Chapter 6

It's time for Issei Hyoudou VS Mai Valentine!

"Let's Duel!" Mai and Issei shouted as their fields appeared to have a Field Spell in place.

"For the second round, we'll have a field spell that benefits both sides with its own set of pros and cons. It's called Tribute Arena!" Pegasus said before explaining the conditions.

"All monsters in the hand have their Tribute Summon requirements reduced by 1. This effect applies to both players. During each player's End Phase, that player must send the top card of their Deck to the Graveyard. If a player Special Summons a monster from the Extra Deck, they must skip their Battle Phase."

This shocked both players as they accepted the terms, allowing Issei to alter his strategy.

'This might work in my favor after all.' Issei said before drawing his sixth card and looking at his hand. Issei had two monsters, two spells, and two traps, which would be helpful in the long run, so Issei decided to make his first move.

"I'll place one monster in defense mode and two cards facedown, and then I'll end my turn by sending the top card of my deck to the grave," Issei said, placing a monster in the grave, making him smile internally since he looked at the other monster in hand, making Mai look curiously at Issei's side recalling their first battle.

'The last time he pulled a three-monster combo with those utensil monsters, but now just defense? Does he not have a stronger monster in hand, or is he stalling me? Either way, it's time I show him what my Deck is capable of.' Mai said in her mind before making her first move.

"I draw and play the Field Spell: Harpies Hunting Ground!" Mai declared as the field took into effect, changing the landscape until Mai continued her turn. "All Winged Beast monsters gain an additional 200 attack and defense points. And if I summon a Harpie Lady or Harpie Lady Sisters, then I can take out a Spell or Trap Card on the field."

"So then I'll Normal Summon Harpie Lady in Attack Mode." Mai declared as she summoned the Normal Card: Harpie Lady, making Issei nod since he recognized this monster, meaning that Mai didn't have Harpie Lady Sisters 2 and 3 in her Deck.

Harpie Lady

Winged Beast/Normal Monster

ATK: 1300200=1500

DEF: 1400200=1600

"And just to make sure you don't use the Field Spell that was played earlier, I'll be destroying Tribute Arena," Mai said as Harpie Lady took out the Tribute Arena, much to Pegasus's disappointment.

"Aw. And now my fun is ruined." Pegasus said with a pout, causing the others to wonder why a grown man acts like a child sometimes.

"And now, since I have a Level 6 or lower Wind Monster, I can Special Summon Harpies Pet Dragon-Fearsome Fire Blast!" Mai shouted as a pillar of fire emerged, and the large dragon roared into the air, making Issei smile at this before fanning himself with his hand.

"Oh! It's about to get hot in here, but before you try and declare battle, I'll activate my Trap Card: Bottomless Trap Hole." Issei declared before shocking Mai as the dragon roared before being dragged away into the Graveyard, which made Mai smirk.

"Granted, I was planning on you having a trap, but thanks to my dragon's skill, when he's sent to the graveyard from the field, I can send a Winged Beast Wind element from the deck to the Graveyard, so I'll choose Harpie Harpist," Mai said before sending said card to the grave.

"And now my Harpie Lady will attack your facedown monster!" Mai shouted, making Harpie Lady roar as she sliced the massive blob that looked like a germ before Issei smiled at her as said blob was destroyed.

"Well, thank you. Your little Harpie is about to enter a world of pain now," Issei said, Mai looking confused. She gasped as the germ struck her life points from the grave, while her Harpie Lady screamed in pain as its claws were covered in spots.

"That was Plague Giant Germ," Issei said before explaining the monster's ability. "Plague Giant Germ is a much stronger version of the original Giant Germ."

Plague Giant Germ

Attribute: DARK

Level: 2

Type: Fiend / Effect

ATK: 1000

DEF: 100

Card Text:

"When this facedown card is destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard: Inflict 1000 damage to your opponent, then Special Summon all "Plague Giant Germ" from your Deck in facedown Defense Position. Additionally, infect your opponent's field with a plague: For each "Plague Giant Germ" on your field and in your Graveyard, all monsters your opponent controls lose 300 ATK and DEF each turn. This effect is cumulative and remains as long as there is at least one "Plague Giant Germ" on your field or in your Graveyard. If all "Plague Giant Germ" cards are banished, the plague effect is negated."

"Since Plague Giant Germ was destroyed, you not only take a thousand points of damage, but your monsters lose 300 attack and defense points due to the number of germs in both my Graveyard and field. Oh, and here they come." Issei said that until three other Plague Giant Germs emerged from the Deck and the remaining one in the grave continued to infect the harpies, causing them to lose strength.

Harpie Lady

ATK: 1500-1200=300

DEF: 1600-1200=400

Mai Valentine: 4000-1000=3000

"I hate that trick since it's just like last time," Mai grumbled, recalling the deadly combo that weakened her harpies and dragon before Issei dealt the final blow.

"I know, and this plague is permanent as long as I have one germ in either field or graveyard, which means unless you have a way to banish my germs, your monsters will permanently lose 1200 attack points when they come on the field," Issei said with a smile, making Mai hiss at this since she knew facing Issei was going to be a challenge. Still, Issei kept up his skills when he wasn't in the circuit.

"Im surprised you swapped out the Giant Germs for these new ones."

"Oh yeah, they're new for me too. These little guys were in a special booster pack that I had opened up before I came to the tournament, and I knew right away they were perfect for my Fiend deck." Issei said, smiling. Since he was glad to go for some new cards, he decided to do the booster pack draw and got some good ones that he knew suited his decks.

Mai smirked hearing this since she was impressed, but she still needed to be done.

"Not bad, but you are not the only one with a few tricks," Mai said before activating Harpie Harpist's ability from the Graveyard to add a new Level 4 Winged Beast Monster to her hand that has 1500 or fewer attack points from the Deck to her hand.

"Then I'll end my turn putting two cards facedown," Mai said while looking at the spell card in her hand that should be able to help her with Plague Giant Germs ability.

'If this card works, then I'll be able to deal with them, ' Mai thought as Issei drew his fourth card and smiled, which made Mai concerned before activating her plan.

"I play Banishment Blitz!" Mai shouted as she cast the spell, which sent a deadly lightning blast that destroyed all of the Plague Giant Germs on not just the field but the Graveyard as well until they were banished. What scared Mai more was that Issei didn't seem fazed by it at all.

Banishment Blitz

Type: Quick-Play Spell

Card Text:

Target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; banish all monsters with the same name as that target from the field and Graveyards.

"Oh, you're wondering why I'm not scared? Well, let me tell you why," Issei said, smiling at a card in his hand before playing it.

"I play Germ Revival, which allows my Plague Giant Germs to return but without their abilities," Issei said as the four vanished Plague Giant Germs came out but less infectious than last time.

Germ Revival

Type: Spell Card

Card Text:

Special Summon: Any number of your banished 'Giant Germ' monsters will be added to your field. Their effects are negated, and they cannot be used as material for a Fusion, Synchro, Xyz, or Link Summon.

"And now I'll play Double Summon, letting me summon twice this turn, so I'll sacrifice two of my germs to bring out one of my heavy hitters," Issei said, while the germs began to fuse and became a massive being that was not to be underestimated.

"Meet Darkness Destroyer. One of my favorite tanks." Issei said, making the fiend chuckle at the nickname its master gave to him before Issei sacrificed the other two germs that were then replaced by an ominous aura enveloping the battlefield.

"Now allow me to introduce his lover. Meet Lady of Eternal Darkness," Issei said as the lady appeared intimidating but beautiful. Her beauty made the older guys blush until a smack to the back of their heads brought them out of their imaginations.

Lady of Eternal Darkness was tall and imposing, her form cloaked in a flowing gown of shadowy, ethereal fabric that seemed to ripple like liquid night. Her eyes glow with an eerie crimson light, casting a sinister gaze that pierces through the darkness.

Her long, obsidian hair cascades down her back, blending seamlessly with the shadows that swirl around her. Intricate, ancient markings of a dark, arcane nature adorn her pale skin, glowing faintly with a dark purple hue. Her hands, delicate yet menacing, are adorned with sharp, claw-like fingernails that glint with a metallic sheen.

On the one hand, she holds a staff topped with a dark crystal that pulses with ominous energy, reflecting her power and command over the forces of darkness. Her presence radiates an aura of dread and power, causing the air around her to grow cold and heavy with the weight of her dark magic.

As she stands on the battlefield, a faint whisper of dark incantations seems to echo around her, promising doom to those who oppose her and bolstering the power of her allies, particularly her partner in destruction, the "Darkness Destroyer."

Lady of Eternal Darkness

Attribute: DARK

Level: 8

Type: Fiend / Effect

ATK: 2800

DEF: 2400

Card Text:

"Once per turn, if this card or another Fiend monster you control destroys an opponent's monster by battle, You can inflict damage to your opponent equal to the destroyed monster's original ATK. If this card is destroyed by battle or card effect, You can add 1 DARK Fiend monster from your Deck to your hand, except 'Lady of Eternal Darkness.'"

"And now, it's time to deal with your traps, no doubt, so I'll play a nice little trap I call Shadow Purge!" Issei declared as the card flipped up to reveal a picture of an ominous shadow consuming all light in its area.

Shadow Purge

Type: Trap Card

Card Text:

Destroy all Spell and Trap cards on the field and hand. Inflict 500 damage to your opponent for each card destroyed on their side of the field, and gain 500 Life Points for each card destroyed on your side of the field.

Issei smiled as the trap destroyed both Mai's traps and dealt her a thousand points of damage, while Issei gained a thousand points.

Mai Valentine: 3000-1000=2000

Issei Hyoudou: 4000-1000=5000

"And now, time to finish this. Darkness Destroyer. End it!" Issei shouted, making the massive Fiend roar as it then charged at Mai and flicked the stand, making Mai shake and almost fall off as her life points ended, and so did the match.

Mai Valentine: 2000-2800=-800

Winner: Issei Hyoudou.

Issei walked over to Mai, who seemed to be a bit down, before Issei approached her and hugged her, shocking Mai as Issei began to whisper in her ear.

The words he said to her seemed to help Mai since her frown turned into a smile. Then, Mai turned to Issei and had a few tears in her eyes. She then turned around and faced Issei before hugging him.

"Thank you for not leaving the game. I could tell from the time you played against me you were actually having fun." Mai said to him, making Issei smile before Mai then pulled back from the hug and kissed his lips, shocking Issei since it was definitely different from the kiss on the cheek from Mai and Vivian's cuddles.

Mai didn't use her tongue, and she poured her feelings toward Issei into the kiss before letting him go and smiling at his surprised expression.

"I'm still up for that date, Issei. Maybe after we have a bit of a date during or after the tournament?" Mai asked, making Issei blush as the Dark King's persona fell and his introverted side appeared.

"W-Well, I wouldn't mind going on a date with you," Issei said, a bit embarrassed. Keith was flashing Issei a thumbs up while Fenris nodded his way before Vivian rushed towards them.

"No fair! I want a date with Issei and Mai too!" Vivian shouted before wrapping her around them, both making Issei and Mai a bit surprised. Vivian began to pepper them both with kisses on the cheek.

"Come on!~ Can't we have a date with the three of us? I'm sure it'll be fun!" Vivian said, which made Issei run a hand through her hair, stopping her whining. Vivian sighed in relief while Mai calmed down her blush.

"L-Look, it's up to Issei and me, so you're just going to have to be patient," Mai said, finally pushing down her blush before Issei nodded in response.

"Mai is right. We'll talk about it and then let you know, Vivian." Issei said, making Vivian cheer in joy until Pegasus interfered.

"Excuse me, but could the three of you please exit the area so we can continue with the next two matches," Pegasus said before the trio left the area to see that the final two matches for the day were:

Maximillion Pegasus Vs Seto Kaiba.

Rex Raptor Vs. Yugi Moto

"Now, this will be an interesting battle, so the next two battles will be the creator of Duel Monsters vs. the former champion," Keith said, with Fenris agreeing that this battle would be intense.

"Still, after that, we can see just how strong Yugi Moto really is once he battles against Rex Raptor," Issei said once the trio got to the top. Kaiba walked towards the arena, and Pegasus smiled, looking at his Deck.

"I'm happy to announce that the special rule for this one is that both of our life points will be doubled, meaning we'll both start with 8000 life points," Pegasus said, much to the group's shock, before Kaiba took out his Deck.

"It doesn't matter what trick you try to pull because I'll beat you and claim my little brother back," Kaiba said, making many of the duelists wonder what Kaiba meant by that until the judge stepped forward to both duelists.

"The third matchup shall now begin with Maximillion Pegasus versus Seto Kaiba!" The judge said with the two duelists ready to begin.

"Good luck, Kaiba boy."

"You'll regret taking my brother, Pegasus."

Two powerful duelists are now about to duel!

Scene!

I hope you all liked the chapter since it shows Issei's Fiend Deck. Granted, Mai did lose, but she did put up a good battle.

Stay tuned for the next chapter: The Creator Vs The Champion.