Shout Outs...

Infinite Freedom: What happens, happens, just wait and see.

ttoad: I do try you know.

lightningstrxu: On the subject of Han, I didn't know how to fit it in. On the subject of the girl, read on.

PaleHorse07: Yeah, Rosetta is a real paragon of virtue. Just ask her, she'll tell you all about it. And as for your OC, it depends on if I have a use for him or not.

D.J. scales: It'll be used when it gets used, just hold on to your horses till then.

EDK: Nice Transformers reference, but nothing like that. She makes her appearance her though in this chapter though, don't worry.

Phantom 1: Hey, you can't come up with a winner every time.

0---0

"Final round today guys..." Gonda said as he, J.B. and Serenity sat in the Slifer Red Cafeteria at the Boys Dorm. "And your chance to knock those two blowhards silly!"

"Yeah, no kidding." J.B. said as he looked over at his friend, Serenity sitting next to him. "Still, those two don't know how to work together so we have a bit of an edge."

"That's true." Serenity added, nodding slightly. "But they aren't pushovers. Teamwork or not."

"Indeed." A new voice said as a blue clad student walked in, the three Slifers turning their heads to look at him.

"Hey Terry, s'up?" J.B. asked as the Obelisk sat down.

"I thought I'd do some research on your opponents for today." Terry said as he adjusted his glasses. "I'm not convinced you need it, but I thought it could help."

"Nah, it's all good." J.B. replied. "Sides, I'd hate to see you do all the work just to have it ignored."

"Thank you." Terry replied. "Richard, ever since he's converted nearly, if not all of, his deck to support fairies has begun a winning steak somewhat before entering the tournament. His only loss since rebuilding his deck has been to another Obelisk, Chainz."

"Oh yeah, him." Gonda said shivering slightly. "Scary dude..."

"Indeed." Terry replied. "Even with his new deck style I'd expect Richard to send out the biggest monster he can as fast as he can and press his advantage. He's a very aggressive player, but by no means reckless. With his Archlord Zerato supporting his Shinato he is more dangerous an opponent than ever.

"Rosetta is another matter." Richard continued. "She depends more on her effect monsters than sheer power. She's arrogant, a trait her brother shares, but cunning. Potentially she's the more dangerous one, Richard relies more on power and Rosetta her brains."

"They're tough enough to beat as it is." J.B. noted. "Lets just hope they stay off the same page."

0---0

"Foolishness!" Richard declared. He was currently in a lounge set aside for the Obelisks in the academy's main building. Across from him was his own sister.

"Oh no, I think it is the perfect plan!" Rosetta replied. "Once I decimate that little witch, I shall be a Tag Team Champion, along side you of course. And I'm sure that handsome young J.B. fellow will need to be… cheered up later on." She added, smirking as she ran a hand down her body.

"I care little for your pleasures!" Richard countered, cutting the air with an arm. "I shall crush the both of them! Without mercy!"

"How inelegant." Rosetta remarked as the door opened. "I only need you here as a formality. If only I could only clone myself... Two of me would be a most perfect team."

"Or so you claim." The new arrival said.

"Professor Trammel!" Rosetta exclaimed looking at the teacher. "To what do we owe the pleasure of your company?"

Trammel let off a small smirk before beginning. "To congratulate you two for reaching the finals! Never have I seen such a horrible team go so far!"

"Horrible!?" Rosetta exclaimed. "I have been no less than superb in this tournament!"

"Don't deceive yourself sister!" Richard replied. "I am the superb one, your just somewhat above par!"

"This is what I mean!" Trammel exclaimed, acquiring the siblings' attention as he slowly began to pace across the floor. "I cannot question either of your skills. You two are among the finest students in this school. However you are not a team! You have no teamwork, no communication and no unity." He halted his pacing for a moment, looking stern. "To be honest as a team, you're an embarrassment to this school!"

"How can you say that?" Richard replied, eyes widening. "I've--"

"That is my point!" Trammel exclaimed, cutting the student off. "You are a team! T-E-A-M, team! There is no 'I' or 'me'! As singles duellist you are a pride of the school, but together you two are a disgrace! And it's time to correct that!"

Trammel slowly began to pace again, arms crossed behind his back. "I'm not expecting you to become as close as brother and sister SHOULD be, but I do expect you two to work together. It is the meaning of the word team: Together Everyone Achieves More! If you could make your skills work in unison and not in opposition you could assist each other, raising your stature further than you could on your own."

"Well I suppose so..." Rosetta replied. "He drags me down, but is the closest thing I have to an equal."

"I would give my honest thoughts..." Richard added. "But I shall hold my tongue instead. Her skill is... Admirable I suppose."

"Well it's a start..." Trammel sighed as he stopped pacing. "Your match begins in two hours. Get ready, and prepare. I've studied your opponents. I know you have grudges to settle, but recognize that they can defeat you if your get careless. So to help you along, and teach you the meaning of teamwork, I've got a trap for Richard and a spell for Rosetta." He added, passing the cards out.

"What am I expected to do with this?" Richard asked. "I've no use for this card!"

"And given the cards of my opponent's, this shall not be a help either." Rosetta added.

"Compare notes." Trammel suggested. "Now, go and discuss strategy. As a team!" He watched as the two siblings nodded, turning to leave. He only sighed when the pair left the room. "Such talent they have... Wasted on idiots..." He said to himself as light footsteps sounded. "Hmm?" Trammel said to himself, now noticing he was no longer alone in the room.

0---0

"This card is so... Common..." Rosetta deadpanned. "I've no idea how this can help me."

"My card helps me little as well." Richard added. "But Trammel said we were to work as a team, so perhaps these cards are meant to work in unison." A moment later the two exchanged cards.

Another moment later they exchanged grins.

0---0

"Skyla Reins!" Trammel called out in a surprised tone. "I didn't notice you there..." He added watching the girl step away from the wall next to display case that had hid her previously.

Standing five feet and six inches tall, Skyla seemed to be the sort of girl boys dreamed about. A slim, lean figure with generous curves with a bust size larger than even Alyssa's, long toned legs that led up a shapely rear and shiny black hair that ran down to her waist, the bangs of her hair having red highlights in them. The dream was shattered upon looking at her face. A lovely face that was easy on the eyes, but seemed to be locked in a seemingly permanent emotionless state. But her most telling feature was her cold blue eyes that seemed to cut into anyone she stared at.

"Stacking a deck Professor?" Skyla asked, crossing her arms under her bust.

"Nothing of the kind." Trammel said, waving a hand. "Merely helping my students like a good teacher stood."

"And if they show up Jennings all the better for you." Skyla replied, her face unchanging. "After all, you were unable to defeat him. If you wanted him beaten it would only make sense you'd use a cat's paw in the form of those two fools, since you cannot achieve that goal yourself."

"Watch your step Ms. Reins..." Trammel said warningly. "I care not for idle accusations."

"And I make no idle accusations either." Skyla countered. "It is my observations from what I heard you say. And on that note, perhaps in the future you'd best not speak a monologue aloud."

"Oh come now, you hardly believe I'd make trouble would you?" Trammel replied crossing his own arms. "But it would be much better for the school to be represented by a pair of Obelisks than Slifers, yes?"

"Your justifications are weak covers for your true desires." Skyla said, a hint of anger appearing in her eyes. "You simply want revenge, upon whatever scale you can achieve it."

"Which brings us to another point." Trammel said. "Why would you care? Hmm? The Undefeated and Undisputed Queen of the School cares about whether or not I help my students. Why is that?"

"My motives are my own." Skyla replied. "I need not tell you."

"Oh really?" Trammel replied grinning. "We shall see. Meet me on the rooftop. I shall get my answer the old fashioned way, by achieving a victory though a duel and making you talk."

"Accepting a challenge like this, where I gain nothing, is normally illogical." Skyla told the teacher, moving to walk out the door. "But like I said, I have my own motives. The challenge is accepted."

0---0

"Well, let's get to the arena then..." J.B. said as he and Serenity stood up from the table. "We've got a duel to get to."

"Right!" Serenity said as Gonda and Terry stood up as well.

"Well, I hope you two have luck when we get there." Terry said as the four left the cafeteria. "You may well need it."

0---0

"Now then, don't be too nervous dear..." Trammel said as he and Skyla shuffled their decks on the rooftop, his Duel Ring folding out. "I'm sure you'll find this a learning experience."

"I find that unlikely." The girl replied. "We duel."

Trammel: 4000

Skyla: 4000

"The teacher starts." Trammel said as he took the card that slid out of the ring. "And I shall begin with Fiend's Sanctuary, a spell card that allows me to summon a Metal Fiend Token!" He began, a metal creature rising up. (1/0/0) "Next I summon Hand of Nephthys in attack mode!" He added, the Egyptian woman with the phoenix headdress rising up. (2/600/600) "And now I can offer her and my token to summon Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys in attack mode!" He called out, his monster and the token vanishing as a massive golden bird coated with flames rose up to the field. (7/2400/1600)

"Interesting tactic, rushing out this monster so soon." Skyla said, looking it over.

"Oh I've done my homework." Trammel replied. "One does not have a student like you about and not learn a little of her style."

"So you say. I draw." Skyla replied as she took a card. "And I special summon Cyber Dragon in attack mode!" She called out, a snake-like machine monster rising up, plated in steel. (5/2100/1600)

"Ah yes, your all powerful Cyber Dragon." Trammel said, as he looked it over. "And I have prepared well. My monster is too powerful to destroy, and even if you destroy it though an effect it'll be back shortly afterwards."

"You seem to think you've got a working strategy." Skyla remarked.

"I am a former Regional Champion of Italy you know..." Trammel said, grinning. "So don't worry if I end your undefeated streak, there'd be no shame."

"Unlike if I was to lose a Slifer with a Blue Eyes White Dragon?" Skyla replied, no emotion entering her voice.

"Cocky girl..." Trammel remarked. 'I'd say she was taunting me, but her face didn't even twitch!' He thought to himself.

"On the subject of my monster's lower attack power, that shall change." Skyla added. "As you've noticed my Cyber Dragon's effect lets me special summon it if I have no monsters out and you have at least one. This allows me to use my normal summon for another monster as well, so I call forth Heavy Mech Support Platform." She called out, a small jet like monster rising up and attaching itself to the Cyber Dragon. (3/500/500) "Once summoned I can equip this monster to my Cyber Dragon as I would a spell card. And once I do I increase that monster's attack and defence power by five hundred. (5/2100/1600-5/2600/2100) Now attack with Cyber Power Core!" She called out, her monster charging a blast inside of it's mouth before blasting at the opposing bird of fire, shattering it. "And since it is destroyed in battle that monster shall not return."

Trammel: 3800

Skyla: 4000

"It is a phoenix, Student, expect it to return!" Trammel called out as his ring spat a card out. He added to his hand, smiling slightly. "I activate Lightning Vortex! Discarding Firebird to destroy your monster!" He called out as he discarded his monster watching as lightning stuck the Cyber Dragon.

"Correction. My support platform's ability makes sure Cyber Dragon remains, at the cost of itself." Skyla replied as the attached machine shattered, the mechanical dragon growling slightly. (5/2600/2100-5/2100/1600)

"A minor issue." Trammel replied. "I now offer Firebird from my graveyard to special summon Inferno in attack mode!" Trammel called out, a massive fireball rising up to his field. (4/1100/1900) "And now I offer it to summon Firewing Pegasus in attack mode!" He added, the fireball exploding as a Pegasus with flame coloured wings rose up to the field. (6/2250/1800) "Magnificent creature, don't you agree?"

"If it's looks is all your playing it for, than it is a pointless monster." Skyla replied.

"So you say." Trammel muttered. "Attack! Pyro Wing Blast!" Trammel called out, his monster's wings igniting as it charged before rising up into the air and launching a pair of fireballs from it's wings, shattering the machine, Skyla's eyes narrowing.

Trammel: 3800

Skyla: 3850

"I draw." Skyla replied, taking her card. "And I shall summon Cyber Kirin, in defense mode!" She called out, a steel dog-like machine rising up. (3/300/800) "I shall also set a card face down."

"Little you can do against a 'pointless' monster?" Trammel asked mockingly as he took the card his ring offered. "Don't worry, it's why you're here at this school, to learn... I play Pot of Greed, to draw two more cards!" He called out, two cards sliding out of his ring. "Next I summon Flame Ruler in attack mode!" He added as he called forth a man in a red trench coat. (4/1500/1600) "Now attack Flame Ruler, with Scorch Burst!" He declared, his fiery lord slinging a fireball at the new machine, shattering it apart.

"I activate Byroad Sacrifice!" Skyla replied, flipping her card. "I can do this when a monster of mine is destroyed, allowing me to summon my Cyber Ogre in attack mode!" She called out, a massive humanoid machine with a hunched over stance and bone horns rising up. (5/1900/1200)

"I see..." Trammel said looking over the new monster. 'I've studied her.' He thought to himself. 'I've watched her in case she'd make a good pawn to move against that Slifer, and this card was not in her deck before... I need to be cautious, she must have upgraded recently...' "I attack Cyber Ogre with Firewing Pegasus, Pyro Wing Blast!" He called out as his monster fired off it's twin fireballs at the monstrous machine.

"And I discard another Cyber Ogre from my hand so I may activate it's effect!" Skyla replied. "Now I can negate your attack on the Cyber Ogre on the field." She began, as a barrier appeared to block the attack. "In addition, until the end of it's next battle the Cyber Ogre on the field gains two thousand additional attack points."

"Two thousand!?" Trammel exclaimed. (5/1900/1200-5/3900/1200) "Seems I have my work cut out for me! I activate a spell card, Feather of the Phoenix, discarding a card from my hand to send Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys from my graveyard to the top of my deck!"

"A worthless move." Skyla stated. "Monster Reincarnation could have added it to your hand and not your deck for the exact same cost. Using it simply because you like phoenixes harms your own deck."

"I'm the teacher here, I'll deal out the lessons to you." Trammel replied, gritting his teeth as Skyla drew.

"My draw." She said as she looked at his card. "And your end shall arrive in two turns. I play Future Fusion, a spell card. To activate this I must remove two Cyber Dragon cards from my deck, sending them to the graveyard."

'Ah, now I know why she updated her deck...' Trammel thought. 'I've yet to get the card list for the new Wave of the Future pack... I don't know what this card does, but I'm willing to bet removing her Cyber Dragons from her deck must mean it's big.'

"Next I attack your pointless Pegasus with Cyber Ogre, Cyber Fist Smash!" Skyla declared, her machine charging across to smash the horse with it's fist.

Trammel: 2150

Skyla: 3850

"And now that the battle has concluded my Cyber Ogre's attack returns to it's original statistics." Skyla added. (5/3900/1200-5/1900/1200) "My turn ends."

"And mine begins." Trammel said taking the card that slid from his duel ring.

"And now you realize your foolishness." Skyla replied. "You have a level seven monster card, and one card on the field. You cannot tribute summon for your monster."

"Oh really now?" Trammel said, smirking. "News to me. For you see if I offer Flame Ruler for a fire monster I can treat it as two tributes, so I shall now offer it for my Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys!" He called out, his golden monster returning in a burst of flame to the field. (7/2400/1600)

"An acceptable tactic." Skyla remarked. "As my attention was on the more powerful monster, you anticipated I'd ignore the weaker one, even with an effect."

"Oh it's a common mistake, don't fret over it..." Trammel said with false sincerity. "Lot of students and rookies make them... Now then, attack my Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys! Phoenix Eternal Blaze!" Trammel called out as the mighty bird opened it's mouth, spewing flame out at the machine across the field, melting it to a puddle of molten steel.

Trammel: 2150

Skyla: 3350

"My draw now." Skyla said simply as she drew. "And you've one turn left. I set a card face down and summon Cybernetic Cyclopean in attack mode." She called out, a blue skinned Cyclops rising up, body parts replaced with cybernetics. (4/1400/200) "And now neither of us have cards in our hands."

"And your point is?" Trammel asked.

"When I have no cards in my hand my Cyclopean's effect activates, granting it another thousand attack points. (4/1400/200-4/2400/200) And I attack with Cyclopean Cannon!"

"You're launching a suicide attack with your monster?" Trammel asked as the cybernetic beast-warrior aimed and fired it's weapon, sending a blast of blue energy at the Phoenix as the firebird responded with it's own flame attack. Both monsters shattered in unison.

"It was the most logical decision, given the power of your monster." Skyla replied. "But in the end it matters not. This is your last turn."

"We shall see!" Trammel called out as he drew. "I summon Darkfire Solider Number One in attack mode!" He called out, a sabre wielding man covered in flames rising up to the field. (4/1700/1150) "Now attack, with Flame Wash!" He commanded as his monster swung it's sword, causing a wave of flames to rush towards Skyla, washing over her.

Trammel: 2150

Skyla: 1650

"That was your last turn. And this duel shall now end." Skyla said as she drew. "Now, Future Fusion activates!" She called out as a pillar of light arose before her. "By discarding my two Cyber Dragons from my deck Future Fusion lets me fuse them together at the end of two turns! So arise... Cyber Twin Dragon!" She called out as another snake-like machine rose up, this one with a two heads on it's body, like a steel version of a hydra. (8/2800/2100) "Now attack! First Dual Power Core!" She called out, the machine's left head charging up it's attack before unleashing it into the opposing flame warrior, shattering it.

Trammel: 1050

Skyla: 1650

"I still have life points left!" Trammel declared. "So much for my 'last turn'!"

"Perhaps, but you've studied me." Skyla replied. "Or so you have claimed. My Cyber Twin Dragon has it's own unique ability, allowing me to attack twice each turn. So attack him directly, with Second Dual Power Core!" She called out, the right head of her dual machine charging up it's attack before unleashing it into the opposing Professor, knocking him onto his back.

Trammel: 0

Skyla: 1650

"But... But how..." Trammel said as he sat up. "I've scouted your deck, your duels! How?"

"How did I win?" Skyla asked as she turned around, back to the teacher. "It's simple. I do not cloud myself with petty emotions like greed, anger and revenge. I don't use petty cards with no point. I play like hell possessed." She began to walk away, heading for the stairs. "I am the Empress of Machines. Remember that."

"I shall remember this 'Student'..." Trammel said as he stood up. "I now have another gnat to swat... This I swear..."

0---0

"I know you like to watch the Tennis Team play, and I know you like making a list of which girl wears which colour panties..." J.B. chided the clown as the arrived at the main building. "But couldn't you find a better time to try and find out? Or better yet, not do it at all?"

"But I'm sure Mina didn't have yellow ones..." Gonda said as he held an ice pack to his head.

"Regardless of Gonda's... Perversions..." Terry began. "We still have plenty of time to make it to the arena for your match." He took a moment to sigh. "Although someone should have a word about Gonda's unusual habits."

"No kidding..." Serenity replied, shaking her head. "I wonder about him sometimes..." She added before looking up to the entrance. "Huh? Who's that?" She asked, looking at a beautiful Obelisk girl, her arms crossed under her chest.

"She's kinda hot." Gonda remarked before Serenity slapped the back of his head. "Ouch! Hey, come on! I only got one ice pack!"

"Her name is Skyla Reins." Terry said. "She's been undefeated since her first year. Not the most... Pleasant of company."

"Why's that?" J.B. asked as they approached the entrance and girl standing there.

"I don't know. She's not going to win any awards for personality however." Terry finished as Skyla turned to face them.

"Jennings." She stated flatly.

"Uh... Yeah?" J.B. replied as he and his friends stopped to talk with the girl.

"Trammel has it in for you."

"Has it in for him?" Gonda asked blinking. "How's that?"

"He's still fuming over his loss to him." The cold girl replied.

"That was like five months ago..." J.B. replied.

"Apparently, he holds a grudge." Skyla replied. "He's been talking to those two Endchilds, Richard and Rosetta. He might have gotten some semblance of teamwork beaten into their thick skulls, on top of handing over a pair of cards."

"Great..." Gonda said, shaking his head. "As if they weren't trouble enough when they just fought each other..."

"Wait, you said he gave them cards, right?" Serenity asked.

"Yes." Skyla answered.

"I remembered after my duel with Xander he mentioned that Trammel gave him his Non-Fusion Area trap card..." Serenity mused. "What did he give them?"

"I don't know." Skyla replied as she turned to enter the building. "You'll probably find out."

"Hey, one sec!" J.B. called out, Skyla halting for a moment. "Why are you telling us this?"

"I have my own reasons." Skyla replied before walking away. "They do not concern you."

"Well..." Gonda began. "She can't be all that bad... And she had a nice butt too--Ouch!" He shouted out reeling from another one of Serenity smacks. "No hurt! No hurt!"

"Come on guys..." J.B. said as moved to enter the school. "We have a match to get to..."

0---0

Next Chapter: J.B. Jennings and Serenity Wheeler versus Richard and Rosetta Endchild.

Note: Skyla Reins is a character Elemental Balance made up, so talk to him about her.