Episode 5
Madame Shari
"Well, sounds like quite the misadventure." Anzu chuckled. The group of friends were at Yugi's home, playing duel monsters. Joey had told the events from last night while Atem gave Takara tips on setting up her deck and winning.
"Yeah, Yugi came up with a plan to get us out. You should've seen Big Yugi chasing us everywhere, trying to stop us from killing ourselves!" Joey laughed.
"Technically, he was following the rules." Honda added.
"That is true." Joey agreed.
"Hello kids," Sugoroku walked into the room, carrying a few envelopes. "Sorry to interrupt."
"Are we being too loud, Grandpa?" Yugi asked.
"Not at all." The old man smiled. "I just wanted to bring you and Ryou this." He handed the envelopes to the two boys.
"Huh…a letter to me…?" Bakura asked.
"I know it's odd that it ended up at this address." Sugoroku admitted. "So, I'm a little concerned about it."
"Well, I guess the only thing to do is read them." Yugi said. He ripped open the letter and began to read aloud.
"Motou Yugi,
"I do hope this letter finds you in good health. You are going to need it after all. I am hosting a competition in Okinawa in a few days, and I would so like you to participate. Your dueling skills are most impressive. I'm sure you would be very successful. The top six winners will be given a tour of my mansion and will receive rewards.
"First, meet me in the park this afternoon, and we'll discuss this matter further.
"Hoping to see you then,
"Madame Shari."
"Mine is the same." Bakura added.
"Hey! Why do you guys get a special invite and I don't?" Joey demanded.
"I'm not sure." Yugi admitted. "I wonder if Pegasus has anything to do with this."
"It seems unlike him to write a letter." Anzu reasoned.
"That's true." Honda nodded. "I'll bet that Kaiba guy also got a letter. It seems like this Madame Shari is looking for the best duelers… no offense Joey." Honda finished when Joey glared at him.
"We'll come with you to the park, Yugi!" Anzu offered.
"Thanks, Anzu." Yugi smiled.
~jb~
Yugi and Bakura both seemed to be on edge as they walked through the park, their friends traveling after them. They both spotted a woman sitting on a nice lawn chair, wearing a sun hat and sunglasses. She wore a black summer dress and fanned herself with a white fan. A cheetah with a diamond collar and a leash lied next to her, relaxing in the sunlight.
There was no mistaking. This had to be Madame Shari.
As they approached her, she tilted her sunglasses down, red eyes glimmered with excitement. She had short black hair and a beauty mark under her left eye. She slowly stood and stretched. The group noticed she had security guards standing by.
"It's so good to meet you, boys!" Madame Shari greeted them. "I have many things in store for you! You'll love the competition. Not only will there be Duel Monsters battles, but also dance performances, feasts, and a beautiful hotel to stay in! Contenders are allowed to bring two guests for support!" She explained as she shook both of their hands.
"That sounds…nice." Yugi admitted.
"I'm not sure how I qualify for this…" Bakura added.
"You are more than qualified." Madame Shari reassured him. "Both of you boys have something I need. It'll be great for this competition."
"Hey, what about if others wanna join?!" Joey demanded.
"Oh, those who did not receive a special invite will have to sign up." Madame Shari reached into a bag and took out a small stack of paper. "Lucky for you, Katsuya Jounouchi, I have a form for you, and anyone else who's interested in signing up."
"Takara, you should sign up!" Atem blurted.
"M-me?!" Takara gasped. "But I just learned the basic rules! I'm not an expert like you, or Yugi!"
"Ooooh! A new duelist I see." Madame Shari turned her attention towards Takara. Joey had immediately started filling out the form.
"Yes, I am not interested in joining though." Takara replied politely. "But thank you."
"And what about you, young man?" Madame Shari asked Atem.
"Eh…my dueling days are done." Atem shrugged. "I've done enough dueling to last me three lifetimes."
The rest of the group snickered. Hana tilted her head in confusion and assumed it was all an inside joke. Madame Shari didn't seem amused.
"Very well, anyways," She turned back to Yugi. "I bet you haven't played a good duel in a while. I could use a good duel myself."
"I suppose." Yugi shrugged.
"Well then, let's see just how good you are at dueling." She turned to one of her body guards who set up a small box. It flashed some lights and Madame Shari placed her first card. A hologram of The Mistress of the Stars appeared. Yugi stepped forward and placed a card down. The Goddess of the Sacred Visions appeared.
As the game continued, Yugi had used the Dark Magician Girl, Egyptian Pharaoh, and even Kuriboh. Madame Shari fought back with The Queen of the Night, Hypnotizer, and Archfiend Commander. Eventually, Yugi pulled out The Dark Magician and defeated the Archfiend Commander.
"I'm impressed Motou," Madame Shari said. "What an excellent duel. I'm looking forward to the competition on my island."
Madame Shari bid the group farewell and went on her way.
"That was a short duel." Yugi admitted when he rejoined his friends.
"So, you're suspicious too?" Atem asked.
"Yeah…usually people put up a longer challenge than that." Yugi replied. "What do you think, Pharaoh?"
"I think we should go." Atem replied. "I'd like to see what Madame Shari is up to…I also think you should not let your guard down."
"We'll all be there, Yugi." Anzu added. "For you, and Bakura."
"Ah-hem!" Joey cleared his throat.
"And Joey," Anzu added.
"I wonder…should I enter the competition too?" Takara wondered.
"I think you should." Atem encouraged.
"Yeah, we'll help you too, Takara!" Yugi added.
"You can train with us!" Joey said.
"And that way, we can equally bring a guest with us." Bakura said. "Good thinking, Takara-chan!"
The friends made their way back to the Kame Game, knowing their next adventure was about to begin.