Turn 9: The Serpent's Smile

A big luxuries boat reached Academy Island. As it docked, a beautiful woman with blond hair and fancy cloths walked off and stared at the academy.

Finally made it. I can't believe she'd come all the way here for some stupid game. I won't allow my daughter to waste one more second on something so pointless. Mia's coming home.

(With Yujo)

Yujo was currently laying under the shade of a tree with his hands behind his head.

"Ah, this is what I'm talking about. Green grass. Warm sunshine. My own private-"

"YUJO!" cried Chip's voice.

"Well, so much for private," said Yujo as he sat up and looked at Chip.

"Yujo! We've got trouble!"

"What? You flunked the Monster Effect Test?"

"Actually, I got an A-. Uh, but that's not important right now! Mia's mom is here!"

"Ok. So? What's the trouble?"

"The trouble is that she's here to force Mia to drop out!"

"Say what?! Drop out?!"

Yujo and Chip ran over to the academy until they got to the Chancellor's office. They peeked inside and saw Mia's mom talking with Chancellor Shepperd and Alexis while Dark Blade stood off to the side.

"Can you believe that she of all people is Mia's mom?" asked Chip.

"Well, she is saying she is so…"

"She's famous, you dolt. You have no idea who she is, do you?"

"Other than Mia's mom, no."

"That's Vallery Kozui! The world's most famous actress/singer/super model!"

"For real? Mia's related to someone like her?"

"I mean, don't get me wrong," said Vallery. "It's not that I hate the game or anything, it's just that I don't find it to be something that Mia should be focusing all her time on. She's already 17 and she's still focusing all her time and energy towards some silly card game. She's wasting her time here. It's time for her to get real, give this ridiculous game up, and come home."

That, of course got Dark Blade angry, but he managed to keep his rage in check

"Now, Mrs. Kozui," said Shepperd, "surly you don't really mean that about your daughters interests."

"Having interests is one thing, but dedicating your entire life to it is completely different. That's why I what her to come hope and start following in her mother's footsteps."

"So Mia's leaving to become famous?" asked Chip.

"Not if we can help it," said Yujo. "Come on."

Yujo and Chip ran until they found Mia standing at the lake, staring at it.

"Mia," said Yujo.

"Just leave me alone," she said.

"I think I'd rather talk to you instead." As Mia turned back to look at him, he was taken back to see that she was crying.

"Please. Just leave."

"Well, let's see. My friend is crying and she wants me to leave. You really think I'm gonna leave you alone?"

"Mia, we heard what your mom thinks of dueling," said Chip.

"Yeah. I'm surprised someone like you could be related to someone who thinks so little a dueling."

"I'm not surprised you heard her bad mouthing the game. You wanna know one of the reasons why I chose to use Cyber Angel cards?" That got Yujo's attention. "It's so that I can try to be like them. You saw it, right Yujo? That smile of mine." Yujo did remember. The predatory smile of Mia's when her monsters attacked. "My mother always hated that smile. Saying it didn't belong on someone who was destined to be in the spotlight, like her. After a while, I began to hate it to. That's why I chose the Cyber Angels. I was hoping to get rid of that smile."

"Have you told your mom this?"

"Of course not! Everything to her is just how to get more famous! She rather I become some big hot shot celebrity then do what I love!"

Yujo grit his teeth and balled his hands into fists before gently laying a hand on Mia's shoulder.

"Come on Mia."

"Huh?"

"We're going off to talk with your mom."

(Chancellor's Office)

They were still talking when Yujo and Mia walked into the room.

"Pardon our intrusion, sir," he said.

"Yujo. What brings you here?"

"Oh. So you're the prince the medias bin going on about?" asked Vallery.

"You know of me?"

"Are you joking?" asked Alexis. "All the world is debating on whether or not what they saw was real. The Academy has bine doing everything they can to keep the media off the island. But enough about that, what brings you here."

"Right. I want Mia's dropout to be terminated." Saying that caused Mia look at him in surprise. "Dueling is what Mia loves to do and it's her life. That means she gets to decide what she wants to do with it. And no one, not even her own mother or any of us, have any right to deny her that."

"Well said, Prince Yujo," said Dark Blade.

"That's nice and all," said Vallery, "but be honest here. Do you really think she can make a life for herself out of dueling?"

"Look, I now Mia. I'm her friend. And that means I'll stick with her and her choices no matter what."

"Look, Yujo," said Shepperd, "I respect you sticking up for your friend, but I'm afraid that this is a personal matter. It's not your business."

"That's right," said Vallery, "it's family business."

"But ma'am…"

"Which is why propose a duel between me and Mia."

That surprised everyone.

"A duel?" asked Alexis.

"You must be joking," said Mia. "Mom, I don't even remember you ever even picking up a deck. I've been here dedicating my life to it. You think you can beat me?"

"On the contrary," said Vallery. She surprised her daughter by pulling out a deck. "This may come as a surprise to you, but back in my youth, I did a bit of dueling myself."

"Wait, you duel?!"

"Yes, but over time, I began to realize how insignificant it was when compared to work. You win, you can stay. But if you lose, you come home and begin your training for the celebrity life."

"Sounds fair to me."

"Excellent. Then we'll duel first thing tomorrow morning. How's that sound, Chancellor?"

"So be it. Tomorrow morning, it will be decided. Will Mia stay or go?"

(Later that night, next to the lake)

Mia was once again staring out at the lake.

"You seem to come here a lot, don't you?" came Yujo's voice. She turned to see him.

"I like the water," she said. "It's always calmed me before when I need it to."

"I wanted to talk to you about something. It's about what you said on why you chose Cyber Angle cards."

"I told you, it was so I could get rid of that smile."

"Do you really hate that smile of yours that much?"

"Of course I do. It's only ever caused me trouble. It caused everyone to fear me back when I was a kid, so I hardly had any friends. My mother was constantly trying to change me to get rid of it. I hate that stupid smile. That's why, if I keep using the Cyber Angle's enough, it'll eventually go away! I just now it!"

"You're being an idiot," said Yujo, which got Mia's attention. "Do you really think you can change who you are by using a deck that doesn't match with you?"

"Match me?"

"Ten'no told me. One of the reasons you lost against me was because you were trying to be something you're not. Do you know how much it hurts me to think that one of my friends think so little of themselves? You're one of the best duelists in the school. You should have a deck that matches with you. Not something you're only using just to change yourself."

"Yujo…"

"Besides, I like that smile of yours." That caused Mia's eyes to widen in shock.

"You…You like it?!"

"Well yeah. I mean, so you've got a smile that others would find scary. I don't see the big deal with it. And I think it's kinda cool to." Yujo's face lit up as if he had just thought of something. "Oh, that's right. There's something else I wanna talk to you about." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a pendent that matched his, only it had only one circle, and it was blue and in the center.

"What's this?"

"An offer I'd like to make you."

(The next morning)

They gathered in the Obelisk arena. Vallery was already ready and waiting for her daughter.

"What, now she's showing me up?"

"Not even close," came Mia's voice. They all looked and saw Mia walking into the arena with Yujo behind her. "I'm ready for you, Mom."

"So you say, but I don't see a duel disk on you."

"Oh, she's got one," said Yujo. "Right here." Everyone gasped as Yujo pulled out a blue version of the duel disks him and his knights use.

"Wow. What's with the new duel disk?" asked Chip.

"Hey, Yujo. Any reason you're giving Mia a new fancy duel disk?" asked Kent.

Mia answered for him by pulling out the pendent Yujo gave her. The sight of it caused Ray and Shade to gasp in shock.

"Wait, that pendent!" said Shade.

"Are you sure, Yujo?!" asked Ray.

"What? Is there something special about it?" asked Chip.

"There most certainly is," said Dark Blade.

"That kind of pendent," said Pitch-Dark Dragon, "is what the crowned royals of kingdom give to their Six Guardian Knights."

"Say what?!" gasped everyone.

(Flashback)

"Are you serious?!" asked Mia in shock. "You want me to be one of your knights?!"

"Mia, I've seen how passionate you can be about dueling. And how much you care about people and your friends. And how your able to stand up for what you want and what you believe in. That's exactly the kind of person I want in my knights. And besides, I know I can trust you."

Mia looked genuinely touched as Yujo held out the pendent for her. She was a little hesitant as first, but eventually reached out and took it. As she did, it began to glow blue along with her deck. When it faded, she looked at her deck to see it had changed to something else.

"My deck…these cards…"

"That's one of the effects of these pendants. If they respond to you, when they find you worthy enough, it'll cause your deck to change into something else that'll match your heart and soul. A real deck of comrades for you."

(End Flashback)

"So now you're working as a knight?" asked Vallery.

"It's what I choose to do," said Mia. "But enough about that, right now. I'm here to duel and beat you. I'm looking forward to showing off my new deck." Mia activated her duel disk as a sky blue hologram appeared.

"Well, then don't keep me waiting."

"DUEL!"

Mia: 4000

Vallery: 4000

"I'll go first," said Vallery. "Lovely. I'll summon Fameroid Singer in ATK (L3/A,800)."

On Vallery's field was what looked like an android of a popstar singer with long pink hair in pigtails.

"She kind of looks like me, but not as beautiful. Now, thanks to her ability, I can summon another Fameroid from my from my deck. Of course, it has to be Level 4 or below. So I'll summon Famefroid Actress (L3/D,900)."

On the field was now an android in a red yukata and her black hair tied up in a ponytail.

"I'll end things with one facedown."

"Looks like your monsters are just like your careers. They don't stay around for long."

"Touché."

"My move. And I'll start by playing the Ritual Spell card, Gishki Photomirror!"

A large fiendish looking mirror appeared behind her.

"One of the things I love about the Gishki clan is that they're all about Ritual summons. And their Photomirror here lets me Ritual Summon any one of their Ritual monsters from my hand. And here's the twist about this one. Instead of sacrificing monsters, Photomirror makes me give up Life Points. 200 points times the monsters Level to be exact. So I'll give up 1600 points…"

Blue energy began to drain from Mia and into the giant mirror.

Mia: 2400

Vallery: 4000

"…so that I can Ritual summon Evigishki Soul Ogre (L8/A,2800)!"

Out of the mirror walked out a large purple serpent on legs.

"You pulled off a Ritual summon faster than I thought you could," said the beast. "I'm impressed."

"Well, I have you guys to thank for that. And just so you won't reel lonely on the field, I summon Gishki Mollusk (L4/A,1700)!"

"Oh, you're too kind, Mia," said Mollusk.

"Don't mention it. Now, guys! Let's put this power of ours to use!"

"Not so fast. I reveal my facedown. The Continuous Trap, Live for the Spotlight!"

The Trap showed Singer standing in front of a crowd with the spotlights on her.

"Now, as long as I have this card out, my Fameroid's can't be destroyed in battle. And also, all damage I take from battles involving them is halved."

"Not bad. But it won't save you from this! Soul Ogre! Attack that Singer with Spirit Surge!"

"Feel our power!" he said as he shot a surge of water out of his hands at Singer.

Mia: 2400

Vallery: 3000

"Your turn, Mollusk! Go, Twin Scallop Slice!"

"Open wide!" said Mollusk as he charged at Singer and slashed her with his duel swords.

Mia: 2400

Vallery: 2550

"Almost all tied up. But now I'll play the Continuous Spell, Ritual Cage."

A glowing hexagon appeared under Soul Ogre.

"Now I won't take any battle damage from attacks that involve my Ritual monsters. And also, they can't be targeted or destroyed by monster effects. That's all for now."

"Guess she's better at being famous then she is at dueling," said Ray.

"Vallery Kozui duels like an amateur," said Chip.

"Don't go saying that yet, guys," said Yujo. "After all, the duel just started."

"I see you're still as aggressive as ever in your dueling, Mia," said Vallery. "And that you still have that horrible smile of yours."

Yujo narrowed his eyes at this.

"Now, during my Standby phase, if my Singer's in ATK, I regain 1000 Life Points."

Mia: 2400

Vallery: 3550

"And next I'll summon Fameroid Model (L3/D,1000)."

It was an android with red hair, wearing a designer jacket and black jeans.

"Your deck is just one carrier after another," said Mia.

"Yes. Carriers that you'll be taken part in soon enough."

"I'd rather jump into a garbage can, Mom. Now, Soul Ogre! Attack Singer with Spirit Surge!"

Soul Ogre shot another blast of water at Singer.

Mia: 2400

Vallery: 2550

"Now your turn, Mollusk!"

"Time for the sequel!" said Mollusk as he slashed at Singer.

Mia: 2400

Vallery: 2100

"I'll end things with a facedown."

"My turn then. Perfect. It's time for my counterattack, dearie."

"What are you talking about?"

"First I'll gain 1000 Life Points thanks to Singer."

Mia: 2400

Vallery: 3100

"And now I sacrifice my Singer so that I can summon the real star of the show. Fameroid Celebrity (L5/A,2100)!"

The Fameroid looked like a woman with long flowing black hair and wore a red dress.

"Now for her ability. I can now summon a Fameroid from my deck. So say hello to Fameroid Bodyguard (L3/A,800)."

An android of a man in black armor and black shades appeared on the field

"Is Mia in trouble?" asked Chip.

"No way," said Yujo. "It's gonna take a whole lot more than some singing and dancing robots to take her down."

Mia smiled as she heard him say that.

"Now, your Ritual Cage may protect your Ritual monster from being targeted by effects, but this one doesn't target. See, as long as my Bodyguard's on the field, all your monsters' ATK are cut in half."

Mia gasped as her monsters got weaker from the aura coming from Bodyguard (L8/A,2800-1400) (L4/A,1700-850).

"Now I'll switch my Fameroid's Actress and Model to ATK (L3/A,900) (L3/A,1000). Now, my Celebrity will attack your Soul Ogre!"

Celebrity shot a beam of light out of her hands that destroyed Soul Ogre.

"Now Model with destroy your Mollusk!"

Model gave a devastating kick to Mollusk.

Mia: 2250

Vallery: 3100

"And now Actress!"

Actress leaped over and delivered a punch to Mia.

Mia: 1350

Vallery: 3100

"And finally Bodyguard!"

Bodyguard charged Mia and rammed her.

Mia: 550

Vallery: 3100

"Mia!" cried Mia's friends.

"I think that's enough hurt for now. Look at the bright side, Mia. When this is over, people all over will know your name and face everywhere."

"Gee, thanks so much."

"If this keeps up, Mia's gonna lose," said Chip.

"And that means she'll have to leave the school and give up dueling," said Kent.

"Not this time," said Mia as she drew. "I activate Card of Sanctity. Now we both draw till we're holding six. Now I'll summon Gishki Natalia (L4/A,1800-900)."

"Since your summoning me, I'm guessing you want one of our friends in the graveyard back in your hand, right?"

"If you'd be so kind," said Mia as she put a Gishki in her graveyard back in her hand. "And while you're around, why not attack that bodyguard with Mystic Water Blade!"

"With pleasure." Natalia charged forward and slashed the bodyguard in half.

Mia: 550

Vallery: 3050

"And with him gone, my monster's ATK return to normal (L4/A,900-1800). I'll end my turn with two facedowns and since Natalia's a Spirit monster, that means she now returns to my hand." Just as she said, Natalia disappeared on the field as Mia put her card back in her hand.

"What? You think I'm dumb enough to attack you with no monsters on your field? I don't think so," said Vallery as she drew her seventh card. "I'll play the Continuous Spell, Sacrifice for the Betters."

The card showed some Fameroid's down on their hands and knees in despair as Celebrity walked towards a bright light with a smile on her face.

"Now I'll summon another Fameroid Singer (L3/A,800). But she won't be around for long, because thanks to my new Spell, I'm sacrificing four of my Fameroid's to deal 400 points of damage to you!"

Mia widened her eyes in shock as she was shot by four beams of light that were once the Fameroid's.

Mia: 150

Vallery: 3050

"Seems like we're almost done. Now we can start deciding with carrier to start you off with."

"I wouldn't chooses the cameraman just yet," said Mia.

"This is bad," said Chip. "She's only got 150 Life Points left."

"No way," said Yujo. "Mia! What are you doing?!"

"Trying to win! What does it look like?!"

"Then duel like the Mia I wanna see!"

"Huh?"

"You heard me. I said I liked that smile of yours, remember? So start showing it."

"Hey, kid," Vallery spoke up, "you're starting to become royal pain in the neck."

"You talking to me, Miss. Movie Star?" asked Yujo.

"You heard me. And how in the world could actually like that smile of hers? It's absolutely horrifying."

"Alright, that's it, lady! Say anything bad about Mia's smile again and I'll show you just how scary I can be!"

That got Mia and everybody in the bleachers with Yujo to look at him in surprise. Yujo noticed this, after realizing what he just said, and began to blush like crazy.

"Uh, what? Come on, I'd do the same for any of you."

"That's cute, kid. But I believe it's Mia's move."

"Glady. And it looks like it'll be the last move."

"What are you talking about?"

"You'll see. But first, I activate the Ritual Spell, Gishki Aquamirror!" A different giant mirror appeared behind Mia. "Now I can summon any Gishki Ritual monster I want. And thanks to the ability of Gishki Shadow in my hand, I can sacrifice him for the whole Ritual."

The monster appeared and sunk into the mirror.

"Now I'll bring him back as Evigishki Soul Ogre (L8/A,2800)!" Soul Ogre appeared again as he walked out of the mirror. "Now I'll summon back out Gishki Natalia (L4/A,1800). And just like before, I'll use her ability to add a Gishki monster in my grave back to my hand. Now I'll use Soul Ogre's ability. Now I can discard one Gishki monster to shuffle one of your cards back to your deck. So bid adieu to Live for the Spotlight!"

Vallery gasped as her Trap disappeared.

"I'm not done! I play the Field Spell, Umiiruka!"

The next thing everyone knew, they were surrounded by what seamed to be a never ending ocean.

"And thanks to this handy field, all WATER monsters gain an additional 500 ATK (L8/A,2800-3300) (L4/A,1800-2300)!"

"Oh no!"

"Now, Soul Ogre! Go get some pay back on the Celebrity with Spirit Surge!"

"With pleasure!" said Soul Ogre as he shot and destroyed Celebrity with a blast of water.

Mia: 150

Vallery: 1850

"Uh oh. Looks like your Life Points are a little low, Mom. Looks like you're gonna have to cancel those movie premiers you planned for me, because I'll be busy practicing my dueling! Go, Natalia! Finish her off with Mystic Water Blade!"

"Shows over!" said Natalia as she sliced through Vallery.

Mia: 150

Vallery: 0

Everyone cheered as Mia won. Yujo actually ran down to her.

"Way to play, Mia!" he said as he gave a high five.

"Mia," came Vallery's voice. Everyone turned to look at her. "I really need to thank you."

"Huh?"

"Even if I had won, I wouldn't have brought you with me. This duel as just reminded me about how much fun dueling can be. And it seems that you've also managed to make some great and interesting friends here."

"Mom…?"

"So if you really wanna give your all for it, then I wanna see some great grades in your classes, you hear?"

"Yes, ma'am," said Mia as she got a little teary eyed.

"Oh, and by the way."

"Huh?"

"The way you are with Yujo there is pretty nostalgic for me. The way you look at him and how you two act around each other, it's exactly like how it was between me and your father when we were your age."

She began to walk away before even getting an answer, leaving them in silence. It was a little while before Mia and Yujo's faces became as red as strawberries and steam erupted from them like geysers. Everyone started laughing as the two started jabbering things that probably weren't even real words.