"There are two paths to this game. One is that of the stats, of learning and strategy. The other is blind luck. The first path says you can't win by luck.

The second says that the first is bitter."

-Geno Roads

The House Never Wins

"Now I have to watch the monkey girl duel?" Lilka asked, slouched in her seat. Kenji rolled his eyes and looked up at the screen as Heather entered the arena, waving to the crowd.

"Can you at least try and play nice Lilka?" Tressa asked, looking over at her sister. "Pouting won't make her duel faster sis, so all it's doing is making you more upset"

And driving us nuts Kenji thought as he averted his eyes from the sulking 20 year old.

"The only think that will make me happy is if she loses the duel."

Kenji gave Tressa a sorry look and turned his attention to the center of the arena. Lilka huffed as Heather shuffled her deck; making over the top sighs and moans of displeasure.

"Where's Owen?" Tressa asked, desperately trying to change the subject to something, anything.

Lilka closed her eyes. "He said something about getting something to eat. Hope he brings us popcorn."

"How do you know he is going to get popcorn?" Kenji asked. "He could be getting a hot dog."

Lilka shrugged. "I know my brother." She glanced away from Heather and smiled softly. "He gets this look in his eye, a twinkle, whenever he goes to get candy. Whatever he is doing now, I know for sure he is getting his lips around something very tasty."

Owen pressed Kelli against the wall, kissing her neck. Her hands ran down his back, tickling each of his vertebrae. Kelli let out a soft moan and pulled his face to hers, kissing him hard and fast, her legs wrapping around his waist. After a moment, she broke away and panted.

"We can't Owen…if someone sees us…"

Owen smiled and kissed her nose. "No one comes down this hallway. It's too far from the main entrance, so you'd have to run if you wanted to get there for a duel." He kissed her chin and held her close. "No one is going to catch us."

Kelli closed her eyes and gently pushed his shoulders, half heartily trying to get him to stop. She had no idea how this had started. She wasn't like this! She had only known Owen for a week…granted they had seen each other duel a few times, but that was all…and now, a few days after that kiss…she was making out with him in a dark corner of the Kaiba Corp Dueling Arena!

I have to be out of my mind! She thought, the feeling of dread creeping up her neck. Owen placed his lips over her pulse point and she trembled.

so what if this is fast….I duel fast, I drive fast…heck, I even like to listen to fast music. I am use to fast…I can handle fast… Kelli groaned softly, and began to slide her hands down…

And Owen stopped cold.

Kelli's eyes flew open, thinking they had been caught, but blinked, no one around at all. She frowned, and looked at him, fear building. What if she had done something wrong…what if he wasn't into her like that… "What is wrong?" She asked, her voice quiet.

"We need to slow down." Owen said softly, his fingers stroking her cheek. She looked at him, waiting for the bomb to drop and the famous "Let's be friends" speech to begin.

It never came.

"It's just…this feels so special…I don't want to ruin it."

Kelli looked up at him as he looked at her, his face soft and caring. She wrapped her arms around his neck. See? I over reacted….acting too much like mom. I need to be like dad, play it cool, play it safe, wait a few years before I even kiss him…. Kelli paused in mid thought. Ok…scratch that. I need a mix. I can't drive myself on him like mom does…everything. Nor can I be timid like dad. I need to treat this…like a duel. Slow, but on the offensive, and ready to open it up for the big time when need be. She smiled as she repeated this over and over.

"Ok Owen….let's go back and watch the duel. I think heather is dueling next, and we can watch her win."

Owen closed his eyes as he let her down. "Great, Lilka is going to be pouting. She knows how to ruin a good day."

I have to duel him! Heather thought, staring at the boy opposite of her. He had mousy brown hair, a round, chubby face and dark eyes. He smiled as he shuffled, wiping his nose on the sleeve of his shirt.

Heather, on the other hand, wore a micro mini shirt and tight fitting belly shirt, a small Navy Blue jacket wrapped around her back and sides. While her opponent was short and a bit on the skinny side, Heather stood at 5'11" and had plenty of very, very nice curves. She brushed her hair out of her eyes and shook her head. Some people get to duel New York models, she got a fan boy named Timmy.

Granted, the model did hit Lilka and was a big meanie, but she could have had him on his knees, begging for her number, had she been given the chance.

The ref announced the duels beginning and Heather drew first. Let's see what your made of, shrimp. She looked at her hand grinned. "Alright, it's time to start this game. I summon warrior Dai Grepher."

Timmy nodded as the muscular warrior appeared on the field, gripping his sword tight in his hands, his veins bulging, visible under his skin. He stared at Timmy, running his tongue over his teeth.

Timmy nodded. "warrior Dai Grepher. Did you know that he actually has two story paths in his card history. One is him as a dragon master, the other has him becoming an archfiend and…."

Heather frowned, stopping him. "ok, that's nice. I end my turn. Do you mind making your move?"

Timmy nodded. "Ok, I set this monster and end my turn."

Heather smiled. "Oh, I am going to enjoy this. Warrior Dai Grepher, attack Timmy's down face card!"

Dai Grepher ran right at the card, sword raised…and sliced into an orb. The machine began to spin and shake, steam hissing out.

"I hope you do enjoy this. You just attacked my Destruction Sphere. When this card is destroyed, we both lose lp equal to the attack of both monsters, and it destroys the attacking monster. Destruction Sphere has an attack of 300, and your Dai Grepher has an attack of 1700…meaning we both lose 2000 lp!"

Heather shielded herself, the shattered pieces of Dai Grepher flying past her, the wind blowing her hair back as both of their lifepoints dropped down by 2000. (Heather and Timmy-4000)

Heather frowned as she drew. "You know, you'd think that would annoy me…and it does" She looked at the ref. "Come on!" The ref shook his head. "Fine. I summon Harpies Bro to the field, in attack mode!"

The red winged beast flew onto the field, glancing over at Heather and nodding. Her opponent frowned, and licked his lips.

"Did you know that Harpie's Bro isn't really a Harpie? Infact, in many countries, his name is Birdman. They only named him Harpie's Bro when some duelists demanded a new Harpies card."

Heather sighed. "Well…that was interesting. Are you going to duel, or teach me about duel monsters?'

"I plan to duel and teach you." Timmy said. "First, I will set this card, and then set this monster." He paused. "did you know that originally, in Duelist Kingdom, you could set cards in face up defense. Of course, there are a lot of rule breaks during that tournament…"

"I know about Duelist Kingdom. My father and Mother dueled in that tournament!"

Timmy frowned. "Isn't your dad Joey, the Guy who lost to Seto Kaiba and Yugi Moto, the famous "Number Three?""

Heather grit her teeth. "You mean 'The Godfather of the Games'"

Timmy laughed. "There is no such thing as the godfather of games! Where did you come up with that?"

Heather balled her fist. This guy is asking for a poundin'! She drew her card and nodded. "Ok, let me teach you something. This card is Card Destruction. It allows me…"

"..to make us discard all our cards and draw new ones. It was first played by Yugi Moto during the…"

"Just draw your cards!" heather shouted. Timmy shrugged, and drew 4 more cards, while Heather drew five. "And now, I will attack your down face card."

The winged monster flew right at Timmy, his red claw raced, only to smash against the rocks, his face twisted in pain. Timmy scratched his head as Stone Statue of the Aztecs appeared, hovering in place. (Heather-3600)

"Wait a' minute!" Heather shouted. "Your monster's defense is only 200 greater then mine. What gives, eh?"

Timmy smiled. "My Statue of the Aztecs has a special ability. When it causes damage in battle, the damage is doubled."

"I don't remember that rule from my dad's stories about Battle City." Heather said, remembering the monster from some duelist named Seeker's deck.

"Of course not. Yugi Moto never attacked Mr. Seeker's statue, so the effect never took place. You know, I remember that fight, and I find it highly improbable that Yugi could have won. I mean, first off, look at the number of high-level monsters. It would be impossible to summon an ok monsters with that many level 5 or higher…"

"We get the point." Heather said, ending her turn as her Bro dragged itself back to the field. But instead of standing, it flopped on its back and panted. "Hey, no sleeping on the job."

"He can't help it, what with my Labyrinth of Nightmares trap card, which I chained to your attack. This card forces all monsters to change position during their end phase." He smiled. "Want to hear about the history of this card?"

"No." heather replied. "I would like to stay awake."

"Your loss." Timmy said. "Now, I will shift my Aztec Statue to attack mode, and summon Little Winguard."

"My dad has that card!" Heather shouted. "how did you get it?"

"Winguard is a pretty common card. It's easy to get one, if you are willing to spend a few bucks." He shrugged. "And now, I will have him attack your Harpie's Bro." The winged warrior walked over to the panting Harpie, and drove his short sword into its belly, shattering it. "And now, I will attack with my Aztec Statue!"

The massive rock swung back and forth, then raced at Heather. She let out a yelp and ran, only for the hands to slam right into her backside, sending her flying. "YEWWWOOOOO!" (Heather-3000)

Heather frowned as the crowd burst into laughter, rubbing her sore butt. Great…I just got spanked in public. She drew as the two monsters shifted to defense. "You'll pay for that smart guy! Your not the only one with smarts here."

"'Smarts' is not a word."

"….shuddup!" heather shouted. She cleared her throat, and smiled. "I summon Roulette Barrel in attack mode." The sinning cannon appeared, it's laser silent for now. "And now…" Heather's voice suddenly changed, becoming deeper and sultrier from her normal voice. "I activate its effect"

"The famous Roulette Blast effect." Timmy said as the cannon spun. "Your barrel will spin twice, and you get to select one result. If the result is equal to the level of one of my monsters, I lose it." He smiled. "The odds are 5 to 1 against your monster hitting the level 4."

Heather smiled back. "Never tell me the odds…" She watched as the turning gun stopped. "…I tend to break them."

Timmy paled. "4? Impossible."

"Not for me." Heather said. "Roulette Barrel, destroy Stone Statue of the Aztecs!" The cannon revved up, it's tip glowing white hot, and fired, the statue shattering. "They don't make them like they use to. And now, I will destroy your Winguard!" The cannon fired, and the warrior shattered as well. "and thanks to ya little trap card, my Roulette Barrel shifts to defense mode, protecting my lifepoints."

Timmy nodded and drew. "That was a good move. That is one of the faults of my trap, it can help my opponent. Of course, it also helps me, so it all balances out. Now, I will summon Gear Golem the Moving Fortress, in attack mode!"

As the spiked machine hovered into play, Heather had to smile. "Good thing my Roulette Barrel is stronger then your Gear Golem, or I would be in serious pain."

"You will be."'

"Wha?" Heather said, her voice back to normal.

"I activate Gear Golem's special effect. By paying 800 life points, I can take out 800 of yours! Spike Cannon!"

Heather's eyes grew wide as the metal fired, and shot right into her. She let out a yelp of pain, rubbing her arm (Heather-2200, Timmy-3200)

Gear Golem shifted to defense as Heather drew. "You know, your beginning to get on my nerves!"

"It's not my fault you like to rush into battle, while I play a good defense. Time and again, duelists lose more lp by simply not waiting out their turns. In fact, I can list the matches lost by a hasty move. There was Joey vs. Kaiba, Raia vs. Yugi…."

"Enough already! I will begin to roulette again." Heather focused, and frowned as the roll came up 2 and 3. "Alright, I will get you next time. For now, I will set this monster….get ready for it…because my down face is about to come face up, thanks to your trap!" As the monsters shifted, Timmy came face to face with a ugly face, attached to a red jar. "Meet Dice Jar."

"You have a real problem with gambling. You know, your odds are never better then the house, so your doomed to lose your money at some…OW!" Timmy rubbed his head where the die had hit him.

"We each roll. Winner survives…loser gets hurt in the lp department."

Timmy nodded and threw down his die. "2."

Heather grinned and rolled, and her face twisted. "ONE!"

Timmy laughed as Heather' lifepoints dropped by 1000. "So much for your jar. Now, it's my turn. I shift Gear Golem to attack, and target your Dice jar!" Heather could only watch as her life points dropped. (Heather-600.)

Heather shook her head. "Great…600 lp." She drew. "I will start by playing Upstart Goblin. We both get a good trade here. I get a card, you 1000 lp."

Timmy sighed. "You're doing this all wrong. Your losing big time, and there is no way you can win…and you're increasing my lp?" (Timmy-4200)

Heather shrugged. "Guess I am a fool. So, you don't mind if I play out this turn? No, thanks." Heather smiled sheepishly and then her face darkened. "Now it's time for my game." She glared at Timmy, and held out her hand. "activate Reversal Quiz!"

Timmy watched as two figures appeared. One was man in a suit, the other the wild dressed monster, Ken the Answer King. Each had a booth, their point total representing Timmy and Heather, respectively.

"What is this?"

Heather smiled as she ran her finger along her chin, her entire manners changed. She was less goof…as she was confident. "You have never heard of my favorite game? I would think you would have heard of it on those message boards of yours."

"Actually, I spend more time trying to prove duelists cheated in tournaments."

"That you never entered." Heather said softly.

"That I never…hey!" Timmy frowned and looked at his contestant. "What do I do?"

"I have to guess what is the top card on my deck. If I can guess what it is correctly, then I get a prize. This is the lightning round, and lets see if I can score. But first, I have to risk all my other prizes…so I destroy Roulette Barrel and Dice Jar." The two cards shattered and Heather focused, closing her eyes. "Did you know my mom is psychic?"

Timmy frowned. "She isn't psychic. Your mom was using perfumes, a stupid trick too. I mean, it's like some bad show or.."

"Monster."

Timmy paused, and watched as Heather lifted the card up, a second Roulette Barrel in her hands. "Ya for me." Heather said, her voice barely holding back her sinister glee. "And now, my prize: Your lp."

"WHAT?" Timmy turned to see his contestant fall, Ken rising up to the 4200 mark. "No….you…you have been playing me…of course. You're Mai Valentine's daughter. She is was of the trickiest duelists in the game…and when you combined that with Joey Wheeler's luck."

"Ta….da" Heather said, savoring every syllable. (Timmy-600, Heather-4200)

Timmy drew and let out a curse. "And thanks to your little trick, I don't have enough to perform the direct attack blast next turn…this turn I just have to do it the old fashion way! Gear Golem, attack with Defense Spike!" (Heather-3400)

Heather nodded, and drew her Roulette Barrel. "and now, it's time to show you why they call me Lady Luck." She smiled, and threw down the die…and it landed on 4…twice

Timmy looked at her. "It's not….you lost the dice roll on purpose." His mind flashed back to Dice Jar's effect, a few turns ago. "You rigged it so you would get a 1, and lose on purpose. That's why I went first…so you would lose no matter what."

Heather smiled that famous slick grin of hers. "Right on the nose. I have a knack for winning games of chance…and losing to make the pot bigger. And I just got the biggest pot of all. Roulette Barrel….end it!"

The cannon fired, hitting Timmy and taking him out. Heather smiled as the scene faded and turned off he disk. She walked over to Timmy and smiled, placing her designer boots right next to his face. She looked up at her score of 128 "Here's a lesson for ya, fan boy….I always win."