Cora


"What do you mean they're going to evict you?" Cora almost yelled into the phone. Krissa was on the other line and she was sounding frantic.

"Did I stutter?" Krissa called back. "Did I speak Uzumenese? Cora, now that your father's accounts have been frozen, the tower can't get the rent that's needed. It was due a few days ago."

"Oh, this is just perfect!" Cora shouted, kicking the nearby trash bin. "Don't worry, baby, we'll figure something out."

She heard Krissa scoff. "Cora, please, you have to stop calling me that. I don't know how I feel about it."

"Are you serious? I've stuck my neck out for you! I bought you a nice place to live, at my expense, no less; and you're going to sit there and tell me you don't know what to feel? How many times do I have to kiss you and help you for you to finally open up and tell me what's wrong, huh?"

"Cora, I appreciate all you've done, but I didn't leave the temple wanting to find a relationship."

"So you've been playing me this whole time? All those kisses, those gifts I bought you, all that time we spent together. It was nothing."

"You never asked! You just planted a kiss on me after you saw the power of my Azure-Eyes Silver Dragon. I was confused because I wasn't expecting anything like that. I wanted to give it a try, and don't get me wrong, you're a beautiful and wonderful person. Not a lot of people are willing to do what you've done for me, but...Oh, I just don't know. Look, I'll understand if you don't want to see me again."

Cora sighed. "Look, I'm pissed off that you haven't been real with me, Krissa. But I don't want to kick you out in the streets. Despite it all, I want things to work between us. I really care a lot about you."

"Why?"

Cora growled. "I don't know. The moment I saw you back in the library it was just...I don't know. I told you already. I couldn't help it. You're one-of-a-kind. You're a bit of a mystery, but I find you amazing. I see you as someone I want to be with my whole life. What do I have to do to make you see that as well, baby?"

"I don't know, Cora. But I know I don't want to continue being a burden for you."

"You're not a burden to me, Krissa!" Cora said, stamping back and forth in front of the academy fountain. "I'm willing to do anything for you. ANYTHING!"

Krissa sniffled. "I understand. What do you plan to do about the house?"

"I'll figure something out. When I do, I hope we can finally work something out. I...I don't want to lose you."

"And neither do I. Have your classes ended?"

"Yeah. Winter break has begun, so we have two weeks to come up with the money to pay for the place. I have to admit, with or without your decision, I want to keep it. My friends find it a nice place to hang out. It's like a central hub."

"I understand. It's fun having them around. Cora, don't work yourself too hard. Okay? I have to get back to work. My break is over."

"All right. See you later. I love you."

Click.

"Hmph." She hung up the phone and put it back in her backpack.

Cora sat down and took out her deck. She looked at the Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon who rested at the bottom. "You're lucky you don't have to deal with human problems, Max. You just hang out in that card and chill until I summon you. Sometimes, I wish I could be like you, you know. Just...just flying around, going anywhere I please and causing destruction to anything and everything. Do you have any idea what Krissa is up to? What about me? What am I? Why am I so important that you and your kind would force my father to make more cards just for me?"

"Are you talking to your card?" someone asked.

Krissa turned around and saw a blonde Eldori girl looking at her. She looked...awfully familiar. Cora turned her head and gave the girl a puzzled look. "Uh...do I...know you?"

The blonde girl blinked and shook her head. "Can't say that you do," she said. "I've only been here for a short time. I took four-week courses. Why do you say that?"

"I don't know," Cora said, standing up to get a better look at the girl. She stared into her blue eyes. "I swear to the Goddesses, you look awfully familiar."

The girl chuckled. "Well, I get that a lot. There are some who think I'm the Dark Magician Girl."

Cora snapped her fingers. "That's right! You DO look just like her! Trade your academy uniform for her pink skirt and blue hat, and wham-O you're her. What's your name?"

"Mana," the girl extended her hand. Cora shook it.

"It's nice to meet you, Mana. I'm Cora. Cora Kaiba." Her smile drooped sadly. "Well, for now anyway."

"So you're the famous Cora Kaiba. I heard about what happened to your father, I'm so sorry. I do hope he gets better. So, um, do you have problems at home?"

Cora shrugged. "Yeah. Big problems. I need to find a way to make some money to keep the condo I got from my girl...my friend. If she doesn't pay up soon, she's going to be evicted."

Mana tapped her bottom lip with her finger. "Oh, dear. That sounds like quite a pickle. You know, I did hear something about an event being held by Zane Truesdale out at sea."

"Zane? No way! What's going on?"

"He calls it The Dueling Revolution at Sea. It's a festival on Prince Michael's private superyacht. There's going to be food, music, games, and, of course, Dueling. He's trying to get a great set of match cards for the night leading to the main event, which is going to be him versus Prince Colvis for the TDF Championship. I hope Zane wins. That Clovis is such a jerk."

"Don't you know it, honey. I've had so many dealings with him. But thanks to my girl, Kasumi, he's not going to be using his family jewels ever again."

"Good. You know, I'm sure Zane would want you in his match card. There's still plenty of space left for Duelists. All you've got to do is sign up. It should be easy. I think I have a flyer in here somewhere." She reached for her backpack and then handed Cora the flyer.

"Thank you," Cora said. "Wow, all participants of the games get 500,000 gold coins and 100 Star Chips. Oh my goodness! This could keep us in the suite for years! Mana how can I ever –" She looked up. Mana was gone.


Cora hurried out of school and drove to the pier to find the registration desk that was in front of the dock where the cruise ship was. But she found getting into the event was not going to be easy.

"You're not getting in! Period!" the stout guard shouted at Cora.

"I have to participate in this event!" Cora shouted back. "I have to! You need good Duelists, don't you. Well, I'm a Kaiba!"

The guard scoffed. "That name may mean something back in that fancy pants school you go to, but here in the big leagues, you're nothing. No one but the best Duelists can get into Zane and Prince Michael's event."

Miraculously, who else but Zane Truesdale came walking to her rescue. "Did you not hear what her name was, Shane?" Zane asked sternly. "Your hate for the academy shows no bounds."

"Hate for Rosenkruz?" Cora asked.

"Yeah. He hates the place because they denied his entry into the school. Honestly, Shane, she's one of the school's best Duelists. Which is more than I can say for you."

"Sorry, sir. But you said Duelists need strict qualifications in order to join the match card."

"Yes I did," said Zane. "And there is one way she can get it. Tell me, Cora. Have you heard of Murmo the Slug?"

"Murmo the Slug?"

"Yeah, he's a Sloager. One of those weird toad people from across the sea. And a fully grown one at that. He runs the casinos up in Tarvelon Square. He likes to challenge Duelists with a gauntlet match. Then, you've got to be his champion. Are you up to the challenge?"

"Yes," Cora said at once. "I'm not scared. Just point me out to where this Murmo guy is, and I'll take whatever challenge he throws at me."

The guard pointed behind them. "Keep heading straight down that way until you see a big, red, tower with pink neon and giant dice on the top. He'll be there. It's ladies' night."

"I'll go join her," said Zane. "Lots of rowdy folk in there who would take advantage of you, Cora. Murmo's club is known to attract some pretty terrible people."

Zane walked Cora to the Sloager's club. Needless to say, it was very easy for him to get through the bouncers. Being the Steward of Eredas had its perks, much to Cora's joy. Once they stepped through the doors, their ears were bombarded with loud dance music and flashing lights and lasers caused them to squint more than once. Cora spotted him at last, then again, he wasn't easy to miss.

Murmo the Slug was over twenty-feet tall. He was a mountain of gray, smelly, bumpy flesh. He had four arms and a very long tail. He was smoking from a tall hookah and watched as people attended his club.

"Be careful, Cora," Zane whispered into her ear. "His players are some of the best in town. Are you sure you want to do this?"

"I have to," said Cora. "I must. Someone I care about is depending on me."

"If you say so."

They walked towards his throne and were stopped by two Leogai guards who stepped down from their posts and aimed their rifles at the group.

"Go-bo!" Murmo said, holding up his arm. "Stand down. Pretty one wants to talk to me. I'm listening. Who are you?"

"I'm Cora Kaiba and I —"

"—Kaiba!" shouted the Sloager. "Soba gumpa grenmu. He has a daughter after all. Curious, I am. What brings you here to my domain, Cora Kaiba?"

"I wish to challenge your gauntlet."

"Ah, good. It's not often we get challengers in my gauntlet. Very well, Cora. I'll see to it that the Duelists are ready to play. You should be ready to. You can't play looking like that. You're going to need your legendary gauntlet armor!"

Cora grinned. "Legendary gauntlet armor, huh? Sounds good to me. Where do I go?"

"My men will lead you to the powder room where you can freshen up and put on your armor. Then follow the lights on the floor to your position."

Cora nodded and looked at Zane. "Thanks for giving me a chance to prove myself, Zane."

"Well, Prince Michael told me a lot about you. He says you're a good Duelist. And honestly, I've got to be a complete fool to deny a daughter of House Kaiba into my event. But, I'd like to see your skills for myself. If you can win the gauntlet and beat Murmo's champion, you've got yourself a match on the cruise. And please, do bring your friends along, too."

"Thank you so much!" She looked at Murmo. "Okay. I'm ready."

"HA! HA!" the giant slug creature shouted. Murmo clapped his hands and ordered everyone off the main dance floor. The words GAUNTLET flashed on the screens all over the casino. Everyone rushed around the floor to see the challenge take place. Zane got a front-row view of the field. All he had to do now was wait for the Duelists to come out.

Murmo picked up a microphone from his hooka and announced the first Duelist of the Gauntlet. And then, he announced Cora. When she walked out, fireworks exploded near the entrance ramp, followed by two sprinklers. Then, there was a chorus of whistles and hoots and clapping.

"Oh, Goddesses," Zane groaned.

Cora's legendary gauntlet armor was nothing more than a glittery bunny suit complete with ears and a fluffy cottontail. The leotard was colored baby blue, as were her ears and high-heels. Her hair was tied into a ponytail with a white bow. Every time Cora moved, the suite shimmered like a thousand jewels. Cameras flashed all over the casino as people flocked to get a good view of Seto Kaiba's daughter in the outfit. As she approached the Dueling Arena, she saw Zane and gave him a very poisonous stare.

"THIS is armor!" she cried out.

"Cora," a spectator jeered. "Wow! Nice suit. It shows off your goodies."

Cora started to panic when she heard that. She examined herself from front to back. "Are you sure? I mean, it's not too revealing, is it?"

"That toad truly knows nothing of honor," Zane mumbled. He cupped his hands over his mouth and shouted: "Cora! Duel and you can get out of that thing quickly," he urged her on. "Come on. I know you can win this."

"I'm going to kill you for this, Krissa," Cora murmured as she got into position on her side of the field.

"Is the little princess ready?" sneered Cora's first opponent. "Heh, heh, heh. You're a cute one. Don't think I'll go easy on ya. I summon Superheavy Samurai Flutist, and tribute him for Superheavy Samurai Battle Battle and then summon Superheavy Samurai Big Waraji! Now, I will sync up my monsters for Superheavy Samurai Stealth Ninja! And from my hand, I'll equip the monster, Superheavy Samurai Soulbang Cannon to increase my Stealth Ninja's defense to 3800! Let's see you get past that, little bunny. Not even your Blue-Eyes can match up to that powerful defense."

"No wonder you're the first loser in this gauntlet!" Cora yelled as she drew her first card. "I play the spell card, Bingo Machine! Go! Which lets me add a Blue-Eyes card to my hand. Then, I use The Melody of Awakening Dragon. I discard a card and add two dragons with 3000 or more attack and 2500 or less defense. Now, I activate the card I discarded. White Stone of Legends. When it gets sent to the Graveyard, I can add a Blue-Eyes to my hand."

"So what!" sneered the first opponent. "Everybody knows the Blue-Eyes White Dragon has only 3000 attack points. It still won't be enough to take down my Superheavy Samurai."

"You sure are confident in your Stealth Ninja, huh? Well, too bad for you. I reveal a Blue-Eyes White Dragon in my hand, which allows me to special summon Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon. Come on out, baby!"

She slapped the card onto her Duel Disk. The cybernetic Blue-Eyes flew out of a portal in serpent-like angulations and then it screeched, causing the opponent to cover his ears.

Her opponent sneered confidently. "Your dragon is cool-looking, but he won't beat my…"

"Just put a sock in it. I can add, moron. And I'm not done yet. My Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon's effect...ugh, hang on." She bent forward and started adjusting the backside of her outfit. "Oh, fuck me! This thing rides far up into my butt!"

Murmo laughed and blew out a cloud of pink mist from his mouth. "Is it comfortable, my dear."

"You're one to talk, toad face! I'd like to see you Duel in this stupid costume you perverted pig!"

"Don't piss him off!" shouted Zane. "He'll disqualify you for making fun of him."

"I know, I know," said Cora, sighing in defeat. "Anyways, back to the Duel. Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon pops your Superheavy Samurai! Go, Blue-Eyes! Destroy that thing with Blue Lightning!" She paused. "Who the fuck comes up with these names?"

Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon fired its laser attack at the Superheavy Samurai and blew it up, leaving the poor fellow wide open for an attack. He searched the card database for Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon and smiled.

"AHA!" he shouted. "When your Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon uses his special ability, it drains him of his energy for the whole turn. Your dragon has to recharge so it can't attack me."

"You poor, poor, bastard," Cora sighed. "I use Polymerization, fusing my Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon with two Blue-Eyes White Dragons in my hand. Come on out Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!"

The crowd cheered and whooped when the new form of the legendary Ultimate Dragon arrived and gave a thunderous roar that shook the foundation of the casino. The DJ started playing more intense music as the dragon stood behind Cora and snarled.

All three heads looked down at her and gave her a stare that made it look like they were asking: "What on earth are you wearing?"

Cora folded her arms and tapped her foot on the ground impatiently. "Look, guys, this is the last thing I'd wear when calling you out, I swear. Just finish him off, and we can go about on our merry way. Okay. And stop looking at me like that!"

Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon attacked the opponent directly. Then, Cora sent a Fusion monster from her Extra Deck to the Graveyard to allow her dragon to attack again, ending him in one turn.

"Noooo!" he wailed, going on his knees. He slammed his fists on the ground. "No! No! No! I didn't even get to pull off my super sweet combo!"

Murmo ordered him to leave at once, then clapped his hands. "Chupu!" he called. Meaning next.

Cora shuffled her deck waiting for the next opponent. He walked towards the arena, slicking back his blue hair. "You may have gotten past that guy, but there's no way you can beat me and my Flaming Cyberse deck!"

"Oh, goodie," Cora said sarcastically. "I'm quivering in fear already. Since I won the last Duel, I'll start first. I summon Sage with Eyes of Blue!"

She conjured a white-haired magic-user wearing brilliant armored blue robes with gold plating and indigo sashes flapping behind him. He spun his staff and stood in front of Cora.

"I'll use my Sage's effect to add a card to my hand. Next, I play The Melody of Awakening Dragon to discard a card and add two powerful dragons to my hand. I reveal Blue-Eyes to summon a handsome fellow who just hates to say goodbye. Blue-Eyes Alternative Dragon! Now, I use Trade-In, discarding the Blue-Eyes White Dragon in my hand to draw two cards. Next, I will synch up my Sage with Alternative White Dragon and summon the mighty Blue-Eyes Spirit Dragon."

Every time she summoned that dragon, Cora couldn't help but stop talking for a little while and watched as it came to the field, illuminating everything around it with a bright, white light. Without that dragon, she wouldn't be where she was today. True, the situation could have been better, but it was far better than wandering the roads alone, scrapping for bits of food and sleeping under bridges.

"Thank you," she whispered at the dragon. "I end my turn," she said softly to her opponent.

"Your dragon is impressive, Cora. But he won't be around for long. From my hand, I use the trap card, Infinite Impermanence. Yeah, I just activated a trap from my hand. You know why?"

"Because you control no cards," Cora replied with a roll of her eyes. "Dude, I know what the cards do. But I will use my dragon's effect and —"

"Not so fast, Cora! My Call to the Grave Card will negate its effect and banish it."

When her dragon was gone, the second opponent summoned Salamagreat Spinny, Foxy, and Fowler and attacked Cora directly with each one, bringing her Life Points down to 3700. After that, he ended his turn after using his monsters to Link Summon Salamangreat Baleyx and Xyz Summon Salamagreat Mirage Stallio who stood with 2000 ATK points. He then Link Summoned another Balelynx using his first one then activated the Field Spell, Salamangreat Sanctuary and set two cards face-down.

"My turn," Cora declared. "I play The Melody of Awakening Dragon and add two dragons to my hand. Next, I reveal a Blue-Eyes White Dragon —"

—That's it, sneered the opponent.

"— to Special Summon my Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon."

"You activated my Trap Card, bitch! Crackdown!"

"Oh no!"

"That's right. It lets me take control of your Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon."

Cora's dragon went limp and the lights on its body seemed to turn off. It then hovered to the opponent's board and stood there limp as a stick. "Fine!" said Cora. "But don't think you'll be enjoying him for long. I use Trade-In, discarding a Level Eight monster to draw two cards. Now, I'll use the magic of Dragon's Mirror!"

A giant golden mirror crafted to resemble a winged dragon formed behind Cora.

"What are you going to do with that? Fix your hair or something?" sneered the opponent.

"Laugh it up, you creep. I banish Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon and two Blue-Eyes White Dragons to summon Blue-Eyes Alternative Ultimate Dragon!"

"Another one!" cried the opponent.

The strange orb-studded beast flew out of the Dragon's Mirror and stomped the ground behind Cora. It flapped its four purple wings and the orbs on its body started glowing brightly.

Since Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon was used to summon the Ultimate Dragon, Cora used her monster's special ability to destroy three cards on the field. She only targeted two, destroying the opponent's face-down card and his Crackdown trap; thereby releasing her Alternative White Dragon. Her dragon had to recharge for using its special ability, so it could not attack this turn. But Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon could, and he destroyed the Mirage Stallio.

"I end my turn."

So did the opponent. There was not much for him to do but play defensive.

"My turn," said Cora. "I play Raigeki!" A lightning storm was summoned and it destroyed his only monsters. He was wide open. "Now, I'll Summon Protector with Eyes of Blue, and tribute him to special summon, Dragon Spirit of White. With this attack, I end the Duel!"

"NOOOOO!"

All three of Cora's monsters blasted the poor man, sending him flying towards a buffet table and smashing into it.

"Round two complete!" said Murmo. "Another opponent!"

Cora had to Duel ten different people all through the night. Because of this, everyone got to see every Blue-Eyes Cora had in her deck.

Finally, it was time for the grand champion to face Cora.

"Presenting!" Murmo shouted. "The grand champion of the Murmoklub Casino and Resort. Our Lady of the Six Blasters: Penny!"

Confetti shot out from tubes surrounding an opening on the floor and sprinklers lit up the arena. Fireworks burst as the grand champion rose out from the floor via elevator. It was a young lady in a dark blue bikini top with glowing white stars, stonewashed denim cutoffs with jeweled stars sewn into the back pockets, brown boots, and a cowgirl hat. She took her gloves out of her back pocket and slipped them off. She tossed some of her sunny blonde hair over her shoulder and waved to the crowd. Her skin was bronzed and marked with tan lines from her constant sunbathing on the beaches of Red Diamond City.

When Penny saw Cora, she tipped her hat towards her as a sign of respect.

"So, you're Cora Kaiba. I've heard so much about you, girl. Rose through the ranks and exceeded everyone's expectations. Even yer daddy's. I've got to say, I've been looking forward to this."

Cora smiled. "Hmm. You're the grand champion of the casino, huh? You seem so sure about this. You weren't scared I was going to lose or something?"

"Naw, no way, hon. You got skills. And those losers in Murmo's gauntlet can't play fer shit."

"I've noticed," Cora said, followed by an overconfident chuckle.

Penny laughed back. "Yeah. Scrubs, each and every one of 'em. I had a feeling you and I were going to meet tonight. And you sure as hell don't disappoint. Yer Blue-Eyes White Dragons are real beauts. Mind if I give them a try?"

"Not like I have much of a choice. Come on!"

"Yes. Let's get this started, huh?" She activated her gunmetal Duel Disk, which spun like a saw until it formed into the blade to play her cards.

"Indeed," said Cora. "And according to the rules, I go first. I reveal a Blue-Eyes White Dragon in my hand and summon Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon to the field!"

"Damn, already?"

Cora waited for her Blue-Eyes to stop flying and land beside her. "That's right. Now, I lay a card face-down and end my turn."

"Not bad. We're on our first turn and yer already summoning Blue-Eyes. But that won't do ya any good. I play the Spell Card, Second Coin Toss. Now, I can change the outcomes of coin flip effects, giving me more chances to win. Next, I'm summoning Twin Barrel Dragon."

She slapped the card down and summoned a mechanical blue beast with two cannons for a snout. The lights reflected on its shiny metal coat. It wagged its chrome-colored tail left and right, eager for Penny to activate its effect.

"All right, Cora, as pretty as your dragon is, I'm afraid he ain't gonna stay fer long. Too bad. He sure is a handsome fella. Twin Barrel Dragon's effect activates. When he's summoned, I can toss a coin twice. And if the results are heads, I can target your monster and destroy it."

She took a gold coin out of her back pocket. She kissed it for luck and flipped it into the air with her thumb. She held out her palm to catch it, then slapped the coin on the back of her other hand. "Heads!" she cheered. "All right, one more flip."

She tossed the coin and caught it. Tails.

"COCK!" Penny shouted.

"Too bad," jeered Cora. "My Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon is going nowhere."

"Don't celebrate just yet, girl," Penny said pointing to her spell. "Remember my Second Coin Toss card?"

Cora's smile faded. "Oh, fuck."

Twin Barrel Dragon aimed and fired, blasting Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon's head off. Cora watched in horror as the headless body waddled around and fell flat on its back before shattering.

"Two can play at that game!" shouted Cora. "I activate my face-down card. Offerings to the Doomed. Now, your Twin Barrel Dragon is no more."

Twin Barrel Dragon felt its systems getting fried by a strange, macabre, magical energy. Then it exploded, but Penny smiled, not at all upset that her monster was destroyed. "Why thank you, Cora. Because you destroyed a DARK machine monster, I can summon this bad boy from my hand. I summon, Desperado Barrel Dragon!"

"Uh oh," Cora said when an even bigger dragon took the place of the one she destroyed. He was massive, standing almost thirty-feet tall. The technology in the dragon whirred as it moved around.

"Yeehaw!" Penny cheered. "Let's go, Desperado Barrel Dragon! Attack Cora directly!"

The dragon fired from all three of its cannons and sent Cora flying backward a couple of feet before she smacked her back hard on the ground. Her Life Points were reduced to 5200.

"Nice try, Cora. That was a very nice try. Now, to finish things off I use the effect of my Heavy Metal Raiders card. I would have used it sooner, but I was so excited to introduce you to my Desperado Barrel Dragon. Isn't he cool!"

Cora smiled. "He's one sexy beast. Wanna trade for him?"

Penny laughed. "Unless one of yer Blue-Eyes is up for grabs, no thanks. My pawpaw got me this card for my sweet sixteen. It's special to me. Now, on to my field spell. Remember when Twin Barrel Dragon destroyed your Blue-Eyes?"

"How can I forget?"

"Well, thanks to Heavy Metal Raiders, whenever a DARK machine monster takes down one of yers via battle or card effect, I can special summon a Dark machine monster from my hand. Cora, my darlin', say hello to the original Barrel Dragon!"

The Barrel Dragon she summoned was an older model, but still very powerful. It stomped onto the field and let out a low, metallic, hum, Since it was still Penny's battle phase, she attacked, dealing 2600 damage. Cora flipped head-over-heels through the air and smacked the ground again.

Her Life Points plummeted to 2600.

Penny laughed. She turned and smacked her butt to taunt Cora. "Uh-oh. Yer Life Points don't look so good, hon."

Cora grunted as she tried to stand up. "Ow, my aching back. Phew, nice shot. And as a penalty for using my Offerings to the Doomed, I cannot conduct my draw phase. But I've still got plenty of stuff in my hand I can use to still take you down. First off, I play Ancient Rules! This spell card allows me to summon a high-level Normal monster without tribute. Here comes Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"

"Aw, krud," Penny grumbled when the dragon hovered over Cora.

"Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" Cora shouted. "Attack her Desperado Barrel Dragon! White Lightning!"

Blue-Eyes charged its attack and then fired it with all its mighty. It was a direct hit, but Desperado Barrel Dragon didn't move.

"What's going on!" Zane shouted. "That attack hit Penny's dragon head-on."

Penny laughed. "Judging by that deer in the headlights look you got, you have no clue what just happened. Well, lemme explain it to you. It's the effect of my Heavy Metal Raiders. This baby is one powerful spell card. Once, if my DARK machine monsters are battled, they are not destroyed."

Cora whistled. "Wow. That's some serious firepower."

"It gets worse," Penny continued. "The damage I took from that battle gets added to my Desperado Barrel Dragon. Let's see. I took two-hundred points of damage so my dragon's attack increases to 3000."

"This isn't good," Zane thought. "If Cora takes one more hit, she's done for."

Cora sighed. I set a card face-down and end my turn."

"Well, Cora, it was fun, but it looks like I've got to end this. Hey, don't feel bad, working here ain't all that bad."

"Just go," Cora said.

"All right, if y'all insist. I think I want to end this with a direct-on assault. So, I'll use Barrel Dragon's effect to target your Blue-Eyes White Dragon with his effect. Let's see those coins, baby! Yeehaw! Two heads. Say goodbye to your beast!"

Barrel Dragon fired but Blue-Eyes was suddenly protected by two large, white-feathered wings.

"What is that!" Penny shouted.

Nephele the Dragon of Hope opened her mouth, the arcane aegis on her back spun and she fired a blue laser at Barrel Dragon and destroyed it. Also, Cora's Life Points increased back to 5200.

"I've never seen that card before, Cora," said Penny. "What just happened?"

"She's Nephele the Dragon of Hope," Cora said with a sigh of relief. "When you target a Dragon monster with a monster effect or battle, Nephele will protect my dragon and destroy the opposing monster. Also, my Life Points will increase by that monster's effect. My dragons and I will continue to have her protection until the end of the turn."

"Well, I ain't gonna give you any more Life Points, so I'll just end my turn."

"Oooo," said Murmo. "Good card. Me want it."

Cora looked at the Sloager and shook her head. "Sorry, frog-face, but she's not for sale. My turn." Cora sighed a breath of relief. "I use Card of Sanctity. Now we both draw until we have six cards in our hands. Next, Pot of Greed for an extra two cards. All right, Penny. It's a whole new game now. I use Polymerization, fusing together my two Blue-Eyes White Dragons with Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon into Blue-Eyes Alternative Ultimate Dragon!"

Penny grew nervous when she saw the mighty beast looming over her. Its neon washed the arena in white-blue light. "Aw, heck!"

Back and forth they both went. Penny summoned a synchro monster called Vermillion Dragon Mech who destroyed her Ultimate Dragon. The crowd held their breath as Cora and Penny countered each other's moves and summoned more dragons. Finally, Penny made a grave mistake fusion summoning Gatling Dragon, which destroyed the Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon she summoned.

However, Cora had Deep-Eyes White Dragon in her hand and summoned it upon Twin Burst Dragon's destruction. Deep-Eyes gained Twin Burst's attack and inflicted 300 points of damage to Penny's Life Points. That was not good for Penny. Cora had a dozen dragons in there and the damage caused by Deep-Eyes reduced her Life Points to 0.

"Congratulations," Penny said, shaking Cora's hand. "Here. On behalf of Murmo the Slug, here's yer pass to the top tournament. He is now your sponsor. Well, done."

"Thank you," Cora said, finally dressed in normal clothes. "You were a great opponent, Penny."

Penny tipped her hat out of respect. "You, too, Cora. I hope we can Duel again soon. Until then, take care."

Once Cora was finally free of the bunny outfit, she met with Zane outside the casino.

"Good job, Cora. You are true to your reputation. I've got to say, I can't wait for the day that I get to Duel you."

"Thank you," said Cora, taking a ticket from Zane, which allowed her entry into the cruise. "You said my friends will get some, too?"

"Yes. Just tell me how many are coming and I can arrange something for you guys. Cora, you did good. Nothing pleases me more than a good Duel. And you played in more than a dozen tonight. Despite the odds, you pulled through and won the gauntlet. I certainly can't wait to see how you shake things up against your opponent at the Dueling Revolution at Sea. I have high hopes for you."

Zane turned and left to head back to the House of Gray. Meanwhile, Cora got in her car and drove home, eager to tell Krissa the good news.