Alright! This was faster than I thought it would be. I'll try to get the next chapter up within the next week sometime, but no guarantees. Enjoy! I don't own Yugioh GX.

Fubuki leaned against a tree in the park, playing his ukulele. The prelims were almost over, and he and Ryo were still in. With any luck, the others are, too, he thought. Hopefully, someone already took out Saiou and Prince Ojin. I wonder how my little sis is doing with Judai?

"Hey, you two in the tournament?"

Fubuki and Ryo turned to the speaker—a big guy in a yellow sweatshirt, with a black baseball cap resting sideways on his head. He had brown hair and eyes. His partner was wearing a black and red trench coat, a brown shirt, black pants, and tinted glasses. His hair was red.

"Yep. I take it you fellas are, too?"

"That's right," the red-head said, nodding. "I'm Honomaru. This is Iwamaru."

"I'm Ryo. This is Fubuki."

"Alright, now that we've got that out of the way, let's get this duel started, shall we?"

Fubuki smiled. "Alright, but I gotta warn you, we're pretty good."

Iwamaru smirked. "Yeah? Us, too. Trust me, you're going down."

"We'll see about that!" Ryo said, activating his duel disk.

"Ah, that must be them, don't you think?" a brown-haired man in a red costume asked his companion, a woman with long, black hair.

"Should be. Though they look a little young, don't you think?"

"What are you talking about? They're old enough. I mean, the prince entered this tournament, didn't he?"

The woman shrugged. "I suppose so."

"Hey, Asuka, you think that's them?" Judai asked, pointing to a couple standing nearby.

"Well, either that, or that man needs some serious help," Asuka said. "I mean, why would anyone run around wearing that?"

Judai didn't answer. "Hey!" he called. "Are you two in the tournament?"

The couple looked at him. The man—a brunette in a red costume, smiled. "Why, yes we are. So, you're our opponents, then?"

"Yeah, I'm Judai. This is Asuka."

The woman raised an eyebrow, making Judai groan. Seriously, is Judai really that uncommon of a name?

"Judai? The prince?"

"Please tell me what keeps giving it away. Because I'm sure that's not that unusual of a name," he said.

The woman laughed a bit. "Well, it's just that this is the last duel of the prelims, so anyone who's still in the tournament named Judai would have to be you. At least, if you're half as good as I've heard you are."

Judai smiled. "I guess you'll see how good I am, miss...?"

"Midori Hibiki. This is my brother, Koyo."

"It's nice to meet you, Prince Judai," Koyo said. "I've always wanted to try my hand at dueling you."

Judai rubbed the back of his head. "Please, don't be so formal. It's just Judai."

"Anyway, we should get on with this duel," Asuka said.

Midori nodded. "Right. Get ready, then!"

"DUEL!"

Judai and Asuka: 8000
Midori and Koyo: 8000

"If you don't mind, I'll take the first move," Midori said, drawing a card. "I summon Darklord Ukoback in defense mode!" (1000)

An angel wearing a tattered tunic with chains wrapped around its torso and black wings appeared on the field.

"Then I play one card face down and end my turn."

"I'm up, then!" Judai said. "I summon Elemental Hero Wildheart!" (Atk 1500)

A wild-man, with a long, black ponytail and a sword strapped to his back, took his place on Judai's field.

"An Elemental Hero, huh?" Koyo said, looking amused. "Well, this should be an interesting duel, then."

Judai blinked, looking slightly confused. "Why is that?"

Drawing his card, Koyo said, "Well, you're about to find out, aren't you? I'll start by summoning Elemental Hero Lady Heat!" (Def 1000)

An orange-haired woman in a red and white costume appeared on Koyo's field.

"Next, I activate Hero's Bond! When I have a Hero monster on my field, I can summon two level 4 or lower Elemental Heroes from my hand! So, I'll summon Elemental Hero Knospe (Atk 600) and Elemental Hero Woodsman!" (Def 2000)

A little budding plant and a green man with a wooden arm and leg joined Lady Heat on the field.

"Wait," Judai asked, "why did you summon Knospe in attack mode? It has less attack points than Wildheart!"

Koyo smiled. "Well, I'd love to show you, but it's still the first turn, so you'll have to wait and hope I get the chance. I end my turn, and it's at this moment that Lady Heat's special ability activates! During my end phase, she deals 200 points of damage to the opponent for each Elemental Hero monster I control!"

Lady Heat cupped her hands together, creating a fireball, and threw it at Judai and Asuka.

Judai and Asuka: 7400
Midori and Koyo: 8000

Asuka drew her card, eying Koyo's field. He's already got three monsters on the field, and it's only the first turn!

"Alright, I summon my Cyber Petit Angel!" (Def 200)

A round, pink, mechanical angel with blue wings and a glowing yellow halo materialized on Asuka's field.

"When I summon Cyber Petit Angel, I can add one Machine Angel Ritual from my deck to my hand. Next, I'll play one card face down and end my turn."

"Well, then, it's back to me," Midori said as she drew her next card. She snapped her fingers and said, "I activate my trap card, Angel Fallen Into Darkness! This card has me send one fairy-type monster I control to the graveyard in exchange for a more powerful, dark fairy-type! I send Ukoback to the graveyard to summon Darklord Asmodeus!" (Atk 3000)

A purple-winged creature with white and black armor on its torso appeared on the field.

"Once per turn, I can send a fairy-type monster from my deck to the graveyard, thanks to Asmodeus's effect," Midori said, taking a card from her deck and sending it to the graveyard. "Now, Asmodeus attacks your Wildheart!"

Asmodeus flew into the air, coming down on the hero and slicing through him with his nails.

Judai and Asuka: 5900
Midori and Koyo: 8000

"I play one card face down and end my turn."

Judai drew his next card. "Alright, I activate Polymerization to fuse the Sparkman and Bladedge in my hand to summon Elemental Hero Plasma Vice!" (Atk 2600)

A sparking, blue and gold monster materialized on Judai's field.

"Now I activate Plasma Vice's special ability! By discarding one card from my hand, I can destroy one attack position monster on your field!"

"What!?"

"I discard one card to destroy Asmodeus!"

Plasma Vice shot a burst of energy at Asmodeus, destroying the dark angel. Two smaller angels appeared to take its place.

"What just happened?" Judai asked.

"When Asmodeus is destroyed and sent to the graveyard, it leaves behind an Asmo token (Def 1300) and a Deus token." (Def 1200)

Judai scowled; he had gotten rid of one of her monsters, only to have it replaced by two! "Plasma Vice attacks Knospe!"

"You can't do that," Koyo said. "When there's another Elemental Hero monster on my field, Knospe can't be selected as an attack target."

"Then I'll attack Lady Heat!"

Plasma Vice charged up an attack, firing another burst of energy at Lady Heat, destroying her.

"When Plasma Vice attacks a defending monster, it inflicts piercing damage to the opponent!"

Judai and Asuka: 5900
Midori and Koyo: 6400

"Not bad, Judai. Not bad at all," Koyo said, obviously impressed.

"I play one card face down and end my turn," Judai said.

"Then we're back to me," Koyo said, drawing his card. "I activate Woodsman's effect! During my standby phase, I can add Polymerization from my deck to my hand."

"Polymerization... So, you're planning on fusing something?"

"Exactly. I'll fuse the Woodsman on my field with the Ocean in my hand to summon Elemental Hero Terra Firma!" (Atk 2500)

A white, humanoid creature, with blue jewels on its shoulders and head and a red jewel on its chest, materialized on Koyo's field, taking its place next to Knospe.

Judai scowled. "Terra Firma. One of the Planet series. Why am I surprised?"

"So you're working for Ojin, too!?" Asuka asked, appalled.

"What?" Koyo looked stunned. "No, no, you've got it all wrong! We don't work for Ojin. Why would you think that?"

"Gee, I don't know, maybe because you have one of the Planet series cards that Ojin's people stole from my family!?"

Midori held up a hand. "Whoa, whoa, back it up. Are you saying that my brother's card is stolen property?"

"Yes! My stolen property!" Judai exclaimed.

Koyo and Midori looked at each other. "Well," Koyo said, "I suppose that explains why Linda gave it to me."

"Linda?" Asuka asked.

"Prince Ojin's secretary. You see, we have been to Misgarth, but only because the prince wanted to duel my sister here. You see, she has quite the reputation in Misgarth," Koyo explained. "While we were there, the secretary, a woman named Linda, approached me and handed me this card, saying that she was sure I could put it to good use. I never knew that it had been stolen from the royal family."

Judai still looked pretty steamed, like he didn't believe Koyo's story. Koyo looked a bit worried, probably imagining spending the rest of his life in the dungeon.

"Look, I assure you, Midori and I have lived in Neo Space our entire lives! I mean, sure, we visit Misgarth on occasion, but that doesn't mean we feel any loyalty toward their royal family."

"That's right," Midori said. "And, to prove our loyalty, after this duel, win or lose, we'll return Terra Firma to you. Okay?"

Judai scrutinized them for a moment. "Alright. Deal."

Koyo looked relieved. "Alright, then. I'll get on with my turn. Terra Firma's special effect: I send one Elemental Hero I control to the grave to add its attack points to Terra Firma's until the end phase! So, I'll send Knospe to the graveyard, increasing Terra Firma's attack power by 600!" (Atk 3100)

Judai scowled. "And now it has more attack points than Plasma Vice."

"That's right! So, Terra Firma, attack his Plasma Vice!"

"I activate my face-down card, Hero Barrier!" Judai said. "This negates an attack when I have an Elemental Hero on my field once. Though, as a Hero user yourself, I'm sure you already knew that."

Koyo smirked. "Nice work, Judai. I play one card face down and end my turn, so Terra Firma's attack returns to its original 2500."

"It's my turn!" Asuka said, drawing. "I activate Machine Angel Ritual! I'll sacrifice the Cyber Gymnast and Etoile Cyber in my hand to summon Cyber Angel Dakini!" (Atk 2700)

A blue, four-armed redhead, armed with two swords and a staff, materialized on Asuka's field.

"When Dakini is summoned, you chose one monster you control and destroy it."

Midori narrowed her eyes. "Then I guess we chose Deus token."

The token was wiped off the field when Asuka's monster sliced through it.

"Now, Dakini attacks Terra Firma!"

"I activate my face-down card, Dark Mist!" Midori said. "When a monster declares an attack, I send one dark monster from my deck to the graveyard to negate the attack. I send Darklord Superbia to the graveyard to negate Dakini's attack."

Asuka scowled. "Turn end."

"It's my turn!" Midori said, drawing a card from her deck. "I sacrifice Asmo token to summon Darklord Edeh Arae!" (Atk 2300)

A light blue creature with horns appeared on the field, clad in dark armor.

"Next, I'll play two cards face down and end my turn."

Judai drew his next card. Edeh Arae has less attack points than both our monsters! It's got to be some sort of trap, but...

"Plasma Vice attacks Edeh Arae!"

Midori snapped her fingers. "I activate Fallen Angel Descent! When a monster declares an attack, this card lets me summon two dark fairy-type monsters from my graveyard that are the same level as the attacking monster, at the cost of half my life points. So, I summon Darklord Asmodeus (Atk 3000) and Darklord Superbia!" (Atk 2900)

Judai and Asuka: 5900
Midori and Koyo: 3200

Asmodeus reappeared on the field, along with a creature without a head, its face instead embedded in its torso, scrawny arms, and orange wings.

"When Superbia is special summoned from the grave, its effect activates, letting me summon another fairy-type monster from my graveyard! Remember the one I sent away with Asmodeus's ability earlier? Well, now you get to see it! I summon Darklord Desire!" (Atk 3000)

A red-winged angel in black and gold armor appeared on the field.

Judai stared at the army of monsters that had so suddenly arrived with the activation of just one trap card.

"Next," Midori said, "I activate Fallen Angel's Bewitchment! When a dark fairy-type monster I control is selected as an attack target, this card switches the attack to another one of my monsters!"

Plasma Vice charged up an attack, but he wasn't aiming for Edeh Arae—he was aiming for Desire! When Plasma Vice attacked the stronger monster, Desire retaliated by destroying Plasma Vice.

Judai and Asuka: 5500
Midori and Koyo: 3200

"Turn End."

"I'm up," Koyo said, drawing. "I'll start by activating Pot of Greed! This lets me draw two cards. Next, I activate Hero's Return, which lets me bring a Hero in my graveyard back to the field until the end phase of my next turn. I'm bringing back Knospe!" (Atk 600)

The little budding plant reappeared on Koyo's field.

"Next, I'll activate Rose Bud! By sacrificing Knospe, I can summon Elemental Hero Poison Rose!" (Atk 1900)

A purple woman in a dress made out of leaves with white flower petals for hair took the place of Knospe on the field.

"Next, I summon Elemental Hero Heat!" (Atk 1600)

A man in a white, orange, and gold costume reminiscent of Lady Heat's costume appeared on the field.

"Using Terra Firma's special ability, I sacrifice Heat to give its attack points to Terra Firma! (Atk 4100) Now, Terra Firma attacks Cyber Angel Dakini!"

"I activate my face-down card, Doble Passe!" Asuka said. "This turns Terra Firma's attack into a direct attack! In exchange, Dakini gets to attack you directly!"

Terra Firma's attack hit Asuka, and Dakini slashed through Koyo and Midori's life points.

Judai and Asuka: 1400
Midori and Koyo: 500

"Well, that was a pretty risky move there, Asuka," Koyo said. "I mean, you did a lot of damage to your life points, you know?"

"I know," Asuka answered, smirking. "I also know that I can end this duel on my next turn, thanks to that little stunt."

Koyo smiled. "Well, I'd like to see you try. I play one card face down and end my turn."

"It's my turn, then," Asuka said, drawing her card. "I summon Cyber Tutu in attack mode!" (Atk 1000)

Koyo raised an eyebrow. "Why would you summon that? It's weaker than all the monsters on mine and Midori's field."

Asuka smiled. "That's exactly why I summoned her. Cyber Tutu can attack directly if there aren't any enemy monsters on the field with less attack points."

"What!?"

"Cyber Tutu, attack them directly!"

Judai and Asuka: 1400
Midori and Koyo: 0

Judai pumped his fist in the air. "Alright! Nice move, Asuka!"

Asuka smiled at him.

"Well, you really are as good as they say, maybe better," Midori said. "Of course, it's hard to say for sure in a tag duel. Maybe you two just work well together."

Koyo laughed. "That was an amazing duel! There's not question about it. Here." He held out Terra Firma, along with Ocean and Woodsman. "As promised, Terra Firma's yours."

Judai took the cards, eying Ocean and Woodsman before saying, "The deal was I get Terra Firma. Ocean and Woodsman are yours, not mine."

Koyo shrugged it off. "You'll need those cards if you're going to use Terra Firma. After all, it will go really well with your deck." Winking, he added, "You know, since you use Elemental Heroes and all."

Judai looked at the cards again, then smiled at the older man. "Thank you, Koyo."

"Well, good luck in the finals, you two," Midori said. "We'll be watching."

"Thanks," Asuka said. "We could use all the support we can get."

"You've got it in the bag," Koyo said, winking. "Just remember to have fun!"

Judai stared at the cards in his hand again. "Have fun," he muttered, thinking about what this tournament was about: defeating the Light of Destruction and saving the world.

Of course, high stakes or not, he had been having fun today. Likely because he knew that, even if he lost, one of his friends was bound to make it to the finals, and they would defeat Saiou and Ojin. Of course, now the stakes were higher—or it seemed that way, at least. After all, tomorrow was the day of the finals, and Saiou and Ojin were bound to have made it through the prelims.

"Thanks, Koyo," Judai said, smiling—a fake smile, but he was certain Koyo and Midori wouldn't notice. "We will."

Asuka looked at Judai, concern showing clear on her face. Koyo just winked one more time and walked off with his sister.

"Judai," Asuka said once the others were gone. "Are you okay?"

"Am I okay?" Judai asked. "Asuka, tomorrow I'm going to be dueling for the fate of the world! Why would you ask that?"

"Weren't you dueling for the same reason today?"

Judai shook his head, saying, "Yeah, but this morning it seemed less...I don't know, real...? Now, there's only four pairs left, you and me being one of them. You know Saiou and Ojin are another, and I really just hope that we aren't the last ones from our group in this tournament. You think your brother and the Kaiser made it through?"

Asuka took Judai's hand. "I'm sure at least one other team from our group made it through the prelims, Judai. Our friends are great duelists, and they wouldn't go down easily. Don't worry. We can defeat the Light of Destruction."

"I activate Hinotama! This deals 500 points of damage directly to your life points!" Honomaru said as a fireball appeared, flying straight at Fubuki and Ryo.

Fubuki and Ryo: 2000
Honomaru and Iwamaru: 2500

"Next, Flame Ogre attacks Red Eyes Darkness Dragon!"

Flame Ogre was equipped with Salamandra, giving it an extra 700 attack points for a total of 3100. There were two dragons in Fubuki's grave, so Red Eyes Darkness Dragon was down by 100 points.

Fubuki and Ryo: 1900
Honomaru and Iwamaru: 2500

"It's your turn, Ryo."

Ryo drew his card, glancing at it before smirking devilishly. "Are you ready to lose, Honomaru? Iwamaru? Because I activate Power Bond! I fuse the two Cyber Dragons in my hand to summon Cyber Twin Dragon!" (Atk 2800)

A two-headed, snakelike metal dragon appeared on Ryo's side.

"Because I summoned it using Power Bond, its attack power is doubled!" (5600)

"N-no way!" Iwamaru said, taking a nervous step back.

"Yes way!" Fubuki retorted, earning himself a slight glare from Ryo.

"Cyber Twin Dragon, attack his Flame Ogre!"

Fubuki and Ryo: 1900
Honomaru and Iwamaru: 0

"How...how did you beat us?" Honomaru asked.

"Because I'm better than you," Ryo answered. "It's not that complicated."

Honomaru and Iwamaru left, cursing Ryo as they did.

Fubuki did his signature pose. "We won! That means we're going on to the finals!"

Ryo smiled at his friend. "Yes, we are. And we're going to win there, too."

"You know it!"

Later, back at the castle, Asuka and Judai were in the dining hall, waiting for the other finalists. Sho came running in, looking ecstatic.

"Aniki, you're still in the tournament! I mean, I knew you would be, but still! Congratulations!"

Judai smiled. "Thanks, Sho. You wouldn't know who else is still in, would you?"

"Well, us, for one," Ojin's voice answered from the doorway. "Good to see that you survived the preliminaries, Prince Judai. I wouldn't want anyone else taking you out. That honor shall be all mine."

"We'll see who's taking who out, Ojin," Judai answered.

"Sissi!" Fubuki ran up behind Asuka, pulling her into a hug. "You made it! I knew you would!"

"Fubuki, let go," Asuka said, still annoyed with him for making her wear that stupid outfit.

Fubuki stepped back, eying her appearance. "Hey, you look great, sis! Boy, I sure have great taste, don't I?"

"I'm going to kill you, you know that, right?"

He laughed nervously.

Judai smiled at Ryo, relieved to see a friendly and familiar face. "So, you two are in the finals, huh?"

"That's right," Ryo said, nodding. "And we're going to win."

"I wouldn't be on it!" Everyone turned as Manjoume entered the room with a red-headed girl...who was wearing an "I heart Jun Manjoume" T-shirt?

"Uh, Manjoume? Who's that?" Judai asked, slightly disturbed.

Manjoume looked over his shoulder. "This? This is Ai. She's my partner, by some sick twist." Mumbling, he added, "Though I have to admit, she's a pretty good duelist."

"Oh, Jun, you're so sweet!" Ai said. Judai suddenly felt an infinite amount of pity for Manjoume. "When we win this tournament, you and me are gonna get married!"

"Hell no!"

"But Juuun," she whined.

"No means no! Got it!?"

Ai pouted. "Fine, I can wait."

Fubuki smiled. "Ah, young love! How cute!"

"Shut up!"

"Well, I see you're all here," the Supreme King said, walking into the dining hall. "Congratulations to today's winners, and good luck tomorrow." He eyed Ojin and Saiou. "For tonight, just rest. Dinner will be served shortly." He caught sight of Sho and smiled. "Ah. Well, it seems we have an extra guest."

Sho blushed. "I—uh, I was just—"

The Supreme King raised his hand. "No, no need to explain yourself, Sho. Any friend of my son's is always welcome. Please, join us."

Sho sat down at the table, feeling increasingly uncomfortable. "Am I eating dinner with the royal family, or is this all a dream?" he muttered.

Judai leaned over and whispered, "That depends. Which one is less likely to make you faint?"

"Funny, Aniki."

Judai just grinned, feeling a lot better knowing that three of the final pairs were on his side. With that knowledge, he thought he could do what Koyo had said and have fun with the rest of the tournament. If I'm lucky, I'll be dueling Saiou and Ojin first tomorrow. Then I can just have a fun duel with whoever I face in the finals.