After the Duel ended, the staff immediately arranged for Bakura to be taken to the infirmary.
Although by the rules, Yugi should have taken one card from Bakura's Deck, he wasn't in the mood to do so and ran straight to Bakura's side.
"Yugi, why didn't you add [Slifer the Sky Dragon] to your Deck?"
Almost as soon as the Duel concluded, Kaiba pushed through the crowd, pulling Yugi aside before he could check on Bakura's condition. "I told you already—during the quarterfinals, you must include a God Card in your Deck! Don't tell me you have no intention of facing me on equal terms?"
Brushing past Kaiba, Yugi ignored him completely and hurried toward the infirmary. "Kaiba, I'm not in the mood to discuss this right now. Bakura's still unconscious!"
Because she hadn't known Bakura very well—and because ninety-nine percent of his injuries were her own doing—Youmi didn't go along to add to the awkwardness. She just tugged lightly at her jacket, feeling a light chill.
"Let's decide the next match pairing first. Once we have the results, I'll go notify Joey," Youmi suggested, watching the visibly irritated Kaiba.
"I know that!" Kaiba snapped, and whether from frustration or simply his usual temper, Youmi could tell he wasn't about to show her any warmth either. "Start the next Duel drawing already!"
The results of the match draw: Joey Wheeler versus Marik Ishtar.
And the final match was set: Mai Valentine versus Seto Kaiba.
After calling Joey out of the infirmary, Youmi watched the two duelists she had personally helped prepare step onto the Duel Arena, feeling a little like a parent watching their kids grow up.
If only her little ones back home could achieve this much.
"Before we begin the Duel, please allow me to apologize again, Joey. As the former leader behind the Rare Hunters, I had my subordinates target you before Duel City began in an attempt to steal your [Red-Eyes Black Dragon]. I'm sorry."
Marik looked at him sincerely, his tone shifting from remorse to passion. "Still, I cannot let my past define me. As a Duelist, I must face you with everything I have. This Duel will be my atonement… and to live up to Youmi's guidance."
As he finished, Marik glanced toward Youmi. She waved back, silently encouraging him.
Hearing Marik's words, Joey nodded, pulling out his Deck. "At first, I thought you were just another creep, but I trust Youmi's judgment, and I believe in the Duelist standing before me now. Let's have a match worthy of us both, Marik!"
"DUEL!"
"DUEL!"
Turn 1
"My turn! Draw!" Joey drew with force, pleased to have taken the first move—abruptly, he almost dropped his hand off the Duel Airship in excitement.
Thankfully, his quick reflexes saved him. "Whew... Dueling up here's rough! Youmi made it look so easy! Anyway, I activate the Ritual Spell [Dark Dragon Ritual] from my hand!"
Youmi's eyes widened, surprised. "A Ritual instead of the Fusion strategy I suggested?"
Though it was impressive that he could switch tactics, she still felt a bit uneasy.
"I Tribute monsters from my hand and field whose total Levels equal 4 or more to Ritual Summon from my hand—[Paladin of Dark Dragon]!"
From within the glowing Ritual circle, [Panther Warrior] was offered as Tribute, giving rise to a new monster. "Then I activate [Paladin of Dark Dragon]'s effect! By Tributing it, I can Special Summon [Red-Eyes Black Dragon] from my Deck!"
A three-for-one trade—[Red-Eyes Black Dragon] hit the field.
…If Joey ended his turn like this, Youmi swore she'd have words with him later.
"I Set two cards. Turn end."
Turn 2
"My turn."
Marik drew his card, paused for a moment, then spoke. "I Normal Summon [Ra's Disciple] and activate its effect to Special Summon two more [Ra's Disciple] from my Deck. These monsters can only be Tributed for the Summon of an Egyptian God Card, so... let me show you the power of the Gods, Joey."
Joey had heard from Yugi about how powerful the Egyptian Gods were, but he had never actually faced one before. His blood burned with excitement. "Oh yeah? Bring it on!"
"I activate the Normal Spell [Double Summon], allowing me one additional Normal Summon this turn. I Tribute all three [Ra's Disciple] to Tribute Summon [The Winged Dragon of Ra]!"
Behind Marik, a massive golden sphere formed, the three Disciples transforming into streams of light that merged within it.
Mysterious hieroglyphs flashed as the sphere reshaped into [The Winged Dragon of Ra]'s battle form. "Ra's Attack and Defense become the total of the Tributed monsters' original ATK and DEF values. Thus, [The Winged Dragon of Ra] now has 3300 Attack and 1800 Defense!"
"You brought out a 3300 Attack God using just three cards? That's awesome!" Joey said, genuinely impressed. Marik smiled—finally feeling like a Duelist worthy of wielding an Egyptian God—and sought Youmi's approval.
Youmi, however, met Ra's gaze directly, conversing silently through thought.
"Watch closely, hatchling of Ten Thousand Dragon. My power is the mightiest of the Three. Don't you dare call me 'trash-tier Winged Dragon' again."
"Ah, so you heard that. My bad, my bad. I shouldn't talk smack in public."
Unaware of her telepathic exchange with Ra, Marik noticed Youmi's vague smile and Ishizu's approving nod, mistaking them for acknowledgment of his skill.
Reinvigorated, he continued the Duel. "I activate [The Winged Dragon of Ra]'s effect! By paying Life Points until only 1 remains, Ra gains ATK and DEF equal to the amount paid! My LP is 4000, so Ra's Attack and Defense each increase by 3999—to 7299!"
[Marik, LP: 4000 → 1]
Without a shred of uncertainty, Marik reduced his Life Points to 1. Ra's body ignited in divine golden flames, ready to obliterate everything in sight.
"Battle Phase! [The Winged Dragon of Ra], attack [Red-Eyes Black Dragon]!"
Flames gathered in Ra's maw, unleashing a torrent of divine fire toward [Red-Eyes Black Dragon].
With such a difference in power, it seemed inevitable that both Joey and his dragon would be completely consumed.
...
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