Chapter 4: Tall Orders Pt 2 Version 2

"You're not serious. Are you?" Lorelai said, glaring at her older sister.

"This is hardly the time or place for pointless words, baby sister." Rayleigh said, using her left hand to move a few strands of black hair away from her left eye. "I am here for you."

"Whoa, that escalated quickly." Carter said, watching the two sisters speak.

"Hm? Who exactly are you?" Rayleigh asked, placing her left hand on her hip.

"Oh, I am Carter. Carter Truman." He said, offering his hand forward. "Pleasure to meet you."

"Hm." She said, looking down at him. "Well, if you say so."

Lorelai let out a small, annoyed scoff. "Sorry, Carter. This troll is my older sister. Rayleigh."

"Oh." He said, retracting his hand. "Well, at least that explains the kicking."

"Kicking?" Rayleigh said, turning her head toward the boy. "Is that what you did, baby sister?"

"Wha?-No!" She blurted out, trying not to lean on her right foot. "Look, that doesn't matter. What do you want with me, Rayleigh?"

"Like I said, I am here for you." She said, placing one hand on Lorelai's shoulder, walking out and leading her a few paces before turning. "Allow me to explain. Chancellor? I'll return as soon as I've spoken to my sister."

Chancellor Sheppard nodded, returning into his he sat at the desk, he motioned and called for Carter, who reluctantly walked in.

"So, what's this about being late?" The Chancellor began.

"Oh, right...that." Carter said as the door closed.

The two sisters walked away from the office, continuing down the hallway. Lorelai kept looking at her sister, expecting her to explain herself. Rayleigh simply smiled and continued leading through the facility until they had reached the main entrance. As the pair walked out into the early morning air, Rayleigh nodded to herself and looked around.

She took a small breath and turned to face Lorelai. As the breeze blew softly by, she leaned forward a bit to line her face up with Lorelais'. She put down her suitcase and placed her hands on her younger sister's shoulders.

"How have you been, Lorelai?" She asked, smiling lightly as she tilted her head slightly.

"Hag."

"That's so rude, baby sister." She said, removing her hands and straightening her stance. "You have been here for a week now. Have you had your fill?"

"'Had my fill'?" Lorelai repeated, narrowing her stare into a sharpened glare. "How can you even ask that?"

"I ask because I care, dear sister." She said, placing her hands on her hips. "We both know that Father only agreed to let you come here because of what you did."

"I passed an exam, Rayleigh." Lorelai argued, "I used my own skill to do it."

"We both know it was unnecessary, Lorelai." Rayleigh said, "Father could have gotten you in without the exams."

"I didn't want to come here with everything handed to me on a silver platter!" She shouted. "I don't need dad to hand me everything the way you do, you troll!"

Rayleigh kept her composure, but, for a split second, she was feeling just the tiniest bit of annoyance. "Don't be so arrogant, dear sister. I am simply looking out for you. Someone needs to think about your future, Lorelai. Even Mother-."

"Don't." She said, quickly, causing Rayleigh to cut off the rest of her sentence.

Rayleigh sighed as she turned away from Lorelai to gather her thoughts. She closed her eyes and took another breath. Lorelai looked up to her, waiting for her to speak.

"Lorelai, Father said to have your fill and make a choice." She said calmly.

"It has only been a week!" Lorelai said, stomping her foot onto the pavement. She winced softly as she felt a sharp pain ring through her ankle.

"Lorelai, don't be so foolish." Rayleigh said, placing her hand on the quivering hand of Lorelai. "I can use my and Father's connections to get you a fully accredited graduation and entry into the Pro Dueling Circuit."

"Wh-what?!" Lorelai said, hardly being able to believe the words she had heard.

"Just agree to it and by this time tomorrow, you could be rubbing elbows with the Pros!" She said, smiling and holding onto her still hand. "You could even duel champions like Aster Ph-"

"NO!" Lorelai said, turning away.

A pause of silence sat between the two sisters. Lorelai was now turned away with her back facing her sister. Rayleigh took a breath and straightened her hair before dusting off her blazer and adjusting her collar. She walked forward and stood in front of Lorelai, who was now still huffing in annoyance.

"We are the daughters of Amrita." She said, looking down on her sister. "You would do best to remember that, Lorelai."

"Rayleigh, I-" Lorelai began.

"That's enough." Rayleigh interjected.

Lorelai froze, a heavy pressure smashed against her chest. Rayleigh cleared her throat softly and walked back around Lorelai to pick up her suitcase. "I've taken enough time to inform you. I will be returning to the Chancellor's office. You will be returning with me. Come come."

Rayleigh then began to walk back toward the entrance. Lorelai reached forward, grabbing onto her sister's wrist. She locked eyes with her older sister, prompting a small sigh of annoyance from the elder Amrita.

"I'm staying, Rayleigh." She said sternly.

A small smile decorated Rayleigh's face. "It's adorable when you try to be so firm, Lailai." As she said this, she pulled her arm away from Lorelai, breaking her grasp. "Move."

What was initially a small bit of frustration had now become a very prominent thought for Lorelai.

The two sisters then walked side by side in silence the entire trip back to the Chancellor's office. As they reached the door, Lorelai was stopped by her sister's hand, suddenly bumping into her chest. She looked up to meet Rayleigh's steely cold glare. Her eyes told her to stay behind and wait. Lorelai looked away, turning her own gaze toward a corner near the windows. As the automatic door slid open, Rayleigh finally spoke as she walked in.

"Be good, Lorelai."

Lorelai stood there, hearing the words. As the door slid shut, she exhaled softly. She walked over to a window overlooking the island. She leaned her head against the glass and took a deep breath.

"I'm staying..I'm having fun. I'm not leaving.." She said softly, trying to reassure herself.

After ten minutes of self assurance, she heard the door slide open again. She lifted her head off the glass and turned to face her sister, who was now walking out of the office. She looked and saw that her sister was smiling, sending a cold chill down her spine.

Rayleigh looked at her and smirked as she raised one hand, with one finger raised.

"One month, baby sister."

As she said this, Lorelai felt that same pressure return. This nearly knocked her off her feet as she stumbled backward, leaning on the glass. These words were more than just that. Not an empty threat.

Rayleigh lowered her hand and smiled again, "We'll be settling this with a duel. Be sure to improve before then, Lailai. Father will be watching."

Lorelai felt her heart sink into her stomach. "Wh-what?…"

"Behave yourself, dear sister. And try not to attract too much attention." Rayleigh said, beginning to walk away.

The air was heavy on the young girl's back. She stood in silence as second after second of slow, blood boiling anguish weighed down on her spine.

"Rayleigh!" She finally blurted out.

Her sister stopped and turned back toward her, staring coldly over her shoulder. "Yes, Lailai?"

"I…I'll beat you this time!" She said, standing up straight. "I'll beat you for sure! And then Father will—"

"No."

"What?"

"You won't beat me. That deck isn't even yours to begin with.." Rayleigh said darkly. Her composure had faded. She now spoke frankly, without her normal condescending cadence. "You won't show anything but your own failure during our duel. I know it."

"I…I…" she stammered, thrown by her sister's words. "N-no! I—"

"Good day, baby sister." Rayleigh said, silencing her stammering sibling.

Lorelai stood there, on the verge of collapse. Her own hands shook as she watched Rayleigh walk down the hallway. She tried to think of how to respond but she couldn't. Her mind lingered on what she had said.

"Miss Amrita." A strong male voice called from beyond the Chancellor's door. "Come on in."

She shook her head back to reality. "Oh, sorry." She stammered. "I'm coming."

Lorelai walked into the office and bowed her head slightly. "Sorry, sir. I'm here now."

"Sit."

"Yes, sir." She responded, seating herself in front of the Chancellor's desk. "So what do I—"

"Crowler claims it was insubordination. I'm curious." He said leaning forward with his fingers interlaced. "What did you do?"

"I just stated the truth, sir." Lorelai said, shrugging slightly. "He lost to Jaden because of a field card."

"Oh?"

"He was laying into one of the Slifer Red Students." Lorelai said, "It wasn't very professional, so I decided to give him a taste of his own medicine."

"Hm. I will be putting this into the report for your referral. A warning will be issued to you, Miss Amrita." He said signing off on a paper he had been scribbling notes onto. "We'll leave it at that."

"Hm." She said, scoffing internally. "Thank you, sir."

"Miss Amrita."

"Yes, sir?" She said, looking at the Chancellor.

"Good luck on your preparation. You have one month." He said, looking at her with a small smile. "You'll be showing your own growth. I look forward to seeing how you do."

"What? Why?" She said, slightly confused.

"I saw the clip of your duel against Miss Fontaine. The apple truly doesn't fall far from the tree, it seems." Chancellor Sheppard said, smiling still. "Your mother was also an amazing

Duelist."

"Oh. Y-yeah." Lorelai looked away. "Pretty amazing."

"Anyway, try to stay out of trouble, Miss Amrita. You may head back to class."

Lorelai nodded and stood up. She began to walk toward the door before looking and smiling at the Chancellor. "Thank you sir." She walked out shortly after.

There was an air of irritation around the young lady. Swelling beneath her frustrated visage was a single question. One that felt as if it wouldn't be leaving her mind anytime soon.

"That deck wasn't yours to begin with.."

"How could you say that?" She said aloud, to nary a soul. Mostly.

Ruin materialized in a swirl of blackish blue shadows. "She may still be holding a grudge, Lailai." She said with a serious face. "What will you do about the duel?"

"I don't have much of a choice, Ruin." Lorelai said, dejected. "I'll have to go through with it and beat her somehow."

"That much is true, Lailai, but what will you do about the duel?" Ruin repeated, crossing her arms. "You've never beaten her."

"That was a long time ago."

"Child, two years isn't very long." Ruin responded. "Especially for you and Rayleigh."

"I'm different now. I just need to review and do a few test runs." She said, trying to reassure herself.

"Lailai, you can't beat her with just a few 'test runs' for such an important duel." Ruin said, floating in front of her. "You'll need to improve. Drastically."

"I know." Lorelai said, beginning to trudge down the long hallway. "I don't know what I can do differently, though."

"You could start with getting some basic feedback." Ruin said, leaning forward during her stride. "I would give it to you, but that would just be cheating."

"I guess you're right. Wait what?!" Explained the youth, "How is your feedback cheating?!"

A small laugh resounded from the apparition's lips. "Oh child, that would be too easy is why. I was your mothers companion before you, remember?"

"…" Lorelai fell silent again. "I forgot."

A small fit of silence filled the hallway as Lorelai gathered her thoughts. She trudged forward, her mind trying to distill a plan from the input of the situation before her. As she wandered down she heard the bell for the last class sound. It was time for her next class, it seemed. Slowly, she looked around and turned toward the exit stairwell.

"Gym class is up next, maybe that'll jostle some ideas into my head." She said, annoyed still.

"Very well, child. I'll not be too far off." Ruined said, looking around before waving a goodbye to Lorelai. "Try not to get in any more trouble."

"Hm? Oh, sure." Lorelai said, still deep in thought.

She made her way to the Gym without issue and reunited with Alexis rather quickly. After some small talk, she began to update her friend on the situation that had transpired just minutes before.

"Your sister is Rayleigh Amrita?" Alexis asked, stunned.

"Well, yeah. We have the same last name, Alexis." Lorelai said, a little stumped at her revelation.

"True, but I didn't think you were one of THOSE Amrita's." Alexis said, miming the air quotes with her hands.

"Well, I guess I can understand that. Wait, what do you mean 'those'?!" she questioned.

"Oh, come on, Lorelai. You know what I mean." Alexis said, stopping at her locker and inputting her code. "You aren't like the ones I've seen on TV. They are all mean and pompous and.."

"Are you talking about my dad?" She asked.

"Yes, Lorelai, I am. Your sisters are really something too." Alexis responded, donning her P.E. Uniform. "The Sky Pirate Rayliegh and–"

"You don't need to say their names, Alexis." Lorelai said, stopping at her own locker. "I grew up with 'em."

"I guess you're right. Oh wait, your mom!" She said, half dressed. "I remember seeing her last duel when I was in grade school."

"Last duel?" Lorelai parroted, getting dressed herself. "Oh, right."

"It was an amazing one, too. The way she used her ritual spells and her combo with the–"

Alexis continued to trail off as Lorelai thought back to the day being described to her.

Begin Flashback

Everything was colored in an almost sepia tone. She was in the crowd, watching with her sisters and her Father. They were all cheering as her mother took the stage. The lights were so bright in the Kaiba Dome that day. Slowly, she leaned up from her fathers lap and looked over the barrier in front of their seats.

"And now! The Queen of Armageddon Takes the Stage! Amalthea Amrita!"

As the MC shouted this introduction into his microphone the stadium erupted in shouts and cheers of their own.

At the left end of the stadium a woman walked in from behind the stage lights. Donned in a dark coat, she stepped forward before throwing it off, revealing her entire outfit. Her dress was black as midnight with sequins lining around her waist, shining like starlight. Her hair was silver and pulled back into a high, long ponytail. She had, draped across her shoulders a black velvet scarf with a violet inner layer against her neck. Her Duel Disk was a beautiful sapphire blue with purple streaks tracing the slots for her deck, graveyard and card slots. She waved to the crowds in the areas around her and looked directly toward Lorelai and her family. She smiled and blew a kiss toward them. Her lips were colored red, complimenting the darker shades of purple and black on her eyelids, decorated with a star on each corner in front of her ears. Her green eyes shined past the eyeshadow and liner like emeralds in the night sky.

"My Love.." A strong male voice said, reaching out as if to catch the kiss.

Lorelai looked up to her father and back down to the woman on stage.

"Mētēr! (Mother)" shouted Lorelai, waving at her with a big smile.

The woman below smiled and mouthed the words 'I love you' to her. The cheers grew louder as the MC continued his announcement.

"And now her Opponent! The–"

End Flashback

"-Seriously, what a duel!" Alexis finished.

"Hm?" Lorelai said before realizing where she was. "Oh right, yeah it was really something."

"Well, anyway Lorelai, what will you do?" Alexis asked, starting on her way to the Gym proper.

"I'm honestly not too sure. All I know is I need practice. She means business and I, well.." She said, following after her and stretching her arms. "Have just landed on the top of her itinerary."

"Practice? Hm. Maybe we can do something about that." Alexis said, smiling. "That Carter kid from earlier–"

"Oh, right. He's a champion huh? I could use that to my advantage. I'll have to think." She said, rubbing her temple.

The two girls discussed options during the rest of their day. Eventually, they returned to the dorms at the end of their day.

"Hmm, I don't think Jasmine is much of a challenge if I'm being completely honest." Lorelai said, changing out of her nighttime attire.

"I guess you're right." Alexis said, changing out of hers as well.

"God, I've been looking forward to this." Lorelai said, putting her hair up in a towel. "A nice dip in the baths will be nice. Maybe help clear my head."

"Agreed. Always nice after a long day." Alexis said, putting her up as well.

The two girls walked out into the hot springs area and after a quick rinse, took a seat in the mineral rich waters. Each second relaxed more and more muscles in their bodies. A sigh in unison exited their lips, followed shortly by small bits of laughter.

"Ah, that's the stuff right there." Lorelai said, leaning back onto the wall behind her. "I already feel so much lighter."

"Oh, yeah." Exhaled Alexis. "Hey, wait. What about Jaden?"

"What about him?" Lorelai said, caught off guard by his sudden mention.

"Well, he beat Crowler. I'm sure you could get some good practice in with him." Alexis said, massaging her own shoulder under the water.

"That's true. I've been putting off meeting him properly, if I'm being honest." She said with a serious expression.

"Why's that?" Alexis inquired.

"I wanted to focus on my rivalry with you, obviously." She joked, splashing the water at Alexis.

"Wha–hey! The hair!" Alexis said, shielding herself. "You can't be serious, right? What is the reason, really?"

Lorelai looked away for a moment and smiled to herself. "Well, y'see, there's this thing."

"Thing?"

"Yeah, I wanted to..wait.." Lorelai said, looking outside of the window.

"Hey, don't change the subject Lorelai."

"Alexis.." Lorelai whispered. "Right there.."

Alexis looked as Lorelai pointed toward the window on the far left corner. They spotted a small silhouette through the fogged glass. It was dark out, but the bright red top was illuminated easily enough past the glass.

"A Slifer?" Alexis said softly in surprise.

"A Slifer.." Lorelai said, angered. She stood up and grabbed a bathrobe from the nearby benches.

Alexis followed suit, following closely behind.

As the two girls dressed themselves, they walked directly out to the left side of the building, where they had spotted the red silhouette.

"Hey, Slifer!" Lorelai shouted, prompting a small yelp from just beyond her sight.

"Wait wait wait! I come in peace!" A familiar voice cried out as they moved forward.

"Wait, I know that voice.." Alexis said, walking toward the voice with Lorelai.

The two girls rounded about and were greeted with the meek figure of none other than Syrus Truesdale.

"S-Syrus?!" Lorelai shouted, thoroughly surprised. "I was just defending you today, you jerk!"

"What the–You little pervert!" Alexis said, raising her hand to slap him.

"Wait! I'm just here for you, Alexis! I got your note!" Syrus shouted, shielding his face.

The two girls halted and looked at each other, then back to Syrus. "What note?" They blurted out in unison.

Syrus' eyes lit up with hope as he rustled through his pockets and pulled out a small envelope.

Lorelai took it and took note of the small heart sticker on the front. "Oh..Oh no way."

From: Lorelai Amrota

To: My Elemental Hero in Red

Lorelai let out a small scoff of disbelief. "Note, huh?" She said, opening the envelope and looking at the note in question. Alexis read alongside her.

To my love,

Meet me at the Obelisk Blue girls' dorm tonight, my dear~!

I cannot contain myself any longer! We shall dance in the moonlight at the Lake together!

Always Yours,

Lorelai Amrota

XOXOXO

"I…..I just…" Lorelai said with a face of disgust and shock.

Alexis couldn't believe what she was reading. She looked at the note and to Lorelai before turning her attention to Syrus. "Syrus.."

"I know right?! I am here now, my love! Embrace me now–Mmf!" he exclaimed as he walked toward Lorelai, only to be greeted by a towel to the face.

"Syrus! Are you for real right now?!" Lorelai shouted, blushing profusely. "My name isn't even spelled right!"

"Wait, what?" He said, moving the towel.

"Syrus, her name is Lorelai Am-RI-ta." Alexis said, calmly.

"It's a whole syllable off!" Lorelai said, crushing the note. "And it isn't even MEANT for YOU!"

"Wait, no, what do you mean?" Syrus shot back. "It was in my locker!"

"My Elemental Hero in Red! Sound familiar?" Lorelai said, tossing the note to the ground.

"Syrus, Elemental Hero." Alexis said matter of factly. " I don't know who is trying to mess with you guys, but it was clearly meant for Jaden."

Syrus took a moment to process what was happening and almost immediately after, his face shifted into one of true horror. "Oh no! Wait, so that means!"

"You are in for it, little mister.." Lorelai said, cracking her knuckles in her fists.

"Wait.." Alexis said, thinking. "This is perfect."

"This is WHAT?!" Lorelai said, flabbergasted. "Are you not seeing what I'm seeing?!"

"No no, think about it." Alexis said. "This is our perfect chance to get Jaden here."

"I don't follow–Mff!" Syrus said, this time being silenced by the same towel held against his mouth by Lorelai.

"Same. What are you talking about, Alexis?" Lorelai said, visibly annoyed. "I really hope it's good."

"Okay, look." She said, pointing at Syrus. "The punishment for being out past curfew is suspension or worse! If we report the shrimp, he gets suspended. BUT, knowing Jaden, he wouldn't let one of his buddies sink without putting up a fight for them."

"Okay. SO?" Lorelai said, still fuming. "What does this have to do with what is going on?!"

"We use Sy as a bargaining chip. Challenge him to a duel." She responded, pointing at Syrus once more. "He wins, we leave them be and let Sy go. He loses, and we report them both."

"Oh?" Lorelai said back, now understanding her implication. "Oh, I get it now. I get my practice regardless and I get to meet him. Two birds."

"One stone." Alexis finished. "Nothing to lose. Win-Win."

Syrus protested behind the towel loudly, only to be silenced even further by Lorelai.

"Look, Syrus, you guys brought this on yourselves." Lorelai said. "Time for me to make good on a wish."

"A wish?" Alexis said, curious. "A wish for what?"

Lorelai smiled darkly as her eyes shifted to a darker blue-gray hue. "I'll be bringing him to.."

As she spoke a cold chill ran up the other two youths' spines and a familiar apparition appeared beside Lorelai. Though unable to perceive, the other two students felt the shift in the area. It was cold and dark.

"Ruin"

"Ruin"

-

Good God! So sorry about this last break. I won't go into detail, but Life has been a Butt as of late. I hope if any of you are still around, you enjoy this one~! I know there wasn't any dueling, but soon, soon, I promise! Let me know if it was okay! Ya liked it? Awesome! Ya didn't? What can I do better? I hope to hear from ya'll soon! Stay Safe and Happy Holidays~!