Chapter 27- Happily Ever After

“Alright, well this card will certainly help. I activate Graceful Charity, which lets me draw three cards as long as I discard two.” Kristiann began her turn. “And now I have all that I need to at least set up a good defense. First off I activate the field magic card Ice Palace!” Kristiann exclaimed as a huge palace of ice appeared behind her. “As long as this card is in play, no player can do direct damage to an opponent’s life points as long as they have a monster on the field. Now your Cinderella can’t attack me if I have a monster on the field.” Kristiann explained. “But you don’t have a monster on the field.” Leon pointed out. “That may be true for now, but I’m going to summon one right here. Go Mystical Elf in defense mode!” Kristiann called as her beautiful elf emerged with 800 attack and 2000 defense. “But I’m not done yet. Because now I activate this magic card: Tribute Doll. Now all I have to do is sacrifice my Mystical Elf and I can summon a seven star monster from my hand. And I choose to summon my Shining Arctic Queen in attack mode!” Kristiann called as her elf disappeared and her infamous Arctic Queen took its place with 2800 attack and 1500 defense.

“Now, Shining Arctic Queen attack and destroy Leon’s Iron Knight!” Kristiann commanded as her Queen shot a blast of arctic magic that ripped right through Leon’s knight, destroying it and reducing his life points to 1800. “Alright, Leon, it’s your move.” Kristiann ended her turn. “Alright, here goes nothing.” Leon said as he drew a card. “First I’ll activate the magic card Stray Lambs, which lets me summon two Lamb Tokens to the field in defense mode.” Leon said as his cute little lambs appeared on the field with 0 attack and defense. “Then there’s really not much I can do except lay this one card facedown and end my turn.” Leon said as he set a facedown card.

“Alright then, it’s time to finish this duel now.” Kristiann said as she drew a card. “And to do so, I’ll summon my Ancient Elf in attack mode!” Kristiann called as her magician emerged with 1450 attack and 1200 defense. “Now, Shining Arctic Queen, attack Cinderella and put a major dent in Leon’s life points!” Kristiann commanded as her Queen launched a strong magic attack at Leon’s monster. “Not so fast! I activate my trap card Negate Attack, which as the name implies, negates your attack and puts an end to your battle phase.” Leon countered as a vortex appeared and swallowed up Kristiann’s attack. “Alright, then I have no choice but to end my turn.” Kristiann concluded.

“Well this is kind of sad, because you’re right; it is time to finish this duel now.” Leon said as he drew a card. “But first I have to activate this magic card: Gold Moon Coin.” Leon said as he started walking towards Kristiann. “You see, after I activate this card, I have to give every card in my hand to you, but then I can draw that same amount of cards from my deck.” Leon explained as he handed three cards to Kristiann. “Wow, these cards are pretty cute.” Kristiann commented as he looked through the cards. “Thanks, but they’re just not what I need right now to win.” Leon replied as he walked back to his side of the arena. “Now with a little luck, and maybe a touch of magic, I’ll draw just the right cards I need.” Leon said to himself as he drew three cards.

“Aha! My deck has never let me down, and it’s not about to start now.” Leon exclaimed happily. “You mean…” Kristiann said worryingly. “Yep, I drew just the cards I needed, so watch out. First I sacrifice both of my Lamb Tokens in order to summon my powerful Hex Trude in attack mode!” Leon said as his beautiful witch woman emerged with 2600 attack and 1800 defense. “Then I activate this magic card: Spinning Wheel Spindle! This magic card destroys your Shining Arctic Queen by really turning her into a sleeping beauty. I’d say she’ll be back in three turns, but this duel won’t last that long.” Leon said as a needle shot out of the card and pierces Shining Arctic Queen, putting her fast asleep right before she disappeared from the field. “Now, Hex Trude, attack Kristiann’s Ancient Elf with dark witch attack!” Leon commanded as his spellcaster shot a blast of fire at Kristiann’s elf, destroying it and reducing her life points down to 150.

“Well sorry Kristiann, it’s been a really fun duel. But all good things must come to an end. So go, Cinderella, attack her life points directly and end this duel!” Leon exclaimed as his princess shot her glass slippers at Kristiann, brining her life points down to 0. “I lost!” Kristiann exclaimed as the holograms disappeared and Leon walked towards her. “It’s ok, you played a good game.” Leon said consolingly as he offered his hand. She shook it and smiled. “You’re right, and I had a lot of fun so it was worth it.” Kristiann admitted.

The Ferris wheel cart came to a stop at the ground floor and Kristiann and Leon stepped out, only to be greeted by James. “Hey baby! Hey Leon, sorry you lost your match.” James said with a grin, much to Leon’s surprise. “Honey, I didn’t win my match, Leon did.” Kristiann admitted. “Oh, sorry to hear that. I lost my match too.” James also admitted sadly. “But hey that’s all right guys, right? Because we all had a good time and that’s what’s important!” Leon reminded them. “You’re right Leon, this tournament won’t be one that I’ll ever forget.” James commented regained his cheerfulness. “That’s right, all the good times we had, all the friends we met…” Kristiann said. “And even some not-so-friends.” James added, thinking of Fay, Jessica, and Ice. “Exactly, we’ll always remember this tournament.” Kristiann concluded. “Alright, well now that that’s all settled, I’m still going to be in the semifinals. I’m getting nervous just thinking about it!” Leon exclaimed. “Well don’t worry about that Leon, we’ll come cheer you on.” James consoled. “Thanks guys. Well must be going. See you two later!” Leon bid farewell.

“You ok, honey?” James asked the sad-looking Kristiann. “Yea, I’m fine, I just kinda wanted to win, that’s all.” Kristiann answered. “Well that’s ok, I’m sure there’s some other new adventure on the horizon. And there are always some more card games to win. So let’s go face the world the only way we know how!” James cheered. “Together.” They both said in unison as they kissed each other and walked off towards the sunset Kaiba Land.