AN: Hey everyone, I have the start of season two of this series here. So, I know I said it would be a while since I would continue this story, but I have been indoors a lot more and have had the free time to write. So, I have already scripted the content for the first six chapters of season two and will post them once every couple of weeks or so. In this format, the story will be sort of like how this series started. Two chapters each to focus on the Slifer Red, Ra Yellow, and Obelisk Blue students. (As well, the sixth chapter will have the Arc-V character finally show up, and his duel is one of the best debuts I think I have written for a character). Now, this chapter does have me introduce a GX character earlier in this series than the normal cannon, as well as alter her age for this context. The reason, I really like this character and her deck. As well, this is the chapter to reveal Ruby's new archetype. Hope you enjoy this chapter, leave a review with your comments and questions, and have a nice day.
See Datasheet Chapter for cover art details.
Chapter 21 – The Next Year: Red Pt. 1
Four years ago.
In the middle of a forest, two young girls were in the middle of playing a card game on a flat tree stump. Both were around the same age, with the slightly younger one having long deep blue hair. She wore an orange top and black shorts. On her side of the field was a single monster, the beautiful Maiden in Love with barely any attack points to defend the player, (400 ATK / 300 DEF).
The other girl had short black hair with red highlights. She wore a black jacket-like attire that combined with a skirt and red hood, "With no monsters in my graveyard," She said while playing the last card in her hand, "I summon Guardian Eatos."
"No, impossible!" the other girl said, her eyes widening in shock at the image of the angelic huntress, (2500 ATK / 2000 DEF). "Nobody has ever been able to summon her!"
"Well, I just did." The red hooded girl said before pointing at the Maiden in Love, "Eatos, attack with Serene Stormer!"
"Noooo!" The other girls said as she mimed getting blasted by the shockwave, falling on her back, then staying motionless for a few seconds, "…Oh man, I lost again." She said before sitting up, seeing the red hooded girl gigging, "You always seem to draw that card right before I would win. Don't you, Ruby."
"It is my favorite one," Ruby said as she picked up Eatos, then noticed her opponent was still pouting, "Don't worry Blair, I'm sure you'll get a powerful boss monster someday."
"Yeah, or maybe my Mom will give me one for my birthday also!" Blair responded, "It's coming up pretty soon, then we'll be the same age."
"Well, I'll still be a few months older." Ruby said as she smiled back, "Come on, let's have one more match before it gets dark."
"Okay!" Blair said as had a look of focus, "This time, I'll beat you before you can some your ace." She said with Ruby responded with a similar look of determination. As the two shuffled their decks, a branch snapped in the distance, "Heh?" Blair looked to the noise.
"Alright, time to cut the deck," Ruby said as she placed the cards on the stump, but did not see her opponent do the same, "Blair?" Ruby said before she noticed her friend was frozen in fear, sweat dripped down her face as her breathing was rapid.
"Ruby," Blair whispered, "Behind you." She said with the red hooded girl slightly turning around, her eyes widening in shock at the sight.
I was a black wolf, a runt of the pack, but still at the size of the two girls. In snarled as it sniffed the ground, then lifted its head. The wolf's eyes were a bloodshot red and a white foam around jaws. Ruby slowly turned back to Blair, her hands trembling, "M-my Dad said those things should not be in this part of the woods." She said before swallowing her saliva, "But if I ever saw one, I should run as fast as I can. That I should trust my speed to keep me from danger."
"Then, why aren't you," Blair said as the wolf continued to stalk them.
"If I run," Ruby said as she heard the steps get closer, "It'll go after you." She said with Blair gasping. Ruby then turned to see the black wolf only a couple of feet from her, the sight of the fangs causing Ruby to clench her fists, "Blair, you have to get out of here, I'll-"
Suddenly, Blair threw her deck at the wolf. The edge of the cards cut into the right eye of the beast, causing it to convulse in pain. Ruby gasped before Blair took her hand, "Come on!" She said before she and the red hooded girl ran. Blair and Ruby the two started running, but the wolf regained its lock on the prey.
The two girls ran as fast as they could down a dirt path, but the black wolf was gaining ground, "HELP!" Blair and screamed as she ran, "SOMEONE, HELP US!" In focusing on her pleads, she did not see the rock on her path, causing her to trip. Blair skidded against the ground before seeing the black wolf about to pounce, "AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!" She screamed in fear, knowing this was the end.
At that moment, she saw a red cape envelop the black wolf, tripping the beast. Blair recognized the cloak was the same one Ruby wore, "Blair, get out of here!" Ruby said while running towards the wolf. Before it could pull off the hood, Ruby jumped on the beast's back, keeping its vison impaired, "Please, I can't hold it off for much longer."
"Ruby, I can't leave you here! That thing will ki-" Blair said before standing up, but then fell back to one knee. Her leg was bleeding from the fall, causing her grimes in pain. Ruby looked over to her friend's agony but lost her hold of the black wolf. The creature shook her off towards Blair. Ruby got up and tried to help Blair stand, but both had a look of horror as the beast pulled off the hood, snarling at them, "Oh no, we're done for!" Blair said as tears formed in her eyes.
"No, I have to think of something, I have to-" Ruby though, but the black wolf pounce. At this moment, all she could think to do was hold Blair tight, shielding her friend from the assault. Both prayed for someone to save them at the last second… At that moment, someone did.
While the black wolf was in midair, a person in a white cloak tackled the beast into a bush. Ruby and Blair were in shock as white rose petals fell before them. In turning to the bush, they saw the rustling of the conflict, but were unable to see who was winning. After the rustling stopped, the person in the white cloak stood up, in taking off her hood, she turned around with a smile on her face and gleam in her silver eyes, "Hey kids, that was close." She said while walking over to the girls, who both started crying as they hugged the woman, "It's okay, you're safe now."
A few minutes later, the white-cloaked woman used part of her cloak and some sticks to make a splint for Blair, "Thank you, Mrs. Rose." Blair said as she was still wiping the tears from her eyes.
"I told you, Summer is fine," The white-cloaked woman responded with a slight giggle, then looked to her daughter, "You were dueling out in the woods again."
"Sorry, I know you said it was dangerous," Ruby said as she looked down in shame. However, she gasped upon realizing something. In checking her empty pockets, she had remembered what she left behind.
However, Summer held out her daughter's cards, "Ruby, I just want you to be safe." She said as Ruby took back the cards, smiling at seeing her ace, "So, make sure you always have your guardian angel close by." She said before walking, "Come on, I know a better place you two can duel." Summer said with Ruby helping Blair walk.
After a few minutes, Summer led them to a clearing the forest. Ruby and Blair gasped at the sight. For as far as they could see, flowers of all kinds grew. It was as if the ground was releasing a rainbow of its own for the sky to look upon, "Wow!" Blair said in awe before sniffing the air, "It smells so sweet." She said before realizing she could stand on her own, "I feel a bit better now!"
"This is my garden I have been working on for a few years now," Summer said before looking over to Ruby, "I started after I retired from the pro leagues, but don't tell your father." She said with a wink and smile, "This place can be your super-secret spot to perfect your dueling skills." She then knelt down to look her daughter in the eyes, "Ruby, monsters like that wolf won't come here. But when you leave, you must be prepared for anything. Okay?"
"Okay," Ruby responded with a smile and nod, causing her mother to respond in kind.
"Good," Summer said before standing up, looking over to a wooden cabin, "I have some flour I have been making for a while. If you help me carry it back, I'll make the two of you some cookies." She said with both girl's eyes lighting up in excitement, causing them to run towards the cabin in joy. The white-cloaked woman smiled as she watched them, but a look of worry filled her eyes. As she pulled her right sleeve down, she saw a bite mark from the black wolf, her arm still trembling. Summer took a few breathes, then hid her wound, "It will all be okay." She said before following the two girls to the cabin.
Present-day.
At Duel Academy, a lone Slifer Red with hair like a Kuriboh watched as a large ship sailed away from the island. He stood on the rocky shore near his dorm, his hands in his pockets, "Well, the new students were dropped off. I guess this marks the start of the second year." He said to himself, waiting for a hum, but was met with only the crashing waves. However, he still smiled as he closed his eyes, "Thanks, I can still hear you, buddy."
"Oh, Jaden!" Suddenly a female voice called to him, causing him to look over in shock. Running towards him was a young lady in sleeveless Slifer red jacket over an orange top. She wore black shorts and a brown belt, as well as thigh-high stockings and brown boots. Her long deep blue hair ran down her back, "Jaden, My Love! I'm back!"
"Blair!?" Jaden said in shock, "You got enrolled. But I thought you were too young?"
"I was last year," Blair said with her hands on her hips, "But now, I just squeaked into the minimum age for Duel Academy, so long as I placed in Slifer Red." She said before hugging the spirited Slifer Red, "But that works out perfect for me, since we'll be in the same dorm!"
Suddenly, a new voice was heard, "Jaden!" the two looked over to see a girl with short black hair and red highlights. With a flurry of rose petals behind her cape, she made her way to the duo at high speed, "The new-" Suddenly, the hooded Slifer Red recognized the girl as well, "Blair!?" She said with a smile.
"Ruby!?" Blair said in equal joy before the two ran towards each, meeting with a hug. "It's so good to see you!"
"Huh?" Jaden reacted, looking to Ruby, "You know her?"
"Of course, she's my best friend from back home." Ruby responded before having a look of confusion, "How do you know her?"
Blair then answered, "I uh, might have secretly enrolled in Duel Academy to get close to this boy I liked." The maiden Slifer Red responded, her face slightly red.
"That was actually not that long before you came to Duel Academy, you two must have just missed each other." Jaden said to Ruby before looking to Blair, "And if you're wondering about Zane, he already graduated and is in the pro leagues."
"Oh, I don't care about him anymore," Blair responded, then going back to hugging Jaden, "I only have eyes for My Jaden now." Suddenly, Blair's eyes widen as she glared back to her best friend, "Wait, you two aren't dating, are you?"
"What!?" Ruby said as her face went red, "Nononono, we're just friends in the same dorm. He's a boy and a friend, but those two things are not connected like that between us."
"Hmmm… I know!" Blair said as she let go of Jaden, reaching into her backpack, "Ruby, let's duel for who gets to be Jaden's boyfriend."
"WHAT!?" Ruby said, her face redder than before, turning to the spirited Slifer Red, "Jaden, say something."
"I mean, I dueled a guy over who would be Alexis fiancé." Jaden responded, remembering that weird tennis match while Ruby remained in shock. The spirited Slifer Red then smiled at his hooded friend, "Besides, remembered how we had a duel to get welcome you to the school. Why don't you do the same for your friend here?"
"But-" Ruby was saying until she saw Blair already put on her duel disk, causing the hooded Slifer Red to sigh, "Okay, but that's the reason for our duel, not who gets to have Jaden as a boyfriend!"
"It won't matter if you still lose," Blair responded, "You may have beat me a lot when we were kids, but I made sure to be at the top of my game when I came back to Duel Academy." She said before winking over to Jaden, "I'll show you how great at dueling I got as well."
"Okay, let's see," Jaden said as he took the place as the spectator for this duel. He looked over to see Ruby ready her duel disk, smiling as she looked at her deck before loading it, "But don't underestimate your opponent." Blair nodded before looking back, Ruby. While the maiden Slifer Red radiated a blue aura, her opponent emanated one that matched the red hood.
"Duel!" Ruby and Blair said as they started the match,
Ruby: 4000 Life Points
Blair: 4000 Life Points
"I'll go first," Ruby said as she drew, smiling at her result, "Even though we're friends, I'm not holding back. So, with no monsters in my graveyard," The hooded Slifer Red said before playing her guardian angel, "I summon Guardian Eatos!" Ruby declared as a ray of light descended from the clouds. Flying down was the angelic huntress, who landed peacefully on ground with the white feathers falling around her. With her right hand on her hip, she glanced at her opponent with a confident gaze, (2500 ATK / 2000 DEF). Ruby then looked at her hand, taking one card out, "I'll end with one card face down."
"Wow, summoning your ace on your first turn." Blair commented before drawing, "Just like you to rush in headstrong." She said before examining her options, then picked a card, "But I'm not going to hold back either, I summon Jain, Lightsworn Paladin in attack mode!" she said as a bleached haired man in white clade armor appeared, armed with a sword and shield, (1800 ATK / 1200 DEF), "Next, I'll play Solar Recharge. By discarding a Lightsworn, I can draw two cards and send two cards from the top of my deck to the graveyard." While her hand was the same size, monsters were sent to the grave from the cost, with the second monster having a large attack.
"Why would you send so many cards to the graveyard," Ruby commented before seeing a light emanating from Blair's duel disk.
"Because I can activate certain effects based on what was sent, like these two." Blair said before taking the high attack monster out of her graveyard, "Since he was milled, I can summon out Wulf, Lightsworn Beast." Next to the paladin was a large white wolfman. The beast wielded a longarm ax in his left arm, while three razor claws were extended in his right, (2100 ATK / 300 DEF). Blair then took another spell out of her hand to play, "I'll activate Charge of the Light Brigade." She said before milling a few more cards, two that were monsters and one that was a spell, "For sending the top three cards of my deck to the graveyard, I can add another Lightsworn from my deck to my hand." She said before choosing a female mage to add, but her duel disk emitted a light again, "Now, since I milled Lightsworn Sabre. I can equip it to Jain, giving him an attack boost." The Paladin's sword transformed into a thin blade made of a teal light, the power it gave him raising him to the level of the angelic huntress, (1800 + 700 = 2500 ATK).
"Wow, those are two powerful monsters in one turn." Jaden commented, "You have gotten a lot stronger." He said with Blair blushing.
"I'm not done yet, Jain, attack Guardian Eatos." Blair ordered with her Paladin charging in with his weapon, "You may be expecting both monsters to be destroyed, but Jain gains 300 attack when going into battle." She said as the saber glowed brighter, (2500 + 300 = 2800 ATK).
"That's not a bad sword, but I can think of one better." Ruby said before revealing her face down card, "I activate Armory Call, this not only lets me add an equip spell to my hand, but I can equip it to a monster right now." She said as Eatos saw a portal appear to her right, sticking her arm into it, "I choose Celestial Sword – Eatos!" The hooded Slifer Red picked as the angelic huntress wielded her own sword of holy light, blocking Jain's overhead slash, (2500 + 500 = 3000 ATK).The two parried strikes, but the paladin was quickly getting overwhelmed. In seeing an opening, Eatos stuck down Jain, causing Blair's monster to explode.
Blair: 4000 – 200 = 3800 Life Points
Blair grit her teeth before looking at her hand, taking two cards out, "I'll set these two and end my turn."
"My move," Ruby said before drawing, "Since you sent so many monsters to your graveyard, I can activate Eatos' effect to the fullest. By sending the Celestial Sword to the graveyard, she can remove three of your monsters from play, and gains 500 attack for each one." Blair gritted her teeth as she took three of her four monsters out of her graveyard, placing them in her deck box. While the sword vanished, Eatos wings glowed in the holy light, "And thanks to Celestial Sword, she gains even more attacks points for each removed from play monster." Ruby said as the wings expanded to over double their size, silver energy condescending in her hands, (2500 + 1500 + 1500 = 5500 ATK). "Go Eatos, attack with Soaring Serene Stormer." She said as the angelic huntress unleashed a blast of energy.
However, Blair grinned, "I knew you would pull that combo; we are best friends after all." She said as Ruby had a look of confusion. Suddenly, the hooded Slifer Red remember the facedown, one of which her opponent activated, "I play Reverse Trap." She said as Ruby gasped, "This will reverse all stat gains for the turn."
"So, additions become subtractions?" Jaden commented, "But if Eatos attack points over doubled."
"Then they go all they down to zero now." Ruby said in panic, (5500 – 3000 – 3000 = 0 ATK). Wulf then leaped through the sliver blast, cutting the beam with his claw. Eatos gasped before the Beast slashed her across the chest, causing her eyes to go vacant before she exploded. Ruby shielded herself from the recoil, now losing her ace monster on her second turn.
Ruby: 4000 – 2100 = 1900 Life Points
As the smoke cleared, Ruby still shielded herself. However, as she lowered her arms. A smile did form on her face, "Wow, you really got through my go-to combo." She said with a slight giggle, "I guess I shouldn't have used it so much when we were kids." The hooded Slifer Red looked at her hand, "Okay, I set one card, then play Swords of Revealing Light to end my turn." Ruby said as the blades of photons rained down on Blair's side of the field, stopping her monsters from attacking for three turns.
"My turn," Blair said before drawing, then summoned the mage she added to her hand before. "I summon Lyla, Lightsworn Sorceress in attack mode." She said as the female mage appeared on the field in a white robe, a halo of light around her head as she raised a staff in her right hand, (1700 ATK / 200 DEF). "Now, I can active her effect. By switching her to defense mode, she can destroy your Swords of Revealing Light." As the Lyla knelt, a beam of light shot from her staff and destroyed the faceup spell card, causing the sword to fade away, "Sorry Ruby, but Wulf is about to attack you directly to end this duel." She said as the beast charged int with his claws reeled back.
"Not so fast, I still have my other facedown." Ruby countered, "I play Defense Draw." She said as Wulf's slash hit against an invisible barrier, "I take no damage and draw one card."
"Okay, but don't think you are getting off that easy," Blair said before setting a card and ending her turn. "Lyna forces me to send three cards from my deck to the graveyard," The maiden Slifer Red said as three monsters were milled. As Ruby draw, Blair activated her other face down, "I reveal Light of Intervention, this means you cannot set your Charmer monster to get a comeback." She said with Ruby having a slight look sadness in her eyes, "Ruby, what's wrong?"
"I actually don't have my Charmer deck anymore," Ruby responded, "Half of the cards got burnt up."
"What?" Blair responded, "How did that happen?" She asked with Ruby glancing over to Jaden, who slightly shook his head.
Ruby then looked back to Blair, trying to think of a believable excuse, "Oh you know…Duel Chemistry…"
"Duel Chemistry?" Blair questioned, "That's a class at this school."
"Yeah, it's really weird." Ruby added on, "I was setting up the burner with my duel disk nearby and…fume!" She said while raising her hands, "All my monster got burned."
"But you loved those cards." Blair responded, "It's not like you to lose them like that."
"I know, I was really sad for a while," Ruby responded, but then smiled as she looked at her deck, "But, I found a deck that was left for me by my mom." She said with Blair gasping as Ruby was about to play the card she drew, "And her cards make me feel like she's dueling right beside me. So, I summon Lonefire Blossom in attack mode." She said as an odd plant grew out of the ground, the bud in the shape of a lite bomb, (500 ATK / 1400 DEF) "Now, I can tribute this card to special summon a plant monster from my deck." She said as the wick of the bomb plant went out, "And I choose Tytannial, Princess of Camellias!" As the plant exploded, it is replaced with a massive rose. Blooming out of the rosebud was a beautiful woman with green leaves for hair and a white rose body. Her arms were crossed as a flurry of rose petals rained down from the above, (2800 ATK / 2600 DEF).
"2800 Attack points!" Blair thought, but then looked at her other face down, "It's a bit scary, but thanks to Lumenize, I have nothing to fear."
"I now play Mark of the Rose," Ruby said as she played the equip spell, taking her Lonefire Blossom out of her graveyard, "By removing one plant monster in my graveyard from play, I can take control of one of your monster, and I choose Lyla."
"Eh?" Blair said before seeing the Mark of the Rose appear on her monster's cheek, causing her to walk to the other side of the field, "You cannot steal my monster like that, it isn't fair." Meanwhile, Jaden looked at the maiden Slifer Red with eyes half-open.
"With her on my field, I switch Lyla to attack mode, then use her effect to destroy your set card," Ruby said as Lyla fired another beam of light from her staff, this time to the set Lumenize. Blair gasped as her counter plan was foiled, but Ruby was not done with her spells yet, "I play Gift of the Martyr, sending Lyla to the gave to give her attack points to Tytannial." The hooded Slifer Red said as Lyla faded into an aura of light that enveloped the rose princess, (2800 + 1700 = 4500 ATK). "Now Tytannial, attack with Pulverizing Petal Barrage!" Ruby said before her monster uncrossed her arms, then thrusted them towards Wulf. A storm of rose petals blasted the beast at high speed, shredding the creature in the unrelenting assault before exploding.
Blair: 3800 – 2400 = 1400 Life Points
Blair coughed from the smoke, while Ruby set one card, "I end my turn." She said before her opponent drew but then went to counting her graveyard. After realizing what had been sent in the duel, Blair smirked as she looked at Ruby, "Uh oh, I think you just drew something good."
"Oh, you have no idea." Blair said as she held out her duel disk, "Since I have more than four Lightsworn monsters with different names in my graveyard," She said before playing the card, "I summon my ace monster, Judgment Dragon!" Suddenly, a large ray of light shined from the clouds. In the three Slifer Red's looking up, a winged dragon adorned with pale gray feathers raced down the beam of light. Its red claws dug into the ground, the shade matching its powerful gaze. In opening its mouth, the monster roared to announce in status as the ruler of light, (3000 ATK / 2600 DEF).
"Wow Blair, that's amazing," Ruby said in awe, "You got yourself a powerful boss monster."
"It gets better. I activate Judgement Dragon's effect." Blair announced, "For 1000 life points, I can destroy all other cards on the field."
Blair: 1400 – 1000 = 400 Life Points
Ruby gasped as the ultimate Lightsworn's grey feathers turned white, "I activate Tytannial's effect, I can tribute a plant monster to negate any effect that targets my cards." She said, but nothing happened.
"That won't work," Blair responded as Ruby gasped, "Judgment Dragon doesn't target with his effect." She said as all the feathers turned fully white, "Go, Absolute Solar Force!" She declared as her boss monster roared unleashing an all-encompassing wave of light. The maiden Slifer Red shielded her eyes from the beam, only seeing her Light of Intervention being deatomized from the blast. As the light faded, Blair smiled, "And now, Judgement Dragon attacks you for ga-" Blair said as she looked back to the duel, but noticed something was off, "What, where's my Judgment Dragon." She then looked over to Ruby, who held the trap card she had set.
"Spiritual Wind Art – Miyabi." Ruby said, "I tribute my Wind-attribute Tytannial to send your monster to the bottom of your deck." She said as Blair gasped, "While I lost all of my Charmer monsters, I still kept their traps in my deck for situations like this."
Blair gritted her teeth as she looked at the two cards in her hand, then realizing a combo, "Since Light of Intervention was still destroyed, we can set monster. So, I'll set one and lay one card face down."
"Okay, my draw," Ruby said, but Blair revealed her face down card.
"I activate Lightsworn Judgment." Blair said before taking the card, "This lets me put the card on the top of my deck again." Blair said before focusing on her set monster, then plan running back in her head. "That monster is my Ryko, Lightsworn Hunter. When Ruby summons a monster to attack, I can flip him face up to destroy that monster and mill three cards." She then looked at the top of her deck, "And then, Lightsworn Judgement's effect activates, letting me take Judgement Dragon out of the bottom of my deck and to my hand." She said as Ruby looked at the two cards in her hand, "Next turn, I'll win."
Ruby smiled as she took out one of the cards, "Blair, get ready to see my new archetype." Ruby responded, her field spell slot on her duel disk ejecting, "I play Aroma Garden." She said as the field spell changed the landscape. The cliffside was replaced with a full garden.
Blair looked around in shock at all the colored flowers, the scent they gave off feeling so real. Suddenly, her mind flashed back to a similar setting. She and the hooded girl running through the flower patches. Summer watched over them, sitting in a wheelchair. Despite her skin being as pale as her cloak, she still smiled at the sight of the two girls enjoying their youth. Back in the duel, Blair turned to her opponent, "Ruby…" she said, but then was slightly shocked as the hooded Slifer Red had that same smile from the memory, the same one as her mother's.
Ruby played the last card in her hand, "I summon Aromage Jasmine in defense mode." She said as a small girl in a light blue attire and hair jumped out of the flowers. She radiated an aura of tranquility, the nearby flowers around her blooming as she smiled, (100 ATK / 1900 DEF). "Next, I activate the Aroma Garden's effect. It gives me 500 life points and all my monster 500 attack points." She said as Jasmine was jumping with joy, her vine wand glowing with a yellow light, (100 + 500 = 600 ATK).
Ruby: 1900 + 500 = 2400 Life Points
Ruby then looked over to see Jasmine waving her wand, the fragrance it emitted covering the area. "Since I gained life points, thanks to Jasmine. I draw one card." Ruby said before smiling at the result, "As well, if my life points are higher than yours, I can summon and additional plant monster this turn. So, say hello to Aromage Rosemary!" She said a young woman in blue attire was seen watering the flowers. She put down the pail and sighed, she smiled before joining Jasmine on Ruby's side of the field. She wielded a Candlelight staff made of vines, the scents now combining, (1800 ATK / 700 DEF). "Now, Rosemary attack your set card." Ruby declared as the blue Aromage went for a jumping swing with her Candlelight staff.
The set monster revealed it's to be a white wolf with clade matching armor, (200 ATK / 100 DEF). "Ryko's effect now activates allowing me to-" Blair said, but her monster was paralyzed in blue electricity, "What?"
"When my life points are higher than yours," Ruby responded, "Rosemary negates your monster effects until the end of the damage step. So, flip effects don't work." She said as Blair gasped. Ryko pounced to attack Rosemary, but she batted the white wolf aside with ease. Blair's monster exploded as Ruby's returned to her side of the field with Jasmine, "That ends my turn." Ruby said as the two Aromage girls started watering the flowers.
Blair drew but already knew the card. She looked at her Lightsworn Judgement, then fell to her knees, "I lost." She said admitting defeat as she had no way to defend herself. The maiden Slifer Red looked down in sadness but then felt a hand on her right shoulder.
In looking up, she saw Jaden looking back at her with a smile, "That was an amazing duel," The spirited Slifer Red said, giving her a thumbs up with his other hand, "You really have improved a lot since last time." He said with Blair smiling back.
"Yeah, he's right." Ruby said as her the Aromage girls and the garden faded away, "You almost had me a couple of times in the duel." She said as she walked over to her friends, reaching out her right hand to the maiden Slifer Red, "Next time, I'm not sure which one of us will win." The hooded Slifer Red said before Blair smiled back, then taking her friend's hand as she stood up.
"Well, know I'm going to win." Blair said with a confident gaze, Ruby responding in kind, "I won't lose to you again. Not in a duel and not over Jaden."
"I told you already!" Ruby said as her face turned red, "He and I are not boyfriend and girlfriend!"
"Uh Ruby," Jaden responded, "Didn't you have something you wanted to tell me before coming down here."
Suddenly, Ruby's eyes widened, "Oh, darn it! I forgot." She said before placing her hands on her face, then sighed, "The new headteacher of Slifer Red is here. She wants to duel you specifically." She said before looking down in shame, "I'm sorry, she might be mad at you because of me."
"It's okay, even if you did tell me," Jaden said before looking Ruby and Blair at the same time, "There was no way I was gonna pass up see such an awesome duel like that." He said with both girl smiling, "Besides, how mad could she get if I'm a few minutes late?"
"She doesn't look as nice as Professor Banner did." Ruby commented, "Come on, let's go see her right away!" Ruby said before bolting off, leaving a trail of rose petals behind.
Jaden and Blair remained speechless as they sigh, "Hey, do you where those rose petals come from?" He asked the maiden Slifer Red.
"No," Blair responded with a groan, "I just stopped questioning it after a while." She said before walking down the path that was littered with rose petals. Jaden followed with a slight smile forming, ready for his first duel in his second year at Duel Academy.
AN: There you go, Blair is here at the start of the second year instead of at the end. (Fun fact: While Alexis name is Asuka in the original, Blair's is Rei). Thanks to Duel Links, they gave her an actual archetype to play, and one of my favorite archetypes at that. If she had used a Lightsworn deck in the anime, she would have gotten the Crow treatment for sure and had a much bigger role. As well, I do change her age to be closer to what Ruby's age of around 15. Not 11 in the original or 8.5 like in the dub. The reason, it's kind of creepy and I wanted her to be closer to the main cast in ages. She is still the youngest, followed by Ruby. As a note, every other GX character is the age they were in Season Two of the anime. While Every RWBY character is the age they were in Volume One in this story right now. Its again so it is more believable that Ruby and Blair were friends as kids, which is something you will see more in this season. With that flashback, Summer makes a camo, and sadly reveals how she died in this continuity. She also provides more context as to why Ruby now has the Aromage archetype. Since Black Rose is still off limits, this is the next best plants she can use. As well, if you used them in Duel Links you know how strong they are. In this duel, I really liked how it played out. I very rarely get to do a lockdown win like this. However, I do lessen the restrictions on Lyla's effect so Ruby could use it in a cool way here. Next chapter is duel between Jaden and the new headteacher of Slifer Red, who you can all probably guess who it is by now. Can he fend off this wild animal, you'll have to wait and see. That is all for now, thanks for reading, and hope to see you in the next chapter.
Now, I have gotten a LOT of questions since the last chapter. I will try to address some of them were and more down the line, so this note is not too long. I have had a lot regarding my opinion on RWBY in general and the resent volume seven. For me, I stopped watching after 3V when I wasn't getting enjoyment out of the series that way anymore. However, I still liked the character in seeing fanart and reading/writing fanfiction. I even main Neo in BBTAG (However, Yang can be removed from that game for all I care). I keep up on the official manga, but don't really care about RT's version of RWBY anymore. I check up on some things on the wiki from time to time, but don't ever feel motivated to watch it. I have seen the new characters, but the only one I really liked from a design aspect was Sienna, and you know how that ended. For me, I'm good with my choice to stop watching rwby and appreciate it my own way with these secondary sources. I do not think it is a bad show, it is just not the show for me anymore. I wish it the best but am never going to pick it back up. Now regarding new characters. Like I said, don't except anyone, but be ready for surprises. That is just going to be my response to those types of questions going forward. The only one I will mention is Ms. Dorothy…I forget she was a character until I read a review. I feel so bad, since she was always great in every scene she is in and was part of one of my favorite episodes in season one of GX. For that, I do feel obligated now to put her in this, a least in one chapter, because she is a sweet lady. Lastly, the tournament will be the last part of season two here, so it will be a while before it is fully planned. The idea is still more of the GX style battle royal, but I am debating on that. With all the players, a bracket system would be too complex now. I'll give more details as it gets closer.
