ELEGANTLY EGOTISTICAL
Yugi and his friends decided that they were going to catch some sleep before Dueling again. Zero stayed up all night and watched them carefully as they slept. He was eager to reveal himself to the others, but it was not yet time. Soon, though...
The moon fell and the sun rose once again, as did our favorite Duelists. The morning felt fresh and new, and the gang decided to sit down for breakfast, even if it was one that they had to mooch off of Yugi.
"Yugi, you're blessed!" exclaimed Tea, smiling happily.
"Jeez, Tea," responded Yugi, "I expected these guys not to be prepared, but I never thought you'd've come here without ANY food."
"Guess it must of just slipped my mind," said Tea nervously, Joey and Triston stuffing their faces with junk food as a sweat drop suddenly appeared on her head.
"Well," began Yugi, "we better try to find something else to eat soon. I haven't seen any sort of food stops in our time on the island, and that's all I brought for rations."
"And it was much appreciated! BURP! " exclaimed the smiling Joey.
Do you have any pride, Joey Wheeler?" said a female voice.
Everyone looked to see the beautiful, busty, Mai Valentine.
"Mai!" exclaimed Joey , "Hey! Been a while. You earn any Stars yet?"
"Sure have," responded Mai, the same Devil-May-Care smile on her face.
Mai held up her gauntlet and gave it a slight turn, revealing the 5 shimmering Star-Chips embedded in her glove.
"What!?" exclaimed Joey, bulleting up to Mai's glove, his eyes nearly popping out of his skull, "How in the Hell did you get so many!?"
"Simple, bone-head," said Mai, sarcastically, "I Dueled for them."
"Wow," said Joey looking up at Mai with a slight smile, "I guess you're pretty good, huh Mai?"
"Too good," responded Mai, boastfully, "and how about you, Joey? I'll bet you haven't earned a single Star-Chip since you've been here, have you?"
"Eeh!" responded Joey, his eyes widened with a nervous sweat drop on his head, "well I... I mean... Uhh..."
"Just as I thought," said Mai, "On the other hand, what can one expect from a novice."
"Novice!" exclaimed Joey, "Who you callin' a novice!?"
"Yeah, Mai?" included Tea, "Joey might be slow, but that doesn't make him a bad Duelist."
Every one face faulted at that point before Joey sarcastically replied, "Thanks Tea. That really helped."
"Pi-ti-ful," responded Mai, shaking her head.
"Grrrr!" responded Joey, holding up his fist, "Oh yeah? I bet I could take YOU!"
"Really?" answered Mai, acting as if she were surprised at Joey's challenge.
"Uh oh," thought Yugi.
"Alright then, Joey," said Mai, arching her finger, "come with me."
Mai lead the way through the forest as the group fallowed, Joey trying too hard to act like a marching soldier. She stopped, and a Dueling Arena rose up out of the ground. Mai boarded the platform on one side of the Arena, and Joey boarded the other. The two then made eye contact at the top.
"Ok Joey," said Mai, "load your Star-Chip and we'll get this Duel rolling."
"Fine!" shouted Joey, slapping down his Star-Chip.
"Oh please," said Mai, almost laughing, "you really don't know what you're doing, do you?"
"Wait a minute," thought Joey, "did she just call me a bone-head a minute ago?"
Suddenly, Triston fell over and it startled Tea.
"What was that for?" she asked.
"I dunno. It just happened," answered the confused Triston as he stood back up, rubbing his head.
"Look, beans-for-brains," said Mai, pointing downward.
Joey looked down at his Dueling Grid and noticed a long, slender, metal bar between the Magic Zone and the hand-rest. The bar had a total of 10 star-shaped indentions in it.
"Your Star-Chip goes in one of those wholes," continued Mai.
"Eh, right," lied Joey, "I knew that. I just got a little carried away."
"Whatever you say, kid," replied Mai.
"This isn't good," said Triston, "That's his only Star-Chip. Joey screws this up and he's out of the Tournament."
"Joey won't lose," responded Yugi, "His reasons for being here are way too important. All he has to do is trust, and the Heart of the Cards will guide him through this."
"Thanks Yug'," responded Joey.
"What are you talking about?" asked Mai.
"Sumthin' you wouldn't understand, Mai," answered Joey.
"Whatever," replied Mai, "Just load your Star-Chip so we can get started already."
The two Duelists loaded their chips, and they lit up inside of the bar. Everything began to click, and the Dueling Grid flashed. The holographic projectors started up, the Duelists' Life Points were set, and with that, it was time to...
DUEL!!!!!!!!
Mai: You can go first, Joey, not that it matters. – 2000 –
Joey: Yeah!? Well we're gonna see about that! I set 1 card face-down and summon Gearfried, the Iron Knight. (1800/1600/4/Earth/Warrior) I'll end my turn there. – 2000 –
Mai: I set 1 card face-down and summon Harpy Lady. (1300/1400/4/Wind/Winged- Beast) Surprised? – 2000 –
Joey: I ain't fallin' for that! Gearfried, attack Harpy Lady! – 2000 –
Gearfried rushes the Harpy, mounting his attack, when...
Mai: I activate Spellbinding Circle. This'll paralyze your Iron Knight and save my Harpy. – 2000 –
A bright ring appears on Joey's field, and a light shoots out from the center. Gearfried is pulled back to Joey's side of the field and slammed into the ground where a light surrounds the Iron Knight.
Joey: Damn! She stopped my attack! Well, at least my monster's effect'll destroy her card afterward. – 2000 –
The light dissipates, and Gearfried rises to his feet again.
Mai: It's my move now, Joey, and I activate this Magic Card...
Mai places her card down, and the battlefield changes to a mountain range.
Mai: This card changes the field into a mountainous area, which gives my Harpy a Field-Power-Bonus that raises her attack points to 1690. But that's not all, I also activate my other Magic card, Fallow Wind, which increases my Harpy's attack even further to 1990. – 2000 –
Joey: Uh oh... – 2000 –
Mai: Harpy Lady, attack Gearfried now! – 2000 –
Mai's monster flies over to Gearfried, slashes at the Iron Knight with her claws, sparks flying off of his armor before he splits into four sections that shatter in order from left to right, and then returns to her original position, all in one smooth motion, and within a second's time.
Joey: WHOA! – 1810 –
Tea: Did you see that!? I could barely even fallow it!
Triston: Man! It's only her second turn, and already she's gotten ahead!
Yugi: Don't sweat it, Joey! It's only a small lead! You can still win this!
Joey: 'sigh' Alright, so I'm not off to the best o' starts, but it's ok. – 1810 –
Mai: Just keep telling yourself that, kid. – 2000 –
Joey: Grrr! Don't get too cocky, Mai! This Duel's just gettin' started! I set 1 monster face-down. Your move. – 1810 –
Mai: That's it? Ah well, guess you're gonna have to learn the hard way. Harpy Lady, attack! – 2000 –
Mai's Harpy Lady slashes at Joey's face-down Monster. The card is cut into ribbons, and reveals beneath it...
Joey: You flipped my Armed Ninja! (300/300/1/Earth/Warrior) His effect allows me to destroy one Magic Card on the field, namely, your Mountain card! – 1810 –
Mai gasps as the Armed Ninja drives his blade into the ground, and he, as well as the Mountain range, are shredded into nothing.
Joey: Now your Harpy won't receive its bonus. – 1810 –
Triston: All right, man!
Tea: Yeah, Joey! Great move!
Mai: Ehem! It's still my turn, you know. I set 1 card-face down, and it's your move. – 2000 –
Joey: Alright. I summon you, Axe Raider, (1700/1150/4/Earth/Warrior) destroy her Harpy Lady! – 1810 –
The Axe Raider raises his axe and charges at Mai's monster, when...
Mai: I activate my Trap card, Wind Storm of Etaque! – 2000 –
A swirling wind blows the Axe Raider into the sky and drops him back on to Joey's side of the field. The Axe Raider returns to his feet in Defense mode.
Joey: What the!? What'd you do? – 1810 –
Mai: Wind Storm of Etaque changes the battle position of every face-up monster, forcing your Axe Raider to take the defensive. – 2000 –
Joey: Uh oh... - 1810 –
Triston: Shoot! This isn't good!
Mai: Harpy Lady, attack his Axe Raider! – 2000 –
Harpy Lady shifts out of her defensive position and slashes Joey's Axe Raider into several sections that instantly shatter.
Joey: Ah! My Axe Raider's been destroyed! – 1810 –
Mai:Well at least now we know you're not blind. I set 1 card face-down and end my turn. – 2000 –
Yugi: That's nothing Joey! You've still got plenty of moves in your deck!
Mai, sarcastic: Isn't that nice, you've got yourself a little Fan Club. – 2000 –
Joey: Zip it, Mai! He's right! I still got plenty of cards left in my deck, and they're all gonna help me win this! Just like my friends! – 1810 –
Mai: Whatever, just make your move. – 2000 –
Joey: Check this out, Mai, it's one of my favorite combos. I activate the Magic card, Warrior Returning Alive, to bring my Axe Raider back to my hand, and summon him to the field. Then I equip him with my Axe of Despair, increasing his Attack points to 2700. – 1810 –
Mai smiles slightly.
Joey: Axe Raider, attack her Harpy with Mighty Axe Slam! – 1810 –
Axe Raider lifts the Axe of Despair over his head as he prepares to attack Harpy Lady, when...
Mai: Sorry, Joey. I activate Fairy's Hand Mirror! – 2000 –
The Axe of Despair vanishes from Axe Raider's hands and reappears in the claw-tipped fingers of Harpy Lady.
Mai: Harpy Lady, counter-attack! – 2000 –
The Harpy Lady takes the Axe of Despair and uses it to cut the Axe Raider in half.
Joey: What! – 910 –
Tea: Oh no...
Triston: What the... how'd that happen?
Mai: My Fairy's Hand Mirror allowed me to equip Axe of Despair to my Harpy Lady, and since Joey's monster attacked mine while it's Attack points were lower, not only was it destroyed, but it took a good chunk out of his Life points as well. – 2000 –
Joey, wide-eyed: Ah... - 910 –
Mai: Lucky for you, it only lasts for this turn. You really should stop attacking me when I've got a card face-down, Wheeler. Usually, it means TRAP. – 2000 –
Joey: 'I don't believe it. Just her Harpy's taken out 3 of my monsters and more than half my Life points while I haven't even scratched her, and it's only been a few turns!' – 910 –
Yugi: YU-GI-OH!
Yugi transforms into his alter-ego.
Yugi: Joey, calm down. Things may seem impossible, but there's still a way you can win.
Joey: Huh? – 910 –
Yugi: Well, what do you know? She's definitely a skilled Duelist, but her strategy has 1 major flaw.
Joey: A flaw? – 910 –
Yugi: Yes, Joey. Think about it. So far, she's only played a single monster, and every move she's made since then has been to defend that monster.
Joey: I get it. If I can just break through her defenses and destroy her monster, then it'll mess up her strategy. – 910 –
Yugi: Exactly.
Mai: Only one problem, stud, my strategy may circulate around one monster, but that monster comes in multiples. For instance, I play the Magic card, Elegant Egotist. – 2000 –
Mai's side of the field becomes kaleidoscopic, and when site of her field shifts back to normal, it reveals another monster...
Mai: Say hello to my Cyber Harpy. (1800/1300/4/Wind/Winged-Beast) I'm equipping it with my Arrow Wing, and Harpy Lady with Gust Fan, increasing their Attack powers to 2100 and 2000. – 2000 –
Harpy Lady shoots Joey a blood-thirsty grin accompanied by its usual screech and he flinches.
Mai: Unfortunately, I can't attack you yet, so I'll set one card face-down and end my turn. – 2000 –
Joey: 'Damn. Not only do I now have 2 Harpies to deal with now, but they're even stronger then before. Wait a minute...' - 910 –
Joey looks at his hand for a moment.
Joey: 'That just might work.' Alright, Mai, first I summon Exiled Force. (1000/1000/4/Earth/Warrior) – 910 –
Mai gasps.
Joey: Using its effect, I sacrifice it to destroy your Cyber Harpy. – 910 –
All but one of the Exiled soldiers vanish, and the one left pulls out his sword and stabs himself in the heart with it. Cyber Harpy looks down to see that she herself had done the same, and her eyes widen before she drops to the ground, and then vanishes.
Tea, Triston: WAHOO!!!
Mai, grinning: You just dug yourself deeper than you think, Josef, doing that activated my Arrow Wing's second effect. – 2000 –
Joey: Second effect? – 910 –
Mai: That's right, when my Harpy goes to the Graveyard, I'm aloud to equip Arrow Wing to another Harpy Lady. Seeing as I only have one other on the field, her Attack points go up by another 300. – 2000 –
Joey: 'That's alright, Mai, because for what I got planned, that only helps me out.' – 910 –
Mai: I'll pass this time, Joey, go ahead and take a free turn. – 2000 –
Joey: Gladly. I summon Amazon Archer, (1400/1000/4/Earth/Warrior) and equip her with the Shooting Star Bow, which allows her to attack your Life points directly at the cost of 1000 Attack points. – 910 –
Mai: Ah! – 2000 –
The Amazon Archer fires her arrow, which shines brilliantly as it streaks across the field where it vanishes into an invisible barrier that ripples outward from the point of contact.
Mai: Well you finally did some damage. Pat yourself on the back, Wheeler. – 1600 –
Joey: Later. I set the rest of my hand face-down and end my turn. Your move, Mai. – 910 –
Mai: Huh, well, at least you went out with a bang, kid. Harpy Lady, Attack Amazon Archer! – 1600 –
Joey: Not so fast, Mai! – 910 –
Mai, confused: Huh? – 1600 –
Joey: First I activate Mystical Space Typhoon, and destroy your face-down card! – 910 –
A black vortex sucks up Mai's card.
Joey: Then I activate my own Trap card! – 910 –
Mai: What!? You set a trap for me!? - 1600 -
Joey: That's right, and it's called Reverse Trap! This card turns any power increase into a power decrease, and vice-versa, which increases the Attack power of my Amazon, and decreases the Attack power of your Harpy! – 910 –
Mai: Oh no! – 1600 –
Joey: That's right, Mai! This Duel's over! – 910 –
DUEL COMPLETE
Harpy Lady stumbled as her weapons disappeared in mid-assault. The Amazon Archer blocked the attack with her bow, and then fired her arrow into the Harpy's heart before Mai's monster vanished into the light.
"That hits you for 2100 points!" exclaimed Joey.
"But," began Mai, "how? How could I lose to such an amateur?"
"Because, Mai" answered Joey, "I'm here for a reason. My sister's sight is on the line, and there's no way in Hell I'm letin' her down."
Mai's eyes widened as her Life points slowly decreased to 0. She couldn't believe that a novice, a virtual unknown had defeated her. She hadn't lost a Duel in all her days as a Duelist, how could Joey, of all people, have beaten her?
As Zero looked on at the two Duelists, he thought to himself, "If only Mai knew where Joey's headed. Where all of them are headed, as a matter of fact."
Zero looks up at Joey, showing his "V" for victory and smiling widely.
"Keeping fighting, Joey," he says, "You're going to turn out to be a great Duelist."
Yugi and his friends decided that they were going to catch some sleep before Dueling again. Zero stayed up all night and watched them carefully as they slept. He was eager to reveal himself to the others, but it was not yet time. Soon, though...
The moon fell and the sun rose once again, as did our favorite Duelists. The morning felt fresh and new, and the gang decided to sit down for breakfast, even if it was one that they had to mooch off of Yugi.
"Yugi, you're blessed!" exclaimed Tea, smiling happily.
"Jeez, Tea," responded Yugi, "I expected these guys not to be prepared, but I never thought you'd've come here without ANY food."
"Guess it must of just slipped my mind," said Tea nervously, Joey and Triston stuffing their faces with junk food as a sweat drop suddenly appeared on her head.
"Well," began Yugi, "we better try to find something else to eat soon. I haven't seen any sort of food stops in our time on the island, and that's all I brought for rations."
"And it was much appreciated! BURP! " exclaimed the smiling Joey.
Do you have any pride, Joey Wheeler?" said a female voice.
Everyone looked to see the beautiful, busty, Mai Valentine.
"Mai!" exclaimed Joey , "Hey! Been a while. You earn any Stars yet?"
"Sure have," responded Mai, the same Devil-May-Care smile on her face.
Mai held up her gauntlet and gave it a slight turn, revealing the 5 shimmering Star-Chips embedded in her glove.
"What!?" exclaimed Joey, bulleting up to Mai's glove, his eyes nearly popping out of his skull, "How in the Hell did you get so many!?"
"Simple, bone-head," said Mai, sarcastically, "I Dueled for them."
"Wow," said Joey looking up at Mai with a slight smile, "I guess you're pretty good, huh Mai?"
"Too good," responded Mai, boastfully, "and how about you, Joey? I'll bet you haven't earned a single Star-Chip since you've been here, have you?"
"Eeh!" responded Joey, his eyes widened with a nervous sweat drop on his head, "well I... I mean... Uhh..."
"Just as I thought," said Mai, "On the other hand, what can one expect from a novice."
"Novice!" exclaimed Joey, "Who you callin' a novice!?"
"Yeah, Mai?" included Tea, "Joey might be slow, but that doesn't make him a bad Duelist."
Every one face faulted at that point before Joey sarcastically replied, "Thanks Tea. That really helped."
"Pi-ti-ful," responded Mai, shaking her head.
"Grrrr!" responded Joey, holding up his fist, "Oh yeah? I bet I could take YOU!"
"Really?" answered Mai, acting as if she were surprised at Joey's challenge.
"Uh oh," thought Yugi.
"Alright then, Joey," said Mai, arching her finger, "come with me."
Mai lead the way through the forest as the group fallowed, Joey trying too hard to act like a marching soldier. She stopped, and a Dueling Arena rose up out of the ground. Mai boarded the platform on one side of the Arena, and Joey boarded the other. The two then made eye contact at the top.
"Ok Joey," said Mai, "load your Star-Chip and we'll get this Duel rolling."
"Fine!" shouted Joey, slapping down his Star-Chip.
"Oh please," said Mai, almost laughing, "you really don't know what you're doing, do you?"
"Wait a minute," thought Joey, "did she just call me a bone-head a minute ago?"
Suddenly, Triston fell over and it startled Tea.
"What was that for?" she asked.
"I dunno. It just happened," answered the confused Triston as he stood back up, rubbing his head.
"Look, beans-for-brains," said Mai, pointing downward.
Joey looked down at his Dueling Grid and noticed a long, slender, metal bar between the Magic Zone and the hand-rest. The bar had a total of 10 star-shaped indentions in it.
"Your Star-Chip goes in one of those wholes," continued Mai.
"Eh, right," lied Joey, "I knew that. I just got a little carried away."
"Whatever you say, kid," replied Mai.
"This isn't good," said Triston, "That's his only Star-Chip. Joey screws this up and he's out of the Tournament."
"Joey won't lose," responded Yugi, "His reasons for being here are way too important. All he has to do is trust, and the Heart of the Cards will guide him through this."
"Thanks Yug'," responded Joey.
"What are you talking about?" asked Mai.
"Sumthin' you wouldn't understand, Mai," answered Joey.
"Whatever," replied Mai, "Just load your Star-Chip so we can get started already."
The two Duelists loaded their chips, and they lit up inside of the bar. Everything began to click, and the Dueling Grid flashed. The holographic projectors started up, the Duelists' Life Points were set, and with that, it was time to...
DUEL!!!!!!!!
Mai: You can go first, Joey, not that it matters. – 2000 –
Joey: Yeah!? Well we're gonna see about that! I set 1 card face-down and summon Gearfried, the Iron Knight. (1800/1600/4/Earth/Warrior) I'll end my turn there. – 2000 –
Mai: I set 1 card face-down and summon Harpy Lady. (1300/1400/4/Wind/Winged- Beast) Surprised? – 2000 –
Joey: I ain't fallin' for that! Gearfried, attack Harpy Lady! – 2000 –
Gearfried rushes the Harpy, mounting his attack, when...
Mai: I activate Spellbinding Circle. This'll paralyze your Iron Knight and save my Harpy. – 2000 –
A bright ring appears on Joey's field, and a light shoots out from the center. Gearfried is pulled back to Joey's side of the field and slammed into the ground where a light surrounds the Iron Knight.
Joey: Damn! She stopped my attack! Well, at least my monster's effect'll destroy her card afterward. – 2000 –
The light dissipates, and Gearfried rises to his feet again.
Mai: It's my move now, Joey, and I activate this Magic Card...
Mai places her card down, and the battlefield changes to a mountain range.
Mai: This card changes the field into a mountainous area, which gives my Harpy a Field-Power-Bonus that raises her attack points to 1690. But that's not all, I also activate my other Magic card, Fallow Wind, which increases my Harpy's attack even further to 1990. – 2000 –
Joey: Uh oh... – 2000 –
Mai: Harpy Lady, attack Gearfried now! – 2000 –
Mai's monster flies over to Gearfried, slashes at the Iron Knight with her claws, sparks flying off of his armor before he splits into four sections that shatter in order from left to right, and then returns to her original position, all in one smooth motion, and within a second's time.
Joey: WHOA! – 1810 –
Tea: Did you see that!? I could barely even fallow it!
Triston: Man! It's only her second turn, and already she's gotten ahead!
Yugi: Don't sweat it, Joey! It's only a small lead! You can still win this!
Joey: 'sigh' Alright, so I'm not off to the best o' starts, but it's ok. – 1810 –
Mai: Just keep telling yourself that, kid. – 2000 –
Joey: Grrr! Don't get too cocky, Mai! This Duel's just gettin' started! I set 1 monster face-down. Your move. – 1810 –
Mai: That's it? Ah well, guess you're gonna have to learn the hard way. Harpy Lady, attack! – 2000 –
Mai's Harpy Lady slashes at Joey's face-down Monster. The card is cut into ribbons, and reveals beneath it...
Joey: You flipped my Armed Ninja! (300/300/1/Earth/Warrior) His effect allows me to destroy one Magic Card on the field, namely, your Mountain card! – 1810 –
Mai gasps as the Armed Ninja drives his blade into the ground, and he, as well as the Mountain range, are shredded into nothing.
Joey: Now your Harpy won't receive its bonus. – 1810 –
Triston: All right, man!
Tea: Yeah, Joey! Great move!
Mai: Ehem! It's still my turn, you know. I set 1 card-face down, and it's your move. – 2000 –
Joey: Alright. I summon you, Axe Raider, (1700/1150/4/Earth/Warrior) destroy her Harpy Lady! – 1810 –
The Axe Raider raises his axe and charges at Mai's monster, when...
Mai: I activate my Trap card, Wind Storm of Etaque! – 2000 –
A swirling wind blows the Axe Raider into the sky and drops him back on to Joey's side of the field. The Axe Raider returns to his feet in Defense mode.
Joey: What the!? What'd you do? – 1810 –
Mai: Wind Storm of Etaque changes the battle position of every face-up monster, forcing your Axe Raider to take the defensive. – 2000 –
Joey: Uh oh... - 1810 –
Triston: Shoot! This isn't good!
Mai: Harpy Lady, attack his Axe Raider! – 2000 –
Harpy Lady shifts out of her defensive position and slashes Joey's Axe Raider into several sections that instantly shatter.
Joey: Ah! My Axe Raider's been destroyed! – 1810 –
Mai:Well at least now we know you're not blind. I set 1 card face-down and end my turn. – 2000 –
Yugi: That's nothing Joey! You've still got plenty of moves in your deck!
Mai, sarcastic: Isn't that nice, you've got yourself a little Fan Club. – 2000 –
Joey: Zip it, Mai! He's right! I still got plenty of cards left in my deck, and they're all gonna help me win this! Just like my friends! – 1810 –
Mai: Whatever, just make your move. – 2000 –
Joey: Check this out, Mai, it's one of my favorite combos. I activate the Magic card, Warrior Returning Alive, to bring my Axe Raider back to my hand, and summon him to the field. Then I equip him with my Axe of Despair, increasing his Attack points to 2700. – 1810 –
Mai smiles slightly.
Joey: Axe Raider, attack her Harpy with Mighty Axe Slam! – 1810 –
Axe Raider lifts the Axe of Despair over his head as he prepares to attack Harpy Lady, when...
Mai: Sorry, Joey. I activate Fairy's Hand Mirror! – 2000 –
The Axe of Despair vanishes from Axe Raider's hands and reappears in the claw-tipped fingers of Harpy Lady.
Mai: Harpy Lady, counter-attack! – 2000 –
The Harpy Lady takes the Axe of Despair and uses it to cut the Axe Raider in half.
Joey: What! – 910 –
Tea: Oh no...
Triston: What the... how'd that happen?
Mai: My Fairy's Hand Mirror allowed me to equip Axe of Despair to my Harpy Lady, and since Joey's monster attacked mine while it's Attack points were lower, not only was it destroyed, but it took a good chunk out of his Life points as well. – 2000 –
Joey, wide-eyed: Ah... - 910 –
Mai: Lucky for you, it only lasts for this turn. You really should stop attacking me when I've got a card face-down, Wheeler. Usually, it means TRAP. – 2000 –
Joey: 'I don't believe it. Just her Harpy's taken out 3 of my monsters and more than half my Life points while I haven't even scratched her, and it's only been a few turns!' – 910 –
Yugi: YU-GI-OH!
Yugi transforms into his alter-ego.
Yugi: Joey, calm down. Things may seem impossible, but there's still a way you can win.
Joey: Huh? – 910 –
Yugi: Well, what do you know? She's definitely a skilled Duelist, but her strategy has 1 major flaw.
Joey: A flaw? – 910 –
Yugi: Yes, Joey. Think about it. So far, she's only played a single monster, and every move she's made since then has been to defend that monster.
Joey: I get it. If I can just break through her defenses and destroy her monster, then it'll mess up her strategy. – 910 –
Yugi: Exactly.
Mai: Only one problem, stud, my strategy may circulate around one monster, but that monster comes in multiples. For instance, I play the Magic card, Elegant Egotist. – 2000 –
Mai's side of the field becomes kaleidoscopic, and when site of her field shifts back to normal, it reveals another monster...
Mai: Say hello to my Cyber Harpy. (1800/1300/4/Wind/Winged-Beast) I'm equipping it with my Arrow Wing, and Harpy Lady with Gust Fan, increasing their Attack powers to 2100 and 2000. – 2000 –
Harpy Lady shoots Joey a blood-thirsty grin accompanied by its usual screech and he flinches.
Mai: Unfortunately, I can't attack you yet, so I'll set one card face-down and end my turn. – 2000 –
Joey: 'Damn. Not only do I now have 2 Harpies to deal with now, but they're even stronger then before. Wait a minute...' - 910 –
Joey looks at his hand for a moment.
Joey: 'That just might work.' Alright, Mai, first I summon Exiled Force. (1000/1000/4/Earth/Warrior) – 910 –
Mai gasps.
Joey: Using its effect, I sacrifice it to destroy your Cyber Harpy. – 910 –
All but one of the Exiled soldiers vanish, and the one left pulls out his sword and stabs himself in the heart with it. Cyber Harpy looks down to see that she herself had done the same, and her eyes widen before she drops to the ground, and then vanishes.
Tea, Triston: WAHOO!!!
Mai, grinning: You just dug yourself deeper than you think, Josef, doing that activated my Arrow Wing's second effect. – 2000 –
Joey: Second effect? – 910 –
Mai: That's right, when my Harpy goes to the Graveyard, I'm aloud to equip Arrow Wing to another Harpy Lady. Seeing as I only have one other on the field, her Attack points go up by another 300. – 2000 –
Joey: 'That's alright, Mai, because for what I got planned, that only helps me out.' – 910 –
Mai: I'll pass this time, Joey, go ahead and take a free turn. – 2000 –
Joey: Gladly. I summon Amazon Archer, (1400/1000/4/Earth/Warrior) and equip her with the Shooting Star Bow, which allows her to attack your Life points directly at the cost of 1000 Attack points. – 910 –
Mai: Ah! – 2000 –
The Amazon Archer fires her arrow, which shines brilliantly as it streaks across the field where it vanishes into an invisible barrier that ripples outward from the point of contact.
Mai: Well you finally did some damage. Pat yourself on the back, Wheeler. – 1600 –
Joey: Later. I set the rest of my hand face-down and end my turn. Your move, Mai. – 910 –
Mai: Huh, well, at least you went out with a bang, kid. Harpy Lady, Attack Amazon Archer! – 1600 –
Joey: Not so fast, Mai! – 910 –
Mai, confused: Huh? – 1600 –
Joey: First I activate Mystical Space Typhoon, and destroy your face-down card! – 910 –
A black vortex sucks up Mai's card.
Joey: Then I activate my own Trap card! – 910 –
Mai: What!? You set a trap for me!? - 1600 -
Joey: That's right, and it's called Reverse Trap! This card turns any power increase into a power decrease, and vice-versa, which increases the Attack power of my Amazon, and decreases the Attack power of your Harpy! – 910 –
Mai: Oh no! – 1600 –
Joey: That's right, Mai! This Duel's over! – 910 –
DUEL COMPLETE
Harpy Lady stumbled as her weapons disappeared in mid-assault. The Amazon Archer blocked the attack with her bow, and then fired her arrow into the Harpy's heart before Mai's monster vanished into the light.
"That hits you for 2100 points!" exclaimed Joey.
"But," began Mai, "how? How could I lose to such an amateur?"
"Because, Mai" answered Joey, "I'm here for a reason. My sister's sight is on the line, and there's no way in Hell I'm letin' her down."
Mai's eyes widened as her Life points slowly decreased to 0. She couldn't believe that a novice, a virtual unknown had defeated her. She hadn't lost a Duel in all her days as a Duelist, how could Joey, of all people, have beaten her?
As Zero looked on at the two Duelists, he thought to himself, "If only Mai knew where Joey's headed. Where all of them are headed, as a matter of fact."
Zero looks up at Joey, showing his "V" for victory and smiling widely.
"Keeping fighting, Joey," he says, "You're going to turn out to be a great Duelist."