Seto's POV
I barely got any sleep that night, thanks to both Mokuba and some freak accident where the blimp had somehow riped or something. Thankfully we were close to the island and I had been able to save the situation. With a little help, of course.
Yuna and I are a really good team, after all!
Once all the helium seeped out, we started going down until I released it from the aircraft altogether. But we had lost to much altitude, so I had jumped to the main controls and tried to lift it up. But the other pilots had somehow hit their heads during the release of the blimp part, so I was doing everything myself.
'Shit! We're going to crash!'
The geeks and the Motous were here, asking unnecessary questions and complaining about being woken up. Well, the geeks were, at the least. Yugi was too busy looking worriedly at Yuna, who was just watching what me and my employees were doing, looking like she really wanted to help but not knowing how to do so.
I quickly returned my attention to trying to save this crashing ship, missing the way Yuna's eyes glazed over and she leaned a little to the railing there.
Like HELL was I going to make a fool of myself in front of the girl I kissed just a few hours before, and even less am I going to allow her and my little brother die like this!
Mokuba, who also knew how to fly the aircraft a little took one of the pilots out of his seat and started helping me while Roland and Fugata worked on keeping the engines and everything else running. But it still wasn't enough!
'If we don't do something and fast, we'll lose all our altitude and crash and sink! This thing needs time for a water landing maneuver! Unless one of the geeks knows how to fly a plane, we're as good as dead!' But the geeks were really of no use at all. They were panicking and making it difficult to hear what Roland and Fugata were saying! For God's sake, someone make them SHUT UP!
Just as we were about to lose all hope with altitude, Yuna jumped into the remaining seat and grabbed the controls. We all watched her, shocked, as she made the aircraft go faster into the water. Roland was yelling to her that she shouldn't push the controls, but draw them closer to herself. His efforts were in vain as she pushed even more. The geeks were crying and screaming now and I could just continue pulling my own controls, wondering what the HELL Yuna was doing. Until she suddenly leaned to the right, bringing the controls with her and pulled with all her might, making the aircraft do a 'spinning barrel' and fly with incredible speed upwards! After three full spins, the aircraft was almost at the same altitude as it had been before the blimp had riped. She then straightened the remains of the Battle Ship and set a steady course for Alcatraz. Roland was reading how there is an increasing heating to the right engine due to the sudden maneuver, but that we'll be safely arriving to our destination in the preordained plan. Fugata even commented that we are now flying in a better wind current than before and that we might even be a little early.
As soon as we all heard this, we turned to stare at Yuna, who was focused on flying, although her eyes were anything but focused. They were distant and dazed, like I have saw that time when she ended up in a hospital after passing out in school the first day with Taro. But, before long, they regained their usual sharpness, Yuna getting a startled and confused look when she saw where she was. As she turned to look at the rest of us, everyone seemed to regain their senses as they started cheering and congratulating and thanking her for saving us all from a certain doom.
The look on her face was a mix of ''What the HELL are you people talking about?'', ''I flew a plane?!'' and ''Oh SHIT!'', yet all she did was put on a forced smile and say she did nothing special, just something she learned from an arcade game.
But I knew better. That maneuver had to be planed, calculated and you'd have to think of every possible outcome. Yuna allowed the aircraft to continue diving towards the sea, gaining the speed needed for the maneuver without forcing the engines beyond their limits, then started rotating the aircraft. The momentum of the spin gave enough energy and force to bring us back up into the normal altitude faster than should be possible. But she also had to include me and Mokuba desperately trying to lift the falling aircraft seeing as we didn't know about her plan and all.
Thinking it all up and calculating the best time for it to happen ... There's no way an amateur could possibly be able to know that, let alone DO it!
Could it really be from a mere game?
Did she lie to me? No, of course not! Yuna has never lied to me!
If only I knew how much truth she was hiding, as well...
Yugi's POV
I know that Yuna almost always gets a new skill or knowledge from her visions and dreams, but learning how to fly a plane was something I didn't expect!
I have saw when a vision had come to her. It was somewhere at the beginning of the fall. I was happy to see that everyone was to distressed to disturb it, so I knew that she was safe, for now. But, with the danger of dieing right then and there, I wondered if it was luck or misfortune. I'm sure that Yuna could have helped if Seto just told her what to do, but I was pleasantly surprised when Yuna suddenly jumped over the railing and ran up to the remaining seat, taking the controls. Although I felt a slight fear as we fell even faster towards the sea, I had complete faith in her and she was able to save us.
I know that it's best for me to hold my questions about the vision until she helps the Kaiba brother to land the Battle Ship, then talk to her when we get back to our room for anything that we might need. Yuna is still to ready to tell Seto, and with how wavering his emotions currently are I think it's best to wait. As soon as the ship was on the little island, everyone left the control room. As Yuna and I were walking out, I overheard Kaiba and Mokuba's conversation. Kaiba, standing on the bridge with Mokuba, said that this is it—there are only four finalists left, and before too long, he'll be crowned the world's greatest duelist in top of his Duel Tower!
Urgh! How can he be so arrogant!?
I just ignore it and follow my sister, letting the brothers have their moment, not knowing that Mokuba was about to start teasinh his brother on the events of last night. If I knew, I would have stayed to him help out!
As soon as we entered the room, knowing that we are now safe from the security cameras and anyone overhearing, since the rooms are soundproof, I turned to my older twin.
''Okay. I know that things like just now happen a lot, but this is a bit too much.''
She chuckles lightly. ''Not really, Yugi. If I have seen how the Ice Age ended, I'm sure that I can also learn how to fly an airplane.'' I scowl.
''Yeah, I guess you're right. I swear, one of these days you're gonna see how the world came to be or even the life of Jesus Christ!'' She chuckles again as she puts on the jacket from yesterday. ''So, what was it this time? A war plane or something?'' I ask eagerly. I have always liked listening to Yuna's dreams/visions as it makes history a lot more interesting than how all those professors and teachers, even some historians, make it sound. It's easy to get yourself lost in Yuna's words, seeing as she speaks from firsthand experience, actually being there and all.
''No, nothing like that! It was even better! I was in the first plane that flew over the Atlantic with the first woman pilot, Amelia Mary Earhart. She received the U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross for this set many other records, wrote best-selling books about her flying experiences and was instrumental in the formation of The Ninety-Nines, an organization for female pilots. Earhart joined the faculty of the Purdue University aviation department in 1935 as a visiting faculty member to counsel women on careers and help inspire others with her love for aviation. She was also a member of the National Woman's Party, and an early supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment. Unfortunately, during an attempt to make a circumnavigational flight of the globe in 1937 in a Purdue-funded Lockheed Model 10 Electra, Earhart disappeared over the central Pacific Ocean near Howland Island. Fascination with her life, career and disappearance continues to this day.'' She supplied a tekstbook-like answer without much effort, yet made it sound like the most interesting gossip, a happy glint in her eyes. She loved history and whenever she has a new dream, she's always excited. I bet that at the first opportunity she gets, she'll write the story down.''OH it was amazing, Yugi! The clouds were passing us and the plane is actually quite small ans the ...''
We spent some 15 minutes before the call for the duelists was heard over the speakers. Yuna sobered up in a second that even I was surprised at how fast she put on a pokerface. There was nothing but seriousness and an excitement for her favorite game. I just shrug. That's actually quite normal, I'd say.
As we meet up with my new friends (They don't seem to realize that Yuna and I are even related and just treat her like a celebrity; HOW they didn't notice and figure it out is beyond even me!), I catch up on the Mai situation. Jouey went to check on her and even went for the old was of asking her to wake up, but it didn't work and Serenity, who's been staying with her, says she still hasn't said a word. Joey still can't believe Marik trapped her mind in the Shadow Realm( even though he still doesn't get it fully)!
I feel sorry for him. He seems to think that if losing to Marik got her there, maybe if he defeats Marik, it will bring her back. He doesn't get it that Marik doesn't care much for Mai and is just using her to cast a shadow of hate over the sacred soul my sister caries, just so that the God Monsters would not recognize her.
From what I know, Ishizu is in her room, thinking that her brother must be saved from the evil that's controlling him and that the final battle is about to begin. Apparently she needs to protect both Malik and Odion, seeing as Marik has tried to kill them both on one occasion or the hopes that Kaiba and Yuna will think of a way to defeat him, if not it's all in vain. They'll fall before Ra. He'll imprison my sister and take everything he wishes from her. I shudder at the thought of my sister, who is like a falcon who rules the skies (free), traped and enslaved.
I had went to Bakura's and Ryou's room, knowing that the tournament's getting too dangerous. Yami appeared beside me, agreeing that everyone who's dueled with Marik has paid a large price. I knew that when those things are brought up, I'm not really talking with my sister Yuna, but the part of herself that she still believes people are mistaking for thinking that it resides within her; the side of her that I openly call Yami because at those times she gives off a frightening aura of her ancient soul. And besides, it's also a part of her name so it's not wrong.
The few people that know the meanings of her first ans middle name always wonder why they contradict each other so much. Yuna really doesn't think herself to be good enough to house the Nameless Pharaoh's soul, so she always denies that she is his reincarnation, even if it's obvious. But Yuna has always been modest, and it even might be fear that's stopping her from acknowledging the origin of her soul and personality. She's need through too much already.
And this tournament was most definitely something she didn't need. First Odion was struck down, then Mai's mind was trapped in the Shadow Realm. And now Bakura's really badly hurt and Ryou's gone only because he wanted to help his brother and, from what I know, their first real friend that has ever stood up for them.
As Kaiba leads the way to the Duel Tower, Marik shows up to taunt Yuna, saying that the view is pleasant from his spot on the pile of metal and and concrete ruble says it's too bad some of our friends can't be here. I saw Yuna's jaw tighten and I also grit my teeth. Joey and Tristan start yelling threats at him, but I turn to see the dark look in Yuna'a eyes and I just turn back to scowl at him, then tell my two friends to leave him be.
Marik wants to get on with the duels, and asks when he finds out who his next victim is. Mokuba tells him to chill out in a rather cold voice, almost sounding like his respected nii-sama. The shock on everyone's face and the pride on Kaiba's makes Yuna crack a smile as she gives him a one armed hug, making him blush when she praised his ability to imitate his ''scary'' brother. I chuckle under my breath, knowing that Yuan easily steals hearts everywhere she goes and the Kaiba brothers were no exception.
Roland is waiting as we enter the base of the Duel Tower and he announces that the second half of the Battle City finals will take place here. After he explained the rules of the four way duel, the contestants choose a door, and despite the little argument between the three males that Yuna hsd to stop by telling Marik and Joey to stop being childish while Kaiba just threw an insult at them, meanwhile, Mokuba leads the rest of us along a moving walkway to the spectator's area. From what I could see, behind the doors were, as Mokuba called them, dueling stations. Mokuba and the rest of us arrive inside the main body of the Duel Tower, an octagonal structure that rises as far as we can see.
''But where are the duelists?'' Already used to seeing Seto make incredible things over the years, I was the first to recover. Mokuba just grins as the finalists in their dueling stations rise above the tower floor, to levels marked at 4000 points.
''Joey, what are you doing?'' Tristan yells to Joey, who looks like he is about to fall off the station.
''How the hell should I know?!'' Was the panicked reply. Joey then asks Kaiba what's going on, and Kaiba says Roland will explain the rules, and he's asked him to speak slowly so Joey can follow. Joey's not amused, even though his friends were chuckling and Marik just smirks insanely.
Roland explains that this preliminary duel is to decide the match-ups for the semi-finals. They will all duel against each other in a battle royal, and as they lose life points, their dueling stations will rise. The first two duelists to reach the top will meet in the first semi-final duel, and the other two will fight in the second duel. They'll each begin with 4000 life points, and any player can attack any of the others. Their decks must contain no more than 40 cards. They have to connect their Duel Disks to monitors at their stations that will display their cards. And so they do. Roland ends by reminding them that this duel will have no effect on their final placement, it will only decide who they'll face in the semi-finals.
I heard Tea saying that that's a good thing because it's just to decide the match-ups, but Duke explains that it's not that simple, that this could be the most important duel these guys have. That they can control who'll they'll face in the semi-finals, and will have adjust their strategies accordingly. Also, two duelists can gang up on one if they want.
''It's a psychological contest. For example, Joey wants to duel Yugi in the semi-final, so he might support Yugi against the other two. But the other three might attack him. Knowing Kaiba, he might be the first to attack him, but there's also the possibility that he'll first take care of Marik.'' Duke finishes his explanation. Tristan wonders who they might gang up on. Knowing Joey, they'll go after him.
''Well, hasn't Kaiba been wanting to duel against Yuna for quite some time now? Maybe he'll take this opportunity to humiliate her. And didn't Marik say that he doesn't care for the rest of them as long as he defeats Yuna? He'll definitely go after her as well, so it's Joey against one of them.'' Tea tries to reason how they'll duel.
The anger I felt for her right now was something I never felt before! HOW DARE she even assume that Yuna, YUNA YAMI MOUTO of all people, would be that easy to defeat!? I could see that I'm not the only one, too. Mokuba and Seto looked about to kill her on the spot!
''If I know Yuna as well as I think I do, I truly doubt that even all three of them would be able to take her down as easily as you say. If anything, I'm ready to put my money on it that she will have 4000 LP by the end of it!'' Everyone turn sharply to me, not expecting that. ''But I also know that Seto Kaiba will never take the nonexistent risk of her losing before dueling against him, so my other bet would be that he has just a little under 4000 LP when this ends.''
''You're on!'' Duke exclaims. '' I'm putting my money on Marik being the Queen of Games' opponent in the second duel! How much?''
''50$. What do you say?''
''Deal!''
''Wait! I'm in this too!'' We turn to Mokuba. He extends his hand to me, saying he'll take my side that it'll be Seto Kaiba vs Yuna Yami Mouto.
''So am I! But I still stick to my theory so you'll both be giving me 50$ when I win!'' Tea said arrogantly.
Urgh! Sure I like her, but I hate people thinking that my sister is as simple to defeat as a koala is!
Tristan put his bet in a risky place, saying that Joey will make it to the second duel and that he'll also knock a lot of points off of the other three. Fugata was the judge of the bet, and now there was no turning back.
Roland announces that it's time to determine which duelist will go first. Joey wants to know why he doesn't just go first, but Roland tells him to pay attention to the rules ''Mr. Kaiba'' set up. The order of the turns will be decided by each player choosing one monster card from his deck. The players will go in order of the attack strength of the monster they choose, but the card then can't be put back in their deck.
Do they choose a high-level monster in order to attack sooner, or a low-level monster to save their most powerful cards?
Kaiba, obviously wanting the advantage of attacking first, chose a high-level monster, Masked Beast Des Gardius (3300 ATK). Yuna chose Feral Imp (1300 ATK), Marik Rekunga (1700 ATK), and Joey chose Swordsman of Landstar (500 ATK).
The order is Kaiba, Marik, Yuna, Joey.
Seto's POV
Everything is going as planned. I'll spare Yuna so I can face her in the semi-finals, and focus my attention on eliminating Marik and Joey.
I begin the duel by setting a card face down and summoning Vorse Raider (1900 ATK). Marik plays Newdoria in defense (800 DEF), thinking that his monster's special ability will come as a surprise, but I can see that Yuna knows it already as well as I do. Yuna draws, playing Big Shield Gardna in defense (2600 DEF), and sets two cards face down. Joey draws, but his hand is obviously the pits! He sets a card face down and ends his turn.
''I'll teach you the food chain of the fight: a small fry can't touch a proud lion and lioness!'' I tell him from across the field, sending Vorse Raider to attack Joey directly, but Yuna plays his trap card, Regulation of Tribe, to stop the attack. It allows her to select one type of monster and prevent it from attacking, and she chooses Beast-Warriors, like Vorse Raider. To say that I'm furious is the understatement of the millennium, but Yugi says from below that Yuna has chosen to keep her vow to her friend.
The vow that she'll fight against me but that she won't allow Wheeler to look like a moron. The vow she must have made to Mai, who has a little somethin' somethin' for Joey. The look of proud determination in her eyes strangely enough calmed me down slightly.
She has made a decision. The two of us will duel in the next round as the winners of this duel.
I nod to her, and she returns it.
00000
''Wake up—an amateur duelist like him can't afford to be daydreaming.'' I tell the Mutt, just to rail him up so that he'll tell Yuna to stop protecting him. Even if I know that it's from a promise to Mai, it feels just like the first time I met Mana and Mahad. Like I have to prove that I deserve Yuna's full attention.
I didn't like it.
''I was strategizing!'' Was the lame reply.
I smirk. ''To do that, you have to understand how to play the game.'' It was going good. It was too easy. ''When are you going to realize that the only reason you've made it this far is that Yuna keeps bailing you out? Yuna knows it, too. Why else would she waste his trap card to protect you, if not because she doesn't believe you can protect himself? Not only do you not have the skills to make it in the tournament, you're the only one of the finalists without a God card. Maybe, Yuna wants to duel Joey in the semi-finals because she knows it's an easy victory.'' I say to everyone present, knowing that if it's directed at them as well, everything will go as I want it to.
The trap is set. And everyone seems to be falling into it as Yugi insists that's a lie. Yuna and Mokuba seem to have caught the drift. They just sigh under their breaths and give a minuscule shake of their heads.
I give a grin, more like a deadly smirk of a well fed lion, giving the final blow. ''What a shame, you bonkotsu [mediocre] duelist. Well, you can continue your sweet show of friendship, but think about it, Joey. Why does Yuna save you? I'll tell you. Because that's the only way you can fight him in the finals. No matter who your opponent is, you won't make it past the next round. You don't have real strength. Besides, all the rest of us have God cards. Yuna knows this. And if his opponent in the finals is you, we both know who will win." I shoot Yuna a victorious, slightly pervasive grin, knowing that I'm letting some of my thoughts and emotions about that kiss seep through, as Joey falls quiet.
Yugi angrily says that my taunting has gone way over the line. But I just say if Yugi wants to prove me wrong, Yuna should let Joey finish the duel on his own.
''If he wants to argue with me, he should stage his show in the finals. That goes for you, too, little Yugi. That earned me an angry glare by my rival, but we both know that it has to be that way.
Yuna and I both know that our vow to duel against each other is greater than the one Mai had extracted from her.
And besides, he lasted longer than the first turn. It won't be that big of an embarrassment.
Yugi protests, but Joey interrupts, saying that I'm right(when am I not?). He has to prove he can take care of himself. Yugi tells him to be careful.
Oh this couldn't be more perfect!
"See you in the finals." He says to Yuna.
Oh the Mutt is soooooooo dead by the end of this and I'll make sure of it!
'I'll make sure that Marik and Joey lose this duel.'
00000
And I did. I couldn't help but feel smug at the way I had managed to make sure that both Marik and Joey lost all of their LP, while I had 3300 LP and Yuna had managed to hold on to her amazing 4000 LP. The two of us were in the second match of the semifinals.
As our stations, that were just about to start ascending to the final dueling ground at the top of the Tower, prepare for the short trip, I smile arrogantly at my precious rival. But she must have seen the joy, excitement and gratefulness that I felt at knowing that I'm more important to her than Wheeler is, because she gave me a breathtaking smile that was as beautiful as it was challenging.
We share a nod.
"Let's show them the fight between Gods. A battle between real warriors!" I say, never breaking eye-contact.
''Let our true duelist power reach them and give them the additional strength. Let our souls collide!'' Was the answer as she still held my gaze.
We give another nod that clearly conveyed the message ''Well said'' before the stations sped of to the top of the Duel Tower where our duel will take place.
Yugi's POV
I smile at Mokuba and the two of us turn to our fellow bookies with shit-eating grins. They all cringe. We may look innocent, but our respected older siblings do get some rather mature fan mail.
''Sooooooo ... When are you each going to give us 50$?'' We ask in the same voice that was a bit too similar to our dear elder siblings' most arrogant 'I-won-a-bet-and-I-know-it' voice.
''Isn't that kid rich enough!?'' Tristan groans.
The grins on our faces just increase as they all reach for their wallets.
A/N: Okay! Now that that is out of the way, the second to last chapter of Battle City can begin! The plot of the story might be a little clearer after the end of Kaiba's and Yami's(Yuna's) duel.I hope you like it up to now! Thanks for the support! Especially thanks to Red-Eyes-Black-Dragon516!
R&R