Once again, I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! If I did, Yugi's plays would make a lot more sense in Duelist Kingdom. And in general.
Chapter Eleven: Battle of the Best Friends
Kisara stood outside the arena with Yugi and Joey. Her friends, and now her rivals. "Guys, I'm a little nervous," she admitted.
"Come on, don't worry about it," Joey assured her. "Besides, we agreed to fight with everything we had if we faced each other."
"I kind of agree with Kisara," Yugi said. "I don't want to fight you guys."
"Hey, I don't want to either," Joey told them. "But we only get one shot at facing Pegasus. It should go to whoever has the best chance of beating him. And the only way we're going to do that is by facing each other. So we gotta give our best and most honorable duels."
The other two nodded. "My promise still stands, Joey," Kisara said. "If I win, the money's yours."
"Same here," Yugi added. "I only came to rescue Grandpa."
"And I need to help Seto and Mokuba."
"Would Joey Wheeler and Kisara White please enter the dueling arena?" Croquet's voice sounded over the intercom, cutting off their conversation.
"I guess we're first," Joey said. "May the best duelist win."
"Yes," Kisara nodded.
Joey took the blue side of the arena. Kisara tried not to let playing on red throw her. It's just superstition. Being on the red doesn't mean I'm going to lose. That depends on how well I play. She took a breath to calm herself. It figures the duel she dreaded the most would be first. Despite what she and Seto were calling each other, Joey was currently her closest friend. He was the one who broke through her loneliness and introduced her to everyone else. He kept her going with his unfailing optimism, and whenever she was in trouble, he was right there to help her. Just tune it out. Focus only on the duel. It won't be an honorable match if I'm worried about fighting my friend and holding back.
"Before we begin the match, your gracious host will make a few opening remarks," Croquet announced.
Pegasus stood up from his throne and cleared his throat. Kisara noticed he found another bow for his collar. "Congratulations, duelists. You're the finest in the world. And for that reason, I look forward to matches that are sure to consist of your dueling best. After all, should you give me anything else, I will know." The Millennium Eye caught the light.
"Joey, I'm just going to say I owe you more than you probably realize," Kisara leveled her sapphire eyes on him. "And I'm not going to let this duel destroy our friendship."
"Same here," Joey nodded, and they drew their cards. "But I'm not going to go easy. I'll start things off with Axe Raider." The warrior materialized on his field, his weapon poised and ready.
"Then I'll play Luster Dragon," Kisara's dark blue dragon appeared on her field. "Go, Breath of Fire!" Luster Dragon destroyed Axe Raider, knocking Joey's LifePoints down to 1800. "Make your move, Joey."
"Oh, I will. First I'm going to summon the Flame Swordsman, and I'll boost his strength with Salamandra." Flames shot from the orange blade. "Salamandra Flame Strike!" The blue-and-orange clad warrior torched the dragon. Kisara's LifePoints fell to 1500. "I said I'd go with everything I got."
"I know, Joey," she smiled. "And I'm going to do the same." This isn't good. I don't have anything that can take that out now. I should have taken a precaution against this. Kisara weighed her options. "But for now, I play a monster in defense mode and set one card face-down."
"Ah, yeah! I finally got an advantage over you!" Joey grinned and summoned his monster. "Garoozis, destroy that face-down with Five Star Slash."
"Go, Negate Attack!" Kisara revealed her face-down. "Better luck next time. I wouldn't call this too much of an advantage."
"I got all kinds of luck," Joey gloated as he set a card. "Make your move."
Kisara drew her card. I won't get any damage, but I can at least take out one of his monsters. "I summon Blackland Fire Dragon, and I'll equip him with Dragon's Treasure." Now her dragon matched Joey's lizard warrior point for point. "Destroy Garoozis!"
"Go, Kunai with Chain!" Joey activated his trap. Garoozis strength rose by 500 points, destroying the green dragon. Kisara's LifePoints dropped to 1000. Joey drew, and the Flame Swordsman destroyed Kisara's face-down Petit Dragon. Kisara frowned.
Okay, now he really does have an advantage. I need to take out that Swordsman. Please, let this next draw be good. She grinned at her card. "Now you get another shot at this dragon, Joey. Go, Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" The dragon materialized on her field and roared at her opponent. "Take out Flame Swordsman with White Lightning!" It roared again, its attack obliterating Joey's monster and knocking his LifePoints down to 1200.
"No way," Joey's eyes widened at Kisara's strongest monster. She guessed he was remembering the last time he faced Blue-Eyes and how badly he lost to it. Left with few options, he grimaced and set a monster. Knowing his deck, Joey would have to come up with something really creative to beat it.
"White Lightning!" Kisara felt the familiar thrill as Blue-Eyes blasted Battle Warrior. Was this because she was connected to it? Joey grimaced with his monster's destruction. Kisara avoided his gaze. She couldn't go soft now. She had to push as hard as she could and push Joey to do the same. Otherwise everything they'd been through would be a waste. "Make your move, Joey!"
"Time to finally take that thing down," Joey grinned. "First I'm going to lay down the Shield and Sword card, swapping Blue-Eyes attack and defense points for the turn."
"You still don't have anything with more than 2500 attack points," Kisara narrowed her eyes, wary of what her opponent had planned.
"Don't I?" Joey summoned Red-Eyes Black Dragon, unaffected by the magic card already played. "Red-Eyes is more than a match for Blue-Eyes now, especially when I add my handy dandy Dragon Nails." The black dragon's claws grew and turned silver, boosting its strength by 600 points. "Go, Inferno Fire Blast!" Blue-Eyes was destroyed by the orange blaze. Kisara's LifePoints dropped to 500. "All right! I did it! I beat the Blue-Eyes!"
"I can't believe it. Joey actually destroyed the Blue-Eyes White Dragon," Bakura said from the balcony.
"And I was starting to think Kisara'd win as soon as she played it," Tristan added.
"I wouldn't count her out yet," Yugi countered. "Even if she doesn't have Blue-Eyes, she can still find a way to turn the tables."
It's gone. Blue-Eyes is gone. Kisara stared at her hand, her hair falling into her face. Joey took out her strongest card, the card that practically guaranteed her victory every time she played it. She clenched her right hand into a fist. Pull yourself together. This duel's not over yet. I can find a way to beat Red-Eyes. Seto dealt with losing Blue-Eyes. I can too. She brushed her bangs back and drew her card. "I activate the magic card Fissure to destroy Garoozis." A crater opened up underneath the lizard warrior destroying it. Joey's LifePoints fell to 300. "And I'll play a monster in defense mode. Make your move."
"Oh I will," Joey's grin widened. "Red-Eyes, take out her dragon." The Inferno Fire Blast vaporized Kisara's Lesser Dragon.
She drew. All right, this should work. "I'll lay a card face-down, and them I summon Seiyaryu." Her pink dragon appeared on the field and snarled at the black dragon.
"Falling back on Seiyaryu, huh?" Joey drew his card. "Well your sparkly pink dragon still ain't a match for Red-Eyes. Go, Inferno Fire Blast!"
"And I thought you learned about traps," Kisara smirked and activated her face-down. "Go, Shadow Spell!" Chains emerged from the field and wrapped around the black dragon, locking it in place and lowering its strength by 700 points.
"Oh no!" Joey stepped back from his chained dragon.
"Oh yes," Kisara drew. "Weren't you gloating to Keith last round about using traps on his machines? Seiyaryu, destroy Red-Eyes with Razor Fire Blast." The dragon breathed blue fire, vaporizing Joey's dragon and knocking his LifePoints down to 100.
"Kisara fell back on her other favorite," Yugi observed.
"Is there any way Joey can turn the duel around?" Tristan asked.
"It's hard to tell," Bakura said. "Seiyaryu is one of the most powerful dragons in the game, and it did just destroy Joey's best monster."
"I still don't like that you guys have to fight," Tea chimed in. "Can't you guys just flip a coin or something."
"I agree with you, Tea, but unfortunately that's not how this tournament works," Bakura told her.
He's right, Tea. We have to do it this way. Kisara sighed as Joey drew his card. He set a monster and a card, defense his only option at the moment.
"Razor Fire Blast!" Kisara ordered her dragon to destroy Joey's monster.
Seiyaryu's dragon flame filled the arena with smoke as the Armored Lizard was vaporized. When it cleared, a small gremlin stood on Joey's field, holding a card.
"I got you," Joey grinned. "You remember my little Graverobber?"
Oh no! Kisara's blood ran cold when the gremlin revealed his stolen card to her: Blue-Eyes White Dragon. The dragon roared as it materialized on her opponent's field.
"Don't worry, Kisara, I know what this card means," Joey assured her. "To you, Gramps, and the rest of us. It's the card that started all this. We wouldn't even be here if Rich Boy hadn't tried to take it. I'm not going to disrespect it or you."
She nodded. "Do what you must."
He leveled his eyes on her pink dragon. "Blue-Eyes, destroy Seiyaryu with White Lightning!"
Kisara flinched and held her arm in front of her face as her favorite dragon wiped out her pink one along with the rest of her LifePoints. Seto, I'm sorry. I wish I could have done more. She watched the victor of the duel. His expression was a cross between apologetic and ecstatic. "Congratulations, Joey," she said. "You've come a long way, and you earned that victory."
"Thanks, Kisara," Joey answered. "You put up a really good fight too. I admit, Blue-Eyes had me worried." He tossed the card he'd taken in the duel to her. "We each got another match; you're going to need your ace to really give Yuge a run for his money."
She caught the card, turning the image to face her. Her fingers rubbed the tape seam in the middle of the card. "Kisara White, as the defeated duelist, you get to choose if you wish to face your next opponent now or pass and let the others duel," Croquet announced.
Might as well get it over with. If these duels are hard for me, I can't imagine what Yugi and Joey's duel will be like. Their bond is so close. I just hope their duel doesn't break them. "I'll duel now," she answered.
"Very well," the master of ceremonies said. "Joey Wheeler, you may exit the arena. Yugi Muto, please take your place."
Joey saluted Kisara before exiting the room. A couple minutes later, Yugi emerged as his other self. I'm probably the only one who thinks of this as a possible two-on-one, in a way. Then again, it's hard to really know the other Yugi. Or even distinguish between the two of them. I just know the one who is my friend. And I think the other one can be as well, given time. Kisara faced her opponent. Like Joey, she owed Yugi for getting her here. Yugi taught her how to play Duel Monsters, and he was the one who let her borrow Blue-Eyes White Dragon. When she had been invited to participate, they didn't know Joey and the others would find a way to tag along. They expected it to be just them against everyone else. Kisara came to help Yugi, and she ended up finding her own place and reason as a duelist to fight. We want the same thing. To save Seto and the others. And no matter what happens, we will do just that.
"Let's see how far you've come, Kisara," Yugi said as he drew his cards.
"I may not have the experience you do, Yugi," Kisara drew her hand, "but now you're going to learn what the knights in fairy tales have to deal with."
"I'm counting on it," Yugi summoned Winged Dragon, Guardian of the Fortress in attack mode. "But first you have to get past my own dragon."
"Oh, that's just mean," Kisara smirked. "But I'll match your move. Go, Blackland Fire Dragon. Destroy his dragon with Flame Breath!" The green dragon huffed and blew fire at its adversary, knocking Yugi's LifePoints down to 1900. "Make your move."
"Let's keep up the dragon battle, shall we?" Yugi said. "I summon Curse of Dragon in attack mode. "Destroy her monster!" The yellow creature's Flame Breath wiped out Kisara's dragon. Her LifePoints fell to 1500.
"Not cool, Yugi," Kisara narrowed her eyes as she set her Fairy Dragon in face-down.
"I work with what I got," Yugi smirked and set a card. "Dragon Flame!" Fairy Dragon was destroyed.
Even though she was on the defensive, it was kind of nice to just banter with her opponent. It made tuning the stakes of the duel out easier. Kisara drew. "Now I'll show you I'm the master of dragons. I play Hyozanryu in attack mode. Destroy Curse of Dragon with Diamond Devastator!"
"Go, Mirror Force!" A reflective surface materialized in front of the yellow dragon, redirecting the attack back at Hyozanryu, destroying the diamond dragon. Kisara's LifePoints dropped to 350.
How could I walk right into that? Kisara rubbed her forehead with her palm. That's what I get for letting my guard down. Now I'm vulnerable to whatever else Yugi has planned.
Yugi summoned Gaia, the Fierce Knight, and passed the duel back to her. All right! This should help me turn things around. "I summon Seiyaryu in attack mode, and I'll play one card face-down." The pink dragon materialized on her field. "Destroy Gaia with Razor Fire Blast!" Yugi's LifePoints fell to 1700. "I'm finally gaining a lead."
"You've got a long way to go, Kisara," Yugi warned her as he drew. "Go, Dark Magician!" The purple-robed spellcaster appeared on his field, twirling his green staff. "And I'll boost his strength with the Book of Secret Arts. Dark Magic Attack!" He pointed the staff at Seiyaryu and fired.
"Not so fast!" Kisara activated her face-down card. "Negate Attack stops your attack dead in its tracks."
"There's the strategist I know," Yugi smirked. "Make your move."
"I will," Kisara knew her card before she even saw it. "I summon Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" Her favorite monster roared as it materialized. She moved to attack but hesitated. Blue-Eyes White Dragon versus Dark Magician. It was familiar. And it was more than just a duel. Kisara shook her head. She couldn't worry about impressions from the cards now. Seto was counting on her to pull through. "Attack Dark Magician with White Lightning!" Blue-Eyes vaporized the spellcaster. "Seiyaryu, destroy his dragon with Razor Fire Blast!" The destruction of his monsters knocked Yugi down to 1000 LifePoints.
"That's what I call an upset," Joey commented. "Kisara's got her two kick-butt monsters out and completely wiped out Yugi's field."
"Now we'll see if Kisara can keep it up," Bakura said. "If she gives Yugi time to recover, there's no doubt he'll make an equally astonishing upset. These next few moves will be critical in deciding the match."
Yugi set a monster, keeping up his defense. Kisara set a card and ordered Blue-Eyes to attack. She barely saw the Celtic Guardian before the White Lightning wiped it out.
The tri-color haired duelist smirked with his next draw. "Time to reclaim the offensive. First I play Monster Reborn to bring back Gaia, the Fierce Knight!" The mounted warrior returned to his field. "Next I'll summon Kuriboh in attack mode."
"I know better than to understand that little guy," Kisara said as the brown furball narrowed its eyes at her, ready to attack as soon as Yugi gave the command.
"He's not the one you need to beware of," Yugi smirked. "I play Black Luster Ritual, sacrificing Gaia and Kuriboh to do so." An altar appeared on his field with a crucible on either side. Gaia went into the one on the left, and Kuriboh was pulled into the other one. The doorway with the coat of arms stood up, and the Black Luster Soldier emerged from it, brandishing his sword at Kisara's dragons.
There's that feeling again. This card is Yugi, just like Blue-Eyes is a part of me. But I can't let it beat me. "Bring it on, Yugi. I'm not afraid of your Soldier," Kisara challenged.
"We'll see about that," Yugi ordered his warrior to attack. "Destroy Seiyaryu with Chaos Blade!"
"I activate Dragon's Treasure!" Kisara revealed her face-down. "This boosts Seiyaryu by 300 points!" The blade still sliced through her dragon, and her LifePoints fell to 150. But at least she was still in it.
"Nice counter," Yugi complimented her. "Our monsters are still equal in power."
"Only for now," Kisara said as she drew. "Here comes my Shadow Spell!" Chains rose up from the arena and ensnared the Black Luster Soldier, dropping his power by 700. Now Blue-Eyes is more than a match for your Soldier. Go, White Lightning!" The blinding light vaporized the black and gold soldier. Yugi's LifePoints dropped to 300. "That just about evened the score."
"Yes, but it's not over yet," Yugi said as he drew. "You should know by now not to celebrate your victory until it happens."
"I'm not celebrating yet," Kisara answered. "But if I pull this off, it'll be the first time I've beaten you in the countless games we've already played. That I will enjoy."
"We'll see about that," Yugi smirked. "Swords of Revealing Light!" Blades of light rained down on Kisara's field, blocking her monsters from doing anything. "Now for three turns, your dragons are frozen, and I'm not out of this duel yet. Make your move."
Dang it. Whenever Yugi uses the Swords, it always gives him an edge to pull out on top. And I'm stuck while he does it. What could he pull though? I've already beaten Black Luster Soldier, and that's the strongest monster in his deck. Unless… shoot! Kisara counted the cards in Yugi's hand. He had two. Oh, please don't let him draw what I'm thinking! She set a card and ended her turn.
Yugi drew, and passed the duel to her, not even bothering to summon a monster. Now I'm sure that's what he's doing. I need to find a way to end this before he pulls it off. Kisara drew. This won't help. She passed. Yugi drew another card and set a monster. At least he doesn't seem to be as close as I worried. Kisara summoned Luster Dragon, back-up for whatever else Yugi might bring out. She ended her turn, and the Swords vanished. At least I survived so far. So many times Yugi ended the duel right as Swords wore off, but he doesn't seem to have the game clincher yet. She sighed in relief.
Yugi set another monster. "Time to clear the field, Yugi," Kisara said as she drew. Blue-Eyes, destroy the monster on the left! White Lightning!" Mystical Elf barely had time to reveal herself before she was incinerated. "Luster Dragon, take care of his other monster!" Kisara barely recognized Sangan before he too was destroyed.
"Thank you for that," Yugi smirked. "By destroying Sangan, I'm allowed to add a monster from my deck with fewer than 1500 attack points." He revealed the card he chose: Right Arm of the Forbidden One.
Shoot! Kisara counted the cards in Yugi's hand. He had four. If he drew the last piece now, it'd be over. On the other hand, if he didn't and set another monster, all she had to do was draw her Stop Defense, and Blue-Eyes would take care of the rest.
Yugi's hand hovered over his deck, knowing this draw could decide the match. He drew, and smiled at the card. "Thank you, Kisara," he said still holding up his card. You and Joey both risked your lives because these cards meant so much to me, these cards that were my grandfather's. And I'm sorry to have to use those very cards on you." He flipped the card around to show Exodia's head. He spread his hand on the display signaling he'd drawn all five cards needed to summon Exodia, the Forbidden One.
The Egyptian monster materialized on Yugi's field, taller than both of her dragons. This must be what Seto felt like when Yugi summoned it last time. Part of her was filled with fear and dread—Exodia's appearance meant she was done for. Another part was okay with it. Exodia, for whatever reason, made her think of Grandpa. The kind old man who didn't care if his grandson and his friends got loud, or ate all the food, or sometimes made a mess of things in the house. The man who was just happy to see his grandson and friends happy.
"Exodia, obliterate!" The monster fired its power at the dragons, eliminating the rest of Kisara's LifePoints. Seto, Mokuba. I'm sorry I couldn't do it. I won't be the one to save you. I did everything I could though. Please, just hang on a little longer.
"Congratulations, Yugi," Kisara smiled at her opponent. The victor, yet again. "Looks like I have to wait a little longer to finally get that win over you."
"I'll look forward to any and all rematches," Yugi gave her a thumbs-up.
"Kisara White has been eliminated from the tournament," Croquet announced. "She has received third place in the Duel Monsters Kingdom Championship. And now the final match shall begin. Joey Wheeler, please take your place in the arena."
Kisara turned and walked out of the arena, passing Joey in the hall. "It's different playing on red," she told him, giving him a half-smile.
"Nah, that didn't have anything to do with it," Joey put an arm around her. "And I'm not going to let superstition get to me. Especially since I'm the one on red now. Besides, no matter what side you were on, you fought with everything you had. Heck, you took down the best monsters in both mine and Yuge's decks. And I'm going to do the same. I'll beat Yugi and really show how far I've come."
"Go get him, Joey," Kisara chuckled. "I'm not going to take sides. If you both could win, I'd go for that."
"I don't expect you too," Joey grinned. "Just watch us both kick butt."
"I will."
Joey entered the door she just exited. Kisara ran up the stairs to join the others at the balcony. This is it. The final match. This will determine who faces Pegasus. Hold on, Seto. You'll be free soon.
Joey looked his opponent in the eye. "Yugi, before we start, I just want to say thanks, man. Just look at me. I'm in the final match of the biggest Duel Monsters tournament that's ever been thrown. And it's all 'cause of you, bud. You got me here. You looked out for me."
"You're wrong, Joey," Yugi answered. "You earned your place here."
"Thanks, pal," the blond said. "Just know that no matter what happens here, you're my friend, and you always will be, Yuge. But don't think that means I'm going to go easy on you in this match. Or that I expect you to go easy on me. I'm ready for your best. So let's do this!"
Yugi nodded, and they drew their cards. "I'll throw this in attack mode." Yugi summoned the Celtic Guardian.
Joey countered by bringing out Giltia the Dark Knight. Its Soul Spear Assault blasted away the elf warrior, knocking Yugi down to 1550 LifePoints. "You're Celtic Guardian's been creamed." Joey clenched his fist as he made his points. "I warned you, Yugi. I'm not going to pull any punches in this here duel!"
"Joey's really not kidding," Tristan commented. "Just check out the score: he's in the lead."
"I wouldn't be too sure, Tristan," Bakura said. "Anyone can take an early in a duel, but only a few can play well for the entire match."
"And he made the same mistake I did during our duel," Kisara added. "I didn't protect my Luster Dragon, and Joey destroyed it and kept me on the defensive with his Flame Swordsman."
Yugi exploited Joey's lack of protection with Gaia, the Fierce Knight. The mounted warrior charged and ran through Giltia. Joey's LifePoints fell to 1550. The blond summoned Armored Lizard in defense mode.
"What's he playing that throwaway monster for?" Tristan wondered.
"Who knows?" Bakura said. "Perhaps Joey hasn't learned as much as we thought?"
"Not necessarily," Kisara answered. "He could just be buying time until he draws something that actually can defeat Gaia. That Knight is not easy to beat. But if Joey could beat Blue-Eyes, he can find a way past Gaia."
Yugi kept up his offensive with Summoned Skull. The demon's Lightning Strike vaporized the lizard. "He almost looks glad his monster was struck," Bakura commented.
"Man, that's sad," Tristan frowned. "He's in denial already."
"That's not what I meant," Bakura corrected him. "I think Joey played that mediocre monster of his so Yugi would be lulled into a false sense of security and attack it. After all, Joey knows full well that Yugi has monsters in his deck that could easily defeat his Armored Lizard. No, I think Joey was just trying to draw Yugi's monster out."
"He's definitely got something planned," Kisara added. What could it be? Unless… "Maybe he's doing something similar to what he did to me. Waiting for me to play the cards he wants me to so he can use them himself."
Joey put his plan into play by summoning Flame Swordsman and activating Shield and Sword. Now that the blue-and-orange clad warrior was stronger than the Summoned Skull, the fire sword roasted the demon. Yugi's LifePoints dropped to 1150.
Yugi countered by bringing out Curse of Dragon and fusing it with Gaia to create Gaia, the Dragon Champion. The knight pierced Flame Swordsman with his twin lances, knocking Joey down to 750 LifePoints.
"This is why I believe Yugi has the advantage," Bakura said. "No matter what happens, he keeps a laser-like focus and makes the big plays when they really count. And now I guess we'll see if Joey can do the same."
"How's Joey supposed to make a big play with that Dragon Champion out there?" Tristan asked.
"The same way he got past my Blue-Eyes," Kisara answered. "Joey's strength is that he makes plays that no one expects. Surprise is his strongest element."
Joey grinned as he looked over his cards. He summoned Red-Eyes Black Dragon, bringing a grin to Kisara's face. He then played his Graverobber, taking the Summoned Skull from Yugi's graveyard. To finish his combo, he played Copycat to mimic Yugi's Polymerization, fusing his two monsters into the Black Skull Dragon. It's not as pretty as Red-Eyes, but it's definitely the most powerful monster at Joey's disposal. Maybe even the most powerful monster in the game. Yugi's going to need one of his most impressive plays to counter this.
"Molten Fireballs!" Joey commanded the Black Skull Dragon. It obliterated the Dragon Champion, and Yugi's LifePoints dropped to 550.
Yugi remained unfazed by the demonic dragon and called upon his favorite monster: Dark Magician. The purple-robed spellcaster glared at the dragon before vanishing under Yugi's Magical Hats card. Four hats stood mocking Joey in his desire to find the magician.
"That'll sure slow Joey down big time," Tristan commented.
"Joey has a one-in-four chance of hitting the correct hat," Kisara observed. "Aside from those odds against him, there's the matter of Yugi hiding other surprises under there too. I wouldn't be surprised if he has something ready to take out the dragon." She frowned.
"Don't tell me you want Joey to win because he that dragon," Tristan raised an eyebrow at her.
"Shut up," Kisara narrowed her eyes at him. "Yes, I like the dragon. But I'm not going to let that determine who I want to win. Besides, both of them already beat me. I stood on the receiving end of all their best plays."
Joey launched his attack at the second hat from his left, but the hat was empty, giving Yugi a turn to make his comeback. The blond ended his turn by summoning Garoozis, egging his opponent on about attacking his weaker monster. Yugi didn't fall for it and set a card, concealing it in one of the Hats.
"I knew Yugi would put something under them," Kisara said. "I'm actually surprised he didn't use them on me."
Joey blasted the remaining middle Hat, but that too was empty. Now Joey was down a fifty percent chance of being right, but if he was wrong, he'd hit Yugi's trap. Yugi passed, and Joey had to choose again. He blasted the Hat on the left, covering the arena with smoke. Hovering above the remains of the Hat was the Spellbinding Circle. It ensnared the Black Skull Dragon and lowered its attack strength by 700. Joey switched Garoozis into defense mode.
"That wiped out Joey's attack advantage," Tea said, clutching her hand over her heart.
"But it's still a close match," Tristan reminded her.
"You said it," Bakura observed. "Yugi could attack with the Dark Magician, but what good would that attack really do him? Both the Dark Magician and the Black Skull Dragon have equal attack strengths."
"Yugi probably has something to boost Dark Magician's attack strength," Kisara answered. "Knowing him, he's already planned for this."
"Joey, you've dueled well, but the tide of this battle is about to turn," Yugi said. "Prepare yourself. I'm about to obliterate your Dragon."
"Bring it on; I'm ready," Joey stared down his opponent.
Yugi drew his card and revealed it: Book of Secret Arts. Boosting Dark Magician's attack points by 300, it gave Yugi the edge to finally destroy the demonic dragon.
"Poor Joey," Tristan said. "He really got slammed. You think this duel's over for him?"
"It's hard to say," Kisara answered. "Both Yugi and Joey are great at come-from-behind upsets. Yugi just pulled one of his; now it's Joey's turn to pull something. And if I know his deck as well as I think I do, I can guess what his next plan is."
Joey smirked with his next draw. "All right, Yuge, time to kiss the baby." He summoned Baby Dragon. Aw, it's so cute! Kisara grinned at the little dragon. Joey set a card face-down and passed the duel to Yugi.
Is that Time Wizard? Kisara eyed the face-down as Dark Magician launched an attack against the Baby Dragon. A chain shot out and wrapped itself around the purple-robed spellcaster. Kunai with Chain boosted Garoozis's strength and stopped Dark Magician in his tracks. Now Joey drew and played Time Wizard, spinning the roulette for a final game of chance. It had to come down to this. The card Yugi gave Joey to get through the tournament. It saved Joey so many times, and now he has to use it on Yugi. Kisara held her breath as the roulette spun faster. She still didn't know who she wanted to win, so she just watched as the roulette slowed down, finally landing on a tower. The time warp cast spread over the field, aging Baby Dragon into Thousand Dragon and turning the Dark Magician into an old man. The Kunai with Chain rusted and fell of the spellcaster.
"Look at the Dark Magician," Tea gasped at sight of the purple-robed old man, his grey hair and beard accenting his age.
"He's no match for Joey's dragon now," Tristan commented.
It looks like Joey's actually going to win. The dragon beats the sorcerer. Wait a second! Kisara remembered all the fairy tales she read. The most powerful wizards were always the oldest, the ones with the most experience. No matter which side they were on, they gave their opponents the most trouble be they dragon or human. Did Pegasus make that part of the game when he designed it? Kisara held her breath as Thousand Dragon attacked Dark Magician.
"I counter with Makiu, the Magical Mist!" Mist rained down, smothering Joey's attack.
"What's going on?" Tea asked. Everyone stared at the field in awe, including Pegasus.
"How did you play Makiu while it was still my turn?" Joey asked.
"With magic," Yugi answered. "A magic so powerful that it took my Dark Magician a thousand years to learn it. That time warp did age my Dark Magician, but it made him stronger, not weaker. And with age comes great wisdom. A thousand years of wisdom that have transformed him into the Dark Sage." The Dark Magician emitted light, transforming his robes and staff. He hovered on the field, legs crossed in a meditation position. "An ultimate magician whose new powers let me play one magic card during every one of your turns and every one of mine."
"Just like in the stories," Kisara commented. "Old magicians are the hardest to take down."
Yugi used the Dark Sage's powers to add a magic card to his hand. "You fought a valiant duel, my friend, and this is the hardest move I've ever had to make," tears sprung from Yugi's eyes as he played the card: Monster Reborn. The magic resurrected the Black Skull Dragon.
"Go for it," Joey encouraged him. "It's cool, man."
"Molten Fireball Attack!" The demonic dragon vaporized Thousand Dragon and the rest of Joey's LifePoints.
"That was really hard to watch," Tristan said.
"Imagine what those two are feeling," Bakura told him.
"I know exactly what they're feeling," Kisara said. "They just fought as they could, just like they fought against me, all to make sure we would succeed. We had to stand in each other's way in order to push our limits and prepare us to face Pegasus."
"I'm just glad it's over," Tea wiped tears from her eyes, "and I'm so proud of you three. You dueled your hardest but never once forgot your friendship."
"Make sure you tell them that," Kisara pulled Tea into a hug. At least that's finally over. Now it's up to Yugi to take Pegasus down once and for all.
They descended the stairs to meet the two duelists. "Well Yugi, we knew only one of us was going to win. Congratulations, man. Here." Joey held out Glory of the King's hand to Yugi. "You show Croquet this card, he'll give you three million bucks in prize money."
"No, Joey," Yugi pushed the card back at him. "I already told you the money was yours. Your sister needs that money. Use it for the operation."
"Joey, if you don't take it, I'll make sure Blue-Eyes haunts you forever," Kisara nudged him. "For Serenity."
Joey teared up as he pulled the card close. Finally, after everything they went through everything he fought so hard for, Joey got the money he needed for his sister. Kisara wrapped an arm around him. The battle was over for them. But not for Yugi. "Take him down, Yugi," Kisara told him. Yugi nodded and faced the arena. It was time for the match of the millennium.
Guys, we're almost finished with Duelist Kingdom. I'm caught somewhere between Yay! and Aw. I love Duelist Kingdom, I absolutely do, but I hate writing duels for it. It's so hard to make sense of the rules and figuring out what cards existed in that era. That being said, I promise I will never shortchange a duel that did not happen in the anime. This is Yu-Gi-Oh! after all; duels are the lifeblood of the show. I may abbreviate less important duels if they played out the same way, but they will be there. The suspense of the duels is half the story in my opinion. I frequently use deck lists and write the mechanics of the duel before I even attempt to put the duel in story format. So I really hope you liked Kisara's duels in this chapter. Next chapter will probably take a while since it's covering a five-part episode set, and I need to update my other two stories. Check my profile to see what my next posting will be.
Thanks for reading!