Joy: Okay, here comes chapter 20. We are now officially at the halfway point of this story. That's right. This story is gonna be twice this length upon completion. There will be some conversation, then dueling. But first, review responses!

Silver Moon Phoenix: Whew! I am so glad for that. :o)

Midnights: (laughs) I got that song stuck in my head, too. =D

Sakura: I'm so happy! :o) Caru wants sugar…? Is that safe? Well, I do have this bag of chocolate…

Dark Kuriboh Empire: Yes, she has been taken out of the tournament, but not out of the story. Remember, she is still alive (unlike her brother) so she will have another appearance in this story. But not to worry. Everything will work out.

Dark mage of sea 13: (begs Dark mage not to hate her at the end of this chapter…) …onegai? Please?

Okay, there will be no further delays! Read on, people!

Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better

"All right finalists, the next two duels will begin tomorrow morning. Be at the lobby by nine sharp. Till then, there are rooms for each of you on the second floor of this building. They have already been prepared. Go on up. There is also a dining hall at the end of the hall upstairs. Dinner will be at six. Enjoy your evening."

With that, the crowd of finalists dispersed. "You did do an excellent job on your duel, Sakura. Good work. I just hope Jessie doesn't come around tonight to start trouble." Yugi added with a frown.

"Yeah, if she's anything like her brother…" Joy said, her voice trailing off. The group headed for the second floor. Merina was in the back and she was just about to climb up the stairs when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see Clyde standing behind her.

"What do you want?" she asked, adding in as much disgust as possible. The man smiled and shrugged.

"You know, with our own rooms it might get really lonely tonight. Maybe we could keep each other company?" (AN: Okay, I just gotta cut in and say: EWWWW!!) "Having a gorgeous chick like you around would definitely cure my loneliness. What do you say?"

Merina looked like she was going to be sick at any second. She gave Clyde the most disgusting look she could muster. "I say that if you don't get lost, I'll kick your ass, chikushoume!" she snapped. This outburst got Joy's attention from where she was just getting to the second floor. She looked over the rail and saw Merina and Clyde.

"I'll be right back," she told the others, heading back downstairs.

Meanwhile, Clyde, being the idiot he is, just wouldn't give up. In fact, if anything, Merina's threat had made him even more determined. He was beginning to come toward her, so Merina did the only thing she could: she kicked him…hard…in that sensitive spot… Clyde cried out in pain and back off. Joy appeared from the stairway and glared down at the doubled over man.

"You asshole!" Joy yelled at him. Then she kicked him in the side, causing him even more pain. "If you come near any of us again, I AM GOING TO KILL YOU!" With that she turned to Merina, who was blinking at her friend in amazement. "Are you okay, Merina?"

"Hmm? Oh, yeah. Just dandy…" She slowly smiled. "Thanks for coming back to check on me."

"I doubt you needed any help, though. You really had the bull by the horns anyway." They laughed and went upstairs to join the others, leaving a still moaning Clyde on the floor.

…The Next Morning…

"Okay, everyone, this is the second day of the finals. There has been a slight change of plans – Instead of two duels today, there will be three. That way there will only be three days of the finals. Today and tomorrow there will be three duels each. Everyone got that?" The duelists nod. "Good. Now for the first duel of the day: Mugen versus Eric Mason."

The duelists stepped onto the platform arena and (very reluctantly) shook hands. Mugen won the coin toss, so she got to go first.

Mugen drew her card. "I summon Twin-Headed Wolf in attack mode and one card facedown. Your move."

"I play this card facedown and summon La Jinn Genie of the Mystical Lamp in attack mode."

Mugen drew with a smirk. "I end my turn without playing anything. Let's see what your Genie has got, Mason."

"Fine, then! La Jinn – Attack!"

"Not so fast, loser. I play this Magic Card – Sword of Dark Destruction!"

"Damn, now I lose life points!"

Mugen: 4000

Eric: 3900

"That's right. How smart of you to notice. It's not much, but it will get better, well, better for me anyway. Now I'll place one monster facedown. Your move, smarty." Eric glared at her, and then drew.

"I place one monster facedown!"

Mugen smirked. "That's all? Weakling."

"Shut up!" Eric snapped. "I've got a strategy that will wipe that smirk off your face!"

Yugi, who was watching the duel, suddenly remembered. "Mugen, he's right! He's got –"

"I know, Moto. He's got Exodia. I was watching you kick his ass in your duel a few days ago." She turned to Eric. "Oh, please. That Exodia didn't save you from Moto, and it won't save you from me. Prepare yourself, Mason, because your about to get your ass kicked again."

"We'll see." Eric glared daggers at Mugen, whose smirk only deepened.

"So we will. First off, I'm flipping my monster, Poison Mummy, over to inflict 500 points of direct damage to you. Now my Wolf attacks your monster."

Mugen: 4000

Eric: 3400

Eric drew. Damn! I need to get just two more Exodia pieces to show this big mouth who's the boss. "I play another monster facedown."

Mugen drew. "Coward. I place three cards facedown and one monster facedown. Then I'll summon the Giant Orc to attack your monster."

"Waboku!"

"Remove Trap!"

"Damn!"

"That's right. Now my Wolf attacks you directly!"

Mugen: 4000

Eric: 1500

"Come now," Mugen said with a slight laugh. "Sure you can do better than that. I want a challenge, for Heaven's sake! I'm against a finalist, not a kindergartener!"

"I'll show you! I can beat you!"

Mugen laughed again. "Then prove it, wimp!"

"One card facedown and I summon the Goblin Attack Force in attack mode. Attack her Wolf!"

"You lose again. I activate Malevolent Nuzzler, raising my Wolf enough to withstand your attack."

"De-Spell!"

"De-Spell!" Mugen shot back, revealing her other card.

"Damn it!"

Mugen: 4000

Eric: 1200

"Gee, Mason, I don't even have to work at this. You're beating yourself."

"SHUT UP!" Mason yelled, completely irritated by Mugen's words.

"We'll time to put you out of your misery, especially since you no longer have any monsters on the field." Eric gasped at the realization. "That means this duel is over right now. Wolf! Attack his life points directly!"

Mugen: 4000

Eric: 0000

"And you didn't even touch my life points. Better luck next time, loser." She eyes the other finalists with a raised eyebrow. Perhaps my next opponent will be more worthy of my time and skill.

"Okay, good duel, people. The win goes to Mugen. There will be a fifteen minute break until the next duel, which will be Merina Lopez versus Joy Houyouku. Prepare well, duelists."

Joy was engaged in a discussion with Katilli. Come on, you just gotta let me use Exodia in my duel with Merina.

Joy, you are an excellent duelist without Exodia. I am sure you will do well.

But Merina is undefeated. You know that means she has never lost, right?

If you were to have more confidence in your own abilities…

I know, I know. I must have faith that my skills will be enough. Okay. No Exodia. This time.

Good. Now get out there and win, aibou.

Joy looked down at her deck. Yeah. I'm gonna win. I believe in myself. I can do anything she can do better. She got onto the platform, Merina right across from her. Joy and Merina exchanged a smile, then met each other in the middle of the platform and shook hands.

"Ready to duel?" Merina asked. Joy nodded. "And remember: Now matter who wins this duel, we're best friends forever, ne?"

"Right. Let's duel!" The coin was tossed and Merina got the first turn.

"Okay, Joy. Here I come. First I'll place two cards facedown and then I'll summon Nin-Ken Dog in attack mode. Your move."

"Good opening move. I'll activate Pot of Greed." She drew her two free cards. "Okay, now I'll place two cards facedown and one monster facedown. Your turn, Merina."

"I sacrifice my Nin-Ken Dog to summon the Terrorking Salmon. Attack her facedown card!"

Joy smiled. "That was my Yomi Ship. Its affect takes down any monster that destroys it in battle. Say goodbye to your Salmon." Merina frowned as her monster was sent to the graveyard.

"Good move, but this duel just got started."

"Yes, but it's my turn now so you'll have to wait for your revenge. Now I'll play Zolga in attack mode. Attack her life points directly."

Joy: 4000

Merina: 2300

That was not fun. Merina drew. "One card facedown and one monster facedown. Your move."

"Very well. I'll start by activating this magic card called Wave-Motion Cannon. Then I wait. When I finally send this magic card to the Graveyard on one of my turns, it will deal you 1000 life points of damage for every turn I had it on the field."

"I know. I have that card too, Joy. Just not yet." I have to find a way to get rid of it. If I sent it to the Graveyard, it won't damage my life points. "I play La Jinn the Genie of the Mystical Lamp in attack mode and end my turn."

Joy blinked. "You're not attacking?" she asked.

Merina smirked. "Not yet. You have to learn to be more patient. Go ahead."

"I summon Neo the Magic Swordsman in attack mode."

Merina drew. Excellent! "Now I activate this card – Poison of the Old Man – to raise my life points by 1200. Then I'll sacrifice my La Jinn to summon the Amphibian Beast. Your move."

Joy: 4000

Merina: 3500

Still not attacking. She's up to something big…I know she is… "I place one monster facedown. Zolga, attack her facedown card!"

"Waboku!" No damage was done.

Merina drew. "Ha! Now we're even Joy because I'm placing my Wave Motion Cannon on the field two. And that's not all. I'm activating this Trap Card I've been saving. Secret Barrel! It decreases your life points by 200 for every monster you have on the field. That's 600 points of direct damage."

Joy: 3400

Merina: 3500

So that's why she didn't attack. She wanted me to put more monsters on the field. Damn.

"And I still have one more move to make, and another trap card to play. This one is Gift of the Mystical Elf, and it will increase my life points by 300 for each monster on the field."

Joy: 3400

Merina: 5000

I have to turn this around, and I think I know how. "Good thing you gave yourself a boost in life points, Merina, 'cuz you're about to lose some. First I'll flip over one of my monster – Poison Mummy – to decrease your life points by 500. Then I'll sacrifice Neo and Zolga to call forth the Dark Magician."

Joy: 3400

Merina: 4500

Merina drew, then her eyes lit up. "This is a card not even Yugi and Kaiba know about. It was only just released to the public. I sacrifice both my monsters to summon the Magician of the Sea!"

(AN: Allow me to remind you that this card was invented my Merina's creator Dark mage of sea 13. It has the same attack and defense as Dark Magician, and I'm going to say he looks kind of like him too, only dressed in blue, not purple, and his hair is gonna by green. Hope that's okay, DMoS13)

"Attack Joy's Poison Mummy!"

Did you know about that card, Yami? Yugi asked his dark.

No. But it is just like the Dark Magician. It will be an interesting duel.

Not bad, Sorcerer told Seto. Think she can beat it?

We'll just have to see. If not, Joy is out of this tournament.

Joy sighed. She is good…real good. How can I win against a monster that is exactly as strong as mine? Have to think...I have to stall for time. "I place this monster facedown. Your turn."

Merina drew. Ah, now I can get rid of that annoying Cannon without hurting my life points. "I'll get rid of that magic card Cannon you have using my De-Spell card. Then I'll send my own Cannon to the graveyard, dealing you a total of 3000 life points of damage."

Joy: 400

Merina: 4500

Shit, shit, shit! I can't let her win. There has to be someway to stop her, but I can't defeat her until I get rid of her Magician of the Sea. Joy drew, then a smile graced her face. "I'm going to destroy your Magician now. I'm equipping my Dark Magician with the Malevolent Nuzzler card, raising it high enough to destroy that Magician. Attack!"

"NO!"

Joy: 400

Merina: 3800

Merina pursed her lips together, and then drew. "One monster facedown."

"I'll flip over my Man-Eater Bug to destroy it!"

"It was the Magician of Faith." Merina chose her card.

"Now I'll attack your life points directly with the Dark Magician!"

Joy: 400

Merina: 600

Merina drew. "Now I place activate Monster Reborn to bring back my Magician of the Sea. Then I'll use this other magic card – Block Attack – on your Dark Magician. Attack Magician of the Sea!

Damn it, That's not fair.

But you can still win, aibou.

You're right, though I had doing this… she is my friend.

And she still will be. Just relax.

Right. "Good move, but I think I'm going to end this duel right now by first summoning Gearfried the Iron Knight. Then I'll use this magic card called Tribute to the Doomed. Now, with no monsters on the field, you are open for a direct attack…so…" Joy paused, looking Merina right in the eyes.

"Go on, Joy. You can attack me with your Knight, right?" Merina said. "It's okay…"

"But you're undefeated, Merina…I…"

"Don't worry. After all, Kaiba was undefeated, too, until he met Yugi. It's okay. Attack me. There has to be a decisive winner in every duel of the finals."

"…Gearfried….attack her life points directly."

Joy: 400

Merina: 0000

"The winner is…Joy Houyouku!"

Joy walked up to Merina, who was looking down at her deck with a bit of a sad expression on her face. "Merina…are you…okay?" Merina looked up, giving Joy a sad smile.

"You got the win, Joy. Good job. I…lost. For the first time ever. This deck has never let me down."

"It didn't let you down now either. You fought a really good duel and you almost beat me. If I had not gotten that magic card, you would have won for certain."

"Hey, Merina!" Yugi ran up to them. "That was a great duel! Can you show me that Magician of the Sea? Yami and I think it's a magnificent monster."

Merina smiled proudly. "Sure thing, Yugi. And I can show you this other really great card that just came out, too. It works well with my Magician of the Sea."

"Great!" Yugi and Merina walked over to one of the couches.

Joy smiled. Well…I guess that worked out well…

Of course. You didn't think Merina would get made over that, did you?

I guess not.

"Okay, quickly give me your attention duelists…the next duel is scheduled to begin right after lunch and it will be…" The announcer paused and looked down at his notes. "Seto Kaiba versus Clyde Makasai. Get ready, the both of you. The duel starts at one o'clock on the dot."

Seto laughed out loud. I finally get to put that guy in his place for what he did to Joy. I almost feel…fortunate. Perhaps blessed.

Sorcerer could barely contain his laughter. Yes, but no actual fighting, please. I am sure the man is still sore from last night.

Joy: So, Kaiba duels Clyde in the next chapter, but there will also be some nighttime action and another duel on top of that. Who will it be between? I'm not gonna tell you till the last minute!

The next chapter will be called…Taking Care of Clyde. (falls on floor laughing) They should just let the girls take care of him. Anyway… it's Kaiba's first duel of the finals! It is gonna ROCK!

Oh, another blurb here. I just got a new story posted. It is a story idea I have been throwing around. It is called "Reversing Roles" and centers around Yugi and Yami, with some other characters coming in at times. It is also separate from my series.

Till the next chapter, review and see ya!