Disclaimer: Hey! I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! But I know who does! Too bad, it's not anyone related to me either.
CHAPTER 13: Round Five [Earth]
"That's it?" Serenity asked incredulously. "You're giving up? Just like that?"
"Of course, what does it look like?" Lumina asked. "I already have someone in mind to marry. I'm not going to have two husbands. I let you slip by this time, but next time we meet we will finish our Duel." Lumina took off her Duel Disk and went off to the side. Serenity was still a little shocked that she had won so fast, and by default. Twice already. Damn, I'm getting a good break here. But… what if I'm not prepared to face Seto? What shall I do?
Serenity examined her glove. She had four stones already. The two empty spaces looked easy enough to fill in. Two more Duels and she would make it.
………
"I don't get it…" Yami said. "I thought she liked me." Téa rolled her eyes. She had done a pretty good job of confusing him… suddenly, a thought occurred to her. Of course, she was not really into make enemies from such good friends but… desperate times called for desperate measures. And, after all, Téa weighted Yami way more than friendship. Who says she couldn't do a little mind poisoning at a time like this?
"Well… Yami, some people, especially girls, are very fickle. You won't imagine how many guys we go through. I think Lumina is just not ready to go steady. That's funny, it rhymes! Anyways, maybe she thinks a different guy is right for her."
"No way!" Yami cried. "She promised she loved me… and that we would be together forever. I don't think that's like her." Téa bit her lip to keep from smiling. Yami's trust in Lumina was starting to fade.
"Girls are like that… not saying that I'm like that, but let's take my sister. She had three boyfriends at one time once. When I asked her, she said it was for back up. She wanted to make sure that if one didn't work out, then she would switch to another."
"She treats men like Duel Monsters?" Yami queried.
"I never thought of it that way…but yes. And if Lumina is anyhow like her… then you are probably just back up. Like your Hand cards…" Yami seemed shocked at the fact that he was probably a back up. Of course, it wasn't really a fact. It was just Téa messing with his brain so she could get him. Yami, of course, didn't catch that. Just then, the two of them noticed Lumina walking toward them.
"Excuse me…" Yami started walking over to the doorway and Lumina followed, a bit of a worried expression on her face. She had seen Yami whispering to Téa and it was not a good sign.
"What is it?" Lumina asked as soon as the two of them had gotten out of anyone's earshot.
"It's over!" Yami stated. Lumina's jaw dropped.
"WHAT?" she gasped.
"I said it… it's over. I know what you meant when you said you wanted to marry someone else. You know, I don't really care who that is… but I'm not going to act as your back-up until you get him."
"But I-,"
"I know what you're planning… if you really didn't love me, you shouldn't have said so."
"But I-,"
"I'm sorry, Lumina, it was never meant to be." Yami turned and walked away. Lumina stood staring at him for a few minutes. He headed straight out to the balcony. Lumina couldn't understand what had happened. She saw Téa run after Yami. Lumina growled.
"I can't believe Téa!" Lumina had a pretty good picture of what happened right then. If she had been any more of the sensible type, she would have gone right ahead and explained to Yami even if he didn't want to hear it. Of course, Lumina was a strong Silver Rule supporter. Instead of treating people the way she would like to be treated herself, like the Golden Rule, she treated others the way they treated her.
"Fine Yami! Be that way!" she jeered silently. "So naïve, you are! I'll teach you. Eventually you'll figure out what I'm really like, and you'll be sorry." Lumina scowled and stomped off.
Meanwhile, Téa finally got caught up to Yami staring out of the balcony. She walked over and rested her arms on the railing. Yami sighed and looked at her.
"No offense, but girls are so rude sometimes!" Yami said, staring back out at the night sky.
"Not all girls… Yami, you just have to be patient sometimes. You can't just decide your life in a matter of moments."
"You're right, Téa. After all, it's like Duel Monsters. When you first start to play the game, you don't have a definite strategy, Deck, or favorite monster. Slowly, however, you start working up to it. First, you build a Deck that goes along with a strategy, and as you win a few games, you'll start perfecting the strategy. Eventually, you'll find the monster that is perfect for the strategy, and it might become your favorite." Téa rolled her eyes.
"Jeez! Does this guys relate everything to Duel Monsters?" she whispered to herself.
"What did you say, Téa?"
"Oh…uh…I said… what a breeze it is for you to relate everything to Duel Monsters."
"Well, life is like a big game anyway. There are usually three matches in conventional Dueling and three games in life. Health, career, and love." Téa rolled her eyes again. "That's why it is so easy to relate."
"I see…" Téa muttered, trying to sound sympathetic… without the accent on pathetic.
"Anyway," Yami said, straightening up. He set one hand on top of Téa's, and she had to do everything to keep from squealing in delight. "Maybe we should get back to the Dueling. It seems all the matches are done. There's only fifteen minutes till eleven. Yugi will be announcing the pairings in two minutes."
"Yeah, we should go…" Téa said absentmindedly. Even if she did find Yami's constant Duel Monster connections annoying, she liked talking to him. Yami noticed that she didn't say it so surely.
"Téa, what's wrong?" he asked, raising a hand and turning her head towards him.
"What? Oh, nothing. I was just… thinking about what you said…"
"About Duel Monsters?"
"Yeah… what if your Duel Monsters hate you? If you pick a favorite monster but they don't like you?" Yami chuckled.
"Téa… you shouldn't start being so nit-picky. Most cases, it does turn out well. Obviously, Lumina was not my favorite… but I'll find someone. After all, I did eventually find Dark Magician as my favorite card. He's strong and wise. I would like to be him. What's your favorite?"
"I don't really have one, but I think the Dark Magician Girl is cool. After all, I really want to be her. She and Dark Magician go so well together." Téa bit her lip. She had basically just told Yami she liked him in a Duel-Monster-connected way. Too bad Yami didn't notice.
"I agree. Well, we should head in." Téa, normally, would have been relieved her secret was safe. But she had started to get a little annoyed with the Duel Monster connections and the cluelessness.
"Go ahead," she snapped sarcastically. "Be as clueless as you always are." Yami turned to her in surprise. Téa was not the type to be so harsh.
"What makes you think that?" he asked. "After all, all I said was that I agreed to you saying the Dark Magician and the Dark Magician Girl go so well together after you said you wanted to be… oh… I think I get… you don't mean …" Yami's eyes widened with surprise.
………
"I swear I hear my name!" Svrion suddenly called. Joey, Ian, Tristan, Duke, Mai, Serenity, DMG, Hufanse, and Aundren looked at him.
"You sure?" Aundren asked. Hufanse smiled and jokingly patted Svrion on the back.
"Are you sure you're just not dreaming about Cyrrielle calling you?" he joked. DMG scowled at him.
"No. It sounded far off… and it was a man's voice." Hufanse's smile faded.
"A man? You're… not… um… you… aren't…"
"NO! Wait… aren't what? What are you implying Hufanse!!" Svrion glared at him.
"Wait!" DMG suddenly exclaimed. "I hear my name too. It's a girl saying it!"
"Now a girl is saying my name!" Svrion announced. Everyone looked at him.
"Are you guys telepathic or something?" Mai asked. "How can you guys hear something that we can't?" Svrion and DMG shrugged. "Well, anyway, Yugi is getting ready to announce the pairings. Shizuka, let's go. I wonder where Téa went…" Mai walked off and Serenity followed close behind.
I wonder what's with DMG and Dark Magician. They're acting weird. And what Mai said… where is Téa? All I remember is that she suddenly had to run off! Serenity looked around for Téa. She glanced out into the balcony and saw Téa with Yami. Or at least, she thought it was them. They were sideways, looking at each other, and Yami's hair stood out sharply. Suddenly, Yami leaned over and kissed Téa.
WHAT?? Serenity mentally cried. The world is crazy! What the…Lumina will be so angry…! Téa!! What did you do to Yami's head? Serenity was confused. She didn't even watch where she was backing up to until he bumped into a certain tall person.
"S…sor…sorry!" she stuttered, turning around. She gasped. Seto stood there, smiling a smile that – to Serenity's horror – was not forced nor anywhere near a smirk.
What is with him? He always smiles at me… Shizuka that is! Why? He's never smiled to the real me. He's always smirked. Smirked…how evil. Now, he's smiling? Why? Why is Shizuka so special? Does he really like her enough to smile at her? His sign of affection? Then… maybe his smirk is a sign of affection too. Argh! I don't get it!
"I asked you that three times!" Serenity finally zoned back in to find Seto but an inch from her face. "Are you sure you're okay? I asked you whether you find this Tournament challenging." Seto narrowed his eyes. "I can't see that well… but you look strangely familiar. Seto made a move to lift Serenity's veil. Serenity froze right where she was. She had a bunch of questions with answers she didn't like floating in her head. To add to that, Seto was an inch from her reaching for her veil and she was in a mental straightjacket.
………
"Do you really mean what you said, Téa?" Yami asked, coming a little closer. "Do you really… like me… that much?" Téa opened her mouth and closed it. She thought for a moment and composed herself. She didn't want to do anything embarrassing.
"Um…sure…well…you see………yes…" Téa could feel herself blushing very, very red. Yami broke into a grin.
"I would have never have had enough courage to admit that. That's why I do better in regular Dueling." Téa couldn't tell if Yami was just toying with her or if he was trying to make her feel more relaxed. Téa didn't like silence.
"Well… I just thought I'd say that. There's no point in keeping everything to yourself. Of course, I didn't imagine that you would ever be so dense and clueless at the same time. I always liked you and thought you were…" Téa didn't get a chance to say anymore. Yami slid a hand behind her neck and pulled her forward for a kiss. Téa was really surprised, but she enjoyed it nonetheless. When they finally broke apart, Téa blushed all over again.
"Yugi's announcing the pairings!" she said quickly before rushing of. Yami slid his hands into his pockets and looked after her with a smile.
………
Serenity didn't know what happened, but one second she was an inch from Seto and the next she was three feet away.
"No!" she said. "Too close! Way too close! Don't ever do that again! And you don't touch my veil! There is a reason I'm wearing it, you know!" Seto backed a few steps away with a chuckle, hands up in the air.
"Hey! Wow! I knew you couldn't be all that quiet. Quite snappy, aren't you?" Serenity was blushing inside her veil and she could feel it. Suddenly, Yugi's voice called everyone's attention. In the one moment Seto used to turn around, Serenity rushed away. She didn't look back until she was clear on the other side of the ballroom. Seto was still in the same spot, shaking his head as he looked after her. Serenity sighed with relief. She could feel her cheeks getting hotter. That was like a near-death experience to her.
Oh help! I can't believe it! Seto is way too interested in me! Why am I the only one wearing a veil? Why can't some other girl also wear one and Duel well at the same time. Maybe then, he might not look at me. Why am I always the one to run into him? If I ever end up marrying him … I don't know what I'd do with myself.
"…will face Shizuka Jounouchi. Lastly, Molly Jones will face Prince Seto. The Duels will start in two minutes!" Serenity nearly bumped into a squealing girl. Of course, the girls facing Seto were always next to her. This time, Serenity was glad she was not paired with him or she wouldn't be able to face him. Unfortunately, she had been in a mental thunderstorm and hadn't listened to the name of her partner.
"Shizuka! I face you!" Serenity whipped around to see Téa run up to her. Téa? I face Téa? This is so cool! I have always wanted to whip her friendly ass…I mean, beat her in a Duel. Come on, you're Shizuka, be proper.
"Oh really? Why, I believe this is going to be quite an interesting match. Though, I would very much hate having to beat you." If Serenity had thickened her accent too much to make up for her late reply and constant "Serenity" thoughts, Téa didn't notice.
"You're more likely to hate having to loose to me. Come on; let's go in the corner with everybody else. Mai and I can Duel side by side." Serenity nodded, though inside she hated everybody else. Too much distraction. Luckily, the last Duel didn't take two much energy, but Serenity was still afraid the four cookies she consumed was not going to last her much longer. If she didn't get an easy Duel now, she was doomed. Her energy would be extinguished long before facing Seto.
Come on, Seren. Hang on for one hour and ten minutes. Then, it will be twelve and the tournament will end. Wait… DMG told me to leave at twelve. Why? I still don't get that? I have to go ask her whenever I can. Serenity zoned back in and found that Téa had already run over to Mai and Yami and were talking to them worriedly about something. With a shake of her head, Serenity went to talk to DMG. I also have to figure out a plan on how I am going to weed out of marrying Seto when I beat him.
………
"Mai! I face Shiz!" Téa announced. She ran over to Mai.
"Great! Now kick her out of the tournament!" Yami also came over to join the two sisters.
"I wish you luck on your next Duel, Téa," he said. Téa blushed a tiny bit. Mai was confused. Behind Yami's back, she pointed between Téa and Yami then joined her fingers together. Téa nodded. Mai raised her eyebrows. Téa copied.
"What's wrong, Téa?" Yami asked. Téa shook her head.
"Oh… I thought I saw something in the corner…" Téa trailed off as Mai silently laughed behind Yami. Téa scowled.
"Are you okay?"
"Huh? Oh don't worry, Yami, I'm fine. I was just… practicing my Dueling face. I haven't found one yet." Yami shrugged.
"Anyway…like I said, good luck. Whatever happens, never give up. Always have hope. The heart of the cards will guide you."
"Of course. After all, I'm not like going to surrender like Lumina for frivolous… not really frivolous, I mean, but… the point is. I will Duel till the end!"
"You better not drop out." Yami kissed Téa's cheek before heading off to his brother. Mai came forward.
"You must've poisoned Yami's mind, if he forgot about Lumina that fast."
"A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do." Mai dropped her jaw.
"You got that from me, didn't you?"
"Manipulating people and their words to your benefit, especially when it comes to fame, money, or love? Yeah."
"No, the phrase."
"Oh yeah… well, I've gotta Duel. There's no way I'll ever get to Duel Seto and marry…" She trailed off as the two girls looked at each other in horror. Then, they let out simultaneous, and quite loud, gasps.
"Duelists!" came Yugi's voice. "Your Duels will start in thirty seconds. Please shuffle your Decks and get ready." Téa grabbed Mai's arms worriedly.
"OH NO! I can't marry Seto! I'm in the same position as Lumina! And I promised Yami I wouldn't surrender or anything for any reason!"
"Then fake it!"
"Fake what?"
"Lose… on purpose!"
"I can't do that. Yami will catch on-,"
"You've got no other choice!" Mai rushed off to face her opponent near the opposite side of the short wall. Téa found all the rest of the gang near wall, right in front of two gaping windows showing the starry night sky. Serenity was standing there too, shuffling her Deck. Téa stood in front of her, in a position that she could clearly see Mai on the opposite side and Mai could see her. Mai gave her thumbs up. Téa gulped and shuffled her Deck.
"Great!" she muttered under her breath. "I have to Duel and purposely lose." Téa looked up at Serenity, who slid her Deck into the card recognizer and drew five cards. Téa did the same.
"Go Téa! Go Shizuka!" the cheering squad yelled. Yami winked at Téa, and she smiled back nervously. She turned back to Serenity.
"Let's Duel!"
………
Serenity waited for her opponent, Téa, to make her first move. She had seen Téa Duel a lot, even with her new Earth monsters. Téa's strategy was a more defensive one. Serenity knew with the three high-level monsters she had, she could easily defeat Téa. Just then, Téa made her first move.
"I draw… and I play Giant Soldier of Stone in defense mode." A giant rock warrior appeared on the field, crouching on the painted floor. It's humongous, and I was right. Téa is going for the defensive. I have to get enough monsters on the field so I can sacrifice for a high-level monster. Serenity looked up. Téa seemed to be mouthing something and rolling her eyes. Now that was weird. I guess it's my turn then.
"I'll draw and copycat. I play Shadowed Defense () in Defense Mode. End of my turn." A blue-haired enchantress in long emerald robes rose out of the card and crouched down with one arm on the ground and the other propped up on one knee. Behind her rose a translucent wall of black shadow.
"My turn!" Téa declared, and she drew a card.
………
Téa studied the newest card in her hand. She looked up at Mai. A glare was sent back to her. It wasn't the first time. Mai had given Téa a loathing look when she put her Giant Soldier in defense. And obviously Mai hadn't understood Téa's silent sorry.
"Um… I switch my Soldier to attack mode." Téa flipped her card and glanced up at Mai with her head cocked to the side. Mai nodded her head in approval.
"Good…" Téa whispered. "Her Majesty is satisfied." Téa dropped her arm to the side to signal the end of her turn. She could feel her opponent's suspicious look fall upon her. Even the audience members seemed a bit baffled. Téa didn't have much choice anyway. At the end, they will know she had lost on purpose. But perhaps… Yami will like her more. After all, she had honored his promise and still managed to be off the hook.
………
Serenity gave Téa a very apprehensive look. Even if Téa couldn't see it. After all, until that point, Téa had only put really high attack monsters in attack mode. Serenity had never seen this strategy.
This is strange. That's not like Téa at all! Of course, Shizuka wouldn't know that. She'll go on assuming it's all part of a plan. But I've got an advantage. Still, I wonder what she is planning. I'll be ready for it.
Serenity drew a card. With a click of her tongue, she scanned her cards. So far, she didn't know what Téa was up to so she couldn't jump to conclusions. But, she wanted to keep at least once defense. And perhaps she could risk attacking and reveal Téa's plan.
"I play Flirting Fairy (). And… I attack!" Serenity braced for the worst as her Fairy spread her silver powder on the now standing Soldier. The Stone statue was destroyed. Téa's LP dropped to 2900. A small setback, and I bet Téa knows it. She's planning something, I know she is!
Téa calmly looked at her destroyed monster and slipped the card into the Graveyard. She could hear the others whispering from the sidelines.
"What's going on?" came DMG's voice.
"Don't worry," assured Yami's. "Téa knows what she is doing." Serenity could hear the whispers as well. She bit her lip. Of course, Téa was a pretty good Duelist. She would be planning something.
Unknown to her, Téa's only plan was not what she expected: LOSE! Téa's easiest way of losing was to do exactly what was opposite to her own strategy. If she put everything she had in attack mode, she would lose for sure. After all, most of her monsters had way more Defense points than Attack.
"Okay," Téa announced. "I play Grave Knight () in attack mode and end my turn." Serenity's eyes widened as a gray-clad soldier appeared on the field. Another one? In attack mode? Is she crazy? Or is she planning something? Maybe she wants me to destroy her monsters. Oh great, all this thinking is making me hungry. I can only do one thing.
"I draw and attack your Grave Knight with my Fairy!" The Fairy threw her silver, sparkling powder, and the Knight grimaced in agony before disappearing from the field. Téa slid the card into her Graveyard, trying not to look at her 1700 LP. Serenity was looking at her with narrowed eyes.
"My turn, I guess," Téa said. Serenity couldn't tell much from her expression. She looks like she's doing the hardest thing she's ever done. Strange, maybe this strategy is also new to her. But still…it's newer yet to me. "I play Attack Soldier ()… in attack mode, of course. End turn!"
Serenity gaped at her again. This was the third time. Was there some trap card on the field that Serenity didn't notice? Whatever the reason, it was freaking out poor, hungry Serenity. She nervously drew a card and ordered her Fairy to attack. With the same sparkling powder, the Soldier was defeated and Téa went down to 1300 LP.
"My turn," Téa said while drawing a card, "and it is time to finish the Duel." Serenity panicked. I knew it! I fell into her trap! Great! Just great! I should have known she'd pull something. Now she can probably take all the damages of the monsters in the graveyard and do something! I'm doomed!
"I play Brother's Shield () in attack mode." Téa dropped her hand to her side. Serenity's jaw dropped. Again? The Shield monster had zero attack points. Téa was going to lose! Serenity knew it was risky to attack, but she couldn't risk losing the chance to win. Serenity looked at the time. It was roughly five after eleven. She was getting sleepy and really hungry.
"Okay… Téa. I'll draw and attack!" The Fairy threw the powder and the Shield crumbled underneath it. Téa's LP dropped to 0. Serenity was shocked. How could Téa have lost so easily? Serenity heard a tiny click as a compartment opened, revealing a brown stone.
I have five! I can't imagine! One more round! Serenity looked around. Only Mai's Duel was still going on. Seto and another brown-haired girl were standing to watch the final Duel of the round. Seto waved to Serenity, and made her blush something crazy.
Four more people! I have to be able to face Seto now! After all, I've come this far, and I have very, very little energy left.