FINALLY I AM DONE! and i made it to chapter 20! VITORY DANCE!

ok this is Airi dueling at the begining of Battle City. Just to let you know some of the cards in her opponents deck are made up to find the duel.

Ok, BIG THANK YOU to Noel, my beta, who is responsible for getting this duel out of the gutter and on the page. she wrote it, and i messed with it. hopefullly you like it.

thank you all who got my review counter to the hundreds, you are the reason this story has gotten this far. thank you all.

Chapter 20

The morning of the tournament Airi was running late. She hadn't gotten much sleep the night before because of putting the final touches on her deck. Even when she finally got to bed she didn't get much rest. Her mind kept drifting to the dangers to come, whatever they were, keeping her up. Now she was running late. She had heard the door close when she had still been half asleep. She knew it had to be Yugi wanting to get a early start.

Cursing her laziness, Airi inspected herself in the mirror. Knee length green plaid skirt, her well broken in sneakers and a green polo shirt. She turned, nodding in approval. That looked alright. She wasn't trying to show off, just be comfortable. She'd never been in a tournament which took place in a whole city, and she wasn't going to risk getting blisters. She clipped her deck to her belt, looking around to see if she was missing anything.

After pulling her long hair back in a ponytail, she picked up the diadem. The golden Ankh on the front flashed cheerfully in the light coming from the window. This was it, the start of Yugi's destiny. Ishizu said Airi was going to help them in some way. She was still skeptical of this; What could she do? Yugi and Yami were the ones who were going to stop the evil. She looked up, looking her reflection in the closet door mirror.

"Can you hear yourself?" she told the girl looking back at her. "You don't have to be the person who takes the blows. You've been the support, not the best, but you've been there for them. Allies are the best thing for any strong defense, and offense, if needed." she slipped the Diadem on, making it looks as inconspicuous as she could. It did look like a hairband, but still a incrusted gold band always stood out. The moment she put it on she felt her mind clear and she felt calmer and more confident. "At least it seems to be working."

The final thing to do was put on her jade pendent. She wasn't going to duel without it, she had done that before and wasn't making that mistake again. She clasped the chain then paused to lightly touch it, smiling as she did so. She knew it didn't have any powers like the Diadem but it was just as important. When ever she wore it it was like she had the support of her entire family behind her. She was going to need that now.

"Aren't we going?" Gramps was standing in the door way, looking all ready to go. "the shops all locked up and dishes done."

"I would have thought you left with Yugi, or were going to stay here for the shop." Airi said.

"And miss out on the biggest event of the year. Besides I don't wan to miss seeing my granddaughter duel professionally in person."

Airi couldn't help smiling. "Thanks Gramps. I could use the support."

"Then what are we standing around here for?"


Even though it took them a while to find grandpa's walking shoes the tournament still hadn't started yet. Gramps and Airi walked around near the city's center. She knew she was in the right place because of the number of people with duel-disks on their arms.

"So how are you suppose to know what is going on?" Grandpa said.

"I guess there is going to be some way Seto will announce the rules." Airi said.

Suddenly there was a shout as a shadow passed over them. Looking up Airi saw a giant blimp, complete with television screen flying over them. "It figures. Seto always has to have a entrance." the face on the screen was none other but Kaiba himself.

"Greetings duelists, Welcome to battle City." Kaiba said, with a smug laugh. "I hope none of you entered to find friendly competition because this is going to be a all out war. Before my tournament begins I should tell you some more rules, in case you want to back out. Firth the duel-disks. Everyone who I thought was good enough for this challenge received one. Now you can duel any time any place. There are tracking chips inside which will record you location and actions during the duels, so don't even think of cheating. Next, and the most important, the loser must forfeit their rarest card to the winner. If you don't have the guts to risk losing your rarest cards I suggest you back out now. Also anyone who is foolish enough can challenge me to a duel, because I will also be competing in this tournament. Don't get your hopes up, because I intend to win. There are a couple of duelist out there who I am must anxious to defeat."

"Thought so." Airi said. Yugi and Yami were a team, they could beat him she was sure of it. Herself, well if she was challenged she would accept, but no way was Seto getting her Mystical Elf.

Kaiba had started talking again. "and speaking of winning, only the best eight duelists will make it to the final round, and these finals will be held in a secret location."

"That's ridiculous, how can people duel in a secret location." Grandpa said.

Airi pulled out the clear card she had gotten inside the duel-disk. "I'm guessing it has something to do with this."

"That random card?"

"Trust me Gramps, Nothing Seto does in random."

Her suspicions where affirmed as Kaiba held up a card exactly like hers. "To find the location of the finals you will need these locator cards. Don't get to excited, because one isn't enough, you will need six to make it to the finals. But the finals a long time away and most of you will be eliminated. All of what I have just said and more can be found in the battle city hand book.

"Just remember there can only be one winner, and that winner will be the greatest duelist in the world." the blimp floated off amidst the cheering of what seemed to be the whole of Battle City.

The tournament was officially on.

"The winner is going to be Yugi." Airi said.

"You can win this too you know." Gramps said.

"I'm not Gramps. Yugi's King of Games so if anyone is going to win it should be him. Besides its his destiny. Why shouldn't I cheer for him?"

"You two are hard to understand." Gramps said, shaking his head. "I hope you not going to make yourself a easy target."

"No chance. I'm a Muto aren't I? We don't give in easily."

"That's the spirit."

There conversation was interrupted by the arrival of a long white limo which pulled up the the curb. A tall bald man in a suit, apparently some kind of butler, quickly exited from one side of the car and hurried to open a door on the other side.

"What took you so long. You know I'm already late. Kaiba already announced the rules."

"Yes, Miss Serena." the man said.

The voice which had spoken belonged to a girl with fiery red hair in a turquoise dress and heels who looked no older then fifteen. She looked over the crowed streets through some very sheik-looking sunglasses.

"We can't park the car here, Miss Serena. The rules state streets inside Battle City must be free for duels." said the bald man, after retrieving a silver briefcase from the back of the limo.

"I know that, Mao." the girl snapped. "Tell Marcus to find a place to part the car and be on call for when I tire of crushing these peasants."

The bald man, apparently Mao, spoke something to the driver. He nodded and drove off, seeming happy to get away from his temperamental mistress.

Serena looked over crowds again. "Not much of challenge, I should get the locator cards needed to win in no time. Pity I don't see Kaiba anywhere."

"Real pity since they would make a perfect couple." Airi muttered to grandpa, who couldn't help chuckling. "Come on Gramps lets find Yugi."

"You there, plaid skirt." Serena's voice made the retreating Muto's pause. To emphasis her meaning, Serena even snapped her fingers in their direction, like Airi was some sort of dog. "If you have a duel disk then you are in this tournament, and thus you are required to face me so I may take your rarest card and locator card."

"I am only required to duel those who challenge me." Airi said, turning back to the girl. "If I do not wish to face you then I have no obligation to do so. Also, I do not appreciate being ordered by people I don't even know."

"Don't know!" the girl's face looked like Airi had insulted her sunglasses. "Mao, Tell this nobody who I am."

Mao stepped forward obediently. "Miss Serena Chamberlain is daughter of Ferdinand Chamberlain and Sakura Fukui. She is the heiress of the firm, Chamberlain and Fukui, and is the best duelist in her division."

"And I was invited personally by Kaiba himself, so I have more prestige then you, lighting hair."

Without thinking, Airi's hand went to her hair to see if it was acting unruly, but realized Serena meant her gold highlights.

"Chamberlain and Fukui." Grandpa said interestedly.

"You know it, Gramps?" Airi said.

"Of course. Their firm holds several holding of KaibaCorp Stock. Their name is one several labels back in the game shop."

"So that is how she got in." Airi said. "Seto had to keep people happy."

"He didn't, Kaiba knows I am one of the greatest duelist in the world." Serena screeched in indignation. She turned her narrowed eyes on Grandpa. "I think I know you. You were in one of Daddy's old dueling journals. You're Solomon Muto, one of the first duelist to make Duel Monsters big in Japan. And you know own a game shop; how cute. It must be rewarding to go from the top to the pot."

"Watch that tong of yours young lady." Grandpa said,

"Grandpa, she's not worth it." Airi said placing a hand on his shoulder. She snapped her eyes back to Serena. "You should watch your language Chamberlain. If you were good, then you wouldn't have to use your mouth to build yourself up."

"Who do you think you are?"

"I am Airi Muto. Youngest dueling champion in Japan's International finals and youngest competitor in the National Championships."

"Oh, you're the Washout." Serena's face let up with a evil glint. "I remember now, we had to help KaibaCorp clean up your great exit. Airi the Crusher they used to say, but in the end you were the one crushed. The only reason I know you is because you were quite a inspiration to me." She seemed please by Airi's shocked look. "The way you used to crush you opponents with one dragon, it was quite fascinating."

"You thought that was fascinating?" Airi stared at the other girl in disbelief.

Serena didn't seem to be listening. "But now I'm the Queen, or at least soon-to-be Queen of Games. I suggest you get out of my way. I have to find that brother of yours and when I get through with him there will be another groveling failure in your family."

Serena tried to walk past, But Airi stepped in front of her, blocking her path.

"Get out of my way, Washout." she tried to step around her but Airi was still in the way. Serena tried to strike Airi on the face for getting in her way, but the latter caught her by the wrist and pushed her back. Mao kept his mistress from falling. She angrily pushed him away, glaring at Airi with true hatred now. "What do you want?"

"The King of Games is my brother, Chamberlain. You don't insult my family." Airi's face was expressionless, but her voice was cold. "If you want to challenge him, you will have to go through me."

"What?" Serena looked appalled. "Why would I want to challenge the sister of games. Washouts like you should be backing away, bowing in respect to real duelists like myself."

"Real duelist respect their opponents. They do not call them failures or insult their family members. If you are a real duelist, then you should have no trouble showing me right now."

"You dare to challenge me, so be it." Serena strode off towards a open area, yelling for Mao to bring her her duel-disk.

"Airi are you sure about this?" Grandpa said, following as her granddaughter to where her opponent was standing. "She must have some sort of skill or she would be here. From what you've told me Kaiba doesn't care about money but skill and power. If he let her in she must have both."

"Thanks Gramps. I figured that out on my own." Airi said, turning to face him. "I also know Yugi's got enough trouble dealing with people destroying the world without having to be challenged by arrogant hotheads like Serena Chamberlain."

"I know you have more faith in your cards then she does, but even heartless people win duels. Look how she treats those who should be her friends." Grandpa indicated Serena who was scolding Mao for not opening the briefcase holding her duel-disk quickly enough.

"And she calls old me a inspiration." Airi said softly, watching the younger girl. "If that is what I looked like then I must have been a nightmare."

"You never acted like that." Grandpa snapped her out of her thoughts. "And that isn't you over there. You are standing right here and are going to win this."

"Thanks Gramps. I'm so glad you are here to support me."

"Come on washout." Serena said. "You're wasting my time."

Airi took her place across from her opponent. Before placing her deck into the card holder, she griped it tightly. 'If I am going to do this, the heart of the cards will have to be with me.' she closed her eyes, letting her faith in herself and the cards flow through them both. 'Yami said my heart was light, nothing like what I used to be. I can't let him or Yugi down. My new heart is in these cards and with my monsters and my family and friends believing in me I can do this.' Her eyes snapped open. She placed her deck in the holder with a decisive click. She held her arm up and the duel-disk unfolded. Across the field Serena's did the same.

"Are you ready to be beaten into submission, Washout."

"Never, Chamberlain."

"Lets duel." they both shouted.

"As the challenged party, I will go first." Serena called out, drawing a card and then placing it face-up. "And I summon Serf of the Tyrant in attack mode." The Serf of the Tyrant was a monster card that represented a multiple humanoids who wore rags, and downtrodden looks on their faces. "Next I'll place two cards face down, and end my turn."

"I summon Dark Witch to the field." The spear wielding monster appeared, twirling her spear impressively. "Dark Witch, put those Serfs out of their misery!"Dark Witch had not trouble destroying the pitiful masses, causing the life point counter to go down for Serena. Airi stared at Chamberlain in disbelief. Why didn't she use her face downs to save her cards. "I place a face down and end my turn.

"Is that all, no wonder you are a washout." Serena sounded board. "I activate my face down, Final Destiny. When I discard my hand, all cards on your side of the field are destroyed. That should teach you witch to mess with me." Airi's side of the field was devoid of all cards as they were pixilated into the graveyard, taking some of Airi's life points with them.

Airi stared at her. "Why didn't you just stop my attack the first time?"

"I have many more cards like that, why should I spare them."

Airi did her best not to let the sickening feeling in her stomach over whelm her. Discarding cards like they were nothing to take out chuncks of life points. This obliterating of opponents was like her old strategy.

"Don't loose faith, Airi." Grandpa's voice came through her clouded mind. "You have the heart of the cards. They are there for you, don't give up on them yet. The duel has just started, trust your cards."

"Silly old man." Serena tossed her head in irritation. "Cards are there to serve their masters. They do their jobs, with are to make it possible for me to win."

"You're wrong Chamberlain." Airi said, "Cards are you companions and allies. Without them you wouldn't be able to duel at all. Disrespecting your cards is almost as bad as disrespecting people."

"People." Serena scoffed. "Friends are for those who don't have time to be something in their lives. Knowing how to control people is the true skill, and even then, you can't trust them. People who say they'll always be around when you need them are just liars. Stop delaying your demise Washout."

"Why does that sound so familiar." Airi muttered. Out loud she said. "You're wrong Chamberlain. Having heart and people who care about each other is true power. If you don't have people who believe in you then dueling is meaningless. This is what make Yugi the King of Games, because he duels with his heart and has people believe in him. If you want to face my brother Chamberlain, you will have to duel with heart."

"Stop your yapping and duel."

The duel continued. Back and forth they both dueled. Serena's Tyrant themed deck didn't seem to ever shorten of having relentless attacks and monsters which were discarded to summon stronger monsters. Even with this, Airi was able to use her cards together to create great defense and land some well placed attacks of her own.

The duel started to wind down. Airi had 2000 Life Points and had Shining Angle, Ancient Dragon, and Performance of Sword on the field. Serena had 1000 life points and four Tyrant Tokens on her side of the field. She was looking particularly upset of having lesser amount of points.

"I draw." Serena held up her newly selected card. After giving it a indifferent glance her face lit up. "at long last Washout, you will see the true extent of my power. I sacrifice Four of my tokens to summon Tyrant Dragon!"

The little pawns, looking like chess pawns, were flung into a holographic pit, making sounds like they were screaming. The pit then transformed and shape-shifted into one of the largest dragons Airi had ever seen. Tyrant Dragon was truly fearsome beast with a brown and muscular body, a head with frilled neck and two horns on top of his head like a crown. It roared at the assembled crowd, showing razor sharp teeth. Airi looked up at it in awe, it was truly breathtaking.

"I will place two face downs and end my turn." Serena said, looking pleased with herself.

Airi was confused. That dragon couldn't have easily taken out one of her monsters. What was Chamberlain playing at? There had to be something about those face downs. Airi drew her cards, and couldn't help letting a slight smile appear through her expressionless mask. She had the right about of monsters to sacrifice.

"I sacrifice Performance of Sword and Ancient Dragon to summon Felgrand Dragon!" Two of her monsters vanished and were replaced by blazing white figure of Felgrand Dragon. It wasn't as impressive looking as the other dragon, he still managed to seem regal. Towering above Shining Angle and the duelists, he and Tyrant dragon seemed to be sizing each other up. "Felgrand Dragon has high attack points so you will lose." Airi then pointed directly at Tyrant Dragon. "Felgrand Dragon, Attack Tyrant Dragon!"

"Stupid girl." Serena waved her hand to the side to reveal a trap card. The picture which was surrounded by a purple outline depicted the back of a dragon with light covered wings. "I activate Tyrant Wing. Because it can only be activated once my opponent attacks me, I had to wait for the opportune moment for you to strike. Now Tyrant Dragon's attack points are increased by 400."

"But what good will that do?" Airi said. "Now both Felgrand Dragon and Tyrant Dragon have 3300 ATK points each, they'll destroy each other."

Serena smirked. "I also activate my other Trap Card - Pawn's Final Sacrifice. Because I now only have one Tyrant's Pawn on my side of the field, I can give it to my Tyrant Dragon as a sacrifice so that it's attack strength will increase by another 300 ATK points." The holograms made it look like Tyrant Dragon seized the Pawn with its tail, flung it into the air, and swallowed it whole. Tyrant Dragon's mouth seemed to leer triumphantly at Felgrand Dragon. It had good reason, now it's ATK points were up to 3600. "Now my Tyrant Dragon, exile Felgrand Dragon to the Graveyard!"

Tyrant Dragon released a blast of red light from its mouth, and Felgrand Dragon was pixilated right before Airi's eyes. Her life points went down to 1300.

"That's not all. Thanks to Tyrant Dragon's special ability, I get to attack again. Tyrant Dragon, destroy the last puny monster on her field!" Tyrant Dragon attacked Shining Angel, which reduced Airi's Life Points to 500. Now she was left with only a face down. "Well Ms. Washout, it looks like you'll have to kneel before me after all. I place one card face down and end my turn." Serena looked back at Mao, who only nodded in approval of her actions, still blank faced.

Airi looked at her hand but nothing would help her out of this. She started to inwardly panic. If she lost she wouldn't be in the tournament and would be no help to Yugi face what ever what was threatening the world. Plus if she fell to Chamberlain no it would prove she was a weakling, unable to defeat someone who had similar tactics to hers. She could hear mutters from some on lookers, which didn't help her panic at all. How could she possible fix this?

A card in her hand caught her eye. Her Mystical Elf smiled calmly at its mistress, seeming to trying to calm her. This card hadn't been in her old deck, Seto said it wasn't worth dueling with in the pros. But she wasn't that person any more. This card was in her deck, a new deck. She wasn't that tyrant anymore.

"Airi, We all believe you can do this. Believe in your cards and they will help you." Grandpa called.

She looked over to where he was standing. She really needed to see someone was cheering for her.

"Don't worry, Gramps. I know what I'm doing." she told him, smiling.

"Your going to lose whats so great about that." Serena said, looking board with the delay.

Airi turned back to Chamberlain, game face back in place. She had to end this quickly or loose. Her face down would help, but she had no control of the out come. She took a deep breath, it was up to the cards now.

"My move!" Airi called out and spread her hand over the card she had been saving for just this occasion. "And I activate Morphing Jar, which forces both of us to discard our hands and draw five new cards."

Serena didn't look impressed. "And that will do what exactly?"

Airi didn't favor her with a answer as she drew her hand. the barest flicker of joy crossed her eyes. The heart of the cards was on her side. "I summon Victoria to the field." The gold clad woman appeared, looking coldly up at Tyrant Dragon like it was nothing more then a loud mouth dog.

"What was the point of that?" Serena stared at the monster in disbelief. "Your monster is only Level Four, it has no power to attack my powerful dragon."

"Who said I was attacking." Airi said calmly. "I place a card face down, and I end my turn."

"Maybe people should stop called you a washout, and start calling you insane." Serena said. "How could you end it right there? You must be at the end of your rope. You are lower then the King of Games if you think that will save you. I activate the Magic Card Dragon Treasure, which will raise Tyrant Dragon's Attack by 300. Its about time someone show the world what happens to those who are weaklings. Tyrant Dragon, attack!"

"Your arrogance is amazing. Did you so easily forget my face down card?" Airi waved her hand, causing the card to stand, revealing its self to all watching. "I activate Sakuretsu Armor, and because of it you can say goodbye to Tyrant Dragon!"

Serena watched in horror as Tyrant Dragon faded away in pieces, leaving her open to attack. "That wont help you. Your monster can't inflict enough damage to get rid of me this turn."

"No, but now I can use Victoria's special ability. Victoria gives me the ability to Special Summon one Dragon-Type monster from your Graveyard, and places it under my control."

Serena gaped. "Wait! Did you say my Graveyard?"

"That's right, and I'm going to choose Tyrant Dragon!" Tyrant Dragon then appeared on Airi's side of the field, some how looking even more impressive and deadly.

Serena gaped in horrified disbelief to find herself facing her own Tyrant Dragon who looked coldly back at her from Airi's side of the field. "This can't be happening! Tyrant Dragon is my monster. He should obey me, and only me!"

"You haven't earned Tyrant Dragon's strength!" All on lookers were amazing by the intensity in Airi's eyes. "You continually used what you deemed "worthless" cards to summon Tyrant Dragon, and even when Tyrant Dragon won you didn't really appreciate him, did you?"

The younger girl looked completely confused. "Appreciate him? What are you talking about? He's just a card."

"No, Serena, he isn't. None of them are. They're not just cards, and they're not just soldiers or commoners. They're meant to be your companions, and just as much as they're supposed to help you, you have a duty to honor their sacrifices and hard work. And they're not the only ones." With a slight gasp of realization, Serena look back to Mao, who continued to look on with out any emotion what so ever. "Hopefully this will show you what true strength and honor is. I know what it is like to discard others like trash, Chamberlain. It may not seem like it wont affect you, but everything comes full circle. Tyrant Dragon and Victoria, attack Serena now!"

Both of the monsters showered Serena in light, and when it was over the area around her was steaming. Serena's Life Points plummeted to 0.

Serena stared at Airi as the holograms faded and they were left with a empty field. "This can't be happening. I lost. Why did I let myself lose." she looked down at her cards with frustrated tears in her eyes. "I have been a selfish brat. I can't duel at all."

Airi walked over to her defeated opponent."You do have skill, Miss Chamberlain. I'm sure with some time you could become a truly great duelist."

"Lets face it, I'm a tyrannical jerk." Serena said. "I've always gotten my way so I didn't think respecting those who helped get me to where I am was much of a concern. I'm sorry I insulted your family and you, Miss Muto. You won because you were the better duelist. If there is anyone who can gain respect for her cards its you."

"Don't be so hard on yourself." Airi said. "i can tell you for a fact if a person works at it they can change. If you decide to change from this point on, then I can truly say there was a victory here today."

"What does it matter, I'm out of the tournament." Serena pulled out her locator card and another card from her deck. She held them out to Airi. "Here, you are the victor so you deserve these."

Airi took the cards. Looking at the monster card her eyes widened. "Tyrant Dragon?"

"You proved you were more worthy to posses him. He may be powerful and his name is Tyrant, but he deserves respect. You can give him that. Well goodbye, Miss Muto." Serena walked off to where Mao stood, waiting to pack away the duel-disk and deck in his briefcase.

Airi looked back down at the cards in her hand. "I guess good job to you too." she said to it. She slid the locator card with the other one in her skirt pocket and placed Tyrant with the rest of her deck in her card pouch.

"That was amazing Airi." Gramps said. "wait till I tell Yugi. He will be green with envy he missed out on this."

"Just a moment Gramps." Airi walked over to where Serena stood, looking at the ground with her red hair falling in front of her face. Mao was making a call, apparently to tell the limo to come and collect them.

"One more thing." Airi said, standing right in front of Serena. The other girl looked up, looking much more insecure. She must have thought Airi was going to chew her out on being such a horrid duelist.

Instead Airi held out her hand. "It's Airi."

Serena's eyes widened, then filled with tears. She quickly dabbed them away before they could ruin her make up. Smiling shyly she accepted Airi's hand.

"Serena." she said.

"It was a great duel. I hope we will meet again, hopefully as friends."

"Sure." Serena for once seemed lost for words.

The limo pulled up and Mao opened the door.

"Take care Serena." Airi said.

Serena only nodded, quickly turning away in case of more tears. As she passed Mao, Airi bearly heard Serena say a soft "thank you." after closing the door behind his mistress, Mao turned to Airi. He looked a lot bigger up close. To her surprise Mao bowed low.

"Thank you very much, miss." he said.

As the limo drove off, Grandpa came to stand next to his granddaughter.

"I think that was one of the best duels I have seen in a long time, even if the comments were rather hard to take. I'm proud of the way you handled it."

Airi nodded, smiling after the retreating vehicle. For her first duel she had proven to herself she could duel without wanting to smash the opposition, even if it was tempting. The best part was Serena seemed willing to change. It wasn't going to be easy, but Airi was sure she could do it.

"Come on Gramps. Lets go find the others."


A/N: so there you have it, how was it? it was really hard to write so if you want Airi to duel more in this story i suggest you review so we will feel like it. any pointers will be mighty apreshiated. if this duel sounds a lot like the Rebecca duel, then you can go write your own, that wasn't the plan when we wrote it.

if you want us to work hard and get the next chapter up sooner, no promises but i might consider working harder, then please leave me a nice review. trust me, i am much nicer when i have people telling me they like my work.