Day 22: Canon Joey.


Friendly Fire

Joey knew he'd drawn a winner before he even saw the face of the card. He felt the electricity of it tingle his fingers and spark a grin on his face.

"Say goodbye to your lifepoints!" he crowed.

Ryou's face blanched, and from his position at Joey's elbow, he reached forward as if he could stop the magic card from being played, but the deed was done. Joey slapped the rest of his hand down and folded his arms, preening in the wake of his victory.

But the two opponents across from him didn't look defeated.

In fact, Yugi had that puppy look—the one like he was about to explain to someone that their puppy has been run over.

Joey examined his card again, and then he deflated.

"I didn't make us win, did I?"

"Sorry, Joey." Yugi flipped a trap card that protected him and Tristan from damage.

Joey perked up once more. "Well, but we didn't lose, either—"

"We did, mate." Ryou shook his head. "That card doesn't affect 'opponents'; it affects 'other players.' In a tag match, that's me, too."

Not only had Joey not won the game with his epic move, but he'd actually gunned down his own teammate.

"Best two out of three?" Yugi offered politely.

With a groan, Joey collapsed backwards on the floor, draping a dejected arm over his dejected face.