Italics indicate thinking


Yuki's POV

It didn't take me too long to secure six heart pieces and a place in the next round, same for Luna, Yuma, Shark and of course Kite.

Making it that far got us all an invite to a special party, I still think these things are a bit much but no reason to complain about free food.

"First the tournament and now a party, if I keep having to close the shop we're gonna go broke." I sighed.

"Frankly you should go to more things like this." Cleo hummed "It's befitting of me."

"Of course the former royalty want's galas and balls." I laughed.

"That's quite the outfit Tori." Cat snickered.

"You're one to talk wearing that gaudy thing." Tori spat back.

"Girls you're both pretty." Luna sighed.

"Heartland…" Astral came out.

"It's quite the place, I remember when they built it, it was meant to be a place for poor children to forget their troubles and just have fun, but everyone is allowed to play here now." I told him "World could use more places like this…"

I got everyone inside with a little magic, don't tell the Gods they probably wouldn't like that, and soon the party was progressing, a real fancy thing.

"Look at that cake." Luna drooled walking off.

"Don't get lost." I sighed as everyone went their separate ways "How did I end up playing babysitter?"

"The pains of age, at least you don't have back problems." Cleopatra laughed.

"Hmm…" I looked over "It's that kid who bought that copy of Blasting the Ruins the other day."

"He must have made it to the finals." Cleo hummed.

I looked over and saw him talking with Kite of all people, the younger boy grabbing his collar.

"I think it be best not to make such a scene." I walked over and separated them "Boys…I do hope we get to duel in the next round it could be fun, I heard you gave my daughter quite the challenge."

"With your body in that condition, you won't be able to defeat me or Vetrix." The other boy said walking away.

"You know that girl, Luna." Kite asked.

"She's my adopted daughter." I told him "I heard you pushed her to a tie, that's not like her…she honestly doesn't really like dueling that much but the way she came home after her confrontation with you…never mind, my job in this tournament is to guide them to victory, and to do that I'll collect at many of the numbers as I can. I'm here to play my part…so make sure you play yours and Hart will be fine."

"How did-."

"I know all." I flashed my rings "I also know, that despite not telling me that boy is named Quinton…and also Christopher. I also know your Father is-."

"That's enough." Kite cut me off.

"Don't be a fool." I told him "And don't get yourself killed."


Later

The party progressed for a while until the lights went out and some little brat made a big stink.

"This energy…what is that boy?" Cleo wondered.

"He's no boy." I shook my head "Not a normal one that's for sure, no kid walks around with half a knight's helm on."

"And you are…?" Mr. Heartland asked the boy as he approached the main staircase.

"Vetrix." The boy said plainly.

"So that's him." I hummed.

"Is he the real one to look out for?" Luna asked.

Just as quick as he came…he was gone.


The Next Day

I looked around at some of the other finalists, this wasn't going to be as easy as I'd have hoped, a lot of these folks were pros.

"What should we do about Yuma?" Luna asked.

"He's on his own, he'll be fine." I smiled "He learned from the best after all.'

"Cleo's rubbing off on you with that smug attitude." She giggled.

The arena was huge, and set up in the center was some sort of roller-coaster.

"The first stage is the Park Section." The announcers said "A duel with all of the Amassment Park as a stage with the Duel Coaster!"

So that's what that thing is…

"I can't wait!" Yuma cheered.

"You'll hurt yourself if you get so worked up." A voice said.

"Dextra." I looked back "So you made it to the next round too."

"She's right you know." A man said.

"Nistro." Yuma blinked.

"Hmm." I looked over.

"You felt it too…" Cleo hummed "For a half second, time stopped."

"It must have been Kite." I said quietly "Don't worry about it it's not a problem.

"You'd best pick a car." Cleopatra said "I like the gold one."

"If you say so." I stepped in "Yuma! I'd better see you in the final rounds!"

"The Heart Piece you assembled in the preliminary round will be your ignition key." They said as I slipped on my Gazer on.

"Ready Cleo?"

"Of course, my dear." She laughed as I punched the heart into the slot and a map appeared.

"So we pick a path huh…looks like there are traps on the rails too." I looked it over.

"So you have to choose wisely to find the fastest and safest path." Cleo told me.

"Or throw caution to the wind if there's someone you want to hunt down." I added.

"GO!"

"AH!" I groaned as my neck twisted a bit when the launcher fired.

"Hmm…the brat's car didn't start." Cleo said.

"We can't worry about Yuma anymore, there's nothing we can do." I said as we hit a loop "Aw jeez I think I'm gonna-."

"Don't you dare!" Cleo snapped "Focus if we end up on the same track as someone else we'll have to duel them."

"It's too late." I swallowed the sting in my throat "We've already got a challenger, I figured we'd meet up sooner or later, are you ready to duel Quinton?"

"Hmm…" he looked back at me.


Luna's POV

"There's already a few people eliminated, they work fast." I hummed to myself as the rail I was on twisted "Huh?"

I looked up and watched Shark eliminate someone.

"Putting on quite a show aren't you?!" a loud guy with wild brown and gold hair laughed at him.

"Quatro…" he growled.

"Hey, how about you don't pick on him." I moved tracks "Let's say you and I play first?"-

I was hoping to lay low but…


Earlier (Flashback)

"Luna keep an eye on Shark for me would you?" Yuki said.

"How come?"

"I'm worried he's getting in over his head, he and his sister are good kids so watch out for him okay." She smiled "He's important."


AN

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Pick Up- EP 52ish

Till Next Time!