Welcome back to another chapter dueling fans!
The Battle City Finals are ever closer, and a few new twists are ahead! One thing to note since the next episodes in canon do include some form of shipping. Whatever ships I have planned for this fic aren't necessarily established yet. Honestly, considering the animated series as is, no one actually gets together until after the series is over. And given the context of said pairings, it's not hard to believe these teenagers, plus Mai, are actually never really ready to confront these feelings combined with the shenanigans that are currently happening at the time. Maybe afterwards, but that's for later. Until then, please be patient while I continue the story.
Disclaimer: RDF1 doesn't own anything in this fic, technically not even the original content.
(Chapter Begin)
(Recap)
Yugi and Joey have gathered six locator cards to qualify for the finals. After some difficulties thanks to Marik, Yugi and Joey pulled through with help from a surprising source: Joey's sister, who had managed to regain her sight thanks to surgery after nearly losing it. Now, the Battle City Finals were right around the corner. Can they bring out a win? And there's still Maria's problem with Yami.
(Recap End)
Maria checked her rearview mirror as she drove towards the Stadium where the finalists were to meet up. She fought down a smile seeing Yugi and Téa enjoying a comfortable silence for once right behind her with Joey and Tristan in the very back. Serenity had shotgun since this was a big day for her. Serenity took in the sights of Domino City with a complete smile on her face. Téa was glad for a comfortable ride after everything that's happened. And Yugi was had a look of concentration as he looked out his window, probably conversing with Yami again. Joey and Tristan were sleeping in the back, to which Maria didn't really bother them. Given what was yet to come, a nap was good for anyone if they could spare it and still make it to finals.
As Maria got closer to the Stadium, she noticed what looked like a duel happening nearby. She changed directions and headed towards the duel, getting the others' attention.
"What's going on?" asked Serenity as they turned away from their destination.
"Something's up," said Maria, "Call it a feeling, but..."
Maria pulled up next to another car, but they weren't focusing on that. In front of them was Mai Valentine, dueling someone, and given the aura coming off of Mai, she was right nettled.
(AN1)
As the group approached the two duelists, Mai looked over and raised her eyebrow.
"Well, well, if it isn't Yugi and friends. And two new groupies?" chuckled Mai, feeling relief at seeing the people she would first call friends, before turning around to her opponent again, "Would love to chat and catch up, but this idiot needs a reminder of why I stand on my own two feet."
"Wait, is that John Claude Magnum?" asked Joey.
"Isn't he that famous actor?" added Tristan.
"But Mai, shouldn't you have six locator cards? You have no reason to duel him," wondered Yugi.
"This idiot won't let me pass. And considering how he's here with five locator cards himself, dueling him to get him out of the way will make sure he gets the message," answered Mai.
And indeed, Mai was having a strong advantage over John Claude Magnum. Magnum's ninjas weren't pushovers, but Mai's Harpies were just objectively stronger. Unfortunately, Magnum was more than a little alarmed that his plan wasn't working. More than that, witnesses have just arrived, so he had to do something. Luckily, one of his Monsters wasn't a hologram and instead a hired professional. So when Mai won the duel, he immediately put the plan into action.
Maria and the others chased after Mai and thankfully Joey managed to reach her in time when the Ninja dropped her, though he did get his bell rung a bit.
"Mai, are you okay!" asked Yugi as the others caught up.
"Thanks to this lug, I am," smiled Mai with relief as she helped Joey up, "You okay, Joey?"
"I should be asking you that," countered Joey, rubbing his sore spots, "You're the one got captured and nearly got hurt. You wouldn't have been able to compete in the finals if you were in the hospital."
Mai couldn't keep down a blush at that, before turning Tsundere and smacking him upside the head, calling him an idiot, but a sweet one at that.
Yugi, Serenity, Téa, and Tristan did chuckle a bit at their interaction. Maria however...
"John Claude Magnum, for actions against the rules of Battle City, and actual Laws, you are not only hearby stripped of your locator cards, but also your Duel Disk!" said Maria, who had activated a signal during the commotion to call nearby Kaiba Corp security, who managed to appear moments later, "Restrain him and turn him over to the Police on charges of abduction."
The security personnel nodded and carted Magnum off with them. Maria turned to the others, "I'll need to report this in. Head on over to the Stadium. I'll catch up."
The others nodded, noting the seriousness of the situation.
"Thank you, Maria," said Mai, giving her a nod of acknowledgement.
"You're welcome, Mai," said Maria, giving her a friendly smile, "Best of luck in the finals. There's some steep competition here."
"Don't I know it," smirked Mai, eyeing Yugi and Joey, who nodded back in determination.
(AN2)
Maria separated from the group while heading out to a more well known street waiting for Law Enforcement to arrive. Once everything was settled, Maria headed back towards the Stadium, knowing there was less than 10 minutes left before everyone was required to board the Kaiba Corp Blimp. Sensing a familiar presence, she smirked as she turned to see Ishizu show up, duel disk on her arm and one Locator Card in her hand.
"I wondered when you would show up," quipped Maria.
"In all fairness, my Millennium Necklace hasn't once failed me," replied Ishizu, "Though to be fair, dueling Mr. Magnum for his Locator cards was my intended method."
"By this point, you need these locator cards," said Maria, holding said cards up, "Because all of the other finalists are either here or no shows. Might as well be you."
Maria handed the five Locator cards over to Ishizu and they headed for the Stadium, where the others were waiting.
(AN3)
Seto Kaiba's patience was known to be tested, either by his employees, other duelists, or Yugi and his friends... mainly Yugi and his friends. However, this was a rare time where he was waiting on his own secretary, who was supposed to arrive with or before Yugi's group. But minutes passed after Yugi's group arrived and so far, only Namu(Marik), Bakura, and Marik(Odion) had arrived. As much as Seto respected Maria, the time was counting down and they had to get moving before too long. Steeling his resolve, he informed his staff to prepare for take off once everyone else was on board. In all honesty, he had a feeling that Maria would show up once he entered the blimp.
Sure enough, the security guards hesitated just long enough for Maria and Ishizu to enter the stadium area, and head towards the blimp. Less than five minutes later, the Kaiba Corp finals were ready to begin.
(AN4)
It didn't take long for the Blimp to reach the requisite height and left Domino City for the Ocean. The view was amazing to see, something Serenity enjoyed immensely with her restored sight.
"It's a perk of being related to champion!" bragged Joey.
"You, a champion?" countered Kaiba, "You are only here because of a fluke."
"Not a fluke, Mr. Kaiba," said Maria as she joined them.
"What do you mean, Maria?" asked Serenity.
"Technically, he was given a Duel Disk because the Rare Hunters wanted his Red Eyes Black Dragon," said Maria, "I double checked the duel logs and it turns out an unsanctioned duel before the official time to start the Tournament occurred and Joey lost to a Rare Hunter who won using the Exodia Win Condition."
"And Yugi beat that cheating freak!" added Joey, before turning to Serenity, "Not to mention he had like four other goons with him when they ambushed me. If not for them, I would have made it on time to the Hospital."
Serenity just hugged her big brother, "And yet you never gave up on making it there for my sake. Thank you, Joey!"
Joey blushed a bit as he chuckled nervously. Serenity then turned to Seto.
"And thank you for allowing Joey to stay in the Tournament, Seto."
Seto was at a bit of a loss of what to say for a few seconds, before clearing his throat, "His luck has won him a few duels, and that in turn got him the locator cards necessary to participate in the finals here. Nothing more and nothing less."
Joey blinked, that was the closest thing to a compliment from Kaiba, but he didn't want to push his luck, and so uncharacteristically remained silent and accepted the statement as is.
(AN5)
From there, Seto turned to Yugi.
"Yugi, I understand that you haven't used your Egyptian God Card since you won it. I suggest you change that from now on," informed Seto, though to everyone else, it sounded like a demand, "Duelist Kingdom is long over and done. On this Blimp, in this Tournament, you play by my rules. And I plan on winning that Egyptian God Card from you, Yugi."
With that, Seto pressed on to head to his room. Soon, an announcement came over the intercom, instructing everyone to report to their individual rooms as well. Due to the extra guests, a few arrangements were being made and allowed to accommodate everyone.
(AN6)
Using this time wisely, Maria decided to visit a certain someone. After being allowed in, she entered to see Yugi sitting before a table with his deck on it and Slifer in his hand.
"I see you're giving what Seto said some thought," remarked Maria, as she sat opposite from Yugi.
"I am," said Yugi, as he placed the God Card in his Deck and removed a different one to keep with the Forty Card Limit, "I'm afraid I'll need to use it, but it's so powerful. I don't want to hurt anyone."
"Such compassion for others," smiled Maria, as vague memories from childhood in Ancient Egypt surfaced, "Not everyone is as caring for others as you are, Yugi."
"I'm curious if you're able to see me like this, Maria," came Yami's voice.
"We have been best friends for years, Yami," chuckled Maria, "Even if I can't see you, which I can't right now, I know you're there, and can hear your voice. I know what you look like and as such, use my imagination to fill in the empty area you occupy."
"You can only hear me?" asked Yami.
"I'm afraid so. Though reincarnated, I have limited energy for magic usage, including Magic Sight. I tend to conserve it as needed. Speaking of, You know there are others aboard this vessel with stronger Magical Powers."
"Indeed," nodded Yugi, "Marik is one thing, but someone else concerns me. Ryou Bakura."
"Oh?" wondered Maria, an eyebrow raised.
"He was just in the Hospital earlier today, so him being able to recover fast enough to enter the tournament, gain six locator cards, and make to the finals in just a few hours concerns me."
"Has he done something like this before?" asked Maria, trying to get some more information herself.
"During Duelist Kingdom, he was possessed by another Spirit who inhabited the Millennium Ring," informed Yugi, "He's a thief and attempted to take my puzzle as well as send my friends' souls to the Shadow Realm. Tristan managed to stop him and throw the Millennium Ring deep into the Duelist Kingdom Forest and it should have stayed there, but it's returned now."
"One cannot predict the path of a Millennium Item, can they Maria?" proposed Yami.
"That he or she cannot, old friend," said Maria, "I do remember a Thief in from Ancient Egypt who managed to steal the Millennium Ring. It could be his spirit inhabiting it."
"I see, then we should be extra careful as the finals proceed," said Yami, "And I hope this isn't a bad time, but are you willing to share more about the past. I have so few memories, and you have claimed I have done something unforgivable to you. If I am to have any hope of making things right, I will need some direction to get started."
Maria gave a smile, a very enigmatic smile, "Oh Yami, it's not that easy. But I will say this..." Her smile disappeared as her eyes narrowed at him, "Sometimes the cost of doing the right thing isn't what you sacrificed, but what those left behind have to do after you're gone."
With that, Maria got up and left Yugi and Yami to those musings. It wasn't too long later than another announcement came over the intercom, asking all finalists to report to the gathering room so the finals may begin.
(Chapter End)
And now we're officially starting the Battle City Finals. For those of you wondering... The Noah Filler Arc is something I never skip when watching the show, and thus will be including it here. Trust me, I have something special planned for a certain event later on. But that won't be for another couple of chapters.
Alright, on to Author Notes...
AN1: Unfortunately for Mai, because she didn't get delayed by Yugi and the others, she end up spending the time grabbing a bite to eat to make sure she didn't go hungry into a duel, not quite trusting Kaiba to serve the finalist like Pegasus did. As a side effect, she encountered John Claude Magnum alone, and thus stalled a bit longer in her brash stubbornness, but ultimately still agreed to get him to leave. Also, nettled. TFS does that right!
AN2: Yes, this is definitely a crime. I did a very minor google search and found a mention of Article 176 of the Penal code. I won't claim to know everything about this, but John Claude Magnum did commit a crime, and Maria not only being a decent human being, but also having the ability to capture a criminal in the act? Yeah, she's gonna do it. Sure, if this wasn't a Tournament setting with Security nearby, she'd have to do more on her own to bring him to the authorities, but this way, it's more natural since Kaiba himself is at the stadium. Plus, being his secretary would warrant a few people on call for her own needs.
AN3: Shot in the dark, but considering where Bakura got his (Bones's gang), and the Rare Hunters acquiring twelve for Marik and Odion, Ishizu winning Magnum's locator cards is the only logical option.
AN4: A lot of dialogue is basically the same, and I'm lazy enough to not write a scene that's straight from the show sometimes, especially since the character roster is basically the same... Ironically enough, Duke showed up as they got close to the stadium, having noticed the blimp and decided to follow it on a hunch.
AN5: I did say that Serenity will keep Seto on his toes. Not wanting to displease her despite his animosity with her brother. And Joey, not wanting to get Serenity upset by making things worse, stayed silent for a change, accepting whatever positive came from Seto's statement. Luck was a huge part of his strategy, so he kinda knows when to save his gambling for the right time.
AN6: I mean, the first hour-ish was everyone getting settled into their rooms, so... who's to say that it wasn't because of the extra people on board as well as Ishizu's last minute arrival?
For those reading my other stories, I am working on them. I just tend to have other things take priority. I also forget at times. I AM HUMAN, okay! Until next time...
Later,
RDF1
