The big day of the match came at last. In what felt like a flash, Alexis found herself standing in the middle of a vacant arena in the Paradis City Performance Center, all geared-up for her duel. The arena was vacant today. It was just her and Aster. Her stomach bubbled awfully as her nerves began to slither their way back into her core, filling her with dread and doubt. She wanted to run, but seeing as how dueling was part of today's agenda, his warmer, softer side was not present. Nope, she knew that look. He was on full asshole mode. Alexis knew better than to talk to Aster when he was serious. No matter how hard she tried to be the voice of reason in their squabbles, Aster always got the best of her. She figured she'd have a better chance proving her point in a duel of cards than words.
She looked down at the benches and saw him sitting there drumming his fingers on his biceps, which Alexis discovered were well-formed and toned. Before she went to the kitchen to prepare her breakfast, she caught a glimpse of him working out in his personal gym. From the looks of how...perfect everything was, Alexis surmised that he had been developing himself for quite some time. He wasn't Arnold Schwarzenegger levels of bulky, but, man, did Aster have good muscles. She smiled, relishing the memory of how he looked with hardly any clothes on.
An hour went by and there was no sign of the duelist, filling Alexis with a pang of palliation. She swayed her hips from side to side and did exercises with her arms to keep the one laden with her Duel Disk from getting sore. All throughout the wait Aster and Alexis said nothing.
After what felt like an eternity, the arena ran with what sounded like high-heels. For Alexis, it was the sound of hell's bells tolling her doom and announcing to all the damned that a new soul had arrived. She didn't move. Again she was struck with her deer in the headlights response. Every muscle in her body went rigid and sweat, once again, started to spew from everywhere. She heard Aster standing up from the bench as quick as a bullet. She listened to his footsteps as he went to greet the Duelist.
"So glad you could make it," he said.
"Of course, after what I saw last night, I needed to see this girl for myself."
Okay, Alexis thought. My opponent is clearly a woman.
"Pfft," the duelist said. "Fancy that. She won't even look at me."
"Alexis!" Aster shouted with a tone that reminded Alexis of a father scorning his daughter. "Knock that shit out and say hello!"
Alexis looked down. There was a blonde woman standing beside him clad in a black skirt with a cropped hooded leather jacket over a corset. She had black thigh-high stiletto boots. Royal purple eyes, flashing with dominance drilled into Alexis's very soul.
"You..." Alexis babbled. "You're...you're...Mai Valentine. You're the opponent Aster called to duel against me?"
"Surprised?" Mai said. "So, you're the big baby who ran off from the big duel at the convention center, huh?"
Alexis swallowed hard and made a loud gulp. She felt her face and ears growing hot in the humiliation of knowing the legendary Mai Valentine watched her run away from her duel against Brandi. "Guilty as charged," Alexis said. "Look, Miss Mai, I know how that looked but I can explain..."
"Oh, save it!" Mai said, holding up her hand to silence her. "You got a dark past and all that bullshit. Cry me a river, girl. Get your deck ready and let's get this duel started."
"Yes, ma'am," Alexis said at once. She stuffed her deck in the drive recognizer and powered up her Duel Disk. Mai set down a briefcase she was holding and opened it. Her Duel Disk was inside. She placed it on her wrist, kissed her deck for good luck, then walked up the stairs of the arena to face Alexis. Alexis couldn't believe it was her. THE Mai Valentine was going to duel her. For a woman her age, she was still very posh and authoritative. Except for a few wrinkles under her eyes, Mai looked like hadn't aged in years.
LP 4000
"I heard from Aster that you talk a big game. They once called you the queen of that fancy dueling school. And judging from that gold medal pinned to your collar, you were one of the best."
Alexis looked down on it and adjusted it proudly. "Yes. I was in the Obelisk Blue Dorm, the top dorm of Duel Academy, and I graduated summa cum lade."
Mai narrowed her eyes, clearly unimpressed with Alexis's academic achievement. "Yeah, and just look where that got you. If you're skilled enough to be all that in school..." She shrugged and wagged her head from side to side. "What happened? Hmm?"
"It's a long story, ma'am, but..."
"Spare me," said Mai. "I set a card face-down and call Harpie Harpist in attack mode!" Out came a red-haired woman with green-feathered wings. She hummed while strumming the strings of a golden harp with her claws.
ATK/1700 DEF/600
"I know the details already. My little friend, Brandi, told me all about it."
"You know Brandi?" Alexis asked. "Wow. Is she your student or something?"
Mai smirked confidently and responded with a nod. "Yeah. For many years I've mentored a lot of up-and-coming young ladies ready to take on the world of Duel Monsters. But that Brandi, I've got to say, is my brightest student. She said she had a lot of hopes for you but after seeing you running away, I just don't know."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize to me, you little wimp! Apologize to Brandi, who worked her ass off trying to help you. And most of all, apologize to Aster. This kid's got a lot on his plate but still managed to pay to pull you from the humiliation of dueling in a low-tier league and give you a shot at the big time. And you spat it in their faces. Make your move!"
Alexis drew sadly. "You just don't understand. Nobody does. Matthias Helge made my life a living hell."
"HA!" shouted Mai. "Girl, you know nothing of hell."
What did she mean by that? Alexis wondered. "Ugh, I discard Cyber Angel Idaten from my hand to summon Drytron Alpha Thuban from my hand." The robotic dragon flew down from the sky and settled on the field beside Alexis, leaving behind a trail of bright blue light.
ATK/2000 DEF/0
"Alpha Thuban's effect activates. When it's special summoned to the field, I can add a ritual monster from my deck to my hand. Now I activate the spell Meteonis Drytron. This card differs from other ritual spells because I can ritual summon a monster by sacrificing monsters whose attack equal to or exceed the ritual monster's attack points. I send Drytron Meteonis to the graveyard and summon Cyber Angel Izana!"
A glyph formed over the field and out jumped Izana. She landed on the field with a great crash, smashing her javelin on the ground and creating a crater. She slowly stood up and glared at Mai as if she, too, knew of her esteemed reputation.
ATK/2500 DEF/2600
"I hope you weren't planning to use that face-down card on me, Mai. Izana will force you to send it to the graveyard."
Mai smiled. "Good move, honey." She held up the destroyed trap, revealing it to be Mirror Wall. "That would have caused you some serious damage."
"Yeah, but it looks like Izana is going to be the one who will be doing any damage this turn. Attack her Harpie Harpist, Izana!"
Izana sprinted across the field and used her javelin to slash Harpie Harpist across the chest. The Harpie screeched and shattered. Mai breathed out of her nose, watching her Life Points go down to 7200. Alexis then attacked Mai directly with Drytron Alpha Thuban. The silver mech dragon swirled over the field and showered Mai with a barrage of lasers hidden in its wings. Being the veteran that she was, Mai just stood there and took the attack, her hair and her jacket flapped in the gust created by the attack. When the wind died down, Mai wrinkled her nose and shrugged.
Mai - 1200 LP
Alexis - 4000 LP
Wow! She didn't even flinch! thought Alexis. Amazing. She's like the female version of Zane. "I set a card face-down and end my turn."
Mai drew. "Why didn't you play like that in your match with Brandi? Was it stage fright?"
"Not exactly," Alexis replied while looking away. "I can duel in front of a crowd. Something else happened that night."
"I think I get the picture," said Mai. "I know about the things Matthias did to you. It was fucked up. But cowering into the shadows and making yourself miserable is only going to give him power over you, understand that? You need to ignore the trolls and move on with your life."
"That's easier said than done, Miss Mai. All the things they said were just...just so hurtful."
"Sticks and stones, that's all I've got to say about that, kiddo. Just ignore the trolls, get that through your thick skull! You wanna know why they call those bullies trolls? Because they're pathetic, ugly, unwanted creatures that hide in the darkness of the internet to bother good people like you and me. They hide because they don't have the balls to back up their bullshit. They kick you in the butt then run and hide like the cowards they are because they know how fucked up things will be for them if they're caught. They're scum and they're beneath you. But if you let them get to you; let them get under your skin, then you give them what they want to stand above you."
"But Miss Mai, I tried. I really did but..."
"Oh, shut up! Put your big girl panties on and face reality, Alexis. My turn! I use Pot of Greed to draw two cards. Now, using Harpie Harpist's effect, I can add Harpie Channeler to my hand. Now, I'll summon her to the field, come on out, baby!" Mai summoned a Harpie with red hair tied into looped pigtails. She was clad in white linen and sported black feathers, and she carried a golden staff in her right hand. "Pretty ain't she? But she's got more than looks, Alexis. She can pack a punch, which is something I thought you were, too."
"Miss Mai..."
"Stop it! You're acting like a big baby. I activate Harpie Channeler's effect. By discarding a Harpie Card from my hand, I can special summon a Harpie monster from my deck. Prepare to feel the wrath of the Harpie Lady's most trusted servant. I caaaallllll! —" She smacked the card on the blade "—Harpie's Pet Dragon!"
Alexis reeled back in horror as a geyser of flames burst out of the ground and formed into a giant pink dragon, whose arms doubled as its wings. She had a collar fastened around her neck with a gold chain and sported a blue and gold crown on her head. It was happening again. Alexis could see Harpie's Pet Dragon melting away to become a distorted image of the Ten Thousand Dragon.
"Stop your squirming, Alexis. Harpie Channeler calls the monster out in defense mode, so you don't have to worry about Harpie's Pet Dragon...yet. But that doesn't mean I still can't do this. Since I have a level five or higher monster on the field, I can special summon Harpie Oracle from my hand." Mai then summoned a Harpie girl with long blue hair and black-feathered wings. A crystal ball hovered over her left claw, which she held up and started conjuring some magic.
ATK/1300 DEF/1400
"When my Harpie Oracle is summoned, I can add a Harpie spell or trap card to my hand. And I've got just the one. Elegant Egotist!"
Aster sighed. "She's fucked."
"When I've got a Harpie Lady on the field, Elegant Egotist allows me to special summon Harpie Lady Sisters from my deck!" A flash of gold and three Harpie Ladies morphed over the field. One had spiked blue hair, the leader sported a long mane of violet, and the third had short orange hair with a long bang over her face. All three of them wore polished gold armor.
ATK/1950 DEF/2100
"Don't think I'm through yet, Alexis. I've still got one more Harpie just for you. Go, Harpie Queen!"
The other Harpies flew to the ground and bowed their heads as the queen gracefully flew down from the sky and hovered directly over them. She was barely clothed, wearing a revealing jumpsuit. Her teal-colored hair was tied into a ponytail that reached all the way down to her talons and her wings were heavenly white.
ATK/1900 DEF/1200
"And finally, I activate the spell, Triangle Ecstasy Spark! This card will increase the attack power of my Harpie Lady Sisters to 2700, more than enough to take down your Izana. Then that leaves your Drytron monster. Oh, I've got just the card I need to take care of that beast. I equip Harpie Queen with the spell, Rose whip, which will increase her attack by 300 points."
Harpie Queen held up her claw and a red-leather whip with thorns materialized in her grip. She swung it around and gave it a snap in the air. Her attack then went up to 2200.
The Harpie Lady Sisters were commanded to attack first. They got into formation and fired an iridescent X at Izana, turning her to ashes in a matter of seconds. Then, Harpie Queen gave snapped the whip, coiling it around Drytron Alpha Thuban's neck. She gave the whip a pull, crushing the robotic creature's neck. Its body sparked with electricity and then it exploded.
Harpie Channeler and Harpie Oracle then flew towards Alexis and sliced her viciously with their claws. Alexis yelled and screamed as she was tossed around like a ragdoll and then plunged to the ground.
Alexis 900 LP
Mai 1200 LP
"No more!" Alexis cried. "I yield! I yield!"
"You what?"
"I surrender! I can't take it anymore."
"Why?!" shouted Mai. She pointed down at Aster, signaling him to shut up before he said a word. "Are you really going to let some creep keep you from doing what you love the most?"
"I..."
"I know what it's like to be made fun of, Alexis. Despite me making it to the finals of two of the greatest tournaments in the history of Duel Monsters, I was always the butt of every joke. I was a pushover, much like you are right now. I never faced my fears. I always slapped my hand on my deck and ran away when things got scary. But I knew that so long as I kept doing that, I would never be taken seriously as a Duelist. More importantly — as a person. Everyone made fun of me. Everyone laughed at me. But I didn't turn tail and run, Alexis. I proved them all how wrong they were. About me! About everything. I used the ridicule to get stronger. Pretty soon, every fool who doubted me and laughed at me fell on their knees to kiss my boots. They soon feared me and respected me. Because I had the courage to stand in front of all that negativity and kick it right in the balls. You should, too, honey!"
"I just don't want anyone to make fun of me anymore."
"It's something you're just going to have to deal with, kiddo. There are nasty people everywhere but that doesn't mean we should fold up our lives and our dreams and crawl into the nearest corner to cry and hide. Do you know how many people stood behind you? How many people have tried to help you? They stood up for you every single day! Your family. Your friends. Even me."
"Huh?"
"I've heard a lot about you from some kid I dueled back in the states. A happy-go-lucky kid named Jaden."
"You saw Jaden?! How is he?"
"I don't know. That was a long time ago. I haven't heard from him since. That's not the point. He thought you were someone strong. I did too because he just never stopped talking about how great this girl who once knew was. For a long time since I dueled him, I wanted to meet that girl. And when Aster told me that girl was here, I traveled all the way out here to face her." She placed her hand over her heart. "Because I believed in what Jaden told me. Are you going to make him a liar, Alexis? Did you make me waste my time?"
Tears flowed down Alexis's cheeks. "No. I will not run away anymore. I won't. But it's just so hard...I..."
Mai smiled and walked across the arena to embrace Alexis in a long hug. She petted the back of her head as she let her sob against her chest. Being in Mai's arms felt like being wrapped in a warm blanket in front of the fire during a cold winter's night. Her skin, pressed against Alexis's cheeks, was soft like rose petals, and smelled so sweet. Alexis felt like she could lay against Mai's chest forever. It felt like she was being comforted by her mother after falling off a bike. A feeling of love, which Alexis had been denied for so many years.
"You've been through a lot, I understand that. But you're not alone, okay?" Alexis hiccuped and nodded, rubbing her cheek up and down Mai's bosom. "It's not easy living in this world. People like Matthias Helge want nothing more than to feel like they're the best. And they'll go to any lengths to keep themselves feeling like they're at the top. Even going as far as ruining other people's lives. It wasn't right what they've done to you. But it's even worse caving into their antics and making yourself miserable. People talk. Weak people anyway. Some who can't measure up to anything just like to talk, talk, talk, because it's all they have to make them feel strong. But you. You're a smart, beautiful young lady with many talents. Now I want you to stick your chin up and show the world what you're made of when this duel is over. Can you do that for me?"
"I'll try..."
"Uh-uh!" Mai said lightly smacking the top of Alexis's head. "There is no try. You either do it or don't. I'll ask again. Will you finally face your fears and slay the dragon that's been making your life hell?"
"I will!"
Mai chuckled and patted her back lovingly. "Good girl. Now, if I'm not mistaken, it's your turn." She let Alexis cry for a little while longer before she finally let go and walked back to her side of the field.
Alexis drew her next card and winced when she didn't get at least a monster to help her. She had four Harpies and a Pet Dragon to contend with. "Hold on," Alexis thought. She examined her cards once again. "All right, I think I can hold out against her Harpies for now. I just hope this works." Alexis closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and started her turn. "First, I send a ritual monster from my hand to the Graveyard to special summon Dytron Alpha Thuban from the Graveyard in defense mode. And when he's special summoned, I can add a ritual monster from my deck to my hand. Next, I decrease Alpha Thuban's attack by 1000 so I can add Meteonis Drytron from the Graveyard back to my hand. And I'll use it to ritual summon Cyber Angel Natasha in defense mode."
After a burst of pink and gold flames, a centaur-like angel in gold and black armored appeared on the field, crouching down in defense position. She grunted heavily, ready for Mai's Harpie Ladies and the Pet Dragon.
ATK/1000 DEF/1000
"Thanks to her effect, my Life Points will increase by half her attack points (LP 1400). And that will end my turn."
"That's the best you could do?" Mai asked.
Alexis placed both hands on her hips and nodded confidently. "Yeah. I'm not afraid anymore. Come on, Miss Mai. Hit me with your best shot!"
Mai held out her hand and shouted: "You want it, you got it, baby! I'll switch Harpie's Pet Dragon from defense to attack mode." Harpie's Pet Dragon rose up and loomed over the Harpies, growling and snapping her jaws. "Oh, there's one thing I forgot to mention, Alexis. For every Harpie Lady I have on the field, Harpie's Pet Dragon's attack and defense increases by 300 points!"
ATK/2900 DEF/3400
"It's over kiddo. Once my Harpie's Pet Dragon blasts that little horse of yours to kingdom come, my Harpies will be free to attack you directly."
"So attack..." Alexis said softly.
"With pleasure! Harpie's Pet Dragon, attack Cyber Angel Natasha!"
Harpies Pet Dragon heaved and released a jet of flames that surged towards Natasha. The flames then stopped in front of an arcane circle and dispersed.
"What happened!" Mai shouted. "She didn't get destroyed! Harpie Queen, finish her!"
Harpie Queen flew up high and gave a snap of her whip, which also fell against the arcane circle, which prevented Natasha from getting destroyed. Harpie Oracle attacked next, shooting a beam of prismatic light at Natasha. The result ended up the same with Natasha still unscratched by any of Mai's attacks.
"What have you done?" Mai asked. "What's going on here, Alexis?"
"When Cyber Angel Natasha is on the field, I can negate any attacks towards my ritual monsters. You can't beat her, Mai."
"Argh! No fair! She's practically invincible! Damn, you're such a clever girl! Did I finally knock some sense into you, honey?"
"You did all that and more, Miss Mai. Thank you for teaching me that I'm better than bullies. I won't let them use me to make themselves feel strong again. I blew my chance when I ran away from the show the other night, so that means I have a lot of work to do to redeem myself from this farce. But I will do it with my head held high. I swear it."
"That's all well and good, Alexis, but what do you plan to do when I take out that Natasha of yours? Sure, she'll prevent my monsters from attacking any of your ritual monsters for now, but I've got cards that can wipe her out. All it takes is one draw to turn the tide of battle, that's what Yugi Muto taught me. So, let's see who Lady Luck kisses today, huh? It all rides on your next draw."
"Yeah," Alexis said. She never really believed in destiny or luck of the draw. She was always taught that strategy and a well-balanced deck was the key to victory. But the more she watched Jaden play and saw the replays of Yugi pulling the right cards at the right time, she started to think that perhaps there really was something to this Heart of the Cards talk they always preached about.
"Well, let's see if you have what it takes to draw what you need, Alexis. I set a card face-down and end my turn."
Trusting your deck? Can that really work? Can I trust you to help me pull a victory today? Let's see.
Alexis placed her two fingers on the top card and closed her eyes shut. "I believe. I believe. I believe you can pull through for me. Come on, deck. Help me." She drew the card and held it away from her view for a moment, wishing with all her heart that it was the card she needed. She opened her left eye and laughed. "I did it!"
"Did what?"
"I send Cyber Angel Benten from my hand to summon Dytron Zeta Aldhiba!" Another mechanical dragon soared in from a bright portal that opened over the field. It flew around in circles over the field and landed by Natasha. "Thanks to this card, I'm allowed to add a ritual spell to my hand. Meteonis Drytron. Then, I'll decrease Zeta's attack by 1000 to add my second one back from the grave to my hand. Now, discard another Cyber Angel to special summon Alpha Thuban back from the Graveyard. Next, I activate Meteonis Drytron and sacrifice Thuban and Zeta to ritual summon Cyber Angel Dakini!"
"Wow!" Mai said.
The six-armed Cyber Angel jumped out of a portal of light and landed gracefully on the field. She swung her weapons around and came to a stop as her stats displayed beside her.
ATK/2700 DEF/2400
"Now, Cyber Angel Dakini's effect activates. She forces you to choose a monster on your side of the field to destroy. So go on now, make a choice."
"All right, all right. Sorry, Harpie Channeler, you've got to go." The hologram vanished after Mai picked the Harpie card off the blade and sent it to the Graveyard. That meant her Harpie's Pet Dragon now only had 2600 attack points. However, Alexis targeted Harpie Oracle as the target, for if she attacked that card, it would end the duel.
"I activate Woboku!" shouted Mai and then a trio of women in blue robes appeared in front of her monster. "This will prevent my monsters from being destroyed and I take no damage this turn."
"Then I end my turn," said Alexis. "And with Dakini's effect, I add a ritual monster to my hand. Your move."
Mai drew and scoffed. "A trap card...great, just great. I set a card face-down and switch my monster to defense mode. Your move."
"Thank you for the Duel, Miss Mai," Alexis said.
"Pfft, you're acting like it's over."
"I'm afraid it is. When you ended your turn, I send the ritual monster I added to the graveyard to resurrect Alpha Thuban and then I sacrifice Cyber Angel Natasha to special summon Zeta. Finally, I use Meteonis Drytron to sacrifice them and ritual summon Drytron Meteonis Draconids!"
Mai shielded her eyes from the bright light that summoned the gigantic dragon mech that hailed from the farthest reaches of the galaxy. It hovered over Alexis like a guardian angel and let out a metallic humming roar that shook the arena.
ATK/4000 DEF/4000
"I'll attack your Harpie's Pet Dragon!" Alexis shouted. "Oh, by the way, when Dakini is on the field and my ritual monsters attack a defense position monster, you take piercing damage."
"Piercing damage! Oh no!"
Drytron Meteonis Draconids fired a barrage of missiles from his massive thighs that swirled through the air and then assaulted Harpie's Pet Dragon.
"I win!" cried Alexis.
"I think not!" said Mai. "I activate the trap card, Shockwave. When my Life Points are lower than yours, I can select a monster on your side of the field to destroy, then we both take damage equal to half its attack points."
Drytron roared at the sky in agony and then blew up, shrouding the entire field in a giant black cloud and engulfing both Alexis and Mai. The entire arena quaked from the blast, which seemed to reverberate along its walls for what seemed like an eternity.
"It...it's a draw..." Aster whispered.
When the dust cleared the remaining monsters vanished. Mai and Alexis then flopped to the ground on their backs panting heavily.
"Wow!" Alexis said, staring up through the glass ceiling at the sky. "Stupid of me to think I could score a win over you so easily."
"Same here," said Mai, also staring at the sky as well. "Jaden was right about you, hon. You're everything he said and more." She sat up, propping herself with her arms. "You know, you could take the world of Duel Monsters by storm if you overcome your fears."
Alexis sat up as well. "You're right, Miss Mai. I understand now. I won't waste the opportunities Aster gave me. I'll work my ass off until I'm all the way at the top. Huh. Maybe I'll even take that fancy belt away from him."
Aster laughed at Alexis's sudden burst of overconfidence. That's certainly something she didn't have before. It was actually quite refreshing seeing her like this. She was almost glowing and her eyes twinkled with determination. "In your dreams, Alexis. Not to say I don't look forward to that match someday."
"Someday," Alexis repeated. "But for now, I think you and I have a lot of work to do."
Mai picked up her jacket and put it back on. She zipped it up and said: "Well, Alexis. It was a real blast. Aster, you take good care of her now. There's a girl with a lot of potential right here. Hmm. And a very big heart. See that nothing happens to her, huh?"
"I'll keep an eye on her, Mai. Don't worry. She's in good hands."
"Miss Mai!" Alexis said, chasing after her frantically. "Wait. Where are you going?"
"I don't live anywhere near here, kiddo. But don't worry, this isn't the last you've seen of me. I'll stop by every once in a while to check up on you. And my girl, Brandi. Now that you seem to have gotten your head out of your ass, I think she's got herself quite the opponent. I look forward to the day you kick Helge's ass. When you do, tell Matthias I send him my regards."
She winked and stepped out of the arena. After Mai gathered her things she looked at Alexis, smiled, and said: "Oh, Alexis."
"Yes."
"I know it's been a while, but I feel it's not right if I leave without tell you this."
"What?"
Mai giggled. "Jaden says 'Hi'." She winked and walked away.