Chapter 10:
The First Match
"Ann Michi VS Serenity Wheeler…"
"WHAT THE H…"
Tristan slapped a hand quickly over Joeys' mouth. Everyone starred at Serenity in shock. Serenity stood up and picked up her duelling cards.
"I'll be fine big brother…" She began to walk towards the centre of the duelling arena. A gentle hand grabbed her arm. Startled she looked down to see Téa nodding at her.
"Go kick some butt, girl!" She encouraged with a thumbs-up.
Serenity smiled. "Thanks, Téa."
Joey sat at the table practically biting his nails off.
"Relax Joey, she's got great potential as a duellist. You must have more faith in her." Yami stated.
Joey nodded. He stood up and sighed heavily. Go Serenity! You can do it!"
Serenity glanced quickly at Joey. She nodded, her eyes misty from light tears forming. Ann approached her and sneered.
"So, I have to duel a little girl huh? Well you better be prepared to lose your soul little one, cause I ain't backing down!"
Serenity narrowed her eyes. "Fine with me!"
"Let the duel begin!"
The duel started off slow. Serenity had a small lead. Ann was furious. She even tried to cheat, but nothing was working. The score was 1800 to 1600 in Serenity's' favour. Soon, Anna brought out the big guns, blasting her with the 'Dark Magician', 'Battle Steer' and many others. It was now 300 to 500 in Anna's favour. Joey was about to have a heart attack.
"I swear, if she loses I am shoving Amons head up his…damn him!!!" He slammed the table hard. Serenity was about to give up hope when she drew her next card and realized it was the one Joey had given her after they met up in Yugi's' room.
"Are you sure Joey?"
"Yes I'm sure. Anything to make sure my little sis wins! I'm fine! I have tons of kick ass cards in my deck!"
Serenity smiled and took his card. "Thank you, Joey."
"Joey…" She mused. "Hey! Little girl! Are we going to duel or just stare at our cards, huh? Get on with it so I can cream you!"
Serenity glared daggers at the redhead. "Fine! I play this card!" She placed a card into attack mode. Soon the 'Red Eyes Black Dragon' materialized.
Ann stood there I shock. "NO! How could a little girl like you carry such a buff card like that?"
Serenity smirked much similar to Joey. "Because my brother gave it to me! 'Red Eyes Black Dragon' attack!"
Téa turned to face Joey with an angry expression. "I thought you said no one could have that card but you?"
Joey laughed and scratched his head. "Uh, she's family?"
Téa rolled her eyes and laughed. "I'm glad you gave it to her Joey, you just saved her life."
Joey smiled. "Thanks, Téa! I knew you would understand."
Ann fell to her knees. "No…how could I…I don't want to die…" She looked up at Serenity, tears in her eyes. She wasn't so bad after all. She was just afraid.
Serenity leaned down to her. "I'm sorry…I'm sorry that this had to happen. But, my friend knows a way to stop this…"
Ann smirked. "You played a fair duel, Serenity…maybe we'll meet again, if your friend is lucky enough to stop this madness..."
A faint light began to engulf her. Serenity began to cry. She reached out for Ann but went right through her. Soon, nothing was there but her last four duel cards she'd been holding. Serenity stood up and glared at Amons.
"Serenity Wheeler is the winner!"
Serenity ran into her brothers' arms, sobbing hard.
"It's ok, sis. You had no choice. But, hey, you won! You duelled honourably and I'm proud of you…"
"But, she wasn't bad…she was so afraid…" She managed through broken sobs.
Téa wiped some tears away from her eyes. "This is madness…how can we just sit here and watch this…" She put her head into her arms and began to cry also.
Bakura placed his hand on her back, rubbing it gently, trying to sooth her. "I know how you feel, Téa…but we have to go through with this."
Yami leaned toward her. "He's right! You have to be strong!"
Téa lifted her head up. "I'll…try…" She sniffed.
Mai reached over and patted her hand. "It'll be ok. We always manage to get out of these scrapes we always seem to get into. And If I've learned one thing from you guys, is miracles are real and can happen. I have faith that Yugi will save those people…do you?"
The announcer, naming two more duellists interrupted everyone. Luckily it wasn't any of Yugi's' team-mates.
Téa looked into Mai's eyes.
"Do you…?"
Téa looked over at Yami. He stared unblinkingly into her eyes. "I…I…d…"
A horrifying scream broke her daze. She looked over at the young boy who had won. It was over way too fast. The boy wasn't much older then twelve! The other boy had already begun to fade away.
"They're just children!" Mai screamed in outrage.
Téa kept her eyes fixed on Yami. "I don't know if I can…not this time…" She put her head down in shame at her words she just spoke.
Yami was slightly shocked and hurt. He couldn't blame her though. Even he doubted the stats this time. "I see…" He spoke in a mildly cold tone.
Téa glanced up at him. "I'm so sorry…Yami…" She stood and ran over to the corner of the room.
Joey saw this and gently released his sister, sitting her back down in the chair next to Mai. Mai began talking to her, trying to cheer her up. "Look after her Mai, I'll be right back!"
Yami closed his eyes; regret filling his heart along with a tinge of guilt.
Joey approached Téa, who was kneeling in a corner, facing the wall. "You ok, kiddo?" He asked, tapping her on the shoulder.
She stood up and ran into his arms. "Oh, Joey! I am so stupid! I just basically told Yami I didn't have faith in him. What's wrong with me? Am I that cold hearted?"
Joey stroked her hair in a soothing manor. Big brother mode had kicked in for him. "Not at all. You're just scared. We all are! Even I have doubts this time around." He pulled her back and held onto her shoulders. "Listen to me…you and Yugi have been friends since childhood, he loves you more then anything in the world. Believe me, I know. He would understand your fears. He's not angry at you or anything."
"But Joey, this is Yami I said it too. I don't know how he feels…he's not the boy I spent all of my life growing up with. There's so much I don't know about him."
Joey sighed. "I know…but they do share similar feelings and stuff. I've noticed this many times. Deep down in your heart, you already have the answer to how the other Yami feels about you, and you know it!"
Téa gasped. She thought for a moment and then looked back over at the table. She saw Yami staring at her. Téa quickly looked away, her face heating up. "Uh…I think I do know. Thanks Joey. Thank you so much!" She hugged him tightly.
"Anytime!" He smiled, hugging her back.
"Joey…?"
"Hmm?" He asked, his chin resting on her head while he was rocking her back and forth gently.
"Could you ask Yugi to come over here for a second?"
Joey smiled. "Sure thing, hang on."
Téa closed her eyes and sighed. She faced the wall again, trying to gather her composure. A deep voice caused her to jump slightly.
"You wanted to speak with me…?"
Téa spun around and came face to face with Yami Yugi. "Ya...mi…" She walked up to him. "I just wanted to apologize…I'm sorry about what I…"
He interrupted her. "It's ok, Téa. I will admit I was surprised, but I understand."
"So, we're still friends?"
"Of course we are. We always will be, remember?" He held up his finger with the silver ring on it.
"I remember…" She said, smiling. They starred at each other for a few minutes. They were both about to say something, when an announcement was made. An announcement that would change everything between these two forever.
"Next competitors: Yugi Muto VS Téa Gardner"
To be continued…
