A couple of hours later both felt refreshed and relaxed. Martin had put
the duel between Kaiba and Yu-Gi down as a bad dream.
"Martin, do you remember all the things everyone has been saying about that girl named Mai?" asked Defiance as she got up and stretched in the late afternoon sun.
Martin gave an affirmative response.
"She's the one I want to duel next. She sounds like the very reason I'm here," said Defiance. A smile broke out across her face. "I want to eliminate her."
Martin looked shocked.
"Do you have an idea where she might be at?" asked Defiance.
Martin gave a negative response.
"Well, let's go exploring," said Defiance. Martin took her hand and led her into the heart of the island. Their progress was slow.
After an hour had passed and Defiance had narrowly missed being challenged to a few random duels, they began to grow frustrated.
"How hard can it be to find someone on an island?" asked Defiance, exasperated. Martin looked at his shoes and said nothing.
"It is late," he said, finally, to break the tense silence.
"Let's camp, then," said Defiance, ready to call it quits. "We can find her tomorrow for my last duel, and then enter the castle. Wow! I never thought I'd make it so far." Defiance smiled for the first time since they started on the wild goose chase. Martin smiled at the prospect of more sleep.
"Martin," said Defiance. He turned his head. "Do you see a good place to set up camp?" Martin scanned the area.
He said No, then led Defiance to a place near a creek. It could have been the same creek they had guarded earlier. There was a tree growing by that creek with long exposed roots. Near the water was a sandbar that was hidden from view. Martin also knew how to keep a low profile.
"This is perfect. Good job," said Defiance as they unrolled their blankets. They both fell asleep before they hit the ground.
The next day Martin was woken up early by a sunrise reflecting off of the creek. He nudged Defiance. She twitched, turned over, and continued her dreams. He nudged her again and got no response.
"Am I going to have to push her in the creek?" wondered Martin. But then she sat up and yawned.
"What time is it?" she asked, her arms in the air because she was in the middle of a stretch.
"A little after eight," replied Martin.
"Well, let's have breakfast," suggested Defiance. They finished their food from the boat.
"Now, let's go get ten star chips," said Defiance, smiling. Martin began to lead her again. They wandered around for about an hour, Martin had little sense of direction.
"Martin, stop," said Defiance, "Let's take a break. My feet are killing me." Martin and her sat down beneath a tree. It was very peaceful where they were at. But that changed.
"What do you think she's doing? Trying to get two people inside the castle or something?" asked someone who was approaching Defiance and Martin from behind.
"I don't know, but she sure creamed you," replied the other person.
"She's a cheater! I could have beaten her if she played fair!" exclaimed the first speaker.
"Mai is a tournament champion. I doubt it," replied the second voice.
"I'd like to show her a lesson," muttered the first person.
"I'd like to see you try. She said she's heading towards the castle to find some stiffer competition, so go, show her what your made of," teased the second person.
"Your not helping," said the first speaker. They walked out of hearing range.
"Did you hear that Martin?" asked Defiance. "Mai is by the castle. Let's go." Martin got up and the two, together, walked towards the one landmark of the Duelist Kingdom.
They approached a holo-field where they heard a cocky voice.
"Grow up! You lost fair and square. Now hand over the star chips," said a female speaker.
"But-But..." the other person trailed off. There was a pause, then the sound of footsteps walking away.
"Amateur," the girl muttered. She wore spiked high heels and a short pair of jeans shorts. She had on a tiny pink tie-down tank top that was covered by a stylish denim jacket. She had haughty purple eyes and perfect crimped, pale pinkish blonde hair.
"Excuse me," said Defiance to the girl, "We are looking for someone named Mai."
"What do you want," she replied.
"A duel of course," replied Defiance with a smile.
"Who exactly are you?" she asked.
"Today, people are calling me Defiance, Mai," Defiance responded putting two and two together. She liked having a name with a double meaning, but "Defiance" had grown old, and didn't seem to fit. Defiance was thinking of changing it again.
"Fine, Defiance, you're on," said Mai, "I only need one more star chip and that's all I'm going to bet."
"Fine by me, I only need one too," responded Defiance. She was a little disappointed she wouldn't be able to eliminate Mai. Martin was staring at Mai's dueling glove. It was full.
"But you already have ten," he whispered shyly.
"I need one more and I'll have twenty..." said Mai.
"What do you need twenty for!?" exclaimed Defiance.
"I owe someone, so I'm trying to repay the debt. Are you going to play or not," said Mai trying to change the topic. She held out her deck. Martin nudged Defiance and she got the idea. She pulled out her deck and began to shuffle Mai's.
"What did you do to your cards?" asked Mai.
"I made them readable," replied Defiance with a sigh.
"What do you mean?" asked Mai, giving Defiance the look over.
"I'm blind, so I made them readable," responded Defiance. She didn't even bother to take off her sunglasses.
Mai's eyes went wide, but she said nothing.
"Well, a star chip is a star chip so let's get on with it," said Mai, taking her deck back and heading towards her platform.
Defiance made it to her platform and the two duelists drew their cards.
"You can go first," said Mai.
"Then I play La Moon in attack mode," said Defiance. Her monster was summoned onto the field. She had short pink hair and a lilac dress that tied around her waist. She carried a spear by her side. Her stats were 1200 and 1700.
"Then I play my Harpy Lady in attack mode," said Mai playing her card. The Harpy Lady had long wings instead of arms. Her dark violet hair flapped in the wind. She wore a strange, slightly revealing purple top. Her legs were bird's legs, covered in brown feathers.
"And her stats are raised to 1600 and 1700 because the field is 75% mountain," continued Mai.
"Harpy Lady destroy La Moon," ordered Mai. The Harpy Lady flew up and shredded La Moon with her talons. Defiance lost 400 life points.
"I play this card face down in defense mode," countered Defiance. She placed her Water Element down. With an attack of 900 and a defense of 700, if Mai decided to attack her Water Element would lose. Defiance was hoping to bluff her into doing something stupid.
Mai drew her card and didn't even lot at it. "I'm playing this magic card, Cyber Shield to boost up my Harpy Lady." Martin gasped. She didn't even see the face of her card.
"What is it Martin?" asked Defiance.
"He realizes I'm psychic. I can play this whole duel without looking at my cards," responded Mai.
"Big deal," countered Defiance, "I play every duel without looking at my cards." Mai frowned at the lack of impact her revelation had on Defiance.
"Fine, Harpy Lady destroy her defending card," said Mai. The Water Element was flipped over and disappeared in a blaze of glory. The Harpy Lady's stats were now 2100 and 2200.
"I play the Queen of Autumn Leaves and power her attack up with the Rose Whip," said Defiance, laying her monster and magic card down. The Queen of Autumn Leaves had on a bright red dress that matched her bright red hair. Several autumn branched grew out of her back. He hands seemed to be covered by bark. Because of the Rose Whip her attack was 2100 and her defense was 1500.
"Your move," said Defiance.
"I play Harpy's Feather Duster," said Mai as she laid down a magic card. The Harpy's Feather Duster wiped the opponents magic card area clean.
"That brings your Autumn Queen's attack power down to 1800," said Mai, "Harpy Lady finish it!" The Queen of Autumn Leaves also fell victim to the Harpy Lady's talons. Defiance was down to 1300.
"I play Nekogal in defense mode," said Defiance as she played her Nekogal #2. It still wasn't quite strong enough to resist the Harpy Lady. Her stats were 1900 and 2000.
"I play a magic card face down and I'll have my Harpy Lady destroy your Nekogal," declared Mai. The monsters clashed and the Nekogal lost.
"I play Dark Witch, defense mode," declared Defiance as she played her next monster. "Where are all my good magic cards?" The Dark Witch also couldn't stand up to the super powered Harpy Lady because her stats were only 1800 and 1700.
"Then I will use this magic card," said Mai taking it out of her hand, "It lets me multiply my Harpy Lady." The holo-field glowed strangely then two more Harpy Ladies appeared. Their stats were 1600 and 1700 because they were affect by the mountain, but not the Cyber Shield.
"But I can't attack you now, so go," said Mai. Her tone indicated that she thought she already won.
"I can't let her keep multiplying her monsters. I need something good now. Here goes nothing," thought Defiance as she drew her next card. It was Shadow Spell, a magic card.
"I play a monster card and a magic card, both face down," said Defiance. "The Shadow Spell is good, but I need a stronger monster." She had laid her Lady of Faith, whose attack was 1100 and defense 800 down.
"Harpy Ladies attack!" cried Mai and the Lady of Faith went down.
"Your Neo-Nazi Feminists have been amusing, but I am about ready to finish you," taunted Mai. "My next turn I'll multiply them again and then you will have an unstoppable army on your hands."
"Please be a strong card," said Defiance as she drew her next card.
"Yes! I play Mystical Sand in attack mode," said Defiance. "I also use my magic card Shadow Spell to reduce one of your monsters stats by 1000. And I choose your first Harpy Lady." The Harpy Lady visibly grew more frail as her attack and defense dropped to 1100 and 1200.
"Mystical Sand attack the lead harpy," ordered Defiance. The Mystical Sand pointed her finger to cast a spell and Mai lost 1000 life points. It was now Defiance with 1300 and Mai with 1000.
"And without the original you can't make any more copies," finished Defiance.
"Then I'll also use Follow Wind to raise one of their attack to 2100," said Mai as she chose the Harpy Lady on the right.
"I'm playing my Rose Spectre of Dunn ," said Defiance as she laid down her monster card. The Rose Spectre strongly resembled the Arlownay except she had on a yellow halter top and around her waist was a huge red rose. From the rose down she was one long thorny vine, but from the rose up bloomed a green skinned woman. Her dark green hair came down to her shoulder blades. Her attack was 2000 and her defense was 1800.
"I'll have my Rose Spectre of Dunn attack the weaker Harpy Lady. Go!" ordered Defiance.
"Not so fast," said Mai, "Since my Harpy Lady is a winged beast she has an advantage over your land based monsters." The two monsters clashed and it was the Rose Spectre that lost. Defiance lost 100 life points.
"Then my witch on a flying broomstick will finish the job. Mystical Sand attack the Harpy Lady," cried Defiance. This time, when the dust had cleared after the fight, Mai had lost her monster and 500 life points. The two remaining monsters were equal in attack, but Defiance was in the lead with life points; 1200 to 500.
"How dare you destroy my harpies!" cried Mai. :I'll teach you. I play the magic card Just Desserts. It takes off 500 life points for every monster you have on the field." Defiance was now down to 700, not that much farther ahead of Mai.
"Then I play a monster card face down in defense mode," declared Defiance as she laid down her Fairy of the Fountain.
"Harpy Lady destroy," ordered Mai and the monster lost.
"I need to do something to break this stalemate or the match will be called a draw. I need to win now," thought Defiance. She examined the card she just drew and smiled.
"I use the Electro-Whip to power my Mystical Sand's attack up to 2600," said Defiance. "And I'll use her to eliminate your last Harpy Lady. Attack!" The Harpy Lady Went down with a shrill squawk and Defiance won the duel.
"Well, good job kid," said Mai as she handed over her star chip. "I haven't been beaten much. But you did it. I guess I'll have to find some other punk to cream. Oh well, that's easy enough." Mai turned and walked away. "Good luck in the final round," She said with a note of sarcasm.
"Wow! She not at all a spoiled brat like I've been hearing about. And she was actually a good sport. I guess I'd better learn not to believe everything I hear," thought Defiance as she heard Mai's footsteps vanish.
"Hey Martin," said Defiance turning around, "On to the castle and the final round." She smiled broadly. Martin grinned back and began to lead her to the final round.
"Martin, do you remember all the things everyone has been saying about that girl named Mai?" asked Defiance as she got up and stretched in the late afternoon sun.
Martin gave an affirmative response.
"She's the one I want to duel next. She sounds like the very reason I'm here," said Defiance. A smile broke out across her face. "I want to eliminate her."
Martin looked shocked.
"Do you have an idea where she might be at?" asked Defiance.
Martin gave a negative response.
"Well, let's go exploring," said Defiance. Martin took her hand and led her into the heart of the island. Their progress was slow.
After an hour had passed and Defiance had narrowly missed being challenged to a few random duels, they began to grow frustrated.
"How hard can it be to find someone on an island?" asked Defiance, exasperated. Martin looked at his shoes and said nothing.
"It is late," he said, finally, to break the tense silence.
"Let's camp, then," said Defiance, ready to call it quits. "We can find her tomorrow for my last duel, and then enter the castle. Wow! I never thought I'd make it so far." Defiance smiled for the first time since they started on the wild goose chase. Martin smiled at the prospect of more sleep.
"Martin," said Defiance. He turned his head. "Do you see a good place to set up camp?" Martin scanned the area.
He said No, then led Defiance to a place near a creek. It could have been the same creek they had guarded earlier. There was a tree growing by that creek with long exposed roots. Near the water was a sandbar that was hidden from view. Martin also knew how to keep a low profile.
"This is perfect. Good job," said Defiance as they unrolled their blankets. They both fell asleep before they hit the ground.
The next day Martin was woken up early by a sunrise reflecting off of the creek. He nudged Defiance. She twitched, turned over, and continued her dreams. He nudged her again and got no response.
"Am I going to have to push her in the creek?" wondered Martin. But then she sat up and yawned.
"What time is it?" she asked, her arms in the air because she was in the middle of a stretch.
"A little after eight," replied Martin.
"Well, let's have breakfast," suggested Defiance. They finished their food from the boat.
"Now, let's go get ten star chips," said Defiance, smiling. Martin began to lead her again. They wandered around for about an hour, Martin had little sense of direction.
"Martin, stop," said Defiance, "Let's take a break. My feet are killing me." Martin and her sat down beneath a tree. It was very peaceful where they were at. But that changed.
"What do you think she's doing? Trying to get two people inside the castle or something?" asked someone who was approaching Defiance and Martin from behind.
"I don't know, but she sure creamed you," replied the other person.
"She's a cheater! I could have beaten her if she played fair!" exclaimed the first speaker.
"Mai is a tournament champion. I doubt it," replied the second voice.
"I'd like to show her a lesson," muttered the first person.
"I'd like to see you try. She said she's heading towards the castle to find some stiffer competition, so go, show her what your made of," teased the second person.
"Your not helping," said the first speaker. They walked out of hearing range.
"Did you hear that Martin?" asked Defiance. "Mai is by the castle. Let's go." Martin got up and the two, together, walked towards the one landmark of the Duelist Kingdom.
They approached a holo-field where they heard a cocky voice.
"Grow up! You lost fair and square. Now hand over the star chips," said a female speaker.
"But-But..." the other person trailed off. There was a pause, then the sound of footsteps walking away.
"Amateur," the girl muttered. She wore spiked high heels and a short pair of jeans shorts. She had on a tiny pink tie-down tank top that was covered by a stylish denim jacket. She had haughty purple eyes and perfect crimped, pale pinkish blonde hair.
"Excuse me," said Defiance to the girl, "We are looking for someone named Mai."
"What do you want," she replied.
"A duel of course," replied Defiance with a smile.
"Who exactly are you?" she asked.
"Today, people are calling me Defiance, Mai," Defiance responded putting two and two together. She liked having a name with a double meaning, but "Defiance" had grown old, and didn't seem to fit. Defiance was thinking of changing it again.
"Fine, Defiance, you're on," said Mai, "I only need one more star chip and that's all I'm going to bet."
"Fine by me, I only need one too," responded Defiance. She was a little disappointed she wouldn't be able to eliminate Mai. Martin was staring at Mai's dueling glove. It was full.
"But you already have ten," he whispered shyly.
"I need one more and I'll have twenty..." said Mai.
"What do you need twenty for!?" exclaimed Defiance.
"I owe someone, so I'm trying to repay the debt. Are you going to play or not," said Mai trying to change the topic. She held out her deck. Martin nudged Defiance and she got the idea. She pulled out her deck and began to shuffle Mai's.
"What did you do to your cards?" asked Mai.
"I made them readable," replied Defiance with a sigh.
"What do you mean?" asked Mai, giving Defiance the look over.
"I'm blind, so I made them readable," responded Defiance. She didn't even bother to take off her sunglasses.
Mai's eyes went wide, but she said nothing.
"Well, a star chip is a star chip so let's get on with it," said Mai, taking her deck back and heading towards her platform.
Defiance made it to her platform and the two duelists drew their cards.
"You can go first," said Mai.
"Then I play La Moon in attack mode," said Defiance. Her monster was summoned onto the field. She had short pink hair and a lilac dress that tied around her waist. She carried a spear by her side. Her stats were 1200 and 1700.
"Then I play my Harpy Lady in attack mode," said Mai playing her card. The Harpy Lady had long wings instead of arms. Her dark violet hair flapped in the wind. She wore a strange, slightly revealing purple top. Her legs were bird's legs, covered in brown feathers.
"And her stats are raised to 1600 and 1700 because the field is 75% mountain," continued Mai.
"Harpy Lady destroy La Moon," ordered Mai. The Harpy Lady flew up and shredded La Moon with her talons. Defiance lost 400 life points.
"I play this card face down in defense mode," countered Defiance. She placed her Water Element down. With an attack of 900 and a defense of 700, if Mai decided to attack her Water Element would lose. Defiance was hoping to bluff her into doing something stupid.
Mai drew her card and didn't even lot at it. "I'm playing this magic card, Cyber Shield to boost up my Harpy Lady." Martin gasped. She didn't even see the face of her card.
"What is it Martin?" asked Defiance.
"He realizes I'm psychic. I can play this whole duel without looking at my cards," responded Mai.
"Big deal," countered Defiance, "I play every duel without looking at my cards." Mai frowned at the lack of impact her revelation had on Defiance.
"Fine, Harpy Lady destroy her defending card," said Mai. The Water Element was flipped over and disappeared in a blaze of glory. The Harpy Lady's stats were now 2100 and 2200.
"I play the Queen of Autumn Leaves and power her attack up with the Rose Whip," said Defiance, laying her monster and magic card down. The Queen of Autumn Leaves had on a bright red dress that matched her bright red hair. Several autumn branched grew out of her back. He hands seemed to be covered by bark. Because of the Rose Whip her attack was 2100 and her defense was 1500.
"Your move," said Defiance.
"I play Harpy's Feather Duster," said Mai as she laid down a magic card. The Harpy's Feather Duster wiped the opponents magic card area clean.
"That brings your Autumn Queen's attack power down to 1800," said Mai, "Harpy Lady finish it!" The Queen of Autumn Leaves also fell victim to the Harpy Lady's talons. Defiance was down to 1300.
"I play Nekogal in defense mode," said Defiance as she played her Nekogal #2. It still wasn't quite strong enough to resist the Harpy Lady. Her stats were 1900 and 2000.
"I play a magic card face down and I'll have my Harpy Lady destroy your Nekogal," declared Mai. The monsters clashed and the Nekogal lost.
"I play Dark Witch, defense mode," declared Defiance as she played her next monster. "Where are all my good magic cards?" The Dark Witch also couldn't stand up to the super powered Harpy Lady because her stats were only 1800 and 1700.
"Then I will use this magic card," said Mai taking it out of her hand, "It lets me multiply my Harpy Lady." The holo-field glowed strangely then two more Harpy Ladies appeared. Their stats were 1600 and 1700 because they were affect by the mountain, but not the Cyber Shield.
"But I can't attack you now, so go," said Mai. Her tone indicated that she thought she already won.
"I can't let her keep multiplying her monsters. I need something good now. Here goes nothing," thought Defiance as she drew her next card. It was Shadow Spell, a magic card.
"I play a monster card and a magic card, both face down," said Defiance. "The Shadow Spell is good, but I need a stronger monster." She had laid her Lady of Faith, whose attack was 1100 and defense 800 down.
"Harpy Ladies attack!" cried Mai and the Lady of Faith went down.
"Your Neo-Nazi Feminists have been amusing, but I am about ready to finish you," taunted Mai. "My next turn I'll multiply them again and then you will have an unstoppable army on your hands."
"Please be a strong card," said Defiance as she drew her next card.
"Yes! I play Mystical Sand in attack mode," said Defiance. "I also use my magic card Shadow Spell to reduce one of your monsters stats by 1000. And I choose your first Harpy Lady." The Harpy Lady visibly grew more frail as her attack and defense dropped to 1100 and 1200.
"Mystical Sand attack the lead harpy," ordered Defiance. The Mystical Sand pointed her finger to cast a spell and Mai lost 1000 life points. It was now Defiance with 1300 and Mai with 1000.
"And without the original you can't make any more copies," finished Defiance.
"Then I'll also use Follow Wind to raise one of their attack to 2100," said Mai as she chose the Harpy Lady on the right.
"I'm playing my Rose Spectre of Dunn ," said Defiance as she laid down her monster card. The Rose Spectre strongly resembled the Arlownay except she had on a yellow halter top and around her waist was a huge red rose. From the rose down she was one long thorny vine, but from the rose up bloomed a green skinned woman. Her dark green hair came down to her shoulder blades. Her attack was 2000 and her defense was 1800.
"I'll have my Rose Spectre of Dunn attack the weaker Harpy Lady. Go!" ordered Defiance.
"Not so fast," said Mai, "Since my Harpy Lady is a winged beast she has an advantage over your land based monsters." The two monsters clashed and it was the Rose Spectre that lost. Defiance lost 100 life points.
"Then my witch on a flying broomstick will finish the job. Mystical Sand attack the Harpy Lady," cried Defiance. This time, when the dust had cleared after the fight, Mai had lost her monster and 500 life points. The two remaining monsters were equal in attack, but Defiance was in the lead with life points; 1200 to 500.
"How dare you destroy my harpies!" cried Mai. :I'll teach you. I play the magic card Just Desserts. It takes off 500 life points for every monster you have on the field." Defiance was now down to 700, not that much farther ahead of Mai.
"Then I play a monster card face down in defense mode," declared Defiance as she laid down her Fairy of the Fountain.
"Harpy Lady destroy," ordered Mai and the monster lost.
"I need to do something to break this stalemate or the match will be called a draw. I need to win now," thought Defiance. She examined the card she just drew and smiled.
"I use the Electro-Whip to power my Mystical Sand's attack up to 2600," said Defiance. "And I'll use her to eliminate your last Harpy Lady. Attack!" The Harpy Lady Went down with a shrill squawk and Defiance won the duel.
"Well, good job kid," said Mai as she handed over her star chip. "I haven't been beaten much. But you did it. I guess I'll have to find some other punk to cream. Oh well, that's easy enough." Mai turned and walked away. "Good luck in the final round," She said with a note of sarcasm.
"Wow! She not at all a spoiled brat like I've been hearing about. And she was actually a good sport. I guess I'd better learn not to believe everything I hear," thought Defiance as she heard Mai's footsteps vanish.
"Hey Martin," said Defiance turning around, "On to the castle and the final round." She smiled broadly. Martin grinned back and began to lead her to the final round.