"The final duel for the championship will now begin," announced Kaiba as
Mai and Shayla took their places. Kaiba returned to his seat next to his
brother.
"Who do you think is going to win?" Mokuba asked him.
"I'm not sure, it is a close match," replied Kaiba.
"I think Mai is going to win. I mean, she has won tournaments before," said Mokuba.
"No, I think Shayla is going to win," said Seto.
"Why?" asked Mokuba, but his brother did not reply.
"I play a monster in defense mode to end my first turn," said Shayla.
"The I start with my Harpy Lady and a magic card," countered Mai as her favorite monster appeared. She had stats of 1300 and 1400. "Attack the defending monster, Air Talon Attack!"
"Too bad," said Shayla as she turned over her monster. "Mystical Elf." Her elf had a defense of 2000.
"Why am I doing this?" thought Shayla. "Mai is one of the closest friends I have had in a long time."
"I play Water Omotics in attack mode," announced Shayla as she played her next monster. She had pink hair and a blue sequin dress. She held a vase over her head and did an alluring dance with it. Her attack was 1400 and her defense was 1200. "Attack the Harpy Lady, Rain Dance Blitz!" A tidal wave of water began to pour out of the vase of the Water Omotics. It washed over the Harpy Lady.
"Negate Attack," said Mai as she held up her magic card. "I would have thought that you would have seen that coming. Well.... you know what I mean." Shayla smiled sheepishly.
"For my turn I play another magic card and end my turn," said Mai.
"Then I will also play a magic card," said Shayla, "As well as Red Archery Girl." Her next monster was a mermaid, hiding inside of a clam shell. She had bright red hair and a sea green tail. She held a large bow and arrow. The arrow was the size of a shovel. Her stats were 1400 and 1500. "Attack the Harpy Lady. Oyster Arrow Shot!"
"Shayla, I am surprised," said Mai. "I really thought you would have seen my Rose Whip coming." Her Harpy Lady now had an attack of 1600. The two monsters fought, and the Red Archery Girl was destroyed. Shayla now had 1800 life points.
"And, for my turn, I play two magic cards. One is Elegant Egotist, which I use to triple my Harpy Lady. But I can't attack this turn, so it is your move," said Mai.
"Fair enough," murmured Shayla. "I play the Witch's Apprentice in attack mode."
"A lot of good that weakling is going to do you," muttered Mai. But she knew Shayla had a plan.
The new female monster had red hair as well. She had a blue gown on. She held a witch's broom. Her stats were 550 and 500.
"She may not be much, but I also use a magic card. It is Commencement Dance."
"A ritual?!" gaped Mai.
"Yes," smiled Shayla. "I sacrifice my Witch's Apprentice and Mystical Elf to turn my Water Omotics into Performance of Sword." The Gates of Chaos were opened and the Performance of Sword stepped out. She had flowing pink hair. She had a ribbon in one hand a sword in the other. Her outfit was green. It was close to the outfit Jasmine wears in Aladdin ©. Her attack was 1950 and her defense was 1850.
"Attack one of her harpies, Flail Ribbon Dance!" ordered Shayla, although she did feel slightly guilty about destroying the favorite monster of her roommate. Mai was down to 1350 life points.
"Don't think I am out of this competition, yet," said Mai. "I play Cyber Shield to raise the attack of my lead harpy to 2100. Attack the devine. Cyber Rose Slash!"
"Fake Trap!" said Shayla as she revealed her magic card.
"They don't seem to be playing too hard," muttered Kaiba, slightly disappointed.
"Then, I play a monster in defense mode," said Shayla. "I end my turn by attacking your weaker harpy. Flail Ribbon Dance!" The Performance of Sword danced over to the harpy, slicing her repeatedly. Mai was down to 700 life points.
"You've done good," complimented Mai. "But the tables are about to turn. I play Harpy's Pet Dragon in attack mode. It receives an additional 500 attack points for my remaining Harpy Lady." Her dragon now had an attack of 2500. "First, I'll have my Harpy Lady destroy your defending monster, Cyber Rose Slash!"
"Somehow," thought Mai, "it doesn't seem right to use the card Shayla gave me against her...."
The Harpy Lady flew into the air. She landed on top of the glowing square and shredded the monster, who was revealed to be the Unhappy Maiden.
"I thought Yu-Gi was bad with his Kuribohs," muttered Kaiba.
The Unhappy Maiden had a tear streaked face. Her strawberry blonde hair hung in matted strings around her head. Her simple blue dress was tattered and torn. Her stats were unbelievably low at 0 and 100.
"By defeating my Unhappy Maiden you have activated her effect," said Shayla. "That ends your turn." Mai nodded, coolly.
"For my turn, I use the Electro-Whip to raise the attack of my Performance of Sword by 500," announced Shayla. "Attack the Harpy Lady, Electric Sword Dance!" The Performance of Sword made quick work of the remaining Harpy Lady. Mai now had 350 life points. It also reduced the attack of her Harpy's Pet Dragon to 2000.
"Then, I play my second Harpy Lady, equipping her with Rose Whip," said Mai. This brought the attack of the dragon to 2500 again. "I also play Harpy's Feather Duster to eliminate your Electro-Whip!" The wings of the new harpy elongated, blowing the magic cards to the graveyard. "Harpy's Pet Dragon, attack the Performance of Sword, Blazing Fire Blast!" The devine was incinerated, taking Shayla down to 1250 life points. Shayla kept a calm face and drew her next card. She thought a moment.
"I play Harpy Lady Sister's in attack mode!" she declared as she summed three monsters in one card. The first harpy was identical to Mai's harpy, except she didn't have the Rose Whip. The second harpy had styled orange hair and green wings. The third had spiky violet hair and lilac wings. Their attack was 1950. "Attack the Harpy Lady, Triple Air Talon Attack!" The three harpies took flight and triple-teamed there 'sister.' Mai was down to 100 life points.
"For all the good that did you," Mai said as she brushed off the loss. "Your Harpy Lady Sisters raise the attack of my Harpy's Pet Dragon by 1000." The dragon now had 3000 attack points. "And, I just drew my final Harpy Lady, which I am placing in attack mode." This brought the dragon up to 3500 attack points. "I hate to say this, but Harpy's Pet Dragon, attack the Harpy Lady Sisters, Blazing Fire Blast!" The sisters were eliminated, so were the remainder of Shayla's life points.
"Mai is the winner of this competition," Seto announced. "Congratulations to all of our finalists. Will they please step forward?" Mai and Shayla exited the arena as Rebecca and Collin came out of the audience. Mokuba also stepped forward, taking his usual place next to his brother.
"On behalf of Kaiba Corporation," Kaiba began his speech. "I would like to award each finalist with $1,000 for making it this far. Mai, our champion, also gets an additional $5,000 for winning. Congratulations to you all. We look forward to seeing your successes in the future."
There was applause from the spectators. With the tournament over the Millennial Scales went dormant. Shayla blinked and her vision was gone. She tried not to let her face show her disappointment. Mai helped her off of the stage and they began to walk off.
"Wait a minute," Kaiba said as he followed them.
"What?" asked Mai.
"Can I have a word with Shayla, alone?" he asked.
"Sure," agreed Mai with a sly smile.
"What is it?" Shayla asked as she rummaged around her backpack for her walking stick.
"You could have won," he said. "I know that you would have never made such a silly mistake as playing your Harpy Lady Sisters."
"Maybe, then again, maybe not," muttered Shayla.
"Why did you do it?" asked Kaiba.
"You have no proof," she replied. He gave her a look of skepticism. "I saw you duel Pegasus. You are better than that."
"There is more to life than winning card games," Shayla replied. "Mai is one of the only friends I have. She has done a lot for me in the past few weeks. I have no desire to beat her."
"Not even for money?" asked Kaiba.
"I don't care about money," she replied. "I'm sure that sounds weird to you, but I really don't care about the outcome when I duel friends."
"Seto!" exclaimed Mokuba as he walked over. "I lost you in the crowd for a moment."
"Don't worry," said Seto. "I think it is time to leave." He turned and walked away, without even so much as a 'good-bye.'
"What was that about?" asked Mai as she walked over.
"Nothing," muttered Shayla.
"Oh, I see," said Mai.
"It isn't like that!" exclaimed Shayla. "Come on, let's get out of here."
"Who do you think is going to win?" Mokuba asked him.
"I'm not sure, it is a close match," replied Kaiba.
"I think Mai is going to win. I mean, she has won tournaments before," said Mokuba.
"No, I think Shayla is going to win," said Seto.
"Why?" asked Mokuba, but his brother did not reply.
"I play a monster in defense mode to end my first turn," said Shayla.
"The I start with my Harpy Lady and a magic card," countered Mai as her favorite monster appeared. She had stats of 1300 and 1400. "Attack the defending monster, Air Talon Attack!"
"Too bad," said Shayla as she turned over her monster. "Mystical Elf." Her elf had a defense of 2000.
"Why am I doing this?" thought Shayla. "Mai is one of the closest friends I have had in a long time."
"I play Water Omotics in attack mode," announced Shayla as she played her next monster. She had pink hair and a blue sequin dress. She held a vase over her head and did an alluring dance with it. Her attack was 1400 and her defense was 1200. "Attack the Harpy Lady, Rain Dance Blitz!" A tidal wave of water began to pour out of the vase of the Water Omotics. It washed over the Harpy Lady.
"Negate Attack," said Mai as she held up her magic card. "I would have thought that you would have seen that coming. Well.... you know what I mean." Shayla smiled sheepishly.
"For my turn I play another magic card and end my turn," said Mai.
"Then I will also play a magic card," said Shayla, "As well as Red Archery Girl." Her next monster was a mermaid, hiding inside of a clam shell. She had bright red hair and a sea green tail. She held a large bow and arrow. The arrow was the size of a shovel. Her stats were 1400 and 1500. "Attack the Harpy Lady. Oyster Arrow Shot!"
"Shayla, I am surprised," said Mai. "I really thought you would have seen my Rose Whip coming." Her Harpy Lady now had an attack of 1600. The two monsters fought, and the Red Archery Girl was destroyed. Shayla now had 1800 life points.
"And, for my turn, I play two magic cards. One is Elegant Egotist, which I use to triple my Harpy Lady. But I can't attack this turn, so it is your move," said Mai.
"Fair enough," murmured Shayla. "I play the Witch's Apprentice in attack mode."
"A lot of good that weakling is going to do you," muttered Mai. But she knew Shayla had a plan.
The new female monster had red hair as well. She had a blue gown on. She held a witch's broom. Her stats were 550 and 500.
"She may not be much, but I also use a magic card. It is Commencement Dance."
"A ritual?!" gaped Mai.
"Yes," smiled Shayla. "I sacrifice my Witch's Apprentice and Mystical Elf to turn my Water Omotics into Performance of Sword." The Gates of Chaos were opened and the Performance of Sword stepped out. She had flowing pink hair. She had a ribbon in one hand a sword in the other. Her outfit was green. It was close to the outfit Jasmine wears in Aladdin ©. Her attack was 1950 and her defense was 1850.
"Attack one of her harpies, Flail Ribbon Dance!" ordered Shayla, although she did feel slightly guilty about destroying the favorite monster of her roommate. Mai was down to 1350 life points.
"Don't think I am out of this competition, yet," said Mai. "I play Cyber Shield to raise the attack of my lead harpy to 2100. Attack the devine. Cyber Rose Slash!"
"Fake Trap!" said Shayla as she revealed her magic card.
"They don't seem to be playing too hard," muttered Kaiba, slightly disappointed.
"Then, I play a monster in defense mode," said Shayla. "I end my turn by attacking your weaker harpy. Flail Ribbon Dance!" The Performance of Sword danced over to the harpy, slicing her repeatedly. Mai was down to 700 life points.
"You've done good," complimented Mai. "But the tables are about to turn. I play Harpy's Pet Dragon in attack mode. It receives an additional 500 attack points for my remaining Harpy Lady." Her dragon now had an attack of 2500. "First, I'll have my Harpy Lady destroy your defending monster, Cyber Rose Slash!"
"Somehow," thought Mai, "it doesn't seem right to use the card Shayla gave me against her...."
The Harpy Lady flew into the air. She landed on top of the glowing square and shredded the monster, who was revealed to be the Unhappy Maiden.
"I thought Yu-Gi was bad with his Kuribohs," muttered Kaiba.
The Unhappy Maiden had a tear streaked face. Her strawberry blonde hair hung in matted strings around her head. Her simple blue dress was tattered and torn. Her stats were unbelievably low at 0 and 100.
"By defeating my Unhappy Maiden you have activated her effect," said Shayla. "That ends your turn." Mai nodded, coolly.
"For my turn, I use the Electro-Whip to raise the attack of my Performance of Sword by 500," announced Shayla. "Attack the Harpy Lady, Electric Sword Dance!" The Performance of Sword made quick work of the remaining Harpy Lady. Mai now had 350 life points. It also reduced the attack of her Harpy's Pet Dragon to 2000.
"Then, I play my second Harpy Lady, equipping her with Rose Whip," said Mai. This brought the attack of the dragon to 2500 again. "I also play Harpy's Feather Duster to eliminate your Electro-Whip!" The wings of the new harpy elongated, blowing the magic cards to the graveyard. "Harpy's Pet Dragon, attack the Performance of Sword, Blazing Fire Blast!" The devine was incinerated, taking Shayla down to 1250 life points. Shayla kept a calm face and drew her next card. She thought a moment.
"I play Harpy Lady Sister's in attack mode!" she declared as she summed three monsters in one card. The first harpy was identical to Mai's harpy, except she didn't have the Rose Whip. The second harpy had styled orange hair and green wings. The third had spiky violet hair and lilac wings. Their attack was 1950. "Attack the Harpy Lady, Triple Air Talon Attack!" The three harpies took flight and triple-teamed there 'sister.' Mai was down to 100 life points.
"For all the good that did you," Mai said as she brushed off the loss. "Your Harpy Lady Sisters raise the attack of my Harpy's Pet Dragon by 1000." The dragon now had 3000 attack points. "And, I just drew my final Harpy Lady, which I am placing in attack mode." This brought the dragon up to 3500 attack points. "I hate to say this, but Harpy's Pet Dragon, attack the Harpy Lady Sisters, Blazing Fire Blast!" The sisters were eliminated, so were the remainder of Shayla's life points.
"Mai is the winner of this competition," Seto announced. "Congratulations to all of our finalists. Will they please step forward?" Mai and Shayla exited the arena as Rebecca and Collin came out of the audience. Mokuba also stepped forward, taking his usual place next to his brother.
"On behalf of Kaiba Corporation," Kaiba began his speech. "I would like to award each finalist with $1,000 for making it this far. Mai, our champion, also gets an additional $5,000 for winning. Congratulations to you all. We look forward to seeing your successes in the future."
There was applause from the spectators. With the tournament over the Millennial Scales went dormant. Shayla blinked and her vision was gone. She tried not to let her face show her disappointment. Mai helped her off of the stage and they began to walk off.
"Wait a minute," Kaiba said as he followed them.
"What?" asked Mai.
"Can I have a word with Shayla, alone?" he asked.
"Sure," agreed Mai with a sly smile.
"What is it?" Shayla asked as she rummaged around her backpack for her walking stick.
"You could have won," he said. "I know that you would have never made such a silly mistake as playing your Harpy Lady Sisters."
"Maybe, then again, maybe not," muttered Shayla.
"Why did you do it?" asked Kaiba.
"You have no proof," she replied. He gave her a look of skepticism. "I saw you duel Pegasus. You are better than that."
"There is more to life than winning card games," Shayla replied. "Mai is one of the only friends I have. She has done a lot for me in the past few weeks. I have no desire to beat her."
"Not even for money?" asked Kaiba.
"I don't care about money," she replied. "I'm sure that sounds weird to you, but I really don't care about the outcome when I duel friends."
"Seto!" exclaimed Mokuba as he walked over. "I lost you in the crowd for a moment."
"Don't worry," said Seto. "I think it is time to leave." He turned and walked away, without even so much as a 'good-bye.'
"What was that about?" asked Mai as she walked over.
"Nothing," muttered Shayla.
"Oh, I see," said Mai.
"It isn't like that!" exclaimed Shayla. "Come on, let's get out of here."