Yu-Gi-Oh! Eternal
A Fanfiction by neomage
(DISCLAIMER: We all know how it goes…I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh or Yu-Gi-Oh GX.)
CHAPTER 21 – Fight for Editorship
KAIBACORP, DOMINO CITY
JAN: 7200; JILLIAN: 3400
As the duel between Jan and Jillian continued, the score was noted: In terms of life points, Jan was in the lead with 7200, while Jillian had only 3400. Jan held one card in his hand; Jillian had three. On the field, however, it appeared that it was Jillian who was in control, as she had her newly-summoned Gate Guardian in Attack Mode, plus one facedown card; while Jan had his Desrook Archfiend facedown in Defense Mode, Terrorking Archfiend in Attack Mode and equipped with the Axe of Despair, plus he also had his Battle-Scarred trap card still active, and one more card facedown. And at this point, it was still Jillian's turn.
"Now…" Jillian picked one of the three cards she was holding. "I'll equip my Gate Guardian with a Magic card, the Shooting Star Bow – Ceal!" And then, in the next moment a huge bow and arrow appeared in Gate Guardian's hands—but oddly enough, its ATK dropped to 2750.
"Hmm?" Jan's eyebrows rose at this. "Wait—that Equip Magic card you just played—it decreased your monster's ATK by 1000. That makes him weaker than my Terrorking Archfiend right now."
"That is true…however…" Jillian nodded knowingly. "It's necessary for me to have the Shooting Star Bow – Ceal on my side of the field, so that I can summon this monster: Guardian Ceal (ATK 1700, DEF 1400) in Attack Mode!" And with that, she summoned a fiery creature clad in red armor and, curiously enough, wielding a bow not dissimilar to the Shooting Star Bow.
"Hmm…I see…" Jan looked thoughtful. "That monster you just summoned, Guardian Ceal…it's one of the fabled Guardian cards, isn't it? I seem to remember hearing about a former pro duelist who made a name for himself with those cards…Raphael, if I remember right…"
"Seems you know your dueling circuit history, I'll grant you that," said Jillian, somewhat impressed. "Yes, Mr. Raphael was famous for his use of the Guardian cards years ago, when he was a member of the pro circuit. Before I became a bodyguard, it was he who trained me in Duel Monsters…and I also got some schooling from the Paradox Brothers as well, which is why I have this guy and his support cards in my deck," and she indicated the Gate Guardian.
"Training with pros…and now you're in the employ of a former champion whose son happens to be a renowned duelist himself…you certainly know how to keep yourself on top of your game," Jan remarked.
"It's only natural that I should do so—I can't afford to get rusty," said Jillian. "Now, then, since I've used up my Normal Summon by bringing Guardian Ceal to the field, it's time for me to strike! And I'll use the Gate Guardian first!"
"What? But—she'll destroy her monster if she attacks! Jan's monster is way stronger!" Jasmine exclaimed from the sidelines.
"Not necessarily," Jillian addressed her. "True, the Shooting Star Bow decreases the ATK of the monster it's equipped to by 1000, but it allows a very useful effect in exchange—that equipped monster can attack my opponent's life points directly!"
"Say what?" Jan exclaimed. Damn it—no wonder she wasn't intending to attack either of my monsters!
"Now, Gate Guardian, attack!" Jillian ordered. In response, the Gate Guardian lifted its arms, positioning the Shooting Star Bow to a firing position, then shot off the arrow—and it sailed right past the bewildered Terrorking Archfiend and struck Jan in the shoulder, causing him to flinch in pain as his life points went down.
JAN: 4450; JILLIAN: 3400
"And it gets even better," Jillian continued. "Remember my facedown card? Well, now I'm going to activate it—the Trap card known as Collected Power!"
"What the hell?" Jan asked in astonishment, even as Jillian's facedown card finally flipped face-up.
"Let me explain what this card does," said Jillian. "It allows me to select one face-up monster on the field, and then I get to equip it with all Equip Magic cards that are on the field—although, if the target for any one Equip card is incorrect, then that Equip card will be destroyed. But right now there are only two Equip cards that I see on the field—the Shooting Star Bow – Ceal and your Axe of Despair—and both of them are perfect for my Guardian Ceal!"
Flames instantly sprouted all over Guardian Ceal's bow as his ATK swiftly shot down to 700, even as Gate Guardian's ATK rose back to its original 3750. Then, in one hand Guardian Ceal found himself wielding the Axe of Despair, his ATK going back up to 1700, while a baffled Terrorking Archfiend found his own hands completely empty as his ATK returned to its original 2000. "Why, you…you'll pay for that!" Jan shouted.
"I doubt it," Jillian returned, "especially since now it's Guardian Ceal's time to attack—and as I hope you recall, by the effect of the Shooting Star Bow he can attack you directly!" And then, slinging the bow over his shoulder, Guardian Ceal hefted the Axe of Despair over his head and flung it at Jan. Seeing it coming, Jan ducked down in time, and the axe flew over his head, barely missing him as it swooshed around in the air and returned to Guardian Ceal's hand.
JAN: 2750; JILLIAN: 3400
Kaiba, on the sidelines, smirked as he observed all of this. "Seems Jan's in trouble now."
Jan gingerly stood back up, shaking his head as he did. "Well…as much as I may not have liked that…I guess I couldn't expect any less from a duelist who trained with legends like Raphael and the Paradox Brothers," he commented. "But even if you've managed to attack me directly, weren't you ever taught that if you leave your opponent's monsters alone, you'll come to regret it later?"
"Actually, I've already taken your monsters into account," Jillian informed him. "Which is why I'll now use Guardian Ceal's effect! By sending one Equip Magic card that's equipped to him to the Graveyard, I can destroy one monster on your side of the field! And I'll send the Axe of Despair to the Graveyard to destroy your Terrorking Archfiend!"
Again Guardian Ceal hefted the Axe of Despair over his head, readying himself to throw it. "Stop right there!" Jan shouted suddenly. "You've activated Terrorking Archfiend's effect! When he's specifically chosen as a target of a card effect controlled by my opponent, I can roll a die…and if the result is 2 or 5, that targeting effect is negated and the card for which it was activated will be destroyed! So, if I get the right roll, tough luck for your Guardian Ceal!"
Immediately a six-sided die emerged on the field and began to roll here, there and everywhere…and Jillian looked at it with a critical eye, while Jan looked on smugly. Then, little by little, the die finally stopped rolling, and the number that appeared on its revealed face was…6.
"Crap…!" Jan flinched at this news—but there was little he could do as Guardian Ceal flung the Axe of Despair at Terrorking Archfiend, splitting the other monster in two even as his own ATK went down to 700. As Terrorking Archfiend was vanquished, the Battle-Scarred card inexplicably vanished from the field as well.
"I see…since your Terrorking Archfiend's been removed from the field, the Battle-Scarred trap card was destroyed as well," Jillian observed. "In other words, now that both of those cards are gone, you can no longer burn my life points along with yours. And now, to take care of your facedown monster—and Guardian Ceal still has one other Equip Magic card on his person, so…!"
As the card for the Shooting Star Bow – Ceal got sent to the Graveyard, Guardian Ceal raised his own bow and fired an arrow at the facedown Desrook Archfiend. That arrow instantly burst into flame upon hitting its target—and the facedown monster exploded immediately, the force of the blast nearly knocking Jan backwards! In the same moment, Guardian Ceal's ATK rose back to its natural 1700. "And with that…I end my turn," Jillian announced. "Next turn, without fail, you're through!"
"In case you haven't noticed, let me point it out for you," said Jan. "Right now, it's my turn! And that means that I still have a chance to defeat you in this turn!"
"But it's just as likely that you'll get a dead draw this turn, which in turn will solidify my victory," Jillian countered.
"Then I guess we'll have to see, won't we?" said Jan. "Now…my draw!"
With a grand flourish he drew from his deck, so now he held two cards in hand. He studied both cards for a long moment…and then he smiled broadly. "Well, now…looks as if I'm not going to kick the bucket just yet, after all," he said to Jillian. "I'll prove it with these cards that I'm holding now!"
"Oh, really, now?" asked Jillian.
"That's right! Now, for starters…do you remember that I still have a facedown card on my field?" Jan asked, and he then pointed out the image of the card that was still facedown in his Magic/Trap slot.
Jillian scowled as she looked at the card. That's right…I'd almost forgotten he had that there…
"Behold, as I activate it now!" Jan continued. "Activate, Trap card—Archfiend's Roar!"
"Archfiend's Roar?" Jillian queried.
"At a cost of 500 life points," Jan explained, "this card allows me to Special Summon one Archfiend monster from my Graveyard. The only downside is, that monster cannot be offered as a Tribute for any reason, and it'll be destroyed at the end of my turn. But considering the monster I'm going to summon with this card's effect, I don't think that that matters right now! So…I choose my Skull Archfiend of Lightning (ATK 2500, DEF 1200)!"
JAN: 2250; JILLIAN: 3400
Jan's life points immediately went down to 2250 for the effect of Archfiend's Roar—and then, seemingly from out of nowhere, a loud howl could be heard as a blast of lightning suddenly shot down from the sky and onto Jan's side of the field! "YIKES!" Jasmine yelped, instinctively shielding herself with her arms.
Kaiba remained unfazed, however. "Hmph."
Then…from the glare of the lightning, out stepped a skeletal fiend with massive horns on its head and big black claws for fingers, and like Terrorking Archfiend it sported immense bat's wings. "But—that wasn't in your Graveyard…unless…" Jillian stopped short. "That's the card you discarded when you activated your Card Destruction magic card earlier, isn't it?"
"Right on the mark," Jan affirmed. "But that isn't all I plan to use against you now…for I'm holding in my hand a card that will seal the outcome of this duel for good! And I activate it now!" He held up the card he'd just drawn. "The Magic card…Falling Down!"
Lowering her arms from her defensive position at this point, Jasmine was surprised to hear the name of the card. That…isn't that the same card he used in his encounter with the Jewel Duelist?
"If I don't have any face-up Archfiend monsters on my field, this card gets destroyed—which is why I needed an Archfiend monster on the field to activate it," Jan explained. "But now that I have, my Falling Down card gets equipped to one of your monsters, and as long as it stays equipped, control of that equipped monster shifts to me!"
Hearing this, Jillian turned white. "You son-of-a-bitch—you're going to turn my own Gate Guardian against me?"
"Unless you have a better idea that doesn't involve me just ending my turn right now, then why not?" Jan taunted her. "Now, Gate Guardian! I am your master now—come to me!"
As Jillian watched in consternation, a sinister-looking aura surrounded Gate Guardian's body, and then the hulking behemoth swiftly shifted to Jan's side of the field. "Now, as they say in chess, girly…checkmate!" Jan grinned. "Okay, Skull Archfiend of Lightning, fry her Guardian Ceal to a crisp! Lightning Strike!"
Skull Archfiend of Lightning bellowed as an intense electrical aura surrounded its body—then that electricity blasted skyward, arcing over the field and hitting Guardian Ceal dead-on! Screaming in tortured agony, Guardian Ceal got blasted to pieces even as Jillian's life points went down to 2600! "No! Guardian Ceal!" Jillian screamed.
JAN: 2250; JILLIAN: 2600
"And with this, the duel is over!" Jan declared crisply. "All right, Gate Guardian! End this duel now!" And in response, the blue region of Gate Guardian's body blasted a massive wave of water at Jillian; she screamed out as the water hit her with full force and knocked her back, swiftly bringing her life points to 0 in the process.
JAN: 2250; JILLIAN: 0
Kaiba chuckled as he watched this. "Guess I should've sought you out as my son's bodyguard, huh, Jan?"
"Forget about it—that's not my style," Jan grunted, switching off his Duel-Disk.
Lying prostrate on the ground where Gate Guardian's attack had flung her, Jillian shakily began to get up. "I…I'm sorry, Sir Kaiba," she said quietly. "I…lost…"
Jan regarded her. "All duelists win or lose sometime," he spoke up. "You just happened to be the one who lost this duel, that's all there is to it. But if it's a rematch you want, just come and seek me out. I never turn down a decent challenge."
"Well said," Kaiba nodded. "And, Jillian, if you're going to feel bad just because you lost, don't bother—I will not have it from my son's bodyguard. Train more—that's what you should do."
"Yes, sir," said Jillian.
"Good." Kaiba nodded again. "Well, now that that's out of the way…" He turned his attention to Jasmine. "I suppose you'd like to explain what brings you guys here to Domino City?"
"Ah—of course, Mr. Kaiba," Jasmine answered, immediately attentive. "We're here on behalf of my master, Drake Phoenix…"
At that Kaiba wrinkled up his nose in disgust. "Drake Phoenix? That little puke?"
"Please, sir, hear me out," Jasmine pleaded. "Master Drake merely wishes to rent your Kaiba Land in East Japan for this weekend."
Kaiba's eyes narrowed. "And he couldn't come here and tell me that himself, because…?"
"He had…other engagements today, sir," Jasmine replied, a tad nervously.
"Acquiring the services of duelists," Jan spoke up. "Phoenix has plans to get some very strong duelists into his employ—that's why I'm here. He didn't share all the details with me, but I'm guessing he wants to host a tournament at Kaiba Land, and he just needs your approval to use the property."
Now Kaiba fully scowled. "And do tell me, why in the hell should I rent MY Kaiba Land to that little punk? I've been hearing a lot of stories lately, concerning him, from the various Duel Monster tournament circuits—none of them flattering. And aside from that, his attitude and manners are practically nonexistent…not to mention, now that I think about it, that he currently has a man with a criminal record doing his laundry for him…" and here he shot a look at Jan.
"Excuse me, but I do believe I already said I was pardoned for all of that," Jan said sourly.
"Duly noted—doesn't change the fact that you went to jail," Kaiba replied. "Listen here, whatever it is that that little brat's got planned, I'm not going to let him use my theme park to do it. You can go back and let him know that!"
"Actually, Sir Kaiba…we may not have a choice…" Jillian said sheepishly.
"Say again?" Kaiba whipped his gaze around to her.
"There was a set of stipulations attached to this duel, sir," Jillian explained. "If I won, I'd have the right not to pass on this information to you, about what Drake Phoenix wanted to do…but if I lost, I'd have to inform you."
Kaiba scoffed. "Either way, the final decision would've been mine, wouldn't it? And who's to say that I would've gone along with it?"
"Take this into consideration, then," said Jan. "Just the fact that Phoenix wants to borrow your theme park, which in itself is a renowned cash-cow for your corporation, means one thing: that he's likely planning to bring a bunch of investors into the picture as sponsors for his little plan, in addition to the weight that the use of his family name will carry. Basically, if you don't agree to loan Kaiba Land to him, you'll run the risk of your reputation among your stock-holders and other supporters being called into question. And with the connections that Phoenix has, who's to say he wouldn't create a media circus of his own if you were to refuse?"
"Grr…so that's it, huh?" Kaiba growled. "But why are you, a lackey of his, telling me all of this?"
"Why not? Whatever his reason for planning all of this, it's got nothing to do with me, so he can't complain if I tell you anything of major significance," Jan shrugged. "I'm just here because he's hired me to take part in this. He never said I shouldn't give you a heads-up."
Jillian frowned as she listened to this. "Even if you say so, Sir Kaiba already doesn't trust Drake Phoenix," she pointed out. "Why should we trust you?"
"Whether you do or not isn't my business," Jan replied.
"Well, uh…Master Drake did say he'd be willing to iron out all the details with you as soon as possible," Jasmine informed Kaiba. "He said that either this evening or tomorrow would be fine with him."
"Is that so?" asked Kaiba. "All right, then. I suppose I can make time to have a little…chat…with him. Go back and let him know that I'm willing to meet and discuss this, tonight, here, at 8:00 sharp—just as long as he comes in person this time around."
"Ah…thank you very much, Mr. Kaiba! I really appreciate it!" Jasmine bowed respectfully.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Kaiba growled. "Now get going before I change my mind. Both of you."
"Oh—right! Certainly!" Jasmine gave another, more hurried bow, then turned and headed off.
However, Jan didn't leave at once. "Hey, why are you still here?" Jillian asked him suspiciously.
"Just thought I'd share one more thing with your boss, is all." Jan then turned his attention to Kaiba again, speaking in a low tone. "You might want to keep this in mind. Phoenix asked me to go to Duel Academy after we were done here, and get a hold of the three students there who were members of the Zodiacs that were in the Dueltropolis tournament. Why he wants them, I'm not sure."
Kaiba leveled a glare at him. "You're certain about this?"
"Hey, I have no reason to lie," said Jan. "As I said, whatever his reason for all this, it's got nothing to do with me. I'm just going to let the chips fall where they may. You can decide for yourself what you're going to do with the information I've just given you. Oh, and by the way…" He directed his voice toward Jillian. "I'm going to assume that since Seta Kaiba is friends with my brother and his little group, they come here from time to time. If that's the case, then next time you see Kyo, tell him his big brother said howdy."
"Hey!" Jasmine called to him from further up the street. "What are you all of a sudden, cemented to the spot or something? Let's go! We have to finish Master Drake's errands, don't we?"
"Yeah, yeah, whatever…don't rush me, girl," Jan growled, heading in her direction.
Kaiba and Jillian watched the duo leave. "Sir Kaiba…is this really such a good idea?" Jillian asked.
"With the situation as it is, it can't be helped," Kaiba answered. "In any case, for the time being I've got something I want you to do, and I want it done as soon as Seta comes back here from school. Understand?"
"Yes, sir." Jillian nodded resolutely.
----------
DUEL ACADEMY, 10:50 a.m.
Back on Duel Academy Island…
The bell rang to signal the end of the day's second class period, and almost an instant later the students were pouring out of the various classrooms, some more quickly than others. Cassara was one of those who left as fast as possible—she was just coming out of the Biology lab. "Ew, ew, ew, ew, ew, ew…" she muttered to herself over and over, clutching her books tightly to her chest.
Hurrying down the corridor, she rounded a corner and only then paused to lean against the wall, taking in deep breaths. "I hate Biology!" she moaned, looking quite sick.
"Ms. Blackstone, is that you? Are you feeling all right?"
"Hmm?" Looking up at the sound of the voice, Cassara brightened up a little. "Oh…Professor Takamura!"
The professor in question was a woman who appeared to be in her early to mid-30's, with short, dark brown hair filled with lighter-brown highlight streaks. "You don't look so well, dear…do you need to see the nurse?" she asked Cassara, concern evident both in her face and voice.
"N-no, ma'am, it's okay…I just got out of Biology class, that's all," Cassara explained.
"Ah…cutting up of frogs and rats early in the semester, I take it?" Professor Takamura asked, immediately understanding.
"Ew-ew-eeeewwww!" Cassara shrieked, holding one hand in front of her face as if to ward off something disgusting.
"Sorry, sorry. My bad." Professor Takamura chuckled. "Anyway, Ms. Blackstone, I think I may have something that'll put your mind at ease for a little bit."
"Really?" Cassara looked at her. "What's that, Professor?"
Professor Takamura smiled. "Well, based on what I've observed of your work in my Feature Writing class so far, I believe you'd be a good candidate for membership of the writing staff of the upcoming school newspaper, the Duel Academy Revealer…"
Cassara blinked. "School newspaper…oh yeah, that's right! That was announced at assembly this morning, wasn't it?"
"So you remember," said Professor Takamura. "Then you'll also remember that in this morning's assembly, instructions were given that all those who're interested in signing up to work for the paper should submit their names to the school's English department. Right after assembly, quite a few students left their names with the department receptionist…but I couldn't help but notice that yours wasn't among them."
"Uh…well, I'm flattered that you think so highly of me, Professor, but…I don't know, journalism just doesn't seem to be my thing," Cassara sighed.
"Come now, Ms. Blackstone, no need to be so modest," Professor Takamura told her. "Newspaper writing isn't all about news stories, you know. Newspapers also have feature writers, columnists, that sort of thing. Even if you weren't a news reporter for the Revealer, you could still write a few commentary features, or submit short stories on a regular basis, or anything of that nature. And even if you're only a second-year student, what I've seen of your work is quite impressive, to say the least."
"Even so…it seems to be a lot of responsibility, ma'am," Cassara answered.
"Or could it be that you're afraid, hmm?"
The new voice caused both of them to look up. Cassara's eyes widened when she saw who it was. "You…!"
Standing there was none other than Vasha Morrison. "Hello, Professor Takamura," she greeted the teacher respectfully. "I hope I wasn't interrupting you?"
"Oh, no, not at all, Ms. Morrison," Professor Takamura assured her. "And since you're here now, I must say I'm very pleased that you volunteered your name as a potential member of staff for the Revealer."
"Whoa, wait a minute—Vasha submitted her name for that?" Cassara asked in disbelief.
"Sure I did," Vasha answered. "Being an important figure among the Obelisk Blue girls, as well as one of the brightest students of English in the whole Obelisk Blue dorm, it was only natural that I should sign up to do my duty for the school paper. And getting the post as its editor-in-chief will certainly look good on my job résumé later on in my life, if I do say so myself."
"That is most certainly true," Professor Takamura agreed.
"But—Professor Takamura! Somebody like her can't be made editor-in-chief of the school paper!" Cassara exclaimed.
"Why not?" Vasha challenged. "After all, I've got the proper qualifications for the job, don't I? I excel in the various English and Writing classes, I got high marks in my Political Science class last semester, and there's not a soul among the students that can ace me in knowledge of current affairs! If anybody's more qualified for this job than I am, then I haven't seen them yet. And, besides…" She chuckled. "If you object so much, why didn't you submit your name like everybody else? Maybe it's because you KNEW you'd be no match for me, just like the others who signed up. Although, even if you had submitted your name, I doubt you'd have gotten any position higher than a stock-girl or something."
"Well, for your information, journalistic writing is about more than just putting pen to paper!" Cassara flared up. "It's about staying impartial in your writing and being true to your readers—something I doubt you know how to do, the way you're always trying to wrap people around your little finger!"
"Now, now, ladies, no need to get so abrasive with each other," Professor Takamura interrupted, stepping in between the two. "Ms. Blackstone, it's true that Ms. Morrison has those qualifications…however, Ms. Morrison, just having those qualifications doesn't automatically guarantee that you'll be made the paper's editor-in-chief. For all you know, you could be made simply a staff reporter. In the end, it's the head of the English department who decides who'll get which positions, after all."
Vasha sighed. "Well, okay, I'll concede that much," she admitted. Then she smirked. "But what I say still stands—if Little Miss Opposition Leader here really feels the way she does about journalism, then why didn't she offer up her name along with the others who did?"
"I can't help but agree with that, Ms. Blackstone," said Professor Takamura. "Your writing skills are very impressive, after all; you'd make a wonderful addition to the Revealer's writing staff. Yes, as you said a while ago, it would entail a great deal of responsibility on your part—but that's exactly what you'll find others expecting you to have no matter what field you undertake in life: a sense of responsibility. At the very least, you could think of this little extra-curricular activity as practice for your writing and for management of deadlines. Everyone in this world, no matter what their profession, has to know how to meet deadlines—and, of course, every person needs to know how to read and write legibly and correctly, and the school paper will provide a good outlet to practice all of that. So what do you say?"
Cassara glanced a moment at the smirking Vasha. Then she looked back at the teacher. "It's not too late to go hand in my name, is it?"
"Of course not!" Professor Takamura assured her. "Go ahead and get your name submitted to the English department. Then, during the course of the day, the department chair will review all the applicants, and make his decision about the various positions to be filled. All right?"
"Yes, ma'am! Thanks a lot, ma'am!" Cassara bowed to Professor Takamura respectfully, then turned and ran off down the corridor.
Vasha scoffed. "Professor Takamura, really, you don't think that that girl actually stands a chance of getting a staff position for the school paper? She's only a second-year student, and an Osiris Red, no less…"
"So what?" Professor Takamura replied. "What matters is her writing skill and her willingness to take part in the Revealer's ambition. All she needed was a little push and a word of encouragement; now that she's gotten that, her chances of improving herself as a writer have gone up. Why—would it have made any difference if she was a senior, or a member of a different dorm?" And she gave Vasha a searching glance.
"Hm…I guess not. Well, excuse me now, Professor. I have to go to a class." Vasha bowed slightly, then turned and walked off. Professor Takamura cocked an eyebrow as she watched the Obelisk Blue girl leave, but simply shrugged and departed herself.
----------
LATER THAT DAY, 12:30 p.m.
"No way! Really, Cassara—you signed up for a position with the school paper?"
The question was posed by Janus, even as he and the others were seated together in the cafeteria. "Yes, Janus, I did," Cassara replied calmly, stirring her soda with her straw. "I couldn't just stand there and let a tramp like Vasha sully the name of good journalism. Who knows how she'd twist the truth for herself, if she were to ever get even a position as a staff reporter…"
"You really believe she'd go that far?" Ricardo asked, pausing to bite into a slice of corn pudding.
Cassara leveled a glare at him. "She and her pals kidnapped me and used me as bait so Calhoun could get to duel Janus, and you don't think she's capable of bending or breaking the rules of journalism for her own ends?" she asked.
"Well, it would certainly suck if she became editor-in-chief," Natasha remarked. "She'd have a lot more power to boss us around if she ever felt like it."
Jiro was sitting with the group, quietly nibbling on an egg sandwich. Now he said, "Even if she did do that to you, Cassara, it's a little early to assume what she can or cannot do with any power she gets via the school paper, don't you think? From what I understand, the concept for the Duel Academy Revealer as a school newspaper is fairly new. It'll take some time for it to catch on. And anyway, who's to say whether or not she'll even get any position for the paper at all?"
"That's probable, but I don't want to be caught off-guard," Cassara answered. "After what I've experienced with Vasha, Calhoun, and their little gang, I'm not about to leave anything to chance where they're concerned."
Suddenly, from the intercom system, a slight whine of microphone feedback could be heard. Then a strong, clear voice came over the system for all to hear: "This is an announcement from the English department. Will Cassara Blackstone of Osiris Red and Vasha Morrison of Obelisk Blue please report to the English department? The department chairman wishes to see you. I repeat, will Cassara Blackstone of Osiris Red and Vasha Morrison of Obelisk Blue please report to the English department? The department chairman wishes to see you. Thank you."
At once the others all turned to look at Cassara. "How about that?" Janus said, a grin on his face.
"I wonder why the English department chairman would want to see both you and Vasha," Ricardo said thoughtfully.
"Guess there's only one way to know," and Cassara stood up. "Wish me luck, guys."
----------
Several minutes later, Cassara found herself outside the door to the English department. Clearing her throat and bracing herself, she pushed the door open. "Excuse me," she addressed the receptionist. "The department chairman wanted to see me…"
"Ah, you're Cassara Blackstone, yes?" the receptionist asked. "Vasha Morrison's already arrived and is inside his office. Please, go right ahead."
"Thank you," said Cassara, and she entered the room and walked over to a large closed door. On the door was a brightly-shining bronze nameplate, on which was written in big black letters: V. Weathers, Dept. Chair. Bracing herself, she knocked on the door and waited.
"Come in!" a booming voice beckoned from inside.
Turning the doorknob, Cassara entered the office. True to the receptionist's word, Vasha was already there, sitting in front of the department chairman's desk, looking as subdued as could be. The chairman himself, Mr. Weathers, a middle-aged, bald-headed man with square-rimmed spectacles and a graying goatee, nodded at Cassara's entrance. "Thank you for coming on such short notice, Ms. Blackstone," he spoke to her. "Do sit down."
"Took you long enough—I got here just two minutes ago," Vasha sneered.
Cassara steadfastly ignored Vasha, concentrating instead on the man of authority seated before her. "Mr. Weathers, sir, might I ask why we were called here just now?" she asked.
Mr. Weathers adjusted his glasses with his index and middle fingers. "Yes, about that," he replied. "Well, my dear ladies, it concerns the assignment of positions for the school's newspaper, the Duel Academy Revealer. As I'm sure you both know, along with yourselves, a number of students submitted their names today for application to work with the paper. To find out what roles should be assigned, and who would be best qualified for said roles, it fell upon me to closely examine the school records of all applicants, including grade sheets, any overdue assignments, that sort of thing."
"Yes, sir…?" Vasha leaned forward expectantly.
Mr. Weathers nodded and continued. "Now, after my working on this for over the last hour—and thankfully there weren't too many applicants, so I was able to do this quickly—the only role left to be given is that of editor-in-chief for the paper. But I've run into a little problem where that is concerned. You see, girls, in examining both of your records, I have found…that you are both equally qualified for this post."
Cassara stared in surprise. "We're…equally qualified?"
"Are you serious, Mr. Weathers?" Vasha almost shouted.
"I'm afraid so," Mr. Weathers nodded. "You've both handed in all assignments for your various courses on time; neither of you has ever missed a class; and where the dueling curriculum is concerned, you've both ranked in the top five in the English department and in the top twenty for the entire Academy overall. That being said, it would be unfair of me to simply make the decision, having to choose between two candidates who are so closely tied for the position."
"I see…" Cassara sighed. "Then what can we do, Mr. Weathers?"
"Well, my dear…" Mr. Weathers adjusted his glasses again. "I believe I have a good solution. Why don't we have a little contest to settle this…a Duel Monsters contest?"
"A…Duel Monsters contest…?" Cassara repeated.
"I see…so, basically, she and I will have a duel with each other, and the winner gets to be editor-in-chief of the Revealer," Vasha said thoughtfully.
"Exactly right," said Mr. Weathers. "What say you, ladies? Does this plan agree with you?"
Vasha leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms, a smug look coming over her face. "Well, I have no objections here," she said.
"None here, either, sir!" Cassara added.
Mr. Weathers clapped his hands together once, a broad smile coming over his face. "Then it's decided! The two of you will duel each other, and the winner gets to be the Revealer's editor-in-chief! Now, the only thing left to decide is when to schedule this match-up…suggestions, ladies?"
"Well…perhaps we could hold it at a time that would be most convenient for those students who'd like to see the outcome," Cassara said.
"How about later this afternoon, at 2:00?" Vasha suggested. "According to the schedule, there are only three major classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2:00—the Fusion class taught by Principal Yuki, the Freshman P.E. class taught by Coach Hassleberry, and the Deck Archetype class taught by Dr. Crowler. Most other students use that period either to study or to practice their dueling."
"Hmmm…yes, that does sound like a good plan," Mr. Weathers mused. "Well, I'm sure those instructors won't mind a slight change in the schedule for today—but of course, I'll have to talk to Principal Yuki first. If he and the other instructors agree, then an announcement will be dispatched over the P.A. system to the rest of the school. Meanwhile, I want both of you to work on your decks until the appointed time, or unless a different schedule is given for this duel. Understood?"
"Yes, sir!" Vasha and Cassara replied simultaneously.
"Good, very good." Mr. Weathers then nodded to Cassara. "Ms. Blackstone, I'm sorry, but could you excuse us now? There is another matter I wish to discuss with Ms. Morrison, since she's here presently."
"Of course, sir. Excuse me." Cassara nodded to Mr. Weathers, shot a brief glare at Vasha, and then got up and headed for the door.
Vasha turned her head slightly and watched as Cassara took her leave. Then, as the door clicked shut, she turned to Mr. Weathers…and her smile grew cold. "That was even easier than I'd hoped."
Again Mr. Weathers adjusted his glasses—and now his smile became cold, as well. "You did the right thing, coming to me with this problem, Ms. Morrison. No confounded Osiris Red student should have the opportunity to be in such an important position as editor-in-chief of our Academy's newspaper. That privilege belongs only to our esteemed Obelisk Blue."
"Still…considering her deck strategy, defeating her in a duel may not be so simple," said Vasha. "As I told you, hers is a Life Point deck…"
"…for which I have the perfect card to counter it," Mr. Weathers assured her. He then reached into his desk drawer and pulled out a huge stash of cards. Thumbing through it for a moment, he eventually selected one card and handed it to Vasha. "This card is designed particularly with a strategy like hers in mind," he continued. "Use this, and she won't know up from down for the rest of the duel."
Vasha reached forward and accepted the card. "I'll make sure you're fully recompensed for your trouble, sir, that I promise you," she told him.
"Well, there IS one way you could repay me, my dear," Mr. Weathers told her. "After you take control of the Revealer, perhaps you could…reveal…a story that will be so shameful to that fool Jaden Yuki, he'll have no choice but to step down as principal."
Vasha grinned. "Believe me, sir, after the way his little brat Janus humiliated my boyfriend the other night, I do believe I can come up with a juicy little story that'll rock this Academy's foundation. Shall I share some of the possible headlines I'm thinking of?"
"Obelisk Blues are known for their creativity," said Mr. Weathers. "Do share."
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neomage: So, folks, the match-up you've all been waiting to see—Cassara vs. Vasha—is in progress, and in the midst of it all…CONSPIRACY! CONSPIRACY! CONSPIRACY! CONSPIRACY!
So…have patience, please, while I set up the upcoming chapters! And meantime, read and review, everyone!