Aster pulled roughly on the handle of his gym locker. But it just wouldn't budge.

"Oh, come on! Not now!" Aster said in frustration.

"Having problems?" Zane asked casually as he entered the locker room. They had both came to the school gym early in the morning to run some laps. Zane, because he liked to get an early start. Aster, simply to avoid almost every girl in Duel Academy because of what they would be trying to see during regular hours: Aster Phoenix in gym shorts.

"Yeah, I can't open this damn thing to save my life!" Aster said angrily. He then proceeded to kick the door of the locker open.

"Hey! Easy there. There's a better way to go about this." Zane warned Aster.

The locker door tumbled open and fell off its hinges, revealing the source of its reluctance. A ton of envelopes sealed with heart stickers cascaded out of Aster's locker like an avalanche.

Geez, I should have known. Aster thought to himself ruefully.

"What's this "better way"? Because this isn't a problem that is just going to solve itself." Aster said as he started to reluctantly pile the love letters into his backpack, knowing that he had to be polite to his fans.

"I'll introduce you to Stan, the janitor. He's my best friend. And he'll be yours too soon enough." Zane said flatly as he carefully opened his own locker to reveal a pile of love letters that was almost as big as Aster's.

"But what am I going to do about this right now?" Aster asked as he eyed his open locker door.

"You can use mine for today." Zane said as he carelessly deposited his love letters into the trash can without another glance.

"Thanks, man! I owe you one!" Aster said gratefully.

As Aster started to leave the room, he stopped to stare at the trash can for a second. Man. That is just cold… He thought to himself.

Xxx

For what felt like the thousandth time, Alexis checked the clock on the wall of the classroom, willing its hands to move faster. It was only the first week of classes, but they were already becoming unbearable due to the presence of a certain pro duelist. Because the professors were the ones who moved around from classroom to classroom, the students' seating arrangements were the same for every class. And of course, Alexis had been given the misfortune of having a seat right next to Aster's. Even though almost every other girl in Duel Academy would have killed for this, Alexis just found it annoying. Aster never spoke to her, but his cellphone continually vibrated with text messages for him. The name, "Emeralda" continually showed up on the screen under the photo of a lavender haired woman with the looks of a supermodel. Alexis guessed that it was Pro League-related business and that Aster had been given special permission to use his phone in class as long as he kept it on vibrate. But she still found it unfair that he was given special privileges that the other students didn't have. The constant buzzing sound of the phone and Aster typing out his replies like crazy while barely even glancing at the screen was starting to drive Alexis up the wall.

"Now then, who can explain field spells and their effects to me?" Dr. Crowler asked the class.

Alexis' hand shot up. She was desperate for anything to spare her ears from Aster's texting, and because she had also noticed Dr. Crowler eyeing the Slifer section of the classroom, no doubt looking for a victim to bully.

"Yes, Ms. Rhodes?" Dr. Crowler asked with a smile.

"A field spell is a spell card that can affect the whole state of the duel for the card's controller or both duelists. It is placed in a separate space called the "field zone" away from where spells and traps are normally activated. Depending on the card itself, field spells can have a variety of different effects, from increasing a certain type of monster's attack and defense values, to being able to reuse cards again such as with the card, Fusion Recycling Plant. Field spells can be destroyed and removed from the field with cards like De-Spell or Mystical Space Typhoon, stopping their effects. You can also only use one field spell at a time, and this also applies to your opponent's usage of them during a duel. So, if they choose to activate a field spell while you already have one out, it will cancel out yours." Alexis explained.

"Bravo, Ms. Rhodes! Just what I would expect from one of my Obelisk Blues!" Dr. Crowler gushed.

"Heh. Then I guess that you don't expect that much to begin with." Aster spoke up smugly. He hadn't even bothered to raise his hand and wait to be called on.

"Excuse me!? And just what was that, Mr. Phoenix!?" Dr. Crowler asked sharply.

"What I mean is that Ms. Rhodes failed to mention a couple of other details about field spells. For one thing, what she said about only being able to use one field spell at a time isn't completely accurate. You can also replace your own field spell with another one of yours to use its effect again, depending on its effect. For example, you could use Aroma Garden's effect to boost your monsters' attack twice in one turn by replacing it with another copy. It is also possible to set a field spell face down in the field spell zone so that you can wait to activate it later." Aster explained.

Alexis glared at Aster. Of course she had already known about everything he had just said. She had just forgotten to mention those details because she had been in such a rush to answer the question so that she wouldn't have to hear his stupid cellphone buzzing away for one second. Did he have to be an asshole and make her look like a fool in front of the whole class? Of course he did. This was Asshole Phoenix after all.

"This is what you teach them? Everyone's gonna get slaughtered at the league then. If they even make it there, that is." Aster scoffed to Dr. Crowler.

The rest of the class looked stunned. Obelisk Blues usually stuck together. To see one embarrass another publicly like this was unheard of, especially when the one being picked on was the Queen of Obelisk Blue herself. Not to mention that Aster had also talked back to an Obelisk professor. More than a few of the other Obelisk Blue boys were glaring at Aster now. And the Slifers' and Ras' expressions ranged from disbelief and disgust. It was only the girls-minus Alexis-who were oblivious to Aster's comments and continued to gaze adoringly at him.

"Perhaps if you had waited before you had interrupted me so rudely, you would have heard me get to that part of the lesson, Mr. Phoenix. But it appears your attention has been divided during most of my class. Your device is a disruption in itself, so I must ask you to turn it off unless you wish to leave." Dr. Crowler said, pointing at Aster's cellphone, which had started to vibrate again.

"I've been over this with the Chancellor already. I need to hear my phone in case I have to set up any meetings or go over anything for my matches this weekend. But if I have to leave class to do it, that's fine by me. I mean, it's not like I'm actually learning anything that I don't already know." Aster said. He was trying to call Dr. Crowler's bluff by using the teacher's obvious dislike for him to get out of class.

"I'm afraid that I'm not feeling so generous today, Mr. Phoenix. But if you do wish to contribute anymore to my lectures, kindly remember to raise your hand before speaking out again." Dr. Crowler answered stiffly, not willing to give in to Aster.

Xxx

Dr. Crowler walked down the school hallways, silently fuming to himself. Not only had Aster made him look like a fool during the entrance exam, but he had also had the nerve to talk back to him during his own class! Normally, he liked his own students from Obelisk Blue. But this little brat was a different story. If only there was a way to get him out of Duel Academy for good…

As he rounded a corner, Dr. Crowler saw Aster standing around with a small group of girls surrounding him. There were duel monsters cards scattered around him in a pile, and from the tone of his voice, it looked like Aster was advising them about the game.

"-is what should happen. But you also want to be able to stall a little if you can when you use this deck." Aster was explaining carefully. The girls were watching him with rapt attention.

Dr. Crowler grumbled to himself. Who did Aster think he was? A teacher!? That was supposed to be his job! This was getting out of hand. He had to do something.

Just then, Dr. Crowler noticed someone passing by who also apparently did not have a favorable opinion of Aster. It was Alexis Rhodes, one of his star students. Dr. Crowler watched as she paused to glare angrily at Aster from across the hallway.

"Ms. Rhodes failed to mention a couple of other details about field spells!" Alexis mimicked sarcastically in what was a poor imitation of Aster's voice. She then lightly kicked the wall in frustration before stalking away in the other direction.

Dr. Crowler had watched the whole scene thoughtfully, an idea forming in his mind. Perhaps Aster did have one weakness to be used against him…

Xxx

Later during gym class, Dr. Crowler made his way to the boys' locker room. He had devised a plan to get Aster in trouble, and with a little luck, he didn't see how this could go wrong. From what Dr. Crowler had observed, almost the whole female student population worshipped Aster, and he relished in the attention. Women were his Achilles' heel, and for Aster, being ignored by one was like a sin. From what he had heard, Alexis had not kept her dislike for the boy a secret, and that was where this plan came into motion. If Aster was made to believe that Alexis had developed a sudden change of heart towards him, he would probably not be able to resist a chance to see that in person. The boy treated his fans well, so he would take the opportunity to meet one of them. Even if it meant going near the girls' dorm after hours. Dr. Crowler had no doubts about Aster taking the risk. He had already proven that he thought he was above the rules more than once with assaulting Raizou, talking back in class, and the special privileges the higher faculty had granted him. But if this worked, Dr. Crowler would make sure that Aster wasn't given any lenience this time. He would be expelled on the spot and would then be free to go back to his cushy little Pro League life that he went on so much about.

After checking to see if the coast was clear, Dr. Crowler quickly sneaked into the locker room and pushed the letter through one of the open slots of the locker. He knew that it was Aster's because he had seen him put something away in it earlier today. Now, all he had to do was wait…

Xxx

Zane walked into the locker room, eager to get his things so that he could hit the showers and get ready for his next class. Since the third-year students had different class periods for gym as well, he hadn't seen Aster since this morning before class. As he was collecting his clothes, he noticed a piece of line paper with writing on it. Even though he was dreading another love letter, the fact that it was already opened piqued his curiosity enough to read it.

Zane smoothed out the paper and read the letter: From the moment we first met, I did not think that you would end up having this effect on me, but now I can say for certain that I have fallen in love with you. You are the most incredibly fascinating, charismatic, and handsome boy that I have ever met. I cannot stop the rapid pounding of my heart or how my knees go weak every time we are in the same room together. The way you walk, talk, duel… Everything you do is absolutely mesmerizing. You are the prince that I did not even know that I had been searching for, and I don't know how I never realized this before. I have written this all down because I was too afraid to tell you these things in person. But now I would like to see you so that we can hopefully discuss the wonderful future that I believe we can have together. Love, Alexis Rhodes

Zane frowned slightly as he finished reading the letter. This didn't sound like Alexis at all, but what if he was wrong? Could it be possible that she had somehow started to develop these kinds of feelings about boys and that they had just happened to fall on him because of the time they had spent together due to them both knowing her brother and trying to find him?

If this is some kind of prank, it sounds like one that Atticus would like to play… Zane thought to himself somewhat sadly as he remembered his friend.

Zane knew that he had to talk to Alexis about this so that he could find out what was really going on here. If the letter was a joke from someone, then that was fine. But if he was wrong (and he prayed that he wasn't), then Zane would have to set things straight with Alexis and let her down as gently as he could.

Xxx

"So, spill it! If you could choose any boy here, who would it be, Alexis!?" Jasmine asked her friend excitedly. It was nighttime, and Alexis and the others were sitting around the comfortable living room of the Obelisk Blue girls' dorm.

"I've already told you this. I'm only interested in-" Alexis started to say exasperatedly.

"Yeah, yeah. We know! Dueling. Alexis, you are letting so much go to waste here!" Alexis' second friend, Mindy, said.

"Especially with who is here this year! For me, it's Aster Phoenix, hands down! He isn't just the hottest boy in this whole school, he's the hottest in the whole WORLD! No, make that the UNIVERSE!" Jasmine gushed excitedly.

"Totally!" Mindy agreed. She and Jasmine both sighed dreamily.

Alexis rolled her eyes. She had already had to listen to this conversation more than enough. And not just from Mindy and Jasmine. Aster was the number one topic of conversation in the girls' dorm. And those conversations were one-hundred percent about swooning over him.

"Come on, Lex! You gotta admit that Aster is perfect! He's smart, rich, a professional duelist, and totally gorgeous!" Jasmine insisted.

"Aster is a complete asshole. He's rude, arrogant, and insensitive. Not to mention that he talks down to other students and teachers and treats his opponents like dirt during duels. Frankly, I don't know how anyone can like him with how he always makes it clear that he believes that he is better than everyone else. You guys can say what you want, but I'm telling you right now that Aster Phoenix is the absolute last guy in this school that I would choose to be with if I was forced to pick anyone. No, make that the whole UNIVERSE." Alexis said in disgust.

"How can you say that!? Aster is really sweet! He takes the time to give us dueling advice after class and even helps us go over our decks!" Mindy insisted.

"Yeah! Since he's been giving us advice, I've been kicking ass in my duels lately! Look, he even gave me this card!" Jasmine said excitedly as she practically shoved a card in front of their faces.

"Obnoxious Celtic Guard? Heh! He should have kept that one for himself! It suits him perfectly." Alexis sneered.

"It's almost as cool as the one he gave me!" Mindy said as she gazed adoringly at the card, Shining Angel, in her hand.

"Now whenever we duel, it will be like Aster is always with us…" Jasmine said dazedly. Mindy nodded in agreement.

"It doesn't change the fact that he's still a jerk to everybody else, especially in duels." Alexis pointed out.

"That's just dueling trash talk. He does that to psyche his opponents out. I mean, even great duelists like Seto Kaiba and the King of Games himself would do that during their duels and everybody still loves them. And who cares about the other boys and teachers like Crowler!? They are the real jerks here!" Mindy said.

"Yeah! Crowler is such a loser! It was so funny when Aster told him off today in class!" Jasmine said.

Alexis simply frowned at her friends. They were on Team Aster Phoenix all the way and there was no going back.

"Well, I guess it is kind of understandable that you aren't interested in Aster, Alexis. After all, you already have Zane!" Mindy teased Alexis.

"What are you talking about!? You know that Zane and I are just friends!" Alexis argued.

"Yeah, sure! That's why you guys are always having all of those little dates at the lighthouse practically every night!" Jasmine teased.

"I've already explained about that. Zane is helping me look for my brother. We're not like that." Alexis said calmly.

"It's too bad. He may not be Aster, but Zane's almost just as good if you ask me. He's still totally hot and one of the best duelists here!" Mindy said.

"Hmm… I would sure like to see a duel between Aster and Zane! I wonder who would win?" Jasmine pondered.

"Zane would, of course. He duels respectfully, and that is something that Aster could stand to learn about." Alexis said firmly.

"Suure you don't like him." Mindy said, stretching the words out doubtfully.

At that moment, Alexis' PDA rang, saving her from more teasing. Or so she thought…

"Alexis, do have a little time tonight? I need to talk to you about something." Zane asked over the PDA, causing Mindy and Jasmine to squeal in excitement.

"Okay, I guess. But what is this all about?" Alexis asked curiously. She was hoping against hope that Zane had found a new lead about Atticus.

"I would…rather not say at this moment." Zane said hesitantly. His gaze shifted uncomfortably towards Mindy and Jasmine for a moment.

"Um, okay." Alexis said agreed, even more curious as to what in the world was going on here.

"Thanks. I'll be by the lake area just out of bonds of the girls' dorm. I'll head there now, so just come on over when you're ready." Zane said. The PDA screen then went black.

"Definitely sounds like he wants a date this time!" Jasmine said.

"He was just TOO secretive during that call! Maybe he plans to confess his love to you, Alexis!" Mindy said dreamily.

"I seriously doubt that. But even if he did, he would be in for disappointment. I'm going now." Alexis announced.

Xxx

Dr. Crowler waited in anticipation behind some bushes near the lake. It would only be a matter of time until Aster made his way here to go to the girls' dorm. He snapped to attention as he heard footsteps approaching. This was it!

Zane Truesdale!? What is he doing here!? Dr. Crowler thought to himself in surprise. Even worse, Zane didn't seem to be going any further, choosing instead to lean against a tree. Dr. Crowler got nervous. If Aster still decided to show up, this could be a diversion.

"Hey, Zane. I hope you didn't have to wait too long. So, care to explain what all of this secrecy is about? You didn't…hear any news, did you?" Alexis asked cautiously.

And now Alexis is here, too! But this is too far from the dorm! And why is Aster not here yet!? No, no! This is going all wrong! Dr. Crowler mentally cursed his misfortune.

"I really wish that I had, but unfortunately no." Zane said reluctantly.

"So, then?" Alexis pressed.

"Ah…right. How should I explain this?" Zane said somewhat awkwardly.

"You're acting really weird, Zane. Seriously, just tell me what this is about! It's driving me crazy!" Alexis said impatiently.

"Okay. Well, I guess I'll just jump into it then. Did you write me a letter by any chance?" Zane asked.

"A letter? No, I didn't. Why would I when we could just use the PDA or talk like this?" Alexis asked suspiciously.

"I didn't think that you did. It's just that I found this in my locker today, and it says it's from you. Why don't you take a look at it?" Zane suggested. He then handed Alexis the dreaded love letter.

Nooo! How on earth did he get that!? This means that Aster never even saw it! My whole plan is ruined! Dr. Crowler thought miserably.

Alexis read the letter carefully, rolling her eyes at the contents. It was only when she saw her name signed on it that she got angry.

"Who the heck would write something this stupid and pretend that it is me!? This is a sick joke! Please tell me that you didn't think that this was from me, Zane!" Alexis said furiously.

"I didn't really. But I also wasn't completely sure in a way." Zane admitted.

"What makes you say that?" Alexis asked.

"Well… I don't really know a lot about how girls think. So, a part of me wondered if maybe you were starting to get interested in dating and that kind of stuff. I don't know… I was worried that you were having a hard time with Atticus being gone and that maybe you just got confused and were starting to see me in a different way since we've spent a lot of time together trying to find him." Zane explained.

"You definitely don't need to worry about that, Zane. I don't feel that way about you. You feel more like an older brother than anything else. Maybe just a more responsible and mature one than Atti." Alexis explained, joking a bit with the last sentence.

"That's good. I didn't want to have to have the talk with you." Zane said with relief.

"The talk? Okay, now you're scaring me, Zane." Alexis said.

"What? Oh! You thought I meant "The Talk", not the talk! God, no. I would never subject you to that!" Zane said wearily.

Alexis laughed lightly at Zane's response. "You know, it's almost a shame that you're only interested in dueling. I may not feel that way about you, but I'm sure that a lot of girls would be very lucky to have a guy as nice as you, Mr. Truesdale!" She teased.

"Well, I'm afraid they would just have to be disappointed then. As it is right now, I really am only interested in dueling." Zane said.

"And that's why we make such a good team!" Alexis said with a smile.

"Looks like we found the lovebirds!" Came a voice from behind Alexis and Zane. Mindy and Jasmine were standing there grinning.

"I should have known you guys would follow me." Alexis said with a sigh.

"Hey, Zane! How are you doing? We heard about your duel the other day! About how you finished off that guy in one turn! That's incredible!" Mindy said excitedly.

"Thank you. But it really wasn't anything very special. We were just using decks designed for one-turn kills for that assignment." Zane said modestly.

"But it was still really cool! You're one of the best duelists here along with Aster! Maybe you could even beat him!" Jasmine said.

Alexis had to refrain from rolling her eyes. She knew that Mindy and Jasmine would never be suggesting this if Aster was here instead.

"As he is now, Aster can't defeat me." Zane stated simply, not even explaining what he had meant by that.

"So, what was all of the urgency about here? If you won't tell us, we'll just form our own conclusions." Mindy warned Alexis and Zane with a devious grin.

"Someone pulled a prank on us by giving Zane this falsely under my name." Alexis said disgustedly as she handed Mindy and Jasmine the letter to read.

"Oohh! Too bad this isn't real! Zane could've been your perfect prince alright!" Jasmine said delightedly.

"I just want to know who actually wrote this trash!" Alexis complained.

"Hey! Wait a minute! It says right here that this letter is addressed to Aster Phoenix, not Zane!" Mindy exclaimed. She flipped the letter over to the other side that they had somehow missed all this time.

"WHAT!? Gross! What kind of idiot would ever think I'd be interested in HIM!?" Alexis asked in utter horror as she snatched back the letter. She shuddered at the thought of what could have happened if Aster had seen the letter instead.

"Then why did I- Wait. That must be it. Aster's locker was broken today, so I let him use mine. Whoever put this in there had obviously thought that it was his." Zane said thoughtfully.

"But that still doesn't tell us who did this and why!" Alexis said.

"You're right, it doesn't." Zane agreed.

"So, what should we do now?" Alexis asked.

"Well… maybe Aster has some idea about this." Zane suggested.

"On second thought, forget it. I'd rather not find out if it means I have to deal with him." Alexis said.

"It doesn't have to be as bad as you think, Alexis." Zane argued.

"How so as long as it has anything to do with Aster?" Alexis complained.

"Hear me out here, Alexis. I know that you said that you can't stand talking to Aster. But how would you feel about dueling him?" Zane asked with a smile as a plan started to form in his head. This was just the opportunity he needed to observe Aster's skills again. And maybe to see if there was any hope towards his suspicions about Alexis' behavior…

AN: I'm really sorry about the long wait here! I was busy with other stuff and this chapter was really hard to write for some reason. The Aster and Alexis duel will be in the next chapter. For future reference, season one is the part of this story that will resemble the canon the most. It is not completely the same, though. I'm also going to go a lot into Aster's past eventually because it will be important for the plot. Then, once we get to season two, there will be a big change to the plot. Season 3 is completely different since there is obviously no Yubel, Supreme King, or even the exchange students. The season 4 plot for this is still in the works a bit, but I also ended up changing that too since I don't really want to write about Trueman and Darkness. Thanks to all who are reading this! Also, I know that they changed the rulings of field spells in the real card game. But this was based off how they played them in GX.