Chapter 9
Lindsey POV
Lindsey had woken with a groan. She felt like crap and had no intentions of looking in a mirror without showering first. She walked out of her room and into the kitchen. She poured a cup of coffee.
"Bout time you wake up." It was Mai, sitting at the dining table with a cup of coffee as well. She and Lindsey had spent the night together eating fatty foods and watching chick flicks, just what Lindsey needed with everything that has been happening. Lindsey turned to her.
"Hmm? What time is it?" She was confused.
"Almost noon. Yugi and the others already registered and got their duel disks."
"What?! Mai! Why didn't you wake me? We were supposed to go together!" She gave a pouty face.
"Lindsey, I'm not sure you should see Yugi right now. What you need is a day to yourself. Why don't we both go get registered, and take a girls day. The tournament doesn't start for another week, so we have plenty of time to prepare. What do ya say?" Mai winked.
"Actually, I could use a girls day. Alright! I'm down! Let me make myself decent and we'll both go register." Lindsey showered and got dressed in her white trench outfit. She pulled her hair in a high ponytail. Once she was ready, she and Mai made their way to the registration area.
The bell above the door jingled as Mai and Lindsey walked into the registration building. The clerk looked up as they walked in and greeted them. He wore glasses and had a stubbly face. Lindsey was slightly creeped out by him. Mai spoke first.
"Hello. We're here to register for the battle city tournament." She walked up to the counter.
"Yes of course. Your name please."
"Mai Valentine." The clerk began to type on his computer.
"Ah yes. Here you are. Mai Valentine, Duelist Kingdom finalist. Says here you're a five star duelist, with your rarest card being Harpies Feather Duster." Mai blinked twice in shock and gave a questioned look at Lindsey.
Lindsey shrugged. "Seto has a record of every duelists rank. Anyone below a certain number of stars can't enter, to make the tournament more challenging. He also has a record of the rarest card in every competitor's deck."
"Seriously? That means that he already has the advantage by knowing the cards we have!" she turned back to the clerk with a scowl. " Just give me my damn duel disk."
"Yes Ms. Valentine." He turned and grabbed one off the shelf, then handed it over to Mai. "Here you are." She snatched it out of his hands without a word. He looked past Mai at Lindsey. "Will you be entering as well?"
Lindsey walked towards the counter. "Uh, yeah. My name is-"
"Lindsey Walsh. You were on the big screen last night with mister Kaiba, correct?"
"Yea that was me." He began to type on his computer. He typed a little longer than necessary until he got a confused look on his face.
"That's odd. The computer has no record of you in the database."
Lindsey looked like she had just been slapped. "I can assure you I am more than qualified for this tournament. Look again." He began typing and after a moment he just shook his head. Lindsey was pissed. "I'll be back." She began to walk out of the shop. Mai watched her walk out, then turned to the clerk and gave a nervous smile.
"PROTECTING ME?! UGH! WHY DO I EVEN BOTHER TO TOLERATE YOU!"
"Because deep deep down, you know you love me." He let out a small laugh.
"YOU THINK THIS IS FUNNY SETO!?"
"Lindsey you need to calm down now." Lindsey had stepped out of the registration center to make a quick call to Seto. He had been exclaiming to her that he knew she would try to enter the tournament behind his back, so he took her information out of the database. "You can't enter this tournament for two reasons. One, your mother will find out and take you home, two, if your fathers boss is really out to get you and the Crystal Magician, publicizing you is the last thing we want to do."
She let out a long breath. "That is not your call to make. Plus you said you would keep this from my mother."
"Yes. If you forgive me and start talking to me again."
"I am talking to you now!"
"Not willingly. It's cause you want your way as usual."
"Can you NOT speak to me like that!?"
"Can you stop acting like a priss for five minutes?"
Lindsey was boiling mad. "I'm the priss? I'm the one who wants her way? Who's the arrogant asshole that took their best friend out of the tournament database for their own selfish reasons?"
"Considering I didn't do it for my own selfish reasons, not me." Lindsey could hear the smug smile in his voice, making her anger grow.
"Seto Kaiba you let me enter this tournament or else-"
"Or else what? You'll waste even more of my time yelling at me? I'm shaking."
"UGHHHH! I AM SO DONE WITH YOU!"
"Yeah. I'm sure. Well if you ever need to complain again, make sure to schedule an appointment. I'm a very busy man."
"Man? More like coward." Lindsey spat.
"Okay Lindsey. I'm a coward by protecting the only person I love besides Mokuba. Sorry. It wont happen again." She said nothing but angrily growled. "Oh and Lindsey, one more thing."
"What?"
"You're not entering my tournament and that is final. Am I clear."
"Crystal clear, Kaiba." She put sharp emphasis and made her tone icy and clipped on the last word. Lindsey never calls him Kaiba. The last word stung him and took him by surprise, but Lindsey was proud. She hung up without another word. She walked back into the building just in time to hear an interesting conversation.
"No, you can't have my number."
"Aww, come on." Mai looked more than annoyed.
"No!" Lindsey cleared her throat.
"We're leaving Mai. Now." She walked out and Mai followed.
"Can you believe that guy? What a creep." Mai let out a sigh.
Lindsey and Mai walked through Domino city. Mai fitted her duel disk on her arm. "Isn't it lovely? Where's yours Lindsey?"
"Ask Kaiba." She stared forward and had no emotion in his voice.
"Oh… did you guys get into another… wait… did you just call him Kaiba?"
"Yes." Mai looked stricken.
"Oh. That bad?" Lindsey nodded. "So I take it you're not entering the tournament?" She shook her head. "Well, on the bright side, you can still cheer us on!" Lindsey just looked dead. "Sorry. I guess being on the sidelines really isn't that exciting."
"Mai I'm sorry. I would love to cheer you on and stand by your side through the tournament. I'm just a little ticked right now. I can't believe he would do that. To me of all people. It's not like he has any friends to spare."
"Well, he must have good reason. Right?" Lindsey narrowed her eyes.
"He did it to protect me. So my mother wont know the truth as to why I stayed, and so my father can't find me so easily. But I don't need protecting. I can take care of myself."
"You do understand where he is coming from though. Right?"
Are you serious Mai?
"I don't have to. It's my life and I should decide how I live it. Not him." Rage was starting grow inside of her.
"Lindsey, I know Kaiba is an asshole, but for once it almost seems like he is trying to do, if not doing, the right thing. Face it, you could use a little extra protection."
Lindsey stopped dead in her tracks and the rage unleashed. "I DON'T NEED PROTECTION. I AM NOT HELPLESS, I CAN TAKE CARE OF MYSELF. WHY DOESN'T ANYBODY UNDERSTAND THIS!?"
Mai was shocked almost speechless. "Lindsey we're just trying to help you." Her voice was small.
"WELL STOP! I DON'T NEED HELP. I DON'T NEED YOU, I DON'T NEED KAIBA, I DON'T NEED ANYBODY! JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!" She ran off into the city as Mai stood there with a tear-streaked face.
Yami POV
Mai had called the gang hours later to meet her at the clock post in Domino Square. Everyone had gotten there within 15 minutes. She explained to them everything that had happened within the day.
"What do you mean she's gone!" Yugi gasped.
"I mean she just ran off and I haven't spoken to her since two-ish." Mai replied.
"Well, it's nearly six, so she could be anywhere. Have you tried calling her?"
"No Duke. The thought never occurred to me. Of course I have tried calling her! 47 times!" Duke's eyes widened.
A light flashed, and Yami appeared. "Give me a second." He walked a few feet away as he dialed Lindsey's number. it rang once…twice…three times, and twice more till it went straight to voicemail. Yami turned back to the gang. "No answer."
"I could have told you that." Mai said.
Yami ignored her. "Why don't we split up and look for her."
"Or we could give her a little personal space until she's ready to come to us?" All eyes turned to Tristan as he spoke. "I mean she ran off to be alone anyway. Give her time to cool off." Bakura nodded in agreement.
"I agree with Tristan. She has to go back to her apartment anyway so Mai can just call us when she gets there. Heck for all we know she could be at her apartment right now."
Yami shook his head. "I'm not going home until I know she's safe."
"Plus I checked the apartment. She wasn't there." Mai added.
Yami looked grim as his phone began to ring. He checked who it was. On his screen was a picture of him and a girl with electrifying green eyes. The caller ID read Lindsey Walsh. "It's Lindsey!"
"Act natural." Mai warned. "Do not let her know you're with all of us." Yami nodded and answered the phone.
"Lindsey."
"Yami. Hey sorry I missed your call. Things got pretty hectic here."
"Here? Where exactly are you Lindsey?"
"Um.." She gave a nervous laugh.
"Lindsey. Where are you?"
"Uh, Domino International."
"Domino International?" she nervously laughed again. "You're going back to New York?!" The entire groups eyes widened. "Lindsey! What were you thinking?"
"I was thinking, I'm tired of everybody trying to control me in Domino so I decided to come back home."
"Home? To your mother who tries to make every life decision for you?"
"I didn't say I thought this all the way through. It's better for me there anyway."
"Yes. I guess it is best to leave behind the ones who care so much about you for your own selfish desires."
"Yami I'm sorry. We can still keep in touch-"
"No. It'll hurt less to just get used to a life without you." He hung up. The gang looked awe struck. A tear rolled down Mai's face.
"She's not coming back is she?" Yami shook his head. Joey walked up to him and patted him on the back.
"You'll be okay man. I know it. For know, ya gotta focus on da tournament." Yami nodded. Tea and Tristan walked up to him and put a hand on his shoulder. Duke and Bakura looked solemn. Mai just cried. Yami spoke.
"It's getting late. We should all get home." He walked off without another word. The gang exchanged glances and finally went home themselves.
Mai POV
Mai arrived at Kaiba Corp early the next morning. She walked through the front doors with a confident stride right up to the front desk. "I need to see Kaiba. Now." Missy the receptionist looked at Mai with a scowl.
"Do you have an appointment?" Mai didn't appreciate her tone.
"Do I look like I give two fucks about having an appointment? Where is he?" The look on Mai's face made it seem like she was out for blood. It was enough to scare Missy into giving Mai the information she needed.
"In his office. Top floor." Mai walked towards the elevators without a word. Missy sighed. "I really hate my job."
Mai rode up to the very top floor of Kaiba Corp. She exited into a long hallway. She started walking.
How am I supposed to know which door is his? There is so many.
Mai approached huge glass double doors at the end of the hallway with the KC logo on them. Inside was Seto looking out the huge window that displayed the city below.
I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say this is it…
She didn't even knock, she just barged in and said, "We need to talk." Seto turned and rolled his eyes. He walked to his desk and pressed a button. The glass doors turned a solid color so you couldn't see in or out.
"My employee's know not to bother me when the doors are solid. I have an appointment in ten minutes. Make this fast."
"Really this is it? You're not going to snap my neck or call security? I mean I just kind of barged in un-announced."
"Would you like me to throw you out?" He raised a brow.
"No! I'm just saying. You're being fairly nice right now." He narrowed his eyes.
"You're wasting my time."
"Sorry! I came here to ask if you heard about Lindsey." Seto's face turned to stone.
"Considering she won't speak to me, no. What happened?" Mai tried to blink back tears but couldn't, they flowed endlessly. Seto grew impatient. "Mai! What happened?!"
"She's gone. She went back to New York. I finally have a friend I can trust and hang out with, and count on to be there for me, and then she leaves as quickly as she came. It's your fault." Seto gaped.
"My fault? It is in no way my fault. She did this on purpose. She knew the second I found out she left, I was going to go after her, and give her exactly what she wants. Not this time. She can rot in New York for all I care." His tone was serious, and his cobalt eyes were fierce.
"You're just going to let her go?" Her eyes looked pleading.
"Like she said, she can take care of herself." Just then the phone rang and Seto picked it up. "Kaiba….. send them in. My ten o clock appointment is here. I trust you can find your way out." Seto pressed the button on his desk, and the doors turned clear. He turned back towards the window.
Mai shook off the tears and stood up with a serious look. "I always thought people go after the ones they love. Never knew pride and dignity was more important than accepting everything that's right in front of your eyes." No response. Mai got up and started to leave. "Enjoy isolation Kaiba." With that she walked out the door and headed for home.
Yami POV
Well, today the tournament starts. I'm so glad Joey is safe. It may have cost him his Red Eyes, but he's finally getting to see his sister and feeling better. A week had passed since Lindsey left, and it was finally the day the tournament starts.
"You've assembled a powerful deck Yugi"
"What if it's not good enough to win?"
"There comes a time when there is nothing left to do but believe in the deck you've created. This is unlike any challenge we've ever faced before. The fate of the world depends on us, so you've got to be strong, and trust in your cards."
"But there is still so much we don't know."
"Our destiny will reveal itself when the time is right. We can save the world with this deck if you believe in the heart of the cards." Yami extended the deck towards spiritified Yugi.t
"We can do this!"
"Yes we can, but it wont be easy."
"I'll stand by you."
"Thank you."
In unison they both said, "LET"S DUEL!"
Yugi POV
Yugi walked trough Domino Square with a locator card in hand. He had his thoughts to himself until Mai came running up.
"Yugi!"
"Hello Mai." He smiled at her.
"Pretty big turnout for this thing. All losers."
"Well, there is a lot of duelists here I've never seen before."
"Oh this is so exciting! I wonder whose butt I should kick first in this tournament."
An annoying voice interrupted them. "Yugi. I thought I'd see you buzzing around." It was weevil, along with Rex.
"If it isn't Rex Raptor and Weevil Underwood. I thought I smelled something." Mai smirked.
Rex spoke next. "I'll never forget how you played me like a chump-a-saurus at duelist kingdom Mai. Now it's payback time." Mai smirked remembering how she tricked Rex into giving her his ship suit on the way to Duelist kingdom.
Weevil laughed. "Yugi. Next time we duel, you won't be so lucky. My deck is infested with swarms of rare and powerful insects!" He started to laugh again until Mako grabbed him around the neck.
"Those are large words coming from such a small guppy."
"Mako Tsunami." Yugi exclaimed.
"If anyone shall make any waves, it will be me." Mako released Weevil.
Weevil grew angry. "You think you can win this tournament!?"
Mako laughed. "Of course. There is nothing that can withstand my mighty denizens of the deep."
Rex smirked. "Your sardines will be crushed by my dino horde."
"Don't be so sure. My brand new Fortress Whale card is much mightier than your Two-Headed King Rex."
"Well, I have a monster far superior to my great month, but don't think I'll tell you what it is." Weevil gave a wicked grin.
"Well maybe I can just shake it out of you Weevil." He picked up Weevil by the collar and shook violently.
Off to the side watching in silence and awe, Mai spoke. "Some duelists never change."
Mako spoke again. "If I'm not mistaken Weevil, I vaguely remember hearing that Lindsey Walsh beat you in a duel in just three turns!" Mai and Yugi looked at each other and began to feel sad. So much for excitement.
Rex bounced off of Mako's words. "Yeah. I hope you remembered to bring your dignity! Anyway, we will settle this feud later when the tournament begins!"
"Fine. I will be waiting." The three boys ran off in separate directions. Yugi turned to Mai.
"Any word on Lindsey?" Mai shook her head.
"I was just about to ask you the same thing." They both took a moment of silence. "Anyway, Yugi, I think I'll head off. Next time we meet, we're rivals."
Yugi nodded. "Right!" They laughed and Mai walked off.
I wonder where Joey is….
"Greeting Duelists. Welcome to Battle City." They heard a voice but saw no face. A moment later a huge blimp loomed above and on the side of it, a huge screen displaying the face of Seto Kaiba. "It's time to put your dueling skills to the test. I hope none of you entered my tournament looking for friendly competition. Battle City will be an all out war! Before my tournament begins, I thought I'd let you know what you're in for, in case you want to back out now. Lets begin with my new duel disks."
"Everyone who I decided was good enough to enter received one. With it, you can duel anytime, anywhere, and they contain a tracking chip that allows me to watch every move you make. Next lets talk about the most important tournament rule. The loser of each duel is required to fork over their rarest card to the winner." He held up his Blue Eyes. "If you don't have the guts to risk losing your previous cards, then I suggest you forfeit now."
"And anyone who's foolish enough can challenge me to a duel, because I'll also be competing in this tournament. But don't get your hopes up, because I intend to win, and there is one duelist out there I cant wait to defeat."
"You're on Kaiba." Yugi said confidently.
"And speaking of winning, only the 8 best duelists will make it to the final round. And these finals will be held in a hidden location. In order to find the finals, you'll need the locator cards. You each received one with your duel disc, but don't get to excited because ones not enough. You'll need 6 of them to make it to the tournament finals."
"Every time you win a duel, you get a locator card from your losing opponent. When 6 cards are stacked together, they produce a map of Battle City, and activate a global positioning satellite, which will transmit the location to you. But the tournament finals are a long time away, and most of you will be eliminated before that. All right, everything I said and more can be found in my tournament rulebook. Just remember, only one player can win and claim the title of number one duelist in the world! Now get ready duelists. Let the tournament, BEGIN!"
Cheers erupted everywhere throughout Battle City. The tournament has finally begun. Yugi started to walk away until he heard a very familiar Brooklyn accent.
"Where are ya, ya creep!" Joey was stalking through the crowd. He approached the man who took his Red Eyes, and attempted to try and win back his card. The rare hunter refused the duel. Yugi ran over to find out what was going on.
Though the man wouldn't duel Joey, he was more than happy to duel Yugi. Yugi accepted the challenge.
"I promise you, I'll beat him Joey!" The millennium puzzle flashed and Yami stood there triumphantly.
The first Duel of Battle City had begun.
Seto POV
Seto was back in the Kaiba Corp building. A signal for a staring duel was received to the tower.
"How fitting that Yugi is in the very first duel of my tournament."
Mokuba said, "Hey look, the other duels are coming in now too! Our system is recording all cards being played. If anyone uses one of the two remaining Egyptian God cards, well know exactly where it is!"
And then I will claim them for myself. But first, one thing to take care of.
Lindsey POV
I am peaceful. I am happy. This is what I chose. This is where I belong.
Lindsey was in her Manhattan apartment alone. She had been lying on the floor with her headphones in staring at the ceiling. She had "Beating Heart," by Ellie Goulding on repeat. She was in a perfect state of tranquility.
What day is it? Tuesday? The Battle City tournament started yesterday. Not that I care. I am peaceful. I am strong. Alone. I am brave. Nothing will break me.
A knock sounded on the door. Lindsey rolled her eyes.
3 hours of peace interrupted by this jackass. This better be good.
She got up and cracked the door not even an inch before Seto threw it open, then slammed it, all while he spout words of hatred and rage. "You have a lot of nerve pulling a stunt like this. You call me stuck up and arrogant? Look where we are Lindsey! I have to fly my ass here to New York in the middle of my tournament to talk some sense into you! All because for once in your perfect little life you couldn't get your way! Think before you act next time!" His face was almost red with rage, but Lindsey couldn't help but see a little hurt in his eyes.
"I have a lot of nerve? Who's the jackass that just burst into my apartment to yell at me for no reason! I can make my own decisions and this is what I've chosen!" Lindsey had gone from peaceful to majorly pissed off in about two seconds.
"No! It's not what you've chosen! You still own your apartment. It hasn't been put up for rent. In fact, everything you own is still inside. If you're doing this for attention, congratulations! It worked! Everyone is worried about you."
"I didn't do this for attention, I did it to prove a point!"
"Prove a point to who?!"
"YOU! EVERYBODY! I want all of you to stop trying to protect me and tell me what I can and can't do. I can't enter your tournament? Fine. Whatever. If you had a logical reason, it wouldn't bother me!"
His anger grew. "I have explained to you my logic over and over again!"
"I understand where you are coming from! You want to protect me, because you care! I get it! I really do appreciate it, but you need to stop! I am missing out on the biggest tournament of my life because you're over protective of me!"
"You will be thanking me when you're alive, and safe." His eyes narrowed.
"Hello! That's what the bodyguard you gave me is for!"
"WHO HAS BEEN FIRED BECAUSE HE HAD NO CLUE WHERE YOU WERE AT!"
Lindsey winced. "Oh…" was all she said. "I'm not coming back to Domino. Not yet at least. I need to spend some time home. Can you at least let me do that?"
"No. You're coming back with me. Now." He snapped.
"I am staying home!" She took an assertive step towards him.
"You're coming with me!" He mimicked her assertive step with a stride of his own.
"Stop controlling me!" She stepped towards him again.
"I'll stop controlling you when you get some sense knocked into you!" He took a step towards her. They were inches apart.
She stared straight into his eyes. Blue locked with green, both intense and angry. Lindsey spoke next. She didn't yell, but she spoke with great force. "You can go fuck yourself Seto K-" She was broke off by a pair of soft lips crushing down on hers. Both of Seto's hands were on both sides of her face, gentle, not forcefully. Though she wanted to hate him and be mad, right in this moment, she couldn't find it within her. Instead, she placed both hands on his chest and kissed him back.
Their lips moved in unison, and he was gentle. Lindsey reached up and knotted her hands in his hair to make the kiss deeper and it was. It was more forceful, but still soft. It was a passion that made any girl know she was loved. It was pure bliss. The kiss seemed to end as soon as it begun. They broke apart and touched foreheads, breathing heavily.
"Seto…" Lindsey couldn't find her words.
"You called me Seto again. You don't need to say anything else." He pulled his forehead away from hers and stared straight into her eyes. "I'll arrange for a jet to come get you when you're ready. I need to get back to my tournament." She stared blank faced. "You are coming back, right?"
She wanted to say no, but she had no control over her words. She stared into his eyes and whispered, "Yes." He bent and kissed her forehead.
"See you soon." And he was gone.
What have I done….
Yami POV
Two locater cards! As much as I would like to celebrate, I must move on to the next competitor. And I must be extra cautious, as this new Merik guys is new threat.
It has been a couple days since Yugi's duel with the man. The man had been what is called a rare hunter. He had won and ended up getting Joey's Red Eyes back. Joey let him keep it due to the fact that he wanted to win it back honorably. After the duel, a new enemy named Merik, who now had everyone on edge and alert, had talked through the rare hunter. Exclaiming that he was coming for the Battle City tournament with intentions of claiming the Egyptian God Cards. Yami wonders where he will strike next.
I should just keep my eyes open and stay alert..
He was walking by himself through the city. Spectating other duels, and looking for his next opponent. He rounded the corner to see a familiar grey trench coat in front of him. It was Kaiba. He was holding hands with someone, walking down the street. And the girl who wore the all to recognizable white trench outfit looked…happy. She was laughing, long, wildly curly hair blowing with the wind. They started to walk into a coffee shop and the girl turned just enough so that Yami could see her face.
Her green eyes radiated even from a distance. Yami's suspicions had been confirmed. It was her. He thought it was impossible, but she was standing right there.
"Lindsey." He whispered.
Almost as if she had heard him, she looked in his direction and they locked eyes. At first she looked apologetic, but then her face turned to stone, and Yami remembered he told her he was better off without her in his life.
She turned away and walked into the coffee shop and not a moment to soon. For if she had stayed outside a second longer, she would have seen Yami fall to his knees, and break.