Chapter 70 - 70

Chapter 70

"Wow, I can't wait to see this!" Serenity said, clasping her hands in front of her as she, along with her brother and his friends, rode in the small elevator to the top of the blimp. "The very first duel I get to watch in person! This is so exciting!"

"It sure is, sis!" Joey declared before jabbing his thumb towards his chest. "Of course it would be even better if ya got ta see ME duelin' but I'm sure Renard will still get ta put on a decent show."

"Better than you, right Joey?" Tea teased. "I mean you barely made a scratch against Kaiba's lifepoints when you faced him."

Joey faulted at that before whipping around and shaking his fist at Tea. "Hey! I did pretty good against that preenin' peacock!"

"Pretty good?" Tea asked. "Come on, Joey, you got completely knocked on your butt!"

"There was no butt-knockin' here!" Joey insisted. "Besides, now I got brand new decks I'm gonna be usin' in the finales! Ones that Rich Boy ain't ever seen!"

"New decks, Joey?" Yugi asked, confused. "I know you won that Zombie Deck from that Rare Hunter..."

Tristan cut in. "You have a Zombie deck now, Joey?"

"Yeah I do!" Joey exclaimed, reaching into his pocket and pulling out his Zombie Synchro Deck. "I won it off that jerk who took my Red-Eyes Black Dragon! He thought he was gonna take me out but I managed to eliminate him from the tournament and get a sick new deck!"

"Sick is right," Tea said, making a face as she looked over Joey's shoulders and stared at the cards he had. "Ugh."

"Hey!" Joey complained. "These cards are gonna win me this tournament!" He pulled out a second deck. "Same with this deck."

"OH!" Yugi said, surprised. "I remember Grandpa teaching you dueling strategy with that deck! I didn't realize he planned to give it to you!"

"Neither did I, Yug, but I'm glad he did." Joey smiled as he looked down at the cards. "My Zombie Deck I got from my worst enemy. This deck I got from my teacher. A good Ying and Yan."

"I think its Yin and Yang," Tea commented.

"...what is with ya, today?" Joey complained. "Can't even cut me a break!"

"Not when you are getting things wrong."

"What are the cards, Joey?" Duke asked.

"These?" He held up three in particular. "These are the Poker Knights. Cards based around a deck of cards one would use ta play Poker. Jack's Knight, Queen's Knight, and King's Knight. Together they can create all sorts of powerful new monsters... and there are other cards in here that are just as dangerous as them!"

"That's great, Joey!" Yugi said. "With your Red-Eyes Deck that gives you three different decks to choose from. That's a good thing to have in a tournament like this, so long as you know how to run each deck properly. It will help prevent your opponent from altering their own deck in order to counter any strategy you might run."

Joey smiled slightly at that, hoping his friends didn't notice. 'Maybe Yug... but I won't be usin' my Red-Eyes deck again in this tournament.' In his mind he remembered how he'd used the Summoned Skull that Yugi had given him along with his own Red-Eyes Black Dragon in order to summon is Archfiend Skull Dragon which had nearly taken out Yugi's lifepoints... and nearly gotten Mr. Muto killed. 'I know what ya'd tell me, Yug: it ain't the deck that did that. The cards didn't choose ta attack. But that's the thing... they didn't. I did. I used them to try and hurt ya. Because I wasn't smart enough to think of a way out of that mess. That's why I can't ever use my Red-Eyes Black Dragon deck ever again... the Joey who wielded it ain't the one you deserve at your side.'

He was broken out of his thoughts by the elevator dinging and the doors opening to reveal a bright sunny sky. All around them were clouds but rather than being high up they were now passing by them, like boats lazily chugging along. Joey and the rest of his friends could only gape at the sight, staring at the vast sky that stretched out all around them.

"Would you look at that view!" Duke declared.

"Look!" Tristan called out, pointing to their left. "I think that's Domino City!"

"It's so far away!" Tea said as she looked at the small speck of land that lay just on the edge of the horizon.

Serenity grasped Joey's arm. "Is... is it safe to be up here?"

"Of course it is!" Joey declared. "Kaiba might be many things but he ain't reckless when it comes ta duelin'!"

"Other than threatening to kill himself if he didn't win," Tea muttered.

"He what?" Serenity said in shock but before anyone could answer another elevator dinged and Seto stepped out with Mokuba.

"Well, good to see you dweebs were able to find your way to our battlefield for this round of the tournament," Seto declared as he strolled forward. "For the next two rounds we will be battling on top of my KaibaCorp Blimp. No one on the planet will have dueled like this before and they will never be able to duel like this again! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity... I suggest you don't squander it."

"What about everyone else?" Yugi asked. "I thought you were going to televise the Battle City Tournament."

Mokuba quickly spoke up. "We still are!" He pointed to several towers. "We are going to be broadcasting it live... we made a deal with CCN to show the entire thing on their network!"

"Only thing Chaos is good for," Seto muttered just as the elevator dinged behind Joey and his friends, revealing Renard, Yuri, Mai...

"Edwin, come out," Mai said gently, tugging at her boyfriend's hand.

"I can see fine from here!" he declared, remaining firmly in the back of the elevator. "Someone just shove a shoe near the door to keep the doors from closing.

"Captain, we are fine," Renard assured him. "We are no where near the edge."

"Yes but we do have high winds blowing that could sweep us off!"

Seto rolled his eyes. "Chaos, either grow up or get out."

"Hey Seto, how about you go look over the edge for me, just to prove to everyone its safe!" Edwin snapped back.

Mai let out a sigh and wrapped her arms around the blond's middle, easily hoisting him up and carrying him out of the elevator.

"...you are surprisingly strong," he admitted. "Is that a goddess thing?"

"No, its me having to deal with idiot men all the time," she commented. "Now, I'm going to keep an arm around you so you are safe, okay?"

"...fine but I'd rather have a tether," Edwin grumbled.

"Well well well," Pegasus said as the elevator behind Kaiba opened up and allowed him, Mr. Muto, and Brom Bones to step out. "I must say Kaiba this is a treat. You finally found an arena to hold that ego of yours."

"Unlike you who needs to compensate by building a bunch of massive towers," Kaiba snarked before looking back at Renard. "Enough of this, let's get this duel going."

"But everyone isn't here," Yugi pointed out.

"They knew when we were starting," Kaiba commented as he moved to his side of the field. "If they are too lazy or too stupid to know when to show up that's on them. Now come on... I want to get my tournament off with a bang!"

"Jeez, that Kaiba," Joey muttered. "Never seen someone in such a rush ta do anything."

"We'll see if that translates to how well he duels," Yuri said as Edwin's group joined them; Mai, true to her word, had an arm firmly around Edwin's waist. He was looking a touch calmer but Joey could tell he was still nervous being on the blimp.

"I am glad you were selected as my opponent!" Renard called out as he walked to his end of the field. "I was disappointed I didn't get to face you in Duelist Kingdom. You don't know this but I had originally planned to challenge you at the European Tournament, to see if you could take my title from me." He began to shuffle his deck. "Would you like to wager my status as European Champion on this duel? I don't mind."

"I have no need for your minor titles," Kaiba declared. "I am going to be the winner of Battle City and claim the title of King of Games very soon. This tournament will put me back as Number 1 Duelist in the World and I have no plan of ever giving that up."

"Very well then," Renard stated, the band on his arm shifting into a duel disc ('Still want ta know where Ed go those things!'), "let us duel!"

~MC~MC~MC~

The following is a presentation of CCN and KaibaCorp...

It began with a dream... a deserve to create the world's largest, most sprawling Duel Monsters Tournament ever held. To do this an entire city, Domino, was turning into a battle ground where duelists from all over the world competed to prove themselves. But now... Domino has been left behind. It will be the sky that hosts the next round.

This... is the Battle City Tournament!

"Hey there mates!" an Australian man in red suit declared, grinning at the screen switched onto him at the CCN broadcast studios. "Welcome to the first round of the Battle City Finals! Sixteen duelists are about to compete in a series of duels to determine who will be moving on to the next stage. I'm Marc Jeice and with me, as always, is my partner Scott Burter. Thanks for being here, mate!"

"If I didn't they wouldn't have givin' me my paycheck," the second man, wearing a blue suit, joked.

"Quite right! But even without a paycheck I'd want to be here for some rip-roarin' action! The Battle City Finales are about to begin and we already have a scorcher of a duel for the first contest of Round 1!"

"That's right, Marc. Seto Kaiba, the creator of the Battle City Tournament and #3 Duelist in the entire world will be taking on Renard Volpe, European Champion."

"As some of you may know there has been a bit of controversy surrounding Kaiba's placement in the world rankings," Marc stated. "Originally the Number 1 Duelist in the world he suffered a setback when he was defeated by then-newcomer Yugi Muto, his first ever loss in a Duel Monsters match."

Scott nodded. "While he did manage to defeat Yugi Muto in their rematch at Duelist Kingdom many in the world have not treated that as a true victory, seeing as Kaiba had to resort to a cheap threat in order to prevent Muto from winning the duel. Considering he then proceeded to lose to Maximillion Pegasus, the man that Muto would defeat in order to claim the title of King of Games, some have questioned his placement in the rankings, feeling that Pegasus should be Second."

"Then there is Edwin Chaos." On the screen a photo of the duelist in question appeared... looking rather startled as cameramen took a photo of him while he tried to eat a sandwich. "His showing in Duelist Kingdom, including taking Yugi Muto to the ropes in their duel in the finals of that Tournament, have put him in the running for the rank of Number 2. Could Battle City finally settle the rankings once and for all? Or will it only lead to more confusion?"

"We are about to find out!" Marc stated. "But before that we'd like to remind you that this duel is brought to you by Uncle Ziegfreed's Old Fashion Brown Sugar Biscuits. Uncle Ziegfreed's: So good you'll forget Norse and German aren't the same thing. Scott, why don't you tell us about the decks the two duelists will be using?"

"Marik was his heir," Ishizu reminded him. "He is our leader... can you still not understand? I feel as if I am speaking in another tongue and all of you are merely nodding your heads, pretending to understand. Marik must aid the Pharaoh if we are to avoid the great darkness I have seen coming. He must respect his place in the world. So must we all."

"I was charged by Mother to protect Marik," Odion said darkly. "Does that mean that I should respect my place and return to blinding obeying him?" He shot her a sideglance. "He would demand I bring you to him now in chains for your betrayal."

"You talk foolishness, Odion," Ishizu said dismissively.

"He is our leader," he countered. "You have said that many times. Does that not mean we must obey his commands? He says the Pharaoh is evil-"

"The Pharaoh is the only hope for the world," Ishizu snapped, eyes flashing with intensity.

Odion smiled.

"What is it?" Ishizu demanded. "Why do you smirk like that?"

"I had thought you had lost your ability to feel passion, sister," he replied. "I remember how you once were... you might claim that you did it for Marik but I know you were just as interested in the outside world as him. That you too had dreams. It is good to see that it hasn't all been washed away."

"Of course it hasn't," Ishizu said simply and Odion frowned as he felt her mask slam back down into place, her emotions locked away once more. "I have merely grown up... something our brother has failed to do. Marik is throwing a tantrum like a child but like all naughty children eventuallyy he will calm down and he will see the error of his ways. And when he does... he will fall back into line again."

"Then you do not know him as well as you believe. Marik has tasted freedom... and it is a heady drink. He will not cast it aside purely because you demand him too."

"It is an addiction... all addictions can be broken."

"Like your use of your Millennium Item?" Odion charged. "You have been using it more and more, haven't you? Gazing into the future, seeing what may come."

"What WILL come," Ishizu said instantly. "What will come. I have no doubt on that factor. Marik will return to my side. He will do his duty." She looked out the window again. "It is why there is no need for me to watch this round of the tournament. They do not matter. I have seen what events will come. The Pharaoh will battle the Spirit of the Ring and defeat him, wounding him greatly and earning us the time needed. Marik will face Mai Valentine and continue on, as will Joey Wheeler. I will defeat Seto Kaiba myself and then face our brother in battle. I will make him see the truth and we will surrender to the Pharaoh, ending this tournament so we might help the Pharaoh regain his memories."

"There are still four more," Odion pointed out.

"They mean nothing. I have seen the battle to come. The Pharaoh is all that matters."

"Even Edwin Chaos?" Odion pressed.

Ishizu scowled. "The Greek mage is no concern. He will fall in line or he will be made to fall in line."

"That... sounds like a threat."

"Fate can not be a threat. Destiny can not be a threat." She paused. "I admit though... you turning against our brother came sooner than I predicted. What made you change your mind and turn your back on him?"

Odion pressed his lips together, gathering himself. "I would argue that I have not betrayed him at all. I still serve our brother... even if he does not realize it." Odion let out a soft sigh. "I serve the good man he once was, not the monster he has become."

"He will return to us," Ishizu promised him. "And... perhaps... he would return sooner if you aided me."

Odion though merely shook his head. "No."

"No?"

"No."

When he didn't say a word Ishizu finally left, feeling no need to press the issue. Which was good... because Odion wasn't for sure she'd be pleased with why he could not side with her.

~MC~MC~MC~

"-three all beef patties, 4 strips of bacon, and the finest cheese top the best burger we have to offer. So why not come down to Burgerpaloza, a subdivision of KaibaCorp, and try our Joey Wheeler Burger today?"

A different voice chimed in as the image of the burger remained on the screen.

"Note: Joey Wheeler is legally banned from Burgerpaloza. Any attempt to give him this burger that is designed to be his dream burger will result in you being fired... out of a cannon."

CCN returns you now to the Battle City Finals Round 1

"Welcome back folks!" Marc said as the program started once again. "When we went to commercial break Seto Kaiba had just summoned his Blue-Eyes White Dragon. Let's get back to the action!"

The screen changed to show Seto.

"-why you are doomed to fail, Muto! I will win this entire tournament and claim your god card!"

"That's our boss," Aria muttered.

"Technically my boss is Pegasus," Cassie stated, munching on some Doritos.

"Shhh!" Martin hissed as Seto finally drew his next card.

"Now then," Seto said, looking over his hand, "I bet you think that even with my Blue-Eyes White Dragon on the field you have a chance at still beating me. After all there are a few ways to bring down even the mightiest of Duel Monsters."

"There are actually a lot!" Edwin called out, the drone cameras switching over to him. "I mean of all of us here I could just summon my Endymion, Yugi has his Dark Magician and Dark Magic Circle Combo, Joey could fusion summon one of his Red-Eyes fusions." He began to tick off the points. "Master Hyperion for Tea, Mai could ram her Amazoness Swordswoman into it and make you take the damage. And there are your generic stuff like Trap Hole and-"

"But!" Seto said, talking right over Edwin. "This isn't Duelist Kingdom. There my only hope was to get three of my Blue-Eyes White Dragons out onto the field and summon my Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon if I wanted to bring out something even more powerful than it. This... is Battle City. And with my deck I have all sorts of deadly and dangerous dragons waiting to be unleashed. And I am going to start..." Seto smirked and held up a single card, "...and end... with this: Ultimate Fusion!"

The card appeared on the field, shown to be a version of Polyermization... but with Blue-Eyes White Dragons being swept into the fusion vortex rather than generic monsters.

"Oh, that can't be good," Joey said as the skies began to darken and lightning cracked on the field.

"With this card I can shuffle back into my deck the Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon in my Graveyard, the Blue-Eyes White Dragon on my side of the field, and this Blue-Eyes White Dragon I have in my hand in order to summon forth the Ultimate form of destruction."

"He's going to do it!" Yugi exclaimed. "He's going to summon the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!"

Seto though scoffed at that. "Haven't you been listening, Muto? This isn't Duelist Kingdom and this isn't the deck I used back then. I have evolved... and so has the form my Blue-Eyes can take! Now behold the perfected form of power: The Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!"

The creature that appeared was so large that it couldn't even properly land on the blimp, choosing instead to fly above it. Where the original Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon had mostly just been a Blue-Eyes White dragon with two extra heads the Neo version was just as Seto had claimed: the evolved form. The scales had become like diamonds, glittering in the lightning that danced through the clouds that surrounded it. Its wings were far bigger and its body bulkier. The tail ended in a series of blades that could slice up any opponent that it came too close to it.

It truly was the Ultimate Form of Destruction.

"And now I will activate the special effect of my Ultimate Fusion card, which allows me to eliminate all the monsters on your side of the field, Renard!"

The European Champion's eyes went wide as the storm clouds shuddered one last time before unleashing their lightning, dissipating once done... and taking the charred remains of his Fur Hire Monsters with it.

"Look at where you stand!" Seto declared. "You field utterly empty! And on my side of the field one of the greatest Duel Monsters to ever be summoned!" He folded his arms over his chest and smirked, eyes shut. "If you wish to surrender now I won't hold it against you."

"But I would forever hold it against myself," Renard stated. "So I'm afraid Seto that I can't give you the easy victory you wish. No... you'll just have to beat me." Renard tapped his duel disc. "And I can't allow that. Activate Training Fur Hire, Fur All Your Training Needs!" The card flipped up onto the field. "This card allows me to summon directly from my deck one Fur Hire Monster with a level lower than one of the Fur Hires you just destroyed. I select Donpa, Marksman Fur Hire!"

On Renard's side of the field a monster similar to his Recon appeared, though this one had a crossbow grasped in its paws.

"Is that little plushy supposed to scare me?" Seto mocked.

"Yes, it should," Renard stated. "That is the problem with you, Mr. Kaiba... you seem to have this deluded belief that all are beneath you."

"it isn't deluded if its true."

"But the thing is that by not actually paying attention to the world around you because you dismiss it... that causes you to neglect the true dangers that will bring you and all your plans crashing down. That is why no matter how hard you try... no matter how many plans you create... you will never... EVER... be the best."

"I am the best," Seto growled.

"Yugi Muto doesn't have to screech at people that he is the King of Games... they just know it. I think... you only say that... to convince yourself."

Seto trembled in outrage and fury.

But before he could say a word Renard thrust out his hand. "I activate Mayhem Fur Hire, which allows me to summon one Fur Hire monster from my graveyard. I select Rafale and activate his effect, adding one card from the top of my deck to my hand because Donpa is on the field. And then... speaking of Donpa... I activate his effect."

The Fur Hire leveled his crossbow and aimed it right at the Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon. The drake roared, trying to intimidate the Fur Hire monster but Donpa merely smirked before firing off the bolt... that embedded itself in the skull of the main head of the dragon, causing its jaw to slacken and its eyes to glaze over before it crashed down to the ground, the other two heads roaring out in pain before the entire beast began to twitch and spasm.

"What... what did you do?" Seto asked in shock.

"Donpa can destroy one monster on the field when another Fur Hire is summoned... and I have selected your Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!"

"I don't believe it!" Marc exclaimed as the Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon let out twin roars of agony before finally shattering, leaving behind only an utterly shocked Seto. "Renard Volpe has managed to do the impossible! What even Yugi Muto could never accomplish! He has destroyed Seto Kaiba's Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon! This is a massive game changer that could shake the very bedrock of the dueling world! And more than that everyone is going to want to see what happens next! Right now!"

"We'll be back after this word from our sponsor," Scott stated.