//------------------------------//
// Top 12:Part I 
// Story: An Equestrian Element 
// by Quillion9000 
//------------------------------//

Pegasus’ Castle
“Oh, you haven’t headed on in yet.” Tristan called out.

He had intended on just heading to the balcony only to find Mektaveus waiting outside the door to the red side of the castle’s arena.

“Tristan?” Mektaveus questioned in surprise as the guy approached him. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be with one of your buds?”

“That was the plan, but Joey actually brought up a good point for once in that you’d be inside this castle with Pegasus and Bandit Keith.” Tristan crossed his arms. “Considering what we’ve seen from both, it’d be a good idea to have someone watching your back.

He offered to forgo his own companion until Sunset made the case that she was in the least amount of danger given her opponent and distance from the castle. In any case, I was the one who offered to come watch your back.”

Mektaveus smiled. “Well, I certainly appreciate having someone trustworthy around.”

“So, what are you doing standing out here?” Tristan asked.
 
“I just figured that there was no reason to head on in until the distant sounds of the second set of fireworks go off.” Mektaveus shrugged. “That would tell me Keith should be making his way to the arena, and I’ll then head out to be waiting for him.”

“When the time does come, duel circles around the guy.” Tristan voiced.

“I had no intention of doing it any other way.” Mektaveus responded.

Tristan then walked away heading on up to the second floor and leaving Mektaveus to wait out the rest of his time. Before that conversation with Tristan, he felt confident in his ability to beat Keith. Knowing he had truly made some new buds only assured his confidence.

Mektaveus vs Keith, Later…
Mektaveus was standing before the red console waiting as the door at the other end opened. Bandit Keith had arrived, and he strolled right up to the blue console.

“I’m glad you were actually here.” Keith smirked. “After all, I need a warm up duel.”

“Then I think you’re about to be disappointed.” Mektaveus smirked right back at him. “An attitude like yours around someone like me will only leave you burned.”

“Just keep talking.” Keith returned.

Before they could start, a door connected to a solitary balcony opened. Pegasus stepped on through while accompanied by two of his guards. This naturally drew the attention of the two duelists and Tristan.

“Don’t mind me gentlemen.” Pegasus chuckled as he took a seat. “I merely figured I’d come see the duel taking place within my castle.”

“Gee, shouldn’t they just feel honored.” Tristan commented sarcastically.

“This is exactly why I allowed non-competitors to stick around.” Pegasus smiled. “You all have the potential to make this a little more fun than it’ll already be. That said, this isn’t about that.” He looked at the duelists. “Please, begin whenever you two are ready.”

Keith and Mektaveus both drew their opening hands.

“Let’s Duel!”

(Mektaveus 2000/Keith 2000)

“Looks like we’re finally here.” Keith stated. “Tell me, how does it feel going up against the American Champion?”

“Here I thought I was dueling Bandit Keith.” Mektaveus grinned. “Shining Armor, I didn’t take you for the type to break rules.”

“Punk.” Keith grunted as he drew. “I’ll teach you to respect me. It all begins with one card in face down defense mode. Your move.”

“You’ve done a good job of maintaining your cool against this guy.” Tristan declared. “Keep it up, Mektaveus.”

“I intend to Tristan.” Mektaveus drew. “I’ll start off by summoning Superheavy Samurai Wagon(LV 4/1200/1800).” A green samurai towing a wagon appeared. “When this guy is summoned, I can switch his battle position.”

“This won’t be a very exciting match if we’re both playing defensive.” Keith declared.

“You’d think that, but a lot of my stronger monsters have quite the handy effect.” Mektaveus responded. “Rather than reveal that, I’ll reveal another effect a lot of them are known for. This deck I run uses no traps or spells which is only beneficial to my monsters.”

“How does not using typically half a deck have any form of benefit to you?” Keith questioned.

“A lot of my monsters have effects that only work when my grave is devoid of spell/trap cards.” Mektaveus declared. “For instance, when Wagon is in defense position, I can shift him to attack position and add any Superheavy Samurai Soul monster form my deck to the hand.” 

“Looks like someone really wants to play with the big boys.” Keith thought.

Mektaveus took out just the card he wanted. “Now, my wagon will attack your face down monster.”

Wagon rushed forward and attacked the face down card flipping it face up. In that moment, the monster, a red sphere, clamped onto Wagon rather than being destroyed.

“What?” Mektaveus asked.

“The monster you attacked was Blast Sphere(LV 4/1400/1400).” Keith chuckled. “Since you attacked it face down, this monster equips to your monster. Now, it’s primed to activate on your next Standby Phase.”

“What exactly does it do?” Mektaveus asked.

Keith grinned. “I wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise.”

“Very well.” Mektaveus nodded. “I have no further plays, so I end my turn.”

“My move!” Keith drew. “I believe I’ll set another monster and back it up with two face downs before ending my turn.”

“Alright, I draw.” Mektaveus drew.

“With your Standby Phase, Blast Sphere goes off destroying the monster its equipped to and dealing the owner of said monster damage equal to that monster’s ATK it had on the field.” Keith declared.

“If that effect goes off, Mektaveus is going to be at a huge disadvantage!” Tristan thought worriedly. “What’s he supposed to do about effects like those without a back row to compensate?”
 
Blast Sphere exploaded leaving behind a massive cloud of dust.

“How did you like that?” Keith asked.

“Even though I don’t think you’re all that good like you seem to, I’ll admit that was an impressive monster.” Mektaveus commented as the smoke cleared revealing Wagon and his life points remained exactly as they were. “It wasn’t enough to get through my defenses though.”

“What!?” Keith exclaimed. “Your monster should have been sent to the scrap heap.”

“You’d be right if not for the card I sent from hand to the grave.” Mektaveus retorted. “Superheavy Samurai Soulfire Suit. During either of our turns, I can send this Samurai to the grave to activate one of its effects.

By targeting a Superheavy Samurai I control, like Superheavy Samurai Wagon(LV 4/1200/1000 effect), I can decrease their defense by 800 until the end of the turn, and that monster can’t be destroyed by card effect or battle this turn.”

“Whoa, I should really stop underestimating that deck just because it doesn’t have spells or traps.” Tristan smiled. “Way to go Mektaveus!”

“Big deal.” Keith scoffed. “You pulled off a move, but in the end we’re practically where we were the last time.”

“Don’t be hasty.” Mektaveus responded. “After all, I’d say things are about to change considering I haven’t summoned yet. First, I’ll switch Wagon to defense before then activating his effect. He switches to ATK once more, and I can add another Soul monster to my hand. Now, I’ll summon Superheavy Samurai Bike(LV 2/800/1200).” A purple bike appeared.

“A tuner monster.” Keith noted.

“That it is.” Mektaveus stated. “This one’s got a pretty good effect. Once per turn, I can target any machine monster I wish and increase their level by two. I’ll target Superheavy Samurai Wagon(LV 6/1200/1000 effect).”

“Gr, that means you can synchro a level eight monster.” Keith noted.

“You’re right on the money.” Mektaveus stated. “My Bike will give Wagon a tune up to Synchro for eight. “Shinobi hiding in the darkness. Emerge onto this war ground with a cry that echoes in the mountains. Synchro summon Superheavy Samurai Sarutobi(LV 8/2000/2800) in defense.” A bulky blue and black machine samurai appeared.

“You summon a monster like that in defense mode.” Keith scoffed. “What, afraid of my face down card?”

“Not in the slightest.” Mektaveus retorted. “The simple fact is you will rarely see me summon my higher leveled guys in attack position. Before telling you why, I have a few effects to activate. The first is Sarutobi’s. Since I have no spell/traps in my grave, I can destroy one spell/trap you control and deal out 500 life points of damage.”

“What!?” Keith exclaimed.

“You heard me.” Mektaveus retorted. “Sarutobi destroy the left face down (Mektaveus 2000/Keith 1500). Now, I’ll activate the effect of Superheavy Samurai Soulpiercer. Aside from my Soul cards having unique effects, they can also be equipped to Superheavy Samurais. This one, when equipped, allows my monster to deal piercing battle damage.”

“Too bad you made the amateur mistake of summoning your Synchro in defense position.” Keith retorted smugly.

“It was no mere mistake.” Mektaveus retorted. “Like I said, you’ll rarely see me summon my higher leveled guys in ATK position. That’s down to the fact that all of them can attack while in defense position, and they’ll utilize their DEF in any calculations.”

“They can do that!?” Keith exclaimed in shock.

“You might find the odd card that can do what the Superheavy Samurais can, but aside from no traps or spells, this is one of the deck’s biggest strengths.” Mektaveus declared. “Now, you better hope that monster of yours has more than 1300 DEF because Sarutobi is attacking it.”

“Alright!” Tristan thought. “If this attack goes through, and that monster has 1300 or less DEF, Mektaveus puts Keith out of commission.”
 
“I shouldn’t have to play nearly this well against a nobody like him. I shouldn’t even have to go this low in life points.” Keith sneered. “I activate my face down Damage Diet. With this trap, all damage I take this turn is halved.”

Sarutobi tore through the face down monster witch was a yellow, two wheeled machine known as Bicular(LV 2/200/200). While Sarutobi would deal piercing battle damage, it was going to be halved down to 1300 life points due to Damage Diet (Mektaveus 2000/Keith 200).

“Beyond just weathering your attack, I can now activate Bicular’s effect.” Keith continued. “Since it was destroyed by battle, I can special summon a Unicycular(LV 1/100/100) from my deck.” A red, single wheeled machine appeared.

“You did weather that attack, but you still haven’t put a dent in my life points.” Mektaveus declared. “It’s your move.”

“Keep talking all you want, but I’m not worried even in a situation like this.” Keith drew and slyly managed to withdraw another card from one of his bracelets with only Pegasus picking up on it. “Looks like I just drew the perfect card. You’re not the only one who can Synchro.”

“If that’s true, then it’s all the more reason why I won’t let you win.” Mektaveus declared.

“We’ll just see about that.” Keith declared. “I summon Turbo Rocket(LV 2/0/0).” A red machine between two red rockets appeared. Now, my Rocket will give Unicycular a tune up to Synchro for 3. I’m calling forth a weapon powerful enough to fell a monster no matter its ATK.

Synchro summon Turbo Canon(LV 3/0/0) in defense position.” A gold and white machine with twin canons for arms appeared. “This monster allows me to destroy any one monster you control and deal half their ATK to you as damage.”

“Go ahead because I can spare 1000 life points.” Mektaveus retorted.

“Hold on, I’m not activating that effect just yet.” Keith smirked. “Since your monsters are Machine-types like mine, a good number of my cards work on them. I activate 7 Completed. With this, I can choose ATK or DEF and increase that stat on any Machine monster.

I’ll target your Superheavy Samurai Sarutobi(LV 8/2700/2800 effect) and give him a seven hundred ATK boost. Now, Canon will wipe your monster off the field (Mektaveus 650/Keith 200). Now, your field’s cleared right alongside your ability to deal piercing damage.”

“That is true, but when Soulpiercer is sent from my field to the grave, I can add any Superheavy Samurai I wish from my deck to my hand.” Mektaveus responded.

“Add as many cards as you like, but it won’t do you any good.” Keith smirked. “It took you two turns to Synchro summon, and while your deck has its little cards to stand up to my arsenal, they never compare to the genuine articles.”

“I don’t know about that considering my monsters seem no less capable than your spell/trap cards.” Mektaveus commented. “Also, you’re being far too hasty. My dad, while no duelist himself, often said that nothing ends until you give up.”

“Your dad was a moron.” Keith retorted. “Everything has an end, and there’s no point not giving up once you reach that point.” He laughed. “I’d say we’re already there but continue struggling against the inevitable if you wish.”

“It’s a bad move to insult my family whether they be deceased or still living.” Mektaveus replied with calm anger.

“Given what we’ve learned about him, I thought his anger over something like this would be more like Joey’s, but this is something different.” Tristan noted.

“My move.” Mektaveus drew.

“Come on, no card you can play will help you turn this around.” Keith stated. “Just give up already.”

“You know, you’ve made a lot of guesses about what my deck can do.” Mektaveus stated. “Every time, you’re wrong. I see no reason why this time should be any different. I can think of no better way than with the card I think represents my own father.

It’s not exact, but it is close enough for me. All I need are the pieces to summon it, and I acquired the last one through my draw. Since I have no spell/trap cards in my grave, I can special summon two monsters.

I call forth Superheavy Samurai Transporter(LV 5/1200/1800) and Superheavy Samurai Big Waraji(LV 5/800/1800).” A lanky, dark red machine on wheels and a golden machine with thinner limbs appeared.

“This dweeb actually has special summoning capabilities!?” Keith thought while sweating. “What, do you have some Xyz monsters?”

“Nope, but I don’t really need them considering I still have my normal summon.” Mektaveus retorted. “I summon Superheavy Samurai Fist(LV 2/900/900).” A small, dark green and red machine, with one large fist, appeared.

“Five…Five…Two.” Keith’s eyes widened. “A Level 12 Synchro. There’s no way someone like him should be capable of that.”
 
“Fist will give Transporter and Big Waraji a tune up to Synchro for 12.” Mektaveus continued. “Through all hard ships that one faces, I stand true and proud to protect all I hold close to my heart. May my spirit show the might that stands for not only my family but the buds I’ve made.

I call upon the spirit of my father, Victor Armaldo, to help me in my time of need! The power of not only the mighty train but the honor of the great semi-truck! All hail, Superheavy Samurai Steam Train King(LV 12/2000/4800) in defense!” A colossal, demonic red train appeared.

“Even though that monster can attack from defense position, my canon is also in defense position meaning you can’t damage me unless you have another Soul card that can do that!” Keith exclaimed. “I don’t think you do, so this summon was a waste!”

“You finally got something right in that I don’t have another Soul card that can grant my monster piercing battle damage, but I don’t need it.” Mektaveus responded. “Once per turn, I can banish every spell/trap in the grave and deal you 200 life points of damage for each one!”

“It can’t!” Keith was utterly stunned. “Over the course of this duel, one spell and two traps of mine went to the grave. That’s 600 life points. Even if I were to banish Damage Diet, using its effect to half effect damage this turn, I’d still lose.”

“It can!” Mektaveus returned. “Steam Train King, pave the way for the foundation of any deck!! Clear the grave of all spell/trap cards!!!”

(Mektaveus 650/Keith 0)

“No way.” Bandit Keith was wide eyed. “I lost to a nobody.”

“Remarkable.” Pegasus chuckled. “That boy used the Superheavy Samurai’s full potential to halt Bandit Keith’s plans for revenge right in their tracks.”

“Like I said Keith, I wasn’t going to lose to a duelist like you.” Mektaveus declared.

“Way to go man!” Tristan cheered.

“This duel doesn’t count!” Keith angrily slammed his hands on the console. “You must have cheated. It’s the only explanation for how you got all those cards for that combo of yours. You should be disqualified!”

“If anyone’s likely to cheat, it’d be you!” Tristan shouted.

“He’s right.” Pegasus spoke up, drawing all their attention. “You should be the one disqualified for improper conduct.”

“Hm, is that so?” Mektaveus stared critically at his opponent. “Got anything to say for yourself?”

Keith simply ground his teeth angrily.

“If he won’t say it, I will.” Pegasus declared. “Bandit Keith hid a Turbo Rocket beneath his wrist band. That way he’s have it on deck for the play he made. It wouldn’t surprise me if a level one monster was under his other wrist band. That way he’d always have that combo ready.”

“I’m not surprised given what you did to me and my new buds.” Mektaveus retorted.

Two of Pegasus’ guards came out to stand on either side of Bandit Keith. “Take him away.”

“No!” Keith struggled against their grip as they dragged him away. “Let go! Nobody makes a monkey out of Bandit Keith! NOBODY!”

“Well done, Mr. Armaldo.” Pegasus clapped drawing Mektaveus’ attention. “You should be proud of how you handled your deck.”

The Superheavy Samurai user just stared at him until the sounds of impacts could be heard. Everyone looked down the pathway Keith had been dragged down only to see both guards unconscious and the Machine user sprinting down the walkway.

“What the heck are you doing?” Mektaveus question shocked.

Keith managed to leap off the arena and land next to Pegasus before pulling out a gun which he held up to the man’s head.

“You really are quite the stubborn one.” Despite his situation, Pegasus was as calm as ever.

“Can it.” Keith ordered. “You aren’t talking your way out of this one. Now, hand over the prize money or else.”

“Of course, Keith.” Pegasus smiled. “I’ll do as you say, but my body needs a moment to recover from this dreadful shock you’ve given me.”

“Alright, wise guy.” Keith retorted. “I’ll give you until the count of three.”

“Fine.” Pegasus stated. “1, 2, 3.”

He then pressed a switch on the floor with his foot causing a trap door to open beneath the gun wielder. Keith fell through and was sent on a one-way trip to the ocean. Thus, the first duel of the Top 12 ended with Tristan and Mektaveus uncertain about Keith’s fate.

Mai vs Sunset, Docks
Sunset arrived at the docks and saw Mai was indeed awaiting her arrival on the red side of the arena. “Since she’s raring to duel, I shouldn’t delay.”

She stepped up onto the blue side and rose on up to the console.

“I used to think the only person a duelist could trust was herself.” Mai thought. “Then, I met Sunset and learned from her that even two duelists who have the desire to defeat the other could become friends. If she hadn’t dueled for my star chips, I might not even be here now.
 
Truth is, I owe her a debt, and I intend to repay it by giving her a true, honorable duel. One where I go all out and show just what I’ve truly learned from all of this. When I do defeat her, this will be a victory I can be proud of.”

“I hope you’re ready Sunset because I’m going all out to win this.” Mai declared.

Sunset smiled. “Let’s see it then.”

“Duel!”
 
(Sunset 2000/Mai 2000)

“I don’t smell any perfume.” Sunset grinned. “Perhaps you are actually going to give me a real duel this time.”

“That’s the plan.” Mai drew. “I’m done with cheap tricks.”

“I actually believe that.” Sunset smiled. “Mai really has come a long way, but it doesn’t mean I won’t beat her into the ground.”
 
“Just you wait because I’m not all smoke and mirrors.” Mai declared. “I can duel with the best of them, and I play Birdface(LV 4/1600/1600).” A large predator bird appeared. “I’ll then activate Burden of the Mighty. This little number is part of a duo that weakens your heroes.

From here on out, any monster you summon will have one hundred less ATK multiplied by their level. That’s not all because I’m setting one card. Then, I activate Hand Restoration allowing me to draw one card for every card I’ve just played. I’ll end my turn by setting one more card.

“Thanks to that spell, she didn’t waste a card to set up.” Sunset drew before smiling. “I’ll admit, that was a good turn; however, this card I’m about to utilize should be familiar. I normal summon Elemental Hero Bubbleman(LV 4/400/1200 effect).” A hero in blue armor appeared.

“Thanks to that, you now get to draw two cards.” Mai crossed her arms. “What? Did you also get Bubble Blaster like last time?”

“Nah, I didn’t draw his equip spell this duel, but I did have a different Bubble spell already in my hand.” Sunset returned. “I activate Bubble Shuffle. With this, I target one attack position Bubbleman and one attack position monster my opponent controls. Both switch to defense.

Then, I can tribute Bubbleman to special summon any 1 Elemental Hero from my hand. I’ll choose Elemental Hero Cutting Bladedge(LV 7/1900/1800 effect).” A golden hero appeared. “He deals piercing battle damage. Bladedge, dice up Birdface!”

“Got ya.” Mai smirked. “I’ll admit that I didn’t think I’d be springing this now, but you’ve fallen into my trap.” She flipped her face down and a wall of crystal appeared catching Bladedge’s blade. “I activate my Mirror Wall.”

“Mirror Wall?” Sunset questioned.

“This continuous trap permanently halves the attack of your monsters any time you make them attack.” Mai smiled. “In other words, it’s the second half of my duo to weaken your heroes. Since Bladedge is weaker than Birdface, it’ll mean you’re the one taking damage.”

Elemental Hero Cutting Bladedge(LV 7/950/1800 effect)
 
Bladedge was rebuffed by the wall making Sunset’s life points drop (Sunset 1350/Mai 2000)

“You just took a big hit Sunset.” Mai smirked. “Looks like you just can’t play when your opponent is actually trying.”

“You seem to forget I came out as the winner of our first duel, which had four participants, and made it all the way to this point the same as you.” Sunset declared. “Besides, this duel is hardly over. On that note, I’ll set one card to end my turn.”

“Looks like you just don’t have any of your fancy fusion cards to help you out of this, Sunset.” Mai commented as she drew. “In that case, if Bladedge is the best you got without them, you’ll never beat me.”

“My deck might thrive thanks to fusions, but you’ve already seen that’s not all I can do.” Sunset retorted. “Play your turn, and I’ll show you just what I mean.”

“Despite what I said, she is right in that fusion isn’t all her deck can pull off.” Mai’s mind flashed to Bubble Blaster from their first duel, and Bubble Shuffle just last turn. “Very well, I’ll summon Harpie’s Brother(LV 4/1800/600).” A tall, shirtless guy with red wings appeared.

“I activate my face down, Edge Hammer.” Sunset countered. “By tributing an Elemental Hero Bladedge, which Cutting Bladedge does count as, I can destroy any one monster you control and deal damage equal to their original ATK…”

“I didn’t know you had a trap like that, but I still prepared a counter for a trap.” Mai declared. “I activate Icarus Attack which requires me to tribute a Winged Beast monster I control. Then, I destroy any two cards on the field.

I’ll tribute Birdface to destroy your two cards.” While she would lose Birdface’s battle destruction effect, it was worth it to prevent this trap. “While destruction doesn’t mean negation, the way the cards resolve means you won’t have a Bladedge anymore.”

“By getting rid of my monster, it means my life points are safe this turn.” Sunset retorted.

“I wouldn’t count on it.” Mai smirked. “Consider yourself lucky I only have one monster on the field otherwise this next card would have finished you. I activate the spell Wind Barrage allowing all Wind Attribute monsters I control to attack you directly this turn.”

“If I hadn’t forced her hand on that face down last turn, I would have lost this turn.” Sunset thought.

“As things stand, nine hundred damage is enough.” Mai declared. “Harpie’s Brother, attack Sunset directly (Sunset 450/Mai 2000). Things are looking rather sour, Sunset. All you have is less than a quarter of your starting life points.”

“That might be true, but sometimes all it takes is one good draw.” Sunset drew before smiling. “Mai, remind me again just how many cards you drew in the beginning.”

“I drew three.” Mai raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

“With the two I drew prior; this next card is going to replace itself and allow me to draw one extra card. I feel this will be all I need to at the very least turn this around.” Sunset responded. “I activate Pot of Greed to draw two cards.” She smiled. “This next move will end it.”

“Really now?” Mai asked. “I find that hard to believe.”

“Well, seeing is believing.” Sunset declared. “First, I summon Elemental Hero Gusting Avian(LV 4/1400/1100 effect).” A winged hero in full on green attire appeared. “Unlike his normal counterpart, he has an effect.

When he’s normal summoned, I can add 1 Elemental Hero or Hero spell/trap from my deck to my hand. I’ll add Elemental Hero Blazeman(LV 4/800/1800 effect). By adding him through this effect, I can special summon him.” A blazing hero in black, red, orange, and silver appeared.

“Oh, you managed to summon two monsters in one turn.” Mai smirked. “I’d call that impressive, but neither of them can stand up to Harpie’s Brother.”

“No, they can’t alone, but they don’t have to do this alone.” Sunset declared. “First, I’ll utilize one of Blazeman’s effects. If he’s summoned, I can add a Polymerization from my deck to my hand. Before I use it, I’ll activate R-Righteous Justice. This spell allows me to destroy spell/trap cards on the field up to the number of Elemental Heroes I control.”

Mai was shocked. “You control two of them!”

“Exactly.” Sunset smiled. “That means I can destroy that backrow combo of yours allowing my monsters to be at full strength and avoiding having them loose anymore should they attack.”

Elemental Hero Gusting Avian(LV 4/1800/1100)
Elemental Hero Blazeman(LV 4/1200/1800 effect)

Mai was sweating a little now. “Whatever Fusion you’re planning on using would still need to get over my Harpie’s Brother.”

“That’s no problem.” Sunset retorted. “I activate Polymerization to fuse Blazeman and Avian. Fusion summon Elemental Hero Great Tornado(LV 8/2800/2200).” A hero in a green and yellow jump suit with tattered cloak appeared. “If this card is fusion summoned, he halves the ATK/DEF of every face up monster you control.”

Harpie’s Brother(LV 4/900/600 effect)

“My monster’s been reduced to half his size!” Mai exclaimed. “That means I’m about to take a lot of damage!”

“No, it means you lose because I’m activating my H-Heated Heart spell card which grants any monster I control 500 extra ATK until the end of this turn. I target Elemental Hero Great Tornado(LV 8/3300/2200effect).”

“Oh no!” Mai exclaimed.

“Great Tornado, wrap this duel up by destroying Harpie’s Brother.” Sunset declared.

Multiple, fast moving blades of wind sliced clean through Harpie’s brother dividing its pieces before the hologram shattered winning Sunset the duel in one, fell swoop (Sunset 450/Mai 0).

“Two thousand life points…” Mai was shocked. “Just like that, they’re all gone.”

The Harpie user took a deep breath before turning away from Sunset and preparing to leave.

“Hey Mai, thank you.” Sunset called out catching her attention even if she didn’t look back. “You said we’d have an honorable duel, and you delivered; however, I get the feeling I only scratched the surface of your deck. That’s why we should duel again someday.”

“I wouldn’t mind that, but there’s clearly much I need to learn about myself before that day ever comes.” Mai closed her eyes. “About dueling, myself, and my deck. Once I have, we’ll duel again.” She finally looked back at her. “When we do, you better watch out.”

“In that case, I’ll keep learning as well.” Sunset nodded. “Then, our next duel can be even better than this one was.”

They shared a smile with equal parts looks of determination before the Harpie user walked further down the docks to await the boat meant to take her off the island.