"Only a fool would believe that a woman is weaker then a male. A dead man says it to her face."

-Geno Roads

Femme Fatale

"Now that is what I am talking about!"

Kenji barely had time to brace himself as Owen slapped him on the back. His cousin frowned, and bit his lip to repress the grunt. "Oops....I forget my own strength."

Kenji rolled his shoulders. His Uncle Guy was strong, Kenji knew this. However, Guy's children, Kenji's cousins, were even stronger. While it was easy to imagine that Owen was strong, as he shared his father's build, it was Lilka and Tressa that shocked people. Many didn't even realize that during the war, Raia had slowly become as physically strong as Guy, though she hid it well. And their combined strength had transferred to their children. It was no wonder that there had been times the girls had bent iron bars in half without even thinking.

"It's ok Owen....I'll just think of it as one of those deep tissue massages....emphasis on deep."

"Good job Kenji." Lysandra said, giving him a polite nod. Kenji returned the nod and gave a slight smile to her team. While the Bandits tended to avoid other groups, due to the harsh competition, Lysandra was the exception, in part because of her kind ways, her family ties to Owen and his sisters, and the fact that she could roast him like a duck if he pissed her off, which was incredibly hard to do. Lysandra had inherited her mother's abilities at spells, and add in Yami's only mystical past....and that was a package you didn't want to shake too hard.

"Hello there madam."

All of them turned and stared at the gentlemen that had intruded. He was about 5 foot 11, wearing a pair of khakis and a long sleeved shirt with the sleeves pushed up. He wipes his brow with a hankie, pushing his incredible bleached blonde hair from his eyes. He adjusted the pack on his back, and then made a slight bow to Lilka.

"Terribly hot day, isn't it?" He said, his tone either making you think he was cultured or a snob, maybe both.

"Ya, that's why we don't dress in layers." Lilka said, slipping her jacket off. With the doom roof down, the sun had finally begun to beat down and was warming everyone.

"Maybe you should my girl. Isn't classy to dress like that."

"Girl?" Lilka said, her teeth slightly grinding.

"Well, I was going to say another word, but it isn't that proper." He smiled, and they all almost had to look away, his teeth also bleached. Owen ran his tongue over the top of his teeth, the urge to give the guy a one-way trip to the harbor slowly dancing his head.

Lilka frowned. "What do you want...boy."

The 18 year old smiled. "I am no boy. My name is Andrew Brace, you have heard of me?" He looked around at everyone, each of them blank faced. "Apparently all of you live in a cave. I am Andrew Brace...my father is owner of Braces, the department store in New York. I am sure you have never been there, we sell upscale clothing."

Tressa smiled. "Yea, we prefer things a bit more classy." She glanced at her team, who all burst into laughter. "Kid, do you know who we are?"

"The bandits." Andrew said, sniffing slightly.

"Ya, but besides that. This is Kenji Kaiba, heir to KaibaCorp, the worlds largest game supply company. And the three of us are the children of Raia, the current Vice President of KaibaCorp and Roads INC, whose CEO is happens to be our father."

Andrew frowned. "Raia...you mean that tall woman who is always making out with the giant man with those tacky yellow guns."

"First....ew. Second, their gold nitwit." Lilka said, the image of her parents getting it on leaving her ill. "But why the hell am I talking to you? What do you want?"

"I am merely here to inform you that the two of us have been drawn to duel next."

Lilka faked a smile. "And your just here to wish me luck, is that it?"

"No, I am here to tell you so you can save us the time and just forfeit." Andrew smiled as Lilka's eyes nearly spun out of her head. "Beside the fact that I am better, you'll just be too busy hoping I'll go out with you then paying attention to the duel."

Owen cracked his knuckles, and began to think to his siblings and Kenji. Just like Guy and Gala had discovered all those years ago, the children and grandchildren of Kaos could read each other's minds, as well as those that were open and willing to think to them.

Ok, who wants to kill him Owen thought.

Tressa frowned. As much as I against violence, I will gladly help you guys pick out a burial plot

Kenji smiled slightly. I'll pretend to go buy flowers and really spend the money on some new card sleeves.

Lilka finally turned to Andrew. "You know what? Before hand, I might have just dueled normally and been done with it. But now, I am going to beat you so hard that you'll wish we were back in prep school, you polio shirt wearing f..."

Owen grabbed Lilka before she beat a hole in Andrew's skull. The rich boy merely brushed some lint form his shirt. "What vulgar language from such a vulgar girl."

"Your dead! You hear me? DEAD!" Lilka screamed as her teammates pulled her away.

Kaos frowned as he watched this all, stroking Neph's hair. "I think I'll give him an ulcer the size of a grapefruit."

"Now be nice, my king." Neph said, nuzzling him.

Kaos closed his eyes and let out a feline purr. "Why is it when everyone calls me King, I get upset, but when you say it.....grrrrrr" He shuddered slightly as Neph kissed his neck.

"I think I know why."

Diantha sighed and picked Siris up. "come on, let's go to the park while wow and dad make us a new baby brother or sister."

"ooo?" Siris cooed.

"Miss Roads, Mr. Brace, this will be a one hour match. Begin."

Andrew smiled and shuffled his deck. "There is still time for you to give up. Hey, if you do, I'll give you an autograph!" One might think that Andrew was just being a jerk, but Lilka had been around enough jerk duelists to know that Andrew wasn't joking; he was that big of an ass.

"Tell you what. What about I beat your ass, then I can give you an autograph? That sound good?"

Andrew sighed. "Women...they can't handle the fact that they aren't the best." He sighed. "Allow me to show you how a woman should behave, my foul mouthed little girl."

Lilka looked at herself. "Little Girl....boy, I'm 6 foot 3....I am hardly little."

Andrew set a card on a field. "I summon Thunder Nyan Nyan. Now, watch her carefully, maybe you'll learn something about how to act when your man is around."

The tiger stripped drummer appeared, but it was so different from what Lilka as use to, watching tapes of her mother duel. Normally, the monster would come out, beating her drum and grinning. However, this Nyan Nyan had her head down, staring at her feet, her sticks hanging loosely.

Raia gripped the armrest a tightly. "Damn that cocky....those cards have feelings! And he's turned his into a meek and timid little girl!"

Seto rolled his eyes. "Not the heart of the cards speech again."

"Yes this speech again!" Raia said, angry her brother was speaking so harshly. "Those cards have souls, Kas...and when an owner mistreats them, it's like mistreating a real person."

"The only way to mistreat a card is to leave it out in the rain or to keep it in a binder and not use it."

"You arrogant little..."
"GUYS!" Guy bellowed, his voice booming through the room. He turned to both of them. "No offense to the woman I love or my brother in law, but I would like to watch my daughter destroy this guy. Now, please keep it down, and let's watch Lilka beat this bleach blonde mimbo back to his daddy's mansion."

Raia frowned, still simmering at Seto and a little mad at Guy's tone. However, his hand on hers was enough o keep her from throttling him, and she decided to let Seto watch and see what happens when someone respected the cards and truly understood they had heart.

Andrew had set another card, and passed to Lilka, merely smiling and watching his Nyan Nyan look around, biting her lip. Lilka drew and looked at her opponent.

"Now I'll show you how women SHOULD behave, not how you WANT them to behave. I summon Amazoness Paladin." On the field, a group of trees sprang out, the sword wielding warrioress running out, her forest quickly receding into the ground.

Andrew merely wiggled his finger. "My poor girl, you must have been distracted by her outfit and not paying attention to her attack. She is much too weak to battle my drummer. If you wish, you may take her away and set a new card. I don't mind."

Lilka frowned. "I didn't 'set it on accident.' I set it on purpose. Now, I will activate The A. Force." As she said this, a purple glow began to form around her warrioress' body. "This card increases each warrior's attack by 200 for every one on the field, meaning my Paladin is now at 2000. Now, attack his Nyan Nyan, and let the poor girl rest." The warrior nodded, and put the drummer out of her misery. (Andrew-5900)

"I should have known. It is never wise to send a woman into battle. They are much too emotional. Men, now we think things out, am I right boys?"

The only sound in the arena was that of Owen cracking his knuckles.

"No need to speak, I feel your support!" The rich boy said. "Now, I chain Numinous Healer to your attack!" As the pieces of Nyan Nyan faded, a winged nurse appeared, gently touching Andrew's head. "thank you my dear, I feel all better. See, she knows how to treat a man of my looks." (Andrew-6400)

"Just make your move" Lilka hissed.

"Touchy." He drew his next card and nodded. "I summon Reflect Bounder." The mirrored machine appeared, bobbing on the field. "Feel free to fix your hair before you make your move. I'll wait."

Lilka merely smiled softly as she drew. "Sad comment, considering you probably primp more in the mirror then me." The crowd laughed at Lilka's joke at Andrew's expense, the people there rapidly hoping she would beat the loud mouth. "I will now summon Amazon Archer. This will increase the power of The A. Force by another 200 points, while increasing my Paladin by yet another 100 points, due to her effect based on teamwork. Now, attack my archer!"

The Amazon nodded, and stringing her bow, fired right at the bounder. The machine was struck, and each mirror flashed, before it fired the attack right past the Amazoness, striking Lilka. She grunted as she was pushed back, but held her ground.

"And now my Paladin, attack Andrew's lifepoints directly!" The warrior licked her lips, and with a leap, brought her sword down on Andrew's chest. He didn't make a sound, but glared at her as his LP lowered and Lilka set a card. (Lilka-4200, Andrew-4000)

Andrew wiped his mouth. "Your mother and father never taught you how to respect a man girl, and now it looks like I'll have to make up for their poor parenting skills."

"Don't ever talk about my mom and dad....again."

"I will talk about them as much as I want!" Andrew shouted, startling the crowd. He calmed himself, breathing slowly. "It's time to teach you respect. I se this card, and summon Freed The Brave Wanderer!"

The winds blew as the long haired hero emerged, smiling elegantly, waving to the crowd. He bowed at the hip to Andrew, then walked over to the Paladin, kissing her hand. She pulled away and he sighed, returning to his side of the field.

"Unlike that unkempt Marauder, my warrior is one with more class."

Tressa frowned and leaned over to Owen. "Don't."

"He insulted grandpa sis....I should kill him now."

"This is Tressa's fight Owen...please." Tressa gently took his hand, and Owen nodded. "Thanks."

Andrew smiled. "now, I will activate my hero's effect: The Power of the Hero by removing two light monsters from my deck, I can destroy your Paladin." The Paladin didn't even have a chance to speak as Freed swung, cutting her in half. "Next time, make those girls accept my hero's gift. I also chain to this Soul Absorption, increasing my LP by 1000." He smiled as his LP clicked up. "and without her little girlfriend, your archer is merely a sitting duck. Freed!" The warrior nodded, and ran at the archer, slicing her in two. "And I end my turn." (Andrew-5000, Lilka-4100)

Lilka ran her teeth over her teeth, and drew her card. "I will first summon Amazoness Blowpiper to the field. Next, I will activate the Field Magic Card, Forrest of the Amazons!"

The arena rumbled as trees burst from the ground, surrounding the duelists. Andrew looked around as their area grew darker, the tree's limbs twisting to keep the sun out. The crowd turned to the TV screens to see the Blowpiper leap into a tree, her clothing blending in.

"I do not have time to play hide and seek girl! What is going on?" Andrew said.

"Oh, this is no game Andrew. Your Freed is a wanderer...too bad he wandered into the wrong kingdom."

'Kingdom? Whose?"

"This forest belongs to the amazons, and it is here that they make their homes, raise their daughters and plan their wars. It is also here that they seek protection and gain aid from their tribe. And it is here that your Freed's wanderings will end."

"You can not defeat my man, girl." Andrew said. "He, like I, come from a grand family, and has wealth at his fingertips. No spoiled brat or her tribe or fools will stop either of us!"

Lilka merely shrugged. "we will see. First, I will play Amazoness Spellcaster." Andrew heard the beat of drums, and began to look around quickly. "enough of these games Lilka, this is man's work, not tea time...Lilka?"

"He wiped around, his opponent gone, though he could hear her laugh. "Things are not what they seem. Take your Wanderer...he seems a bit weak." Andrew looked at Freed, and sure, enough, his stats were down to 700. "what is this?"

"First, my spellcaster switched the attacks of our monsters. Next, the first effect of my Forest kicked in: For every Amazon on the field, your monsters loss 100 atk points. And when you consider the fact that The A. Force is still in play, my Blowpiper is now at 1900 attack, more then enough to deal with your sad excuse for a man. Blowpiper!"

From one of the trees, a dart fired, whizzing at Freed's neck. However, the warrior merely chuckled. "I do not think so. Reveal face down card, Magic Cylinder!"

The crowd gasped as the two cylinders appeared, one catching the dart. Freed aimed the other one, and focused on a patch of leaves...where Lilka was standing. The dart fired right at her, Andrew chuckling.

"Ditto! Reveal Hallowed Life Barrier!" Lilka discarded her final card and smiled as a blue aura surrounded her, the dart bouncing off with ease. The attacks returned to normal, and Freed looked around as the Piper and her master disappeared.

Andrew set one card, and looked around. "Alright Amazoness Blowpiper, come out and meet your fate!"

"What's wrong Andrew, not use to women flocking all around you?" Lilka chuckled form her hiding spot. "Oh, I forgot, this isn't a street corner and your not flashing hundred dollar bills."

Guy looked over at Raia. "She got your tongue."

Raia giggled, the bad mood already fading. "She got your love of mind games." Raia stroked his hand. "Ah...children."

Andrew began to walk away from the clearing. "Judges! I demand that she show her monster!"

"She has to do no such thing." Pegasus said calmly over a speaker. "The second effect of her forest makes it that you have a 50 chance of finding her blowpiper. You have to attack where you think she is."

Andrew nodded. "Oh, then this will be easy enough...." He looked at a bush, spotting a piece of fabric. "There! Attack!" However, as Freed torn into the bush, he found all the fabric was merely a decoy. Freed looked at Andrew, confused. He sat against a tree, pouting. Andrew sighed and leaned back. "I can wait. Your blowpiper will see a bug and come jumping out at any moment."

Lilka chuckled softly. "Yea, right." She drew and smiled behind the leaves that hide her face. "I will now summon Amazoness Border Guard- Miaka" However, all Andrew heard was the soft crunch of twigs and leaves under some feet...and silence. "with both of them on the field, you Freed is down to 1500, wile I gain a 400 boost for each monster. And my Border Guard has 1300 already, making it have 1700 atk strength. It appears the legend of Freed ends here. Border Guard, attack the invader!"

Freed looked around, his sword raised, waiting for the attack. He hard something, and slowly moved towards a bush. With a smile, he raised his sword...

"EYEYEYEYEYEYEYEYA!"
Freed shattered upon the guards spear. Andrew watched the woman...no...the girl, as she appeared to be 16. She had white hair that matched the cloth covering her bosom and waist. She was barefoot, a scythe of wood and sharp metal in her hand. She looked at Andrew and ran back into the forest.

"And now...attack my Blowpiper!" Andrew grunted as the dart pieces his neck. He rubbed the spot painfully as the forest filled with laughter. (Andrew-3600)

Andrew looked around and spun about. "Is this all you can do child? You think you can beat me? I am Andrew Brace! I am rich, powerful, cultured...a man!"

Lilka clicked her tongue. "My father is a man...you are a boy...and a weak one at that. You use intimidation to control women, but guess what? We are stronger then you think, and I am going to enjoy showing you that!"

Andrew growled and drew. "Not if I kill your women! I summon a second Thunder Nyan Nyan to the field!" But as he did so, Miaka leapt out and shattered the girl, then ran back into the trees. "WHAT?!"

"My border guard has a 50 chance of destroy any monster that is summoned onto the field....she just happened to get lucky and catch your girl. And now, if you don't mind, I will finish this...ok?"

Andrew looked around wildly. "You can't beat me....your just a woman!"

"You beat your ass I am a woman. But you know what Andrew? I think it's time I showed you a real man. So I summon Thesis, Lord of Ithica!"

From the forest stepped a Greek man, dressed in a tunic, his long black hair blowing in the wind. He looked at Andrew, and then made a bee line for Miaka, standing behind her and wrapping his arms around her.

"What is this?" Andrew asked.

"Thesis is a 1500 attack warrior that prevents you from activating spell cards that target amazons. He is also the lover of my Border Guard, Miaka, the only man to claim the heart of an Amazon." Miaka whispered something to Thesis, who turned and glared at Andrew. "He also hates bigots."

Before Andrew could even move, Miaka and Thesis were in a dead run, his sword and her scythe raised. He screamed as he was hit, and his LP trickled away. The forest and monsters faded and Lilka walked up to him as he stood up, holding out her hand.

"Good fight." Andrew looked at her

SMACK

The crowd was silent as Lilka clutched her cheek, it burning red from where Andrew had hit her. Lilka's eyes were wide, the shock of the whole event freezing her I place. Sure, she wanted to be treated like a strong woman....but there were just some lines you didn't cross.

He glared at her and raised his hand again, striking her once more. Lilka did the only thing that came to her mind, to back away slowly. In her mind, she was screaming to stand up and beat this idiot back....but she couldn't. Her body just trembled as she felt her cheek ache.

"Lousy bitch!" He roared. "How dare you embarrass me like this!" He struck her again, the sound echoing across the arena. Lilka sat there like a dear in headlights, watching as Andrew raised his hand once more. "I will beat the respect into you, you lousy, worthless...."

Andrew stopped, and Lilka looked up, trembling to see what had stopped him.

Tressa had him by the throat.

The 16 year old lifted him with ease, bringing him to her face. Her face, normally clam and peacefully, was full of rage. She gritted her teeth, looking down at what this fool had done to her sister...reducing her to tremble at his feet. "Don't you ever touch my sister again." She cocked back, and punched him in the gut, savoring the feeling. Andrew cried out, and Lilka snapped out of her thoughts, and stood up, grabbing him by the hair. The tears that had been in her eyes long gone, she strong armed him to the ground. The sisters nodded, and each delivered a hard kick to the groin, then walked off as Kenji and Owen walked over, Lilka grinning as a score of 77 flashed on screen, in part because of the grand win, and in part because she knew her brother to know Andrew was dead meat.

"Bitches." Andrew squeaked as he rolled onto his side, expecting the two men to lift him up and help him back tot eh bench.

Kenji frowned. "That has got to suck...I'm surprised you can talk, what with your broken jaw."

Andrew managed to sit up. "I don't have a broken jaw."

Kenji shook his head and clocked him in the mouth, the sound of bone breaking echoing in the arena. "Now you do bitch." He looked at Owen. "Owen...show him how we do things in Domino." Kenji smiled and backed away slowly, daring anyone in the audience to try and stop this.

Owen threw off his jacket and grabbed Andrew by the throat. "About damn time." He took Andrews hand as he walked, holding the teen in the air with ease. "You see skippy, you forgot one big thing: Lilka is a Roads. And we Roads....we protect one another. And when you mess with my sister...you mess with me, my father, my grandfather, my uncles and aunts...everyone. Hell, I beat there are a few people in this arena, never even meet me, who want to shave you hairless and dip you in tar." Owen continues to smile as he set Andrew's arm on a piece of concrete, the same hand that had hit Lilka. He ran a finger along the bones, tracing them softly. "now me? I don't like a man that hits women. There is no honor in that. Beat them on the field, and if you can't, lick your wounds and deal with it. Oh no, you, you my empty headed friend, have to be stupid."

Owen gently squeezed the muscles, enjoying the feel of the sinew and then, clapping his hand down on Andrew's mouth, shatters the bones with a firm blow from his fist, Andrew screaming into Owen's palm. His smile faded and he leaned in close.

"If I ever hear that you even thought about hurting another woman....I will break every bone in your body and dump salt on your wounds." And just to show Andrew he wasn't kidding, he let his eyes go pure red, prompting the guy to wet himself. He looked over at the medical personal and slammed Andrew on the gurney.

Kenji had grabbed Owen's coat and threw it to his cousin. Seto's son glanced at Pegasus. "Maximillion....next time, keep trash like that off our dueling field."

Guy and Raia watched this all calmly. After the kids walked away, Seto motioned to Mokuba, his voice never raising. "Mokuba...find out what store Mr. Brace's father owns and buy him out. I want to have him groveling to me in 3 days."

Mokuba nodded. While Seto was CEO and Raia acted as a Vice President, with Guy and Kaos on the board, Mokuba had gone to business school and learned about the world of stocks, acting as their head of mergers and investments. He nodded, smiling. "Gladly."

"And Mokuba?" Guy said softly, his hand closed to prevent the ball of energy from forming...or from Guy to use his powers to seal off all of Andrew's air holes. "Make sure Brace Senior knows his son is the reason KaibaCorp and Roads INC now own his store."

Raia looked at Gala and Yami. Gala and Yami also worked with Roads INC and KaibaCorp....as an independent Tournament organizer and game store franchise with Yugi and his friends. "You two want to own a store?"