Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-gi-oh. Nor do I own the characters in this
story.
Author's Notes:
I've tried to put this chapter up three times this week, but I always ended up reading other people's stories instead. Well, now it's up.
I am sure many of you were not happy with Yami's retreat last chapter (if the reviews are any indication). Part of that is because of the person Tiffany's character is based on (long story). Mostly, though, its part of the plot. Sorry, but you won't completely understand the whole Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon fear for a few more chapters.
Anyway, I'll let you read this chapter to find out if he redeems himself.
------------------------------------
Chapter 12: Destiny Draw
In one eternal moment, I realized what I had done. I had abandoned Tiffany when she had needed me the most. Like a coward, I had run from battle.
Poor Wendy, I thought bitterly. Even now, I cannot honor your sacrifice.
I peeked into Tiffany's mind to watch the final outcome of the duel. I knew there was nothing I could do for her, and I was still to shaken to rejoin her, but I felt that I should at least watch her defeat.
"-so scared, your freaky illusion trick melted," Amanda was laughing.
Tiffany was still very confused, trying to figure out how she had lost the power of the Millennium Puzzle. "What is happening to me."
"Miss Tiffany," the official interjected, "I'm afraid you will have to play your turn or forfeit this game."
Tiffany closed her eyes and placed a hand on her deck. "Okay, somewhere in this deck is the card that I need to win this duel," she said to herself. I couldn't help but admire her courage. "All I have to do is draw it."
With the life point score 1950 – 1900 in Tiffany's favor, she only had one more chance to draw. I knew that the only card in her deck that could have saved her was the Magical Cylinder, but it had been destroyed at the beginning of the duel.
So I was very surprised when she pulled out Amazoness Swords Woman. That card should not have been in her deck because it wasn't even Tiffany's.
Tiffany was equally shocked, staring at the card with confusion. However, when she read the card's effect, she couldn't help but smile.
"I play Amazoness Swords Woman in attack mode," Tiffany announced boldly.
Amanda wasn't impressed. "Only 1500 attack points? What's it going to do?"
Tiffany was about to have it attack, but I whispered for her to wait. She still has a facedown card. Wait for her to attack.
Tiffany smiled again. "After this duel, we are going to have a long talk," she whispered. I realized that she was talking to me.
To Amanda, she simply smiled. "I will end my turn without attacking."
Amanda grinned. "You've got something up your sleeve, but it won't save you." She drew a card, and the grin became even more wicked. "I will equip my Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon with Megamorph to double his attack strength."
Now the dragon was up to 9000 attack points, enough to end a duel in one attack. "My ultimate dragon will now attack your faceup monster and end this duel." she cheered.
"7500 points of damage done," the official announced. "That ends the duel. Tiffany is the winner."
Both girls got up and cheered, starting into their own little victory dance. However, Amanda froze when the official's words hit her.
"Wait a minute," she exclaimed with confusion and anger. "What do you mean she wins? My monster hit her life points, not mine."
"Amazoness Swords Woman's effect, "he explained to her. "Battle Damage done to her controller's LP is done to the opponents LP instead."
"You mean I finished off my own life points?!" she wailed in rage. "That's not fair. I didn't know her card had that effect."
"You could have asked to read it, you know," Tiffany gloated. "You shouldn't have been so overconfident."
"You miserable little cheater," Amanda screamed. "I'll get you for this."
She actually lunged at Tiffany with the intent of strangling her, but Stephen held her back. "You lost fair and square Amanda. Everyone loses at some point."
Amanda shoved him off. "Not me. Not my Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon. No one can beat it."
"Some one just did," Tiffany sang. I would have scolded her, but I was too blown away by this turn of events.
The Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon had lost? True, it was possible, since this was only a card representing the real dragon. Still, I found it hard to believe.
The other thing that puzzled me was Tiffany's new card. I could feel the magic from the Shadow Realm radiating strongly from the card, almost as if it had just been created.
Is it possible that someone gave her this card using another Millennium Item? I wondered. Was Maximus still playing games with us, or is someone else helping Tiffany? And if so, then why?
"Keep the card," said a voice that only I could hear. "You will need it."
I tried to pinpoint the source, but it was gone. In its place, another voice arose. "I see you've done well."
This time, I was certain of the source. "Maximus, you lunatic. Have you been watching this whole time?"
"Only bits and pieces," he laughed. "I'm afraid I had some pressing business that interrupted the finer points. But you won the tournament. I'm very happy for you. A pity you won't be able to enjoy your victory."
"What do you mean?" I asked worriedly. "Planning on giving Skull a rematch, or will you be using a different lackey this time?"
Maximus laughed. "You misunderstand. I won't cause you any trouble for a little while. You'll have more then enough to deal with before the tournament."
I wondered what he was getting at, but I didn't want to ask. He saved me the trouble.
"You see, I've been looking into Tiffany's mind, and I'm afraid she has some very interesting ideas about you," he chuckled. "I wonder how she's going to react when she discovers the truth."
That ticked me off. With as much magic as I could muster, I sealed the window inside the puzzle shut, bringing an abrupt end to our conversation.
Oblivious that any of this had taken place, Tiffany was bouncing with excitement. The official was had gone to get a trophy, which he was now presenting to Tiffany.
"Congratulations," he. "You'll be representing this district in the international tournament in Europe. Bring your parents by the store any time this week, and we'll work out all the details for your trip."
Her heart sank just a little when he mentioned her parents, but she didn't let it show. A little worried, I listened to her thoughts as she left the store.
"Things are finally starting to look up for me," she said cheerfully. "I'm winning at cards, I have a trip to Europe to look forward to, I've got magic powers, and I have a real friend. I can't wait to hear all about my Yami."
Great. Just Great.
------------------------
Well, I wanted to put Yami's and Tiffany's conversation in this chapter, but I'm getting booted off the computer. I really don't like this sharing thing. Of course, one could argue that it's my own fault for spending my computer time reading other fanfics and online comics...
For those of you that have played the Yu-gi-oh game Duelist of Roses, my title choice will make a little more sense. I never could manage a Destiny Draw in my game, but Kaiba did every time I played him. Grrrr.
Obviously, the next chapter is going to be a conversation with Yami and Tiffany. In addition to that, a little more about Tiffany's parents will be made known, and another Millennium Item will make its début.
Thank you for the reviews, everyone. I really appreciate the feedback!
Author's Notes:
I've tried to put this chapter up three times this week, but I always ended up reading other people's stories instead. Well, now it's up.
I am sure many of you were not happy with Yami's retreat last chapter (if the reviews are any indication). Part of that is because of the person Tiffany's character is based on (long story). Mostly, though, its part of the plot. Sorry, but you won't completely understand the whole Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon fear for a few more chapters.
Anyway, I'll let you read this chapter to find out if he redeems himself.
------------------------------------
Chapter 12: Destiny Draw
In one eternal moment, I realized what I had done. I had abandoned Tiffany when she had needed me the most. Like a coward, I had run from battle.
Poor Wendy, I thought bitterly. Even now, I cannot honor your sacrifice.
I peeked into Tiffany's mind to watch the final outcome of the duel. I knew there was nothing I could do for her, and I was still to shaken to rejoin her, but I felt that I should at least watch her defeat.
"-so scared, your freaky illusion trick melted," Amanda was laughing.
Tiffany was still very confused, trying to figure out how she had lost the power of the Millennium Puzzle. "What is happening to me."
"Miss Tiffany," the official interjected, "I'm afraid you will have to play your turn or forfeit this game."
Tiffany closed her eyes and placed a hand on her deck. "Okay, somewhere in this deck is the card that I need to win this duel," she said to herself. I couldn't help but admire her courage. "All I have to do is draw it."
With the life point score 1950 – 1900 in Tiffany's favor, she only had one more chance to draw. I knew that the only card in her deck that could have saved her was the Magical Cylinder, but it had been destroyed at the beginning of the duel.
So I was very surprised when she pulled out Amazoness Swords Woman. That card should not have been in her deck because it wasn't even Tiffany's.
Tiffany was equally shocked, staring at the card with confusion. However, when she read the card's effect, she couldn't help but smile.
"I play Amazoness Swords Woman in attack mode," Tiffany announced boldly.
Amanda wasn't impressed. "Only 1500 attack points? What's it going to do?"
Tiffany was about to have it attack, but I whispered for her to wait. She still has a facedown card. Wait for her to attack.
Tiffany smiled again. "After this duel, we are going to have a long talk," she whispered. I realized that she was talking to me.
To Amanda, she simply smiled. "I will end my turn without attacking."
Amanda grinned. "You've got something up your sleeve, but it won't save you." She drew a card, and the grin became even more wicked. "I will equip my Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon with Megamorph to double his attack strength."
Now the dragon was up to 9000 attack points, enough to end a duel in one attack. "My ultimate dragon will now attack your faceup monster and end this duel." she cheered.
"7500 points of damage done," the official announced. "That ends the duel. Tiffany is the winner."
Both girls got up and cheered, starting into their own little victory dance. However, Amanda froze when the official's words hit her.
"Wait a minute," she exclaimed with confusion and anger. "What do you mean she wins? My monster hit her life points, not mine."
"Amazoness Swords Woman's effect, "he explained to her. "Battle Damage done to her controller's LP is done to the opponents LP instead."
"You mean I finished off my own life points?!" she wailed in rage. "That's not fair. I didn't know her card had that effect."
"You could have asked to read it, you know," Tiffany gloated. "You shouldn't have been so overconfident."
"You miserable little cheater," Amanda screamed. "I'll get you for this."
She actually lunged at Tiffany with the intent of strangling her, but Stephen held her back. "You lost fair and square Amanda. Everyone loses at some point."
Amanda shoved him off. "Not me. Not my Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon. No one can beat it."
"Some one just did," Tiffany sang. I would have scolded her, but I was too blown away by this turn of events.
The Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon had lost? True, it was possible, since this was only a card representing the real dragon. Still, I found it hard to believe.
The other thing that puzzled me was Tiffany's new card. I could feel the magic from the Shadow Realm radiating strongly from the card, almost as if it had just been created.
Is it possible that someone gave her this card using another Millennium Item? I wondered. Was Maximus still playing games with us, or is someone else helping Tiffany? And if so, then why?
"Keep the card," said a voice that only I could hear. "You will need it."
I tried to pinpoint the source, but it was gone. In its place, another voice arose. "I see you've done well."
This time, I was certain of the source. "Maximus, you lunatic. Have you been watching this whole time?"
"Only bits and pieces," he laughed. "I'm afraid I had some pressing business that interrupted the finer points. But you won the tournament. I'm very happy for you. A pity you won't be able to enjoy your victory."
"What do you mean?" I asked worriedly. "Planning on giving Skull a rematch, or will you be using a different lackey this time?"
Maximus laughed. "You misunderstand. I won't cause you any trouble for a little while. You'll have more then enough to deal with before the tournament."
I wondered what he was getting at, but I didn't want to ask. He saved me the trouble.
"You see, I've been looking into Tiffany's mind, and I'm afraid she has some very interesting ideas about you," he chuckled. "I wonder how she's going to react when she discovers the truth."
That ticked me off. With as much magic as I could muster, I sealed the window inside the puzzle shut, bringing an abrupt end to our conversation.
Oblivious that any of this had taken place, Tiffany was bouncing with excitement. The official was had gone to get a trophy, which he was now presenting to Tiffany.
"Congratulations," he. "You'll be representing this district in the international tournament in Europe. Bring your parents by the store any time this week, and we'll work out all the details for your trip."
Her heart sank just a little when he mentioned her parents, but she didn't let it show. A little worried, I listened to her thoughts as she left the store.
"Things are finally starting to look up for me," she said cheerfully. "I'm winning at cards, I have a trip to Europe to look forward to, I've got magic powers, and I have a real friend. I can't wait to hear all about my Yami."
Great. Just Great.
------------------------
Well, I wanted to put Yami's and Tiffany's conversation in this chapter, but I'm getting booted off the computer. I really don't like this sharing thing. Of course, one could argue that it's my own fault for spending my computer time reading other fanfics and online comics...
For those of you that have played the Yu-gi-oh game Duelist of Roses, my title choice will make a little more sense. I never could manage a Destiny Draw in my game, but Kaiba did every time I played him. Grrrr.
Obviously, the next chapter is going to be a conversation with Yami and Tiffany. In addition to that, a little more about Tiffany's parents will be made known, and another Millennium Item will make its début.
Thank you for the reviews, everyone. I really appreciate the feedback!