Tea's Time to Shine
Magicman: Welcome back my compatriots! Today is the day that many of you seem to have been waiting for. Not only does Pegasus get some air time-
Pegasus: Finally!
Magicman: -but Tea gets her first duel too!
Tea: Yay!
Magicman: As for BECA and those who sent me duellist ideas, rest assured that you will show up somewhere. I just still have to work out where. So just sit back and let the duels begin.
***
"Hey Tea?"
Tea looked up from her backpack. After two days on Pegasus' cruise ship, the duellists were finally arriving at their destination. Duellist Island was on the horizon, and they would arrive in an hour. Tea wanted to be prepared for her first tournament, so she had spent much of her time in the duelling area picking up strategies and scoping out the competition. She hadn't duelled because she hadn't wanted to give away her strategy but she didn't mind. She'd tangle with someone soon enough.
She stuffed her bathing suit into her pack and zipped it up. Then she turned to her friend and smiled. "What's up Yugi?"
Yugi came in and sat down on Tea's bed. "I was thinking last night" he said slowly, "And I've thought of something."
Tea cocked her head slightly, a puzzled look on her face.
"We both know that there's a lot of good duellists on the island, and that you'll need all the good cards you can get."
"Yugi, I-"
"Please, let me finish first" Yugi pleaded. "I know you've got good cards and I think you can go far with them, but..." Yugi reached into his own backpack and pulled out his ornate box where he kept his own cards. "I got this card in Battle City and I've been trying to find the right place for it. I never could though, so I want you to have it."
Yugi found what he was looking for and offered it to Tea. She could only stare. "Your Dark Magician? But he's your favourite card. I couldn't take him."
Yugi shook his head and pulled out another card. He held them up to each other. "This one is my Dark Magician," he said. "He's pulled me out of too many messes to count. Well" he blushed, "I'd just feel better knowing that you had one too. Besides, he needs a good home and I think you'd be perfect."
"Really?"
"Yep! You're always so nice to everybody, I'm sure that he'd really enjoy being a part of your deck."
Tea hesitated before taking the card offered. "Thank you Yugi. I really don't think anyone has done something this nice to me before." She smiled and leaned over, giving him a light kiss on the cheek.
Yugi blushed about sixty-two different shades of red. His heart leaped into his throat. His skin shivered in delight. He was enjoying himself.
'Having fun Yugi?' Yami asked from inside the puzzle, amused.
'Oh shut up!'
When Tea stopped she gave him her best smile. "Thanks again Yugi. You're a wonderful person."
"Um...thanks" Yugi mumbled again, taking his own Dark Magician and putting it back in his case. "Um, want to go on deck and watch the island come in?"
"I'd love to!" She took Yugi's arm and they went up on deck.
***
"Wow! Check out all these top ranked duellists! Aren't they something?"
"Tell me about. I doubt I'll make it past my first battle."
"Hey look! Isn't that Mai Valentine? I heard she's ranked number one of all us girls!"
"I dunno. I hear she's been wrestling with Zev Crawford for years."
"Hey! There she is now!"
"Wow, she's scary!"
"But look over there. It's Ami Ryuta. I hear that she's the number three ranked!"
"Did you also hear that she's a complete lunatic?"
"Yeah. So? Oh hey look! It's Yugi Mutoh!"
"Oh man! Did he see us? I'm so nervous! Hey, check out that girl he's with. You think she's his girlfriend?"
"Aw man! I was hoping he was single. Who is she anyway?"
"Just a novice like most of us. She won't last long."
Yami glanced over at Tea, or, more accurately, at the vein that was starting to pop out of her forehead. She was doing a good job of remaining calm however, though he could hear her muttering under breath. As for him, he was generally mistaken for Yugi's older brother. The shorter version was walking ahead with Ryou, making their way to the front of the crowd.
Pegasus was going to make a speech in a few minutes and they wanted the best view possible.
Yami bumped into some girl with long brown hair in a ponytail. "Oh, pardon me! I'm sorry."
The girl stared up at him with big hazel eyes and smiled adoringly. "Oh that's alright!"
"Well okay then. Bye." Yami walked on and heard a sigh behind him. He rolled his eyes as Tea snickered.
"Another broken heart, eh?"
"Well one can't help the feelings of others."
Tea eyed Yami with one eyebrow lifted. "No, one can't, can they?" she said almost to herself, her voice rather sultry. The pharaoh coughed slightly.
"Hey mates!" Ryou called, catching their attention. "Pay attention, would you? Pegasus is about to speak."
Yami and Tea turned to the castle. High up on the balcony, in the exact same place where he made his grand announcement of Duellist Kingdom he stood, wearing the same red suit with the frills. He spread his hands grandly out to all who listened as the wind blew back his majestic hair. His Millennium Eye gleamed in the bright morning sun.
"Girls and women of all ages" the billionaire pronounced grandly, "I proudly welcome each and every one of you to Duellist Kingdom! I recognize some old faces and some new competitors, who I hope will put on a proud showing. The rules of competition are the same as last time, but I will refresh your memory."
"Each of you has received two precious star chips and a duelling gauntlet. Treat these chips carefully, because they are your link to my tournament. Lose them and you will be shipped out. But they are far more than just a lifeline. Oh yes indeed! You must wager these precious star chips on each of your duels. If, and only if, you earn ten chips will you be granted entry into my castle. The first eight duellists who make it will have the honour of participating in the Duellist Kingdom finals. The winner of these finals will be given the prize of three million dollars, and the title of Queen of Games!"
Pegasus gestured with his hand and a bunch of men appeared at the end of the courtyard with armfuls of fireworks. "When the sky is lit with fireworks in one hour the tournament will begin. You have until that time to prepare. So prepare your decks, because the greatest tournament in the world is soon to begin anew!"
A cheer rose up from the crowd and many duellists left the courtyard to finish tinkering with their decks, or to find a field advantage.
"Hey Tea" Ryou questioned, "Shouldn't you get ready?"
"I'm as ready as I ever will be Ryou. When the fireworks go up I'll just stroll out into the big wide world and challenge the first duellist I see."
Yugi and Yami exchanged looks. "That's a pretty 'come Hell or high water' plan Tea."
Tea shrugged and smiled. "What can I say? I feel daring today."
Ryou sighed. "I sense difficulties ahead. And Bakura isn't even around."
***
Fireworks crackled across the sky, visible from the entire island. Pegasus resumed his position on the balcony. "Let the duels begin!"
Yami and Tea pulled out of their intense Rock, Paper, and Scissors championship. Tea stood up. "Alright!" she said, hyped up. "Lets get this show on the road! Who wants a piece of Tea?"
"I think I'll take you up on that offer" a cocky voice declared. Tea sighed.
"How did I know my first duel would be against you, Mai?"
The blonde shrugged elegantly. "Call it ESP and get your deck out. I've wanted to see what you're capable of, so I hung around waiting for you to make a move. Fortunately Joey kept me company."
Mai bestowed a dazzling smile upon Joey, who was right beside her. He flashed a grin on his friends and slid an arm around the blonde girl's waist. Behind Tea's back, Yugi and Yami shot him 'V' signs. Ryou had gone off to find Bakura, or he probably would have joined them.
Tea arched an eyebrow at Joey before turning her attention back to Mai. "Well if you really want to duel I can't say that would be a disappointment. Shall we step outside and settle this like ladies?"
"I don't see any ladies around, but sure. Lets tussle." The two women walked from the castle's courtyard side by side, their male friends following behind, eager for the spectacle.
"Ah man, this is gonna be good! I don't know who I should cheer for!" Joey was obviously excited, but Yugi was rather worried.
"Yami" he asked, "Do you think Tea can win?"
"I know she can." The pharaoh had a confident smile. "Tea can take her."
No sooner had those words left his mouth then a giant holographic dueling stadium rose up from the ground like some great monolith of an ancient civilisation. The girls stepped into their respective booths and the stadium's holo-emitters activated.
"Hey look! There's a duel going on!"
Yugi looked about. "We seem to be drawing a crowd. Oh, hey Serenity!"
"Hi Yugi!"
While the fans muttered amongst themselves, Mai addressed Tea. "Alright then Tea, how does one star chip grab you?"
"Only one?"
Mai shrugged. "You are my friend. I just want to duel you, not eliminate you."
"Fair enough. One star it is." Tea pulled one of her stars from the slot on her glove and set it down on the board. Then she smiled. "Okay then Mai, it's time to duel!"
Tea won the ensuing coin toss and chose to go first. Both players drew their hands and the duel truly began.
Tea examined her hand carefully. "I'll start off light with you Mai. I play Marie the Fallen One in defence mode and end my turn.
Marie (1700/1200) was projected on the field as a black angel with a pink outfit and short blond hair. Joey stared in disbelief.
"What is Tea doing, defending with a monster with a defence that low?"
Yami smiled. "I wonder what she has planned. With no field power bonuses on the castle grounds, they'll have to strategise better."
Mai stared at the field. 'She's still making amateur mistakes like that? I thought she'd be good.' Aloud, she said, "A weak monster like that won't win you the match Tea. I'll set two cards face down and play Harpy Lady (1300/1400) in attack mode! Now my harpy, destroy Marie!"
With a shriek, the Harpy swooped down from the sky and struck down the fiend monster with one slash of her claws. However, Marie's translucent image remained on the field, hovering in the air. Mai stared as Tea smiled.
"Well now you've done it." Tea deigned to explain herself. "With Marie the Fallen One in my graveyard, I gain 200 life-points each of my standby phases. So sorry Mai, but the advantage is mine."
Mai frowned. 'I underestimated her big time. I can't afford more mistakes like that.'
"Now I guess it's my turn" Tea said cheerfully as her life-points increased to 2200. "Now say hello to Fire Princess (1300/1500) in defence mode. And I'll play Messenger of Peace down too! None of your monsters with 1500 or more attack points will be able to attack me as long as this card is in play. Good luck breaking through this defence!"
Mai stared again, this time in horror as realisation dawned. "Oh crap!"
Tea grinned. "And that's it for me. Your move again Mai!"
Mai frowned at her hand. "I can't do anything useful this turn, unfortunately. I'll have to pass."
"Of course. Now I gain even more life-points (LP: 2400), and an even better bonus. Fire Princess ensures that each time I gain life-points, you lose life-points, 500 to be exact."
Fire Princess pointed out and blasted Mai with a bolt of fire. She winced as her life-points dropped to 1500. "This sucks" she grumbled.
Tea was having fun, at least. "Now I'll set this card and end my turn."
Mai drew and smiled. "Alright! I can get back in this game!"
"Uh oh."
"I play Harpy's Feather duster, destroying your magic cards and traps!"
"I've got something to say first!" Tea flipped the card she'd just played facedown. "Blast with Chain, which I play on my Fire Princess!"
Mai swore. "Damn it!"
Tea smiled again. "Then I take it you know what it does. When it's sent to the graveyard by a card effect I can destroy one card on the field. And I'll pick your facedown card on the left."
Mai scowled as her Mirror Wall was sent to the graveyard. "Now I'll play my other card, Cyber Shield, and boost my Harpy's attack by 500 points, more than enough to kill that irritating little brunette! Harpy attack!"
Tea scowled as Harpy Lady destroyed her Fire Princess. "Are you done?"
"No. I'll end with one card facedown. Now I'm done."
"Good." Tea (LP: 2600) drew and examined her cards. "I'll defend with this card and end my turn."
Mai eyed Tea's facedown monster warily. It was suspicious that Tea hadn't played it face up, but she wasn't worried. "Harpy attack!"
Harpy Lady struck and the monster was revealed to be a Skelenger. Tea smiled and drew. "Thanks. Attacking Skelenger lets me draw a card."
Mai sighed. "You really like those effect monsters, don't you?"
Tea (LP: 2800) shrugged. "Yeah. But don't count me out of the sheer firepower division either. I've got monsters that'll stomp you good. Now, if you don't mind, I'll defend again with this monster."
"And again I'll destroy it! But first, I'll play Soul Release and get rid of your graveyard. Say goodbye to Marie!" Mai smiled as the fiend's image disappeared from the field. "Now Harpy, attack again!"
Tea sighed. "You didn't really learn anything when I told you about my monsters, did you? Since you killed my Giant Germ (1100/100) you take another 500 damage, and I can bring out two more. I think I'll play them both in defence mode."
Mai winced as her life-points dropped down to 1000. "Alright then. Just go."
"I will." Tea smiled at her next card. "I'll play Gemini Elf (1900/900) in attack mode. Now attack my elf! Take out that harpy!"
"Not so fast!" Mai activated a trap card. Tea's eyes widened as she recognised it. "I play Amazon Archers. They'll decrease you elf's attack by 500. And it's too late to call back your attack, so say bye-bye to your elf!" She smiled as Tea's life-points dropped to 2400. "So your not unstoppable after all."
"Oh shut up! One card face down, and I end my turn." Tea scowled. She had been on a roll.
"Good. I'll play Elegant Egotist on my Harpy Lady!" Mai laughed in that crazy/annoying way she had as her harpy multiplied. "Give a warm welcome to the Harpy Lady Sisters (1950/1800)! And since Cyber Shield is still attached, her attack is at a deadly 2450. Now I can't attack your germs without taking damage, so I'll play Raigeki. Since they weren't destroyed in battle, I'm safe from their effect."
Tea winced as a huge lightning bolt flew down and obliterated her germs. Mai couldn't happier, it seemed. "Now I'll go for your life-points directly and take you down! Attack Harpies, with triple claw strike!"
Tea defended herself with her Wobaku trap card, but Mai just shrugged. "I'll get you next turn. You can't evade my attacks forever."
Tea drew and smiled. "Not forever, but for long enough. I play one card facedown and I summon the Dark Magician in attack mode."
"Say what?! You don't have a Dark Magician!"
"Not true. Yugi gave me one just before the tournament. He thought it might help me out and it did." Tea turned and waved to her friend in the audience. "Thanks again Yugi!"
Yugi tried to shrink as people turned to stare at him.
Tea's red Dark Magician rose up onto the field and glared sternly at Mai's harpies. Tea was ecstatic. "I hope you're ready to lose Mai!"
"I'm not done with you yet!" She drew and laughed again. "Alright! Meet my Harpy's Pet Dragon (2000/2500). He's very eager to meet you."
The dragon appeared, screaming in rage. Around its neck were three chains that acted as leashes. Each of Mai's harpies held a leash and infused it with extra attack points, bring it all the way up to 2900.
"Now dragon, attack her Dark Magician and eliminate him from the field!"
Tea played another trap. "You really should remember that I know how to use traps now. Like Spellbinding Circle, for instance. It traps your dragon and drains 700 attack points. Too bad Mai, but I've still got the upper hand."
"Actually, with this facedown card, I've got you on the ropes" Mai mocked. "It was a good try Tea, but I'm about to win. It's your move."
Tea (LP: 2400) frowned as she drew. What did Mai mean? Was she bluffing? It was her style to, but somehow, she didn't think so. She looked at her hand and focussed on one card. "I'll set this down and end my turn."
"Right. Well I think I'll break you now." Mai (LP: 1000) laughed. "I'll begin with Remove Trap, to take out your Spellibinding Circle card, freeing my dragon and bringing it back up to full power."
"Oh shoot!"
"Oh yes! And not I activate my facedown trap." Mai flipped her card with a triumphant expression. "Windstorm of Etaqua!"
A gust of wind blew onto the field, forcing Tea's struggling Dark Magician into defence mode. Mai watched, pleased to see that she had finally taken control. "Now I'll play Fairy Meteor Crush on my dragon, and have it destroy your Dark Magician!"
Tea shielded herself from the blast and cursed as her life-points dropped to 1600.
"Watch your language," Mai chided. "Now I'll finish you with my
Harpies. It was a good try Tea, but not good enough!"
The Harpies attacked and the audience held its breath. Suddenly the flying beasts lurched back as something freaky happened. A hole opened up in the ground and a rope dropped down into it. Mai's eyes opened wide. "Not Rope of Life!!!"
Tea smiled as her Dark Magician was pulled from the pit, 800 attack points stronger. "And now Mai, if you're done I'll just have my Dark Magician finish you off. Attack Dark Magician, with Dark Magic!"
Tea was never sure of what quite happened afterward, but just as her Dark Magician (3300/2100) fired a blast that destroyed Mai's Harpies and dropped her life-points to zero, she would have sworn that her monster turned its head to her. Then it smiled and winked as the holo-emitters shut down, leaving only Mai looking shell-shocked and Tea looking rather startled.
"Tea, you did it!" Yugi tackled Tea, nearly knocking her over. "You were great!"
Yami beamed. "I'm proud of you Tea! Any duellist would envy your duel!"
Tea blushed. "Aw, it was nothing."
While his friends fawned on Tea, Joey went over to comfort his girlfriend. "Ah don't worry about it Mai" he told her as she packed up her deck. "You'll bounce right back and be there in the finals. I know you will."
Mai smiled. "Thanks Joey. But first thing's first." She walked over to Tea, who was just divesting herself of Yugi and held, out her star chip. "Here Tea. You won this."
"Thanks Mai." Tea took the chip and studied it for a second. "Lets make a promise that we'll both make it into the castle. We can have a rematch in the final round."
"I'd like that. But I must be going now. Lots of duellists out there to crush. See yah." Mai turned and walked away.
"Bye guys. Lets go sis'." And with that, Joey and Serenity went after Mai.
Tea looked down at her duelling gauntlet. "I just won my first official duel." She smiled. "Sweet!"
***
From the edge of a forest about a hundred yards away, Zev Crawford stood thinking. She had seen the whole battle and witnessed the defeat of her greatest rival.
'I may have to be careful with that one.' She thought. 'She could be an obstacle."
Suddenly her grey eyes narrowed and she whirled on her heel, staring hard into the shadows of the forest. "You can come out now. I know you're there!"
The leaves stirred and the white-haired guy she'd run into on the boat was suddenly in front of her. "We meet again," he rasped.
"Yes we do" Zev agreed. "What do you want?"
The white-haired boy looked her over, checking her out. Zev didn't mind; she even stretched a bit to give him a better view. He seemed to notice this and smirked. "You interest me. I'm going to be traveling with you a while."
"Presumptuous of you, isn't it? Good. I like that." She shrugged. "Do what you want, but if you make me angry I'll break your legs. Got it?"
"Of course. Oh, we'll have company too. Ryou, get out here!"
What looked like the good side of this white-haired fiend stumbled from a pricker-bush. "Ouch, that smarts!"
"Enough complaining. We're going with this girl for a while."
Zev raised an eyebrow. "Pretty ignorant of you to not even know my name."
Bakura snorted. "I don't care what your name is."
"Zev Crawford."
"I am called Bakura. He is Ryou, my lighter side."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Crawford."
"Shut up!"
Zev smirked. "Well if nothing else, this should be good for some laughs. Come on. We're going to my campsite. We'll wait until night."
"What happens then?" Ryou wanted to know.
Zev smiled cruelly. "I go hunting."
***
Joey: Aw, poor Mai.
Magicman: Ah well. You win some, you lose some. Speaking of winning, that was quite a duel. If you want to see more of them, then-
Joey: -Then stay tuned for the next episode!
Magicman: Hey!
Joey: Sorry.
Magicman: Welcome back my compatriots! Today is the day that many of you seem to have been waiting for. Not only does Pegasus get some air time-
Pegasus: Finally!
Magicman: -but Tea gets her first duel too!
Tea: Yay!
Magicman: As for BECA and those who sent me duellist ideas, rest assured that you will show up somewhere. I just still have to work out where. So just sit back and let the duels begin.
***
"Hey Tea?"
Tea looked up from her backpack. After two days on Pegasus' cruise ship, the duellists were finally arriving at their destination. Duellist Island was on the horizon, and they would arrive in an hour. Tea wanted to be prepared for her first tournament, so she had spent much of her time in the duelling area picking up strategies and scoping out the competition. She hadn't duelled because she hadn't wanted to give away her strategy but she didn't mind. She'd tangle with someone soon enough.
She stuffed her bathing suit into her pack and zipped it up. Then she turned to her friend and smiled. "What's up Yugi?"
Yugi came in and sat down on Tea's bed. "I was thinking last night" he said slowly, "And I've thought of something."
Tea cocked her head slightly, a puzzled look on her face.
"We both know that there's a lot of good duellists on the island, and that you'll need all the good cards you can get."
"Yugi, I-"
"Please, let me finish first" Yugi pleaded. "I know you've got good cards and I think you can go far with them, but..." Yugi reached into his own backpack and pulled out his ornate box where he kept his own cards. "I got this card in Battle City and I've been trying to find the right place for it. I never could though, so I want you to have it."
Yugi found what he was looking for and offered it to Tea. She could only stare. "Your Dark Magician? But he's your favourite card. I couldn't take him."
Yugi shook his head and pulled out another card. He held them up to each other. "This one is my Dark Magician," he said. "He's pulled me out of too many messes to count. Well" he blushed, "I'd just feel better knowing that you had one too. Besides, he needs a good home and I think you'd be perfect."
"Really?"
"Yep! You're always so nice to everybody, I'm sure that he'd really enjoy being a part of your deck."
Tea hesitated before taking the card offered. "Thank you Yugi. I really don't think anyone has done something this nice to me before." She smiled and leaned over, giving him a light kiss on the cheek.
Yugi blushed about sixty-two different shades of red. His heart leaped into his throat. His skin shivered in delight. He was enjoying himself.
'Having fun Yugi?' Yami asked from inside the puzzle, amused.
'Oh shut up!'
When Tea stopped she gave him her best smile. "Thanks again Yugi. You're a wonderful person."
"Um...thanks" Yugi mumbled again, taking his own Dark Magician and putting it back in his case. "Um, want to go on deck and watch the island come in?"
"I'd love to!" She took Yugi's arm and they went up on deck.
***
"Wow! Check out all these top ranked duellists! Aren't they something?"
"Tell me about. I doubt I'll make it past my first battle."
"Hey look! Isn't that Mai Valentine? I heard she's ranked number one of all us girls!"
"I dunno. I hear she's been wrestling with Zev Crawford for years."
"Hey! There she is now!"
"Wow, she's scary!"
"But look over there. It's Ami Ryuta. I hear that she's the number three ranked!"
"Did you also hear that she's a complete lunatic?"
"Yeah. So? Oh hey look! It's Yugi Mutoh!"
"Oh man! Did he see us? I'm so nervous! Hey, check out that girl he's with. You think she's his girlfriend?"
"Aw man! I was hoping he was single. Who is she anyway?"
"Just a novice like most of us. She won't last long."
Yami glanced over at Tea, or, more accurately, at the vein that was starting to pop out of her forehead. She was doing a good job of remaining calm however, though he could hear her muttering under breath. As for him, he was generally mistaken for Yugi's older brother. The shorter version was walking ahead with Ryou, making their way to the front of the crowd.
Pegasus was going to make a speech in a few minutes and they wanted the best view possible.
Yami bumped into some girl with long brown hair in a ponytail. "Oh, pardon me! I'm sorry."
The girl stared up at him with big hazel eyes and smiled adoringly. "Oh that's alright!"
"Well okay then. Bye." Yami walked on and heard a sigh behind him. He rolled his eyes as Tea snickered.
"Another broken heart, eh?"
"Well one can't help the feelings of others."
Tea eyed Yami with one eyebrow lifted. "No, one can't, can they?" she said almost to herself, her voice rather sultry. The pharaoh coughed slightly.
"Hey mates!" Ryou called, catching their attention. "Pay attention, would you? Pegasus is about to speak."
Yami and Tea turned to the castle. High up on the balcony, in the exact same place where he made his grand announcement of Duellist Kingdom he stood, wearing the same red suit with the frills. He spread his hands grandly out to all who listened as the wind blew back his majestic hair. His Millennium Eye gleamed in the bright morning sun.
"Girls and women of all ages" the billionaire pronounced grandly, "I proudly welcome each and every one of you to Duellist Kingdom! I recognize some old faces and some new competitors, who I hope will put on a proud showing. The rules of competition are the same as last time, but I will refresh your memory."
"Each of you has received two precious star chips and a duelling gauntlet. Treat these chips carefully, because they are your link to my tournament. Lose them and you will be shipped out. But they are far more than just a lifeline. Oh yes indeed! You must wager these precious star chips on each of your duels. If, and only if, you earn ten chips will you be granted entry into my castle. The first eight duellists who make it will have the honour of participating in the Duellist Kingdom finals. The winner of these finals will be given the prize of three million dollars, and the title of Queen of Games!"
Pegasus gestured with his hand and a bunch of men appeared at the end of the courtyard with armfuls of fireworks. "When the sky is lit with fireworks in one hour the tournament will begin. You have until that time to prepare. So prepare your decks, because the greatest tournament in the world is soon to begin anew!"
A cheer rose up from the crowd and many duellists left the courtyard to finish tinkering with their decks, or to find a field advantage.
"Hey Tea" Ryou questioned, "Shouldn't you get ready?"
"I'm as ready as I ever will be Ryou. When the fireworks go up I'll just stroll out into the big wide world and challenge the first duellist I see."
Yugi and Yami exchanged looks. "That's a pretty 'come Hell or high water' plan Tea."
Tea shrugged and smiled. "What can I say? I feel daring today."
Ryou sighed. "I sense difficulties ahead. And Bakura isn't even around."
***
Fireworks crackled across the sky, visible from the entire island. Pegasus resumed his position on the balcony. "Let the duels begin!"
Yami and Tea pulled out of their intense Rock, Paper, and Scissors championship. Tea stood up. "Alright!" she said, hyped up. "Lets get this show on the road! Who wants a piece of Tea?"
"I think I'll take you up on that offer" a cocky voice declared. Tea sighed.
"How did I know my first duel would be against you, Mai?"
The blonde shrugged elegantly. "Call it ESP and get your deck out. I've wanted to see what you're capable of, so I hung around waiting for you to make a move. Fortunately Joey kept me company."
Mai bestowed a dazzling smile upon Joey, who was right beside her. He flashed a grin on his friends and slid an arm around the blonde girl's waist. Behind Tea's back, Yugi and Yami shot him 'V' signs. Ryou had gone off to find Bakura, or he probably would have joined them.
Tea arched an eyebrow at Joey before turning her attention back to Mai. "Well if you really want to duel I can't say that would be a disappointment. Shall we step outside and settle this like ladies?"
"I don't see any ladies around, but sure. Lets tussle." The two women walked from the castle's courtyard side by side, their male friends following behind, eager for the spectacle.
"Ah man, this is gonna be good! I don't know who I should cheer for!" Joey was obviously excited, but Yugi was rather worried.
"Yami" he asked, "Do you think Tea can win?"
"I know she can." The pharaoh had a confident smile. "Tea can take her."
No sooner had those words left his mouth then a giant holographic dueling stadium rose up from the ground like some great monolith of an ancient civilisation. The girls stepped into their respective booths and the stadium's holo-emitters activated.
"Hey look! There's a duel going on!"
Yugi looked about. "We seem to be drawing a crowd. Oh, hey Serenity!"
"Hi Yugi!"
While the fans muttered amongst themselves, Mai addressed Tea. "Alright then Tea, how does one star chip grab you?"
"Only one?"
Mai shrugged. "You are my friend. I just want to duel you, not eliminate you."
"Fair enough. One star it is." Tea pulled one of her stars from the slot on her glove and set it down on the board. Then she smiled. "Okay then Mai, it's time to duel!"
Tea won the ensuing coin toss and chose to go first. Both players drew their hands and the duel truly began.
Tea examined her hand carefully. "I'll start off light with you Mai. I play Marie the Fallen One in defence mode and end my turn.
Marie (1700/1200) was projected on the field as a black angel with a pink outfit and short blond hair. Joey stared in disbelief.
"What is Tea doing, defending with a monster with a defence that low?"
Yami smiled. "I wonder what she has planned. With no field power bonuses on the castle grounds, they'll have to strategise better."
Mai stared at the field. 'She's still making amateur mistakes like that? I thought she'd be good.' Aloud, she said, "A weak monster like that won't win you the match Tea. I'll set two cards face down and play Harpy Lady (1300/1400) in attack mode! Now my harpy, destroy Marie!"
With a shriek, the Harpy swooped down from the sky and struck down the fiend monster with one slash of her claws. However, Marie's translucent image remained on the field, hovering in the air. Mai stared as Tea smiled.
"Well now you've done it." Tea deigned to explain herself. "With Marie the Fallen One in my graveyard, I gain 200 life-points each of my standby phases. So sorry Mai, but the advantage is mine."
Mai frowned. 'I underestimated her big time. I can't afford more mistakes like that.'
"Now I guess it's my turn" Tea said cheerfully as her life-points increased to 2200. "Now say hello to Fire Princess (1300/1500) in defence mode. And I'll play Messenger of Peace down too! None of your monsters with 1500 or more attack points will be able to attack me as long as this card is in play. Good luck breaking through this defence!"
Mai stared again, this time in horror as realisation dawned. "Oh crap!"
Tea grinned. "And that's it for me. Your move again Mai!"
Mai frowned at her hand. "I can't do anything useful this turn, unfortunately. I'll have to pass."
"Of course. Now I gain even more life-points (LP: 2400), and an even better bonus. Fire Princess ensures that each time I gain life-points, you lose life-points, 500 to be exact."
Fire Princess pointed out and blasted Mai with a bolt of fire. She winced as her life-points dropped to 1500. "This sucks" she grumbled.
Tea was having fun, at least. "Now I'll set this card and end my turn."
Mai drew and smiled. "Alright! I can get back in this game!"
"Uh oh."
"I play Harpy's Feather duster, destroying your magic cards and traps!"
"I've got something to say first!" Tea flipped the card she'd just played facedown. "Blast with Chain, which I play on my Fire Princess!"
Mai swore. "Damn it!"
Tea smiled again. "Then I take it you know what it does. When it's sent to the graveyard by a card effect I can destroy one card on the field. And I'll pick your facedown card on the left."
Mai scowled as her Mirror Wall was sent to the graveyard. "Now I'll play my other card, Cyber Shield, and boost my Harpy's attack by 500 points, more than enough to kill that irritating little brunette! Harpy attack!"
Tea scowled as Harpy Lady destroyed her Fire Princess. "Are you done?"
"No. I'll end with one card facedown. Now I'm done."
"Good." Tea (LP: 2600) drew and examined her cards. "I'll defend with this card and end my turn."
Mai eyed Tea's facedown monster warily. It was suspicious that Tea hadn't played it face up, but she wasn't worried. "Harpy attack!"
Harpy Lady struck and the monster was revealed to be a Skelenger. Tea smiled and drew. "Thanks. Attacking Skelenger lets me draw a card."
Mai sighed. "You really like those effect monsters, don't you?"
Tea (LP: 2800) shrugged. "Yeah. But don't count me out of the sheer firepower division either. I've got monsters that'll stomp you good. Now, if you don't mind, I'll defend again with this monster."
"And again I'll destroy it! But first, I'll play Soul Release and get rid of your graveyard. Say goodbye to Marie!" Mai smiled as the fiend's image disappeared from the field. "Now Harpy, attack again!"
Tea sighed. "You didn't really learn anything when I told you about my monsters, did you? Since you killed my Giant Germ (1100/100) you take another 500 damage, and I can bring out two more. I think I'll play them both in defence mode."
Mai winced as her life-points dropped down to 1000. "Alright then. Just go."
"I will." Tea smiled at her next card. "I'll play Gemini Elf (1900/900) in attack mode. Now attack my elf! Take out that harpy!"
"Not so fast!" Mai activated a trap card. Tea's eyes widened as she recognised it. "I play Amazon Archers. They'll decrease you elf's attack by 500. And it's too late to call back your attack, so say bye-bye to your elf!" She smiled as Tea's life-points dropped to 2400. "So your not unstoppable after all."
"Oh shut up! One card face down, and I end my turn." Tea scowled. She had been on a roll.
"Good. I'll play Elegant Egotist on my Harpy Lady!" Mai laughed in that crazy/annoying way she had as her harpy multiplied. "Give a warm welcome to the Harpy Lady Sisters (1950/1800)! And since Cyber Shield is still attached, her attack is at a deadly 2450. Now I can't attack your germs without taking damage, so I'll play Raigeki. Since they weren't destroyed in battle, I'm safe from their effect."
Tea winced as a huge lightning bolt flew down and obliterated her germs. Mai couldn't happier, it seemed. "Now I'll go for your life-points directly and take you down! Attack Harpies, with triple claw strike!"
Tea defended herself with her Wobaku trap card, but Mai just shrugged. "I'll get you next turn. You can't evade my attacks forever."
Tea drew and smiled. "Not forever, but for long enough. I play one card facedown and I summon the Dark Magician in attack mode."
"Say what?! You don't have a Dark Magician!"
"Not true. Yugi gave me one just before the tournament. He thought it might help me out and it did." Tea turned and waved to her friend in the audience. "Thanks again Yugi!"
Yugi tried to shrink as people turned to stare at him.
Tea's red Dark Magician rose up onto the field and glared sternly at Mai's harpies. Tea was ecstatic. "I hope you're ready to lose Mai!"
"I'm not done with you yet!" She drew and laughed again. "Alright! Meet my Harpy's Pet Dragon (2000/2500). He's very eager to meet you."
The dragon appeared, screaming in rage. Around its neck were three chains that acted as leashes. Each of Mai's harpies held a leash and infused it with extra attack points, bring it all the way up to 2900.
"Now dragon, attack her Dark Magician and eliminate him from the field!"
Tea played another trap. "You really should remember that I know how to use traps now. Like Spellbinding Circle, for instance. It traps your dragon and drains 700 attack points. Too bad Mai, but I've still got the upper hand."
"Actually, with this facedown card, I've got you on the ropes" Mai mocked. "It was a good try Tea, but I'm about to win. It's your move."
Tea (LP: 2400) frowned as she drew. What did Mai mean? Was she bluffing? It was her style to, but somehow, she didn't think so. She looked at her hand and focussed on one card. "I'll set this down and end my turn."
"Right. Well I think I'll break you now." Mai (LP: 1000) laughed. "I'll begin with Remove Trap, to take out your Spellibinding Circle card, freeing my dragon and bringing it back up to full power."
"Oh shoot!"
"Oh yes! And not I activate my facedown trap." Mai flipped her card with a triumphant expression. "Windstorm of Etaqua!"
A gust of wind blew onto the field, forcing Tea's struggling Dark Magician into defence mode. Mai watched, pleased to see that she had finally taken control. "Now I'll play Fairy Meteor Crush on my dragon, and have it destroy your Dark Magician!"
Tea shielded herself from the blast and cursed as her life-points dropped to 1600.
"Watch your language," Mai chided. "Now I'll finish you with my
Harpies. It was a good try Tea, but not good enough!"
The Harpies attacked and the audience held its breath. Suddenly the flying beasts lurched back as something freaky happened. A hole opened up in the ground and a rope dropped down into it. Mai's eyes opened wide. "Not Rope of Life!!!"
Tea smiled as her Dark Magician was pulled from the pit, 800 attack points stronger. "And now Mai, if you're done I'll just have my Dark Magician finish you off. Attack Dark Magician, with Dark Magic!"
Tea was never sure of what quite happened afterward, but just as her Dark Magician (3300/2100) fired a blast that destroyed Mai's Harpies and dropped her life-points to zero, she would have sworn that her monster turned its head to her. Then it smiled and winked as the holo-emitters shut down, leaving only Mai looking shell-shocked and Tea looking rather startled.
"Tea, you did it!" Yugi tackled Tea, nearly knocking her over. "You were great!"
Yami beamed. "I'm proud of you Tea! Any duellist would envy your duel!"
Tea blushed. "Aw, it was nothing."
While his friends fawned on Tea, Joey went over to comfort his girlfriend. "Ah don't worry about it Mai" he told her as she packed up her deck. "You'll bounce right back and be there in the finals. I know you will."
Mai smiled. "Thanks Joey. But first thing's first." She walked over to Tea, who was just divesting herself of Yugi and held, out her star chip. "Here Tea. You won this."
"Thanks Mai." Tea took the chip and studied it for a second. "Lets make a promise that we'll both make it into the castle. We can have a rematch in the final round."
"I'd like that. But I must be going now. Lots of duellists out there to crush. See yah." Mai turned and walked away.
"Bye guys. Lets go sis'." And with that, Joey and Serenity went after Mai.
Tea looked down at her duelling gauntlet. "I just won my first official duel." She smiled. "Sweet!"
***
From the edge of a forest about a hundred yards away, Zev Crawford stood thinking. She had seen the whole battle and witnessed the defeat of her greatest rival.
'I may have to be careful with that one.' She thought. 'She could be an obstacle."
Suddenly her grey eyes narrowed and she whirled on her heel, staring hard into the shadows of the forest. "You can come out now. I know you're there!"
The leaves stirred and the white-haired guy she'd run into on the boat was suddenly in front of her. "We meet again," he rasped.
"Yes we do" Zev agreed. "What do you want?"
The white-haired boy looked her over, checking her out. Zev didn't mind; she even stretched a bit to give him a better view. He seemed to notice this and smirked. "You interest me. I'm going to be traveling with you a while."
"Presumptuous of you, isn't it? Good. I like that." She shrugged. "Do what you want, but if you make me angry I'll break your legs. Got it?"
"Of course. Oh, we'll have company too. Ryou, get out here!"
What looked like the good side of this white-haired fiend stumbled from a pricker-bush. "Ouch, that smarts!"
"Enough complaining. We're going with this girl for a while."
Zev raised an eyebrow. "Pretty ignorant of you to not even know my name."
Bakura snorted. "I don't care what your name is."
"Zev Crawford."
"I am called Bakura. He is Ryou, my lighter side."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Crawford."
"Shut up!"
Zev smirked. "Well if nothing else, this should be good for some laughs. Come on. We're going to my campsite. We'll wait until night."
"What happens then?" Ryou wanted to know.
Zev smiled cruelly. "I go hunting."
***
Joey: Aw, poor Mai.
Magicman: Ah well. You win some, you lose some. Speaking of winning, that was quite a duel. If you want to see more of them, then-
Joey: -Then stay tuned for the next episode!
Magicman: Hey!
Joey: Sorry.
