Chapter Seven- Trick Level Up

Screams erupted from the Slifer cafeteria and the students ran from the room. Jaden snorted with laughter from a nearby bush. Yes, putting bugs in the food was a low level prank, but the day just started and he needed a prank no one would automatically think he pulled. He mused on the tricks he thought of last night before sleeping and dreamed of as well. He munched on the fish he had grabbed before magically adding the bugs.

The rumbling of empty stomachs he heard as he went to class amused him and spurred him to more pranks. He caused classroom equipment to malfunction, papers to scatter, and tripwire several people. This last one was pinned on Chazz as he had tricked Jaden with it. it amused Jaden to see Chazz chased for a prank he didn't do. He smiled as he spelled Crowler's door shut for the remainder of the school day. Tonight was Zane's duel with the famous Aster Phoenix whom he now knew he had dueled at the start of the year and beat but only because Aster had used a starter deck. And I look forward to seeing his real deck.

Syrus and Hassleberry exchanged silent looks as they had dinner which was bug-free. Strange things had happened all day and they suspected that Jaden had caused them even though the half-fox wasn't present at some of them. The tripwire was one example. Several students fell prey to it causing other to look before they stepped and for Chazz to be blamed and chased. They didn't want to accuse Jaden if he wasn't responsible; Syrus mentioned that Jaden had met his dad the night before and could still be on the island despite Jaden claiming he was gone.

"You okay, Ja?" Syrus asked, seeing Jaden was hardly eating.

"Yeah. I'm just excited about tonight's duel."

"We all are. I'm cheering Zane on, of course."

"Of course. I also want to see Aster's real deck."

"Kind of strange to duel you with a starter deck," Hassleberry commented.

"I know and since I learned whom I dueled, I've been wonderin' about it. Either way, this is gonna be quite a duel."

There was a dumbfounded silence in the room. Zane had just lost and to Elemental Heroes like uses, but also not like Jaden's, at least Fusion monster-wise. Jaden was stoked that a pro favored the same monsters he did until Aster claimed a duel student copied him and used an alias that rhymed with his name. Jaden growled low in his throat at the accusation. He didn't copy anyone! Aster went on to state he would duel this person in a day or two.

Jaden shuffled his deck as he looked them over. He had had this deck for practically his whole life and Aster wasn't much older than him. You think a pro would be flattered that someone's using a similar deck, not be a jerk and accuse people of copying! He gave another growl that his roommates heard.

"Jaden? Everything okay?" Syrus asked.

"No, it's not," he said, his temper flaring. "How dare he accuse me of copying him! I'm not a copycat!"

"Of course not," Hassleberry said. "You think a pro would be flattered, not tossin' accusations."

"Exactly what I was thinking and maybe I'll ask what his problem is before we duel."

Syrus nodded. "Good idea. Maybe that'll clear things up, because Aster seemed rather upset about the whole thing and it's not a big deal."

Jaden sighed, pocketed his deck, and stood. "I'm going for a walk to clear my head," he said as pulled on his shoes.

"Good idea. Some fresh air might help," Hassleberry said.

Jaden nodded, but once outside, scowled. He had no real intention of taking a walk. He was feeling mean and decided to blow off his anger at Aster by playing some tricks. He had had a lot of fun with the ones he played today and desired to do more. Of course, that meant sneaking onto the other campuses, but that wasn't a problem. He closed his eyes, focused, and felt a tingle. He opened his eyes and looked down to see nothing. Yes! I'm invisible! Hmm, I think I know what I can do like this.

Jaden brushed his tail along the legs of some Obelisk girls, making them gasp and draw closer together. He stalked around them in a circle, enjoying the scared looks on their faces.

"It's a ghost!" one girl exclaimed when Jaden blew air on the back of her neck. Her statement caused scream to erupt and the girls bolted for their rooms. Jaden snickered as he left. That was fun! He strode onto Obelisk Blue boys' dorm, still invisible. There, he unleashed tricks and illusions that spooked them and sent them to their rooms.

Figures. Obelisk students tend to act like bullies to cover up the fact that they're cowards, Jaden thought contemptuously. Maybe Ra students are made of sterner stuff.

Bastion browsed the Internet for information on Aster Phoenix and try to determine his weaknesses. If I can uncover that, I may be able to formulate a strategy for Jaden to use. Something dropped down between him and the computer screen, making him jerk back. It was a spider! He frowned as he took a second look as it wasn't moving. It was a fake spider. As he reached up and removed it, he heard a chortle. "Jaden, that was not amusing," he said.

"Maybe not for you, but I find it funny," came Jaden's voice from behind him.

Bastion turned to see Jaden rippling into existence. "So, you can become invisible. Very impressive."

"Thanks. So, what are you up to?"

Bastion turned back to the screen. "Researching Aster Phoenix. I am hoping to find a weakness you will be able to exploit."

"You mean a way to beat him."

"Precisely. Thus far, it seems he has no weaknesses."

"No way! Everyone has at least one weakness."

"I concur, but it seems no one has found Aster's weakness."

"Then maybe it's time someone found one and maybe spread it around. Ruin his rep of having no weaknesses."

"A bit callous, don't you think?"

"Actually, I don't. He accused me of being a copycat! He doesn't really know me enough to say that!"

Bastion turned back around, stunned by Jaden's words and tone. His friend was one of the most easygoing and laid-back people he had ever met. Now an angry, malicious half-fox stood before him. "Jaden," he said softly.

"Look Bastion when I first met him, I didn't recognize him and he put on an act like he was an amateur duelist. Now I know he's a pro and I feel like he put on that act to condescend to me, like I was the amateur. Well when we duel, I'll prove just how good a duelist I really am." Jaden turned invisible and stalked back to Slifer. His desire to play tricks had burned out, but his desire for revenge still burned.

"That was some walk," Hassleberry said when Jaden walked in.

"Yeah, but it was worth it. I also met up with Bastion and we talked."

"About what?" Syrus asked.

"Aster. Bastion was researching him for weaknesses and said he couldn't find any."

"Impossible. He has to have one."

"Exactly what I think, Sy. I hope to learn it during the duel."

"You still plan to talk to him first, right?"

"Of course. I'd like to know why my having a similar deck bothers him so much. Maybe by talking it out, we could either cancel the duel or even better have a fun, friendly duel." Jaden inwardly hoped that the duel didn't cancel and instead get his revenge on Aster and make him pay.