Hello all Storm here with a new chapter! Here we'll be seeing two duels at once with Yugi going against Mai and Joey going against Bandit Keith, while showing off some new cards all of them have. This chapter also serves as a tribute to Kazuki Takahashi, the creator of "Yu-Gi-Oh!", for having helped create such an amazing franchise and game. So, without further ado, it's time to duel!
I own nothing
Naruto let out a breath as he did some last minute scans of his deck, having already gotten cleaned up and dressed in preparation for the duels that'll be happening. Wanting to make sure he was completely prepared for anything he'll face, and seeing if he needed to make any last minute changes.
'Mako's already a skilled duelist from the tournament he's been in, and there's no telling what new cards he has in his deck now, after going through Pegasus's card shop. Then, after him I'll have to potentially duel Rin, and she'll really be a difficult opponent.' Thought Naruto, knowing he couldn't afford to make any mistakes and needed to be sure he had every card he'll need.
"You have nothing to fear Praetor! You have already shown great strength, determination, and willpower to face any challenger! Now it is time for you to rise up to the top and defeat Pegasus! And then once you have obtained victory, you shall bask in your prize and claim your remaining consorts, umu!" Declared Nero as she appeared, grinning at the whiskered blonde, with Naruto blushing at the reminder of what he and Téa did last night.
"N-Ne-Nero, th-that was j-ju-just o-our e-em-emotions and h-ho-hormones getting t-to-to us. I-I d-doubt i-it'll happen again, a-any time soon." Naruto said, only for Nero to simply smirk at him.
"I wouldn't be so sure Praetor, Téa looked very eager and excited last night, she will most likely wish for such an experience again. The same can be said for Rin, when she learns of what happened, as she doesn't seem like the type to let others get ahead of her in anything. And even if it does not happen again soon, you'll still have your emperor to satisfy, my Praetor~." Nero purred while leaning in closely to the Uzumaki, making Naruto's blush intensify.
"B-b-bu-but y-yo-y-yo-you're…" Stuttered Naruto while motioning to Nero's spirit form.
"Yes, while I'm afraid out here I am merely a spirit that cannot interact with anything. But within the Millennium Ring, I assure you Praetor, I am very…soft~." Said Nero while squeezing her breasts together, which only made Naruto's entire face turn red.
"Really not the time, Nero!" Naruto said while quickly shaking his head, making the former emperor giggle.
"Umu, just making sure you're aware of the prize that awaits you once you claim victory Praetor." Nero said before the two heard someone knocking at the door, much to Naruto's relief.
'Oh thank Kami.' Thought Naruto, happy for the distraction from everything Nero was talking about.
Going over to the door, Naruto opened it only to be surprised to see Yugi standing on the other side.
"Yugi? What're you doing here?" Naruto asked, having figured he'd already be heading for the Duel Arena or doing some last-minute preparations of his own.
"Hey Naruto, there's something important I need to talk to you about, something that happened last night." Said Yugi, entering the room, while Naruto's eyes widened at this before closing the door.
"What happened?" Questioned Naruto as they sat down across from each other.
"It was a dream I had, or maybe it was a vision, but I saw grandpa, along with Mokuba and Shio. Grandpa told me how Pegasus has been using his Millennium Eye to win Shadow Games and has been growing more powerful, but for what, I don't know. Just that it can't be good. He said that the only way we could beat him, is if I mastered my Millennium Puzzle too." Yugi explained, looking down at his Puzzle, surprising Naruto before the tri-colored boy looked back up at him.
"Grandpa also told me that you have a Millennium Item too. Is that true?" Yugi asked, the Uzumaki frowned before nodding and holding up his hand, showing his Millennium Ring.
"Yeah, it's true. I have the Millennium Ring, or at least a different version of the original Millennium Ring." Revealed Naruto, much to Yugi's shock at hearing this.
"A different…version of the Millennium Ring?" Questioned Yugi, wondering what that meant since he knew that Bakura had the Millennium Ring with the dark spirit inside of it.
"Yeah, it was a gift from my Kaa-san, it's apparently a family heirloom that's been passed down for a couple generations. But it's also one of the Roman Millennium Items, one of five that were created after the Romans conquered Egypt. Where they discovered the existence of the Millennium Items and how they were made, creating their own since the original Millennium Items were hidden away. With the Millennium Ring having belonged to the Roman Emperors all the way up to Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, before it was traded to an eastern caravan and ended up in Japan where it later belonged to Oda Nobunaga and Okita Sōji." Explained Naruto, with Yugi looking at the Ring in shock and amazement.
"Woah…" Yugi muttered, not believing there were actually more Millennium Items around and that Naruto had one of them, not to mention how it belonged to so many famous people.
"But how did you find out all of that? If your mom thought it was a family heirloom." Yugi said, confused at how Naruto knew all that information.
"Because Nero told me herself, her spirit is inside the Ring, having been bound to it after her death." Naruto replied, making Yugi frown and nod, before he froze when what the Uzumaki said registered for him.
"Uh…did you say…her spirit?" Questioned Yugi, wondering if he heard Naruto right in saying that Nero was a woman.
"Yep. It turns out Nero is a girl, instead of a man. In fact Nobunaga and Okita were girls as well, Nero showed me images of what they looked like. And apparently, there were other famous historic figures that were actually women as well." Revealed Naruto, with Yugi looking at him with wide eyes.
"…Huh." Said Yugi, unsure what else he could say to that new information.
"Yeah, I was shocked too. And right now, the only people outside of you and me that know the truth about it are Rin and Téa, due to a series of circumstances that happened here, leading them to learning the truth. That's actually why Pegasus took Shio's soul, he thinks that my Millennium Ring is the Egyptian Millennium Ring, so he targeted Shio to get me to come here. Though even if he knew the truth, he probably still would've taken her soul just because it'd be another Millennium Item for him to take." Naruto said, with Yugi frowning again and nodded in agreement.
"Probably. But what can your Millennium Ring do?" Yugi asked, since all the Millennium Items seemed to have a special ability.
"Its ability is actually why the Ring belonged to the Roman Emperors, it has the ability to negate the powers of all other Millennium Items used, should they be used with malicious intent. Keeping the wielder safe from any enemies and would be assassins that also had Millennium Items. But from what your grandpa said, then Pegasus might have a way of bypassing that protection." Replied Naruto with a frown as he looked at his Ring, having hoped it'd be the perfect defense against Pegasus's mind reading.
"I'm afraid even our Ring isn't all-powerful, Praetor. The strength of a Millennium Item is measured by the willpower, as well as the mental and spiritual strength of its wielder. Not only that but should a wielder lose a Shadow Game, then the protections they have from their Millennium Item will be disabled so that a Penalty Game can be inflicted. The Roman Millennium Items are no different." Nero explained with a frown, aware that her Millennium Ring still had its weaknesses.
It's why the Ring belonged to the Emperors, as they were meant to have the strongest willpower, as well as the mental and spiritual strength needed to lead an empire. Making them the perfect users of the Millennium Ring, as there were few that'd be able to overpower their willpower.
'That would explain why that spirit possessing Bakura was able to use his Millennium Ring on Téa at the end of their duel, she was too tired and fatigued to hold him off.' Thought Naruto, realizing why Téa hadn't been able to block Yami Bakura's attempts to attack her after their duel.
And despite how he was after dueling Celenike, he was still in better shape than Téa was at the time, along with his resolve in refusing to let his friends get hurt. Letting him use the Millennium Ring to stop Yami Bakura from attacking them.
Before he looked at Yugi and began explaining everything Nero just told him, as well as how they were attacked by Yami Bakura and Téa dueling him. Much to Yugi's shock that they encountered the spirit of the Millennium Ring as well.
"Wait, you guys encountered the spirit inside Bakura's Millennium Ring too?" Yugi asked, surprising Naruto at the question.
"You mean you met him?" Questioned Naruto, having guessed that Yami Bakura had gone into hiding after Téa defeated him.
"Yeah. He used his Millennium Rings power put mine and the others souls into our favorite cards, and he would've managed to steal my Puzzle if Yami hadn't taken over and beat him. Yami's the spirit inside of my Millennium Puzzle and is usually there to help me whenever I need it, but he also doesn't really have any memories of who he is." Replied Yugi, surprising Naruto again before he frowned.
"I guess it'd make sense that after he failed to get my Millennium Ring, he'd try going after your Millennium Puzzle. Given all the Millennium Items currently on the island, he'd have plenty of different chances. But that also means if we do manage to beat Pegasus…" Naruto said, with Yugi frowning in realization.
"Then there's a chance the spirit will try to make an attempt to steal the Millennium Eye." Yugi stated, with the whiskered blonde nodding in agreement.
'Really glad we didn't mention the Rare Hunters and Marik.' Thought Naruto, knowing they really didn't need to worry about them on top of Pegasus and the spirit in the Egyptian Millennium Ring.
"I think it'd be better to just focus on reaching Pegasus and beating him first. And after that, then we'll see about making sure that evil Bakura doesn't steal the Millennium Eye." Said Naruto, with the tri-colored duelist nodding in agreement.
"Yeah, and we're gonna need to be at our best." Yugi said as they stood up, before his Millennium Puzzle began glowing as he and Yami switched places.
"YU-GI-OH!"
"Let's do it." Yami said, the Uzumaki nodding in agreement as they exited the room to head for the Duel Arena.
Though before they reached the arena, they ran into the rest of their friends, along with Rin and Kaiba.
"Hey, Yug, Naruto! Glad to see you two made it, we were just about to go find you!" Joey said, waving and smiling at the two.
"Are you all ready?" Miho asked, looking at Naruto, Yami, Joey and Rin, the four competitors nodding in response.
"As we'll ever be." Replied Rin, knowing she's made her deck as good she could make it.
"Just do your best out there, guys, we're all rooting for you." Stated Téa, smiling at the four.
"Yeah, though we'll be cheering for you from the balcony since only competitors are allowed in the arena." Tristan added, with the duelists nodding in thanks at their words.
"Hmph, save your cheering for Naruto and Yugi. I have full confidence that Rin will make short work of any opponent she faces." Kaiba said, crossing his arms.
"Does that include me and Yugi?" Said Naruto, looking at the brunette.
"I suppose the two of you are skilled enough to give her some good warmups for when she faces Pegasus." Replied Kaiba, only for Rin to poke him in the side.
"Be nice, Seto." Rin said, but smiled since she knew that was just his own way of saying they would be good challenges.
"Oi, what about me? Maybe I'll be the one dueling Rin instead of Yugi." Said Joey, narrowing his eyes at Kaiba, who merely looking at him blankly.
"…Try not to lose too quickly against Yugi, Wheeler." Kaiba said before heading towards the balcony.
"What'd you just say, rich boy?! Come back here and say it to my face!" Joey said, ready to go after Kaiba, only for Naruto and Yami to hold him back.
"Technically, he kind of complimented you, Joey. He believes you will face Yugi and beat Bandit Keith." Stated Bakura, with Joey grumbling to himself in annoyance.
"You guys should get going, I think the rest of the finalists are already in the Duel Arena. Good luck." Said Téa before the two groups separated from each other.
With Naruto, Yami, Rin, and Joey heading for the Duel Arena, with it not taking long before they arrived at the waiting room. Finding Mai, Rex, Mako, and Keith were already present before looking at them when they entered the room.
"Huh. Look, who's finally awake." Mai stated with a smirk as she looked at Yami.
"Mai." Greeted Yami.
"Sleep well? I was starting to wonder if you would even show up." Said Mai good-naturedly, making Yami smirk slightly.
"I had no intentions of missing this duel and no intentions of losing, either." Yami replied, the female duelists smirked widened at this.
"Hey Naruto, I'm looking forward to our duel. Just don't be too upset if I end up washing you and your monsters away." Mako said with a smirk and holding out his hand, with Naruto shaking it and returning his smirk with his own.
"As long as you aren't upset when your monsters get turned into sushi." Said Naruto.
"Oh please, my new dinos are gonna be stomping all of you flat." Stated Rex, smirking at them all.
"Don't get ahead of yourself, dino boy, otherwise you may find yourself going extinct." Rin taunted lightly.
"Hey there, dweeb. So, you about ready to get your butt kicked across the arena and back." Keith said tauntingly towards Joey.
"Dream on. At least I didn't have to go and steal the Star Chips to make it to the final round. And I won't have to cheat to beat you Keith." Retorted Joey, eager for the chance to knock Keith out of the tournament for cheating.
Especially with the new cards he's got to support his Red-Eyes Black Dragon, which will really show what it can do. While Keith mentally laughed, looking forward to seeing his expression when he realizes his Glory of the King's Hand card was gone.
Before everyone's attention turned towards the door to the Duel Arena, which had a golden pegasus decorating it, before the eyes flashing green.
"Attention! Attention! The Duelist Kingdom Finals are about to begin! All finalists will now enter the arena!" Said Croquet before the doors slid open revealing the Duel Arena.
While across from the finalists was a balcony with a throne on it and a large door behind it, and up above was the balcony where they could see Téa, Tristan, Bakura, Miho, and Kaiba were watching.
"And now, your host, Mr. Pegasus J. Crawford!" Said Croquet as the doors opened up, revealing Pegasus himself entering and sitting down in the throne-like chair.
"Naruto, Yugi, Joey, Rin, Mai, Rex, Mako, and Bandit Keith. I welcome all of you to the finals arena. Here is where the last great Duel Monsters duels shall be waged to determine the championship of Duelist Kingdom. Only one of you shall emerge victorious, only one of you shall win the three million cash prize in the winner's local currency." Pegasus declared, with Joey clenching his fists, knowing he needed to win that money for his sisters operation.
"And, of course, the victor in the finals shall also earn the right to challenge me in the final match." Said Pegasus with a smirk.
"And whoever beats you gets anything they want? Is that right, Pegasus?" Naruto said, narrowing his eyes at the CEO, with Pegasus's smirk widening as he nodded in response while his Millennium Eye glinted behind his hair.
"That's right, the victor will be granted one request, whatever his or her heart most desires. And if it is within my vast power to do so, their wish will be granted. The victor will also be declared the undisputed Duelist Kingdom Champion, ranked number one in the world! Surely, any duelist who has come this far must realize that the title, and not the money, is the real prize. Is that not so?" Pegasus said, seeming to direct the last part at Naruto, Yugi and Rin specifically, given what they all truly wanted.
"All right, let's get this show on the road. Only one of you will emerge victorious from these playoffs, but I wish you all good fortune. Now shuffle your decks, and may the best duelist win!" Said Pegasus, with Croquet stepping forward as a holographic screen appeared over the arena.
"We will be starting off with the finalists in Bracket A. The first duel shall be Mai Valentine vs. Yugi Muto. Duelists, please proceed to the arena." Said Croquet, with Yami and Mai nodding as they headed for the Duel Arena.
"Before we begin, you must each show me the card required for your participation." Croquet said, looking at the duelists, with Mai showing the Glory of the King's Hand and Yami showing Glory of the King's Opposite Hand.
"Both qualify. The duel may proceed." Croquet declared.
"Good luck, Yugi!" Téa said, believing he'll be able to win but knew Mai likely won't be an easy opponent.
"Show 'em what you can do, Yug!" Said Joey, appearing between Téa and Tristan, much to their surprise.
"Joey?! What're you doing here?!" Said Tristan, not expecting him to appear like that.
"We figured we'd get a better view of the duel from up here." Naruto said, making the others look to see him and Rin walking up as well.
"It does help us see the entire arena and everything they'll be playing." Added Rin as they leaned against the railing, with the others nodding at this since it made sense before they all looked down at the arena.
Yami and Mai both set their decks down after shuffling them, before drawing five cards each as the arena activated.
"Here I come, hotshot!" Mai said, intending to do everything she can to win and if not, then she'll at least make sure Yami has to really work to beat her.
"Right!" Replied Yami with a nod.
"DUEL!"
Y-2000
M-2000
"I believe ladies go first! I draw!" Mai said, drawing a card and adding it to her hand, before looking at Yami when he chuckled lightly.
"If this is going to be an honorable duel, you won't be able to try your psychic act like with Joey." Stated Yami, making Mai smirk in response.
"Maybe there won't be any tricks, but I'm not all smoke and mirrors, kiddo. And now I play, Sky Scout!" Mai said, summoning her monster to the field.
Sky Scout
Attribute: Wind
Level: 4
Card Type: Normal Monster.
Monster Type: Winged Beast
Card Text: With eyes like a hawk and a flying speed exceeding Mach 5, this monster is a master of the sky.
ATK/1800 DEF/600
"I don't remember Mai having that in her deck." Joey said with a frown, not recognizing the new monster.
"It's likely a new one she got from the card shop, she probably has a bunch of new monsters, spells, and traps." Said Rin, worrying the others.
"Yugi better be careful, Mai is already really tough with just her Harpies, who knows what she has now." Miho said, worried about what other new cards Mai could have.
"I think I'll end my turn now with one face-down." Mai said, setting a face-down on the field.
"Then it's my draw." Said Yami, drawing a card and adding it to his hand, before looking at what he had, frowning at seeing he didn't get any Exodia pieces.
'My friends are right about one thing; I have no idea what cards Mai could have added to her deck or which ones she kept from her duel against Joey. And I can't just hope to summon Exodia, she's likely prepared for that. So I'll need to try and take her down quickly before she can lay any traps.' Thought Yami.
"I summon Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts!" Yami said, summoning Gazelle to the field.
Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts
Attribute: Earth
Level: 4
Card Type: Normal Monster.
Monster Type: Beast
Card Text: This monster moves so fast that it looks like an illusion to mortal eyes. (This card is always treated as a "Phantom Beast" card.)
ATK/1500 DEF/1200
"Nice monster, but it's not powerful enough to stand up to my Sky Scout." Mai said with a smirk, given her monster was still stronger, only for Yami to smirk at her.
"Maybe not now, but my Gazelle will be more than powerful enough when I equip him with this, Horn of the Unicorn! Giving Gazelle an extra seven hundred Attack and Defense Points!" Said Yami, equipping Gazelle with the Spell Card, with Gazelle's horn transforming into a unicorns before roaring as his power grew.
Horn of the Unicorn
Card Type: Equip Spell
Effect: The equipped monster gains 700 ATK and DEF. When this card is sent from the field to the Graveyard: Return it to the top of the Deck.
Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts: ATK/1500 DEF/1200 – ATK/2200 DEF/1900
"What?!" Mai said as her eyes widened at how much stronger Gazelle now was, more than powerful enough to take out her Sky Scout.
"That's right! Now go Gazelle, destroy her Sky Scout!" Said Yami, with Gazelle roaring before pouncing at Sky Scout to destroy it, only for Mai's shocked expression to fade away as she smirked.
"I don't think so! Because now I can play my Trap Card, Gravity Bind!" Mai said, revealing her face-down card.
Gravity Bind
Card Type: Continuous Trap
Effect: Level 4 or higher monsters cannot attack.
"Now with Gravity Bind in affect, all level four and higher monsters can no longer attack!" Said Mai, with Gazelle suddenly being thrown back down to the ground by a rush of gravity pressing down on him, the same happening to Sky Scout as he struggled under the increased gravity.
"But that traps also affects your monsters as well." Yami said with a frown, only for Mai to keep smirking.
"Who says I don't have ways around it." Mai replied, making Yami's frown deepen knowing this duel just got a lot hard.
"Very well. I'll set one card face-down and end my turn." Said Yami, since there wasn't anything else he could do at the moment, only being relieved his Gazelle is still the strongest monster on the field.
"This just got a lot harder. Most of Yugi's monsters are either level four or higher, he'll need to either take out Gravity Bind or be able to draw and use any level three and lower monsters he may have." Naruto said with a frown.
"Or get lucky and draw Exodia." Said Rin, with Kaiba's eyes widening at this.
"What?" Kaiba asked, looking at his sister, who simply nodded in response.
"Yeah, it turns out Yugi has all the pieces of Exodia in his deck. I saw him summon it against Weevil when we first arrived on the island." Rin replied, much to Kaiba's disbelief that Yugi had Exodia in his deck, the one monster that surpassed all others if you had all five pieces.
Along with sharing Rin's relief that he hadn't summoned Exodia during their tag duel.
"Then it's my move again!" Said Mai, drawing a card and adding it to her hand.
"And now I'll summon my Harpie Lady 1!" Mai said, summoning her Harpie Lady to the field.
Harpie Lady 1
Attribute: Wind
Level: 4
Card Type: Effect Monster.
Monster Type: Winged Beast
Effect: (This card's name is always treated as "Harpie Lady".) All WIND monsters gain 300 ATK.
ATK/1300 DEF/1400
"And while she falls under the effect of Gravity Bind, her special ability powers up all Wind Monsters by three hundred points." Mai said with a smirk as her monsters grew stronger.
Sky Scout: ATK/1800 DEF/600 – ATK/2100 DEF/600
Harpie Lady 1: ATK/1300 DEF/1400 – ATK/1600 DEF/1400
"I think I'll end my turn there." Said Mai, knowing she still needed to a few more moves to set up her strategy.
"My draw, then." Yami said, drawing a card and adding it to his hand, frowning as he looked at his hand and thinking of a strategy.
'Nothing that can make a difference, yet, or take out Gravity Bind. But maybe I can at least stall Mai for a while until I get something.' Thought Yami, seeing as he had some cards to do just that.
"Come forth, Magician's Valkyria!" Said Yami summoning Magician's Valkyria as she appeared alongside Gazelle.
Magician's Valkyria
Attribute: Light
Level: 4
Card Type: Effect Monster.
Monster Type: Spellcaster
Effect: Monsters your opponent controls cannot target face-up Spellcaster-Type monsters for attacks, except this one.
ATK/1600 DEF/1800
"I'll set another card face-down and end my turn." Yami said, setting another card face-down.
"Back to me then. And first off, I'm activating the effect of my Harpie Queen. By discarding Harpie Queen, I can add one Harpie's Hunting Ground to my hand from my deck." Said Mai, drawing a card before discarding Harpie Queen to add Harpie's Hunting Ground to her hand.
"And now I'm gonna play it! With Harpie's Hunting Ground boosting the attack and defense of all Winged Beast Monsters!" Mai said, activating Harpie's Hunting Ground, changing the arena and increasing her monsters power.
Harpie's Hunting Ground
Card Type: Field Spell
Effect: All Winged Beast monsters gain 200 ATK/DEF. If any "Harpie Lady" or "Harpie Lady Sisters" is Normal or Special Summoned: The player who conducted the Summon targets 1 Spell/Trap on the field; that player destroys that target.
Sky Scout: ATK/2100 DEF/600 – ATK/2300 DEF/800
Harpie Lady 1: ATK/1600 DEF/1400 – ATK/1800 DEF/1600
"But I'm not stopping there, I'm bringing out another Harpie Lady 1! Which means my monsters get another boost!" Said Mai, drawing a card before summoning another Harpie Lady 1.
Sky Scout: ATK/2300 DEF/800 – ATK/2600 DEF/800
Harpie Lady 1: ATK/1800 DEF/1600 – ATK/2100 DEF/1600
Harpie Lady 1: ATK/1300 DEF/1400 – ATK/2100 DEF/1600
Yami gritted his teeth, as now all of Mai's monsters were far stronger than his own, though he knew as long as Gravity Bind was on the field they couldn't attack.
'And if Mai really does have a way around it or plans to destroy Gravity Bind, then I've got my own tricks to use.' Yami thought, glancing at his face-downs.
"Though that's not all. Harpie's Hunting Ground has another ability, whenever a Harpie Lady is normal or special summoned, the summoner can target one spell or trap on the field and destroy it. And I'm choosing your first face-down card to destroy!" Said Mai, making Yami's eyes widen before the second Harpie Lady 1 dived down and destroyed his face-down, with it being revealed to be Mirror Force.
"Looked like I chose the right card to take out. I'll also end my turn there." Mai stated with a smirk, knowing Mirror Force would've been a dangerous card if Yami was able to use it.
"Then I draw! And first I'll summon a second Magician's Valkyria!" Said Yami, drawing a card and adding it to his hand before summoning another Magician's Valkyria.
'There, now even if she does get rid of Gravity Bind, she'll only be able to attack Gazelle. Since with two Magician's Valkyria, their ability makes it so any attack directed at one is redirected to the other and vice versa, making it so Mai can't attack either of them nor any other Spellcaster Monsters I may summon. Though that Harpie's Hunting Ground will be trouble with its abilities, but luckily I drew just the card I need to destroy it.' Yami thought, knowing that'll keep him safe for a little.
"Next I'll play Monster Reborn!" Said Yami, activating his Spell Card, confusing Mai and several others.
Monster Reborn
Card Type: Normal Spell
Effect: Target 1 monster in either GY; Special Summon it.
"Why would Yugi play that? He doesn't have any monsters in the graveyard." Bakura said in confusion before Naruto, Rin, and Kaiba smirked at what Yugi was doing.
"Yeah, he doesn't. But…ooooh, nice one, Yug!" Said Joey, realizing what Yugi was doing as well.
"But you don't have any-" Said Mai before her eyes widened, while Yami smirked at her.
"That's right, Monster Reborn lets me target one monster in either of our graveyards and special summon it to my side of the field. I may not have any monsters in my graveyard, but you do. Now Harpie Queen, rise up on my field!" Said Yami as he summoned Harpie's Queen from Mai's graveyard onto his field.
Harpie Queen
Attribute: Wind
Level: 4
Card Type: Effect Monster.
Monster Type: Winged Beast
Effect: This card's name becomes "Harpie Lady" while on the field or in the GY. You can discard this card to the GY; add 1 "Harpies' Hunting Ground" from your Deck to your hand.
ATK/1900 DEF/1200
"And thanks to your two Harpie Ladies, Harpie Queen gets a boost of her own." Yami said with a smirk, with Mai's eyes widening at seeing her monsters empowering Harpie Queen.
Harpie Queen: ATK/1900 DEF/1200 – ATK/2500 DEF/1200
"And while Harpie Queen also gets a boost from Harpie's Hunting Ground, it won't be staying around long enough to get it! Because now that I've special summoned a Harpie Lady, I can target one Spell or Trap Card on the field and destroy it! Go Harpie Queen, destroy Harpie's Hunting Ground!" Said Yami, with Harpie Queen unleashing a vortex of air that slammed into the arena destroying Harpie's Hunting Ground, weakening Mai's monsters.
Sky Scout: ATK/2600 DEF/800 – ATK/2400 DEF/600
Harpie Lady 1: ATK/2100 DEF/1600 – ATK/1900 DEF/1400
Harpie Lady 1: ATK/2100 DEF/1600 – ATK/1900 DEF/1400
"Alright! Now Yugi's monsters are the strongest ones on the field!" Tristan said, grinning that Yami was able to weaken Mai's monsters and get a powerful one on his side of the field.
"Don't celebrate yet, Tristan, Yugi still can't attack thanks to Gravity Bind." Said Téa, happy that Yami was able to level the field, but it wouldn't mean much if he can't attack.
"Yeah, let's hope he has a plan to destroy Gravity Bind." Miho said, watching the duel closely.
Mai gritted her teeth at the loss of Harpie's Hunting Ground and Harpie Queen now being on Yami's field, before she smirked.
"Alright, I'll admit that was a pretty good move. But don't think you've won just yet." Stated Mai, with Yami smirking in response.
"We'll just have to wait and see, won't we. I'll end my turn there." Yami replied.
"It's my draw, then!" Mai said, drawing a card and adding it to her hand.
"I'll start by playing Graceful Charity, letting me draw three more cards as long as I discard two." Said Mai, playing her spell before drawing three cards and discarding two from her hand.
Graceful Charity
Card Type: Normal Spell
Effect: Draw 3 cards, then discard 2 cards.
"Next up, I'll be playing my own Monster Reborn to bring back the Cyber Harpie Lady I just discarded. With her getting a nice boost with her fellow Harpies out." Said Mai, playing her spell as her Cyber Harpie Lady appeared.
Cyber Harpie Lady
Attribute: Wind
Level: 4
Card Type: Effect Monster.
Monster Type: Winged Beast
Effect: (This card's name is always treated as "Harpie Lady".)
ATK/1800 DEF/1300
Cyber Harpie Lady: ATK/1800 DEF/1300 – ATK/2400 DEF/1300
"Now, I'll also be summoning my Harpie's Pet Baby Dragon!" Said Mai summoning the baby version of her dragon to the field.
Harpie's Pet Baby Dragon
Attribute: Wind
Level: 4
Card Type: Effect Monster.
Monster Type: Dragon
Effect: This card gains effects based on the number of "Harpie" monsters you control, except "Harpie's Pet Baby Dragon".
● 1 or more: Your opponent cannot target "Harpie" monsters you control for attacks, except "Harpie's Pet Baby Dragon".
● 2 or more: Double the original ATK and DEF of this card.
● 3 or more: Once per turn: You can target 1 card your opponent controls; destroy that target.
ATK/1200 DEF/600
"And thanks to my Harpie Ladies, my Baby Dragon gets a boost in power. But that's not all, you see Baby Dragon's ability also activates depending on the number of Harpie monsters I control, excluding itself, and because I have two or more, my dragons Attack and Defense Points also double!" Said Mai with a smirk, with Harpie's Pet Baby Dragon letting out a roar as it grew more powerful.
Harpie's Pet Baby Dragon: ATK/1200 DEF/600 – ATK/3000 DEF/1200
"That's not the end though! My Baby Dragon's other ability activates since I have three or more Harpie monsters, where once per turn I can target one of your cards and destroy it! And I choose your face-down card on the right!" Mai said, making Yami's eyes widen before Harpie's Pet Baby Dragon roared again and shot a fireball at his face-down, destroying it and revealing Shift.
"Looks like I keep choosing the right cards to destroy." Said Mai with a smirk, only for Yami to smirk as well.
"Not this time, you should've chosen the other one. Because I reveal my other face-down, Spellbinding Circle!" Yami said, revealing his second face-down card.
Spellbinding Circle
Card Type: Continuous Trap
Effect: Activate this card by targeting 1 monster your opponent controls; it cannot attack or change its battle position. When that monster is destroyed, destroy this card.
"With Spellbinding Circle, I can target one monster you control and that monster can no longer attack or change its position. And I choose Harpie's Pet Baby Dragon!" Said Yami, making Mai's eyes widen as her dragon was restrained by a magic circle before gritting her teeth.
"I'll set one card face-down and end my turn." Mai said, setting a card face-down, knowing she could destroy Spellbinding Circle next turn and continue with the move she was making.
'But on the chance Yugi has something that could throw a wrench in that, my face-down will stop him in his tracks.' Thought Mai.
"It's my draw, then." Said Yami, drawing a card and looking at it, frowning as he added it to his hand.
'I have what I need to take out Gravity Bind and let me freely attack her monsters, but that'll also leave her able to attack me with her Baby Dragon and none of my monsters are strong enough to destroy it, and next turn she'll just use its ability to destroy Spellbinding Circle.' Yami thought, thinking over what he could do before getting an idea.
"First, I'm playing the Spell Card, Swords of Revealing Light. Leaving you unable to attack for three turns." Said Yami, playing his spell as swords of light descended down around Mai's monsters.
Sword of Revealing Light
Card Type: Normal Spell
Effect: After this card's activation, it remains on the field, but you must destroy it during the End Phase of your opponent's 3rd turn. When this card is activated: If your opponent controls a face-down monster, flip all monsters they control face-up. While this card is face-up on the field, your opponent's monsters cannot declare an attack.
"Kind of a waste, isn't it? We can't attack anyway with Gravity Bind still in effect." Mai said with a frown, knowing she'll be able to get rid of it next turn, but wondered what Yami was planning.
"Perhaps, but Gravity Bind won't be around any long once I play this, Mystical Space Typhoon!" Yami said, playing another Spell Card.
Mystical Space Typhoon
Card Type: Quick-Play Spell
Effect: Target 1 Spell/Trap on the field; destroy that target.
"With Mystical Space Typhoon, I can target one Spell or Trap Card on the field and destroy it, and I'm choosing Gravity Bind!" Said Yami, with a twister shooting out of the card and impacting Gravity Bind, destroying it.
"Alright! With Gravity Bind gone and those swords around Mai's monsters, Yugi's free to attack!" Miho said, smiling that Yami could freely attack Mai's monsters without worry of being attacked for three turns.
"Don't be so sure, that Harpie's Pet Baby Dragon still has its ability to destroy any card Yugi has on his field. Unless he can take out one of Mai's other Harpie monsters, then she'll just have that dragon destroy Spellbinding Circle and Swords of Revealing Light." Said Bakura, making Miho's smile dim a little since he was right.
"Well, Yugi likely knows that too. I'm sure he has a plan to take care of that Baby Dragon." Joey stated, the others nodding in agreement.
'Joey's right about that, I do have a plan to take out Mai's dragon, but it all depends on the next cards I draw. If not, then I may lose this duel.' Yami thought, knowing he needed to draw the right cards to destroy Harpie's Pet Baby Dragon.
"Next I play Card Destruction! Now we both have to discard our entire hands then redraw the same number of cards." Said Yami, activating his third Spell Card before discarding his hand and redrawing, with Mai frowning before doing the same.
Card Destruction
Card Type: Normal Spell
Effect: Both players discard as many cards as possible from their hands, then each player draws the same number of cards they discarded.
'Yes! I got one of the cards I need, now I just need to get the other one and that dragons done for. I also got some other good cards just in case, and judging by Mai's look I'm guessing she needed to toss a card she wanted to keep.' Thought Yami, pleased that he just needed one more card and then he can begin his attack.
"I'll end my turn there." Yami said.
"Back to me again." Said Mai, drawing a card and adding it to her hand.
'Damnit. He didn't try attacking but still messed up my strategy, now I'll need to wait another turn to take out Spellbinding Circle and those Swords of Revealing Light. And I really don't want to reveal my newest cards just yet. Oh well, guess I'll need to play the waiting game.' Mai thought.
"First I'm gonna activate my dragons ability and destroy Spellbinding Circle!" Said Mai, with Harpie's Pet Baby Dragon roaring before the magic circle restraining it shattered, freeing it.
"And I'll end my turn there." Mai said, crossing her arms, while some of the light swords vanished as her turn ended.
Swords of Revealing Light: 1
"My draw, then." Said Yami drawing a card and adding it to his hand, smirking slightly at now having just the cards he needed.
"Now I summon Kuriboh to the field!" Yami said, summoning the tiny monster to the field.
Kuriboh
Attribute: Dark
Level: 1
Card Type: Effect Monster.
Monster Type: Fiend
Effect: During damage calculation, if your opponent's monster attacks (Quick Effect): You can discard this card; you take no battle damage from that battle.
ATK/300 DEF/200
"What does he think he's doing, summoning a monster that weak?!" Kaiba said, scowling at Yami for summoning such a weak monster.
"Don't worry Seto, I'm sure Yugi has a plan and a reason to summon Kuriboh." Assured Rin, doubting Yami would summon Kuriboh unless it was for a good reason.
"Yeah, just because a monster doesn't have a lot of Attack Points, doesn't mean it's useless." Naruto added, with Kaiba merely grunting in annoyance and narrowing his eyes.
"Am I supposed to be intimidated by a little furball?" Mai asked with a smirk, only to see Yami was smirking as well.
"You should be. Kuriboh may not look tough, but he's just what I need to destroy your Baby Dragon. Him and this, Detonate!" Said Yami, playing the spell.
Detonate
Card Type: Normal Spell
Effect: Destroy as many "Kuriboh" and "Kuriboh Tokens" you control as possible, then destroy cards your opponent controls, up to the number of cards destroyed by this effect.
"With Detonate, I can destroy as many Kuriboh's and Kuriboh Tokens I control. And for each one destroy; I can destroy the same number of cards you control." Yami explained with a smirk, while Mai's eyes widened at this.
"No!" Said Mai, realizing which card he planned to destroy.
"Oh yes! Now go Kuriboh, destroy Harpie's Pet Baby Dragon!" Said Yami, with Kuriboh narrowing his eyes before charging forward at Baby Dragon, colliding against it and destroying both monsters in an explosion.
"Yeah, nice one, man!" Tristan cheered, seeing Yami took out Mai's strongest monster.
"Way to go, Yugi!" Said Téa smiling happily as now he'd be free to attack Mai's monsters.
"Awesome job Yug! Now show her what you can do!" Joey said with a grin.
"Now with your dragon gone, it's time for the rest of your monsters to go as well! Harpie Queen, take out the first Harpie Lady 1!" Yami said, with Harpie Queen flying forward to destroy one of the Harpie Ladies, only for Mai to smirk just as the attack struck.
"Not so fast, hotshot! I'm playing my face-down, Mirror Wall!" Said Mai, revealing her face-down, with a large mirror wall rising up in front of her monsters.
Mirror Wall
Card Type: Continuous Trap
Effect: When your opponent declares an attack, "Mirror Wall" halves the ATK of the opponent's monster.
Harpie Queen: ATK/2500 DEF/1200 – ATK/1450 DEF/1200
"What?!" Said Yami as his eyes widened, before seeing Harpie Queen be destroyed instead of Harpie Lady 1, gritting his teeth as his life points went down.
Y-2000 – 450 = 1550
"With Mirror Wall, your attacking monsters Attack Points are cut in half, so I'd be careful when attacking, otherwise you may wipe out your own life points before I do." Mai said with a smirk, while Yami frowned at now having another obstacle to get past and one less monster.
"I'll end my turn there." Yami said, knowing there wasn't anything else he could do without getting more of his monsters destroyed.
"And it'll be my draw again." Said Mai, drawing a card and adding it to her hand, before looking over what she had before frowning.
"I think I'll just end my turn with that." Mai said, seeing she didn't have anything she could use at the moment, with more light swords vanishing.
Swords of Revealing Light: 2
"Very well, I draw again." Said Yami, drawing a card, seeing what he had as well.
'That Mirror Wall is going to be the biggest problem, I won't be able to do anything as long as it's around. Not unless my monsters are strong enough that they're still powerful enough to destroy Mai's with half their Attack Points or I find a way to destroy Mirror Wall. I should just try to boost my defenses for now.' Yami thought.
"I'll set one monster face-down and end my turn." Said Yami, setting a monster face-down before ending his turn.
"Then I'm drawing now, and I think I'll end my turn with that." Mai said, drawing a card and adding it to her hand, knowing that next turn she'll finally be able to make an attack as the rest of the light swords vanished.
Swords of Revealing Light: 3
"I draw then." Yami said as he drew a card, his eyes widening a little at what he drew.
'Yes! With this, I'll be able to take out Mirror Wall, and if I can draw one other card I need then I may have a chance to win this duel.' Thought Yami, knowing he had nearly everything he could need to win the duel.
"I'm setting one card face-down. And next I summon, Gaia the Fierce Knight!" Said Yami setting a card face-down before summoning his monster to the field.
Gaia the Fierce Knight
Attribute: Earth
Level: 7
Card Type: Normal Monster.
Monster Type: Warrior
Card Text: A knight whose horse travels faster than the wind. His battle-charge is a force to be reckoned with.
ATK/2300 DEF/2100
"And with that, I'll end my turn." Yami said, making Mai frown at his move.
'He knows he can't attack as long as I have Mirror Wall on the field, meaning that face-down he has must be a Trap Card he'll use to destroy it, and I don't have anything that can get rid of it. And if that's the case, I may have to breakout one of my new monsters.' Mai thought, sighing, since she hoped to save those ones for a later opponent.
"I draw." Mai said, drawing a card and adding it to her hand, pleased at what she had.
"And I'm going to be equipping my Cyber Harpie Lady with Cyber Shield! Giving her an extra five hundred Attack Points." Said Mai, activating her spell with Cyber Harpie Lady gaining armor which boosted her power.
Cyber Shield
Card Type: Equip Spell
Effect: Equip only to "Harpie Lady" or "Harpie Lady Sisters". It gains 500 ATK.
Cyber Harpie Lady: ATK/2400 DEF/1300 – ATK/2900 DEF/1300
'Now my Cyber Harpies more than powerful enough to take out any monsters he has on the field.' Mai thought with a smirk, pleased that she didn't have to reveal her newest monsters, only for it to be wiped away when Yami played a spell of his own.
"I don't think so! I play the Spell Card, Spell Shattering Arrow! Destroying your Harpies Cyber Shield and dealing five hundred points of damage to you!" Yami said playing his own spell, with an arrow shooting out and destroying Cyber Shield and damaging Mai's life points.
Spell Shattering Arrow
Card Type: Quick-Play Spell
Effect: Destroy as many face-up Spell Cards your opponent controls as possible, and if you do, inflict 500 damage to your opponent for each.
M-2000 – 500 = 1500
'Damn! I was really hoping to finish things thanks to Cyber Shield. But…I guess I don't have a choice, anymore.' Mai thought, sighing in annoyance that she has to reveal one of her new monsters.
"Alright then, I'm bringing out another Cyber Harpie Lady, who gets a nice boost just like the others." Said Mai, summoning a second Cyber Harpie Lady with her power growing.
Cyber Harpie Lady: ATK/1800 DEF/1300 – ATK/2400 DEF/1300
"Unfortunately, she won't be sticking around and neither is my other Cyber Harpie Lady, and I hope everyone's ready for this! Because I'm now overlaying my level four Cyber Harpie Lady with my other level four Cyber Harpie Lady! With these two monsters, I build the Overlay Network!" Mai said, much to everyone's shock and confusion, while Pegasus smirked at knowing what was coming next.
With everyone watching as the two Cyber Harpie Ladies turned into green energy forms of themselves, before they flew into the air spiraling around each other. Before they flew towards the ground where a green-colored spiral portal opened up, the two energy monsters flying in with a green column of energy shooting up.
"What kind of summoning is this?!" Rin said in shock at what they were seeing.
"One unlike any other, dear Rin! You all are the first to bear witness to…Xyz Summoning!" Declared Pegasus, unable to deny the excitement he felt at seeing one of the newest summoning method of his game in action.
"And now I Xyz Summon, Castel, the Skyblaster Musketeer!" Mai said as the light dispersed revealing the new monster as it descended down to the field, with everyone noticing the two lights flying around it.
Castel, the Skyblaster Musketeer
Attribute: Wind
Rank: 4
Card Type: Xyz/Effect Monster.
Monster Type: Winged Beast
Effect: You can detach 1 material from this card, then target 1 face-up monster on the field; change it to face-down Defense Position. You can detach 2 materials from this card, then target 1 other face-up card on the field; shuffle it into the Deck. You can only use 1 "Castel, the Skyblaster Musketeer" effect per turn, and only once that turn.
ATK/2000 DEF/1500
"And just like the rest of my Wind Monsters, Castel gains a boost from my Harpie Ladies!" Said Mai, with Castel growing even stronger.
Castel, the Skyblaster Musketeer: ATK/2000 DEF/1500 – ATK/2600 DEF/1500
"Oh man…" Tristan muttered, looking at the Xyz Monster in disbelief.
"Yeah, it's now stronger than all of Yugi's monsters." Miho said nervously since Yami may lose the duel.
"Hey, don't count Yugi out just yet! Look at him, does he look worried?!" Joey said pointing at Yami, who while shocked at the sight of the Xyz Monster, didn't look worried or concerned.
"Joey's right. Even though Castel is stronger than all of his monsters, Yugi looks like he's prepared for anything Mai might throw against him." Added Bakura, guessing Yami must have a plan.
"Let's hope so, otherwise he may end up losing." Téa said in concern.
"Mai, that's truly an impressive monster." Yami stated amazed at the sight of Castel, with Mai smirking at everyone's expressions at her newest monster.
"Thanks, I had hope to save it for a later opponent, but I figured that if I want to win this duel then I can't afford to hold anything back." Mai replied, making Yami chuckle lightly before smirking.
"Then it's only fair that I give you everything I've got as well. And I'll start by revealing my face-down, Dust Tornado! With this, I can destroy one Spell or Trap Card you control then set one of my own. So say goodbye to Mirror Wall!" Said Yami, revealing his face-down before a tornado blew out and crashed into Mirror Wall destroying it, with Yami then setting another face-down.
Dust Tornado
Card Type: Normal Trap
Effect: Target 1 Spell/Trap your opponent controls; destroy that target, then you can Set 1 Spell/Trap from your hand.
"Good move, a shame it may be your last. Because now I'm activating Castel's ability, by removing one of its Overlay Materials, I can target one face-up monster on the field and switch it into face-down mode. Go Castel, target the Magician's Valkyria on the right!" Said Mai, with the one of the lights flying around Castel shooting forward into its musket, before Castel took aim and fired at Magician's Valkyria forcing it into face-down mode.
"And with that one out of the way, take out the second Magician's Valkyria!" Mai said, Castel taking aim again and destroying the second Magician's Valkyria, with Yami gritting his teeth as his life points took a big hit.
Y-1550 – 1000 = 550
"Your turn Sky Scout! Take out Gazelle!" Mai said, with Sky Scout rushing forward to destroy Gazelle.
"Not so fast! I reveal my Trap Card, Magical Hats!" Yami said, revealing his face-down.
Magical Hats
Card Type: Normal Trap
Effect: During your opponent's Battle Phase: Choose 2 Spell/Trap Cards from your Deck and 1 monster in your Main Monster Zone. Special Summon them as Normal Monsters (ATK 0/DEF 0) in face-down Defense Position, Set the chosen monster if it is face-up, and shuffle them on the field. The 2 cards chosen from your Deck are destroyed at the end of the Battle Phase, and cannot remain on the field except during this Battle Phase.
"By choosing two Spell or Trap Cards from my deck and one monster on my field, I can place all three under magic hats and then shuffle them around, then you'll need to guess which is which." Said Yami, as Gazelle had a large hat placed over it with two more appearing, before the three hats quickly shuffled around.
Mai frowned at the sight and looked over all three hats, unsure which one she should attack.
"I choose…the middle hat!" Mai said, with Sky Scout rushing forward and striking it, only for it to reveal Gazelle wasn't under the hat.
"It seems like your luck is now running out." Said Yami, with Mai gritting her teeth before looking at her hand to see if she had anything, before sighing in frustration upon seeing that she didn't.
"I end my turn, there." Said Mai, only being able to hope she can last until her next turn and win the duel, with Gazelle being revealed while the other magic hat vanished.
'This is it; I need to draw the one card I need to win this. If not, I'm done for on Mai's next turn. Heart of the Cards, don't fail me now.' Yami thought closing his eyes before drawing a card, before his eyes snapped open.
"This is the end now, Mai. Because I summon the monster I just drew, come forth, Curse of Dragonfire!" Yami said, summoning the dragon to the field.
Curse of Dragonfire
Attribute: Dark
Level: 5
Card Type: Effect Monster.
Monster Type: Dragon
Effect: If this card is Normal or Special Summoned: You can target 1 Field Spell on the field; destroy it. Once per turn: You can Fusion Summon 1 Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, using monsters you control as Fusion Materials, including this card.
ATK/2000 DEF/1500
"And now I activate Curse of Dragonfire's ability! Once per turn, I can Fusion Summon one monster using monsters I control, including Dragonfire. So I fuse my Curse of Dragonfire with Gaia the Fierce Knight, in order to summon, Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion!" Yami declared as Gaia and Curse of Dragonfire rose up into the air and fused together in a bright light.
With the light soon fading, revealing Gaia now wearing golden armor and carrying two lances riding on top of Curse of Dragonfire, with the dragon letting out a loud roar.
Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion
Attribute: Wind
Level: 7
Card Type: Fusion/Effect Monster.
Monster Type: Dragon
Effect: This card's name becomes "Gaia the Dragon Champion" while it is on the field. If this card is Special Summoned: You can add 1 "Spiral Spear Strike" from your Deck or Graveyard to your hand. When this card declares an attack on an opponent's monster: You can change the battle position of that opponent's monster.
ATK/2600 DEF/2100
"And when Sky Galloping Gaia is Special Summoned, I can add one Spiral Spear Strike from my deck or graveyard to my hand, and I'll play it right now!" Said Yami, adding the Spell Card to his hand before playing it.
Spiral Spear Strike
Card Type: Continuous Spell
Effect: If "Gaia The Fierce Knight", "Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight", or "Gaia the Dragon Champion" you control attacks a Defense Position monster, inflict piercing battle damage to your opponent. If "Gaia the Dragon Champion" inflicts battle damage with this effect: Draw 2 cards, then discard 1 card.
Not only that, but since Sky Galloping Gaia is a Wind Monster, he also gets a power boost from your Harpie Ladies!" Yami said, much to Mai's shock, as Gaia's ATK increased.
Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion: ATK/2600 DEF/2100 – ATK/3200 DEF/2100
"Now it's time to finish this. I use Gaia's other ability, switching one of your Harpie Lady 1 into Defense Mode and with Spiral Spear Strike on the field, when Gaia attacks a monster in Defense Mode, he can inflict piercing damage. Now attack Gaia with Double Dragon Lance!" Yami said, as Mai's eyes widened at knowing what was coming
While Gaia flew down with spiraling energy surrounding his lances before thrusting them forward at Harpie Lady 1 as she was forced into Defense Mode and destroyed. With the attack wiping out the last of Mai's life points in the process.
M-1500 – 1800 = 0
"Alright! Way to go, Yug!" Joey cheered, smiling at his friend's victory.
"Nice one Yugi!" Said Naruto, also smiling that Yami managed to win the duel.
"Yeah, that's what I'm talking about!" Tristan said, amazed that Yami won even with that Xyz Monster Mai summoned.
"Wow! That was really amazing!" Miho said with a smile, having been nervous that Yami would lose, but was amazed that he turned it around.
"It really was." Said Téa, smiling as well.
"Yugi truly showed amazing skill and luck in drawing Curse of Dragonfire at the end there." Bakura stated with a small smile.
"What did you think, Seto? Yugi is a pretty skilled duelist, right." Rin said, looking at her brother.
"Hn, he could've done better and thought his moves out more carefully. But, yes, I suppose he did good." Replied Kaiba, making Rin roll her eyes but knew he was a little impressed.
"Mai, that was truly an amazing duel, you planned and prepared for anything I could have done, I actually thought I would have lost. But even if you lost, you've shown yourself to be a powerful duelist." Yami said, nodding at Mai, with the female duelist sighing at losing.
'If only I drew Harpie's Pet Dragon.' Mai thought, knowing if she'd gotten that, she would've been able to win the duel.
"That's kind of you to say Yugi, but it seems like I still have a lot to learn. And I'm sure you'll still have plenty of more tough duels against duelists much stronger than me. I also expect that we'll be facing each other again one day, since I'm not about to let you get ahead of me." Said Mai with a smirk, making Yami chuckle and nod in response.
"I'll look forward to when that day comes and to see how much you've grown." Yami replied before Mai looked up at the balcony.
"The same goes for you Wheeler, but the next time we duel I'll be taking you down without any tricks." Mai said, with Joey smirking at her.
"Just gimme a time and place I'll show you what my new deck can really do. But until then, stick around and see what else I can do." Joey said, turning towards Keith, who merely smirked up at him.
"The first match of the playoffs has come to a close. Yugi Muto has emerged victorious over Mai Valentine; he will advance to the next round." Said Croquet, with Yami switching back with Yugi, the tri-colored boy being relieved and happy that he won his match.
"The second match of Bracket A will begin shortly, "Bandit" Keith Howard vs. Joey Wheeler, prepare your decks." Croquet said, surprising Joey that he'd be dueling immediately after Yugi.
"Good luck, Joey." Said Naruto, patting him on the shoulder.
"We'll be right here rooting for you man." Tristan added, giving a thumbs up with Téa, Miho, and Bakura nodding in agreement.
"Thanks guys." Joey said before he began making his way down to the arena, ready to show what he can do.
'Okay this is it, the first step to winning that prize money.' Thought Joey as he headed down to the arena, determined to win the prize money for his sister.
But also knowing that if he beats Keith, he'll have to face off against Yugi, something Joey wasn't sure about given he wanted to save his grandfather and the others. And then if he manages to beat Yugi, he'll potentially be facing Naruto or Rin, who both have people they want to save as well.
'They all want to save people they love too; Naruto even has his own sister that he needs to help.' Joey thought with a frown, knowing it'd be hard having to duel any of his friends when they all have someone they needed to save.
It wasn't long before Joey arrived at the entrance to the arena, only to see Yugi coming out of it.
"Yugi." Joey said, getting Yugi's attention.
"Huh? What-oh…hey Joey. What's up? Are you okay?" Questioned Yugi, only to see the serious expression on his face.
"Yugi, if I win this, then we're next. You dueling against me. And then if either of us win, we may be dueling against Naruto or Rin. What do you think about that?" Joey asked, wondering what Yugi thought about only one of them being able to move on to face Pegasus.
"I think we can look forward to an honorably fought match, and I know that Naruto and Rin would say the same thing." Yugi replied with a smile, knowing what the stakes were, but knew that no matter which of them faced Pegasus they would save those Pegasus captured.
"Huh?" Said Joey in surprise before he soon smiled and nodded.
"Nice call. Then you give it your best and I'll give it mine, and we'll stay best friends no matter what." Said Joey, with Yugi nodding in agreement.
"Then go give it your all, Joey." Yugi said, with Joey nodding at this before heading through the door and into the arena.
"Yeah! There's our man!" Tristan, cheered eager to see Joey take Keith down.
"Go Joey!" Said Téa.
"You better not lose against Bandit Keith of all people, Wheeler! Especially after you already beat me!" Mai said, knowing how big of a cheat Keith is and refused to see Joey lose to him.
Joey smirked up at his friends and raised fist, showing he had no intentions of losing. Though when he entered the arena, the blonde duelist blinked in confusion when he didn't see Keith on the other side.
"What's the deal? Where's Keith?" Joey said, only to suddenly here a yawn coming from the balcony where the other competitors were, where he saw Keith actually laying down on a couch.
"What time is it?" Keith asked, making Joey faceplant in disbelief that he could've been sleeping the entire time.
"Uh…did you see that couch there, before?" Mako asked while looking at Rex, who slowly shook his head.
"Wasn't there, the last I checked." Said Rex, neither of them being sure where the couch came from or when Keith even laid down on it.
"What're you doing?! Get over here!" Joey shouted, annoyed that Keith wasn't even in the arena or even looked ready to duel.
"Hey, chill out. The pummeling will commence as soon as I'm good and ready, so don't get your briefs in a bunch. You got that, blondie?" Said Keith with a taunting smirk, knowing there wouldn't be a duel while everyone else frowned at him.
"He knows something." Rin muttered to Naruto, the whiskered duelist nodding in agreement.
"Yeah. He's acting like he's already won or that he's not even going to duel Joey." Said Naruto, narrowing his eyes at Keith.
"Stall as long as you want, Keith, but you're gonna have to duel me sooner or later." Retorted Joey, believing Keith was just stalling to make him mess up during their duel.
"Tournament verification cards, gentlemen." Said Croquet, with Keith pulling out a Glory of the King's Hand card.
"No problem. Hey, dweeb, show the man your card." Keith said with a smirk, eager to see the look on Joey's face.
"Sure. It's right here." Joey said, reaching into his pocket, only to freeze when he didn't feel the card inside it.
"Tournament verification card-" Croquet said only for Joey to cut him off.
"I know! Just give me a minute would ya?! I-I-I know it's in here somewhere!" Said Joey, searching his other pockets, getting more desperate when he didn't find it.
'No, no, no, no! I know I put it in my jacket last night! Did it fall out?! No, I would've seen it! Where's that card?!' Joey thought, freaking out that the card was missing.
"Did Joey lose his card?" Miho said, worried that he wouldn't be able to compete.
"He couldn't be that absentminded." Said Bakura, knowing that Joey could be forgetful at times, but never with something this important.
"Not missing. Taken." Naruto said, making the others look at him only to see the Uzumaki glaring at Keith, much to their shock before they looked at Keith in anger that he could've actually stolen Joey's card.
"Well, what a shame. I guess I won't be needing to get up off of this couch, huh, Joey?" Keith said mockingly, enjoying watching him squirm.
"Hey Joey!" Said Mai, getting Joey's attention only to be surprised when she threw a card at him.
Catching the card, Joey was further surprised to see it was a Glory of the King's Hand card.
"Mai…" Said Joey, looking at her in surprise that she'd give him her card, but touched that she would as well.
"Don't make a big deal out of it, it's not like it'll do me any good, anyway." Mai said, crossing her arms, making Joey smile and nod.
"Here's my card, right here." Said Joey, showing the card to Croquet with the man frowning before looking at Pegasus, who simply nodded.
"What?! That's against the rules! He can't take someone else's card!" Keith said, his smirk turning into a scowl that he had a card.
"Says you. I didn't see any rule saying you couldn't give someone a card, just that they needed one to compete. Well, now Joey has one." Said Mai, the others nodding in agreement.
"It still shouldn't count if it happens right before a duel!" Yelled Keith, only for Kaiba to scoff and look at him like he wasn't worth his attention.
"You know, Keith, you seem pretty desperate to avoid facing Wheeler in a duel. Is it because you're scared, knowing you wouldn't stand a chance? Or maybe you're just trying to hide something? After all, it's pretty convenient that Wheeler loses his entry card while you're acting like you've already won. As if you knew there wouldn't be a duel. Care to share with the rest of the class?" Kaiba said, narrowing his eyes at Keith, making Keith scowl in anger but couldn't say anything as he was backed into a corner.
"My oh my, Keith-boy, your silence speaks volumes. Joey-boy here did earn his Star Chips and his place in the finals, perhaps the same can't be said for you." Pegasus said tauntingly, angering Keith further.
"Who cares how I got my card and Star Chips?! I got them and I earned my spot in the finals!" Keith yelled.
"So you did steal my card?!" Said Joey while glaring at Keith, who returned the glare.
"What if I did?! Not my fault you didn't keep a closer eye on it, dweeb!" Retorted Keith, admitting that he did steal Joey's cards, knowing he was caught.
"Stealing from another contestant is grounds for immediate disqualification. Croquet, have the guards escort Bandit Keith off the island." Pegasus said, with Croquet nodding and about to give the signal.
"Not so fast, Pegasus! I'm dueling this cheating creep, right now! If he's so scared to duel me that he stole my card in particular, then I'm gonna show him what happens when you mess with Joey Wheeler!" Joey said, refusing to win just by default and intended to duel Keith, both to pay him back and because it's a matter of pride.
"Oh? Hmm, very well then, hold that order until after the duel, Croquet." Said Pegasus.
"Right away, Mr. Crawford. Both duelists have presented their entry cards, the duel will now commence." Croquet said, making Keith scowl in anger.
"Fine, if the dweebs so eager to be crushed I'll happily do so." Keith said as he went to enter the arena, while knowing no matter what he'll be getting his prize money as well as his revenge against Pegasus.
"The second match of these playoffs will now commence. Joey Wheeler, Bandit Keith, prepare to duel." Said Croquet once Keith had entered the arena, with Joey's friends cheering him to beat Keith even more now.
"DUEL!"
J-2000
K-2000
"Hahaha! So tell me, how's it feel to be an amateur going up against the U.S. Duel Monsters Champion?" Keith said with a smirk as he drew a card, believing he'll be able to win this easily.
"The same champion that got OTK'd be a little kid with just some instructions? Or the one who had steal my card to avoid dueling me? I'd say I'm feeling pretty good about my odds." Replied Joey with a smirk, making Keith scowl in anger.
"I'm gonna enjoy crushing you, punk! I'll set one monster face-down and end my turn." Said Keith, setting a monster face-down and ending his turn.
"Then it's my turn, pal!" Joey said, drawing a card and adding it to his hand.
"I think I'll keep things simple too and just set one monster face-down along with a face-down card and end things there." Joey said, setting both cards face-down on his field.
"Tsk, fine enjoy wasting my time." Keith said, drawing a card, smirking as he saw what he had.
"I reveal my face-down monster, Cyber Jar!" Said Keith revealing his monster.
Cyber Jar
Attribute: Dark
Level: 3
Card Type: Effect Monster.
Monster Type: Rock
Effect: FLIP: Destroy all monsters on the field, then both players reveal the top 5 cards from their Decks, then Special Summon all revealed Level 4 or lower monsters in face-up Attack Position or face-down Defense Position, also add any remaining cards to their hand. (If either player has less than 5 cards in their Deck, reveal as many as possible.)
ATK/900 DEF/900
"And its effect activates! Now all monsters on the field are automatically destroyed, then we reveal the top five cards of our decks and all level four and lower monsters are summoned to the field, while the rest are added to our hands." Keith said with a smirk, as Cyber Jar and Joey's face-down monster were destroyed.
Before the two grabbed the top five cards of their decks and revealed them before summoning all the monsters they could.
"Get ready for Axe Dragonute and Twin-Headed Behemoth!" Said Keith as he summoned both monsters to the field.
Axe Dragonute
Attribute: Dark
Level: 4
Card Type: Effect Monster.
Monster Type: Dragon
Effect: If this card attacks, it is changed to Defense Position at the end of the Damage Step.
ATK/2000 DEF/1200
Twin-Headed Behemoth
Attribute: Dark
Level: 3
Card Type: Effect Monster.
Monster Type: Dragon
Effect: During the End Phase, if this card is in the GY because it was destroyed on the field and sent there this turn: You can Special Summon this card, but its ATK/DEF become 1000. You can only use this effect of "Twin-Headed Behemoth" once per Duel.
ATK/1500 DEF/1200
"As long as you're ready for Red-Eyes Wyvern and Panther Warrior!" Said Joey, summoning his own monsters to the field.
Red-Eyes Wyvern
Attribute: Wind
Level: 4
Card Type: Effect Monster.
Monster Type: Dragon
Effect: Once per turn, during your End Phase: You can banish this card from your GY, then target 1 "Red-Eyes" monster in your GY; Special Summon that target. You cannot Normal Summon/Set during the turn you activate this effect.
ATK/1800 DEF/1600
Panther Warrior
Attribute: Earth
Level: 4
Card Type: Effect Monster.
Monster Type: Beast-Warrior
Effect: This card cannot declare an attack unless you Tribute 1 monster.
ATK/2000 DEF/1600
"Ha! Like I'm gonna have trouble taking out those weakling! Go Axe Dragonute, cut that Wyvern down to size!" Keith said, with Axe Dragonute flying forward and bringing its axe down on Red-Eyes Wyvern destroying it and damaging Joey's life points a little.
J-2000 – 200 = 1800
With Axe Dragonute then being forced into Defense Mode due to its effect.
"Hn, not even your second turn and you're already losing life points. I'll set one card face-down and end it there, your move loser." Keith said mockingly as he set a card down.
"Yeah, yeah, I draw." Said Joey, drawing a card and adding it to his hand.
"And I'm gonna start by summoning Giltia the D. Knight - Soul Spear!" Joey said, summoning his monster to the field.
Giltia the D. Knight - Soul Spear
Attribute: Light
Level: 5
Card Type: Effect Monster.
Monster Type: Warrior
Effect: If you control no monsters, you can Normal Summon this card without Tributing. When this card is Normal Summoned: You can banish 1 monster your opponent controls with ATK higher than or equal to this card's. You can discard 1 card; add 1 Level 7 DARK Dragon monster, 1 Level 6 DARK Machine monster, or 1 Level 5 WATER Warrior monster from your Deck to your hand. You can only use this effect of "Giltia the D. Knight - Soul Spear" once per turn.
ATK/1850 DEF/1500
"And because Giltia was Normal Summoned, I can use his effect to banish one of your monsters that has greater or equal Attack Points. So say goodbye to Axe Dragonute!" Joey said with a smirk, making Keith's eyes widen, before Giltia aimed his spear at Axe Dragonute firing a blast of light that destroyed and banished it.
"You're gonna pay for that runt!" Keith growled, angered at losing his monster.
"Not as much your about to! Go Giltia, take out Twin-Headed Behemoth!" Said Joey, with Giltia charging forward to destroy Twin-Headed Behemoth.
"Nice try. loser! I activate my face-down, Sakuretsu Armor, destroying your monster!" Said Keith, smirking as he revealed his face-down, with Giltia being destroyed.
Sakuretsu Armor
Card Type: Normal Trap
Effect: When an opponent's monster declares an attack: Target the attacking monster; destroy that target.
"Now you can't even attack dweeb! HAHAHAHA!" Keith laughed, only for Joey to smirk at him.
"You sure about that? Because I'm playing the Spell Card Scapegoat to bring out four Sheep Tokens!" Said Joey, playing his Spell Card, making Keith stop laughing as four Sheep Tokens appeared.
Scapegoat
Card Type: Quick-Play Spell
Effect: Special Summon 4 "Sheep Tokens" (Beast/EARTH/Level 1/ATK 0/DEF 0) in Defense Position. They cannot be Tributed for a Tribute Summon. You cannot Summon other monsters the turn you activate this card (but you can Normal Set).
Sheep Token
Attribute: Earth
Level: 1
Card Type: Token Monster.
Monster Type: Beast
Card Text:
ATK/0 DEF/0
"Now I've got four free monsters to tribute for Panther Warrior to attack and a clear path to your monsters, thanks for revealing your face-down by the way. Now go Panther Warrior!" Said Joey, making Keith scowl in anger, while Panther Warrior absorbed one of the Sheep Tokens into its blade before charging forward and destroying Twin-Headed Behemoth, lowering Keith's life points.
K-2000 – 500 = 1500
"Oh yeah! Joey's already dominating this duel!" Tristan said, grinning at how Joey's cleared Keith's entire field.
"Yeah, he is, but there's no telling what Keith might have in his deck, nor what new cards he's gotten. Joey will still need to be careful." Said Yugi, also happy at how Joey's doing so far, but knew the duel is far from over.
"And I think I'll end it there." Joey said while crossing his arms, as Keith glared at him.
"I'm gonna enjoy making you squeal!" Keith said drawing a card, smirking wickedly at what he drew and had in his hand.
"I'm summoning Launcher Spider to the field!" Said Keith summoning his monster.
Launcher Spider
Attribute: Fire
Level: 4
Card Type: Normal Monster.
Monster Type: Machine
Card Text: A mechanical spider with rocket launchers capable of random fire.
ATK/2200 DEF/2500
"And next I'm equipping Launcher Spider with 7 Completed!" Keith said, equipping Launcher Spider with the Spell Card.
7 Completed
Card Type: Equip Spell
Effect: Activate this card by choosing ATK or DEF; equip only to a Machine monster. It gains 700 ATK or DEF, depending on the choice.
"With 7 Completed, I can choose to increase Launcher Spiders Attack or Defense Points by seven hundred, and I'm choosing its Attack Points!" Said Keith, with Launcher Spider growing more powerful.
Launcher Spider: ATK/2200 DEF/2500 – ATK/2900 DEF/2500
"Now go Launcher Spider, blast that kitty into piece!" Keith said, with Launcher Spider about to fire on Panther Warrior.
"Dream on Keith! I reveal my face-down, Kunai with Chain!" Said Joey revealing his face-down.
Kunai with Chains
Card Type: Normal Trap
Effect: Activate 1 or both of these effects (simultaneously).
● When an opponent's monster declares an attack: Target the attacking monster; change that target to Defense Position.
● Target 1 face-up monster you control; equip this card to that target. It gains 500 ATK.
"And I'll be using both of its effect, equipping my Panther Warrior with it and forcing your metal bug into Defense Mode!" Joey said, with Panther Warrior grabbing the kunai and chain when it appeared before launching it at Launcher Spider forcing it into Defense Mode, while boosting Panther Warriors power.
Panther Warrior: ATK/2000 DEF/1600 – ATK/2500 DEF/1600
"Like that'll do you any good! Because I'm playing Tribute to the Doomed!" Said Keith with a smirk as he played his Spell Card.
Tribute to the Doomed
Card Type: Normal Spell
Effect: Discard 1 card, then target 1 monster on the field; destroy it.
"Now I just have to discard one card and your overgrown pet still gets put down!" Keith said, discarding a card while Panther Warrior was destroyed.
"Oh no, Joey just lost his only monster. Now he just has those tokens and they can't do anything." Said Téa, worried that Joey's now defenseless.
"Maybe they can't attack. But since they in Defense Mode, Joey won't have to worry about losing Life Points if Keith attacks them, either." Naruto said, with Rin nodding in agreement.
"I'll end my turn there, your move, runt." Said Keith.
"Okay, then get ready!" Joey said drawing a card, grinning at what he now had.
"Oh you're in trouble now! I play the Spell Card, Dark Dragon Ritual!" Said Joey playing his Spell Card.
Dark Dragon Ritual
Card Type: Ritual Spell
Effect: This card is used to Ritual Summon "Paladin of Dark Dragon". You must also Tribute monsters from your hand or field whose total Levels equal 4 or more. During your Main Phase, except the turn this card was sent to the GY: You can banish this card from your GY; add 1 "Red-Eyes" Spell/Trap from your Deck to your hand.
"Now by offering up my three Sheep Tokens and Black Dragon's Chick in my hand, I can bring out Paladin of Dark Dragon!" Joey said as Black Dragon's Chick appeared on the field before it and the three Sheep Tokens turned into dark energy that swirled around before combining together, before the energy dispersed revealing Paladin of Dark Dragon.
Paladin of Dark Dragon
Attribute: Dark
Level: 4
Card Type: Ritual/Effect Monster.
Monster Type: Dragon
Effect: You can Ritual Summon this card with "Dark Dragon Ritual". At the start of the Damage Step, if this card attacks a Defense Position monster: Destroy that monster. You can Tribute this card; Special Summon 1 "Red-Eyes" monster from your hand or Deck. You can only use this effect of "Paladin of Dark Dragon" once per turn.
ATK/1900 DEF/1200
"So what? That thing isn't nearly strong enough to destroy my Launcher Spider." Keith said with a scoff, only for Joey to smirk in response.
"Maybe not with a direct attack, but my Paladin comes with a special ability. Whenever he attack a monster in Defense Mode, its automatically destroyed! Now go Paladin!" Joey said with Paladin of Dark Dragons dragon roaring before diving towards Launcher Spider, unleashing a blast of dark fire that destroyed Launcher Spider.
"NO!" Keith shouted, angered at the loss of his monster.
"Oh yeah! And it's only about to get worse pal, because next I play Red-Eyes Insight!" Said Joey, playing another spell.
Red-Eyes Insight
Card Type: Normal Spell
Effect: Send 1 "Red-Eyes" monster from your hand or Deck to the GY; add 1 "Red-Eyes" Spell/Trap from your Deck to your hand, except "Red-Eyes Insight". You can only activate 1 "Red-Eyes Insight" per turn.
"With this, I can send one Red-Eyes monster from hand or deck to the graveyard and add one Red-Eyes Spell or Trap Card to my hand." Joey said, discarding a monster before searching his deck for the card he wanted.
"Then I'll put a card face-down and end my turn." Said Joey, putting a card face-down.
"It's my draw then!" Keith said, drawing a card and adding it to his hand.
"And I'm gonna play Polymerization! Fusing together my Barrel Dragon and Blowback Dragon to bring out Gatling Dragon!" Said Keith activating the spell as Barrel Dragon and Blowback Dragon appeared before fusing together into Gatling Dragon.
Polymerization
Card Type: Normal Spell
Effect: Fusion Summon 1 Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, using monsters from your hand or field as Fusion Material.
Gatling Dragon
Attribute: Dark
Level: 8
Card Type: Fusion/Effect Monster.
Monster Type: Machine
Effect: Once per turn: You can toss a coin 3 times and destroy as many monsters on the field as possible, but not more than the number of heads.
ATK/2600 DEF/1200
"And I'm gonna equip Gatling Dragon with another 7 Completed, boosting its Attack Points by seven hundred!" Said Keith, smirking as his Gatling Dragon grew more powerful.
Gatling Dragon: ATK/2600 DEF/1200 – ATK/3300 DEF/1200
"But why stop there?! I can still summon this turn and I'm bringing out my Twin-Barrel Dragon!" Keith said, bringing out another robotic dragon.
Twin-Barrel Dragon
Attribute: Dark
Level: 4
Card Type: Effect Monster.
Monster Type: Machine
Effect: When this card is Summoned: Target 1 card your opponent controls; toss a coin twice, and if the result is 2 Heads, destroy it.
ATK/1700 DEF/200
"And now I'm gonna activate Twin-Barrel Dragons ability, by flipping a coin twice I can have it destroy one card you have on the field and I'm choosing your face-down!" Keith said, before a coin appeared on the field.
The coin flipped into the air once, landing on heads making Keith smirk while Joey gritted his teeth, before the coin flipped into the air again.
'Come on, gimme tails!' Joey thought relieved when it landed on tails.
"Looks like your luck is running out, Keith." Said Joey with a smirk, while Keith scowled in annoyance.
"So what?! My Gatling Dragon is still strong enough to blow away your Paladin and I'll do that right now!" Keith said, with Gatling Dragon aiming its guns at Paladin of Dark Dragon.
"Not just yet Keith! I'm revealing my face-down, Skull Dice! You're not the only one with lucky cards, now I get to a roll a die and depending on the number it lands on, that's how many Attack and Defense Points your monsters lose!" Said Joey, knowing that no matter the number his Paladin is gonna be destroyed, but he can at least lower the damage he takes.
Skull Dice
Card Type: Normal Trap
Effect: Roll a six-sided die. All monsters your opponent currently controls lose ATK/DEF equal to the result x 100, until the end of this turn.
An imp appeared holding a large red die, which it threw into the air before it landed and bounced around a few times until finally settled on a four. With Gatling Dragon and Twin-Barrel Dragon growing weaker.
Gatling Dragon: ATK/3300 DEF/1200 – ATK/2900 DEF/800
Twin-Barrel Dragon: ATK/1700 DEF/200 – ATK/1300 DEF/0
"And there go your monsters points!" Joey said, while Keith scoffed.
"Your monster's still history, genius." Retorted Keith, with Gatling Dragon resuming its attack and firing on Paladin of Dark Dragon, destroying it and taking out a large amount of Joey's life points.
J-1800 – 1000 = 800
"Oh no, that thing nearly took out all of Joey's life points." Tristan said, seeing Joey didn't have many life points left.
"It could've been worse, that Skull Dice at least made sure he didn't lose even more." Said Miho, the others nodding in agreement.
"We just have to hope Joey has something that can turn this duel around." Yugi said, confident that Joey will win this duel.
"I'll finish things up with two face-downs. It's your move runt, try to make it count." Said Keith, setting two cards face-down with a smirk, knowing that the next move will be the last one.
"Okay, then you asked for it!" Joey said, drawing a card before seeing what he now had, making the blonde duelist grin seeing he now had everything he needed.
"I'd say this duels now about over." Stated Mai, smirking as she saw the look on Joey's face, guessing he had everything he needed to take out Keith.
"You said to make it count?! Well here it comes Keith! I'm starting off by playing Pot of Greed, letting me draw two more cards!" Joey said, activating the Spell Card to draw two more cards.
Pot of Greed
Card Type: Normal Spell
Effect: Draw 2 cards.
"Next up, I'm playing Giant Trunade, sending all spells and traps back to their owners hands, so say bye to those face-downs and 7 Completed!" Said Joey with a smirk, while Keith's eyes widened as a giant vortex blew away his cards, weakening his Gatling Dragon.
Giant Trunade
Card Type: Normal Spell
Effect: Return all Spell and Trap Cards on the field to the hand.
Gatling Dragon: ATK/3300 DEF/1200 – ATK/2600 DEF/1200
"And for my next trick, I play Shield & Sword, switching the Attack and Defense Points of all monsters currently on the field!" Said Joey, playing his third spell, shocking Keith again as his monsters became even weaker.
Gatling Dragon: ATK/2600 DEF/1200 – ATK/1200 DEF/2600
Twin-Barrel Dragon: ATK/1700 DEF/200 – ATK/200 DEF/1700
"Next up is a new one! I play Red-Eyes Fusion! Letting me Fusion Summon a Red-Eyes monster using monsters from my hand, deck, or field, and the two I'm choosing are my good pal Red-Eyes Black Dragon and Gearfried the Red-Eyes Iron Knight!" Joey said, surprising everyone at this with Red-Eyes Black Dragon and Gearfried the Red-Eyes Iron Knight both appearing the field.
Red-Eyes Fusion
Card Type: Normal Spell
Effect: Fusion Summon 1 Fusion Monster that lists a "Red-Eyes" monster as material from your Extra Deck, using monsters from your hand, Deck, or field as Fusion Material, and if you do, its name becomes "Red-Eyes Black Dragon". You cannot Normal or Special Summon other monsters the turn you activate this card. You can only activate 1 "Red-Eyes Fusion" per turn.
Red-Eyes and Gearfried then fused together as the new monster was surrounded by a dark aura.
"Ever wonder what happens when a dragon gets the power of the ultimate swordsman?! I'll show ya what you get…the Red-Eyes Slash Dragon!" Joey said as the new monster was revealed, showing Red-Eyes Black Dragon covered in armor with curved blades on its arms before the dragon let out a loud roar.
Red-Eyes Slash Dragon
Attribute: Dark
Level: 7
Card Type: Fusion/Effect Monster.
Monster Type: Dragon
Effect: When a "Red-Eyes" monster declares an attack: You can target 1 Warrior monster in your GY; equip it to this card as an Equip Spell with this effect. ● The equipped monster gains 200 ATK. When a card or effect is activated that targets a card you control (Quick Effect): You can send 1 Equip Card you control to the GY; negate the activation, and if you do, destroy that card. If this card is destroyed by battle or card effect: You can Special Summon as many monsters from your GY as possible, that were equipped to this card.
ATK/2800 DEF/2400
"Now that's a monster." Bakura stated in amazement at the sight of the dragon.
"No kidding, look at the thing!" Said Tristan, not expecting Joey's dragon to become even more powerful.
"I guess Blue-Eyes isn't the only dragon with fusions, anymore." Rin said, smiling teasingly at her brother, who scowled lightly.
"…Blue-Eyes White Dragon is still more powerful." Kaiba said, refusing to admit that he found the Red-Eyes cards slightly impressive, while making a mental note to see if there were other Blue-Eyes cards to support his dragons.
"Woah…Red-Eyes…" Rex said looking at his former dragon in shock, not believing it'd have this kind of potential.
"But that's not all, because now I'm equipping Slash Dragon with Dragon Nails, giving him an extra six hundred points!" Joey said, equipping his dragon with the spell, making it grow even stronger.
Dragon Nails
Card Type: Equip Spell
Effect: Equip only to a DARK monster. It gains 600 ATK, also it cannot be destroyed by your opponent's card effects. If this card is sent to the GY because the monster it was equipped to was destroyed by battle and sent to the GY: You can Special Summon that monster to your field, and if you do, equip this card to it (but banish this card when this card leaves the field). You can only use this effect of "Dragon Nails" once per turn.
Red-Eyes Slash Dragon: ATK/2800 DEF/2400 – ATK/3400 DEF/2400
Keith couldn't help but gulp a little, feeling nervous at having such a powerful monster staring him down, while his own were severely weakened.
"I told you Keith, I'd show you what happens when you mess with Joey Wheeler. Now go Red-Eyes Slash Dragon, take out Gatling Dragon with Inferno Fire Slash!" Joey said, with Slash Dragon roaring as the blades on its arms ignited with dark fire.
Before Slash Dragon rushed forward, slicing Gatling Dragon in half as it exploded, with Keith crying out as the rest of his life points were wiped out.
K-1500 – 2200 = 0
"Alright! Way to go, Joey!" Miho cheered, smiling at Joey's victory.
"Nice one, man!" Said Tristan.
"Well done!" Bakura said, smiling at their friend winning.
"Nice one, Joey!" Yugi said, impressed at how Joey won and knowing their duel will definitely be a tough one.
"Was there ever any doubt?!" Said Joey, grinning and rubbing his nose.
"Not a moment, Wheeler." Mai said with a smirk, believing that he would've won.
"What?! That's impossible! I couldn't lose to some dweeb like him!" Keith shouted, angered and refusing to believe he actually lost.
"Joey Wheeler, you are the victor!" Croquet declared, with Joey's friends cheering while Keith scowled.
"Well there you have it. You cheated and failed Keith, but not just from stealing his entry card, but poor sportsmanship during the match as well." Said Pegasus, looking at Keith with his Millennium Eye shining through his hair.
"Oh, so you cheated during the duel too?! I'm not even surprised!" Joey said, glaring at Keith along with the others.
"Oh yes, it seems like Keith kept his 7 Completed cards beneath his wristbands, slipping them out whenever it looked like he was drawing a card. Allowing him to power up his Machine Monsters whenever he wanted. Though perhaps you should have chosen Power Bond or Limiter Removal instead, you might have actually won the duel. Of course, you'd still be disqualified for cheating, so I suppose it doesn't truly matter. Now, gentleman, take this scoundrel away, far away." Pegasus revealed while smirking at Keith as his men came and grabbed the cheating duelist and dragged him away.
"No! Get your hands off of me! No one makes a fool out of Bandit Keith! Nobody!" Keith shouted as he pulled away, only to manage to throw the guards off of him.
Then before anyone could react, Keith ran towards the Duel Arena, making the others tense that he was going after Joey. Only to see Keith jump off the arena and up to Pegasus's balcony before he then pulled out a gun and aimed it at the CEO's head, much to everyone's shock.
"Is he insane?!" Rin said in disbelief that Keith would actually bring a gun with him to the island, let alone threaten Pegasus with it.
"No, just a sore loser." Said Kaiba, not concerned given how Pegasus didn't seem worried despite a gun being pointed at his head.
"All of you shut up! And you, hand over that prize money or I'll paint the walls with your brains!" Keith threatened, refusing to leave without his money.
"Oh dear, you truly are a stubborn one, aren't you." Pegasus stated, making Keith's glare intensify.
"Don't think I won't! Now give me that money! You got until three before your dead!" Demanded Keith.
"Oh, alright. One, two, three!" Pegasus said quickly before pressing a switch on the ground with his foot, causing the floor around his throne to open up under Keith.
The cheating duelist not being able to react before he fell down the trap hole screaming the entire way. With no one really being able to feel sorry for Keith after how he cheated and threatened to kill someone over money and his damaged pride. Before Naruto and Rin looked at each other and nodded, before turning towards their opponents, knowing they'll be dueling next.
So, what did you think, good. Yep we see Naruto preparing himself for his coming duel, along with some teasing from Nero, before Yugi arrives and tells Naruto about the dream he had with Solomon, Shio, and Mokuba. Leading to Naruto also telling him about his Millennium Ring, its origins and powers, with Nero also clarifying more on its abilities being dependent on the wielders own strength. With them both learning about their own encounters with Yami Bakura, agreeing that they'll need to be on guard should he try making an attempt to steal any Millennium Items again.
Then we see them meeting up with their friends and the other competitors, trading some light bantering, before Yugi's and Mai's duel begins. With Mai showing off some of her new cards, including an Xyz Monster, pushing Yami back before he manages to regain the lead and bring out some new monsters as well, including Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion, using it to win the duel.
Before we then go onto Joey's duel against Keith, only to discover his entry card is missing, luckily Mai comes to the rescue and gives him her entry card. Something Keith tries protesting only to be forced into a corner and ends up revealing he did steal Joey's card, with Joey wanting to continue with the duel as a matter of pride and to take Keith down for cheating. With Keith getting a few hits in, only for Joey to emerge victorious after bringing out Red-Eyes Slash Dragon.
Finally we see Keith being a sore loser and threatening Pegasus with a gun to get the prize money, only to be sent falling into a ocean when Pegasus triggers the trap around his throne. With Naruto and Rin knowing they'll be dueling next and potentially against each other. So, for those that like the story, thanks for your support. For those that don't or at least don't like the direction taken, you're more than welcomed to drop the story. But thanks for giving the story a chance anyway.
Storm out
