Yu-Gi-Oh!

~Star of Hope~

[Chapter 7]

"First Duel"

By: Kat Lee

((There weren't many reviews I got for the last one, but it doesn't matter, because I'm a fan who just wants to write a story. Go Yu-Gi-Oh!))

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 The moon was once again full and high up into the sky. Stars glittered down, but faded its lights as it touched the crystal lake. The trees with full-bloomed blossoms danced with the wind. A body lay parallel to the wide lake, floating, barely touching the coldness. Her body glowed in a soft and fading light. She stared at her reflection in the platinum water. It stayed still, not moving under the breath of this girl. She narrowed her eyes and stared hard at her self. When she stared long enough, her dark side would reflect back instead of her own. She closed her eyes and let the night bask over her. 'Too much darkness lies around here. How come?' Her mind wondered.

 Her reflection clenched her own fists. "It's because of her. She was the one who shrouded me with it." Her voice was low and filled with lots of hatred. "She locked my soul up into this… darkness."

 The girl slowly opened her bright ruby eyes and stared at the dark girl. "Is this why… you want to fight?" She asked in her softest tone.

 The dark girl turned her head from her. "She… took away my love, and I want him back." Her eyes glared at nothing in particular. "For years… I've longed to be by his side."

 Her pale hand touched the water, making it ripple all around. "Your hatred… it's…" He voice was wavering. Her eyes softened. Darkness clouded behind her reflection. She closed her eyes. "Let me help you… Mira."

 The dark girl in the water looked up at her. The other girl smiled softly. "I'll help you to make you happy." Mira stared at her lighter half. Then between the two girls was a ping of light. They stared at a card. Mira's face changed. She smirked at the card.

 The bell rang and students dashed out the school in joy. Within seconds the halls of the school buildings were empty. Papers flooded the floors and the ring of the students voice echoed from outside. What a joy it was to these teens, for summer vacation has finally arrived for them. Tea Gardner slowly stood up from her desk. She packed up her things from her desk into her bag. She looked up to see her now old Junior Teacher. He was dancing around, celebrating for the end of his year of teaching. Tea smiled widely and couldn't help but laugh at him. He ran out with his suitcase jumping for joy.

 Yugi looked at the old man in awkwardness as he went to go back to the room. He shook his head and entered the classroom. He saw Tea packing up her stuff into her bag. He smiled at her and walked up to her. "What are you still doing here?" He sat down on one of the desks and watched her.

 "Just cleaning out my desk." She neatly placed in the books in her bag. "I forgot to yesterday." She looked at Yugi and smiled sweetly. "You don't have to wait for me. I'll meet you and the others later."

 The boy shook his head, with his bangs swaying as he shook. "It's ok. I'd want to wait for you." The two froze in place after he said that. Then all of a sudden they were turning a bit red and they looked away. Tea smiled to her self as she was gathering her stuff, still blushing. "Where are we going to meet them?" Tea asked.

 "There is this new place for teens to hang out. Mai was talking about it, so we all wanted to check it out." He was swinging his legs aimlessly. "Cool." Tea answered simply.

 Seven teens stood in front of the fairly large and new place everyone was talking about. Clear glass windows surrounded the corner building. There were multi-colored lights, flashing in side. Many other teenagers were entering the place. "The Spot?" Serenity read the big sign of the name of the place.

 "They said this place is owned by Kaiba Corp." Mai stated as she stared at the tall building. From outside, you can see it was a three-story building.

 "Well I'm going in!" Joey ran inside dragging Mai with him. "You're on bro!" Tristan followed as he was pulling Serenity with him. Ryou, Yugi and Tea laughed softly at their friends. "Well, let's head in." Ryou followed behind Tea and Yugi. The doors slide open, and a blast of music filled the whole place. It sounded as if it were a busy place.  An elevator, glowing in changing neon colors was placed near the arcade area. Tea looked around and saw many arcade games. "Wow! It's like a giant arcade." There were two sets of stairs on both sides of the door, leading to the second floor. At the center of the entrance was like a directory of the place. It was lighted up as well Yugi and Ryou were looking into it. Tea neared the two and looked over their shoulders. "Second floor has dueling rooms, a dancing area and laser tag room." Ryou awed. "There is a restaurant, café and a bar in the third floor." Yugi looked up ahead. "I bet down here is were the newest arcade games are."

 "And where Joey and Tristan are lost." Tea smiled widely. "Who would have thought that Seto had it in him to create this place." She joked. "And what's wrong with that?" a voice sounded from behind.

 The three turned around to see Seto Kaiba and Mokuba. "Hi guys!" the little boy greeted. "Like it? I got Seto into making this place for some time now." He smiled triumphantly. "It's a good place for teens to hang out during the summer." Ryou stated. The others nodded.

 "Well, if you want, we're still hiring." Seto asked. Tea bit her lip and hesitated. "Well, I have my grandpa's." Yugi apologized. Ryou rubbed his head. "My father doesn't want me taking jobs yet."

 "How bout you Tea?" Mokuba asked. The girl looked at the two Kaiba brothers. "Well… can you let me think about it?" Seto nodded. "I'll leave a spot open for you until you give me a reply." Tea smiled.

 Seto turned to the stairs. "I have to deal with something in the office. So, I'll see you guys around." He waved at them and climbed the stairs. "Bye guys!" He ran after Seto.

 "Why don't we stay at the third floor? Maybe Mai and Serenity might be there." Suggested Yugi. So they rode on the elevator up. Tea was staring out the glass elevator. She saw that there were already people dancing on the dance floors. A DJ was playing the songs at center stage. Lights were flooding the area as music played through the glass. "You want to go there?" Tea turned her head. She jumped back on how close Yugi's face was from hers. In the process, they bumped heads. "Er… sorry Yugi!" She touched his shoulders, looking worried. Yugi looked up and rubbed his head. "No, it's ok. I'm ok!" He smiled widely. Behind the two, Ryou smiled at their performance.

 The elevator rang on the third floor. They exited through as other people went in. There were many chairs and tables all around in silver. At one corner there was a bar, a juice bar. There was a counter, for people who wanted to stay on stools near the waitresses. Then on the other side was a café for people who preferred coffee. The whole floor circled all around. In the middle there was a view that went all the way to the second floor. It was a bit dark, but dim lights and the flashing light from below clashed the room. Tea pointed over to a table. The boys looked up and saw Mai waving towards them. They happily walked over to where Mai and Serenity were. They were seated in a six-seated table. Yugi kindly pulled a chair for Tea, next to Mai. The boys sat opposite from the girls. "Like the place?" Mai asked over the music.

 Tea smiled widely. "It's really cool." Serenity looked around. "I think I want to work here during the summer." She looked at the others, who stare at her weirdly. "Hun, do you think Joey would allow that?" Mai asked. Serenity shrugged. "Doesn't matter."

 They started to talk about plans they should do during the summer. Tea was suggesting on things too. Suddenly it was like time froze all around her. Tea shot her head forward to stare at the elevators. A couple walked by in slow motion, and a girl appeared at the place Tea was staring. Chills ran down her spine as she kept staring. 'It's…' A waitress walked by her view then the girl was gone.

 "Tea?" the girl blinked her eyes and the music and time came back to life. She looked down in front of her. Yugi looked worriedly at her. Mai and Serenity were busy talking to notice the two. "Are you ok?" he asked.

 Tea's expression softened. "Yeah, it's nothing really." She lied. Yugi didn't believe her but he let it past. Yugi saw that people in the floor were getting up and running towards the stairs to the second floor. "There's this hot chick that's dueling against Joey Wheeler." A boy said as he ran with his friends.

 The group heard this and sighed. "I think we better save him." Mai pushed in her chair and hurried to the second floor. Serenity sighed. "Well, let's go rooting for him." Ryou followed behind serenity. Yugi and Tea looked at one another and they followed suit.

 The whole room was crowed with many dueling fans. Mai pushed her way towards the man she is dating. "Move it! Girlfriend coming through!" She pushed a man aside and got a view of the blonde boy standing in the blue side dueling platform. "Joey Wheeler, what the heck are you doing?" Mai yelled from the crowd.

 Joey's blue cerulean eyes scanned the crowed and saw a familiar tall blonde. "Hey Mai! I'm dueling this big ego chick." Mai crossed her arms and faced the opponent. She had long ebony hair, all the way to her waist. Her bangs nearly covered her dark ruby eyes. She wore hot red duster, with a black tube top and black tight and short skirt. Her leather booths reached up high to her thighs. 'Isn't that… Crème?' Mai wondered.

 "Hey Mai, how's Joey doing?" Serenity and the others reached her. The blonde girl looked at their scores. "Joey is losing… greatly." Joey had 500 life points, while his opponent had 1300 left. "Hey, keep it together Joey!" Mai called out.

 The boy looked at her and stared into her purple eyes. He smiled and nodded. 'My friends are now here, and I know I can beat this… creepy girl.' The girl smirked. "My turn, and I play the Warrior of Tradition in attack mode." (1900/1700) The warrior monster appeared and was prepared to attack. "Attack Giltia the Dark Knight!" (1850/1500) The monster destroyed Joey's and his life points are now 450.

 He clenched his fist and gritted his teeth. "Joey calm down! You need to concentrate and believe in your deck!" Yugi's voice called from the side. Joey's eyes trailed towards Yugi's voice. He was standing next to Tea and Bakura. They smiled proudly at him. Joey turned to Mai and saw her determination. Serenity and Tristan were also there. "You can do it brother." Serenity mouthed. Joey grinned and drew a card. 'Raigeki.' The blonde boy smirked. "First I'll place this card face down in defense mode. And I also activate Raigeki!" He placed the magic card, and it took action. Bolts of thunder crashed down on the two monsters in her playing field, destroying them.

 The girl lost 950 life points, and she glared. Joey has 450 while the girl has 350 left. She looked in her deck for a card to defeat Joey. 'That boy thinks he can beat me with all his little cheerleaders?' She put down a card. "I place this card face down and use this card, to take away 100 life points from you!" Joey's eyes widened as he sees his points taken away by balls of fire. "Now we have equal amount of Life points. Ready to lose, Wheeler?" She placed a finger on her chin. "Oh, that's right, you don't want to lose cause you'll cry."

 Mai clenched her fist and growled. "Hey listen up, you little bitch! Joey's gonna lose to your big mouth!"

 "Looks who's talking?" The girl grinned and crossed her arms. Tea looked at Mai and Joey. They were really pissed off by this girl. Tea looked over at the girl in the red platform. Then her eyes widened and her chest pained. Her ruby eyes made contact with Tea's sapphire blue eyes. The girl smirked. Joey drew a card and looked at it. 'If I attack her card, she might counter attack with that other card she placed down from the very beginning.' Joey growled and placed a finger at one of his already laid card. 'No, I won't change its place.' "I place this card faced down in defense." Joey was regretting his move.

 "What's the matter Wheeler, to scare to attack?" She placed a card down in the magic field. "Too bad Wheeler, cause it's all going to be over!" she flipped the card. "Stop Defense!"

 Joey's eyes widened. "No!" he cried. The girl smirked. "Oh yes!" She flipped her card over. "Go! Empress Judge!" (2100/1700) The warrior card glided over the field and attacked the first faced down card. Joey's eyes widened even more. His precious card appeared and was destroyed. It took all his points away and Joey lost. The girl laughed loudly. The crowed all cheered for her. Soon everyone was walking away from the dueling room, except for Joey and his friends.

 Mai growled. "Who do you think you are?" she nearly yelled. Joey placed his hand on her shoulder. "It's ok Mai, let's just go get some drinks." He sounded monotonously. Mai shook her head. "No can humiliate Joey Wheeler, except for me!" Joey was trying his best to restrain her from strangling the raven-haired girl. "What every your name is, I challenge you for a duel!" Mai yelled out.

 The girl laughed out loud. "You?" She walked closer to them, with her heels clicking loudly on the marble floor. She stopped a few feet away from them. "I'm not interested in facing you." She pointed her finger at someone. "I want to duel her."

 They all looked at her finger and saw it was pointed at Tea. The girl paled. "…Me?" She squeaked.

 The raven-haired girl flipped her long straight hair. "Yes, you."

 Yugi's eyes narrowed. "Come on guys, let's just leave." They all nodded and headed out the exit. But then the doors to the second floor shut tight. "What the!?" Tristan was dumb folded. He tried to push open the door, but it wouldn't budge. They all turned around towards the girl. "You all can't escape, until that little brunette duels me and wins." She walked towards the red platform to the dueling ring. Tea's heart was racing fast. 'Oh no! What am I going to do?'

 || Duel her. ||

 Tea's eyes widened in surprise. |I haven't heard from you the whole day. |

 || Duel her Tea. || Kori's voice sounded.

 Tea's expression fell. |But… I'm going to lose…| She touched her deck. |And if I use your cards… | She looked at Yugi's millennium item. |They'll find you out. |

 Kori was quiet for a while. ||It doesn't matter… anymore. || Then, Kori took over, and the other's didn't notice the change. Except for Yugi. "I accept then." Kori answered.

 The girl smirked. 'Good, she's revealing herself.' She looked over at a certain boy with tri-colored hair. 'It won't belong til the Pharaoh knows who it is.'

 "Tea, are you sure about this?" Asked Joey. "She's really tough, no offense though."

 Kori nodded her head and walked up to the platform. It rose up high to let her have a clear view of the playing field. Yugi looked at her suspiciously. /Did you feel that? / Yugi asked his silent Yami.

 Yami narrowed his eyes. 'She's here.'

 "Rules are simple, but one last thing, little girly." Kori narrowed her eyes. The girl smirked. She turned her head to the side and closed her eyes. "You win, you all go free. But I win, you missy, are going with me." The group on the side looked at her strangely. The girl looked up ad stared at Kori's icy blue eyes. "You have something I want, and I'm planning on taking it, by using you." She said lowly.

 "Let's duel!" they both yelled in unison.

 Yugi looked worriedly at Tea. 'I've seen how that girl plays, and she seems to have powerful cards. I don't think… Tea would have a chance, but…' Yugi closed his eyes and took in a breath. He snapped open his eyes. "Come on Tea, you can do it!"

 Kori looked at the boy and nodded her head. She drew five cards and scanned it. 'Good, none of my rare cards are in here.' She looked forward and placed down two cards. "I put this card face down and place Angelwitch in defense mode!" (800/1000) A light burst up from the field and a monster appeared. Then it moved in a defensive position. Her friends looked at the monster in surprise. 'Looks like Tea upgraded her cards.' Yugi smiled impressively.

 'This is way too easy. She just doesn't want to use her rare cards.' The girl smirked "Well, I place Nekogal in attack mode." (1100/900) The monster rose from the light on the field. "Attack Nekogal!" The monster ran up to Angelwitch and released a furious claw attack. It destroyed the monster, but no life points were taken.

 Kori smirked at this. 'I'm not going to use this card… yet.' She drew a card at looked at it. "I place this card face down and put in Gemini Elf in attack mode." (1900/900) Two elves appeared together, ready to attack any minute. "I also set this magic card, to increase my elves' powers. Winged Trumpeter!" The Gemini Elf looked over at the girl strongly, as its powers increased. (2400/1400) "Attack Gemini Elf!" The two elves raced across the field and annihilated Nekogal. The girl growled as she saw her points go down to 1350. Kori smirked.

 "Alright Tea! Keep it up!" cheered Mai and Serenity. Yugi watched closely as Tea dueled. He was a bit suspicious on her strategy. 'I never would have thought Tea would have such strong cards.' Yami as well, felt as if the girl is really not Tea at all. "Show that chick a thing or two, Tea!" Joey called out to support her.

 The brunette looked at the crowd, she smiled lightly than waited for her turn. The girl drew a card. "Er… I place this card, face down in defense mode and this card face down." The girl frowned, regretting that she placed down the cards. Kori smiled widely. "What's wrong, little girl? Too scared to fight me?" Kori taunted. The girl crossed her arms. "I'm not a little girl, and you know fully well who I am."

 Kori lowered her head. "Yeah, you're Mira, right?" She said in a low tone. The ravened haired girl smirked. "Oh you remembered." Kori narrowed her eyes. "Not the whole story." She hissed. Kori drew a card and placed two cards down. "I put this card face down and this card in defense mode." An egg like monster rose form the light, then it moved in to a defensive stance. (Wing Egg Elf 500/1300) Tea's voice sounded within Kori. |I don't think you should attack…| Her tone was worried. Kori narrowed her eyes. "Gemini Elf, attack!"

 Mira smirked. The faced down card flipped over to reveal itself. (Queen Bird 1200/2000) The Gemini Elf attack the card, but then the monster reacted, and points were taken off from Kori. She now had 1900 life points. Mira started to laugh hideously. "You forgot to notice this card Tea." She flipped the card over. "It's Follow Wind. It allows any winged-beast types to gain 500 more points. Do my little birdie's defense is 2500. Do the math."

 Kori narrowed her eyes. Mira drew a card. "My turn." She looked at her new card. She started to laugh confidently. "This will turn the house down." She placed a card down on to the field. "But first, I'll place this card face down in defense mode and this card in attack mode. Sanga of the Thunder, Attack Gemini Elf!" (2600/2200) The thunder monster swiped through the field and attacks the twin elves. Kori was now down to 1700 life points.

  'I'm tempted to use one of these cards, but… I know she'll summon some kind of big monster. That's when I'll use these. But first…' Kori drew a card and looked at it. "I first place this card face down in attack mode, and also use this card." She places a card in the magic field. "Raigeki!" A bolt of thunder crashed down on the monster's field, destroying all the monsters in Mira's side.  The ravened-haired girl growled as her points went down to 700. Kori smirked. "What's wrong Mira, your strategy is not working? Maybe you should think of a better one." Her friends were cheering. "She's almost going to win!"

 She narrowed her ruby eyes. "That's what you say." She drew a card and placed it down. "Now, you won't win!" The lights flashed as a monster appeared. "Zera the Mant in attack mode!" (2800/2300) The group on Tea's side gasped. "What will Tea do?" questioned Tristan. Joey shook his head. "I don't know, but… I don't think she can do anything." Yugi stared intently at the game. 'Somehow, this game is… kind of familiar.' /…you're right…/

 Kori's eyes taunted as if to say she dared Mira to attack. But the girl didn't get the message. "Attack!" The monster went up to the faced down card and attacked it. "Too late! You didn't heed my warning. You forgot I have magic cards here on my field." Mira stared at the two blinking lights. Kori flipped over one of the magic cards. "Either one is good, but I flip over this card, Widespread Ruin." Mira's eyes widened, and the group was surprised by Tea's combat. Zera the Mant was blown away to smithereens and it caused Mira to lose all her points.

 "Yay! Go Tea!" shouted Serenity. The others cheered as well. Kori wasn't smiling at her victory. She glared at the girl across her. "You lose, not let us free." She said in a low and icy tone. Mira narrowed her eyes. "No not yet!" The girl extended her hand forward. A ball of light appeared, gathering in the girl's palm. Yugi's eyes widened. "Tea!" Kori blinked her eyes. Soon, the normal sapphire color reappeared. ||What!? || Tea stared at Mira with widened eyes. Yugi ran up from behind the platform. "Tea! Get down!" He yelled. The brunette turned her head. "I can't! I'm stuck to the platform." She tried to lift her feet, but something was making her stay put.

 "Die you little, B*TCH!!!!" Fierce winds picked up, surrounding the whole place. Yugi was hurrying to reach Tea. The other ran towards the pair. "She's going to blast Tea!" Joey gasped. Tea struggled to get free. She tried taking off her shoes, but her shoes were stuck at well. Yugi climbed up almost reaching Tea. Ryou looked around thinking what to do. \\That girl is not ordinary. She might have a millennium item. \\ Ryou's eyes widened. \But I thought we already collected all seven? \ Bakura was silent.

 Yugi was in the platform with Tea. He tried to pull her out but it was like she was glued on. "Tea…" He bit his lip. The girl clutched on to his sleeves. "I won't leave you, ever." Yugi whispered. He embraced the girl, and everything was like in slow motion. Then the ball of power was released and aimed right at the two. The others gasped and called out their friends. "Yugi! Tea!" The light engulfed them, making the other blinded from seeing the outcome.

To Be Continued…

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((So, how was it? Like or no? To cheesy? Well, the card names came from this strategy guidebook for Yu-Gi-Oh: Forbidden Memories. I used their names. I was just deducting points for no reason. Actually, I don't know how to do so, so I made it my way. What do you think will happen to Yugi and Tea? If you want to know, please R&R! I'll do my best to make it better, if you don't like. But please, no flames! I'm very sensitive. Honestly.))