Chapter 31
Joey and the Heavy Metal Deck
Everyone watched as Mai made her way out of the arena. "The first match of these playoffs has come to a close! Yugi Muto has emerged victorious over Mai Valentine! He will advance to the next round." Croquet announced as all of Yugi's friends began cheering. 'I couldn't have done it without your help. Everyone's help.' Yugi thought as he changed back. "I must admit, even though some of us have ritual monsters of our own, Rainbow with Crab Turtle, Twilight with Magician of Black Chaos, Applejack with Garma Sword and me with Performance of Sword, that ending play on Yugi's part took all of us by surprise." Rarity admitted. Then Pegasus began to applaud Yugi's victory. "Well done, Yugi. A superb duel. You certainly know how to put on a good show." he said. "He may have enjoyed that duel, but he's still kind of a creep." Rainbow whispered to Twilight. 'Enjoy this while you can, Pegasus, cause the only reason I'm in this tournament is to rescue my grandpa's soul. And once I beat you to get it back, you won't have anything to applaud or chuckle about.' Yugi thought to himself before Pegasus sat on his throne and told Croquet to proceed with the next match of the tournament. "The second match of these playoffs will begin shortly, Bandit Keith will battle Joey Wheeler. Participants, please prepare your decks." Croquet said aloud. "I'm next? Already? Well, that sure was quick." Joey said, surprised that he was up next so soon. "Don't worry, Joseph, you're going to do just fine." Rarity said confidently. "Thanks, Rarity. Guess I'm a bit tense." Joey responded. "Well, who wouldn't be? I know I sure would if I were going up against the Intercontinental Duel Monsters champion, Bandit Keith. But something tells me that he's never faced an underdog as fiercely driven to win as you, Joey." Pinkie said while putting her arm on his shoulder. Meanwhile, Yugi exited the arena and breathed a sigh of relief that he won. "Yugi." Joey said as he prepared to take the field. "Oh, hey, Joey. What's up? Are you okay?" Yugi asked. "That's what I asked him as he made his way down here." Fluttershy revealed as she came up behind him. "Yugi. If I win this, then we're next. You dueling against me. What do you think a bout that?" Joey asked, knowing that if he won, he'd have to duel his best friend. "I think we can look forward to an honorably fought match." Yugi answered.
"Nice call. Then you give it your best, and I'll give it mine. And we'll stay best friends no matter what." Joey said with a smile before entering the arena to the cheers of his friends while Yugi and Fluttershy arrived on the balcony hand in hand. But when Joey looked across the field, he saw that Keith wasn't there. "Hey, what's going on? Where's Keith?" Joey asked before he got his answer when he heard and saw Keith yawning and lounging on a sofa nearby. "What are you doing?! Get over here!" Joey shouted. "Hey, chill out. The pumbling will commence when the time for the duel arrives. And it's not time yet, so don't get your pants in a knot. You got that, blondie?" Keith responded. "You can stall all you want, Keith, but you're gonna have to duel me sooner or later." Joey boldly stated. 'That's what you think, you dork.' Keith thought. "Please present your tournament verification cards, gentlemen." Croquet said. But when Joey reached for his after Keith pulled out his, he noticed it was gone. "Hey! My Glory of the King's Hand card! I know I put it in my pocket last night before bed!" Joey shouted. "Did Joey REALLY lose his tournament entry card?!" Rainbow shouted. "There's no way he could be THAT absent-minded." put in AJ. "Oh, yes, he could!" Tristan responded, knowing that Joey could be forgetful about some things. "Well, that's just a shame. I guess I won't be needing to get up off this sofa after all, huh, Joey?" Keith remarked. "Don't get too comfy, I'll find it!" Joey responded. "Then, if you find your entry card within the set time limit that the tournament rules allow, the duel will proceed." Croquet pointed out. "Oh, no. There's a time limit?" Joey asked while Keith just chuckled, knowing he had Joey's card the whole time. 'And seeing as I snatched your card from your coat pocket last night, I have a hunch that time its gonna run out for you long before you realize what really happened.' Keith thought. "Joey, try retracing your steps and think of where your card could be." Twilight advised. "There's only one place in the castle that it could possibly be, I'm gonna check in my room." Joey responded. "You have five minutes. The match is scheduled to begin at 11:00 sharp, and extensions are given to no one. If you haven't returned with the card by 11:00, you'll be disqualified." Croquet pointed out as a holographic clock appeared over the battlefield. "I understand that you want things to be on time, but that's barely enough time for Joey to make it back to his room and search." Twilight stated. "My apologies, Princess, but these are the rules, and they will be enforced." Croquet responded to the chagrin of everyone in the group while Keith just chuckled. "Run as fast as you can. It won't do you any good, your card's got a new owner these days." he taunted while Joey sprinted back to his room. 'Man, if I don't find that card before 11:00, I'll have to forfeit the duel to Keith!' Joey thought as he ran while the clock showed the time of 10:57 over the arena. "Excuse me, but would you mind if I took off my boots?" Keith asked. "As you wish, but if you're not in the arena at the designated time, you'll be disqualified, too." Croquet answered.
"Say what? Man, you guys and your rules." Keith said as he sat up. Meanwhile, Joey had searched all over the room, but found nothing. "I don't get it. I can't find that Glory of the King's Hand card anywhere!" he said in slight panic. Back at the arena, Yugi was contemplating what to do. 'I'd give Joey my Glory of the King's Oppostie Hand card so he could duel, but then I wouldn't be able to duel against Pegasus.' he thought. "Come on already, can't that punk just be disqualified right now? For all we know, he ain't coming back here." Keith said impatiently. "And what's THAT supposed to mean?" Rainbow asked. "You can bet your boots that he'll be here, partner." AJ said confidently. "Just think about it, cowgirl, I'll bet you friend's been scared to death about dueling me ever since we met back at the Arena of Lost Souls. I'll bet you he's not looking for his Glory of the King's Hand card, he's looking for a place to hide. In fact, kiddies, he probably lost that entry card on purpose just so he can have an excuse not to duel me. Pretty spineless, I'd say." Keith responded. "No way! I know Joey, and he's never backed down from a duel before. Not against Mai, or Rex, or Bonz or the Paradox Brothers. And he's not gonna start now! You'll see, he'll be back." Yugi retorted, but Keith just chuckled. "Believe what you want, Yugi, but he's got only one minute left." he said as the clock showed 10:59 above the battlefield. "If he wants to duel, he'd better hurry." Spike said, worried. "But what if he can't find that card?" Tristan asked. Meanwhile, Joey was in the hallway, worn out and in anguish. 'I searched the entire room and everywhere else I've been in this castle. And still no sign of the card! I can't believe it! After lasting on this island all this time, after beating five duelists with twice my experience, including getting past two of Pegasus' eliminators, I'm gonna get disqualified from the tournament because of this?! FOR LOSING ONE LOUSY CARD?!' Joey thought as he dropped to his knees in frustrated defeat before picturing his sister. 'Sorry, sis. I came close. I came real close.' he said to himself as he began to weep before a familiar face showed up, none other than Mai. "Get up off your knees, Joey. And enough with the tears, you look like a defeated child." she said, not happy with what she saw. "I'm sorry, Mai. But, my tournament entry card. Stupid thing's gone!" Joey said, hiding his tears before Mai handed him something. "Here. Just don't dry your eyes too much with it." she said as she handed him what looked like a handkerchief. "You know, every time I think I've got you figured out, you surprise me, Joey. Tea and Fluttershy told me about your little sister, about how you're dueling to win this tournament's prize money so she can have that operation to save her eyesight. It sounded like the plot of an episode of a bad soap opera, to be honest, but then again, who doesn't like watching a soap opera, no matter how bad it is? Anyway, see you around, hun." she added before walking away. Joey opened the hanky and found Mai's own Glory of the King's Hand card. "Mai's entry card?" he asked.
Joey then flagged Mai down. "Go ahead and take it, Joey. I don't need it anymore." she said. "So, does this mean that we're finally friends? Or just acquaintances?" Joey asked. "I'd answer that, but you have a duel to run off to." Mai answered. "You're right." Joey concurred. "One thing, though. Take that punk down." Mai said with a smile. "Right!" Joey responded before running off. "Oh, Joey Wheeler. Of course this means we're friends." Mai simply said as Joey entered the arena. "Yee-haw! Joey made it! And in the nick of time, too!" AJ shouted as the man of the hour walked into the arena. "So, you've come back to give us the bad news, huh?" Keith asked. "Bet you couldn't find that card anywhere." he added with a chuckle. "What are you talking about? I got it right here!" Joey responded as he revealed said card, shocking Keith just as the clock struck 11:00, the scheduled time of the duel. 'Impossible! I'm using his card!' Keith thought to himself. "Very well, the duel will proceed as scheduled." Croquet said while everyone else breathed a sigh of relief. "Alright, Keith, naptime is over. It's time to duel!" Joey said to his opponent. "Fine. You know, part of me wanted you to show up. A nice warm-up match might do me some good." Keith responded. "Oh, I'll warm you up, alright. And wear you out!" Joey retorted. "Just you try!" Keith declared. "The second match of these playoffs will now commence! Joey Wheeler, Bandit Keith, prepare to duel." Croquet said as Joey's friends cheered him on. 'Come on, Joey. You have to win this match, or your sister will never see anything ever again.' Yugi said to himself. "Joey Wheeler, Bandit Keith, your peers, our guests, and gracious host, await your bout! So let this duel, begin!" Croquet declared. And so, with an equally fierce "Let's duel" from both participants, their hand were drown, their life points set to 2000 and the duel began in earnest. 'Okay, Joey. Your sister's counting on you.' Yugi thought as both players prepared to make their first move.
"So, Joey, tell me how it feels to be going up against the Intercontinental Duel Monsters champion." Keith pondered. "Right, you are the Intercontinental champion. Course, I could win a better prize than that if I wanted to." Joey responded. "Punk. I'll teach you to respect my title. I set a monster in defense mode." Keith retorted as he set his card. "Well, the duel's on." AJ said. "Do you think that being the Intercontinental champion gives Keith an edge?" Bakura asked. "Nah, Joey doesn't need any championship title, he's got all that he needs right now; his heart and his guts." Rainbow answered. "She's right. Just remember what you're fighting for, Joey, and you can't lose!" Tea concurred. "Go take it to him, buddy! This is what you've been working for!" Tristan shouted. 'Okay, time to get to work. Serenity, this duel's for you, sis.' Joey thought before making his move. "My turn! And I'm setting a monster in defense mode, too." he said aloud. "Well, this won't be a very exciting match if we just play defense all day. So I'll go ahead and switch my card to attack mode. Meet the Pendulum Machine!" Keith said as he flip summoned his monster, a level six, Dark attribute machine with 1750 attack points and 2000 defense points. "Jiminy Christmas! It's a machine!" Pinkie shouted. "That's right, and it's about to go into overdrive on Joey's defense monster!" Keith responded as Joey's defense monster, Battle Warrior, was revealed. "Slashing Blade attack!" he commanded as Battle Warrior was sliced to ribbons. "Great, but at least Joey knows what he's up against." Spike said. "That's right, Spike, and now that he knows how strong the Pendulum Machine is, he just has to play something stronger and destroy it." Bakura concurred. 'Still, I wonder why Bandit Keith played a machine monster.' Yugi pondered. "So, you gonna make your move or what?" Keith asked. "I sure will, and it's gonna be a big one, all thanks to your lousy move. I use Polymerization to fuse my Guardian of the Labyrinth and Protector of the Throne together to fusion summon Giltia the D. Knight!" Joey answered as his new monster, a level 5, Light attribute fusion warrior with 1850 attack points and 1500 defense points, appeared. "Time to turn that machine into scrap metal!" he added. "Well, shoot, Giltia's got a hundred more points then that Pendulum Machine. We only know all to well how this is gonna go." AJ said with a chuckle. "Soul Spear attack!" Joey commanded as his knight fired a blast at the machine. But the attack had no effect at all. "What?! My attack isn't working!" Joey shouted in shock. "Great Scott, he's right!" Bakura declared.
"Spike, Yugi, do you know what's going on?" Twilight asked. "I'll tell you what's going on, your highness, according to the rules of this tournament, and in the lore of Duel Monsters, all machine monsters are coated in magic resistant alloy, making any and every magic based attack worth squat." Keith answered with a chuckle. "That's right! According to the lore of the game, all machine monsters are protected from magic based attacks and any other card that implies the use of magic." Spike pointed out. "Can't Joey EVER catch a break?!" Rainbow asked in frustration. "My turn, and I have another well-oiled machine all ready for you. I summon the Launcher Spider!" Keith said as his next monster, a level 7, Fire attribute machine with 2200 attack points and 2500 defense points, appeared. "Oh, great, another machine." Bakura said in frustration. "He must've built an entire deck full of machines!" Spike said in realized shock. "Now, Launcher Spider, Shock Rocket attack!" Keith commanded as his machine launched multiple missiles at Giltia, destroying him and lowering Joey's life points to 1650. "Aren't you gonna fight back? It's more fun when my opponent's struggle." Keith asked. 'Man, I knew I'd get a rough match from Keith, but I wasn't prepared for a deck full of these big, metal bullies!' Joey thought to himself. "If you ask me, no machine is without its own flaws. But the question is, what's the fault of these machines in particular?" Twilight asked. "I'm not sure, machine monsters are some of the most powerful in the world of Duel Monsters. Not only does that magic-proof alloy make them impervious to magic-based attacks, but they have an amazingly strong offense as well." Yugi responded. "But they can only use that offensive power one way, in head-on attacks! So maybe, if Joey plays his cards right, he'll use that to his advantage." Spike added as Joey drew his next card. 'Let's see, attacking those machines will just get me clobbered. So I only have one move to make.' Joey thought as he made said move. "I'll set this card face down, and set this monster in defense mode." he said aloud. "Let me guess, my machines are too powerful for you?" Keith asked, angering Joey. 'If he keeps setting monsters in defense mode, I won't get at his life points. So I'll just draw him out, make him attack me, then he'll be open for some real damage.' he thought before making his move. "I'll set a card face down, too. And set this in defense..." he said aloud before 'accidentally' dropping his card, which was a level 7, Dark attribute fiend with 2600 attack points and 1900 defense points. "My mistake. Slipped from by fingers. Anyhow, as I was saying, I'll set this monster in defense mode." he finished as he picked up his card and properly set it. "Whatever that thing was, it looked utterly repulsive." Rarity said in disgust. "But it wasn't made of metal." Twilight pointed out, and Joey knew it, too.
'Twilight's right. That card wasn't a machine, it was a monster called Zoa. And it's something my Flame Swordsman can toast easily. And unlike his machine monsters, it's totally vulnerable to magic.' he thought. "When I see Joey grin, I know he's got a plan!" Rainbow said with a smile, but Yugi wasn't sure. "I play my second Polymerization card to fuse Masaki the Legendary Swordsman, with my Flame Manipulator to summon my Flame Swordsman in attack mode!" Joey declared as his ace monster appeared. "Wait. Yugi, I know a thing or two about Zoa, its attack points are higher than its defense. Then that means..." Spike began to say, realizing that Joey was walking right into a trap. "And I'll add this equipment magic card, too." Joey continued. "If Zoa's attack points are higher than its defense points, then it makes no sense to play that creature in defense mode to start with. Meaning Keith is luring Joey into attacking him!" Twilight said in shock, realizing what was happening as well. "By activating Salamandra, my Flame Swordsman's attack power is increased to 2500!" Joey continued. "That sidewinder! He must've dropped Zoa on purpose!" AJ shouted. "Flame Swordsman, attack with Salamandra Flame Strike!" Joey commanded, falling for Keith's trap. "I gotcha now! Time to spring my trap!" Keith suddenly said, taking Joey by surprise. "Watch close. Your attack revealed my face down monster, Zoa, but I activate this Metalmorph card and equip it to Zoa. Now I tribute him in order to summon this! Metalzoa!" he added as his new monster, a level 8, Dark attribute Machine/Effect monster with 3000 attack points and 2300 defense points, appeared. "No big deal." Joey responded. "But that's not all, blondie! That new metallic paint job also deflects all magic-based attacks, just like my other machines! And worse yet, your attack gets sent back to you!" Keith added. "Oh, no! My Swordsman!" Joey shouted as his attack backfired and his life points dropped to 1150. 'No! I've been outmaneuvered!' he thought. "Man, you should've seen the look on your face, you loser! Your reaction to losing your own Swordsman to your own attack and losing life points equal to the difference in our monsters' attack power was priceless!" Keith shouted with a laugh before drawing his next card. "And I'm just getting started." he added. "Say what?!" Joey asked. "You heard me, and next on my list is that defense monster of yours. But he won't be defending much longer after I activate this!" Keith answered. "That's Stop Defense!" Joey shouted. "Glad you know your cards, now let's see what you're hiding." Keith responded as the Axe Raider switched to attack mode. "So, your Axe Raider, huh? No problem, not or my Metalzoa, anyway." he added. "Oh, dear. If that Metalzoa's attack lands, Joey's finished! Guess now I can imagine how I might feel if someone used Metalmorph on me like I would them, since I own that card." Rarity said in worry. "This can't be it!" Rainbow shouted.
"Time to say sayonara, blondie! Metalzoa, attack the Axe Raider!" Keith declared as his monster charged. But suddenly, it disappeared, shocking everyone. 'Where'd he go?' Keith asked himself. "Well, shoot!" AJ simply said. "Talk about a smart move!" Spike said in amazement. "Alright! You fell for my trap, just like I planned you would!" Joey said with a grin as he revealed his trap card to Keith. "No way! You set a trap for me?!" Keith asked. "Alright! The Chasm of Spikes trap card! Now, not only is Metalzoa destroyed, but a quarter of his attack points will be deducted from Keith's life points!" Yugi shouted as Keith's life points plunged to 1250. "Not bad, huh? I only wish you could've seen the look on your own face when your own Metalzoa got shish kabobbed. It was priceless." Joey said with a smile. "You tell him! It's about time someone gave that jerk a taste of his own medicine!" Rainbow beamed with pride. "More than that, Rainbow. I think Joey found the flaw in Keith's machine deck. Rather than try to beat each monster in a direct assault, he's letting his traps do all the work." Yugi explained. "Now all that's left is to deal with those other two mechanical monstrosities!" AJ added. "My turn, and first I'm putting this face down. And don't bother attacking, if you know it's a trap." Joey said confidently. "Talk about a boost in confidence. But he hasn't won yet." Spike said. "You amateur! That's gotta be the lousiest bluff I've ever heard in my entire dueling career!" Keith shouted. "Next, I'll put my Axe Raider back in defense mode. And then I'll summon Garoozis in attack mode to turn that Pendulum Machine into junk!" Joey continued as Garoozis appeared. "Attack, with Battle Blade Strike!" he commanded as Garoozis sliced the Pendulum Machine clean in half, dropping Keith's life points to 1200. "Punk." Keith said. "Well, pal, looks like your Pendulum Machine's taking a one way trip to the scrap yard!" Joey said with confidence. "Now it's my turn! Launcher Spider, demolish Garoozis!" Keith angrily shouted as the attack fired and seemingly landed.
"I knew that you were bluffing about that face down." he said with a grin. "Wrong again, Keith! You thought I was bluffing, and now you're gonna pay for it!" Joey responded as his Garoozis was revealed to be still alive, and with the Kunai with Chain in hand. "What's that?!" Keith asked. "That's the Kunai with Chain, and once activated, it raises the user's attack power by 500 points!" Joey answered as his Garoozis' attack power went up to 2300. "Now attack, Garoozis, with Battle Axe Crush!" he commanded as the Launcher Spider was sliced down the middle, dropping Keith's life points to 1100. "Alright! It's close, but Joey now has a slight lead with just 50 life points ahead of Keith!" Bakura said with a smile. "I knew he'd make a comeback!" Fluttershy shouted. 'Looks like Joey's trusting his own instincts and in his deck, like a true champion should.' Yugi thought. "Keep it up, Joey! At this rate, you'll get that prize money in no time!" Rainbow shouted while Keith just slammed his fist on his dueling platform. 'I'm not gonna let him make a fool out of me!' Keith thought angrily. "What's wrong, Mr. IC champ? Don't tell me you're losing your cool to an underdog amateur like me." Joey asked, but Keith just chuckled. "What's the big joke?" Joey asked. "The joke's on you, blondie. You're already counting the tournament's prize money, and this duel ain't even over yet." Keith answered. "Oh, yeah?" Joey asked. "You think your traps will last and protect you forever?! You're gonna run out sooner or later! And then, I'll bring out my bigger machines and really give our audience a show! You're going down, you sniveling little wannabe! Nobody beats Bandit Keith! Nobody!" Keith answered angrily.