A/N: Greetings, loyal readers! Just a few words to the faithful, then I'll get to the action:

The Broken Bow: Glad to hear that you're feeling better, and thanks so much for reading.

Shyly in the Dark (and LeighC): Yeah…only if life were as easy as a game of touch football. But then again, what would be the point? Thanks for reading and for the praise!

Snow Weaver: No need to apologize, life can get in the way of everything. Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a chance to update some of your work soon.

Well, here's the chapter, enjoy!

Chapter Eight: A New Kind of Training

Alex rose out of the bed, not understanding what his trainer meant. "What are you talking about? Time for what?"

"Time for you to recieve your graduation present." Rika pulled a box out of her pocket and tossed it to the blonde.

"Open it."

Alex looked at her hesitantly, but did as he was told. Inside the box was a small golden pin. It appeared to be a bird of somekind, and with the flaming wings Alex guessed that it was a phoenix. "What's this?"

"Think of it as a badge if you will. All Phoenix Foundation members of your status are to wear one."

"My status?"

The raven-haired instructor nodded her head. "You, Bo, and Catherine have been chosen to be undercover operatives for us. It's a "fast-track to freedom" you could say. Under my supervision of course, you will be allowed to leave the compound on occasion."

Alex appeared somber on the outside, but his heart was jumping for joy on the inside.

"Before you put that badge on, know this. You step out of line, you disgrace this organization in any shape or form...I'll kill you myself."

Alex gulped, slightly intimidated by her glare. Talk about a buzz killer!

"Get dressed, you and your buddies have a briefing in twenty minutes. Tardiness will not be accepted." With that, Rika closed the door.

About twenty minutes later...

Alex walked into the room that he was told to come to by his trainer and found his friends waiting for him.

"About time..." Bo put in with a little humor in his voice. He was wearing a long sleeve shirt along with some khaki pants, and a black cowboy hat.

"I thought good guys wore white hats."

"They do...but who said I was a good guy?" Bo smiled slightly and took off his hat.

"Kat...that dress is a little short."

Alex look over his friend as she sat downin a tight-fitting midnight blue dress, which showed off her long, silky legs.

"You sound like my Dad or something...do you know why we're here anyway?"

"No clue...actually I thought one of you guys could tell me?"

"You're here to be briefed."

The gang turned to see the man that had recruited them all, and essentialy saved their lives.

"Mr. O'Neil?"

"Yes...this information does not leave this room. On January 1st, 2005, the U.S. Military informed me that they had intelligence linking this man...Ivan Bautista...with a network of radical militant groups across the United States and other countries."

The gang looked at the picture that was show to them by their boss, and listened on.

"His daughter, Karin, is hosting a Duel Monsters tournament in Starlight City in less than two months. Your mission is simple, investigate the actions of Mr. Bautista and his daughter, and protect the company's guests."

Alex raised his hand. "Um...sir? How are we supposed to get into this tournament? Things like this will probably be invite only, right?"

"You will be at the competition...competing yourselves. And don't worry about invites, there willbe a qualifying tournament for those who didn't recieve an invitation."

"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT?" Kat screamed out indignantly. "I've never played a game of Duel Monsters in my life? How are we supposed to play in a REAL tournament against REAL duelists?"

"That's why I'm here, miss." The gang turned to see a tall figure standing before him, his long lavender-blonde hair hung down past his shoulders and covering half of his face in an odd manner.

"You...you're Maxamillian Pegasus. The man who created the game." Bo observed.

"Holy cow! Then this guy must be the John Madden of Duel Monsters!" (1) Alex yelped, a little excited.

"I'm not sure who John Madden is, but thank you. Now! Let's see what kind of decks you three will need."

Pegasus began to walk around the room, chin in hand, sizing up each of the three.

"You...you like to have fun, very adventurous, innocent on the outside but very naughty on the inside. I think a Toon-Based deck would be best for you."

Pegasus handed Kat a deck that he himself had constructed.

"Um...thank you, I guess." Kat reluctantly took the package, and opened it up to study the contents.

"You...very buisnesslike, very calm, a strong sense of right and wrong...a Warrior-Base deck is probably your best fit!"

Bo took the deck, a little worried about the mental stability of his benefactor. "How exactly do you know all of this about us anyway?"

Pegasus smiled. "A magician doesn't reveal his secrets, now does he? Ahhh! Now you...let's see...a strong will, yet slightly troubled. The ability to be either the purest of saints or the darkest of demons...I've cooked up something very special for you, Allie-Boy!"

Alex, a little confused by what Pegasus meant by his statements, looked on wide-eyed as he dropped a deck into his hand.

"It's a deck centered around balance...light and dark, truth and fallacy, hope and despair. Put it to good use..."

Pegasus leaned in and whispered in the blonde's ear. "There is a very special, very rare card in that deck...take good care of it."

OK...this Pegasus guy creeps me the hell out! First he comes in and out of nowhere starts stating off random facts about us all like he's some kind of psychic or something. AND I HATE TOON WORLD! THAT CARD SHOULD BE BANNED. THAT'S WHAT HE USES OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN!I WISH I COULD BURN IT! Anyway, Pegasus taught us how to duel over the next two months, preparing us for the tournament. Before we left however, He had one more surprise for us.

"Mr. Pegasus...what is it that you wanted to show us?" Alex asked, very curious about the door shut behind Pegasus.

"Well...it's a little going-away present from myself and your teacher...I do hope you like it."

Pegasus opened the door, and the three teens'mouthes were agape with pure shock.

"OH...MY...GOD!"

HA! You'll just have to wait and see on the surprise! Sorry, people. Oh, I updatedone ofmy otherfics, Test of Friendship, today, so you may want to check it out. Hope you enjoyed the chapter, and I'll see you all soon.

BDB...out.