An hour later Rebecca and Shayla had taken their spots on the platform.
Shayla was a little nervous. The Millennial Scales were still allowing her
to see. She had never been able to see for this long before. She told no
one though. The only person she would have trusted telling was Luther, and
wasn't around. Mai had drug her window shopping in the break. Shayla had
enjoyed some of it. But she was more interested in looking at people than
clothing. Clothing was one thing she still didn't understand. If it was
comfortable, wear it. Don't sacrifice comfort for looks was her thinking.
Seto Kaiba announced the duel and ordered it to start. Shayla glanced down at him and his brother. He looked better now that he was out of the Shadow Realm, but there was a hard glimmer around his eyes that worried Shayla. But she pushed this out of her mind and began to duel.
"I play a monster in defense mode," announced Rebecca.
Shayla thought a moment before playing her first card. Both opponents had seen each other duel, and were familiar with the other's strategy. Shayla did not want to make any mistakes.
"I play Amazon of the Seas in attack mode," announced Shayla. Her first monster was a mermaid. She had an attack of 1300 and a defense of 1400. She had aqua hair and a light sea green tail. Her fin was aqua, though. "Attack her defending card, Seven Seas Submerge!"
The mermaid flicked her tail and a huge tidal wave formed. It crashed around the defending card, obliterating it.
"How tragic, Teddy," Rebecca said to her stuffed bear. "She destroyed our monster. What are we going to do? I know, we can use its effect. Sangan lets me chose one monster with an attack of 1500 or less from my deck and put it in my hand. And I chose the Millennial Shield!" Shayla frowned. She knew what was coming next.
"I play the Millennial Shield in defense mode, along with the Ring of Magnetism!" Rebecca declared proudly. Her Millennial Shield was about seven feet tall, and pure red, except for the golden Eye of Horus in the middle. Four mechanical spheres appeared around it, forming the Ring of Magnetism. The magic card reduced the Millennial Shield's defense to 2500, but required Shayla to attack that monster alone.
"I should have seen that one coming," muttered Shayla as she fingered a trap card she should have used.
"But you don't see," Rebecca said, innocently. Shayla said nothing.
"Then I will play the Rose Spectre of Dunn in attack mode, along with the Mystical Space Typhoon. That magic card lets me get rid of one of my opponent's magic cards of my choice, and I chose the Ring of Magnetism," said Shayla. Her newest monster appeared. She had green skin and darker green hair. She wore a yellow tank top. Around her waist was a red rose. Below the rose was a long thorny vine, like a snake that replaced her legs. Her stats were 2000 and 1800.
"Since you can't attack, I will play a monster card in defense mode," said Rebecca.
"This duel is going nowhere," complained Mai.
"Then I play the Invader of the Throne in defense mode," announced Shayla. Her next female monster reclined a golden crystal throne. Her navy hair trailed to the floor. It stood out against her red dress. A clear orb was hovering in her hands. She had an attack of 1350 and a defense of 1700. "I also play a magic card. Then, my Rose Spectre will attack your defending card. Rain Forest Poison Vines!" The Rose Spectre charged forward and whipped the glowing square with her tail/legs. The monster vanished in a flash of light. Shayla found herself shielding her eyes, like everyone else did.
"Oh, no, we lost another monster!" cried Rebecca. "What was that, Teddy?" She held her bear up like it was whispering to her. "Oh, I see. We can use the Witch of the Black Forest's effect to pick a monster with a defense of less than 1500 from our deck. I chose Cannon Soldier!"
"And, for my turn I will play that Cannon Soldier!" she declared with a giggled. Her monster was a blue soldier, not to different from the Cyber Raider. But this monster had a silver cannon strapped to its back that was about twice its size. Its stats were 1400 and 1300. "Attack the Amazon of the Seas, High Pressured Cannon Attack!"
The Cannon Soldier fired a powerful blast from the cannon on its back. The mermaid cried out in pain, then vanished in a flash of light. Shayla was down to 1900 life points.
"I counter with the Goddess with the Third Eye," said Shayla. Her monster wore a simple light green robe with brown and orange trim. She had an orange hat on. Her eyes were both closed, except for the third eye on the middle of her forehead. Her stats were 1200 and 1000. "I also power her up with Malevolent Nuzzler." Her attack was now 1700. "Attack the Cannon Soldier with Triple Psychic Ray!" Three spheres appeared in front of the goddess, which were directed at the Cannon Soldier. It was vaporized. Rebecca was down to 1700 life points.
"Oh, she is so mean!" protested Rebecca. "I can only play one monster in defense mode."
"Then I will play La Moon in attack mode," said Shayla. Her newest monster appeared with her Rose Spectre, Goddess with the Third Eye, and Invader of the Throne. Rebecca had her Millennial Shield and defending monster. La Moon had flaming pink hair and a lilac tunic tied with a golden belt. Two pinkish dove wings grew from her back. She carried a large bronze spear in her hand. "Attack the defending monster. Lunar Spear Eclipse!"
"Ha! You activate my Cyber Jar!" smiled Rebecca.
"Oh, no!" gasped Shayla. All of the monsters on the field were sent to the graveyard. Then, Shayla and Rebecca drew five more cards. They had to play any monsters that had less than five stars. Rebecca played four monsters, Shayla played three.
Rebecca had three monsters face down and a Cannon Soldier. Shayla played her Gemini Elf, Dunames Dark Witch, and one face down. Her Gemini Elf was actually two monsters in one card. One elf had bright red hair and wore a violet outfit. The other had blonde hair and a matching blue outfit. The attack of the Gemini Elf was 1900. The Dunames Dark Witch was actually a light monster, despite the name. She was the opposite of the Dark Magician Girl. The Dunames Dark Witch had dark violet hair and a red outfit/armor. Her helmet had two decorative, white wings. Most of her armor was trimmed in white. She had an attack of 1800.
"I play another Sangan," declared Rebecca. Her monster was a pink sphere with stumpy limbs and three large eyes. It had an attack of 1000 and a defense of 600. "I use that as a tribute to activate Cannon Soldier's effect. Now, it can attack your life points directly!" Shayla was down to 1400 life points.
"Is that the end of your turn?" asked Shayla.
"Is it, Teddy?" asked Rebecca. "Yes, it is." She smiled in a disturbing way.
"Then I play Ill Witch in attack mode," said Shayla, making herself even with Rebecca at four monsters each. Her newest female monster was a sickly see-through green. She wore an opaque robe. A crown of clear green leaves adorned her head. Her attack was 700. "Attack Cannon Soldier, Bubonic Air Attack!" Rebecca was down to 1300 life points.
"And now to deal with your monsters," said Shayla. "Dunames Dark Witch attack one of the defending monsters, Holy Light Bolt!" One of the glowing squares lit up more than the Fourth of July. The monster was revealed to be the Magician of Faith.
"Yay!" cheered Rebecca. "That means I can bring back one magic card from the graveyard. And I chose the Ring of Magnetism."
"I'm not done yet," said Shayla. "Gemini Elf, attack another card. Double Twin Strike!" The elves double teamed a defending monster.
"Another Witch of the Black Forest!" cheered Rebecca. "And I chose my favorite, Shadow Ghoul, from my deck!"
"Don't let her intimidate you," encouraged Mai. "Send her back to the nursery!"
"How rude!" protested Rebecca. She only had one defending monster left. Shayla had the Dunames Dark Witch, Gemini Elf, Ill Witch, and one defending monster.
"I play my Shadow Ghoul," declared Rebecca. Her newest monster had five legs spaced out evenly around its body. Red orbs were embedded in its skin. It had wicked claws and spiky black hair that ran halfway down its back. It had a snout and insect like eyes. Its attack was normally 1600, but it gained 100 attack points for every card in the graveyard. It now had an attack of 2200.
"Then I play Monster Reborn to bring back my Millennial Shield, and I re- equip it with the Ring of Magnetism," Rebecca declared proudly. This brought the Shadow Ghoul down to 2100 attack and the Millennial Shield down to 2500 defense.
"Shadow Ghoul, attack the Dunames Dark Witch, Shadow Claw Slash!" ordered Rebecca. The witch was shredded, bring Shayla down to 1100 life points.
"Mystical Sand in attack mode!" Shayla said as she began her next move. Her favorite appeared, equal in attack to Rebecca's favorite. "I also move my Ill Witch to defense mode. Gemini Elf, attack the defending card! Double Twin Strike!"
"You forgot about my Ring of Magnetism!" scolded Rebecca as the attack was re-routed to the Millennial Shield.
"Shadow Ghoul, attack the Gemini Elf, Shadow Claw Slash!" ordered Rebecca. The elves were destroyed, taking Shayla down to 900 life points.
"I play a magic card and end my turn," Shayla said, simply.
"Then I play a magic card, too," said Rebecca. "Stop defense. I will move your Ill Witch to attack mode. Shadow Ghoul, destroy it, Shadow Claw Slash!" Shayla now had 400 life points as compared to Rebecca's 1300. Rebecca had her Millennial Shield and Shadow Ghoul, as well as a defending monster. Shayla had her Mystical Sand and a defending monster.
"I play a monster in defense mode," said Shayla.
"Then I will attack it!" declared Rebecca. "Shadow Claw Slash!" It was Shayla's turn to smile.
"I also have a Magician of Faith," Shayla revealed one of her defending cards. She had red hair and a short violet tunic. Her golden staff was shaped like a crescent moon with a star in it. "And I chose to bring back my Malevolent Nuzzler."
"Oh, no, Teddy!" cried Rebecca.
"I equip the Malevolent Nuzzler to my Mystical Sand," said Shayla. "She is final strong enough to destroy your Millennial Shield. Ancient Petrifaction Spell!" The Millennial Shield turned to stone and crumbled to dust. But this brought the attack of the Shadow Ghoul up to 2200.
"Then I play a magic card, Graceful Charity," said Rebecca. "I draw three cards and discard two from my hand. That brings Shadow Ghoul's attack up to 2400!"
"It isn't strong enough to take on my Mystical Sand," said Shayla because her Mystical Sand had an attack of 2600.
"So I play another magic card," said Rebecca. "Then, I attack your last defending card. Shadow Claw Slash!"
"I also have a Witch of the Black Forest," said Shayla with a smile as she flipped over her card. The Witch of the Black Forest wore a black robe with a patterned collar. A black hat similar to the Goddess with the Third Eye sat on her brown hair. Her hair was stringy and unkept. "I chose Protector of the Throne in defense mode." Her monster looked very similar to the Invader of the Throne. But this female monster had long red hair and a golden wood throne. Her orb was sky blue and her dress was violet. Her defense was 1500.
"A lot of good that does you," snapped Rebecca.
"Attack, Mystical Sand, Ancient Petrifaction Spell!" ordered Shayla.
"I told you I played a magic card," said Rebecca. "Negate Attack!"
"Now, Teddy," said Rebecca. "We play this monster in defense mode, with this magic card equipped to it. Then, our Shadow Ghoul will attack the Protector of the Throne. Shadow Claw Slash!"
"Just what I wanted you to do!" smiled Shayla. "I needed a warrior type on the field to activate Kunai with Chain, and you walked right into it!"
"Oh, no, anything but that!" protested Rebecca.
"That gets rid of all of the power ups your Shadow Ghoul received," said Shayla. The holo-field showed a large ninja star on a chain snag the Shadow Ghoul in mid-attack. The chain was held by the Protector of the Throne. And now it is my turn. I play Spell Binding Circle to lower your monster's attack by 500 more points. Attack, Ancient Petrifaction Spell!"
"No!" cried Rebecca as her favorite monster was destroyed and the duel was ended.
"You did it!" cheered Mai. "You had me worried for a moment, but you won!"
"Thanks...." Shayla murmured, sheepishly. She wasn't used to have a friend that was so outgoing.
"Congratulations," said Kaiba as he walked over. "I had a feeling the two of you would be our finalists. The final duel begins in twenty minutes. Good luck to both of you." He joined his brother and walked away.
Shayla and Mai faced each other in surprise. They would now be opponents on the duel field.
Seto Kaiba announced the duel and ordered it to start. Shayla glanced down at him and his brother. He looked better now that he was out of the Shadow Realm, but there was a hard glimmer around his eyes that worried Shayla. But she pushed this out of her mind and began to duel.
"I play a monster in defense mode," announced Rebecca.
Shayla thought a moment before playing her first card. Both opponents had seen each other duel, and were familiar with the other's strategy. Shayla did not want to make any mistakes.
"I play Amazon of the Seas in attack mode," announced Shayla. Her first monster was a mermaid. She had an attack of 1300 and a defense of 1400. She had aqua hair and a light sea green tail. Her fin was aqua, though. "Attack her defending card, Seven Seas Submerge!"
The mermaid flicked her tail and a huge tidal wave formed. It crashed around the defending card, obliterating it.
"How tragic, Teddy," Rebecca said to her stuffed bear. "She destroyed our monster. What are we going to do? I know, we can use its effect. Sangan lets me chose one monster with an attack of 1500 or less from my deck and put it in my hand. And I chose the Millennial Shield!" Shayla frowned. She knew what was coming next.
"I play the Millennial Shield in defense mode, along with the Ring of Magnetism!" Rebecca declared proudly. Her Millennial Shield was about seven feet tall, and pure red, except for the golden Eye of Horus in the middle. Four mechanical spheres appeared around it, forming the Ring of Magnetism. The magic card reduced the Millennial Shield's defense to 2500, but required Shayla to attack that monster alone.
"I should have seen that one coming," muttered Shayla as she fingered a trap card she should have used.
"But you don't see," Rebecca said, innocently. Shayla said nothing.
"Then I will play the Rose Spectre of Dunn in attack mode, along with the Mystical Space Typhoon. That magic card lets me get rid of one of my opponent's magic cards of my choice, and I chose the Ring of Magnetism," said Shayla. Her newest monster appeared. She had green skin and darker green hair. She wore a yellow tank top. Around her waist was a red rose. Below the rose was a long thorny vine, like a snake that replaced her legs. Her stats were 2000 and 1800.
"Since you can't attack, I will play a monster card in defense mode," said Rebecca.
"This duel is going nowhere," complained Mai.
"Then I play the Invader of the Throne in defense mode," announced Shayla. Her next female monster reclined a golden crystal throne. Her navy hair trailed to the floor. It stood out against her red dress. A clear orb was hovering in her hands. She had an attack of 1350 and a defense of 1700. "I also play a magic card. Then, my Rose Spectre will attack your defending card. Rain Forest Poison Vines!" The Rose Spectre charged forward and whipped the glowing square with her tail/legs. The monster vanished in a flash of light. Shayla found herself shielding her eyes, like everyone else did.
"Oh, no, we lost another monster!" cried Rebecca. "What was that, Teddy?" She held her bear up like it was whispering to her. "Oh, I see. We can use the Witch of the Black Forest's effect to pick a monster with a defense of less than 1500 from our deck. I chose Cannon Soldier!"
"And, for my turn I will play that Cannon Soldier!" she declared with a giggled. Her monster was a blue soldier, not to different from the Cyber Raider. But this monster had a silver cannon strapped to its back that was about twice its size. Its stats were 1400 and 1300. "Attack the Amazon of the Seas, High Pressured Cannon Attack!"
The Cannon Soldier fired a powerful blast from the cannon on its back. The mermaid cried out in pain, then vanished in a flash of light. Shayla was down to 1900 life points.
"I counter with the Goddess with the Third Eye," said Shayla. Her monster wore a simple light green robe with brown and orange trim. She had an orange hat on. Her eyes were both closed, except for the third eye on the middle of her forehead. Her stats were 1200 and 1000. "I also power her up with Malevolent Nuzzler." Her attack was now 1700. "Attack the Cannon Soldier with Triple Psychic Ray!" Three spheres appeared in front of the goddess, which were directed at the Cannon Soldier. It was vaporized. Rebecca was down to 1700 life points.
"Oh, she is so mean!" protested Rebecca. "I can only play one monster in defense mode."
"Then I will play La Moon in attack mode," said Shayla. Her newest monster appeared with her Rose Spectre, Goddess with the Third Eye, and Invader of the Throne. Rebecca had her Millennial Shield and defending monster. La Moon had flaming pink hair and a lilac tunic tied with a golden belt. Two pinkish dove wings grew from her back. She carried a large bronze spear in her hand. "Attack the defending monster. Lunar Spear Eclipse!"
"Ha! You activate my Cyber Jar!" smiled Rebecca.
"Oh, no!" gasped Shayla. All of the monsters on the field were sent to the graveyard. Then, Shayla and Rebecca drew five more cards. They had to play any monsters that had less than five stars. Rebecca played four monsters, Shayla played three.
Rebecca had three monsters face down and a Cannon Soldier. Shayla played her Gemini Elf, Dunames Dark Witch, and one face down. Her Gemini Elf was actually two monsters in one card. One elf had bright red hair and wore a violet outfit. The other had blonde hair and a matching blue outfit. The attack of the Gemini Elf was 1900. The Dunames Dark Witch was actually a light monster, despite the name. She was the opposite of the Dark Magician Girl. The Dunames Dark Witch had dark violet hair and a red outfit/armor. Her helmet had two decorative, white wings. Most of her armor was trimmed in white. She had an attack of 1800.
"I play another Sangan," declared Rebecca. Her monster was a pink sphere with stumpy limbs and three large eyes. It had an attack of 1000 and a defense of 600. "I use that as a tribute to activate Cannon Soldier's effect. Now, it can attack your life points directly!" Shayla was down to 1400 life points.
"Is that the end of your turn?" asked Shayla.
"Is it, Teddy?" asked Rebecca. "Yes, it is." She smiled in a disturbing way.
"Then I play Ill Witch in attack mode," said Shayla, making herself even with Rebecca at four monsters each. Her newest female monster was a sickly see-through green. She wore an opaque robe. A crown of clear green leaves adorned her head. Her attack was 700. "Attack Cannon Soldier, Bubonic Air Attack!" Rebecca was down to 1300 life points.
"And now to deal with your monsters," said Shayla. "Dunames Dark Witch attack one of the defending monsters, Holy Light Bolt!" One of the glowing squares lit up more than the Fourth of July. The monster was revealed to be the Magician of Faith.
"Yay!" cheered Rebecca. "That means I can bring back one magic card from the graveyard. And I chose the Ring of Magnetism."
"I'm not done yet," said Shayla. "Gemini Elf, attack another card. Double Twin Strike!" The elves double teamed a defending monster.
"Another Witch of the Black Forest!" cheered Rebecca. "And I chose my favorite, Shadow Ghoul, from my deck!"
"Don't let her intimidate you," encouraged Mai. "Send her back to the nursery!"
"How rude!" protested Rebecca. She only had one defending monster left. Shayla had the Dunames Dark Witch, Gemini Elf, Ill Witch, and one defending monster.
"I play my Shadow Ghoul," declared Rebecca. Her newest monster had five legs spaced out evenly around its body. Red orbs were embedded in its skin. It had wicked claws and spiky black hair that ran halfway down its back. It had a snout and insect like eyes. Its attack was normally 1600, but it gained 100 attack points for every card in the graveyard. It now had an attack of 2200.
"Then I play Monster Reborn to bring back my Millennial Shield, and I re- equip it with the Ring of Magnetism," Rebecca declared proudly. This brought the Shadow Ghoul down to 2100 attack and the Millennial Shield down to 2500 defense.
"Shadow Ghoul, attack the Dunames Dark Witch, Shadow Claw Slash!" ordered Rebecca. The witch was shredded, bring Shayla down to 1100 life points.
"Mystical Sand in attack mode!" Shayla said as she began her next move. Her favorite appeared, equal in attack to Rebecca's favorite. "I also move my Ill Witch to defense mode. Gemini Elf, attack the defending card! Double Twin Strike!"
"You forgot about my Ring of Magnetism!" scolded Rebecca as the attack was re-routed to the Millennial Shield.
"Shadow Ghoul, attack the Gemini Elf, Shadow Claw Slash!" ordered Rebecca. The elves were destroyed, taking Shayla down to 900 life points.
"I play a magic card and end my turn," Shayla said, simply.
"Then I play a magic card, too," said Rebecca. "Stop defense. I will move your Ill Witch to attack mode. Shadow Ghoul, destroy it, Shadow Claw Slash!" Shayla now had 400 life points as compared to Rebecca's 1300. Rebecca had her Millennial Shield and Shadow Ghoul, as well as a defending monster. Shayla had her Mystical Sand and a defending monster.
"I play a monster in defense mode," said Shayla.
"Then I will attack it!" declared Rebecca. "Shadow Claw Slash!" It was Shayla's turn to smile.
"I also have a Magician of Faith," Shayla revealed one of her defending cards. She had red hair and a short violet tunic. Her golden staff was shaped like a crescent moon with a star in it. "And I chose to bring back my Malevolent Nuzzler."
"Oh, no, Teddy!" cried Rebecca.
"I equip the Malevolent Nuzzler to my Mystical Sand," said Shayla. "She is final strong enough to destroy your Millennial Shield. Ancient Petrifaction Spell!" The Millennial Shield turned to stone and crumbled to dust. But this brought the attack of the Shadow Ghoul up to 2200.
"Then I play a magic card, Graceful Charity," said Rebecca. "I draw three cards and discard two from my hand. That brings Shadow Ghoul's attack up to 2400!"
"It isn't strong enough to take on my Mystical Sand," said Shayla because her Mystical Sand had an attack of 2600.
"So I play another magic card," said Rebecca. "Then, I attack your last defending card. Shadow Claw Slash!"
"I also have a Witch of the Black Forest," said Shayla with a smile as she flipped over her card. The Witch of the Black Forest wore a black robe with a patterned collar. A black hat similar to the Goddess with the Third Eye sat on her brown hair. Her hair was stringy and unkept. "I chose Protector of the Throne in defense mode." Her monster looked very similar to the Invader of the Throne. But this female monster had long red hair and a golden wood throne. Her orb was sky blue and her dress was violet. Her defense was 1500.
"A lot of good that does you," snapped Rebecca.
"Attack, Mystical Sand, Ancient Petrifaction Spell!" ordered Shayla.
"I told you I played a magic card," said Rebecca. "Negate Attack!"
"Now, Teddy," said Rebecca. "We play this monster in defense mode, with this magic card equipped to it. Then, our Shadow Ghoul will attack the Protector of the Throne. Shadow Claw Slash!"
"Just what I wanted you to do!" smiled Shayla. "I needed a warrior type on the field to activate Kunai with Chain, and you walked right into it!"
"Oh, no, anything but that!" protested Rebecca.
"That gets rid of all of the power ups your Shadow Ghoul received," said Shayla. The holo-field showed a large ninja star on a chain snag the Shadow Ghoul in mid-attack. The chain was held by the Protector of the Throne. And now it is my turn. I play Spell Binding Circle to lower your monster's attack by 500 more points. Attack, Ancient Petrifaction Spell!"
"No!" cried Rebecca as her favorite monster was destroyed and the duel was ended.
"You did it!" cheered Mai. "You had me worried for a moment, but you won!"
"Thanks...." Shayla murmured, sheepishly. She wasn't used to have a friend that was so outgoing.
"Congratulations," said Kaiba as he walked over. "I had a feeling the two of you would be our finalists. The final duel begins in twenty minutes. Good luck to both of you." He joined his brother and walked away.
Shayla and Mai faced each other in surprise. They would now be opponents on the duel field.