I hope all you readers are enjoying the story thus far. I would also like to clear up something from the last chapter involving the Six Warmasters which have been changed to the Six Samurai for the American dubbing. This whole chapter was spawned from a single stupid thought after I finished watching Invader Zim and listening to classical music, but I hope you like it, and I'll be having a special fan's choice duel, the details of which I'll explain more at the end of the chapter so make sure to read my end chapter talk at the end. NOW LET'S GET IT GO'N ALREADY!!! YA-HA!
Faithful answer corner:
Mavrik Zero : Thanks for the help dude, I hope to use him in a chapter or two later but I promise he'll play a big role later on as the story progresses.
Sir. Bacon : Mac actually didn't recognize Eric, he was saying that he really liked something about him that he wasn't sure what it was, plus he was trying to sound cool to make up for losing the match.
call me the dude : That does sound like a good idea, I'll save that for a later chapter.
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Eric was sleeping soundly as he dreamed a dream of dreamy bliss...sorta.
---Dream World---
It was your typical anime dream sequence complete with yellow and pink bubble background and slow motion movements. Eric was dancing gracefully with Kimmie close to him. They didn't say a word but were both enjoying themselves when suddenly Kimmie began to lean upwards towards Eric with her intent clear as her face became closer and closer to his until...
"What'da ya think yer do'n with my Cousin!?" Eric turned to find a giant grotesques pulsating blob that resembled the form of an angry Jobz with tentacles oozing slime and giant crooked sharp teeth. The Jobz-blob wrapped its' tentacles around Eric's legs and began slowly dragging him towards it sharp and pointy tooth filled mouth.
---Real World---
"AAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!" Eric screamed just before his face hit the floor as he rolled out out of his bed twisted amongst his bed sheets with one leg hanging in the air while the other was trapped with the rest of him in the sheets. He sat there like that for a moment after moving his face out from under himself until...BLREEP-BLREEP-BLREEP-BLRE-THUD, Eric used his loose foot to kick his alarm clock off the bedside table as Peten appeared yawning, his usual hat replaced by a sleeping cap.
"Oh, good morn'n boss." He said in a bored tone as a pair of disembodied hands brought him a steaming coffee mug and a newspaper.
"Yeah...g'morning to you too Peten." Eric's voice dripping with sarcasm as he tried to unwrap himself from the covers while Peten took a sip from his mug while reading his paper. Once Eric had freed his right arm he heard the sound of his PDA alerting him to an incoming message from the top of his bedside table, almost as if it was taunting him from atop the table. He kicked off the table to the side causing it to fall with a clunk as it collided with the top his head before landing on the ground before him earning a chuckle from Peten. He ignored Peten as he raised it up a little with his free hand so he read the message on the screen.
Dear Mister Sifer
You've been randomly selected to take part in a study of the dueling minds by a visiting Psychiatric Professor. Please report to the main building at 7:30 to take part in this study.
Sincerely Yours
Dr. Jacque Vanturhond
Eric cocked an eyebrow at the strange e-mail, before casting his gaze to his clock which lay upside down several feet in front of him reading 7:08. "Crap. I gotta hurry it up!" Eric blurted out as he used his free arm to finally free himself from his sheets and scrambled to the bathroom to get a shower. After few minutes he ran out and dressed himself in record breaking time, grabbed his dueldisk before shooting out the door and slamming it closed as he rushed towards the main building as Peten waved while reading his paper.
"I'll catch up boss." He said halfheartedly as he took another sip of his coffee.
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The sound of soothing classical music reached Odd's ears signaling it was time for him to get up. He pressed the snooze button as he rose from his bed doing a few stretches and yawning as he made his way to his shower. After cleaning up Odd slipped on a pair of tan pants and began his morning routine when he heard his PDA ring with a new message. He began to read it as started getting dressed slipping on a blue shirt over his head and grabbing his blazer of the top of his dresser.
Dear Mister Dowyel
You've been randomly selected to take part in a study of the dueling minds by a visiting Psychiatric Professor. Please report to the main building at 8:15 to take part in this study.
Sincerely Yours
Dr. Jacque Vanturhond
"Well this seems like an interesting little venture," Odd said with his usual grin as he pocketed his PDA, "plus it would be impolite to turn down a direct invitation." He said making his way towards the door grabbing his dueldisk on the way out.
--------------
Jobz's clock radio played heavy metal at full blast as his alarm went off quickly filling his messy room with noise. Jobz with his head under his pillow and his right arm and leg hanging out of his bed just let his hand fumble across the floor until he found his dueldisk which he then slammed on top of his alarm clock. After successfully stopping the noise Jobz began to go back to sleep when he heard the sound of his PDA going off. He slowly lifted his head from under the pillow, yawning as he ran a hand through his messy hair. He blinked back some of the sleep from his eyes as he found his PDA lying on the floor a few feet away. Grumbling to himself as he made his way across the floor covered in a mixture of dirty and clean clothes and trash he picked up his PDA and opened the incoming message.
Dear Mister Banks
You've been randomly selected to take part in a study of the dueling minds by a visiting Psychiatric Professor. Please report to the main building at 9:00 to take part in this study.
Sincerely Yours
Dr. Jacque Vanturhond
P.S. Attendance is mandatory
Jobz stared angrily at the message for a minute or two before tossing his PDA over his shoulder onto his bed as he made his way to his dresser throwing off his t-shirt from the night before as he went, "It would seem my reputation proceeds me." He said in a voice mocking his pink haired partners' calm and jovial tone. Reaching into his dresser drawer Jobz fished out a fresh pair of boxers, his eyes wandered the room until he found a shirt hanging off of his lamp and a pair of pants laying under his bed. Grabbing the dirty clothes Jobz quickly changed and grabbed a class of milk from his small coffee table, gulping down all its' contents before making a sour face, "I thought that woulda' kept a little bit better for only be'n two days old." He mused to himself as he grabbed his blazer of the floor next to his bed along with his dueldisk and made his way out the door grumbling to himself.
----------------
Liz sat at her computer checking her e-mail to see if her mom had written back to her last e-mail. Her thoughts roamed over the events of the past week, bringing a small smile to her face. She was torn from here memories by her PDA going off next to her signaling a new e-mail. Liz pulled out a small cable and plugged it into her PDAs' connection port bringing the message to her computer screen.
Dear Miss Walton
You've been randomly selected to take part in a study of the dueling minds by a visiting Psychiatric Professor. Please report to the main building at 9:45 to take part in this study.
Sincerely Yours
Dr. Jacque Vanturhond
Liz read over the e-mail a second time quickly before sitting back in her chair and thinking, "...I guess I should go, might be important." Liz said as she turned off her computer and disconnected her PDA, stuffing it into her blazer pocket Liz pick her dueldisk off her bed and headed towards the academy.
-----------------
Kimmie was moving rhythmically in sports top and sweat pants with a thin film of sweat covered her as her MP3 player played in her ear assisting her in her morning aerobics. While she was finishing up she saw her PDA light up on her desk with an incoming e-mail. Quickly pulling her headphones from her ears and grabbing a towel from the back of her chair hoping the message was from Eric as she opened it.
Dear Miss Sava
You've been randomly selected to take part in a study of the dueling minds by a visiting Psychiatric Professor. Please report to the main building at 10:30 to take part in this study.
Sincerely Yours
Dr. Jacque Vanturhond
With a small frown of disappointment oh her face Kimmie sighed, "Man, I was hop'n that would be E, but this sounds kinda fun. It's like Gramps always said, Understanding yourself is the first step to true understanding." She said in a deep voice to imitate her grandfather's words. Grabbing the clothes she'd set out before she'd began her workout as she made her way to wash up with a quick shower. When she'd finished her shower and dressed herself she grabbed her blazer and dueldisk and began jogging towards the main building.
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Eric slowed his dead sprint around twenty or so feet from the door to the office he was to report to knowing that he couldn't come to any kind of complete stop at the speed he was going. Unfortunately he hadn't anticipated on the fact the janitor had just recently waxed the floor, thus forcing him to go sliding uncontrollably down the remainder of the hallway. As he began to approach the door Eric immediately straightened his back as he planted both his feet flat on the ground, quickly tensing every muscle in his body he forced his body to a total stop just in front of the office door. Sighing tiredly between gasping breathes Eric popped his neck loudly as his shoulder slumped, "Now I remember why I don't stop like that a lot." He said meekly as he pushed the door open enter a rather large and well decorated room where an elderly man with balding grey hair and small oval framed glasses wearing an old looking brown suit sat behind an expensive desk staring at the screen of the desk top computer. Next to him stood a tall boy with spiky black hair and almost piercing green eyes wearing a lab coat which appeared to be a size or two too big and a thick metal collar with small blinking lights around his neck.
"You must be Eric, I'm Dr. Vanturhond, and it's a pleasure." The old man said with a hint of an Austrian accent as he leaned over the desk to shake Eric's hand. "Allow me to introduce my assistant, R.T. Boa." He said gesturing to the young man to his right as Eric sat down in a rather sturdy chair in front of the desk.
R.T. waved at him with his sleeve still covering his hand, "Hi." He said giving a simple greeting as Dr. Vanturhond thumbed through a small stack of files.
"Oh, I've seemed to have left your file in the other room, please excuse me, I won't be but a minute." He said kindly as he stood from his seat and made his way out of the room.
The room fell silent as Eric fidgeted in his hard seat attempting to get comfortable. He turned to find R.T. giving him a rather creepy toothy smile with his blue eyes wide, 'Wait, I coulda sworn his eye were green a minute ago.' Eric thought as he watched R.T. jump into Dr. Vanturhond's chair and quickly pressed a button and a pair of metal cuffs sprang from the arms of the chair capturing his wrists, "What're you do..."
"Electro-shock therapy, DEAL WITH IT!" R.T. shouted out as he slammed his finger down on another button quickly sending several hundred volts through Eric's body causing him to cry out in pain.
"DYAAAAHHHHH!" After a few seconds the electricity halted and Eric leaned forward in his seat gasping for breath. Somewhere in the back of his mind Eric could have sworn he'd heard the voice of a strange green puppy riding on the back of a flying moose screaming 'DO IT AGAIN! DO IT AGAIN!', but Eric decided to ignore the voice and made a mental note to maybe bring that up later if the "Good" doctor ever got back.
As if on cue, having heard the noise Dr. Vanturhond had run back to the room as fast as his old legs would carry him. Leaning with his shoulder on the door he reached into his pocket and quickly pulled out a small remote, swiftly pressing a button causing the lights on R.T.'s collar to flash red sent him to his knees gritting his teeth in pain with what Eric assumed to be an equal if not greater amount of electricity, "Eric! I'm so sorry, I thought Tak was sleeping. Please forgive him, he's not himself at the moment." Dr. Vanturhond apologized frantically as he pressed the button that released Eric's wrists.
Getting a second wind as he messaged his wrist Eric gave the doctor a weak smile, "...I'm okay doc." He reassured ignoring the fact he hadn't completely understood all of what the doctor had just said.
"Well that's welcome news." Vanturhond said as he opened the file and took a note book and a pen from his desk as R.T. stood up rubbing his collared neck, "If you don't mind I'd like to begin our session now if you please."
"Oh sure, so what're we going to be doing anyway?" Eric asked curiously.
"Well I'll be asking you a few minor questions and conducting a few tests, first off I've been given access to all the students I've chosen to take part in this study deck lists and I'd like to start off by asking you why you use the kind of deck you use."
Eric sat back a bit in his chair before explaining, "Well one day after a duel, I started to realize that there were certain uncontrollable factors that dictate the outcome of a duel which no matter how lucky you are or how good your strategy is, you can't beat them. That's when I started thinking that if all these decks built around monster types or with big end game strategies and combos can't beat these factors then by using transitive logic, if you flip it around and use a bunch of cards that have nothing to do with one another should be able to beat these factors." He finished with a bit of a foolish smile.
Vanturhond was scribbling down notes about what Eric had just finished telling him before looking up with a bit of confusion, "I'm sorry but I don't believe I follow."
Eric gave a stupid grin as he rubbed the back of his head, "...Um...I think the best way to describe it is by comparing it to the chaos theory, if a deck that is perfectly balanced with cards that all support one another can't beat those uncontrollable factors then a deck built out of a chaotic mix of random useful cards that have the ability to conform to any given situation that arises during a duel should be able to beat all the factors, random events bringing about complete order...or someth'n like that."
Through out the explanation Vanturhond gave an understanding nod or two, "Well that's a rather ingenious design you have there mister Sifer." He said as he set down his notes and pen down as he pulled out a stack of large white cards. "I'd like to proceed with a Rorschach test."
"Okay?" Eric agreed confusedly.
Dr. Vanturhond let the first card fall onto the top of desk harmlessly revealing a large strangely black blotch on the following card, "A Rorschach test is the technical name for a standard inkblot test." He said giving Eric a light smile before moving on, "So would you tell me what you here." Vanturhond asked gesturing to the image on the card.
Eric scratched his chin with his index finger for a moment before giving his answer in a flat tone, "A monkey playing a violin."
Vanturhond flipped through to the next card, "And this one?"
"A bulldozer attempting to water-ski," Eric said taking his hat off and placing on his knee as he stared at the card, "and failing miserably I might add."
"O-kay, and this one."
"I see C.T. Smith from Zombie Powder, and he's smil'n at me." Eric said in an almost schoolgirlish squeal of fan worship.
"Okay and the last one here." Vanturhond said as he wrote down Eric's answers in his notebook with his free hand.
"I see the collision of the final blow in a climatic manga battle where the hero who controls fire and the villain who controls black lightning both trying to land the deciding blow that will bring them victory and either peace or complete domination of the planet." Eric said earning strange looks from both Dr. Vanturhond and R.T.
"Um...yes...well moving on then," Vanturhond said handing the cards to R.T. who started trying to figure out the last card, "next I'd like you to try and solve this." He said after reaching into his desk and pulling out an oddly colored Rubik's Cube and handing it to Eric.
"Um, okay doc, but I've never been good at these things." Eric said as he began twisting and turning it a few times to mix it up before he would start trying to solve it.
"Oh it's just a problem solving exercise, it's a test of the time it takes you to complete as many of the sides you can." He said in kindly tone as Eric began trying to solve the cube. After about ten or so minutes Eric let a surprised gasp as the cube resumed its' original form, "Ah, very good mister Sifer."
"Wow, I didn't think I could actually do it." Eric said as he handed the cube back to the doctor noticing R.T. currently chewing on the inkblot cards.
"Well I'm glad for you," The doctor went on as he pressed a button causing a panel in the arm of the chair slid away revealing four colored buttons, one yellow, one orange, one green, and one pink, "now I'd like to move onto the last of our tests here," he said pulling a visor his desk and handed it to Eric, "this last test is to measure your reactions to different ocular stimulus."
"And that means what Doc?" Eric asked as he looked at the strange visor.
"I'd like you to simply place the visor over your eyes and colors will flash across them. As you see the colors I'd like you to press whichever one of the four buttons you feel the most comfortable with, it doesn't matter if it is a corresponding color or not."
"Okay doc." Eric said as he donned the visor.
"Are you all set Eric?" Vanturhond asked preparing to start the test.
"All set doc." Eric replied before a flash of pink appeared across the visor. Eric quickly pressed a button but didn't pay attention to which one. This continued for several minutes with Eric quickly trying to match each color that flashed by with a button press of his own.
As the test continued Vanturhond was recording the results on his computer. After about fifteen minutes after they'd began Vanturhond pressed another button and the colors stopped flashing, "That's the end of the test mister Sifer."
"Alright." Eric said taking of the visor and taking his hat off of his leg and placing it back on his head.
"Now that concludes our tests, but there's a favor I'd like to ask of you mister Sifer." Vanturhond went on after taking the visor back from Eric.
Eric scratched the back of his head a bit confused at the doctor's question, "Um...sure doc, what d'ya need?"
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Odd was humming a happy tune as he made his way towards the office the message had told him to go to. When he'd made it to the door he widened his grin a bit to make a good first impression. As he entered the room he noticed it was quite well decorated with several book cases filled with rows upon rows of thick hard backed books.
"Ah, you must be mister Dowyel." Odd's attention was drawn to a man looking to be in his mid to late forties and a dark haired boy looking to be no more than two or three years older than himself, "Hello, I'm Dr. Vanturhond and this is my assistant R.T. Boa." The man said gesturing to himself and then the boy to his right before extending his hand in greeting to the young man in front of him.
"Oh it's a pleasure to meet you, but please just call me Odd." The pink haired boy said shaking the man's hand formally.
"Very well then Odd," Vanturhond said as he and Odd took a seat and Vanturhond picked up a file and opening it quickly scanning its' contents, "it says here that you were born and raised in England."
Odd merely smiled at the memories, "Yes, we lived in England until my father was transferred to Domino when I was about seven years old. I've grown to love Domino, but England will always have a special place in my heart as home sweet home."
"That's very nice ma'boy, now I'd like to begin with our test if you don't mind." The doctor said setting down the file.
"Oh by all means doctor lets begin." Odd said enthusiastically.
"That's the spirit, okay I've taken the liberty of studying the decks of each student that will be taking part in this study and I'd like to begin by asking why you play with the cards that you do or what's the history behind your deck?" Vanturhond asked Odd as he opened his note book and prepared to take down some notes.
"Well it all began during my early days as professional trader before I met my partner Jacob Banks or Jobz as I like to call him, I was doing some research for a client and happened to stumble upon a rare breed of monsters. After a bit of searching and some practice I'd found a deck that suits my needs and style perfectly."
"Hm...that's rather interesting Odd, you're saying your cards just fell into your lap more or less then?" Vanturhond said with a questioning look as he looked up from his notes.
Odd let out a chuckle at the doctors' comment, "More or less I'd say that's about right."
"Alright then I'd like to now move onto a standard Rorschach test." Vanturhond went on as he pulled a stack of white cards from his desk drawer.
"Okay doctor I'll do my best." Odd went on still enthusiastic as the doctor flashed him the first card. "I see a grandfather clock." Odd said thoughtfully.
"Yes, very good and the next one please."
"I see an old man sitting on a lone pier fishing."
"I see, and this one?"
"I'm seeing a single black horse running through a field."
"Uh huh, and the last card please."
"I see a group of soldiers raising their flag in victory after a long battle."
"Yes, that's very good Odd thank you for your cooperation," Vanturhond complimented Odd as he placed the cards back into his desk before pulling out a Rubik's Cube colored strangely with pink, orange, blue, purple, yellow, and green sides, "now I'd like to move onto our next test, I'd like you to try and complete this cube as best as you can. Please take your time and finish at your own pace." He said handing the cube to Odd.
"Ah, this brings back memories, I used to play with these thing as a kid." Odd said after quickly jumbling it up so he could begin. Odd began solving the puzzle at a speed that startled both Dr. Vanturhond and R.T. as he seemingly flew through each side. Within several minutes he'd completed the entire cube with his grin a little brighter at his achievement, "Is that good Doctor?" He asked presenting the finished cube to the doctor.
"T-That was fast...but well done, I guess we'll just move onto our last test then." The doctor said taking the cube from Odd and handing it to R.T. who started to eye the cube quizzically. Vanturhond pressed a button that revealed four small buttons on the arm of the chair as he handed Odd a high tech looking visor. "This last test entails your reactions to certain ocular stimulus, colors matching that of the buttons on your chair there will flash across the visor, when one of these colors flash across the visor I'd like you to press any of the buttons on the arm there. Take note they do not have to match." He explained to Odd who was examining the visor before he slipped it on.
"Okay doctor, I'm ready." Odd signaled the doctor as he leaned back in his seat and readied his hand on top of the buttons. Soon colors began flashing across the visor and the doctor soon took note at Odd's exceptional reaction time and began to gradually increase the speed of the colors. Odd continued to effortlessly track the colors and Odd continued to react nearly instantly. After about ten or so minutes later the colors stopped.
"Quite impressive there Odd, I haven't seen a person follow the colors at that speed in many years." Vanturhond said with a bit of a chuckle as he rubbed the back of his head as Odd handed him the visor.
"Why thank you doctor." Odd said as he moved and started for the door. As he was about to leave the room he heard the doctor call to him.
"Odd, would it be to much of a bother to ask a favor of you?"
Odd turned with a smile towards the old doctor, "Why I'd be honored to be of assistance Dr. Vanturhond, what's it that you?"
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Jobz was walking down towards the shrink's office with a small hint of blush on his cheeks. Minutes early he'd run into Alice...quite literally.
------Flashback------
Jobz took the long way towards the academy's main building so he could casually "observe" the girls track team during their morning run. As he came to the gym doors, they burst open and out flew a blur of red. Unfortunately the blur immediately collided with Jobz's chest and they both sprawled onto the ground below. Jobz opened his eyes and came face to face with Alice who was blushing a bright shade of red, "Long time no see." He said with a cocky grin earning a squeak and new shade of blush from Alice who quickly stumbled off Jobz and back to her feet.
"I-I-I'm sorry Jacob I..." she began stammering out her apology as Jobz got to his feet and proceeded to interrupt her.
"It ain't your fault Red," he noted a new shade of blush rise to her cheeks at his little pet name for her, "you were just in a hurry, anything you need help with?" Jobz asked cocking an eyebrow at the redheaded Slifer.
"Oh n-no, we're just starting on the decorations for the day, I was going to get one of the ladders fr-from the shed." Alice said pointing to the equipment shed several yards away. Jobz cast a quick glance at Alice then started off towards the shed surprising Alice, "Wh-what are you doing?" She called to him as he open the shed.
"Grabbing the ladder for you Red, what's it look like I'm do'n?" He said as he hoisted the ladder onto his shoulder walking back towards the gym.
"B-but you really don't have to do that." Alice said quickly stepping in front of him to open the doors for him.
"That doesn't mean I can't." Jobz said as he set the ladder down in the gym before turning to Alice with a smile on his face. "Well I gotta get go'n Red, I'll see you around okay." Jobz said as he started towards the other side of the gym which connected with the main building.
"Jacob wait!" Jobz turned to see Alice looking both determined and nervous, "I-I was...um...wondering if w-we..."
As Jobz watched Alice stumble over her words he started getting tense. Something inside him couldn't stand seeing her like this, "Hey Red, I...um really have to be somewhere right now," he said causing Alice's expression to become more downcast, "but...after that I could swing by here. If you can maybe slip away, we could...um...I dunno, hang out." He said avoiding eye contact with the redhead.
Alice's expression quickly transformed to a joyful one, "That'd be great Jacob."
"Great, I'll see ya in awhile then." He said with grin as he jogged out of the gym.
------Flashback End------
Jobz let out a sigh as he finally reached the office where he was supposed to meet the shrink. When he walked in he immediately found it too fancy for his tastes.
"You must be mister Banks," Jobz turned to see an old looking man and a kid with spiky black in a lab coat way to big for him, "I'm Dr. Vanturhond and this is my assistant R.T. Boa."
"S'up doc?" Jobz said earning a grin from the old man as he shook his hand and a laugh from the black haired guy next to him.
"It's good to have you here mister Banks, but I'd like to begin our tests." Vanturhond asked as Jobz as he took a seat in front of the desk.
"Whatever floats your boat dude." Jobz said leaning back in his chair.
"Very good, now I've studied up on all the students that I've chosen for this study and I'd like to begin by asking why you play the kind of deck you use." Vanturhond asked as he prepared to take down notes.
Jobz let out a sigh as he leaned forward, "Well I started to play my Dark World monsters mostly 'cause I got tired of the everyday typical fiend monsters."
"What do you mean?" Vanturhond asked cocking an eyebrow.
"Ya' see doc, before I started work'n as a trader I played your average fiend deck like most of kids in my neighborhood, but after playing so many fiends I began to realize that no matter what kind of fiend they were or what kind of effect it had, it all boiled down to nothing but a bunch of over glorified wrecking balls, most of which any idiot could use."
"But why then do you use a deck comprised of fiend type monsters?" Vanturhond interrupted.
"I'm get'n to that part doc, I'm get'n there."
"I'm sorry, please continue mister Banks." Vanturhond apologized as he prepared to take more notes.
"Well there was this old run down hobby shop in my neighborhood owned by this old geezer that I hung out at. One day I was tell'n the old coot what I just told you and he made the same scrunched up face he'd make when I would start a fight or call him an old fart and he smacked me upside the head and called me stupid kid like he always did. Then he reached under the counter and pulled out this little wooden box and told me to stop whining and try plain with these, I opened the box and there was the monsters I'm still use'n to this day doc." Jobz said as a grin came to his lips at the memory.
"I see, I see." Vanturhond said as he set down his pen and began reaching into his desk and pulling out a stack of white cards, "Now I'd like to keep moving and move onto a Rorschach test."
"A wha..." Jobz asked with a look of pure confusion.
"I'm sorry, a Rorschach test would be an inkblot test." Vanturhond said with a chuckle as he revealed the first card, "Please tell me what you see."
"I'm see'n a tree doc."
"Yes, alright and this please."
"Okay doc, I'm see'n the same tree, but now it's on fire after being struck by lightning."
"O-kay...um...and this one as well."
"Now I'm see'n the same tree only this time it's on fire and it's being attacked by a zombie beaver."
"...and finally this one."
"I see a puppy."
"Thank you mister Banks, that was...interesting...now I'd like to move onto our next test." Vanturhond said as he handed the cards to R.T. and fished a crazy colored Rubik's Cube out of his desk, "Now I'd like to begin a test to measure your problem solving abilities with this Rubik's Cube, please take your time." He said handing the puzzle to Jobz.
"Whatever doc." Jobz said taking the cube and starting the test. After several minutes of being thoroughly unable to solve more than one side of the cube Jobz noticed the doctor press a button on his keyboard out of the corner of his eye, disregarding it Jobz turned his attention back to the cube which slowly began twisting into it's complete form, "Whoa, I thought only guys like Odd could solve these things." Jobz said eyeing the cube before handing it back to Vanturhond.
"I must agree with you there mister Banks, I often have trouble with these as well." Vanturhond said as he took back the cube chuckling and bringing a sophisticated looking visor out from his desk.
"What's that for doc?" Jobz asked giving the device a strange look.
"This is for the last of our tests, I'll be using this visor to measure your natural reaction time to certain ocular stimuli," the doctor said pressing a button on his keyboard causing a panel in the arm of the chair Jobz was sitting in to recede into the chair revealing four colored buttons as he handed Jobz the visor, "there'll be several colors will flash across the visor and I'd like you to press whichever button you'd like the each time you see one of those colors flash by, okay?"
"Kay doc, lets do it." Jobz said slipped the visor on. Soon colors began flashing across the visor and Jobz began pressing buttons in response. After roughly ten minutes the lights stopped and Jobz slipped the visor off and handed it to the doctor.
"Very good mister Banks." Vanturhond complimented as he noticed Jobz making his way towards the door.
"Thanks doc, been a blast, but there's something I gotta do." Jobz said as he began opening the door.
"Wait mister Banks, I was hoping if I could ask you a favor." Vanturhond called out.
"I'm sorry doc, but I got stuff to do." Jobz said as he began stepping out of the office.
"Then how 'bout I make you a business proposition?" Vanturhond called watching as Jobz stopped in the door way and turned around with a small grin on his face.
"Okay doc you've got my attention, what do you want me to do?" Jobz asked walking back towards the doctor's desk.
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Liz walked down the hall towards the office where she'd told to report to. As she was making her way to the office she noticed a long skid mark leading to the door which strangely reminded her of a certain bucket hat wearing student. Ignoring the skid mark Liz entered into room and soon found it was very well decorated.
"You must be Lisette, thank you for coming." An elderly man greeted her from behind a desk as he stood to shake her hand. Next to him stood a kid with spiky black hair and a strange metal collar.
"You're welcome, and please just call me Liz." She said shaking his hand before taking a seat.
"Very well Liz, I am Dr. Vanturhond and this is my assistant R.T. Boa," the doctor said gesturing to himself and then to the boy in the collar who gave her a quick wave, "now I'd like to get started, is that alright with you?"
"That would be fine doctor." Liz said simply.
"Good, now I've taken the liberty to study the decks of all the students that were chosen for this study and would like to begin by asking you why do you play the type of deck you currently use." Vanturhond asked as he picked up a pen and prepared to take notes.
"Well when I was eight I was hospitalized for about a month after a car crash and while I was there I shared a room with this boy who really loved playing duel monsters. He taught how to play with his extra deck. On the day I was being discharged he gave his extra deck as a gift." Liz finished smiling at the memory.
Vanturhond gave her a kind smile as he reached into his desk and pulled out a small stack of white cards, "That's very nice Miss Walton, now I'd like to move onto our next test."
"Sure doctor."
"It is a basic Rorschach inkblot test," he said revealing the first card, "please tell me what you see here."
"Alright, I see a flock of birds."
"Very good, now what do you see here?"
"I see a lighthouse on a cliff."
"I see, and this one please."
"I see an old man sitting in a rocking chair."
"And the last one here?"
"I see a sunset."
"Ah, very good Miss Walton," Vanturhond said as he picked up the cards and placed them back into his desk, "now I'd like to move onto our next test." He said as he pulled out an oddly colored Rubik's Cube from his desk, "I'd like to test your basic problem solving abilities, please take your time." He said handing the cube to Liz.
"Okay doctor, but it might take awhile." Liz said as she began scrambling the cube.
"Don't worry, take all the time you need." Vanturhond reassured her as she began trying to solve it. She played with the puzzle for several minutes before it began to come together.
"Cool, I actually got it." She let out in excitement before handing the cube back to Vanturhond.
"Well done Miss Walton. Now I'd like to move onto our last test." Vanturhond said as he pulled a strange visor from his desk, "I'll be measuring your reaction to various ocular stimuli." He said handing the visor to Liz as he pressed a button revealing a four buttoned panel laid into the arm of the chair, "There will be several colors that will flash across on the visor and I'd like you to press one of the four buttons when you see the colors flash by, any button will do." Vanturhond explained as Liz slipped the Visor on.
"Alright Doctor, I'm ready." Liz said as the test began. The test went on for about fifteen minutes and then the colors stopped.
"Very good Miss Walton." Vanturhond complimented as Liz slipped the visor off and handed it to him, "Miss Walton, may I ask you a small favor before you go?"
"Um...sure doctor, I guess I could lend you a hand. What do you need?" Liz asked the Doctor.
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Kimmie listened happily to song playing on her MP3 player as she slowed her jog as she approached the office her PDA had told her to report to. She quickly turned her player off and pocketed her headphones before entering into the room. As Kimmie stepped into the office she noticed it was incredibly well decorated.
"Ah, you must be Miss Sava." She turned to see a really old looking man with his hand outstretched and a kid with a black hair wearing a metal collar and a lab coat that was way to big for him.
"Yep, that's me doc." Kimmie said giving a quick wave before shaking his hand.
"It's a pleasure miss Sava, I'm Dr. Vanturhond and the is my assistant R.T. Boa." Vanturhond said gesturing to himself before gesturing to the boy standing to his right.
"Nice to meet ya doc." Kimmie said as she sat down in the chair in front of his desk.
"Likewise Miss Sava," Vanturhond said giving her a kind smile as she took his seat, "now I'd like to begin our tests if you don't mind."
"Sure doc, lets get things rolling." Kimmie almost cheered as she pumped her fist into the air earning a chuckle from Vanturhond and a strange look from R.T.
"Alright then Miss Sava, I like to begin by asking you why is it you play the deck which you currently play with." Vanturhond asked as he picked up his pen and prepared to take notes.
"Well my grandpa only just gave me this deck when he heard I was going to be taking part in the academy's selection exam, it was kinda like his way of wishing me good luck." Kimmie said holding back tears thinking of her grandpa.
"That's very sweet Miss Sava," Vanturhond said as he put down his pen and reached into one of his desk drawers, "I'd like to proceed with a Rorschach test now Miss Sava." He said pulling a stack of white cards.
"A what test?" Kimmie asked with a look of pure confusion on her face.
Chuckling Vanturhond revealed the first card, "A Rorschach test is nothing more than a simple inkblot test, now could you please tell me what you see here Miss Sava?" Vanturhond asked gesturing to the first card.
"I see a big sunflower."
"Okay, and this one?"
"I see kitten."
"Alright then and this one?"
"I see clown."
"And finally this one."
"I see a lawn gnome."
"Very good Miss Sava," Vanturhond said stifling a chuckle as he picked up the cards and began reaching into his desk, "now I'd like to begin our next test." He said as pulled out a crazy colored Rubik's Cube.
"What's that for doc?" Kimmie asked pointing to the cube in the doctor's hand.
"I use this cube to test the problem solving skills by recording how mush time it takes a subject to solve it." Vanturhond explained with a smile as he handed the cube to Kimmie.
"Okay doc, but I don't think I can solve this thing." Kimmie said examining the cube before she began jumbling it.
"It's okay, it's just a test of problem solving skills, just take your time." Vanturhond reassured her as she began trying to solve it. Kimmie played around with the cube for roughly seven minutes the cube began twisting back into its complete form.
"Awesome doc! I thought I couldn't do it." Kimmie cheered for herself as she handed the cube back to the doctor.
"Congratulations Miss Sava," Vanturhond said he pulled out a high tech looking visor, "this will be part of our last test here today, I will be measuring your reactions to certain ocular stimuli." Vanturhond explained handing the visor to Kimmie.
"How're you gonna do that doc?" Kimmie asked examining the visor in her hands.
Vanturhond pressed a button which revealed a small four buttoned panel in the arm of the chair, "There'll be several colors that'll flash across the visor and as they flash across I'd like you to press any of those four buttons." Vanturhond explained as Kimmie slowly placed the visor over her head.
"Okay doc, I'm ready." Kimmie said giving the doctor a quick thumbs up before the test began. The test continued for roughly twelve minutes until the colors finally halted.
"That's it Miss Sava, you may remove the visor." Vanturhond instructed Kimmie who quickly removed the visor.
"Wow that was fun doc." Kimmie said as she stood up from her seat.
"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself Miss Sava," Vanturhond said smiling to the girl, "but could I trouble you for a favor Miss Sava?"
"No problem doc, what do you need?" Kimmie asked cheerfully.
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Dr. Vanturhond looked at the student standing before with a slight grin on his face, "I'd like you to please duel R.T. here for me." He said gesturing to his assistant next to him.
To Be Continued...(Readers choice duel voting starts now!)
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The choices for the readers selection duel are Eric, Liz, Odd, Jobz, or Kimmie. All you have to do is review to place your vote. I'm sorry for the huge delay on the chapter and I hope I get a good number of votes. Again I apologise for any mistakes in spelling or grammar I may have missed.
