* * *
Now we are going to duel...I promise!!! Kaiba and Toria just had mental quirks to run through...*twitches* Ok then, this chapter will have: a duel, high stakes, a victor, a loser, and...*dun-Dun-DUN* someone's honor gets 'busted up' (whoo, words of the Twigz!). Heehee, didn't think I would tell you everything, did you???
* * *
The group in the control panel loft scanned the white tiles, hunting for a glimpse of Toria's adversary. As he strolled into the arena, his footsteps even and deliberate, and his white trench coat billowing in his wake, Mokuba grabbed the microphone and flicked the switch.
"Seto Kaiba versus Toria Hallowell, dated May 27th of 2004, duelist titles of Blue Eyes White Dragon and Witch of the Black Forest." His words flashed across the screen after his dictation – his announcement was purely for record keeping. "Please take your positions at the podium."
"Why aren't they using DuelDiscs?" asked Tristan, noting the change.
"DuelDiscs are best used for impromptu duels. The duel arena has its own set of records. Seto is working on putting this new feature into his DuelDisc system next," answered Mokuba. "Besides, DuelDiscs haven't been released to Americans, and Seto wanted her to have a fair chance." He didn't catch Joey's muttering of, "Now there's a surprise."
Toria mounted the stairs to the podium, her back straight, her gait every inch that of royal majesty. Kaiba's eyes flicked to her tall stance. She had class, he would admit that at least. As small as she was, even going up against the second best (he gritted his teeth at the phrase 'second-best') duelist in the world, and still she was proud. There was not even a flicker of fear in her face. She slapped her deck down on the deck recognizer touchscreen – Kaiba followed suit.
She glared at him. "I'm here to avenge what you said about my father – and about me. If I win, I want you to take it back – and an apology."
Kaiba gave a muffled snort. What a simple request! Hardly worth dueling for. But still – why not? And then, suddenly, he had a better idea. He would teach this upstart. He cast his mind for the most demeaning task her could muster.
Casually, he replied: "Such small stakes. I work better when something bigger is on the line."
She shot purple fire at him – most would have melted under her eternal gaze.
"My father's honor is nothing small, Kaiba." "I merely suggested we make this more interesting. If you win, your father gets his technology from KaibaCorp – for free." Toria held her breath. If Dad managed to get the technology trade, for free – he'd get promoted, she thought. But there had to be a catch.
"And what if I lose?" she asked carefully, spacing her words evenly with deliberation.
"So little faith in yourself, Hallowell." At another glare from her, he continued. "My live-in maid is taking a vacation from work, and her replacement won't arrive until three days after her departure." He shot her a vintage icy Kaiba glare back. Two could play at that game.
"Get to the point, Kaiba!" roared Joey, as Tristan and Yugi held him back. (A/N: Joey is very...um, aggressive not only because he dislikes Kaiba but because he o'ded on lattes ^_^ He would normally kick it down a notch.)
"If I win, Toria Hallowell, you'll take her place for three days as my live- in maid." Everyone in the control panel loft held their breath as silence ensued for a full minute. What could be worse than cleaning the victor's toilet, making his bed, or scrubbing his floors? It was beyond shameful. It was humiliating.
Toria's mind switched back and forth between success and failure. If her father made the job, he would be so happy. He had been angling at that job for a full three months, without success. And the money would help a lot too...their temporary apartment they had moved into was a small as a matchbox.
But then again...losing would mean the worst disgrace ever. Living I Kaiba's house for three days, while he tried to break her spirit? Make her into an obedient, shy, shuffling Japanese lady? Ridiculed day and night? Never.
But she never backed away from a challenge.
"All right, Kaiba, I accept your challenge."
In unison, they venomously spat at each other: "Let's duel!"
* * *
The duel raged on for hours, and it wasn't until nearly three in the morning when the end seemed in sight. Each player was down to 700 life points, and breathing heavily. They were evenly matched. They both knew that this next move would make or break the duel for his or her opponent.
Kaiba looked over his hand, mentally naming the five cards he held. Saggi the Dark Clown, Red Medicine, Rude Kaiser, Blues Eyes White Dragon, and a Crush card. His face betrayed nothing, but inwardly he smirked. He knew he had won the duel. He had everything he needed right there. "I play Red Medicine, increasing my life points to 1,200, place this card on the field, and then summon Saggi the Dark Clown in attack mode. I end my turn."
Toria's eyes flicked to the creepy clown adorning the glowing grid. Saggi? Was that all he had? His attack points were pathetic. Only 1200/800. Still though...she wanted this finished, here and now.
She had a monster on the field – The All-Seeing White Tiger, 1300/500. Her deck resources were becoming low – perhaps this was why Kaiba had put a weak monster out to guard his life points. Mayhap he was running out as well. She glanced at her hand. She still had Witch of the Black Forest. She could use her special affect to bring forth her Gemini Elf, her strongest monster. It was her trademark move – Witch of the Black Forest heralds the Gemini Elf. And even if Kaiba did attack her Witch (as she wanted him to, to activate the affect) she would still have 100 life points. Just enough to blow Kaiba back to where he belonged.
She summoned Witch of the Black Forest in attack mode, face up. There was a swirl of white and purple sparks as her Witch came into being, beautiful and slender, the dark purple-black raven hair matching her own. Both she and the Witch gave proud shakes of their heads in unison. Everyone in the control panel, including Kaiba himself, gaped at the resemblance between the two – and how in-tune Toria was with her Witch. They even seemed to be breathing together, their breasts rising and falling rhythmically.
But her plan was not yet done.
With a single word of power, she sent her All-Seeing White Tiger barreling towards the Clown. As the golden claws flew forward to slice open the Clown, Kaiba made his trademark move:
"I activate Crush Card!"
"No! White Tiger!" screamed Toria, but it was too late. Saggi was dead, leaving Kaiba with 1100 life points, and her White Tiger – was now infected. All of her monsters in her deck over 1200 attack where useless. Gemini Elf would be useless when summoned. She and her Witch were at the mercy of Seto Kaiba. But she would not bow her head in submission. Even as her life points drained to zero, she and her Witch gave unison tosses of their hair.
Kaiba watched her strong face, unafraid, even as she faced certain defeat. He felt a surge of something in his chest he rarely felt – admiration. But a deal was a deal. He drew a card from the top of his deck. Perfect. Battle ox. He slapped his Battle Ox and Rude Kaiser down on his panel.
"I sacrifice these two monsters to bring forth the awesome BLUE EYES WHITE DRAGON!"
"Oh no!" gasped Tea, watching the huge white dragon bloom on the field, his blue eyes howling with rage, his roar shaking the very arena. Even the boys, used to seeing the humongous dragon, gulped. Yugi shook his head sadly. He knew it was all over too.
"Blue Eyes White Dragon, attack her Witch of the Black Forest!" he cried, sending his finger of fate pointing at the dark-haired girl monster on the field. "White Lightening Attack!" Toria closed her eyes shut tightly, in order not to see the defeat of her Witch. It was like watching someone destroy her very soul. But even if she did not see the white blast of light annihilate her Witch, she felt it. As the attack hit, she shuddered and let out a sharp gasp, clutching her side. It felt as though a sword wound, long and razor-sharp, had penetrated her skin. And as Kaiba saw her keel slightly with pain, he winced in shame. To kill a duelist's favorite card is anguish, and he was almost sorry to have committed such a crime. But it was a duel, and he would win at any cost.
Yami stirred deep within Yugi, watching this. Both he and Tea had the same thought: although seeing a favorite card obliterated was pain, it was not this painful. Was Toria closer to the Witch of the Black Forest than she thought? But it was most painful to see her expression as the Witch called out in a wordless cry to her mistress.
As her Witch screamed a final farewell, she whispered quietly, "Goodbye, my Witch of the Black Forest. Goodbye, my heart." Her life points rapidly slid to zero.
And Toria, Black Glove Duelist Elite, was defeated.
But whatever dignity she had left, she was going to keep. She did not cry. She did not stumble or fall. She unlatched the arena gate, her head held as haughtily as before – but the fire in her eyes was gone. They were dark with the pain of losing her Witch. Tea, Yugi, Tristan, and Joey rushed down the stairs to support her. The duel and the loss of her Witch had drained her heavily. As much as she tried to stand to fight again, her energy was gone. She leaned heavily on Tristan and Joey, while still attempting to stand on her own.
"I – I don't need help. I can walk."
"No, ya can't," said Joey firmly, draping one of her arms over his shoulder. "Come on, we'll call a cab an' get ya back home." He glared at Kaiba as he retreated from the podium. Tea looked back at him, wondering why his face seemed slightly different. Was it softer, perhaps? Touched faintly with concern? But she must have imagined, for the whatever was there was gone, and his cold, husky voice rang through the room like a knell:
"Don't forget, Hallowell, be here this morning at seven sharp to begin your three days as my live-in maid."
* * *
A/N: Whew! That was a very special supersize, people, the reviews were very heartening ^_^ Didn't want to leave you hanging on the outcome of the duel...Anyway, there should be an even better dosage in chapter 8, so stick around and R&R ^_^
Now we are going to duel...I promise!!! Kaiba and Toria just had mental quirks to run through...*twitches* Ok then, this chapter will have: a duel, high stakes, a victor, a loser, and...*dun-Dun-DUN* someone's honor gets 'busted up' (whoo, words of the Twigz!). Heehee, didn't think I would tell you everything, did you???
* * *
The group in the control panel loft scanned the white tiles, hunting for a glimpse of Toria's adversary. As he strolled into the arena, his footsteps even and deliberate, and his white trench coat billowing in his wake, Mokuba grabbed the microphone and flicked the switch.
"Seto Kaiba versus Toria Hallowell, dated May 27th of 2004, duelist titles of Blue Eyes White Dragon and Witch of the Black Forest." His words flashed across the screen after his dictation – his announcement was purely for record keeping. "Please take your positions at the podium."
"Why aren't they using DuelDiscs?" asked Tristan, noting the change.
"DuelDiscs are best used for impromptu duels. The duel arena has its own set of records. Seto is working on putting this new feature into his DuelDisc system next," answered Mokuba. "Besides, DuelDiscs haven't been released to Americans, and Seto wanted her to have a fair chance." He didn't catch Joey's muttering of, "Now there's a surprise."
Toria mounted the stairs to the podium, her back straight, her gait every inch that of royal majesty. Kaiba's eyes flicked to her tall stance. She had class, he would admit that at least. As small as she was, even going up against the second best (he gritted his teeth at the phrase 'second-best') duelist in the world, and still she was proud. There was not even a flicker of fear in her face. She slapped her deck down on the deck recognizer touchscreen – Kaiba followed suit.
She glared at him. "I'm here to avenge what you said about my father – and about me. If I win, I want you to take it back – and an apology."
Kaiba gave a muffled snort. What a simple request! Hardly worth dueling for. But still – why not? And then, suddenly, he had a better idea. He would teach this upstart. He cast his mind for the most demeaning task her could muster.
Casually, he replied: "Such small stakes. I work better when something bigger is on the line."
She shot purple fire at him – most would have melted under her eternal gaze.
"My father's honor is nothing small, Kaiba." "I merely suggested we make this more interesting. If you win, your father gets his technology from KaibaCorp – for free." Toria held her breath. If Dad managed to get the technology trade, for free – he'd get promoted, she thought. But there had to be a catch.
"And what if I lose?" she asked carefully, spacing her words evenly with deliberation.
"So little faith in yourself, Hallowell." At another glare from her, he continued. "My live-in maid is taking a vacation from work, and her replacement won't arrive until three days after her departure." He shot her a vintage icy Kaiba glare back. Two could play at that game.
"Get to the point, Kaiba!" roared Joey, as Tristan and Yugi held him back. (A/N: Joey is very...um, aggressive not only because he dislikes Kaiba but because he o'ded on lattes ^_^ He would normally kick it down a notch.)
"If I win, Toria Hallowell, you'll take her place for three days as my live- in maid." Everyone in the control panel loft held their breath as silence ensued for a full minute. What could be worse than cleaning the victor's toilet, making his bed, or scrubbing his floors? It was beyond shameful. It was humiliating.
Toria's mind switched back and forth between success and failure. If her father made the job, he would be so happy. He had been angling at that job for a full three months, without success. And the money would help a lot too...their temporary apartment they had moved into was a small as a matchbox.
But then again...losing would mean the worst disgrace ever. Living I Kaiba's house for three days, while he tried to break her spirit? Make her into an obedient, shy, shuffling Japanese lady? Ridiculed day and night? Never.
But she never backed away from a challenge.
"All right, Kaiba, I accept your challenge."
In unison, they venomously spat at each other: "Let's duel!"
* * *
The duel raged on for hours, and it wasn't until nearly three in the morning when the end seemed in sight. Each player was down to 700 life points, and breathing heavily. They were evenly matched. They both knew that this next move would make or break the duel for his or her opponent.
Kaiba looked over his hand, mentally naming the five cards he held. Saggi the Dark Clown, Red Medicine, Rude Kaiser, Blues Eyes White Dragon, and a Crush card. His face betrayed nothing, but inwardly he smirked. He knew he had won the duel. He had everything he needed right there. "I play Red Medicine, increasing my life points to 1,200, place this card on the field, and then summon Saggi the Dark Clown in attack mode. I end my turn."
Toria's eyes flicked to the creepy clown adorning the glowing grid. Saggi? Was that all he had? His attack points were pathetic. Only 1200/800. Still though...she wanted this finished, here and now.
She had a monster on the field – The All-Seeing White Tiger, 1300/500. Her deck resources were becoming low – perhaps this was why Kaiba had put a weak monster out to guard his life points. Mayhap he was running out as well. She glanced at her hand. She still had Witch of the Black Forest. She could use her special affect to bring forth her Gemini Elf, her strongest monster. It was her trademark move – Witch of the Black Forest heralds the Gemini Elf. And even if Kaiba did attack her Witch (as she wanted him to, to activate the affect) she would still have 100 life points. Just enough to blow Kaiba back to where he belonged.
She summoned Witch of the Black Forest in attack mode, face up. There was a swirl of white and purple sparks as her Witch came into being, beautiful and slender, the dark purple-black raven hair matching her own. Both she and the Witch gave proud shakes of their heads in unison. Everyone in the control panel, including Kaiba himself, gaped at the resemblance between the two – and how in-tune Toria was with her Witch. They even seemed to be breathing together, their breasts rising and falling rhythmically.
But her plan was not yet done.
With a single word of power, she sent her All-Seeing White Tiger barreling towards the Clown. As the golden claws flew forward to slice open the Clown, Kaiba made his trademark move:
"I activate Crush Card!"
"No! White Tiger!" screamed Toria, but it was too late. Saggi was dead, leaving Kaiba with 1100 life points, and her White Tiger – was now infected. All of her monsters in her deck over 1200 attack where useless. Gemini Elf would be useless when summoned. She and her Witch were at the mercy of Seto Kaiba. But she would not bow her head in submission. Even as her life points drained to zero, she and her Witch gave unison tosses of their hair.
Kaiba watched her strong face, unafraid, even as she faced certain defeat. He felt a surge of something in his chest he rarely felt – admiration. But a deal was a deal. He drew a card from the top of his deck. Perfect. Battle ox. He slapped his Battle Ox and Rude Kaiser down on his panel.
"I sacrifice these two monsters to bring forth the awesome BLUE EYES WHITE DRAGON!"
"Oh no!" gasped Tea, watching the huge white dragon bloom on the field, his blue eyes howling with rage, his roar shaking the very arena. Even the boys, used to seeing the humongous dragon, gulped. Yugi shook his head sadly. He knew it was all over too.
"Blue Eyes White Dragon, attack her Witch of the Black Forest!" he cried, sending his finger of fate pointing at the dark-haired girl monster on the field. "White Lightening Attack!" Toria closed her eyes shut tightly, in order not to see the defeat of her Witch. It was like watching someone destroy her very soul. But even if she did not see the white blast of light annihilate her Witch, she felt it. As the attack hit, she shuddered and let out a sharp gasp, clutching her side. It felt as though a sword wound, long and razor-sharp, had penetrated her skin. And as Kaiba saw her keel slightly with pain, he winced in shame. To kill a duelist's favorite card is anguish, and he was almost sorry to have committed such a crime. But it was a duel, and he would win at any cost.
Yami stirred deep within Yugi, watching this. Both he and Tea had the same thought: although seeing a favorite card obliterated was pain, it was not this painful. Was Toria closer to the Witch of the Black Forest than she thought? But it was most painful to see her expression as the Witch called out in a wordless cry to her mistress.
As her Witch screamed a final farewell, she whispered quietly, "Goodbye, my Witch of the Black Forest. Goodbye, my heart." Her life points rapidly slid to zero.
And Toria, Black Glove Duelist Elite, was defeated.
But whatever dignity she had left, she was going to keep. She did not cry. She did not stumble or fall. She unlatched the arena gate, her head held as haughtily as before – but the fire in her eyes was gone. They were dark with the pain of losing her Witch. Tea, Yugi, Tristan, and Joey rushed down the stairs to support her. The duel and the loss of her Witch had drained her heavily. As much as she tried to stand to fight again, her energy was gone. She leaned heavily on Tristan and Joey, while still attempting to stand on her own.
"I – I don't need help. I can walk."
"No, ya can't," said Joey firmly, draping one of her arms over his shoulder. "Come on, we'll call a cab an' get ya back home." He glared at Kaiba as he retreated from the podium. Tea looked back at him, wondering why his face seemed slightly different. Was it softer, perhaps? Touched faintly with concern? But she must have imagined, for the whatever was there was gone, and his cold, husky voice rang through the room like a knell:
"Don't forget, Hallowell, be here this morning at seven sharp to begin your three days as my live-in maid."
* * *
A/N: Whew! That was a very special supersize, people, the reviews were very heartening ^_^ Didn't want to leave you hanging on the outcome of the duel...Anyway, there should be an even better dosage in chapter 8, so stick around and R&R ^_^