Moonlady: Mustard grenades, check. Mustard bombs, check. Mustard
missiles, check.
Lady Akhana: What are you doing?
Moonlady: Stockpiling weapons.
Star: Good idea, we need to be ready. The penguins are on the move!
E-100 Alpha: I heard that they are trying to use Multiply! We have to be ready! There might be more of them than Kuribohs!
Gema J Gall: Then we need to make a magic spell to counter them! We need Magic Jammer, Magic Void, Mystical Space Typhoon, Harpy's Feather Duster, Heavy Storm.....
Lady Akhana: And you need to stay away from the hot cocoa.
Gema J Gall: Hot cocoa good!
Pharaoh Light: Someone stop her now!
Pharaoh Dark: Yes, or it is going to be a repeat of her A Yu-Gi-Oh! Christmas Carol!
Joe Marusa: Hand her some mustard, that should work. *DC Kantel, Fox Demon, and Dark Fox enter.*
Dark Fox: It is good news, bad news time.
Moonlady: What did you do this time?
DC Kantel: See how they instantly suspect us?
E-100 Alpha: I repeat, what did you do?
Fox Demon: Well, you know that college student we were interrogating?
Star: What did you do to him?
DC Kantel: Again with the suspicion.
Gema J Gall: Get on with the point.
Fox Demon: Well, the good news is that we got all possible information out of him.
Dark Fox: The bad news is, we snapped his mind.
Pharaoh Dark: You did what?!
Pharaoh Light: That can't possibly be good.....
DC Kantel: It means there is one less penguin person in the world.
Lady Akhana: Translation; you put him in the nut house.
Joe Marusa: Now what are we going to do? We need another source of information.
Gema J Gall: Not to mention we need to be prepared for Heinz the Penguin Overlord and the Penguin King's assaults.
E-100 Alpha: I know! I know!
Star: You know what?
E-100 Alpha: I know where we can get another source of information. *Everyone gathers close and whispering is heard.*
DC Kantel: Great idea! I'll be the one to go get him!
Pharaoh Dark: Are you sure that is a good idea?
Pharaoh Light: Remember what he did to the last prisoner.
DC Kantel: Don't worry, I'll go easy on him. I'll beat him in a duel! *Everyone sweat-drops.*
Gema J Gall & Lady Akhana: But you don't know how to duel!
**************************************************************************
*Dream*
"Wow! I can't believe I am so close to the pharaoh!" thought the girl as Shayla looked on in her dream. The hot Egyptian sun was high over head. People pushed back, trying to give the ruler as much space as possible to pass. The girl, on the other hand, was trying to push forward, trying to see the pharaoh. It resulted in her landing in the dirt in a heap.
Shayla noticed several unusual things then. First, was the strange tan robe-like clothing the girl wore. Second was the fact that the girl was considerably younger that she was. Shayla was sixteen, but this girl had to be no more than twelve.
The girl stood up, shaking the dust from her clothing. She looked down the street and her heart sank. The pharaoh had passed, she had missed her chance. The girl was clearly disappointed. She began to pout, remembering her promise to her mom to buy dinner. She also was still bitter about not being able to become a priestess.
The crowds began to thin out, but the girl didn't go anywhere. She looked around. Shayla noticed every foreign detail with shock. She had never known much about Egypt, but everything had to be Egyptian. Shayla was baffled. Between her Millennial Scales, the Duelist Kingdom, and now the Egyptian exhibit at the local museum, she didn't know what to think. Shayla had a feeling that these dreams would all add up, but she had no idea how. Her life had just gotten too strange.
"What are you looking for, child?" asked a lady who approached the girl the Shayla was watching. The Jewish girl turned, causing Shayla to gasp. The speaker was Ishizu Ishtar, the museum curator. Shayla was now convinced that something BIG was going to happen.
"Just looking....." the girl muttered.
"That is not the case," replied Ishizu. Shayla noticed the necklace around her neck, remembering what Mai had said. Shayla suddenly wanted her scales, to compare the two, but her scales were back in reality. The necklace glittered in the afternoon sun.
"Um, I have to go shopping," said the girl, making up an excuse. Ishizu looked at her skeptically.
"My name is Ishizu," she said. "I am a historian and scribe to the pharaoh, Yami, and I am a priestess to the goddess, Isis."
"You're a priestess!?" exclaimed the girl. She was clearly impressed at the résumé that was just present, but slight alarmed that Ishizu helped a false goddess.
"You have much potential," she said. "Come with me." She added the last part as if it was a spur of the moment idea.
"I don't know....." muttered the girl, nervously.
"You do want to be a priestess, don't you?" she asked.
"Yes! But, how did you know?"
"I may be able to help," said Ishizu, "No, I can help, although the end may not be what you expect."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean I can put you on a promising path, but that path may not lead where you want it to. This may sound disappointing, but even though the end is unexpected, it is still for the best."
"What do you mean?"
"I can teach you some very important things, because you will play an important role in the near future. Change is coming," she said.
"Show me, but don't take long. I have to be home soon," the girl answered as she summoned her courage.
*End Dream*
Shayla sat bolt upright in bed, like she had before. The first thing she did was reach for her Millennial Scales. She clutched them close to her heart, wishing Luther was there for her to talk with.
**************************************************************************
"So, how was the first day at Domino High?" asked Mai as they returned to their apartment that afternoon.
"It was OK," admitted Shayla. "But no one knows how to act around me because I am blind."
"Figures...." muttered Mai as she flipped on the radio.
"I didn't run into you, though," added Shayla.
Mai chuckled. "I don't care much for school. I go when I please."
"More like, you don't go when you don't want to," replied Shayla. "How many days a week do you skip?"
"Ouch, harsh," said Mai. "I'd go more if they didn't make us where those stupid uniforms."
"Can't argue with you there," agreed Shayla. "Speaking of which, I am changing out of mine." She slipped into her bedroom and appeared a few minutes later wearing her newest outfit. She had on a white shirt with flared sleeves, and black jeans that were two sizes too big.
"I am seriously taking you on a much needed shopping spree," commented Mai.
"Congratulations, Mai. That is the one hundredth time you've said that," replied Shayla.
"Very funny," commented Mai as she went through the mail. "You have another letter from your boyfriend."
"Luther? Impossible," replied Shayla, trying to block out the pain in her heart.
"No, I mean Kaiba. And who is Luther?" asked Mai.
"Luther was my boyfriend and closest friend until three weeks before the Duelist Kingdom," said Shayla, a lump forming in her throat. She took the envelope from Mai. "He was also Martin's older brother."
"What happened?" asked Mai, sensing something was wrong. Shayla paused a moment.
"He was killed in a hit and run accident," she whispered. "Before the Duelist Kingdom, he was the only true friend I had. He was the only one who treated me like a person, and not some charity reject...."
"You loved him, didn't you?" asked Mai. Shayla nodded, trying to control the tears that threatened to spill over.
"He was an orphan, too," Shayla continued. "But he at least knew his parents, well his mom anyways. His dad abandoned the family. His mom died of cancer when he was ten, putting both him and Martin in the Group Home with me."
"Um, what does the letter say?" asked Mai, trying to change off of the delicate topic. Shayla flopped down on the couch and opened it.
"Dear Miss Shayla and Miss Valentine," she read. "You are both cordially invited to the newest major tournament hosted by Kaiba Corporation. This Battle City Tournament will take place for a week in the next two weeks. All of the top duelists in the country, as well as some from other countries have been invited. There will be new rules used in the competition, so you are both encouraged to attend the introduction ceremony this Saturday evening at the Tower City Hotel. I hope that you both will be able to attend. Sincerely, Seto Kaiba."
"Wow! Another tournament!" commented Mai.
"But this one seems much bigger," Shayla pointed out. Harpy, Mai's cat, began to rub against her legs. Shayla picked her up and began to pet her.
"I wonder what Kaiba is trying to prove this time?" Mai wondered out loud.
"I am serious, he wants to make Kaiba Corp. on top of Industrial Illusions. It probably all has to do with company politics," replied Shayla.
"Well, I am going," said Mai. "I can't refuse a challenge like that."
"Go figure....."
"Hmmm, I wonder why Kaiba always addresses the letters to you?" wondered Mai.
"He probably has a secretary do all of his work," said Shayla. "He probably doesn't even see the letters."
"I think...."
"I know what you think, and I think that you are wrong," replied Shayla. Mai smiled.
**************************************************************************
AN/ Drake and Lara belong to E-100 Alpha. Read his stuff! On with the story!
That Weekend.......
"Wow! Look at all of the duelists!" exclaimed Mai that weekend. They were outside of the Tower City Hotel, along with about a hundred other people.
"Look.... sure," muttered Shayla.
"Sorry," replied Mai. "Hey! There's Tea and Yu-Gi!" Mai grabbed Shayla's wrist and pulled her over to the two.
"Hi, Tea," greeted Mai. She glanced over Tea's outfit. The brown haired girl was wearing a skimpy yellow tube top with tight pink shorts. Her pastel wind-breaker was draped over her arms. Yu-Gi had lost the navy trench coat her always wore. He had on blue jeans and a black T-shirt with the sleeves cut off. His Millennial Puzzle hung around his neck by a thick silver chain.
"Is this a date?" asked Mai.
"No!" protested Tea.
"Um, Hi, Yu-Gi," greeted Shayla while Mai was getting chewed out. "Do you know what this is all about?"
"Yes, I think," he replied.
"Who is that over there?" asked Mai. "Oh, gross! That's Rex Raptor and Weevil Underwood!"
"Yes, and Mako Tsunami," added Yu-Gi.
"And I see ESPA Roba. He is supposed to duel with psychic abilities," added Mai.
"Yeah, right," retorted Shayla. "I meet two other people who claimed to be psychic duelists. They were fakes, and I bet he is, too."
"Two?" asked Tea.
"Yeah, Mai and Pegasus," replied Shayla.
"Oh, yeah, that," muttered Mai, slightly embarrassed.
"This is starting way too much like the Duelist Kingdom," said Tea.
"That isn't very reassuring," replied Shayla.
"Hi guys!" greeted another duelist as he walked over. He wore a simple pair of blue jeans and a black jacket. His hair was red. A girl with lilac hair hung on his arm. She wore a mini sweater that matched her hair and tight jeans. His Millennial Gauntlet and her Millennial Locket glittered on the street lights as the sun finished setting. Actually, they weren't true Millennial Items, but pseudo ones, created by Pegasus to resurrect his dead wife.
"Hi Drake! Hi Lara!" greeted Tea.
"Hi," Lara replied. "You all got invited into this mess, too?"
"Looks that way," replied Mai.
"I find it hard to believe that Kaiba would invite the son of his rival company's CEO," commented Shayla.
"He is trying to force Industrial Illusions under," said Drake has he rubbed his temples. Lara saw this and began to rub his shoulders.
"I think there is more to it than that," commented Yu-Gi, quietly.
"How is everything? I mean, we haven't heard from you since the Duelist Kingdom," asked Tea.
"Well, with dad out, I've had to do most of the managing," commented Drake. "I never knew it could be so much work. But the new Dungeon Dice Monsters game should be on the shelves next month."
"It isn't that bad," added Lara. "We have the entire island to ourselves, minus the guards." She smiled slyly. "We've had fun."
"Like what?" asked Mai.
"Like running Croquet's boxers up the flag pole," giggled Lara.
"But he tried to ground us for that," Drake pointed-out.
"Yeah, but then you reminded him that you could fire him," smiled Lara.
"How is Pegasus?" asked Yu-Gi.
"The phrase 'vegetable' describes him very well," answered Drake.
"Hey, Lara," said Mai, slyly. "Are you busy next weekend?"
"No, why?"
"Well, since your boyfriend has cash to burn, why don't you help burn it?" asked Mai. "Before the tournament we are having a girls' day out; shopping, make-up, chocolate...."
"Great," muttered Lara with a false smile.
"Have fun," said Tea.
"Oh, no, you are coming, too," said Mai.
"Now, do you understand what I have to put up with?" asked Shayla. Then Mako walked over.
"Hello, Yu-Gi," he greeted.
"Hi, Mako," replied Yu-Gi. "You haven't met Drake and Lara yet, have you?"
"No, pleased to meet you," said Mako. He had on an ocean blue vest and tattered white pants. His hair was held back with an aqua headband. "Too bad you all don't stand a chance."
"I don't think so," said Lara. "Drake can wipe the floor with you."
"That runt?" asked Mako.
"He happens to be Pegasus' son, and one of the....." Lara began to rant.
"OK, we get the idea," said Drake, blushing slightly.
"That runt is Pegasus' kid?" asked Mako, clearly impressed.
"Hey, Mai! I have a bone to pick with you!" said Rex Raptor in a gravely voice as he walked over. He had on an orange stocking cap and green jacket. His pants were mud brown.
"Go fossilize," Mai snapped.
"I don't think so!" he protested. "You still owe me a duel."
"Oh, is it isn't little Yu-Gi," chimed Weevil Underwood in his high squeaky voice as he walked over. He had thick, coke bottle glasses and a green jacket over his white clothing. "Oh, and if it isn't a bunch of other losers." He glanced at the group, haughtily.
"I wouldn't say anything, if I were you," retorted Mako. "You were the first on deported from Duelist Kingdom."
"Save, squid head," snapped Weevil.
"I wouldn't be talking, if I were you," replied Rex. "I still want to squash you like the bug you are."
"Don't go breathing your dinosaur breath on me!" retorted Weevil. A second later Mako, Rex, and Weevil's conversation degenerated into name calling and bad puns dealing with water, dinosaurs, and bugs. Then, in a huff they all walked away, agreeing to cream each other in the tournament.
"That, was weird," commented Mai as they all watched the retreating figures.
"Are all duelists crazy?" asked Shayla.
"What?" asked Tea.
"Are all duelists as insane as the people I keep meeting at these tournaments?" she asked again, remembering what she had been told about, 'insanity being contagious.'
"No, I think there has to be some normal ones out there, but I haven't met them yet," replied Lara.
"Great....."
"Hey, where are Joe and the others?" asked Mai.
"I think Joe is trying to call his sister," said Yu-Gi. "Tristan had homework, and I don't know about Bakura." Mai's face fell.
"Why do you care?" asked Shayla. "It is not as if you like....." She was interrupted by Mai shoving her hand over her mouth. The others gave her weird looks.
"Attention duelists," a voice said over the loud speaker. Everyone in the area tried to figure out where it was coming from.
"Kaiba?" asked Shayla as she recognized the voice.
"I am glad to see that you are all here. I warn you, this tournament is not for those faint of heart," Kaiba continued to explain, although his location was still a mystery. "This competition will be so tough it will make the Duelist Kingdom seem like a joke."
"Grrrrr," Drake growled. Lara walked over and put her hand on his shoulder.
"To begin with, only the elite will be competing, using my newest invention, the duel disk. Some of the modified rules will include necessary sacrifices, tributes, to summon high level monsters." Kaiba continued. "But, the biggest change in Battle City is this; the loser of the duel must give up his or her rarest card to the winner." Needless to say, this got considerable booing.
"Give up my Dark Magician?!" cried Yu-Gi.
"That means one loss would completely ruin my deck!" protested Mai.
"He can't be serious!" exclaimed Shayla. "I couldn't just give up one of my cards. I mean......" She couldn't finish. Her deck meant too much to her to risk it on a single duel.
"I won't lose my dragons!" exclaimed Drake.
"This tournament will be the ultimate competition in Duel Monsters history," Kaiba continued, ignoring the complaints. "Those who cannot handle it are encouraged to back out now."
"I think I hear something," commented Shayla.
"It is a helicopter!" exclaimed Lara. A helicopter flew over and began to hover over the street, across from the hotel. Kaiba hung on, half hanging out the door of it.
"We love you Kaiba!"
"You are insane!"
"This is so stupid!"
"You're the greatest!" came the varied reactions of the crowd.
Kaiba ignored them all and dismounted. He had lost the navy trench coat and replaced it with a white one, studded in silver. The rest of his outfit was black. One of his new duel disks were connected to his wrist. He walked straight into the hotel. The crowd followed. Inside they were given a briefing on the tournament. But Shayla hardly heard it. She couldn't shake the cloud she felt hanging over head.
**************************************************************************
A few days later......
"Come on!" insisted Mai as she pulled Shayla into the card shop that was serving as the registration head quarters. "We want to register early. I can't wait until this tournament."
"I can...." muttered Shayla. She still wasn't sure if she was going to enter. She didn't like the new rules, and she couldn't shake the apprehension she had.
Mai drug her up to the counter of the small, two room shop. The cashier was ghostly pale, with greedy eyes. Shayla felt a chill as she approached, and for some reason Bandit Keith popped into her mind.
"Are you two here to register?" he asked.
"Yes, we are," Mai answered promptly.
"Just give me your names, then," he said, "I have to run a computer analysis. Kaiba wants to make sure that only the best compete, so he devised a system to rank all of the invited duelists. Only those with four or more stars on a scale of five can compete, unless they have special permission from Kaiba himself."
"OK, I am Mai Valentine," said Mai. The cashier began to type on the keyboard. It was quiet for a moment.
"Yes, Miss Valentine, you qualify," he said. "You are a four star duelist. But you do realize that you will be risking your Harpy's Feather Duster."
"Yes, just sign me up," said Mai. A few key strokes later and the cashier turned behind him and picked up a box off of the shelf.
"Here is your duel disk," he said as he handed her the box. "Be in Battle City next week for the opening of the tournament. And don't lose anything in the box."
"Sure," agreed Mai as she slipped the box under her left arm.
"And you are?" asked the cashier, turning to Shayla.
"This is Shayla," said Mai, since Shayla hesitated. She still wasn't even sure if she wanted to get involved.
"Last name?"
"None," replied Mai.
"What do you mean?" asked the clerk.
"She means I don't have a last name," snapped Shayla. The clerk gave her a weird look and typed.
"Hmmm," he muttered as he read the screen. "You only have three stars, simply because you haven't been in enough competitions to have a better rank."
"Too bad......" muttered Shayla, who was actually slightly relieved.
"That isn't it," said the cashier. "You actually have special permission from Seto Kaiba himself to be able to participate." He entered her name on the computer and reached for a duel disk.
"WHAT?!" cried Shayla, shocked.
"Go figure," smirked Mai.
"Not a word," Shayla snapped at Mai. Mai just gave her an 'I told you so' look, which was lost on the blind girl.
"You don realize that you are risking your Cosmo Queen," said the cashier as he handed her the box. Shayla was too shocked to answer. She felt the weight in her arms, and felt her legs wobble. "Although, the Cosmo Queen isn't much good without the Cosmo Queen's Prayer." The cashier said the last part to himself, mostly.
That was when a little bell above the door of the shop rang as Drake and Lara entered.
"You two finished registering?" asked Drake.
"Yeah," Mai answered. Shayla was still too surprised to speak.
"Are you going to enter?" asked the cashier.
"Yeah," said Drake, walking over. "I am going to fight for Industrial Illusions."
"Name?" asked the cashier.
"Drake Pegasus," he answered. This caused the cashier to do a double take.
"Well, it says here that you are a four and a half star duelist, so you are in," said the cashier. "You do realize the risk of......"
"I do, get on with it," snapped Drake. The cashier shrugged and handed him his duel disk.
"Are you entering?" he turned to Lara.
"No, I'm not," she replied. "I would never treat my monsters that way."
"Hmmmm," muttered the cashier. "You are only a three star duelist, but you have permission from Kaiba."
"I am not entering," she said, stamping her foot for emphasis. The cashier shrugged. But he casually glanced at the screen, a look of greed crossing his face.
"You can't do that!" protested a voice in the next room. The four looked in.
It was a small side room with a table and two chairs, set up for two people who wanted to duel. There was an amateur duel going on now.
(AN/ This part was inspired by author DC Kantel.)
"What is going on?" asked Drake.
"It looks like those two are practicing," answered Lara.
The first duelist had scared dark eyes and disheveled black hair. He had on jean shorts and a blue T-shirt. The second had on black jeans and a black T-shirt with the sleeves cut off. His black jacket with flame decoration was draped over his chair.
"Why can't I do this?" asked the second.
"Because it is against the rules," replied the first. Both sides currently had no cards in play.
"I just want to combine these two cards," protested the first.
"You can't!"
"Why not?"
"Because that is a magic card and that is a trap card," said the first.
"I don't care! I have glue!" the second said as he pulled a tube of super glue out of his pocket.
"You can't fuse them together that way! You need to use Polymerization!" protested the first.
"I don't care! I play Gravekeeper's Servant in attack mode," said the second.
"You can't play that in attack mode! It is not a monster card," protested the first and the second put his magic card in the place of a monster card. By this time Mai, Shayla, Drake, and Lara were sweat-dropping.
"It is a thing, a servant, therefore it isn't magic, therefore I am playing it in attack mode!" said the second, with gritted teeth.
"Fine, Kantel, have it your way. Then I counter with Penguin Soldier in attack mode," said the first. No holo-graphic image was produced, because they were dueling on a table top. The Penguin Soldier had stats of 750 and 500. "Since your 'monster' has no attack or defense points, I'll destroy it! Penguin Stab!" This brought DC Kantel down to 2100 life points.
"Oh, yeah," commented Lara. "Battle City rules give you 4000 life points, as well as the ability to attack those life points directly."
"Oh, not him, not him," moaned Shayla.
"Who?" asked Mai.
"It's that penguin guy....." Shayla mumbled.
"Who?" asked Drake.
"The penguin guy is insane! He believes penguins live in people's heads and are going to take over the world," explained Shayla.
"That is crazy," agreed Lara.
"I use this magic card," said DC Kantel. "That means that you have to put one of your monster in an evil ritual to bring back a zombie."
"No it doesn't! Tribute to the Doom simple destroys one monster," explained the penguin guy.
"And it brings in the doomed!" added Kantel.
"No it doesn't!"
"Yes it does!"
"No!"
"Yes!"
"No!"
"Yes!"
"You are with the penguins!"
"Shouldn't we do something?" asked Drake.
"No, trust me on this," said Shayla, "Don't get involved."
"Then I play Battle Steer in attack mode," said Kantel as the penguin guy put his Penguin Soldier in the graveyard. This monster had an attack of 1800.
"You can't play that. You have to pay a tribute! You can't play this way, the penguins will stop the cheaters!" cried Tommy, the penguin guy.
"I tribute my whole deck!" Kantel yelled back. He picked up his deck and threw it into his graveyard. A few cards fell to the floor.
"Attack him! Shred him!" ordered DC Kantel. This brought the penguin guy down to 850 life points.
"You cannot hope to beat the penguins! They are everywhere!" cried Tommy. "I play Flying Penguin in attack mode." This penguin had an attack of 1200. "And Umi, I make the field an ocean." This brought the Flying Penguin's attack up to 1700.
"I don't know who is the craziest," commented Lara.
"Let's get out of here," suggested Shayla.
"I think we should call the insane asylum," said Mai. Drake just what them, shocked.
"My turn," said Kantel as he picked up a card off of Tommy's deck.
"What are you doing?" asked Tommy.
"Well, all of my deck is in the graveyard, so I am drawing from yours," answered DC Kantel.
"You can't do that!" protested Tommy. "You'll cause the penguins to attack! They'll destroy us all!"
"I know, I know! Exclaimed Kantel. "I am fusing these three cards together and making that really cool three headed dragon that Kaiba has!"
"You can't do that!" protested Tommy. "You can't combine Trap Hole, Bean Soldier, and my Penguin Knight to make the Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon! It isn't possible!"
"Really? Watch!" countered DC Kantel. "First, I use these scissors," he pulled them out of his pocket, "I cut off their heads. Then, I can combine them together with my super glue! Finally, I paste the word dragon at the top, and I have my ultimate dragon!" He was about to do this when Tommy screamed.
"THE PENGUINS!" cried Tommy as he looked up and saw Shayla. He frantically reached into his pockets and pulled out several little packets of ketchup. But he squeezed them so tight that they exploded all over the side of his face. "They are going to destroy us all! Help!"
"What is going on in here?!" demanded the cashier as he walked over.
"Um, a duel, I think," answered Drake.
"You two again!" cried the cashier. "How many times have I told you not to come here!"
"The penguins!" Tommy continued to cry.
"Get out!" yelled the cashier as he picked up both of them and threw them into the street. He threw their decks out after them.
Outside.....
"We are all doomed! This is the end!" cried Tommy.
"All I wanted was the ultimate dragon," pouted DC Kantel. Suddenly, a group of strange people appeared, almost as if they appeared out of thin air. Across their shirts, jewelry, and other accessories were the letters POF.
"Tommy, otherwise known as the penguin guy, you are coming with us," said Gema J Gall.
"No! The penguins!" cried Tommy. "Help!"
"He is resisting, does that mean I get to summon my shadow foxes?" asked Dark Fox. Fox Demon smiled evilly.
"No! You almost killed the last one," argued Moonlady.
"I wouldn't mind seeing him running in fear from the shadow foxes," commented E-100 Alpha.
"We need him alive," said Lady Akhana.
"We can't waste time, we have to get back to the headquarters," said Joe Marusa.
"I know, I left my computer on scan mode," agreed Star.
"Hey, we always have are cool lightbulbs," said the Pharaohs Light & Dark.
"Help! Penguins! They are coming! Help!" cried Tommy as he began to run.
"We have a runner," muttered Lady Akhana.
"He's mine!" exclaimed DC Kantel, tackling him.
"Let's go," said Gema. They all nodded and disappeared as mysteriously as they came.
Back in the card shop.....
"That was way too weird," commented Mai.
"How do you know him?" asked Lara.
"You think you have it bad when Rex or Weevil challenges you to a duel," said Shayla. "I keep finding nutcases like that!"
"What kind of answer is that?" asked Drake.
"I won some star chips from him in the Duelist Kingdom," said Shayla.
"Oh," muttered Mai. That was when the bell rang and three more people entered the shop.
"Is this where we sign up?" asked Joe Wheeler, eagerly.
"Yes it is," said the cashier as he resumed his place behind the counter.
"Oh, his guys," said Tea.
"Have you already registered?" asked Yu-Gi.
"Sadly, yes," answered Shayla as the other nodded.
"You must be Yu-Gi Motou," said the cashier as he began to type on his computer. "You qualify, you are a five star duelist."
"OK," said Yu-Gi, simply.
"Are you not participating, Lara?" asked Tea.
"No, I think I leave this one to Drake," said Lara as she looped her arms around his waist. Drake managed to control his blushing this time, so he only turned slightly pink.
"The rare Dark Magician," muttered the cashier. He seemed to be turning over something in his mind. "You do realize that you are risking the Dark Magician?"
"Yes," said Yu-Gi.
"OK, you are registered," said the cashier. He handed Yu-Gi his duel disk.
"What about me? What about me?" asked Joe, eagerly.
"And you are?" asked the cashier.
"Joe Wheeler, one of the finalists and the Duelist Kingdom!" he said, as if everyone should know.
"Sorry, it says that you are only a one star duelist. That isn't enough to compete," said the cashier.
"What?! No way! Let me see that!" yelled Joe as he leaned over counter.
"You know Kaiba doesn't like you," said Mai.
"Doesn't like? Loathe would be more appropriate," commented Lara.
"More like, he thinks of you along the same lines as a canine, or some other creature in the animal kingdom," added Drake.
"Hey!" protested Joe.
Shayla wasn't paying attention to them. She heard the cashier mutter to himself, then he began to type some more.
"Oh, I'm sorry," said the cashier. "It must have been a computer glitch. It says that you are a four star duelist, which is enough to enter."
"I knew it!" exclaimed Joe. "Let me see those stars!" He swiveled the monitor around so he could see it.
"He is certainly excited," muttered Tea.
"Yeah, I know," agreed Yu-Gi.
"Come to papa!" exclaimed Joe as he embraced his duel disk.
"You do realize you are risking your Red-Eyes, Black Dragon?' asked the cashier.
"I'm not risking, because I'm not going to lose!" said Joe.
"Care to play friendly wage on that?" asked Drake. "Remember who you are competing against."
"Drake is right," agreed Yu-Gi. "There is much more at stake this time. You have become a good duelist, but there are a lot of other good duelists, too."
Shayla still hadn't said a word. She could feel her scales move inside of her backpack, towards the cashier. Another chill ran down her back. Her scales were trying to tell her that he wasn't all that he appeared to be, but she couldn't figure out why he'd be dangerous.
"So, Tea, Lara, what are the two of you doing before the tournament?" asked Mai, coyly.
"Nothing much," answered Tea. "Why?"
"Two words; Shopping Spree. It is going to be great. And no boys allowed," said Mai, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"I guess that means Joe the Chihuahua is exempt," said Drake.
"Take that back!" yelled Joe.
"Why? People saw you on national TV in a dog costume," said Lara, instantly coming to her boyfriend's aid.
"Lighten up, you guys," said Yu-Gi as he stepped between them.
"Well, I'll call you and set a date," said Mai. "But we'd better get home, it is getting late."
"Oh, my gosh!" exclaimed Joe. "I am supposed to meet Serenity in the hospital. Her surgery is today. Got to go!" He grabbed his duel disk and raced out the door.
"Good luck," said Yu-Gi as he and Tea left.
"See you soon, Lara," said Mai as she drug Shayla out of the shop.
"Good-bye," said Drake and Lara.
Lady Akhana: What are you doing?
Moonlady: Stockpiling weapons.
Star: Good idea, we need to be ready. The penguins are on the move!
E-100 Alpha: I heard that they are trying to use Multiply! We have to be ready! There might be more of them than Kuribohs!
Gema J Gall: Then we need to make a magic spell to counter them! We need Magic Jammer, Magic Void, Mystical Space Typhoon, Harpy's Feather Duster, Heavy Storm.....
Lady Akhana: And you need to stay away from the hot cocoa.
Gema J Gall: Hot cocoa good!
Pharaoh Light: Someone stop her now!
Pharaoh Dark: Yes, or it is going to be a repeat of her A Yu-Gi-Oh! Christmas Carol!
Joe Marusa: Hand her some mustard, that should work. *DC Kantel, Fox Demon, and Dark Fox enter.*
Dark Fox: It is good news, bad news time.
Moonlady: What did you do this time?
DC Kantel: See how they instantly suspect us?
E-100 Alpha: I repeat, what did you do?
Fox Demon: Well, you know that college student we were interrogating?
Star: What did you do to him?
DC Kantel: Again with the suspicion.
Gema J Gall: Get on with the point.
Fox Demon: Well, the good news is that we got all possible information out of him.
Dark Fox: The bad news is, we snapped his mind.
Pharaoh Dark: You did what?!
Pharaoh Light: That can't possibly be good.....
DC Kantel: It means there is one less penguin person in the world.
Lady Akhana: Translation; you put him in the nut house.
Joe Marusa: Now what are we going to do? We need another source of information.
Gema J Gall: Not to mention we need to be prepared for Heinz the Penguin Overlord and the Penguin King's assaults.
E-100 Alpha: I know! I know!
Star: You know what?
E-100 Alpha: I know where we can get another source of information. *Everyone gathers close and whispering is heard.*
DC Kantel: Great idea! I'll be the one to go get him!
Pharaoh Dark: Are you sure that is a good idea?
Pharaoh Light: Remember what he did to the last prisoner.
DC Kantel: Don't worry, I'll go easy on him. I'll beat him in a duel! *Everyone sweat-drops.*
Gema J Gall & Lady Akhana: But you don't know how to duel!
**************************************************************************
*Dream*
"Wow! I can't believe I am so close to the pharaoh!" thought the girl as Shayla looked on in her dream. The hot Egyptian sun was high over head. People pushed back, trying to give the ruler as much space as possible to pass. The girl, on the other hand, was trying to push forward, trying to see the pharaoh. It resulted in her landing in the dirt in a heap.
Shayla noticed several unusual things then. First, was the strange tan robe-like clothing the girl wore. Second was the fact that the girl was considerably younger that she was. Shayla was sixteen, but this girl had to be no more than twelve.
The girl stood up, shaking the dust from her clothing. She looked down the street and her heart sank. The pharaoh had passed, she had missed her chance. The girl was clearly disappointed. She began to pout, remembering her promise to her mom to buy dinner. She also was still bitter about not being able to become a priestess.
The crowds began to thin out, but the girl didn't go anywhere. She looked around. Shayla noticed every foreign detail with shock. She had never known much about Egypt, but everything had to be Egyptian. Shayla was baffled. Between her Millennial Scales, the Duelist Kingdom, and now the Egyptian exhibit at the local museum, she didn't know what to think. Shayla had a feeling that these dreams would all add up, but she had no idea how. Her life had just gotten too strange.
"What are you looking for, child?" asked a lady who approached the girl the Shayla was watching. The Jewish girl turned, causing Shayla to gasp. The speaker was Ishizu Ishtar, the museum curator. Shayla was now convinced that something BIG was going to happen.
"Just looking....." the girl muttered.
"That is not the case," replied Ishizu. Shayla noticed the necklace around her neck, remembering what Mai had said. Shayla suddenly wanted her scales, to compare the two, but her scales were back in reality. The necklace glittered in the afternoon sun.
"Um, I have to go shopping," said the girl, making up an excuse. Ishizu looked at her skeptically.
"My name is Ishizu," she said. "I am a historian and scribe to the pharaoh, Yami, and I am a priestess to the goddess, Isis."
"You're a priestess!?" exclaimed the girl. She was clearly impressed at the résumé that was just present, but slight alarmed that Ishizu helped a false goddess.
"You have much potential," she said. "Come with me." She added the last part as if it was a spur of the moment idea.
"I don't know....." muttered the girl, nervously.
"You do want to be a priestess, don't you?" she asked.
"Yes! But, how did you know?"
"I may be able to help," said Ishizu, "No, I can help, although the end may not be what you expect."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean I can put you on a promising path, but that path may not lead where you want it to. This may sound disappointing, but even though the end is unexpected, it is still for the best."
"What do you mean?"
"I can teach you some very important things, because you will play an important role in the near future. Change is coming," she said.
"Show me, but don't take long. I have to be home soon," the girl answered as she summoned her courage.
*End Dream*
Shayla sat bolt upright in bed, like she had before. The first thing she did was reach for her Millennial Scales. She clutched them close to her heart, wishing Luther was there for her to talk with.
**************************************************************************
"So, how was the first day at Domino High?" asked Mai as they returned to their apartment that afternoon.
"It was OK," admitted Shayla. "But no one knows how to act around me because I am blind."
"Figures...." muttered Mai as she flipped on the radio.
"I didn't run into you, though," added Shayla.
Mai chuckled. "I don't care much for school. I go when I please."
"More like, you don't go when you don't want to," replied Shayla. "How many days a week do you skip?"
"Ouch, harsh," said Mai. "I'd go more if they didn't make us where those stupid uniforms."
"Can't argue with you there," agreed Shayla. "Speaking of which, I am changing out of mine." She slipped into her bedroom and appeared a few minutes later wearing her newest outfit. She had on a white shirt with flared sleeves, and black jeans that were two sizes too big.
"I am seriously taking you on a much needed shopping spree," commented Mai.
"Congratulations, Mai. That is the one hundredth time you've said that," replied Shayla.
"Very funny," commented Mai as she went through the mail. "You have another letter from your boyfriend."
"Luther? Impossible," replied Shayla, trying to block out the pain in her heart.
"No, I mean Kaiba. And who is Luther?" asked Mai.
"Luther was my boyfriend and closest friend until three weeks before the Duelist Kingdom," said Shayla, a lump forming in her throat. She took the envelope from Mai. "He was also Martin's older brother."
"What happened?" asked Mai, sensing something was wrong. Shayla paused a moment.
"He was killed in a hit and run accident," she whispered. "Before the Duelist Kingdom, he was the only true friend I had. He was the only one who treated me like a person, and not some charity reject...."
"You loved him, didn't you?" asked Mai. Shayla nodded, trying to control the tears that threatened to spill over.
"He was an orphan, too," Shayla continued. "But he at least knew his parents, well his mom anyways. His dad abandoned the family. His mom died of cancer when he was ten, putting both him and Martin in the Group Home with me."
"Um, what does the letter say?" asked Mai, trying to change off of the delicate topic. Shayla flopped down on the couch and opened it.
"Dear Miss Shayla and Miss Valentine," she read. "You are both cordially invited to the newest major tournament hosted by Kaiba Corporation. This Battle City Tournament will take place for a week in the next two weeks. All of the top duelists in the country, as well as some from other countries have been invited. There will be new rules used in the competition, so you are both encouraged to attend the introduction ceremony this Saturday evening at the Tower City Hotel. I hope that you both will be able to attend. Sincerely, Seto Kaiba."
"Wow! Another tournament!" commented Mai.
"But this one seems much bigger," Shayla pointed out. Harpy, Mai's cat, began to rub against her legs. Shayla picked her up and began to pet her.
"I wonder what Kaiba is trying to prove this time?" Mai wondered out loud.
"I am serious, he wants to make Kaiba Corp. on top of Industrial Illusions. It probably all has to do with company politics," replied Shayla.
"Well, I am going," said Mai. "I can't refuse a challenge like that."
"Go figure....."
"Hmmm, I wonder why Kaiba always addresses the letters to you?" wondered Mai.
"He probably has a secretary do all of his work," said Shayla. "He probably doesn't even see the letters."
"I think...."
"I know what you think, and I think that you are wrong," replied Shayla. Mai smiled.
**************************************************************************
AN/ Drake and Lara belong to E-100 Alpha. Read his stuff! On with the story!
That Weekend.......
"Wow! Look at all of the duelists!" exclaimed Mai that weekend. They were outside of the Tower City Hotel, along with about a hundred other people.
"Look.... sure," muttered Shayla.
"Sorry," replied Mai. "Hey! There's Tea and Yu-Gi!" Mai grabbed Shayla's wrist and pulled her over to the two.
"Hi, Tea," greeted Mai. She glanced over Tea's outfit. The brown haired girl was wearing a skimpy yellow tube top with tight pink shorts. Her pastel wind-breaker was draped over her arms. Yu-Gi had lost the navy trench coat her always wore. He had on blue jeans and a black T-shirt with the sleeves cut off. His Millennial Puzzle hung around his neck by a thick silver chain.
"Is this a date?" asked Mai.
"No!" protested Tea.
"Um, Hi, Yu-Gi," greeted Shayla while Mai was getting chewed out. "Do you know what this is all about?"
"Yes, I think," he replied.
"Who is that over there?" asked Mai. "Oh, gross! That's Rex Raptor and Weevil Underwood!"
"Yes, and Mako Tsunami," added Yu-Gi.
"And I see ESPA Roba. He is supposed to duel with psychic abilities," added Mai.
"Yeah, right," retorted Shayla. "I meet two other people who claimed to be psychic duelists. They were fakes, and I bet he is, too."
"Two?" asked Tea.
"Yeah, Mai and Pegasus," replied Shayla.
"Oh, yeah, that," muttered Mai, slightly embarrassed.
"This is starting way too much like the Duelist Kingdom," said Tea.
"That isn't very reassuring," replied Shayla.
"Hi guys!" greeted another duelist as he walked over. He wore a simple pair of blue jeans and a black jacket. His hair was red. A girl with lilac hair hung on his arm. She wore a mini sweater that matched her hair and tight jeans. His Millennial Gauntlet and her Millennial Locket glittered on the street lights as the sun finished setting. Actually, they weren't true Millennial Items, but pseudo ones, created by Pegasus to resurrect his dead wife.
"Hi Drake! Hi Lara!" greeted Tea.
"Hi," Lara replied. "You all got invited into this mess, too?"
"Looks that way," replied Mai.
"I find it hard to believe that Kaiba would invite the son of his rival company's CEO," commented Shayla.
"He is trying to force Industrial Illusions under," said Drake has he rubbed his temples. Lara saw this and began to rub his shoulders.
"I think there is more to it than that," commented Yu-Gi, quietly.
"How is everything? I mean, we haven't heard from you since the Duelist Kingdom," asked Tea.
"Well, with dad out, I've had to do most of the managing," commented Drake. "I never knew it could be so much work. But the new Dungeon Dice Monsters game should be on the shelves next month."
"It isn't that bad," added Lara. "We have the entire island to ourselves, minus the guards." She smiled slyly. "We've had fun."
"Like what?" asked Mai.
"Like running Croquet's boxers up the flag pole," giggled Lara.
"But he tried to ground us for that," Drake pointed-out.
"Yeah, but then you reminded him that you could fire him," smiled Lara.
"How is Pegasus?" asked Yu-Gi.
"The phrase 'vegetable' describes him very well," answered Drake.
"Hey, Lara," said Mai, slyly. "Are you busy next weekend?"
"No, why?"
"Well, since your boyfriend has cash to burn, why don't you help burn it?" asked Mai. "Before the tournament we are having a girls' day out; shopping, make-up, chocolate...."
"Great," muttered Lara with a false smile.
"Have fun," said Tea.
"Oh, no, you are coming, too," said Mai.
"Now, do you understand what I have to put up with?" asked Shayla. Then Mako walked over.
"Hello, Yu-Gi," he greeted.
"Hi, Mako," replied Yu-Gi. "You haven't met Drake and Lara yet, have you?"
"No, pleased to meet you," said Mako. He had on an ocean blue vest and tattered white pants. His hair was held back with an aqua headband. "Too bad you all don't stand a chance."
"I don't think so," said Lara. "Drake can wipe the floor with you."
"That runt?" asked Mako.
"He happens to be Pegasus' son, and one of the....." Lara began to rant.
"OK, we get the idea," said Drake, blushing slightly.
"That runt is Pegasus' kid?" asked Mako, clearly impressed.
"Hey, Mai! I have a bone to pick with you!" said Rex Raptor in a gravely voice as he walked over. He had on an orange stocking cap and green jacket. His pants were mud brown.
"Go fossilize," Mai snapped.
"I don't think so!" he protested. "You still owe me a duel."
"Oh, is it isn't little Yu-Gi," chimed Weevil Underwood in his high squeaky voice as he walked over. He had thick, coke bottle glasses and a green jacket over his white clothing. "Oh, and if it isn't a bunch of other losers." He glanced at the group, haughtily.
"I wouldn't say anything, if I were you," retorted Mako. "You were the first on deported from Duelist Kingdom."
"Save, squid head," snapped Weevil.
"I wouldn't be talking, if I were you," replied Rex. "I still want to squash you like the bug you are."
"Don't go breathing your dinosaur breath on me!" retorted Weevil. A second later Mako, Rex, and Weevil's conversation degenerated into name calling and bad puns dealing with water, dinosaurs, and bugs. Then, in a huff they all walked away, agreeing to cream each other in the tournament.
"That, was weird," commented Mai as they all watched the retreating figures.
"Are all duelists crazy?" asked Shayla.
"What?" asked Tea.
"Are all duelists as insane as the people I keep meeting at these tournaments?" she asked again, remembering what she had been told about, 'insanity being contagious.'
"No, I think there has to be some normal ones out there, but I haven't met them yet," replied Lara.
"Great....."
"Hey, where are Joe and the others?" asked Mai.
"I think Joe is trying to call his sister," said Yu-Gi. "Tristan had homework, and I don't know about Bakura." Mai's face fell.
"Why do you care?" asked Shayla. "It is not as if you like....." She was interrupted by Mai shoving her hand over her mouth. The others gave her weird looks.
"Attention duelists," a voice said over the loud speaker. Everyone in the area tried to figure out where it was coming from.
"Kaiba?" asked Shayla as she recognized the voice.
"I am glad to see that you are all here. I warn you, this tournament is not for those faint of heart," Kaiba continued to explain, although his location was still a mystery. "This competition will be so tough it will make the Duelist Kingdom seem like a joke."
"Grrrrr," Drake growled. Lara walked over and put her hand on his shoulder.
"To begin with, only the elite will be competing, using my newest invention, the duel disk. Some of the modified rules will include necessary sacrifices, tributes, to summon high level monsters." Kaiba continued. "But, the biggest change in Battle City is this; the loser of the duel must give up his or her rarest card to the winner." Needless to say, this got considerable booing.
"Give up my Dark Magician?!" cried Yu-Gi.
"That means one loss would completely ruin my deck!" protested Mai.
"He can't be serious!" exclaimed Shayla. "I couldn't just give up one of my cards. I mean......" She couldn't finish. Her deck meant too much to her to risk it on a single duel.
"I won't lose my dragons!" exclaimed Drake.
"This tournament will be the ultimate competition in Duel Monsters history," Kaiba continued, ignoring the complaints. "Those who cannot handle it are encouraged to back out now."
"I think I hear something," commented Shayla.
"It is a helicopter!" exclaimed Lara. A helicopter flew over and began to hover over the street, across from the hotel. Kaiba hung on, half hanging out the door of it.
"We love you Kaiba!"
"You are insane!"
"This is so stupid!"
"You're the greatest!" came the varied reactions of the crowd.
Kaiba ignored them all and dismounted. He had lost the navy trench coat and replaced it with a white one, studded in silver. The rest of his outfit was black. One of his new duel disks were connected to his wrist. He walked straight into the hotel. The crowd followed. Inside they were given a briefing on the tournament. But Shayla hardly heard it. She couldn't shake the cloud she felt hanging over head.
**************************************************************************
A few days later......
"Come on!" insisted Mai as she pulled Shayla into the card shop that was serving as the registration head quarters. "We want to register early. I can't wait until this tournament."
"I can...." muttered Shayla. She still wasn't sure if she was going to enter. She didn't like the new rules, and she couldn't shake the apprehension she had.
Mai drug her up to the counter of the small, two room shop. The cashier was ghostly pale, with greedy eyes. Shayla felt a chill as she approached, and for some reason Bandit Keith popped into her mind.
"Are you two here to register?" he asked.
"Yes, we are," Mai answered promptly.
"Just give me your names, then," he said, "I have to run a computer analysis. Kaiba wants to make sure that only the best compete, so he devised a system to rank all of the invited duelists. Only those with four or more stars on a scale of five can compete, unless they have special permission from Kaiba himself."
"OK, I am Mai Valentine," said Mai. The cashier began to type on the keyboard. It was quiet for a moment.
"Yes, Miss Valentine, you qualify," he said. "You are a four star duelist. But you do realize that you will be risking your Harpy's Feather Duster."
"Yes, just sign me up," said Mai. A few key strokes later and the cashier turned behind him and picked up a box off of the shelf.
"Here is your duel disk," he said as he handed her the box. "Be in Battle City next week for the opening of the tournament. And don't lose anything in the box."
"Sure," agreed Mai as she slipped the box under her left arm.
"And you are?" asked the cashier, turning to Shayla.
"This is Shayla," said Mai, since Shayla hesitated. She still wasn't even sure if she wanted to get involved.
"Last name?"
"None," replied Mai.
"What do you mean?" asked the clerk.
"She means I don't have a last name," snapped Shayla. The clerk gave her a weird look and typed.
"Hmmm," he muttered as he read the screen. "You only have three stars, simply because you haven't been in enough competitions to have a better rank."
"Too bad......" muttered Shayla, who was actually slightly relieved.
"That isn't it," said the cashier. "You actually have special permission from Seto Kaiba himself to be able to participate." He entered her name on the computer and reached for a duel disk.
"WHAT?!" cried Shayla, shocked.
"Go figure," smirked Mai.
"Not a word," Shayla snapped at Mai. Mai just gave her an 'I told you so' look, which was lost on the blind girl.
"You don realize that you are risking your Cosmo Queen," said the cashier as he handed her the box. Shayla was too shocked to answer. She felt the weight in her arms, and felt her legs wobble. "Although, the Cosmo Queen isn't much good without the Cosmo Queen's Prayer." The cashier said the last part to himself, mostly.
That was when a little bell above the door of the shop rang as Drake and Lara entered.
"You two finished registering?" asked Drake.
"Yeah," Mai answered. Shayla was still too surprised to speak.
"Are you going to enter?" asked the cashier.
"Yeah," said Drake, walking over. "I am going to fight for Industrial Illusions."
"Name?" asked the cashier.
"Drake Pegasus," he answered. This caused the cashier to do a double take.
"Well, it says here that you are a four and a half star duelist, so you are in," said the cashier. "You do realize the risk of......"
"I do, get on with it," snapped Drake. The cashier shrugged and handed him his duel disk.
"Are you entering?" he turned to Lara.
"No, I'm not," she replied. "I would never treat my monsters that way."
"Hmmmm," muttered the cashier. "You are only a three star duelist, but you have permission from Kaiba."
"I am not entering," she said, stamping her foot for emphasis. The cashier shrugged. But he casually glanced at the screen, a look of greed crossing his face.
"You can't do that!" protested a voice in the next room. The four looked in.
It was a small side room with a table and two chairs, set up for two people who wanted to duel. There was an amateur duel going on now.
(AN/ This part was inspired by author DC Kantel.)
"What is going on?" asked Drake.
"It looks like those two are practicing," answered Lara.
The first duelist had scared dark eyes and disheveled black hair. He had on jean shorts and a blue T-shirt. The second had on black jeans and a black T-shirt with the sleeves cut off. His black jacket with flame decoration was draped over his chair.
"Why can't I do this?" asked the second.
"Because it is against the rules," replied the first. Both sides currently had no cards in play.
"I just want to combine these two cards," protested the first.
"You can't!"
"Why not?"
"Because that is a magic card and that is a trap card," said the first.
"I don't care! I have glue!" the second said as he pulled a tube of super glue out of his pocket.
"You can't fuse them together that way! You need to use Polymerization!" protested the first.
"I don't care! I play Gravekeeper's Servant in attack mode," said the second.
"You can't play that in attack mode! It is not a monster card," protested the first and the second put his magic card in the place of a monster card. By this time Mai, Shayla, Drake, and Lara were sweat-dropping.
"It is a thing, a servant, therefore it isn't magic, therefore I am playing it in attack mode!" said the second, with gritted teeth.
"Fine, Kantel, have it your way. Then I counter with Penguin Soldier in attack mode," said the first. No holo-graphic image was produced, because they were dueling on a table top. The Penguin Soldier had stats of 750 and 500. "Since your 'monster' has no attack or defense points, I'll destroy it! Penguin Stab!" This brought DC Kantel down to 2100 life points.
"Oh, yeah," commented Lara. "Battle City rules give you 4000 life points, as well as the ability to attack those life points directly."
"Oh, not him, not him," moaned Shayla.
"Who?" asked Mai.
"It's that penguin guy....." Shayla mumbled.
"Who?" asked Drake.
"The penguin guy is insane! He believes penguins live in people's heads and are going to take over the world," explained Shayla.
"That is crazy," agreed Lara.
"I use this magic card," said DC Kantel. "That means that you have to put one of your monster in an evil ritual to bring back a zombie."
"No it doesn't! Tribute to the Doom simple destroys one monster," explained the penguin guy.
"And it brings in the doomed!" added Kantel.
"No it doesn't!"
"Yes it does!"
"No!"
"Yes!"
"No!"
"Yes!"
"You are with the penguins!"
"Shouldn't we do something?" asked Drake.
"No, trust me on this," said Shayla, "Don't get involved."
"Then I play Battle Steer in attack mode," said Kantel as the penguin guy put his Penguin Soldier in the graveyard. This monster had an attack of 1800.
"You can't play that. You have to pay a tribute! You can't play this way, the penguins will stop the cheaters!" cried Tommy, the penguin guy.
"I tribute my whole deck!" Kantel yelled back. He picked up his deck and threw it into his graveyard. A few cards fell to the floor.
"Attack him! Shred him!" ordered DC Kantel. This brought the penguin guy down to 850 life points.
"You cannot hope to beat the penguins! They are everywhere!" cried Tommy. "I play Flying Penguin in attack mode." This penguin had an attack of 1200. "And Umi, I make the field an ocean." This brought the Flying Penguin's attack up to 1700.
"I don't know who is the craziest," commented Lara.
"Let's get out of here," suggested Shayla.
"I think we should call the insane asylum," said Mai. Drake just what them, shocked.
"My turn," said Kantel as he picked up a card off of Tommy's deck.
"What are you doing?" asked Tommy.
"Well, all of my deck is in the graveyard, so I am drawing from yours," answered DC Kantel.
"You can't do that!" protested Tommy. "You'll cause the penguins to attack! They'll destroy us all!"
"I know, I know! Exclaimed Kantel. "I am fusing these three cards together and making that really cool three headed dragon that Kaiba has!"
"You can't do that!" protested Tommy. "You can't combine Trap Hole, Bean Soldier, and my Penguin Knight to make the Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon! It isn't possible!"
"Really? Watch!" countered DC Kantel. "First, I use these scissors," he pulled them out of his pocket, "I cut off their heads. Then, I can combine them together with my super glue! Finally, I paste the word dragon at the top, and I have my ultimate dragon!" He was about to do this when Tommy screamed.
"THE PENGUINS!" cried Tommy as he looked up and saw Shayla. He frantically reached into his pockets and pulled out several little packets of ketchup. But he squeezed them so tight that they exploded all over the side of his face. "They are going to destroy us all! Help!"
"What is going on in here?!" demanded the cashier as he walked over.
"Um, a duel, I think," answered Drake.
"You two again!" cried the cashier. "How many times have I told you not to come here!"
"The penguins!" Tommy continued to cry.
"Get out!" yelled the cashier as he picked up both of them and threw them into the street. He threw their decks out after them.
Outside.....
"We are all doomed! This is the end!" cried Tommy.
"All I wanted was the ultimate dragon," pouted DC Kantel. Suddenly, a group of strange people appeared, almost as if they appeared out of thin air. Across their shirts, jewelry, and other accessories were the letters POF.
"Tommy, otherwise known as the penguin guy, you are coming with us," said Gema J Gall.
"No! The penguins!" cried Tommy. "Help!"
"He is resisting, does that mean I get to summon my shadow foxes?" asked Dark Fox. Fox Demon smiled evilly.
"No! You almost killed the last one," argued Moonlady.
"I wouldn't mind seeing him running in fear from the shadow foxes," commented E-100 Alpha.
"We need him alive," said Lady Akhana.
"We can't waste time, we have to get back to the headquarters," said Joe Marusa.
"I know, I left my computer on scan mode," agreed Star.
"Hey, we always have are cool lightbulbs," said the Pharaohs Light & Dark.
"Help! Penguins! They are coming! Help!" cried Tommy as he began to run.
"We have a runner," muttered Lady Akhana.
"He's mine!" exclaimed DC Kantel, tackling him.
"Let's go," said Gema. They all nodded and disappeared as mysteriously as they came.
Back in the card shop.....
"That was way too weird," commented Mai.
"How do you know him?" asked Lara.
"You think you have it bad when Rex or Weevil challenges you to a duel," said Shayla. "I keep finding nutcases like that!"
"What kind of answer is that?" asked Drake.
"I won some star chips from him in the Duelist Kingdom," said Shayla.
"Oh," muttered Mai. That was when the bell rang and three more people entered the shop.
"Is this where we sign up?" asked Joe Wheeler, eagerly.
"Yes it is," said the cashier as he resumed his place behind the counter.
"Oh, his guys," said Tea.
"Have you already registered?" asked Yu-Gi.
"Sadly, yes," answered Shayla as the other nodded.
"You must be Yu-Gi Motou," said the cashier as he began to type on his computer. "You qualify, you are a five star duelist."
"OK," said Yu-Gi, simply.
"Are you not participating, Lara?" asked Tea.
"No, I think I leave this one to Drake," said Lara as she looped her arms around his waist. Drake managed to control his blushing this time, so he only turned slightly pink.
"The rare Dark Magician," muttered the cashier. He seemed to be turning over something in his mind. "You do realize that you are risking the Dark Magician?"
"Yes," said Yu-Gi.
"OK, you are registered," said the cashier. He handed Yu-Gi his duel disk.
"What about me? What about me?" asked Joe, eagerly.
"And you are?" asked the cashier.
"Joe Wheeler, one of the finalists and the Duelist Kingdom!" he said, as if everyone should know.
"Sorry, it says that you are only a one star duelist. That isn't enough to compete," said the cashier.
"What?! No way! Let me see that!" yelled Joe as he leaned over counter.
"You know Kaiba doesn't like you," said Mai.
"Doesn't like? Loathe would be more appropriate," commented Lara.
"More like, he thinks of you along the same lines as a canine, or some other creature in the animal kingdom," added Drake.
"Hey!" protested Joe.
Shayla wasn't paying attention to them. She heard the cashier mutter to himself, then he began to type some more.
"Oh, I'm sorry," said the cashier. "It must have been a computer glitch. It says that you are a four star duelist, which is enough to enter."
"I knew it!" exclaimed Joe. "Let me see those stars!" He swiveled the monitor around so he could see it.
"He is certainly excited," muttered Tea.
"Yeah, I know," agreed Yu-Gi.
"Come to papa!" exclaimed Joe as he embraced his duel disk.
"You do realize you are risking your Red-Eyes, Black Dragon?' asked the cashier.
"I'm not risking, because I'm not going to lose!" said Joe.
"Care to play friendly wage on that?" asked Drake. "Remember who you are competing against."
"Drake is right," agreed Yu-Gi. "There is much more at stake this time. You have become a good duelist, but there are a lot of other good duelists, too."
Shayla still hadn't said a word. She could feel her scales move inside of her backpack, towards the cashier. Another chill ran down her back. Her scales were trying to tell her that he wasn't all that he appeared to be, but she couldn't figure out why he'd be dangerous.
"So, Tea, Lara, what are the two of you doing before the tournament?" asked Mai, coyly.
"Nothing much," answered Tea. "Why?"
"Two words; Shopping Spree. It is going to be great. And no boys allowed," said Mai, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"I guess that means Joe the Chihuahua is exempt," said Drake.
"Take that back!" yelled Joe.
"Why? People saw you on national TV in a dog costume," said Lara, instantly coming to her boyfriend's aid.
"Lighten up, you guys," said Yu-Gi as he stepped between them.
"Well, I'll call you and set a date," said Mai. "But we'd better get home, it is getting late."
"Oh, my gosh!" exclaimed Joe. "I am supposed to meet Serenity in the hospital. Her surgery is today. Got to go!" He grabbed his duel disk and raced out the door.
"Good luck," said Yu-Gi as he and Tea left.
"See you soon, Lara," said Mai as she drug Shayla out of the shop.
"Good-bye," said Drake and Lara.