[3rd POV]
Etoile Cyber dashed forward, flipping mid-air with stunning agility, before landing a clean kick straight to Jaden's chest, sending him stumbling back into the boat.
"Ugh…" Jaden groaned.
{Mash & Jaden LP: 2200 -> 500}
"Yeah!" Mindy cheered. "Way to go, Alexis!"
"I can't wait to report them and have them expelled!" Jasmine smirked.
Alexis stood tall and confident… but something feels off.
[We're in the lead now by a mile. So why… why won't this unease go away?] Her hand subtly rested over her chest. [Mash… Is he-]
"Hey look, Lovely Labrynth is slapping the crap out of Jaden!" Jasmine pointed out.
Alexis turned to the boys boat and caught sight of the scene, a chuckle escaping her lips despite the tension.
"It's a bit uncanny, isn't it?" Mindy commented. "I mean, it's crazy enough that she can talk, but to physically interact as well?"
"If you think that's uncanny, you should've seen what happened to Chazz yesterday," Alexis remarked
"What happened to that edgy guy?" Jasmine asked, leaning in with curious eyes.
"Let's just say that after a few insults, Lovely Labrynth grabbed him by the collar and swung her battle axe and then—" Alexis slid her finger across her neck, miming a decapitation.
"CHAZZ GOT DECAPITATED AND DIED!?" Jasmine gasped, her voice pitching up.
Mindy slapped Jasmine on the back. "Jasmine, you moron! We saw him today and he's just fine."
Jasmine rubbed the spot where she was slapped. "Yeah, yeah. So what happened? She swung her axe, didn't she?"
"I don't know how... But somehow the axe behaved like a hologram and just passed through him," Alexis explained.
"What!? That makes no sense! If she was able to grab him, then how did she make the axe turn into a hologram too?" Mindy protested.
"I don't know! The only thing I know is that somehow she can physically interact and talk. That's it." Alexis shrugged, accepting the bizarre reality.
"Whoa... That's creepy as hell... And also cool as hell! I would also want my Harpies to interact with me!" Jasmine exclaimed with excitement.
Mindy side-eyes her. "The only interaction you probably have with them is cleaning up their bird poop all over the room"
"Mindy!" Jasmine scowled
As Jasmine and Mindy bickered, Alexis ignored them, her eyes locked on the other boat, watching Mash. He was whispering something to Jaden. Then, with a sinister smile, Mash looked toward the girls boat, causing Alexis's confident gaze to waver to worry.
"I'm getting a little impatient," Mash announced, cracking his knuckles menacingly. "Just a little step. Just a foot in. That's all... to give you the opening to win this duel."
Alexis narrowed her eyes, trying to maintain her calm. "What does that mean, Mash?"
Mash's grin widened. "You've probably already noticed, right Alexis? Something is wrong?"
Her breath caught slightly as her fist tightened. "I have a hunch, so how about I'll ask it to you."
"Huh? What's wrong, Alexis?" Jasmine turned to her, confused.
Alexis with a serious gaze. "Mash... He's been holding back this entire duel, isn't he?"
Lovely Labrynth dramatically placed both hand over her cheeks. "Oh no, Darling~ It seems we've been caught~"
"Fu fu fu fu..." Mash chuckled darkly.
"WHAT!?" Jasmine's jaw dropped. "Mash, you absolute son of a—are you looking down on us!?"
Mindy crossed her arms. "That's super disrespectful."
Mash casually thumbed toward Jaden. "Actually, it was Jaden who told me to sit this one out. Said he felt pity knowing I'd be dueling you girls."
"AW, C'MON, MASH!" Jaden yelled. "You're throwing me under the bus!?"
All three girls turned to stare at Jaden, their eyes glowing with rising fury.
"...Jaden?" Alexis asked slowly.
Jaden broke into a panic, waving his hands. "W-Wait! No! That's not—I mean—it's just, Its because of..."
Alexis raised an eyebrow. "Because of...?"
Jaden looked away, rubbing the back of his neck. "...Because of..."
"Because Jaden lost to Mash 12 times in a row," Syrus suddenly cut in. "And he didn't want you guys to suffer like he did."
Mash and Lovely Labrynth were now grinning ear-to-ear, enjoying the drama like it was a soap opera.
Jaden groaned and buried his face in his hands. "Ugh..."
Jasmine was fuming. "So you were looking down on us too, Jaden!?"
Mindy crossed her arms, again. "That's super duper disrespectful."
Alexis simply stared at Jaden, her disappointment clear. Jaden looked like he was ready to evaporate from embarrassment. Mash and Lovely? Still grinning like a comic book villain.
"But wait-" Syrus piped up. "In those 12 matches, Jaden lost in like, three turns every single time! And Mash always-"
Jasmine scoffed. "Boo hoo, cry me a river! Sounds like a skill issue to me!"
"Wait." Alexis held up her hand. "Jaden loses to Mash in how many turns?"
"Three." Syrus replied. "And Jaden always ends his turns with literally nothing then gets OTK at Mash 3rd turn! And it happened 12 times in a row!"
Alexis's eyes widened. "What!?"
Mindy tilted her head. "Why are you so surprised, Alexis?"
"Because… last night, Chazz challenged Jaden. The duel ended in a draw, but Jaden actually held his own against Chazz. It was back and forth duel where each one is going all out, and that lasted way longer than three turns. If what Syrus is saying is true, and Jaden gets folded that easily against Mash..."
Worry crept across the girls' faces.
"Oh, and also—" Syrus opened his mouth.
But Lovely Labrynth smoothly stepped in, placing a delicate silver finger against his lips. "I think that's enough spoilers for them, syrus-kun~ because it's time~!"
"Yup, that's right! Now, it's time for me and my Love to step a foot into the spotlight! Get ready girls!" Mash declared, striking a flamboyant Jojo pose. "Also Alexis, it's still your turn. Mind ending it?"
Alexis blinked, caught off guard. "...Ah, right. I'll end my turn."
{Alexis hands: 1 card
Alexis fields: 2 monster, 1 equip}
"Finally…" Mash said in a low, eerie tone, his fingers resting lightly on top of his deck. "I draw."
He slid the card into his hand with a slow, deliberate motion, adding it to his existing hand. A smirk crept across his lips as his gaze rose to the girls' boat.
Alexis's eyes narrowed. Jasmine clenched her fists. Mindy leaned forward nervously.
"I'll now show you girls," Mash said, his voice steady, confident, and just a bit too smug, "how I'm going to flip this duel around… in a flash."
[What's he planning...?] Alexis thought, her jaw tensing as she gritted her teeth.
[Calm down, Jasmine. Don't get rattled now!] Jasmine swallowed, anxiety crawling under her skin.
[Alexis… Jasmine...] Mindy glanced between them, her expression filled with concern.
Mash points his index finger to the sky and still looking at the girls with a confident smile. "Get ready as i will now...!"
Mash lifted his index finger toward the sky like he was calling down divine judgment, never taking his eyes off them.
"Get ready," he declared, eyes gleaming, "because I'm About to—!"
The girls braced themselves. Alexis's duel instincts screamed that something was coming. Jasmine was moments from exploding. Even Jaden and Syrus leaned in, captivated.
They all had the same exact thought:
[Here it comes...!]
"Just end my turn."
The tension shattered like glass.
Every single person Alexis, Jasmine, Mindy, Jaden, and Syrus just stared at Mash.
{Mash hand: 2 Cards
Mash field: 1 monster, 3 set cards}
"…Is this a joke?" Mindy asked, voice flat. "Because it's not funny."
"Yeah!" Jasmine snapped, feeling insulted. "And here I thought you'd actually do something! But in the end, you're just all talk!"
Mash crossed his arms casually. "Say whatever you want about me," he said smoothly, "but didn't I already tell you?"
He glanced at the field, eyes glinting.
"This duel… is over."
Alexis stiffened. A small chill ran down her spine. "How can you be so sure?"
Mash smiled, too wide, too confident. "Because all it takes... is one trap card."
"Tch! You're bluffing!" Jasmine shouted, brushing it off. "You're just trying to psyche us out!"
Mash's eyes narrowed, his smirk sharpening like a blade."Try me."
Alexis's heart skipped. [Wait, something's wrong.] Her duel instincts screamed louder now.
"I've had enough of this smug crap!" Jasmine growled. "I'm gonna wipe that stupid grin off your face!"
She reached for her deck with force and drew.
"Draw!"
Jasmine look at what she drew and put it aside.
"Now i will tribute both my {Cyber Harpy Lady} and {Harpy Lady 1} to summon...!" Jasmine then slams down a card into her duel disk. "{Harpie's Pet Dragon}!"
A crimson red dragon with golden chains draped around it necks materialized into the field.
"ROAAARR!"
{Harpie's Pet Dragon|7 Star|Wind|Dragon/Effect|ATK:2000 DEF:2500}
"And now, I will use the spell card {Pot of greed}! This allows me to draw 2 card from my deck!" She whipped out two cards with a flourish and immediately grinned. "And now! I can activate my set card, {Hysteric Party!}" The set card stand up revealing itself on the field.
"By discarding one card from my hand, I can special summon as many Harpie Ladies from my Graveyard as I want! I've got two—so come on back!"
Twin flashes of wind magic burst to life beside Harpie's Pet Dragon as two Harpy Ladies appeared on either side of the beast.
{Cyber Harpy Lady|4 Star|Wind|Winged Beast/Effect|ATK:1800 DEF:1300}
{Harpy Lady 1|4 Star|Wind|Winged Beast/Effect|ATK:1300 DEF:1400}
"{Harpie's Pet Dragon} Has the effect of increasing its attack and defense by 300 for each harpy ladies on field! and since there's 2 of em, {Harpie's Pet Dragon} attack and defense is increase by 600!"
{Harpie's Pet Dragon ATK: 2000 -> 2600}
"And dont forget of {Harpy Lady 1} Effects!"
{Harpie's Pet Dragon ATK: 2600 -> 2900}
{Cyber Harpy Lady ATK: 1800 -> 2100}
{Harpy Lady 1 ATK: 1300 -> 1600}
On the boys' boat, panic was setting in.
"Oh no..." Syrus trembled, gripping the side of the boat. "This is bad—this is the worst! And Jaden's field is empty! Jasmine can just attack directly and get us all expelled! Arghh! It's all my fault! If only I hadn't—"
SLAP!
Syrus yelped as Jaden smacked him lightly on the back of the head.
"Ow... Jay!?"
"Don't give up so easily like that, Syrus," Jaden said, his tone calm and steady. "Remember what Mash said..."
Syrus looked toward Mash and Lovely Labrynth.Both were standing still.Both were smiling with confidence.Both were completely unbothered.
[How can they be so calm...? What are they planning...?]
Back on the girls' boat, Alexis still couldn't shake that heavy feeling gnawing at her.
Even with Jasmine's board looking strong, something didn't feel right. Something was wrong.
"Wow!" Mindy clapped, eyes wide. "You're so cool, Jasmine!"
"Hehe, thanks Mindy." Jasmine gave a smug thumbs-up, then turned to the boys' boat with a grin full of venom. "How about that, Mash? You pissing your pants after seeing my god-tier play!?"
Mash just shrugged, expression blank."Eh. It's okay."
"WHAT!?" Jasmine shouted, nearly stumbling forward.
"Right, my love?" Mash added coolly.
Lovely Labrynth floated above him in a smug pose, looking down at Jasmine with condescending amusement.
"You're right, Darling~" she said. "In my humble opinion… it's actually very meh~"
Jasmine's face burned with fury. She gritted her teeth, fists clenched so tight her knuckles went white.
"THAT'S IT! I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF YOU! BATTLE!!"
Just then, Alexis's duel instincts flared like a warning bell.
[No, wait! That's exactly what he wants...!]
Her eyes shot toward Jasmine."WAIT, JASMINE! NO!!"
But it was too late.
Jasmine pointed toward Jaden, her voice echoing across the water.
"SAY BYE-BYE TO DUEL ACADEMY, BOYS!! {Harpie's Pet Dragon}! ATTACK JADEN DIRECTLY!!"
The dragon roared, rearing back as a fireball formed in its mouth.
A massive blast of heat surged forward, tearing across the field like a meteor.
BOOOOOM!!
"I did it, Alexis! We won—!"
Jasmine's shout was cut short as the smoke cleared… revealing a shimmering, glass-like barrier still standing in front of Jaden.
Her eyes widened.
"WHAAAT!?!?!"
Mash gave a calm, satisfied smirk."Sorry, Jasmine. I activated my trap card {Mirror Force} to negate your attack."
Lovely Labrynth struck a sassy pose, one hand on her hip and the other twirling in the air."Oh~ And don't forget its other effect~ Like… destroying all of your attack position monsters. Which, oh dear~ looks like it's… all of them."
The translucent barrier in front of Jaden suddenly cracked and shattered like glass, sending sharp magical shards flying across the battlefield.
They sliced through every one of Jasmine and Alexis's monsters.
BOOM!
{Alexis & Jasmine – No monsters remaining.}
"Wha…" Jasmine took a step back, her hands trembling. "Me and Alexis… our whole field is gone… and it's my fault."
Syrus gasped, eyes wide. "The situation just turned completely in our favor! That one card… flipped everything!"
Jaden stood silently, arms crossed, staring at Mash.
[Mash… How long would it even take… to be at your level?]
Alexis looked like she'd been hit in the chest. Her thoughts were racing.
[That was "just stepping a foot in"!? Then what else are you hiding, Mash!?]
"Jasmine, get a hold of yourself!" Mindy barked, grabbing her by the shoulders. "This isn't over yet!"
Jasmine blinked, then nodded slowly, her panic fading into grit. "You're right, Mindy! We can still win this… I'm sorry, Alexis. I brought you down with me."
Alexis shook her head. "It's fine. I should've seen it coming. I was too focused on offense."
"Don't blame yourself, Alexis!" Jasmine declared. "Because I'll play {Dian Keto the Cure Master}! It will heal our lifepoints by 1000!"
A green-haired old man in purple robes materialized on their field. With a dramatic gesture, he raised his hand, and a soft orb of light flew toward the girls, bathing them in a healing glow.
{Alexis & Jasmine LP: 6400 -> 7400}
"Great job, Jasmine," Alexis said. "With that, we might be able to turn this around on my next turn—"
"No. There won't be a next turn." Mash cut her off, voice loud and absolute. "This duel ends with Jaden turns. With our victory."
Jasmine scoffed, trying to sound brave. "Hmph. I'll admit you turned things around, but Jaden's been a burden to you this whole duel!"
A beat passed.
Mash turned, placing a firm hand on Jaden's shoulder.
"Until now."
His voice dropped, low and dramatic. "Because you…" He grinned, his confidence infectious. "…are going to OTK the heck out of those girls, Jaden."
Jaden blinked. "OTK…?"
"It stand's for 'One Turn Kill'. And you're the only one who can pull it off right now. So…"Mash met his eyes. "Can you do it?"
Jaden went quiet, looking down at his deck.Then slowly, he smirked.
"Of course, Mash. Leave it to me."
Mash let out a light chuckle. "Good. Then go finish this."
Jaden stepped forward, facing the girls' boat with full determination.
Jasmine, now visibly sweating, gritted her teeth. "Ugh… I end my turn."
Jaden took a deep breath, eyes closed, fingers hovering over the top card of his deck.
[This is it. The moment Mash gave me. All I need… is just one card.]
He snapped his eyes open and drew.
The moment he saw the card, his lips curled into a grin.
"Let's go."
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Hellooo Authorrrr IM_GOOD herrreeeeeee!!1
IM SO SORRY FOR BEING ABSENT FOR LIKE A WEEK!!
Now that the ramadhan holiday is over, Responsibility started to pile up on me like a mountain! which is why i don't think i'll be able to make a once per day chapter, but i'll still try my best!
This chapter was a blast for me to write and i hope you also enjoy it. Chiao!
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