Chapter 8: Maira's Random Encounter: An Old Companion Appears
"AAAAANNNND the winner is...Kageru Hinodama!"
The crowd went wild, stunned and amazed at the duel. They cheered and chanted Kageru for his passionate and powerful plays.
"Yeah! Alright!"
"WOOHOO!"
Gai, Riski, and Tetsu were proud and cheered along.
"HE DID IT!"
"ALRIGHT WAY TO GO HINODAMA!"
"KAGERU! KAGERU! KAGERU!"
Kageru waved and smiled at the crowd. He then turned to Daigo who was down moping in defeat.
"I-I lost..I can't believe it."
Daigo's friends came to help him up trying to comfort his loss.
"Hey boss. It's alright. You were awesome, he was just lucky that's all."
"Yeah. You'll flatten him next time."
Kageru walked up to Daigo and glared at him.
"Heh. So I'm guessin you're gonna rub it in now aren't ya?"
"Yeah…. I told ya so!" Kageru grinned. He then reached out his hand to help him up, to which Daigo somewhat reluctantly accepted.
"Hey...moron. That girl you've been talkin about; She's far from garbage. I've lost to her about a million times already. If you still think women are lame at Duel Monsters, then you're the one who's been playing weak people the whole time."
"!" Daigo was shocked, hearing Kageru's words.
"That's right, so oughta think before talkin smack like that….. Anyways...good game!"
Kageru smiled as he offered a handshake. Daigo paused for a second and then accepted.
The two smiled at each other; acknowledging each of their skills. Kageru then turned and began walking towards the middle of the arena to claim his prize.
"Hey loser!" Daigo called. Kageru turned his head to him slightly.
"Better not lose the tourney. And by the way, apologize to your girlfriend for me."
"What was that!?" Kageru was steaming, but knew inside he was only teasing. "You do it yourself moron! And she ain't my girlfriend so quit makin stupid remarks."
"So can I have her then?"Daigo persisted.
"What!?" Kageru couldn't help but flip out in response to Daigo's suggestion.
"How bout wagering her for a duel? Or better yet let me at her."
"In your dreams! You gotta beat me first before you even think about getting to her level" The two glared at each other again and then smiled. Maira simply tried and ignored the last comment Daigo made. She eventually started to burst however.
"Grrr! What do you think I am you idiots!? A trophy or something?!". Maira sat back down, folding her arms with a disgusted pout. "(Ugh...Men)" She thought furiously as she rolled her eyes around.
"Alrighty, then you better watch out cuz I'm gonna clobber you next time!" Daigo pointed his finger at Kageru as he made his assurance for a rematch.
The announcer split the two competitors, and went congratulated Kageru.
"I commend you for your hard work and amazing display! Congratulations. And because you have won, you get an entrance… to the Red Nova Tournament!"
The crowd cheered once more in celebration.
"Please take this." The announcer handed him a card.
"Huh?" Kageru looked as he took it.
"That is your prize.", a man with official-like clothing suddenly came up.
"Who are you?" Kageru asked.
The announcer and the crowd gasped, as they looked at the person standing before Kageru. He was bearded man with dark-grey hair and brown eyes, wore a cloak embedded and made with luxurious cloth, materials, and jewels. It was covered in a dark orange color and brown outlining, and bore an emblem on it.
"Y-YOU'RE -" the announcer couldn't believe it, and was then cut off by the man in front of him.
"Yes. I am Blaine Laevatannia." The man added in.
"The faction leader of the Kurenai regions!?" Gai along with Tetsu gazed in astonishment.
Blaine took a moment to greet the crowd. "It is an honor to be here, watching all of you amazing duelists. Your passion and strength will serve as a driving force that represents the Kurenai Faction."
"W-what brings you here in this preliminary round Mr. Laevatannia?" asked the announcer.
Blaine smiled in amusement and replied as he looked at Kageru.
"Well normally, we faction leaders don't normally pay much time in the preliminaries. However, we have decided to change that. And I am very glad we did, and we even have very promising duelists in that have already caught our eye...Then when i heard that the younger brother of the well-known duelist; Akane Hinodama, also a child of Ken Hinodama had come to participate, I couldn't hold my excitement. You wield that deck almost as skillful as your sister, and your passion is just like Ken's and Ms. Akane's. I'm sure your family is proud"
Kageru felt flattered, but also felt the need to ask about his sister, only knowing that it wasn't a good time at the moment and so he stayed quiet and looked at the card in his hands. A synchro monster with 8 stars; it resembled a red and black dragon with dark orange outlines, with powerful arms and wings. Flames blazed around the background of the card.
"Red Dragon Archfiend...Why are you handing me this?"
Blaine chuckled as he replied. "Two reasons...The first is that we have already given away our current DT Duel Disks that we've ordered from Kaiba Corp. Those were worth a lot of money to simply give, away, but they have become a necessity for the Red Nova Tournament, and of course the DT Grand Championships."
"What? You mean." Kageru grew nervous.
"That is correct, if you don't possess one of these duel disks, then you will be unable to participate."
"No way!" Tetsu felt outraged, seeing that all of Kageru's hard work may end up for naught.
The crowd started murmuring to themselves; some complained, and demanded for way for Kageru to gain the entrance he deserves.
"Now, now!" Blaine called to silence the crowd. "Don't worry, we have begun manufacturing the disks as of now, and soon they should be purchasable within a week or so. Also we are still yet to begin the Shooting Star and Aspiring Hope Preliminary Rounds, so have about a week after the Abyss Weiss Tournament which won't start for another three weeks. Also...I hear that some of our officials have started submissions orders for a new-type DT Disk from a certain company." Blaine glanced at Maira who was on the stands, knowing that her father worked for a company rivaling Kaiba Corp.
Anxious to pick up her sis, Maira decided to leave the tourney, already knowing that Kageru's victory was enough."Hey, Maira!" Riski called from behind "Where are you going? The tournaments not done yet! Wait.. Don't you want to pick a fight with that loser who dissed you?" Riski teased.
"As much as I would love to, I can't. Sugar's out of school now, and has been home for a little while too. My grandparents can't really move around the house; they're seriously too old to do all the chores or cook everything and stuff. I gotta get home." She seemed sad about the harsh fact, but her family needed her.
"Alright, alright. how's this," Riski pointed to a laptop-like wrist watch that she was wearing. she flipped it up, "I'll do a live feed to ya, is yours on?"
"Yeah, good idea." she turned her device on. "You sure this won't hurt your arm? Holding it up for me to watch?"
"Nah, it's fine. I'll take it off and hold it up, or on my head, Heehee." she joked and took the watch off and held it up. "How's the view?"
"Good as it can get." Maira responded happily. "See ya later?"
"Sure. Say hi to Sugar and your grandparents for me. Oh! And don't you dare take your eyes off the monitor for a minute! Or Kageru will be blasting his remarks for a solid week!" Riski looked to Gai and Tetsu, they nodded in agreement, knowing there friend he would be furious if he found out she had to ditch his big tournament.
"Thanks, I will. And tell him I'm still cheering, just on a farther side line." Maira waved goodbye and went off on her way.
At the center of the stage, Kageru was relieved, knowing that he had time to save up for a disk, but then remembered that there was another explanation he had to hear. "So what's the second reason?" He asked Blaine.
"Oh yes. Well...you see...the card you hold is was meant to be the prize for the winning in the Red Nova Tournament."
"What!?" Kageru was astonished, hearing how great a prize he had obtained. It felt somewhat unethical for him to have it now.
"Are you sure this is okay? What are you gonna do as the prize for the tourney then? This isn't right as far as I'm concerned."
Blaine simply laughed as he explained. "The card simply chose you my boy."
"Chose...me?" Kageru tried to understand what he meant.
"Yes, it recognizes you as its proper holder. You see, this is a perfectly forged replica of a legendary card once used by duelist very much like you long ago; a duelist that went by the name "The King Jack Atlas". I cannot fully explain it to you yet, but I'm sure you will understand in due time. And as for the prize, do not worry, there will definitely be something waiting for you and the other participants. So please use that card well in your future matches. I expect great things from you." Blaine dismissed Kageru who thanked him in excitement.
"Awesome! Thanks! (Wow! A powerful new card!)" Kageru turned and headed towards the exit, where he was greeted by Gai, Tetsu, and Riski.
"Hey! Hinodama!"
"Great job buddy!"
"Thanks guys!" Kageru waved and ran to them. The three congratulated their friend and praised him. Kageru walked out with them as they headed home together. He then noticed that Maira was gone. "Hey Riski, you know where Maira went?"
"She had to go pick up Sugar, but don't worry, she saw your whole match."
"Alright, that means she saw how awesome I've gotten!" Kageru leaped in excitement, wanting the Red Nova Tournament to start as soon as possible. The group had much to comment on and continued.
"I can't believe it you actually got to meet a faction leader!" Gai commented on with Tetsu, knowing how important a person Blaine was.
Kageru didn't know too much, but was glad he had gained such a reputation. As the two walked, Kageru turned to the sky above, thinking of his sister, and Maira.
"(Akane...Did you see me? I kicked butt didn't I? Just watch sis, I' gonna win this tourney for you, and for Mom. And when i'm done, I'm comin after you Maira. Just wait!)"
The sun began to set. The day was near over, and the three friends chatted on, excited for the next day and the upcoming tournaments at hand.
As Maira watched the exciting event that Kageru had meeting a faction leader, her heart was full of envy. "Wow! No way!" she said, slightly breathless. "Good for you, Kageru." She then heard a voice calling to her.
"Maira! it's been awhile." Maira quickly turned around, a boy with spiked up bronze hair and a long over coat walked up to her, smiling.
"Who's this were peeking on now? Kageru?! The pipsqueek you duel at school? He's grown huh?" He looked over at Maira's watch screen.
She quickly closed it, "Well, well. Kell Cadoni, don't you live far, far, and away?"
"Why yes," I moved back. "But I came to see how Sammy's sisters were. I was kinda hoping you wouldn't mind..?"
"You're not staying with us." Said Maira who seemed to pay no mind to him.
"What!? But you like me? I'm a nice guy-" he tried to hug her, but she threw her hand up to his face and stopped him.
"Ugh, you're so rude." said Maira as she pushed him away.
At least you're more talkative than you were as a child." Kell commented as Maira frowned. She was slowly walking way until Kell got in front of her and stopped her in her tracks. She looked shocked as he then pouted. Maira folded her arms as she angrily looked at him.
"It's gonna do you no good to beg" said Maira.
"You haven't even seen my puppy dog eyes yet."
"Listen, I've got to home." she tried to move past him. "Sugar's waiting for me, Kell."
"Ah, Sugar! How is she? Good I hope. Does she even know about Sammy..?" Hearing this Maira suddenly froze on the spot. "Maira..?" Kell hoped to get a response.
"She... knows very little of her older brother... but she does know he's gone... forever." Maira looked heartbroken and Kell decided not to say anything anymore. He scratched his head, "Well... okay then. I won't talk about it, but I was his best friend… He told me to take care of you.." He tried to place a hand on Maira's shoulder, but then she shook him off and walked past him. "..And your family.." Kell added with a defeated look.
"Okay, change of subject. You're still hanging out with Kageru? Maira, when are you gonna figure out that the more you duel that guy, the more his skill grows, but you still remain the same? Why not, duel someone up to your level? Like me." he walked beside her, and then cut her off again, trying to seem charming.
"Kell... you're not that good either, and besides, he's getting really good. He just won the Red Nova Preliminary Qualifiers just minutes ago." She felt it wasn't really her place to try and stand up for Kageru, but decided to anyway.
"Oh did he now? Well, I heard you won the Abyss Weiss Qualifiers and won a cool new DT Disk." Kell leaned against a building that was to the side of them. "Actually.. Can I have a look at that?"
"Thief." Maira quickly labeled him as she moved her disk away.
"Am not! I'm just... curious….. and jealous." Kell pouted in disappointment. "You really need to trust me more. I was your brother's best friend after all."
Maira smiled and rolled her eyes, "We'll duel some other time." She patted Kell's back and was about to move on until he suddenly responded by pulling out his duel disk. "Iiiiiiii'd rather do it now, in exchange for a place to stay." he grinned widely and like a fool whose won the jackpot at a casino.
Maira turned around, annoyed. "Really? My grandpa will KILL me if he finds out I agreed to this kinda wager."
"I know your grandpa; he honors duel deals. Its how he got your Grandmother to marry him." Kell added.
Maira laughed, knowing how true that statement was, and also the secret her grandmother had about letting her grandfather win. "Seriously... you really can't find an apartment or something?"
"Maira, do I look rich to you?" Kell asked with a lopsided face.
"Sort of..?" Maira replied.
"..." Kell stayed silent as he slapped his own face, feeling awkward.
"Okay, got'chu. Let's get this over with. If I fall to your dueling abilities, I'll let you stay with me." Maira pulled out DT Duel Disk, still slightly unsure of how it worked.
"Maybe even bunk with you..?" Kell added with a clever-looking face. Maira grew furious as she heard this.
"Don't push your luck or you're gonna be sleeping with my grandpa."
"...point taken, it was only a joke..." Kell said shakily. "Ladies first?"
"Oh? Now you have manners?" Maira chuckled and had the duel disk scan her cards. The computerized voice implanted within the disk then spoke.
DT DUEL DISK ACTIVATED. DECK SCANNING…..SCAN COMPLETED. ESTABLISHING LINK WITH OPPONENT….. NORMAL DUEL MODE SYSTEM SELECTED. PROJECTOR READY….ENGAGING DUEL MODE.
Five purple-colored holograms projected in front of Maira as she started
"Whoa..." the two of them said in unison.
"I want that." Kell persisted on.
"No, it's mine." Replied Maira.
"AWWW!" Kell whined as he pulled his cards out the traditional way.
"Ready?" Maira looked like she was trying to hold back her excitement at being able to duel with her new duel disk, but it showed in her voice.
"Readddyyy~" said Kell, tightening his bandana on his head.
"DUEL!"