mates, the options are, Alicia Kestrel, Aliya Renon…" Lucien interrupted him.

"I already know who my team mates are. Aliya and Raoul will go with me to the State Championships." Mr. Dongard seized a microphone from a startled reporter.

"Will Raoul Cooper and Aliya Renon please come forward?" Lucien sensed a struggle not to say "insert higher ranking contestant" and "insert lower ranking contestant." He managed to remain stoic through a hardy (and mildly painful) slap on the back, and was glad that Aliya refrained from a hug. He wasn't sure he would be able to blame rosy cheeks on a brisk breeze only he could feel when summer was about to start.

Mr. Dongard waited patiently (this meaning that instead of forcibly lining them up, he merely tapped his foot irritably) for them to finish their congratulations before ushering them onto the bus. Mr. Dongard sat with Lucien. Aliya and Raoul sat just across the aisle incase a rescue mission was required. It helped that Mr. Dongard had made their decision for them by telling them where to sit.

The former contestants and spectators crowded onto the bus, but any potential conversations near the front of the bus were smothered by Mr. Dongard's presence. However, a one sided monologue doesn't count as conversation, so Mr. Kiwasaki chattered continuously throughout the trip.

"Wonderful job winning that last duel Lucien! When she had your life points down to 50 I thought you were a goner. And then the way you took a traditional win instead of using your deck's primary strategy was pure brilliance!" At about that point Lucien tuned him out.

When they arrived back at the shop, Mr. Dongard led the team into the back room that served as combination storage and office space. Mr. Kiwasaki followed and shut the door behind him. Mr. Dongard sat down behind the desk.

"Please, sit down, all of you." In the absence of chairs, the team members sat down boxes of merchandise. Mr. Kiwasaki remained standing but leaned against the door frame. Lucien winced; he could tell that there was a mostly monotonous monologue coming up.

"You three are now compromise the team representing the West City Area. You will be one of 32 teams from around the state of Maryland. This competition will take place at the same time as similar championships in all the other states as well as the District of Columbia. There is one notable difference between the competition in the District of Columbia and those in other areas, that being that there is no qualifying tournament due to the small area."

"There are also multiple such competitions in states with large populations and/or areas such as California, Texas, Alaska, Florida, New York, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Hawaii, Michigan, and Connecticut." Aliya and Lucien shared a look over some of the state selections. Raoul hadn't noticed anything strange.

"As the representatives of your region, island, or alienated area, you have certain responsibilities. You are not to use or wear profane or explicit language or clothing. You are not to in any way dishonor your family, country, or region, island, or alienated area. You do not have diplomatic impunity within, or without your nation of birth unless otherwise stated." Next he's going to make us take the Oath of Fealty.

"Also, a program has been set up for duelists whom have never competed in major tournaments before. Usually this would not be available until after you had won a State Championship, but I've pulled a few strings and won a drawing." Mr. Kiwasaki looked up. He had a standing interest in modern art merely because he was absolutely sure that he was the only one who could understand it properly. The rest of us simply take it for granted that there is nothing to understand, and those few who believe in a greater meaning in life believe that it is not meant to be understood.

"What kind of drawing? Was it done in pastel, charcoal, pencil or laser point impression?" Mr. Dongard's eyebrow twitched.

"Not that kind of drawing. I meant a lottery type thing. In any case, a spot has been acquired for you at a decently sized outside tournament. This should give you some more experience in how team tournaments work as well as give you a taste of the fame you seem to so desire." Lucien rolled his eyes. Raoul leaned forward and on every breath you could hear; "Fame and fortune, fortune means rich, rich means girls, girls means-" Lucien kicked him in the shin.

"The outside tournament will take place next weekend, transportation is provided. You are expected to obey the pre-stated standard of behavior, dress, and speech. The State Finals are the weekend after that. You are expected to provide your own transportation." Mr. Kiwasaki dusted himself off and opened the door.

"I do believe that is all Mr. Dongard. Now there is just one small thing left. The prize." Raoul perked up and Aliya elbowed him in the ribs whispering "For Lucien you dimwit. We lost."

"You will be awarded a $50 dollar gift certificate to the store. Now if I can just find it…" He patted various pockets and pulled out a wallet from one of them and checked in that.

"How strange, I seem to have misplaced it. Oh well, I'm sure it will turn up some time, in the mean time Lucien, just remember, you have $50 dollars in credit for the store. You can use it on anything you'd like from cards to hair clips as soon as they come in, although I don't see you having any interest in the latter. Ah yes, you're sitting on them. No, not you Aliya, Lucien." Aliya pouted at Lucien and tried to make a puppy dog face.

"Don't forget, my birthday's coming up in just over a week." She batted her eyelashes and they both cracked up laughing. Raoul shivered.

"That was so much like Amy it was scary." And they started laughing all over again. When Lucien regained control of his vocal apparatus he began to leave.

"I've got to get going, I'll see you two at school." Raoul spoke to Aliya hurriedly and intercepted Lucien before he reached the door.

"Make sure to come by Aliya's for the party though. We really have something to celebrate. And don't forget to ask your mom if I can stay over for the night." Lucien nodded and began the long walk home.

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About an hour later Aliya was getting worried. She and Raoul were at her house drinking soda. They even had a bottle of juice for Lucien- he doesn't drink soda, no one is quite sure why. Lucien still hadn't shown up though. He hadn't even called. Aliya could tell that Raoul wasn't happy about this; she was insisting that they wait for Lucien before ordering the pizza. At this point, she wasn't very hungry.

Raoul flicked on the TV and eyed Aliya's half full glass warily.

"Are you going to drink that?" She shook her head and he downed it with a gulp and a belch.

"I'm worried about Lucien. He ought to be here by now." Raoul shrugged and changed the channel.

"Don't be such a worry wart. Lucien knows how to take care of himself." Aliya looked down and twisted her paper napkin. After it had begun to tear around the edges Aliya put it down and went to the phone.

"I'm going to call his house. At the very least we should be able to find out whether you can sleep over there tonight." She took out a little booklet of phone numbers and started flipping through it. Raoul looked at it curiously.

"What is that?" Aliya looked up.

"Oh, this? It's the directory for the school Lucien and I attend. Yours doesn't have one?" Raoul laughed.

"Yeah, my school has one alright; it's called 'The Yellow Pages.'" Aliya found his number and called.

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Lucien had started out running but then slowed to a jog, and then a walk. His thigh was sore from where his deck box dug into his leg, and the rest of him was sore from the fight the day before. Not many hits had been landed on him, but those that did hurt.

Lucien followed the bus route from the card store through the city. He passed what he had dubbed the "fat district" which contained many restaurants, several ice cream parlors, and movie theaters. Paradoxically there were small gyms scattered around the edge of the district. As he passed by some parking meters, a glint of silver caught his eye from the gutter. He reached down and picked up the quarter.

He pocketed it and continued on his way; eyes on the pavement.

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Drriiiinng…Drriiinng…

"Hello?"

"Hello, may I ask who is speaking please?"

"Hello Mrs. Morningstar, its Aliya. Is Lucien there?"

"No Aliya, he still hasn't come back from that tournament. And it's just Ms. Briner. Morningstar is Lucien's name and his fathers but not mine." Aliya cursed her bad memory. Lucien's parents had separated before he was born. No one knew much about Mr. Morningstar other than that he had a long foreign sounding first name that no one could remember. In fact, very few people seemed to remember very much about him at all, almost has if he had never existed; only Lucien remained as evidence.

"That's strange last we saw he was on his way to the bus stop." Raoul tapped her on the shoulder. "Oh, Raoul wants to speak to you." She handed him the phone.

"Hello."

"Hello Raoul. What is it you want to speak to me about?"

"Well, I was wondering if I could stay over for the night."

"Of course you can, anytime Raoul." Raoul sighed in relief and gave the phone to Aliya. He hadn't been looking forward to explaining the situation.

"Hi, Aliya again. I'm going to have my mother drop by the card store to see if the bus never came or something, and then maybe go along to route incase the bus broke down." She hadn't actually asked her mother about this, but she didn't doubt that she would ok with it.

"Oh would you? Thank you so much Aliya, I'd go myself, but I'm busy right now. You know how it is." Indeed. No one was quite sure why, but Lucien's mother was constantly working. She had a government job down town. It was close enough to D.C. and the costs for office space were lower, so many federal offices were in down town West City, on the far side from the park. The local government such as the courthouse (which doubled as city hall whenever it was required) and mayoral suites was right by the park, across from the poorer district that included the orphanage, low cost dwellings, a fortune teller, bars, greasy spoons, ambiguous allies and the occasisional building that had rooms rented out for anything, whether it be store, storage space, or a roof over your head.

Aliya went to get her mother from her bedroom. When she came back Raoul was standing by the door.

"Hurry up already. We have a party to save."

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Passing through the business district Lucien had found two more quarters, three dimes, and a nickel. That made $1.10. He had also found half a dozen pennies, but fare machines on busses don't accept those. That was his plan; find enough money on the street to be able to catch the bus. That meant he would need a total of $1.25. Ah, another nickel. Ten cents left.

He looked in front of the court house but found nothing. Evidently lawyers were tighter fisted than the common man. But then again, you probably knew that already.

Lucien then crossed through the park where an hour before he had become city champion. Now that he thought about it, it was quite an accomplishment. He was the best of over 200 duelists and was representing a large metropolitan city. Sure, it wasn't as large as New York City, Chicago, or Los Angeles, now where close. But then again, odds are they each had several champions, and had been divided into districts for the tournament. Yes, the Bronx would have one, Harlem another.

Still though, being the Duelist Champion of West City or whatever the title wasn't that impressive. If you looked at all the millions of duelists throughout the world, he was better than 256 of them. That wasn't saying very much. And West City didn't exactly have a legacy. It had only been built about ten years ago. Then its designers had said that it would be the new center of technology and trade. Now it was just like any other city. Its population wasn't exceptionally large or small. No famous people proudly hailed from West City. They didn't have their own sports team. Still though, it was probably going to become a center of technology in the US. If Kaiba Corp. and other companies kept on bringing in stuff like that Duel Station. But then again, Japan, China, and several other nations had possessed these for a few years. Even small towns that no one would have any need to know about had them. Like Domino, Japan where the King of Games hailed from.

Lucien looked both ways before crossing the street. And there, as a cluster of people passed in front of the orphanage, was a dime sparkling in the sunlight. He dove for it and a grimy hand landed over his. He looked up at the owner of the hand, and obviously poor man whose hair was long and unwashed; likely homeless. Looking ashamed, the beggar removed his hand.

"Sorry 'bout that. You got here first after all, finders keepers." He looked longingly at a nearby hot dog stand.

Lucien felt eyes on him. Peddlers; owner of the hot dog stand included, and beggars stared at him, waiting. Eyes from the orphanage windows gazed down on him. A boy who looked to be almost his age was sitting on the steps shuffling through a deck of cards; all of them, waiting.

Lucien put the coin in his pocket. Everyone looked away, ashamed to have expected the unrequited kindness of a stranger. The boy dropped a card.

Lucien took his hand out of his pocket, and pressed it into the hand of the beggar. Then he walked away down the street. The beggar opened his hand and found $1.25 and six pennies; enough for a hot dog, including tax. He wouldn't starve today. He looked down the street at Lucien's departing shape and shouted hoarsely.

"I'll pay you back for this! Someday, I will!" Lucien disappeared the corner.

The boy leaned down and picked up the card he had dropped and turned it face up; Graceful Charity. He smiled and slipped it back into his deck.

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Lucien turned the corner and a familiar car came up and stopped next to the curb in front of him. Raoul's head popped out the back window.

"Hey Lucien! Hop in. The party must go on!" Lucien grinned and slipped into the back seat.

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Author's Note: Sorry there was no duel this chapter. This was just really necessary. The next chapter should have a duel in it though. I have a lot of ground to cover before the State Finals.