Last time on Yu-Gi-Oh: Joey faced off against Edward, whom he had met on
the boat. After he had won the final five star-chips from him, the gang
headed for Castle Pegasus, where Yugi encountered Sam, who they had heard
of long before from Kaiba. Sam had set up two Spear Cretins, one in his
graveyard, and one in play. Using this strategy, Yami could not penetrate
the defenses and attack Sam's life points. Yami then used Stop Defense,
bringing Spear Cretin into attack mode. Yami attacked with Summoned Skull
to win the duel.
Author's Note: I apologize for the long amount of time between updates. I have an alibi, though. My grandpa is in the hospital. No, his soul was not stolen by some guy whose obsessed with cartoons and I have to risk losing my other self in order to save him. He has cancer, and it's been really hard on me and my family. Just a heads up for those of you who care about how long it takes for me to write.
~
Yugi and Joey stood side by side before the entrance to Castle Pegasus. They both had ten star-chips. Mai and Tristan had both been eliminated. Bakura had disappeared. Joey vigorously knocked on the door. A few moments passed as they waited for the door to open.
"Who is it?" a slightly angry voice asked.
"Yugi Moto and Joey Wheeler," Yugi answered, "We each have ten star-chips."
The door opened. Kimu stood before them, glaring. He let them pass, then stopped the others.
"Spectators are brought to a separate area, apart from the duelists."
"Alright, where do we go?" Solomon asked.
"Duelists turn go up the staircase, spectators proceed down the hallway until you see Croquet," Kimu answered, almost systematically, "You, Yugi Moto and Joey Wheeler, are the last of the eight finalists to arrive. No more will be allowed entrance."
"Good thing we got here so soon!" Yugi smiled at Joey.
"Yeah," Joey sighed, "I'm full of luck!"
"We'll see you guys later!" Mai waved as she started to walk down the hall.
"Good luck!" Serenity called.
"We'll be cheering for you!" Tristan smiled.
"We'll see you after the finals," Tea followed the others, "You'll do fine, I'm sure!"
"Thanks, guys, that means a lot to us," Joey grinned.
"Yeah, we need all the luck we can get," Yugi waved, "This year's competition is sure to be harder than last year's!"
Yugi and Joey climbed the stairs. At the top was a map. It showed four towers in the castle, each one with two bedrooms for finalists. It had been marked on the map that three of the towers were full, one was empty.
"Well, that means we get a tower for ourselves!" Joey smirked.
"Yeah," Yugi added, "let's go."
~
"Look at this crowd. . ." Tristan muttered as they reached the courtyard, where they were to await the finals.
"This is going to be torture for the next few days," Tea sighed, barely audible through the massive crowd.
~
The night had fallen before the day of the finals. Rathje stared out the window of his room. His deck sat on a desk a few meters away. He couldn't sleep. He still did not know who he was dueling. He heard a knock on the door. He walked over and swung the large wooden door open, seeing no one. A letter lay on the floor before him. He picked it up.
'Rathje,' he read the front before breaking the seal, 'Your opponent in the first round is. . .'
He sighed, closing the door and turning back to the window. He continued to stare out into the darkness. A moment passed before he was interrupted by another knock.
"Come in," he managed to say.
The door opened slowly. He was soon joined by another at the window.
"You found out who you're dueling tomorrow?"
"Yes."
Yasumi nodded.
"Did you?" Rathje asked, turning to face her.
"Yes," she answered, "I'm dueling against Yugi Moto."
"Good luck."
"And you?"
". . .I. . ." Rathje sighed, "I'd rather not say."
"Alright."
"Yasumi?"
"Yes?"
"You do realize that if we both win our duels, we will have to duel each other eventually, right?"
"You do owe me a duel, for running off the first time."
~ The day of the finals ~
The audience was gathered in the balconies surrounding the holographic arenas. The competitors and their friends who were not dueling in the first round were in the lower balcony, where Yugi and the rest were watching from in the original Duelist Kingdom.
"Excuse me," Croquet called everyone to attention, "I have an announcement before the first match."
Rathje watched from the hallway leading to arena before him, a single card in hand.
Croquet continued after the crowd had been silenced, "Each finalist has been awarded a single card for their achievement of ten star-chips. These cards are one-of-a-kind and are unique to each duelist. They have been designed to match their personalities. The two duelists in this duel have already been given their cards and have added them to their decks. And now, Castle Pegasus presents to you the first match."
Rathje walked forward, as did his opponent from the opposite side. As they came into the view of the spectators, the room fell silent once more. Rathje stared across, seeing his foe.
A man dressed in a deep blue suit stepped forward from behind Croquet. He had long white hair and brilliant magenta eyes. . .or at least an eye. His left eye was hidden from view, and occasionally flashed golden through his white hair. The Millennium Ring hung around his neck. He raised his hands, clapping three times.
"Congratulations duelists for making it thus far," the man announced, "My name is Richard Pegasus. The first match today is between David Renaud, also known as Rathje, and Stephen Renaud, his brother. Good luck to both duelist, and now, let us begin!"
~
Rathje stood atop the dueling platform, five cards in hand. He anxiously awaited Stephen's opening move.
'The sooner this is over,' he thought, 'the sooner I can get out of here. I don't want to have to duel my brother.'
Stephen started his turn by setting one monster and one magic/trap and ending his turn.
Rathje drew. He added Neo the Magic Swordsman to his hand, then prepared for his opening move.
"I play one monster face-down, along with one magic or trap card," he declared, "and I summon Jirai Gumo onto the field in attack mode! I end my turn."
Stephen drew. He set one more magic/trap and ended his turn.
Rathje drew. He then sighed, knowing his brothers deck. He only had one level four monster capable of destroying Jirai Gumo, Goblin Attack Force. Apparently, he didn't have it. This was an important duel, he would have to act a little differently than normal. He set one monster.
"I end my turn."
Stephen raised one eyebrow, expecting something more, but then drew. He flipped a trap, Time Seal, causing Rathje not to draw next turn. He then played Harpie's Brother in attack mode and attacked Rathje's face-down monster, which was Neo the Magic Swordsman. Stephen knew he wouldn't attack with Jirai Gumo, he never did. He only used it as a tribute, what with its high attack points.
Rathje started his turn by doing what he would have done last turn, tributing. He played Summoned Skull. He then attacked Harpie's Brother, destroying it and ending his turn.
Rathje: 8000, Stephen: 7300
Stephen drew. He merely sighed, setting one monster and one magic/trap and ending his turn.
Rathje drew. Unfortunately, he only had high leveled monsters in his hand. He attacked Stephen's left monster, a Witch of the Black Forest. It was destroyed, but Stephen searched his deck for a monster and added it to his hand.
Stephen drew. He set one monster and ended his turn.
Rathje drew. He set the trap card and attacked, revealing a Darkfire Soldier #2, along with Stephen's Waboku. Rathje was slightly surprised he used his Waboku now, but ended his turn.
Stephen drew. First, he played Fissure, destroying Summoned Skull. Second, he flipped his Battle Ox into attack mode. Third, he tributed Darkfire Soldier #2 for Beast of Talwar. He then paused, watching Rathje.
"I now play a field magic card," Stephen declared, "Force."
"What's that do?" Rathje asked, not being familiar with the card.
"It gives all monster level five or higher 500 more attack points," Stephen grinned, "Pegasus gave it to me, and it makes Beast of Talwar at 2900 attack points. I attack."
Rathje: 3400, Stephen: 7600
Rathje drew, his life points devastated. He grinned slightly, playing The Fiend Megacyber. A level six monster, he was now at 2700 attack points. He attacked Battle Ox, destroying it. Before ending his turn, he set one monster.
Rathje: 3400, Stephen: 6600
"Too bad your last move was all in vain," Stephen sighed, "Because Beast of Talwar will destroy The Fiend Megacyber just as easily as you played him."
Stephen drew. He summoned his Darkfire Soldier #1 onto the field. He added Sword of Dark Destruction to Beast of Talwar, making it 3300 attack points. He attacked The Fiend Megacyber with Beast of Talwar, expecting its destruction. Instead, Rathje activated Shift, making Beast of Talwar attack the face-down monster, a Man-eater Bug. After Beast of Talwar was destroyed, Stephen set one magic/trap and ended his turn.
Rathje sighed, "Not quite as easily as you presumed, The Fiend Megacyber lives. And I'm not done yet."
He drew. He played Gravekeeper's Servant. Then he looked up at his brother.
"Perhaps you remember this move, Stephen," he stated aloud, "I set one monster, but activate Light of Intervention, flipping it face-up. I then tribute my La Ginn The Mystical Genie of the Lamp for Summoned Skull, which is conveniently at 3000 attack points thanks to your Force card. Summoned Skull, attack Darkfire Soldier #1, Fiend Megacyber, attack his life points!"
'I hope this works,' Stephen bit his lip, "I activate Rush Recklessly, raising Darkfire Soldier #1 to 2400 attack points."
"That's not enough," Rathje pointed out.
"That's because I'm not done!" Stephen grinned, "I activate Skull Dice. If it lands on a high enough number, you're Summoned Skull is toast!"
A large die appeared on the field, between the monsters. I began to roll. Both duelists looked anxiously at the massive die. It slowed, showing the number it had landed on, a six.
"Then it lowers you monsters' attack points by 600 each, making Summoned Skull do 2400 damage. We're equal!" Stephen declared happily.
"Then we both are destroyed," Rathje nodded in acknowledgement, "But The Fiend Megacyber still attacks you directly, doing 2100 points of damage."
Rathje: 3400, Stephen: 4500
Stephen drew. He placed the card on the field.
"I play Nobleman of Extermination, destroying Force," he shouted to Rathje.
"Why?" Rathje replied, "It's your card!"
"I know," Stephen answered, "but right now it's helping you more than it's helping me."
"So you just toss it aside?" Rathje asked.
"It's just a card!" Stephen yelled.
"No, it's not," Rathje shook it's head, "It's in your deck, representing you. Your deck symbolizes who you are. If you injured your hand, would you just shrug, chop it off, and throw it away?"
"It's not like that! This is a game!"
"Yes, a game which players pour their heart and soul into creating their decks to match who they are!" Rathje retorted.
Stephen was silent. He set one monster, which was flipped by Light of Intervention, showing High Tide Gyojin and one magic/trap and ended his turn.
Rathje drew. He set one monster, which was revealed, 7 Colored Fish, then attacked with The Fiend Megacyber. It destroyed High Tide Gyojin, but Stephen activated Michizure, bringing The Fiend Megacyber to the graveyard as well. Rathje ended his turn.
Stephen drew. He summoned his second Harpie's Brother in attack mode, adding Sword of Deep-seated. He attacked, defeating 7 Colored Fish. The top card on Stephen's deck, a Wingweaver, was sent to his graveyard. He set two magic/traps before ending his turn.
Rathje drew. He played one monster face-down, but it was flipped, activating it's effect.
"I use the effect of Princess of Tsurugi, making you lose 2000 life points!"
Rathje: 3400, Stephen: 2500
Stephen drew. He smiled when he saw the card, laying it on the field, "I play Monster Reborn, summoning Wingweaver onto the field in attack mode! I attack with Harpie's Brother!"
After Harpie's Brother destroyed Princess of Tsurugi, Wingweaver attacked Rathje's life points directly.
Rathje: 650, Stephen: 2500
"It's your turn," Stephen declared.
Rathje nodded, slowly drawing a card. Seeing the card, his eyes widened. He looked up at Stephen, "Brother, do you know which card I just drew?"
"No, which one?"
"The one that will lead to your defeat!" Rathje stated firmly, removing one card from his hand, still holding the card he drew, "I play Snatch Steal, equipping it to your Wingweaver!"
"No you don't," Stephen smirked, "I activate Fairy's Hand Mirror, causing you to equip Snatch Steal to my Harpie's Brother!"
"That's just fine."
"Huh?"
"I didn't want your Wingweaver to attack," Rathje explained, "I don't duel that way. You would just recover 1000 of the 1050 life point damage next turn. I have a much more sinister idea than that."
"And what would that be?" Stephen asked cautiously.
"I set one monster, but, as a result of Light of Intervention, it is flipped. And it's my second Man-eater Bug! After it destroys your Wingweaver, I'm using it as a tribute, with your Harpie's Brother, to call out the strongest monster in my deck, the Gate Guardian!" Rathje declared, playing the card, "Gate Guardian! Attack Stephen's life points!"
In an explosion of holographic force, Gate Guardian launched its attack. Stephen dropped to his knees, staring at the life point display.
Rathje: 650, Stephen: 0
"W-why?" Stephen murmured, "How could this happen? I had it planned so perfectly!"
"Stephen," Rathje called out, "Do you know why you lost?"
"Hmm?" Stephen met his brother's gaze.
"It is how you built your deck," Rathje continued, "Tell me; are there many cards you would like to get to add to your deck?"
Stephen nodded slowly, remaining silent.
"And your magic and trap cards, do you add them because they are powerful?"
Stephen nodded again.
"Then that is why," Rathje answered, "You have not found the cards you enjoy using. You have some, but not enough to make you ideal deck. I know that you like to use your Noblemen cards. To build the right deck, you have to find cards that match the way you want to play.
"Remember," Rathje added, "Don't let other people find your heart, only you may reveal the secrets it hides."
With that, he turned and left the arena, leaving his brother on his knees. As he entered the hallway, a single tear rolled down his cheek.
~
Author's Note: Well, after a long wait, chapter fourteen is done! This chapter did get quite "Heart of the Cards"-ish. Well, actually, that thing I said about decks reflecting the people who use them is my translation of "Heart of the Cards", so I guess I have to sum it up in one word: meh. Thanks for being patient!
Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh: The finals continue as Yasumi Shiroko duels against last years champion Yugi Moto. Can this new duelist match up against the most revered competitor? Or will the past repeat once more and Yugi make his way to the semi-finals?
Author's Note: That must be really annoying, I'll just shut up now.
Author's Note: I apologize for the long amount of time between updates. I have an alibi, though. My grandpa is in the hospital. No, his soul was not stolen by some guy whose obsessed with cartoons and I have to risk losing my other self in order to save him. He has cancer, and it's been really hard on me and my family. Just a heads up for those of you who care about how long it takes for me to write.
~
Yugi and Joey stood side by side before the entrance to Castle Pegasus. They both had ten star-chips. Mai and Tristan had both been eliminated. Bakura had disappeared. Joey vigorously knocked on the door. A few moments passed as they waited for the door to open.
"Who is it?" a slightly angry voice asked.
"Yugi Moto and Joey Wheeler," Yugi answered, "We each have ten star-chips."
The door opened. Kimu stood before them, glaring. He let them pass, then stopped the others.
"Spectators are brought to a separate area, apart from the duelists."
"Alright, where do we go?" Solomon asked.
"Duelists turn go up the staircase, spectators proceed down the hallway until you see Croquet," Kimu answered, almost systematically, "You, Yugi Moto and Joey Wheeler, are the last of the eight finalists to arrive. No more will be allowed entrance."
"Good thing we got here so soon!" Yugi smiled at Joey.
"Yeah," Joey sighed, "I'm full of luck!"
"We'll see you guys later!" Mai waved as she started to walk down the hall.
"Good luck!" Serenity called.
"We'll be cheering for you!" Tristan smiled.
"We'll see you after the finals," Tea followed the others, "You'll do fine, I'm sure!"
"Thanks, guys, that means a lot to us," Joey grinned.
"Yeah, we need all the luck we can get," Yugi waved, "This year's competition is sure to be harder than last year's!"
Yugi and Joey climbed the stairs. At the top was a map. It showed four towers in the castle, each one with two bedrooms for finalists. It had been marked on the map that three of the towers were full, one was empty.
"Well, that means we get a tower for ourselves!" Joey smirked.
"Yeah," Yugi added, "let's go."
~
"Look at this crowd. . ." Tristan muttered as they reached the courtyard, where they were to await the finals.
"This is going to be torture for the next few days," Tea sighed, barely audible through the massive crowd.
~
The night had fallen before the day of the finals. Rathje stared out the window of his room. His deck sat on a desk a few meters away. He couldn't sleep. He still did not know who he was dueling. He heard a knock on the door. He walked over and swung the large wooden door open, seeing no one. A letter lay on the floor before him. He picked it up.
'Rathje,' he read the front before breaking the seal, 'Your opponent in the first round is. . .'
He sighed, closing the door and turning back to the window. He continued to stare out into the darkness. A moment passed before he was interrupted by another knock.
"Come in," he managed to say.
The door opened slowly. He was soon joined by another at the window.
"You found out who you're dueling tomorrow?"
"Yes."
Yasumi nodded.
"Did you?" Rathje asked, turning to face her.
"Yes," she answered, "I'm dueling against Yugi Moto."
"Good luck."
"And you?"
". . .I. . ." Rathje sighed, "I'd rather not say."
"Alright."
"Yasumi?"
"Yes?"
"You do realize that if we both win our duels, we will have to duel each other eventually, right?"
"You do owe me a duel, for running off the first time."
~ The day of the finals ~
The audience was gathered in the balconies surrounding the holographic arenas. The competitors and their friends who were not dueling in the first round were in the lower balcony, where Yugi and the rest were watching from in the original Duelist Kingdom.
"Excuse me," Croquet called everyone to attention, "I have an announcement before the first match."
Rathje watched from the hallway leading to arena before him, a single card in hand.
Croquet continued after the crowd had been silenced, "Each finalist has been awarded a single card for their achievement of ten star-chips. These cards are one-of-a-kind and are unique to each duelist. They have been designed to match their personalities. The two duelists in this duel have already been given their cards and have added them to their decks. And now, Castle Pegasus presents to you the first match."
Rathje walked forward, as did his opponent from the opposite side. As they came into the view of the spectators, the room fell silent once more. Rathje stared across, seeing his foe.
A man dressed in a deep blue suit stepped forward from behind Croquet. He had long white hair and brilliant magenta eyes. . .or at least an eye. His left eye was hidden from view, and occasionally flashed golden through his white hair. The Millennium Ring hung around his neck. He raised his hands, clapping three times.
"Congratulations duelists for making it thus far," the man announced, "My name is Richard Pegasus. The first match today is between David Renaud, also known as Rathje, and Stephen Renaud, his brother. Good luck to both duelist, and now, let us begin!"
~
Rathje stood atop the dueling platform, five cards in hand. He anxiously awaited Stephen's opening move.
'The sooner this is over,' he thought, 'the sooner I can get out of here. I don't want to have to duel my brother.'
Stephen started his turn by setting one monster and one magic/trap and ending his turn.
Rathje drew. He added Neo the Magic Swordsman to his hand, then prepared for his opening move.
"I play one monster face-down, along with one magic or trap card," he declared, "and I summon Jirai Gumo onto the field in attack mode! I end my turn."
Stephen drew. He set one more magic/trap and ended his turn.
Rathje drew. He then sighed, knowing his brothers deck. He only had one level four monster capable of destroying Jirai Gumo, Goblin Attack Force. Apparently, he didn't have it. This was an important duel, he would have to act a little differently than normal. He set one monster.
"I end my turn."
Stephen raised one eyebrow, expecting something more, but then drew. He flipped a trap, Time Seal, causing Rathje not to draw next turn. He then played Harpie's Brother in attack mode and attacked Rathje's face-down monster, which was Neo the Magic Swordsman. Stephen knew he wouldn't attack with Jirai Gumo, he never did. He only used it as a tribute, what with its high attack points.
Rathje started his turn by doing what he would have done last turn, tributing. He played Summoned Skull. He then attacked Harpie's Brother, destroying it and ending his turn.
Rathje: 8000, Stephen: 7300
Stephen drew. He merely sighed, setting one monster and one magic/trap and ending his turn.
Rathje drew. Unfortunately, he only had high leveled monsters in his hand. He attacked Stephen's left monster, a Witch of the Black Forest. It was destroyed, but Stephen searched his deck for a monster and added it to his hand.
Stephen drew. He set one monster and ended his turn.
Rathje drew. He set the trap card and attacked, revealing a Darkfire Soldier #2, along with Stephen's Waboku. Rathje was slightly surprised he used his Waboku now, but ended his turn.
Stephen drew. First, he played Fissure, destroying Summoned Skull. Second, he flipped his Battle Ox into attack mode. Third, he tributed Darkfire Soldier #2 for Beast of Talwar. He then paused, watching Rathje.
"I now play a field magic card," Stephen declared, "Force."
"What's that do?" Rathje asked, not being familiar with the card.
"It gives all monster level five or higher 500 more attack points," Stephen grinned, "Pegasus gave it to me, and it makes Beast of Talwar at 2900 attack points. I attack."
Rathje: 3400, Stephen: 7600
Rathje drew, his life points devastated. He grinned slightly, playing The Fiend Megacyber. A level six monster, he was now at 2700 attack points. He attacked Battle Ox, destroying it. Before ending his turn, he set one monster.
Rathje: 3400, Stephen: 6600
"Too bad your last move was all in vain," Stephen sighed, "Because Beast of Talwar will destroy The Fiend Megacyber just as easily as you played him."
Stephen drew. He summoned his Darkfire Soldier #1 onto the field. He added Sword of Dark Destruction to Beast of Talwar, making it 3300 attack points. He attacked The Fiend Megacyber with Beast of Talwar, expecting its destruction. Instead, Rathje activated Shift, making Beast of Talwar attack the face-down monster, a Man-eater Bug. After Beast of Talwar was destroyed, Stephen set one magic/trap and ended his turn.
Rathje sighed, "Not quite as easily as you presumed, The Fiend Megacyber lives. And I'm not done yet."
He drew. He played Gravekeeper's Servant. Then he looked up at his brother.
"Perhaps you remember this move, Stephen," he stated aloud, "I set one monster, but activate Light of Intervention, flipping it face-up. I then tribute my La Ginn The Mystical Genie of the Lamp for Summoned Skull, which is conveniently at 3000 attack points thanks to your Force card. Summoned Skull, attack Darkfire Soldier #1, Fiend Megacyber, attack his life points!"
'I hope this works,' Stephen bit his lip, "I activate Rush Recklessly, raising Darkfire Soldier #1 to 2400 attack points."
"That's not enough," Rathje pointed out.
"That's because I'm not done!" Stephen grinned, "I activate Skull Dice. If it lands on a high enough number, you're Summoned Skull is toast!"
A large die appeared on the field, between the monsters. I began to roll. Both duelists looked anxiously at the massive die. It slowed, showing the number it had landed on, a six.
"Then it lowers you monsters' attack points by 600 each, making Summoned Skull do 2400 damage. We're equal!" Stephen declared happily.
"Then we both are destroyed," Rathje nodded in acknowledgement, "But The Fiend Megacyber still attacks you directly, doing 2100 points of damage."
Rathje: 3400, Stephen: 4500
Stephen drew. He placed the card on the field.
"I play Nobleman of Extermination, destroying Force," he shouted to Rathje.
"Why?" Rathje replied, "It's your card!"
"I know," Stephen answered, "but right now it's helping you more than it's helping me."
"So you just toss it aside?" Rathje asked.
"It's just a card!" Stephen yelled.
"No, it's not," Rathje shook it's head, "It's in your deck, representing you. Your deck symbolizes who you are. If you injured your hand, would you just shrug, chop it off, and throw it away?"
"It's not like that! This is a game!"
"Yes, a game which players pour their heart and soul into creating their decks to match who they are!" Rathje retorted.
Stephen was silent. He set one monster, which was flipped by Light of Intervention, showing High Tide Gyojin and one magic/trap and ended his turn.
Rathje drew. He set one monster, which was revealed, 7 Colored Fish, then attacked with The Fiend Megacyber. It destroyed High Tide Gyojin, but Stephen activated Michizure, bringing The Fiend Megacyber to the graveyard as well. Rathje ended his turn.
Stephen drew. He summoned his second Harpie's Brother in attack mode, adding Sword of Deep-seated. He attacked, defeating 7 Colored Fish. The top card on Stephen's deck, a Wingweaver, was sent to his graveyard. He set two magic/traps before ending his turn.
Rathje drew. He played one monster face-down, but it was flipped, activating it's effect.
"I use the effect of Princess of Tsurugi, making you lose 2000 life points!"
Rathje: 3400, Stephen: 2500
Stephen drew. He smiled when he saw the card, laying it on the field, "I play Monster Reborn, summoning Wingweaver onto the field in attack mode! I attack with Harpie's Brother!"
After Harpie's Brother destroyed Princess of Tsurugi, Wingweaver attacked Rathje's life points directly.
Rathje: 650, Stephen: 2500
"It's your turn," Stephen declared.
Rathje nodded, slowly drawing a card. Seeing the card, his eyes widened. He looked up at Stephen, "Brother, do you know which card I just drew?"
"No, which one?"
"The one that will lead to your defeat!" Rathje stated firmly, removing one card from his hand, still holding the card he drew, "I play Snatch Steal, equipping it to your Wingweaver!"
"No you don't," Stephen smirked, "I activate Fairy's Hand Mirror, causing you to equip Snatch Steal to my Harpie's Brother!"
"That's just fine."
"Huh?"
"I didn't want your Wingweaver to attack," Rathje explained, "I don't duel that way. You would just recover 1000 of the 1050 life point damage next turn. I have a much more sinister idea than that."
"And what would that be?" Stephen asked cautiously.
"I set one monster, but, as a result of Light of Intervention, it is flipped. And it's my second Man-eater Bug! After it destroys your Wingweaver, I'm using it as a tribute, with your Harpie's Brother, to call out the strongest monster in my deck, the Gate Guardian!" Rathje declared, playing the card, "Gate Guardian! Attack Stephen's life points!"
In an explosion of holographic force, Gate Guardian launched its attack. Stephen dropped to his knees, staring at the life point display.
Rathje: 650, Stephen: 0
"W-why?" Stephen murmured, "How could this happen? I had it planned so perfectly!"
"Stephen," Rathje called out, "Do you know why you lost?"
"Hmm?" Stephen met his brother's gaze.
"It is how you built your deck," Rathje continued, "Tell me; are there many cards you would like to get to add to your deck?"
Stephen nodded slowly, remaining silent.
"And your magic and trap cards, do you add them because they are powerful?"
Stephen nodded again.
"Then that is why," Rathje answered, "You have not found the cards you enjoy using. You have some, but not enough to make you ideal deck. I know that you like to use your Noblemen cards. To build the right deck, you have to find cards that match the way you want to play.
"Remember," Rathje added, "Don't let other people find your heart, only you may reveal the secrets it hides."
With that, he turned and left the arena, leaving his brother on his knees. As he entered the hallway, a single tear rolled down his cheek.
~
Author's Note: Well, after a long wait, chapter fourteen is done! This chapter did get quite "Heart of the Cards"-ish. Well, actually, that thing I said about decks reflecting the people who use them is my translation of "Heart of the Cards", so I guess I have to sum it up in one word: meh. Thanks for being patient!
Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh: The finals continue as Yasumi Shiroko duels against last years champion Yugi Moto. Can this new duelist match up against the most revered competitor? Or will the past repeat once more and Yugi make his way to the semi-finals?
Author's Note: That must be really annoying, I'll just shut up now.