Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ I Care ❯ A Duel ( Chapter 12 )

Emmy: Hey guys. Well, just incase you didn't know Malik is the hikari and Marik is the yami.

 

Raven: For any of you who don't like waiting for the chapters to come on this fic can enjoy themselves by reading other things we've done, like: Flaming Squirrels or Switched.

 

Emmy: So now, we present you with the next chapter! Thanks to all of you who reviewed. Those who are authors/authoresses know that reviews help a lot! I am so happy and feel so special that you would stick with my fic even though I've been updating so slow! Thank you! ^_^

 

Raven: Another note, we finally named the cousin! We though his part was so small that we wouldn't need to name him but it's grown bigger so we've named him and we're going back to name him in the first chapter.

 

Disclaimer: We don't own E-bay or Smarties or YGO.

 

A Duel?

 

“Aly are you listening to me?” Mrs. Carter asked in an annoyed tone. Aly blinked and turned to her mother.

 

“Yes…” she replied.

 

“Then what was the last thing I said?” her mother asked, arms crossed.

 

“That…You asked me to get your tooth brush,” Aly replied hopefully.

 

“No,” her mother said, smirking. “I asked if you'd called Tea today. I'm glad you've found such a nice friend that you can stay with while your father and I are away. She knows you're coming at twelve right?” Aly nodded.

 

“Good, now excuse me but I've got to get this stuff into the car. Honey, can you come down here and help me with the luggage?” Mrs. Carter called to her husband. Aly's father came down the steps, looking very tired.

 

“Yes dear,” he replied. Aly's mother smiled and strutted out to the car. Aly and her father exchanged a glance. Mrs. Carter's heals could be heard all the way down the hall, she was ready for business.

 

“Have a fun time at Tea's Peanut,” her father said, half smiling as he grabbed three of her mother's suitcases and struggled off towards the door. If he had been an anime character he could have sweat dropped. Aly smiled and grabbed the last suitcase.

 

Her mother spent the remainder of the morning checking flight times, meeting times, tickets and other things of importance as Aly's father made sure everything was in the car.

 

“I'm gonna miss you Sugar,” Aly's father said as he sat down on the couch. Aly put down her book and hugged her father tightly.

 

“I'm gonna miss you too dad,” she replied. They sat in silence for a while until Mrs. Carter came in chattering away to a customer on her cell phone.

 

“No sir I won't accept that-it's almost noon, everyone in the car now-no not you sir!” Aly and her father sighed in unison and exchanged looks once again before strapping into the car.

 

It was a short walk to Tea's but Aly's parents wanted to make sure she got there safely before they left.

 

“Have a fun time Aly and call us if you need us,” her mother said with a wave.

 

“We're sure to have a great time!” Tea exclaimed.

 

“Bye Sugar,” her father called and the car sped off. Aly watched it go until it was just a little spec over the horizon. She would actually miss them. Aly's parents had gone on business trips before but this was her first time left behind in a totally different country.

 

“You ready Aly?” Tea asked, smiling cheerily. Aly recalled the events that had happened Saturday night and almost regretted doing what she did…almost.

 

(Flash Back)

 

“Hello?”

 

“Hi Tea.”

 

“Aly! What's up?” Aly took a deep breath.

 

“Remember I mentioned having to find a place to stay this next week? Well…I have something very important to tell you,” she said. “It's a secret and you must never tell another living soul.” Aly heard Tea gasp in wonder.

 

“Oh, what is it Aly?” she asked.

 

“You have to promise you won't tell first.”

 

“I promise I won't tell.”

 

“You swear?” Aly checked.

 

“Yes Aly, I swear I will never tell another living soul,” Tea replied.

 

“Ok…the truth is…I kinda sorta like…R-Ryou,” Aly stammered. There! She had said it! She had actually told someone! A little bit of giddiness arose in Aly, she had just told someone her crush.

 

“Ryou?! You like Ryou?! Oh-Aly that's so-I can't think of the right word…how about…cute! That's so cute! I never knew you were interested in the shy guys!” Tea exclaimed happily. Aly smiled.

 

“Yeah...” she replied shyly.

 

“This is just…so exciting! One of my friends likes another of my friends!”

 

“Yeah, but you can't tell him! You promised!”

 

“I won't!” Tea said.

 

“Good. Now because I…well you know, because I feel that way about him I was sorta thinking of…This Sunday my parents are going on a business trip to Tokyo. I need to stay somewhere. I was thinking maybe I could stay-.”

 

“You can stay with me Aly!” Tea cried.

 

“Well, actually…I was going to ask if you'd help me…because I was thinking of…staying at his place,” Aly said quietly.

 

“WHAT?! Aly! Do you know dangerous that is?! What about Bakura? Besides, do you think ANYONE would ever let their teenage daughter stay at the house of a teenage BOY for ONE WHOLE WEEK?!” Tea cried. Aly pulled the phone away from her ears in surprise.

 

“Tell the whole neighborhood why don't you?!” Aly cried.

 

“I'm sorry Aly but I there's no way your parents would let you do that in a million years,” Tea replied.

 

“Who said I was going to tell them? Look, my plan was to tell them I was staying with you and then ask Ryou if I could stay at his house on tomorrow! I thought if I stayed with him I could get closer to him and make sure his yami didn't hurt him and-and his yami can't hurt me because I'm protected remember? Then if he turned me down I could go stay with you!” Aly cried. She felt close to tears. Tea wasn't being supportive at all!

 

“Aly…well…you're always welcome here, my mom wouldn't care. I'm sure Ryou's ok though, Yami talked to Bakura. Plus that…Egyptian lady they call Bastet, how do you know she's protecting you? You could have been dreaming.”

 

“Tea! She saved my life! It was her who stopped Bakura! Besides, I talked to her again last night. She says she's game for my plan,” Aly cried. There was a long silence in which Aly felt angry, betrayed, scared, and sad at the same time.

 

“Well…I-I guess…I guess I could help you out…but if you get in any danger you have to promise me you'll leave,” Tea replied. Aly sighed in relief and felt very thankful towards Tea at that moment.

 

“Oh thank you Tea!” Aly cried.

 

“You're welcome Aly. So, when will you be activating your `plan',” Tea asked, the excitement back in her voice.

 

(End Flashback)

 

“I think it would be better if I showed up later in the evening. I feel bad that I'm trying to make Ryou believe I'm in a horrible predicament but it has to be done,” Aly said. Tea nodded.

 

“So what do you want to do till then?” Tea chirped.

 

 

Ryou's P.O.V

 

Ryou set the history essay down and messaged his temples. Because of his insomnia Ryou didn't sleep much but now he couldn't sleep even if he wanted to.

 

Ever since the night of his nightmare Ryou had been unable to sleep. He'd tried taking a nap after working on his science and math, for it had given him a headache, but every time he closed his eyes Ryou saw…images. Images of…Aly dying, Yami and Yugi dying…horrible pictures of bloody friends…Ryou knew where they were coming from but he didn't say a word.

 

Maybe that's why his yami had been less violent lately. Bakura had moved on from physical abuse to mental abuse, not that Ryou didn't already get mental abuse, but this was much worse than he'd ever had before.

 

So instead of sleep Ryou decided to make himself a cup of coffee. If he couldn't sleep he would stay awake. Ryou did not want to relive the nightmare...

 

He tip toed through the hall, for Bakura sat in the dimly lit living room watching TV. He was just making his way past the entrance when Bakura asked, “What are you doing?” Ryou stopped.

 

“I'm making some coffee Bakura-sama, would you like a cup?” Ryou asked politely. Bakura shook his head and Ryou took it as a sign that he was dismissed. Ryou had acquired his taste for coffee a year ago, although he hadn't liked it at first, but it kept him awake and that was what mattered.

 

Ryou breathed in the scent of the coffee, one he always liked. It reminded him of his mother. She had made coffee first thing every morning, and Ryou had always woken up to its lovely scent.

 

As Ryou watched the hot, brown liquid trickle into his cup he heard someone bang on the door. He only knew one person who would knock with such force…

 

“Come in Marik!” Bakura shouted. Ryou could hear the door being thrown open and the sound of Marik's heavy footsteps on the floor.

 

“Hey Bakura! What's up?” Marik asked.

 

“Oh nothing,” Bakura replied. Suddenly the kitchen door opened and in stepped Malik.

 

“Hey Ryou,” Malik greeted, leaning against the wall.

 

“Hello Malik,” Ryou replied, taking the milk from the refrigerator.

 

“Can I have a cup?” he asked. Ryou nodded and retrieved a mug from the cupboard.

 

“Thanks.”

 

The two stood in silence for a while. The only sounds were the trickle of the coffee machine and the sound of the two yamis causing a ruckus in the other room.

 

“So…what have you been up too lately?” Malik asked. Ryou took a sip of his coffee and shrugged his shoulders. He didn't want Malik to know what was going on.

 

“What have you been up too?” Ryou asked. Malik shrugged as well.

 

“Not much, practicing for the play, homework, stuff like that…” he replied. Ryou nodded and they both continued to sip their coffee.

 

Just then the kitchen door slammed open, causing Ryou to jump and spill some coffee on his hand and the floor.

 

“Malik we're going to park! Those weird people who don't talk are having a show or somthin!” Marik cried.

 

“We're going to go tease mimes and have some fun…” Bakura said rather evilly. “Want to come?”

 

To Ryou's surprise Malik shook his head. “Nah, I'll stay here with Ryou,” he replied. Marik and Bakura also seemed to be shocked as well.

 

“Ok…we'll be back later,” Bakura said. Then he looked at Ryou, giving him a look that said: “Remember you are grounded, if you do anything I've told you not too there will be a punishment.” Ryou gave a slight nod, showing he understood.

 

“Have fun,” Malik said, giving a small wave. Bakura kept Ryou's gaze for one moment longer before breaking away and jogging out the door.

 

“Come on Marik, the show ends at nine!” Bakura called. It was when the door slammed that Ryou felt relaxed. It had been a while since he'd been at home without Bakura. It was kind of strange but nice at the same time. He hadn't been at his own home alone-well except for Malik-in a long time. It was almost as if his home seemed more like a home instead of a dungeon or a torture chamber.

 

“So…what do you do around here all day?” Malik asked, handing Ryou a paper towel. Ryou smiled in thanks.

 

“Um…I don't know…do homework, read…watch TV?” Royu replied, once again saying something more like a question than an answer.

 

“So that's why you're so pale. You need to get out more, get some sun, hang out with friends,” Malik said, setting his cup on the counter.

 

“Um…ok,” Royu replied. Why was Malik taking such an interest in him? Sure, they knew each other ok but they never talked in school and they only hung out when there yamis were around.

 

“Have you ever liked a girl Ryou?” Malik suddenly asked, gazing at the far wall as if in deep thought.

 

“What?” Ryou asked. A feeling of dread crept into his stomach. Did Malik know?

 

“Have you ever…you know, liked a girl?” Malik asked. Ryou swallowed.

 

“Oh…I don't know…” Ryou replied, taking another sip of his coffee, he needed a reason not to talk. Malik only nodded and continued to star at the wall.

 

“You got it easy with the ladies don't you?” Malik said, blinking and giving a small smile. “They're always swooning over you and stuffing their bras for you,” he teased.

 

“Oh sure, like I like that stuff? It's kind of creepy. Besides, you can't be telling me you don't have and easy time with girls,” Ryou replied. Malik gave a cocky smile.

 

“I must admit I am quite the charmer,” he said. Then his face fell a bit, not to a look of sadness but of thought. “Although…” he continued.

 

“Although what?” Ryou asked curiously. Malik looked at him with a sad smile.

 

“Although…I've never been able to charm the one girl I want,” he said sadly. Ryou felt sorry for Malik, it seemed even the popular, Egyptian teen had problems with girls.

 

“Sorry,” Ryou replied, not knowing what else to say.

 

“Don't be, you have nothing to be sorry for. Anyway…it's kind of fun, well not fun, but it's kind of like a challenge. I've actually got to try and earn her love instead of just getting it because she thinks I'm cute and that's part of the reason why I like her I think…because she doesn't swoon over me like the others. Not that I don't like that at times. It's just, she's different than the others. You know?” Malik asked. Ryou nodded, the way Malik described his feelings for his girl was kind of how Ryou felt about Aly. Malik smiled at this.

 

“Wanna go watch some TV?” he asked, setting his cup on the counter.

 

“Sure,” Ryou replied, happy to change the subject from their strange conversation.

 

 

Aly's P.O.V

 

“You play Duel Monsters?” Aly asked Tea as she leafed through Tea's deck. It was full of cute or beautiful monster cards, some of witch Aly would have liked to add to her collection.

 

“Yeah, I got into them when I met Yugi, then after we were trapped into that virtual world and I had to duel the evil penguin dude I began to like them more. I've been working on making a good deck ever since and hope to surprise the guys by becoming a better duelist!” Tea replied. She happened to be looking through Aly's cards. The girls had left Tea's to go hang out at Aly's empty house where Tea and Aly had looked at each others cards as Tea told Aly of her adventures with Yugi and the others.

 

A few years ago Clayton, Aly's cousin, had discovered Duel Monsters. Aly had gone along with him and had collected the cards in a white binder where they safely stayed until she used them. She had made strategy after strategy but each had ended in failure. Aly had never been able to beat Clay, which was quite embarrassing because he was two years younger than her. So, eventually she'd gotten out of her faze, put up her cards and packed them away. Her original plan had been to sell them on e-bay but she'd been too lazy to create an account.

 

Now Aly was glad she'd kept them.

 

“Wow, you've got a lot of cards, but is this your deck?” Tea asked as she gently touched a Pixie Knight.

 

“Actually I liked to collect the cards, I hardly ever dueled but when I did I would just make up a strategy from the cards I had and duel my cousin,” Aly replied.

 

“I see…Hey Aly, I just got a great idea!” Tea cried happily. Aly lifted an eyebrow, it was obvious what Tea's idea was, but she asked the question anyway.

 

“What?”

 

“We could duel each other! You could pick out your cards and we could have a duel! I haven't dueled since we went to cyber world and I'm sure it would be fun!” Tea cried. Aly blinked.

 

“Duel? Us duel? I don't know. I'm really not that good at it…” Aly said. She hadn't played in a few years or so…although she probably could remember how.

 

“Oh please Aly?! It will be fun!” Tea pleaded.

 

“Oh…alright, I guess it could be fun,” Aly said, although she still had some doubt. She'd dropped duel monsters because she always lost, and losing over and over again isn't fun.

 

“Yay! Here Aly, you pick out the cards you'll be using in your deck and I'll go get out dueling mats set up in the other room!” Tea jumped off Aly's bed in excitement and stuffed her deck into her pocket.

 

“Um, ok,” Aly replied as Tea skipped out the door.

 

Aly stared at the many cards in her binder, they looked so shiny and familiar. They reminded her of her cousin and the happy times they'd shared, they reminded her of home.

 

“Ok, how am I going to construct a deck?” Aly asked herself. She flipped through her cards, admiring some and taking out others. Like Tea, Aly preferred to use what most people thought as cute, weak cards.

 

“Shows how much they know,” Aly said, as she slowly began to construct one of her old strategy decks. Yes, she would use her girl cards to try and beat Tea. Girl vs. Girl, battle of the beauties. Beautiful cards that is.

 

As Aly arranged her deck she began to feel nervous.

 

“Remember it's only a card game,” she told herself. Yea, it was only a game, and a friendly match at that. They were having a for fun duel, just for laughs. It wasn't like Battle City.

 

“I'm not going to get that serious over a card game,” Aly thought to herself.

 

XXXXXXXXXX (A little while later…)

 

“No!” Aly cried, jumping to her feet in anger. Tea slammed her Element Magician card onto the mat. The current status was Aly with two thousand one hundred life points, Tea four hundred life points.

 

Aly had Block Attack, Dancing Fairy and Fire Princess on the field. Dancing Fairy was in defense position and gave her one thousand life points for each of her stand by fazes while Fire Princess inflicted five hundred points of direct damage to Tea's life points every time Aly's life points were increased. It would have taken only one more turn for Tea to lose all of her life points!

 

Tea had Hysteric Fairy, which was under the effect of Block Attack, and now her Element Magician on the field.

 

Tea gave a triumphant smile. “Yes, Element Magician isn't under the effect of Block Attack so I use her to attack your Dancing Fairy!” Tea cried. Aly sadly put her Dancing Fairy in the graveyard. She looked at her hand. Aly had her most powerful monster in her hand at that moment but she didn't have enough monsters to sacrifice it! Aly held Enchanted Javelin, Final Destiny and Empress Judge in her hand but she needed to sacrifice two monsters to put Empress Judge on the field!

 

“This is the most heated match I've ever seen,” Tristan said.

 

“Hey, what about when I versed Marik or Noah?” Yugi asked. “Those were pretty exiting.”

 

“Yeah, but that was before I ever saw Aly and Tea duel. It's scary!” Tristan replied.

 

Aly looked up from her hand and turned to see all her friends sitting in the living room, watching the duel.

 

“Whoa! When did you guys get here?” she asked.

 

“We came in about ten minutes ago Aly,” Joey replied.

 

“Oh,” was all she said, before returning to her hand. Aly was breathing rather quickly as if she'd just run around the block a few times. A trickle of sweat went down her forehead but she ignored it. Aly felt as energetic as if she'd just eaten twenty packets of Smarties.

 

“I can still win! I have tons more life points than Tea!” Aly growled to herself. It all depended on her next draw. “Come on…I need this card!” Aly thought. Aly gripped then next card with her trembling finger tips and slowly raised it to her face. She quickly flipped it and her heart sank. It was not the card she needed! Aly had drawn Darkness Approaches.

 

“But I can save it for later,” she thought.

 

“I switch Fire Princess to defense mode and put this card face down!” Aly cried, placing Darkness Approaches onto the field. She was glaring daggers at Tea. Tea was glaring right back. Tea nervously drew and Aly bit her lip, hoping it wouldn't be her downfall. Tea peeked at it and smirked. She gave Aly a mischievous grin.

 

“I play De-Spell!” She cried, slamming it onto the paper and doing the victory pose.

 

“No! No!” Aly cried, clenching her fists and gritting her teeth in fury.

 

“Yes, yes! That means you have to send your Block Attack to the graveyard!” Tea cheered, jumping up and down. Aly picked up the card with a shaky hand and tossed it onto her pile.

 

“But that's not all!” Tea cried. “I'll attack your Fire Princess with my Hysteric Fairy!” she cried. Aly made a move for her magic card but decided against it. She could spare Fire Princess.

 

“You done yet?” she growled. Tea smirked.

 

“Your turn,” she replied in an even tone. Aly glared at her and nervously drew from her deck once more.

 

“Please, please, please, please, please, please…”

 

She peeked at the card…YES! It was exactly what she needed! Aly grinned broadly, causing Tea's smirk to fall.

 

“I play…RESCUE CAT!” Aly cried, slamming it down and giving a semi evil chuckle. “It allows me to summon two level three or lower monsters from my deck!” Aly shuffled through her deck and quickly placed Silver Fang and Fusionist onto the field.

 

“But they won't stay there for long!” Aly continued. “For I sacrifice them to play…Empress Judge!” she cried.

 

“Noooooo!” Tea shrieked, stomping her feet.

 

“Yes!” Aly cried, laughing in a very unsportsmanlike manor. “And I attack your Hysteric Fairy!”

 

“No! I won't let you win! I activate Hysteric Fairy's special ability! I sacrifice her and Element Magician to give myself one thousand more life points!” Tea cried.

 

“What?!” Aly shrieked. She was in the heat of the moment, nothing could get in her way now!

 

“You heard me! I'm still in the game! Ha!” Tea cried. Aly growled.

 

“Uh, guys maybe you should calm down? This is really unprofessional-.” Yugi stopped abruptly when he saw the two girls glaring daggers at him.

 

“You have a lot to learn about women Yug,” Joey said, pulling his friend away from the growling girls.

 

Tea drew. “Ok Aly, it's my turn and I'm removing Hysteric Fairy and Element Magician from the game so I can summon my most powerful monster! I've been saving this card and now I shall play it!” Tea threw her arm up into the air to show off her card.

 

“I play Soul of the Purity and Light!” she exclaimed.

 

“What is it with all these cutie, girly cards?” Tristan asked.

 

“They might be cutie and girly Tristan but these cards are powerful. See? Empress Judge has an attack power of twenty-one thousand points and Soul of the Purity and Light has twenty thousand,” Yugi explained.

 

“Besides Tristan, it's not like some of these cards aren't fun to look at,” Joey added.

 

“Joey!” Serenity said, elbowing her brother.

 

“Your monster is no match for my Empress Judge!” Aly cried. Tea smirked.

 

“Oh really? Well, maybe you should take a look at my monster's special effect!” Tea replied.

 

“What is it?” Aly asked, bending over the table to see.

 

“As long as this card remains face up on the field you're monsters' attack points decrease by three hundred during your battle phase!” Tea said triumphantly.

 

“Wow, I never knew Tea was this good at dueling,” Joey said in aw.

 

“How could you forget, she was always kicking your butt,” Tristan replied.

 

“I don't know what cards Aly has so I can't say whether Tea has her beat or not,” Yugi added.

 

Tea crossed her arms and gave Aly a proud smile. Aly frowned, ready to accept defeat. Then, suddenly she remembered her hand.

 

“Wait, I have Darkness Approaches! That means-!”

 

“So now, with your life points wide open I will attack with Soul of Purity and Light!” Tea cried. “It's been fun Aly, but now you must accept defeat. No hard feelings right?” Tea asked. Aly smiled.

 

“Right, no hard feelings. You're such a gracious loser Tea,” Aly complimented. Tea frowned.

 

“What do you mean? I'm not losing,” Tea replied. Aly still smiled.

 

“Oh really? Well, think again Tea! For I will counter with Darkness Approaches!” Aly cried, flipping over her magic card.

 

“What? What does that do?” Tea asked nervously.

 

“Why, if I discard two cards from my hand,” Aly said, putting her last two cards into the graveyard. “I can select one face up monster and flip it face down and I pick your Soul of the Purity and Light! For doesn't it say right there on your card that it must be face up for it's special ability to work?” Aly asked with a honey sweet voice. Tea's mouth fell open a bit.

 

“And now, since my Empress Judge still has twenty-one attack points I attack your Soul of the Purity and Light!” Aly cried.

 

“Nooooooooooo!” Tea cried, sinking to her knees and clutching her fists.

 

“Yes! I-I did it! I won! Wow!” Aly cried happily.

 

“Good job Aly,” Serenity said.

 

“Yeah, that was an exiting duel! You both played really well,” Yugi added.

 

“Good game Tea,” Aly said, extending her hand down to her friend.

 

“…Yeah! Good game!” Tea cried cheerfully as she hopped up. “That was a great strategy and your monsters are so cool!” Tea complimented.

 

“Yours are so cute but powerful too!” Aly replied. The two shook their already locked hands. That's when Aly got a glimpse of her watch.

 

“Holy sh-shiznit! It's seven already?!” She cried.

 

“It is?!” Tea asked.

 

“Yeah, you guys were dueling for quite a while,” Joey said.

 

“Oh man! This-I-bye you guys! I'm sorry but-uh-you have to leave because so do I!” Aly cried, ushering everyone except Tea to the door.

 

“Why?” Tristan asked.

 

“Um-long story! Have a nice weekend, have a nice evening! See you later! Don't drink and drive! Bye!” Aly called as her confused fiends walked out the door.

 

She turned around quickly. “Tea!” she cried. “I have to get my stuff, now is the perfect time to put my plan into action!”

 

XXXXXXXXX

 

Emmy: Sorry for the delay! I worked my butt off ALL DAY. Really, I spent my whole day finding out which cards Tea owned-I added a few of my own-, making Aly's deck and writing it all out. And another thing, I don't know how those writers do it! It took me forever to write the dueling scene! You never know what could happen!

 

Raven: We're all very proud of your effort Emmy!

 

Bakura: That's why we know everyone out there who is reading this will write a long review! Please reviewers? This is where she needs the most feedback.

 

Emmy: I'm sorry if the dueling scene was boring. I don't think I'll put anymore in. I just really wanted to use that strategy.

 

Ryou: So with all that said we will be waiting patiently for your reviews! Oh and have a happy summer everyone!