It's been a day since we were split up from Yugi and the others, I was starting to think we were going in the wrong direction. No clue where the exit of that cave might be. I began to worry, what if there's no exit? Or what if they run into something that'll take away their chances of rescuing Grandpa?
"It seems the mist has cleared," Ryou said I guess trying to take my mind off of things. Was I being that obvious?
I sneezed, ah crap I hope that was an allergy sneeze. This is no time to get sick! It's not often that I get the flu but when I do get it sometimes it can get pretty bad. I just hope I have nothing to worry about.
"I think we should take a rest here," Ryou suggested. "And you don't look so well."
"What do you mean? I feel fine!" I was obviously lying, my face was burning up and my energy decreased with every step.
He took the backpack from me and sat up my tent and everything else, like my sleeping bag. While I sat on a tree stump barely able to keep myself awake. Ryou then grabbed my hand and made me lay down for a nap. I couldn't argue with him, whatever hit me really came on fast. I took off my duelling glove and placed it next to my pillow.
"You rest up Abigal, while I set up fire to cook us a meal," Ryou told me. That was all I remembered him saying as I slipped into the dream world.
I must have been really tired. I don't remember any dreams. I was in such a deep sleep that nothing could wake me. But then I heard yelling outside of the tent. I crawled far enough to open up the flap to see Ryou, who looked like he was ready to pounce someone. I realized he was yelling at a stranger with a glove in his hand. I turned my head over my shoulder to notice my dueling glove was missing.
"That's not your glove! Stealing is against the rules!" Ryou told the stranger.
"I'm breaking the rules? What about you? You're not even a participating duelist. You're not even allowed to be here on this island!" The strange backfired.
I stood up weakly and grabbed my glove from the guy's hands. I'm still feeling weak from the fever that developed, however I did my best to run towards Ryou but I tripped. The stranger turned to look at me and noticed I was barely able to stand. Crap, I'm unable to defend myself at this state. A grin stretched across his face as he reached out to take back my glove. I protected my glove as I remained on the ground.
"That's enough out of you!" Ryou was standing in front of me. "Who are you and why are you after her glove anyway?"
"My name is Porter Max. Some punk took all of my star chips, I'm not ready to give up the competition just yet," said the stranger.
"And you pick a defenceless sick girl to prey on," Ryou baa'ed.
"I had to find some way to get back into the game. And I noticed that she already has seven star chips, so I would need to win a duel or two to earn entrance into the castle," Porter Max snickered walking over to us. I was still on the ground. I can't let this creep get my glove. I need this in order to save Grandpa.
Ryou pounced on the stranger to keep him away from me but Ryou is so small I doubt he can really do any real damage to Porter Max. I stood up trying to pipe up the strength to help my friend. Ryou was thrown to the ground in front of me. I felt guilty for him having to defend me like this… He doesn't deserve to be beaten up.
"Porter Max, I challenge you to a duel," Ryou then said as he stood up. "When I win you have to promise to leave us alone!"
Wow, this feels so weird. Ryou is doing all that he can to defend me. He told me himself that he's not much of a duelist but fighting someone twice his size is not really his best way to defend me. Seeing him determined like this really warms my heart. Somehow, with him being like created an even greater spark between us… What is this feeling?
"Fine, I'll duel ya. But I'll be the victor here and I'll claim your glove and all your star chips," Porter Max chuckled.
The arena was sat up but before Ryou climbed you to the arena he had me sit on the tree stump. I'm still sick but this was no time for resting. I need to watch this duel to make sure I get the desired outcome, I can't lose my glove.
It was Porter's first move. He started off by summoning a card named Wolf in attack mode. This creature half 1200 ATK so he's off to a good start. Let's just hope Ryou can come up with a better offence.
"First, I activate the magic card: Pot of Greed, so I can draw two new cards," Ryou began. "Then I place one monster face down and end my turn."
I remember that Ryou's monsters are strange. He has monsters that thrive in darkness. Maybe his creepy deck will save us this time. Porter sent his Wolf to attack his face down monster. Turns out it was a trap. Ryou's Man-Eater Bug has an ability. When flip-summoned it destroys one monster on the field. So Porter lost his monster. But before he ended his turn Porter put a monster, plus two other cards face down. Now Ryou must go again but he gotta be careful, one of those cards could be a trap.
Ryou summoned a monster face down in defence mode. Then activated the continuous magic card Gravekeeper's Servant. This card only affects Porter, he has to send a card from the top his deck every time he declares an attack. A card like this really might come in handy. Porter Max first activated a magic called Spellbook Organization. He can look at the first three cards at the top of his deck. He pondered for a moment thinking of an order to put them because these cards aren't just for drawing anymore. If there's a specific card he wants Porter needs to put it in right order so doesn't have to send it to the graveyard to attack Ryou's monster.
"Now, I summon Tyhone in attack mode," Porter Max said. Then he sent a card from his deck to the graveyard in order to attack Ryou face down monster. The card that Ryou had face down was Morphing Jar. Both players have to empty their hands and draw 5 new cards. This move really surprised the stranger. I just hope that it did not give the guy an advantage.
The duel continued for ten minutes. Porter Max has a stronger monster on his side of the field now. It's called Sengenjin and with the attack strength of 2750 points, all Ryou can do is defend and hope for some faith in his cards. I hate the idea that Ryou might actually lose this duel, I have to keep my hope… Ryou looked at a card in his hand and smirked. He summoned a monster in attack mode then place a card face down. I hope he knows what he's doing, he just left himself open for an attack that could cost him the duel.
Porter was foolish enough fall for that trap. Ryou activated a trap card called Damage Max Omega Max. Instead of taking damage and losing the duel, he was able to increase his life points to the amount he would have lost. This is great now Ryou can have more of a chance to turn this duel around. It was Ryou's turn to draw, this turn will make all the difference. He must draw something useful to win this duel. I don't mean to sound impatient but I really need to sleep some more. When he put his fingers to the deck I felt chills go through my spine. This is it, Ryou's turn to make a difference.
"I activate the magic Change of Heart," that's Ryou's favourite card! He used it to take control of Sengenjin. But Porter Max has a monster face down in defence mode. "I activate the magic card Book of Taiyou, which allows me to flip one of your monsters into attack mode. So now I use Sengenjin to attack your Prevent Rat."
That's it! Ryou won the duel! I was so happy I could hardly contain myself. Even though I'm feeling sick it didn't keep me from being excited. at the moment I ran over to Ryou and hugged him so tight I think it took his breath away.
"How could I lose?" Porter Max was on the ground beating his fist on the soil.
Ryou and I were talking but then Max decided he was going to take my glove by force. He ran at us, full force. Both of us can't take on someone his size.
"Be gone!" Yelled an echoing voice. Within a blink Black Luster Soldier slash his sword at the bully. Porter Max was more frightened at seeing Black Luster Soldier which made him run away screaming like the wimp that he actually is.
"Thank you," I said gently. I took a step towards my guardian but before I knew it, everything went black.
