Romeo & Juliet: Duel Monster Style

Act 1: Casting Call

"So… what's this supposed to be again?" Jaden Yuki asked his friend for the thirteenth time. Syrus sighed.

"I told you Jaden, a poster for the production of 'Romeo and Juliet.'" The blue haired Slifer continued to stare with undaunted concentration at the poster, painting a very messy letter.

Making an exaggerated effort to turn his head sideways, the brown-haired Slifer could not make out the wording no matter how hard he tried. Syrus never had the best handwriting; he always relied on the school supplied laptops.

"Why don't you let Chumley make the signs?"

"No way, he's in charge of scenery and costumes."

Jaden sighed. "Let me help at least."

It took awhile but Jaden finally was able to make Sy's signs legible and offered to help his friend hang them around the school.

"So why Romeo and Juliet? This is a dueling academy," Jaden said as he tried in vein to reach up above the doorway to hang their newly made (and improved) banner. Syrus seemed to be having more difficulty on the other end so he couldn't complain.

"Well, it's not exactly like the play because the Romeo and Juliet are," Syrus snickered, "duel monsters!"

Jaden could feel gravity pulling him down, but steadied himself against the wall. "Huh?'

"Yup! Romeo is played by the infamous Dark Magician and Juliet," Syrus sighed, forgetting his current job and getting a dreamy look in his eye, "is the Dark Magician Girl!"

Shaking his head at his love struck friend, Jaden didn't judge Syrus's crush on a fictional character on a card, but didn't doubt that it was possible. Especially since he had participated in the duel against the actual card and saw her spirit next to him. He supported his friend, no matter how unusual it seemed.

"Jaden! Be care—"

But it was too late, the unfortunate Dr. Crowler had stepped under the doorway just as Jaden had tripped and caught himself against the wall but not the banner.

"Jaden Yuki!" the indignant cry rang out from beneath the banner. In attempt to take the banner off, Dr. Crowler ripped the actual banner to shreds, but he didn't care. And his least favorite students soon realized why. It seemed the paint hadn't dried all the way so Crowler's face was covered in colored streaks, a look of pure anger resonating his features. "In my office! Now! You too Syrus Truesdale!"

"Aw man," was the only thing Syrus was able to say before silenced by a death glare from their teacher. It was silent until they arrived to Crowler's office.

Although, instead of Crowler, a woman was sitting behind his desk, causing the teacher to gawk in horror that someone other than him was in his seat of power. She was tall and slender with wild brown hair and horn-rimmed glasses. When the three entered, she got up and ran towards the horrified teacher with her arms open.

"Crowler-baby!" she exclaimed, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. "It's been too-too-too long!"

"Genevieve!" Dr. Crowler exclaimed, horrified. "Wh-what are you doing here!"

Jaden and Syrus exchanged looks.

"Who's she?" Jaden whispered to his equally mystified friend.

"Beats me, but I have seen her around arguing and bullying the stage crew. I guess she's the director."

The woman who was Genevieve pouted her lips when she drew away from Crowler. "Crowler-baby, I'm hurt."

"So is she with Crowler or something?"

"Ugh, don't, just the thought makes me ill!"

"You don't even remember that your own sister is going to be directing the upcoming event?"

Both boys breathed a sigh of relief.

"Of course not, Genevieve," Crowler said nervously, "I was just surprised that—that you knew where my office was."

Shaking a finger in his face, Genevieve seemed upset. "I am too! You promised you would show me around as soon as I got here! But," she started crying, startling everyone in the room, "I guess you don't care about your ickle sissy!"

Watching the bawling lady with interest, the boys seemed to have forgotten why they were there in the first place.

"Please, Genevieve, this is ridicu—I mean, this isn't—Please stop crying!" Crowler seemed helpless, as the woman's incessant weeping grew louder. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I promise I'll show you around as soon as I punish these students!"

Then, like magic, the tears seemed to fly away, as Genevieve smiled widely and hugged her brother, giving both Syrus and Jaden a bad feeling in their stomach. Looking over Crowler's stiff shoulder, she eyed the two boys and then a knewer, shaper look took over, making both of them take a step back.

"Oh Crowler-baby! You can't punish them! They're perfect!" she squealed, releasing her uncomfortable-looking brother and then stepping up to the boys, eyeing them.

"My dear sister, they are far from—"

"No! They are perfect!" She pinched Jaden's cheeks and stretched them to unnatural lengths. "Don't you see it Crowler-baby? It's Romeo! He's perfect! Perfect! Perfect!" Letting go of her death grip, Jaden's cheeks seemed to sag. Then it was poor Syrus's turn as she wrapped her arms around his neck and squeezed hard. "And him! It's Paris! Paris I say! Oh how perfectly perfect their perfection has perfectly fit into my play! Paris! Romeo! To costumes I say! To costumes!"

Stunned into silence, Jaden and Syrus were dragged towards the stage, watching Crowler's dumbstruck and discolored face grow smaller until they made a turn.

—

"I can't believe you two got like the major male parts in the entire play!" Chumley gushed jealously as the three friends headed back to the dorm.

"I'm just glad we never heard Crowler's punishment," Syrus said, hanging his head, his eyelids drooping. It had been a big day. The first thing Genevieve had done was have them fitted for their costumes, seamstresses poking needles and when she thought they weren't doing it right she poked them with needles even harder. Then they were put through what Genevieve had called acting exercises which ended up being excruciatingly painful poses and saying phrases like 'Unique New York' among other things.

"Why can't this Shakespeare guy talk in English?" Jaden complained as he tried to read the script.

"Jaden, you have it upside down."

"Oh, hey! Thanks Sy!"

"I'm surprised Jaden got the role of Romeo."

"Why's that Chumley?"

"Don't you know who's playing Juliet?"

"Um. No."

"Alexis Rhodes!"

"Alexis? Cool."

Syrus looked at his friend. "I'm surprised you aren't nervous Jaden."

"Hmm?" he said distantly, still trying in vein to read the script.

"Well, um… Romeo and Juliet…"

"What Sy?"

"…Never mind, you'll figure it out sooner or later," Syrus said, thinking it would be best that he not tell his friend just yet. It would certainly be an interesting chemistry with the cast…

—

"Is it set my minions?" the dark figure in the shroud of shadows asked, a malevolent flashing of fangs flashed in the dark.

"Yes my ruler. The key keepers shall be at our mercy. We've made sure of it."

"Then let the show go on!"

—

Authors Notes: Well, there's the first chapter. I hope I kept everyone in character. And next chapter we'll shed a little light on our enemies and Jaden will get to rehearse the infamous balcony scene with Alexis. How will Genevieve Jaden's contributions? Find out in Act II: Romeo, Romeo, Remember Your Lines!