I'm back, people! And with a brand new idea for the chapter!
Disclaimer: Mage of Hope doesn't own Yu-Gi-Oh series, only the OCs!
"If I could please have everyone's attention! Eyes forward, students! Chumley, stop chewing with your mouth open!"
Around the middle of sundown inside the Slifer Red dorms where everyone was chowing down their dinners together, Banner was trying to get everyone's attention, especially Chumley's. Once most of the students calmed down, Banner decided to continue.
"Good! Now, please join me in welcoming a new transfer student, Blair Flanningan!" announced Banner, stepping out of the way to make room for the new transfer student. "Say hello to Blair!"
Blair stepped forward and stared up at the others with his bright, brown eyes before looking down at the ground. He wore the standard Slifer Red uniform for males and his dark blue hair was mostly covered up in a large black hat.
Murmurs of "Hello, Blair" passed all over the room as the students resumed eating their meal. They didn't seem particularly interested in the transfer student; hell, they even felt bad for the poor boy. After all, he had to join the ranks of the weakest duelists in all of Duel Academy; the Slifer Reds! They figured that it wouldn't take even a week for him to leave.
"Check that out, Jaden! Looks like you have someone new to duel! What do you think about that?" pointed out Syrus.
"YEAAH!" cheered Jaden, getting a bit overexcited and already leaping to her feet. Already, she had plans to make Blair feel at home, especially since he seems so cute! Ignoring the attention she was gaining, she rushed over and gently placed a hand on Blair's shoulder while patting his back at the same time. "We're the best dorm on campus!We're all friendly so we can make you feel right at home!"
"Jaden, wait. You don't understand," said Banner, trying to correct the tomboy.
"What's there not to understand, Professor Banner? I was just trying to-"
Blair gently broke away from Jaden's hold and hid behind Banner, shyly using him as a shield. It's already been one minute since he's entered the Slifer Red Dorms, and already, he feels uncomfortable enough.
"You see, Jaden...Blair isn't going to live in this dorm for long. In fact, he's scored perfectly on all his entrance exams," Banner explained, surprising Jaden. After all, if one were to succeed with flying colors, why place them in the low ranking Slifer Red Dorms? "It's Academy policy: 'All transfers start at Slifer.' But, with his high marks, he'll be moved up to Ra Yellow in just a few days."
As if trying to hide her embarrassment through the entire misunderstanding, Jaden blushed and quickly said, "W-well, I still think it's nice to welcome transfer students even if they aren't going to be here long, right guys?"
Thinking that she was addressing them, Syrus and Chumley stood up and nodded in agreement. "Of course!"
"Good! Then, in that case, since we're running out of room, Blair can sleep with you three for a while!" said Banner cheerfully. "Isn't that wonderful? Blair, what do you think?"
Blair nodded, finding no problems with the room situation. Although, there was a slight hint of pink if one looked closely at Blair's cheeks. "S-sure."
Later, that night...
"...I can't believe that Jaden has to sleep with Blair," spoke up Chumley as he and the others stared at the bed customized for two people only.
Since Chumley, Jaden, and Syrus originally shared a three layer bed together, they had to make room for one more somehow for Blair's sake. While Syrus and Chumley headed off towards the baths, Jaden and Blair, under the instructions of Banner, managed to compose a bed at the lower level and placed additional blankets on top. Knowing that the two were only going to share a bed temporarily was fine and all, but the problem resided with the two people sleeping. Especially one that happened to be a girl.
Jaden leaped forward and landed on her stomach on top of the bed; the blankets cushioning her fall and making her bounce up a little. "Ahhhh!~ So soft!~" she sighed, feeling the soft fabric of the blankets.
Blair flustered and glanced away, pulling down his large hat to hide his face. He had to share a bed with...with Jaden? Under normal circumstances, anyone would be alright, but there was a certain...secret Blair upholded that made him react like this. However, if he were to learn that Jaden was female, things might actually be different...
Syrus had never felt so much jealously towards Blair before, as he felt something burning inside of his aura. The new student gets to sleep with HIS Jaden? That's not fair! Still, he shouldn't completely blame the new kid, since he didn't really have a choice in the matter in selecting his own room. Plus, Blair would be leaving for the Ra Yellow Dorms in a few days, so all he had to do was be patient...
Crawling forward, Jaden reached out and grabbed one of her toy plushies, which happened to be a mini Dark Magician Girl plushie. Smiling as she embraced the plushie, Jaden looked at Blair and asked, "Wanna hug one of my plushies? We could have a sleepover all night!"
Blair bent down before his eyes widen at the sight of the bed filled with so many minature plushies. It was rare for a boy to have stuffed animals even at his age, let alone so many. Then again, Jaden was holding a Dark Magician Girl doll, and many male duelists practically lust for her. Blair thought that Jaden might have kept all the other plushies as a cover up so that Jaden could cherish her own Dark Magician Girl.
Typical male hormones.
Several hours later, the entire group of four fell asleep in the dark room they shared; some snoring loudly than others. Chumley's was the loudest while Syrus pulled the blanket covers over his head, successfully muffling out the rest of the noise disturbing him. Jaden and Blair may be sharing the same bed together, but they weren't close to each other, having their own separate side of the same bed.
One person, or rather, Duel Spirit, was awake and watching over the group cautiously with hawk-like eyes. He was Jaden's ace Monster, Flame Wingman, and he was keeping a very close eye on the boys.
Every night, once every hour, each of Jaden's Duel Spirits would watch over their owner before switching roles to pass to another Duel Spirit. Nothing bad occured in Jaden's life, except for one time when a robbery happened one night when she was only a child. If they hadn't woke up her up, she wouldn't have had time to hide when the robber invaded her room. Thank goodness that her home had a silent alarm system installed as they watched the robber being arrested and taken away into police custody.
From that point on, their will and vow to protect innocent, little Jaden grew tenfold that night.
Flame Wingman despised every single male that Jaden befriended, especially those close to her like Syrus. He didn't care if one called him overprotective, but to Jaden, she was almost like a cherished daughter to her, and every time he saw her adorable, heart-shaped face, his heart would soften, though he refused to admit it. Also, it was a great relief to pour all his stress into activating his special ability and firing onto all male duelists Jaden fought.
A tap on his shoulder snapped Flame Wingman out of it, and he turned to see Bubbleman standing behind him. Has time gone that quickly? He was too absorbed in his duty that he barely noticed the time flying.
"It's time, Flame Wingman."
"I know. If anything goes wrong, alert the team, alright?"
"Of course. You always say that anyways. I know that you love Jaden, but just relax a little, alright?"
"Just...Just take care of Jaden."
"Understood. Goodnight."
"...Goodnight."
The next morning...
"Settle down, people! Attention, please! Chumley! Stop chewing with your mouth open!" announced Sheppard; his face visible on the large TV-like screen on the monitor.
Everyone was gathered in the auditorium for the special briefing announcement by three separate rows; the Slifer Reds, Ra Yellows, and Obelisk Blues. After everyone became silent and paid attention to their Chancellor, he began the procedure of announcing the new event coming up.
"Good! Now, the big match between our rival school, North Academy, is coming up! Last year, Zane Truesdale, defeated the North Academy representative with flying colors. This year, I'm sure that Duel Academy will triumph towards their victory once again!"
Lo and behold Zane Truesdale who stood out in front of all the Obelisk Blues thanks to the spotlight shining down upon him and making him the attention of the auditorium, especially after Sheppard announced Zane's name.
Noticing Blair's gaze upon Zane just like everyone else, Syrus felt a swell of pride within his heart and felt that he should tell something to the new student just to gain new respect.
"Hey, Blair? Did you know that Zane's my brother?" the blue-haired boy whispered.
"Really?" Blair softly whispered back; a light blush forming around his cheeks.
"He's pretty cool, but Mom says I've got the looks," bragged Syrus, shrugging his shoulders uncaringly. "I remember back when we were kids! We would play Hide-And-Seek, and he would never find me, no matter how easy I made it for him! He was preeettty terrible at that game!"
"How easy are we talking?" questioned Blair.
"I stood in the living room for two hours with a lamp shade on my head while he was watching TV!"
"...Kinda sounds like he was ignoring you."
"OR! He couldn't find me!"
"We still haven't decided who's going to represent us this year," revealed Sheppard. "So, if you keep hitting those books and dueling hard, you may be the one who gets the honor! Keep working hard and your hard work might just pay off! With that said, have a good day, everyone!"
Afterwards, the screen monitor faded away and was replaced by Duel Academy's insignia. Everyone began chatting amongst themselves over the announcement.
A chance to duel against North Academy's top student! What an honor! Most decided to give up because of Zane's status of being the strongest duelist in Duel Academy. They wouldn't be surprised if he was chosen, suggesting that they were fine with whatever decision Duel Academy decided to choose.
"Alright! It's gonna be me!" said Jaden, coming between Syrus and Blair with determination in her eyes as she pumped her fists. Dueling strong opponents always gets her excited, and if she was chosen, this could be a duel to remember like Seto Kaiba vs Yugi Motou!
"Nah, we might as well face it! It's probably going to be Zane again!" said Syrus, his arms crossed with a discouraged look on his face.
"Whaaat? What does Zane have that I don't?" wondered Jaden, pouting.
"Well, he has more experience and an overall stronger deck," answered Blair, staring at Zane with an...odd look in his eyes.
"Yeah, I guess..."
"And...And, big, beautiful eyes..."
"I...guess...?"
"And that long, flowing hair..."
"I...Uh...I guess?"
"And those strong arms to hold me close in those cold, winter nights..."
"Um...Yeah."
Although both couldn't see it, Syrus and Jaden could tell from Blair's words that he was having some sort of lovesick expression on his face. Well, Syrus could tell, at least. Jaden was just growing more and more confused on how Zane's dueling skills were being compared to his looks.
Attempting to change the subject, Syrus said, "A-anyways, those arms are only good for two things! Headlocks, and body slams!"
Unfortunately, his attempt wasn't good enough. In fact, it only seemed to worsen the situation.
"Oh, he can slam into me ALLL he wants..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"...Cool."
Later...
"Man! I'm soooooo hungry!" whined Jaden, rubbing her growling stomach. She groaned as she walked besides Chumley and Syrus out of the Duel Academy building. Classes ended just now, so she and her friends were free all day.
"You know, you could always just ask Miss Dorothy and pay for the food," reminded Syrus before whispering to Chumley about what Blair earlier, causing the older boy to recoil in shock.
"Whoa! He seriously said that?" hissed Chumley, quieting down so that Jaden wouldn't hear them in fear of her innocence.
Syrus nodded. "Yeah. Blair's got a serious man boner for Zane! It was the hardest romance I've ever seen! He was practically penetrating me!"
Speaking of Blair, the new Slifer Red student ran past the trio and right into the bushes area. Suspicious, Jaden decided to run after him, thinking he might be in trouble of some sorts.
"H-hey, Jaden! Where are you going?"
"Checkin' something up! Buy me a sandwich when you get to Miss Dorothy!"
"But it's not even Sandwich Day!"
Eventually, Jaden managed to track down Blair all the way to the male Obelisk Blue Dorms and hid behind a pillar. In the nick of time, she spotted him climbing a tree, walking across a sturdy tree branch, and leaping off to enter the balcony before proceeding to the room inside.
'What's Blair doing, trespassing into the Obelisk Blue Dorms?' thought Jaden before deciding to continue following after Blair. It took her little to no effort following Blair's steps into climbing the tree and finally stepping onto the balcony. Seeing two narrow doors barely opened, Jaden sensed that Blair must have entered through the entrance and poked her head inside the room.
The room appeared luxurious and filled with more space than her own dorm room. Additionally, there was a softer bed, a large TV, a couple chairs, and a couch. This would seem like the ideal room for rich people and no doubt suit an Obelisk Blue's tastes.
Spotting Blair searching through the dresser near the bed, Jaden wondered what he was doing. She nearly squeaked loudly when she saw Blair rubbing a couple of cards to his face after he found a deck case and brought out some of the cards.
"Ahhhh!~ I could almost feel his presence within these cards," sighed Blair pleasurably.
'Blair, you're not meant to rub cards in your face!' thought Jaden, sweatdropping before being horrified at the sight before her. 'What is he doing? Okay, he's doing something...And, is he making a mess? I don't get it! Hmm...something's up...And it looks interesting!'
Most people would be horrified at whatever Blair was doing that could be described as...undescribable. But for an oblivious fool like Jaden Yuki? She's just puzzled and curious as to what was occuring before her own eyes.
"Come on, guys! Let's go chill at Zane's room!"
"I sure hope there aren't any Slifer Reds in there!"
"I sure hope there aren't any Slifer Reds molesting Zane's cards!"
"Otherwise, we'd have to kill the bastard!"
"Huh?" Stepping back into the balcony, Jaden spotted a few Obelisk Blue boys following Zane as they headed their way back to the Obelisk Blue Boys Dorm. Well, considering that they're boys and Obelisk Blues, it's not really a prob-
Wait...didn't one of the cards Blair pulled out from the deck case remind her of something? Cyber Dragon...That card belonged to Zane, and nobody could use his effect more properly than Zane! Then, that means...
Zane + Male + Obelisk Blue = Living in Obelisk Blue Boys Dorm. Cyber Dragon + Deck Case = Zane's deck. Zane's deck + Obelisk Blue Boys Dorm room = ZANE TRUESDALE'S ROOM.
Rushing inside the room, Jaden caught Blair's attention. "I don't know what you're up to, but you gotta get out of here right now! Otherwise, you'll get expelled for trespassing! Hurry! Zane's coming!
"How did you get in here?!" demanded Blair, still stunned over being caught.
Right behind the front door, voices could be heard, or rather ramblings from two Obelisk Blues were heard rather loudly and were approaching closer by the second.
"I say, Jeffery!"
"What ho, Pippin?"
"The bloody key won't fit the door!"
"Are you sure you're using the right key?"
"Damnit, Jeffery! Of course I'm using the right key! I take offense to that remark!"
"I take offense to you taking offense of that remark! Pippin, have you tried the second key?"
"We haven't gotten a second key, Jeffery!"
"Have you tried looking under the rug?"
"Why would I be looking under the rug for a key we don't have?"
"Why, I do believe there is a key under the rug!"
"Well, I would certainly like to see this key!"
"Why, certainly! I can tell you where this key is!"
"By golly, man! Why didn't you say so? Where is it?"
"It's under the bloody rug, sire!"
"Nonsense, Jeffery! I would know if there was a-! By golly, so it is!"
"You didn't believe me, Pippin! I take offense to that!"
"I take offense to you taking offense to that!"
"Here's our chance!" said Jaden, grasping Blair's wrist tightly. "We gotta go, now!"
Once forcibly dragging Blair behind her, she never expected Blair to trip and fall forward with his hat falling off. What was more surprising was that underneath his hat...was long, overflowing hair clipped together with a hairclip. But the hairclip along with the hat and the cards Blair previously held spread across the floor.
No doubt in anyone's mind that Blair Flanningan...is a girl.
"Oh my God!" cried Jaden in a sing-song tone before Blair scooped up her hat and ran for it, jumping off the balcony and climbing down the tree as fast as she could.
Jaden ran after her, stopping near the railings on the balcony as she watched Blair successfully escape. "Where are you going? I have so many questions! Do you blow or towel dry? Shampoo or conditioner? BLAIR! DO YOU WANT TO DUEL LATER?!"
Behind Jaden, the front door opened, and Zane along with his Obelisk Blue companions, flooded inside.
"I told you I could get it open, Jeffery!"
"Well, you certainly showed me, Pippin!"
"Jeffery! Look over there!"
"Over where?"
"Over there! By the balcony!"
"Why, I do believe that's a Slifer Red!"
"Didn't we speak on killing them on sight earlier?"
"Why yes, I do believe we did!"
"Gasp! Look at all these cards scattered on the ground!"
"They're Zane's! I bet that Slifer Red must have come here to steal them! Or get info on Zane's deck to North Academy!"
"What?! No! That's not it!" Jaden tried defending herself, catching Blair's escaping figure out of the corner of her eye. "I just...saw the window opening and thought to close it!"
"You really think we're buying that lie?" questioned one of the Obelisk Blues before he and his buddies besides Zane began approaching Jaden dangerously.
Turning around and trying to feign innocence, Jaden tried to climb off the balcony and escape the same way Blair did. "Well, it looks like I gotta-gah!" The back of her red jacket was grabbed harshly by all three Obelisk Blues as they struggled to prevent her escape.
"Are you sure you have a hold of him correctly, Jeffery?"
"Well, of course I'm holding him correctly! I take offense to that comment!"
"I take offense of you taking offense to that comment!"
"Let me goooo!" whined Jaden, trying not to release her grip on the railings.
"You're not going anywhere, buddy!"
"Except to Dr. Crowler's office!"
"NOOOO! ANYONE BUT HIM!"
"Okay, we'll just deal with you ourselves!"
"DR. CROWLER! HELP! HELP!"
As the Obelisk Blues and Jaden continued on with their feeble struggle, Zane scooped up his...why were his fallen cards wet? Eh, he'll clean and dry them off soon enough. But something else caught his attention. A little hairclip with a cute Duel Monsters design in the middle.
Knowing Jaden, Zane knew that he would never stoop so low as to steal or gain knowledge of his cards since Jaden is already a good-natured duelist who takes duels fairly and has fun. Also, hairclips are meant for girls only, and last he checked, Jaden is no doubt, male.
"But I'm seriously telling the truth!" cried out Jaden as she was being dragged by the feet by the Obelisk Blues.
"Yeah, right!"
"Nobody else was in this room but you!"
"Just admit that you did this!"
"As if we can trust a Slifer Red! One that's a thief, no less!"
"...Let him go," commanded Zane firmly.
"Huh?" Surprised, the Obelisk Blues released Jaden, who shot up to her feet.
"Jaden, do you want me to reconsider or do you want to leave? The front door's that way."
"A-ah! Sure! See ya! Let's not do this again sometime!" said Jaden, taking this chance to flee while she still had the chance.
Once outside, Jaden rubbed her arm and winched at the harsh treatment coming from the Obelisk Blues. Yeah, she was definitely not going to come back sometime after that experience! Now, to find some food and find Blair! She still needed an explanation from him!
Peeking out from the bushes, Blair saw Jaden running off. She couldn't exactly leave Jaden to his fate like that and overheard everything. Why didn't Jaden turn her in when he had the chance? She was definitely going to question him next time they were alone.
That night, near the lighthouse...
"Is something wrong, Zane? It's awfully rare for you to call me over. If so, it must be serious," spoke up Alexis. After receiving a text message from Zane to talk about something near the lighthouse, Alexis quickly made her way there.
"Lex, I caught Jaden snooping in my room today," Zane explained, quickly getting to the point.
"Huh?" Now, this was a surprise for Alexis. She never thought Jaden, out of all people, would sneak into Zane's room. "Why would Jaden do that?"
"I don't know. But I found this." Handing the hairclip over to Alexis, Zane allowed her to examine it.
Eyes widening, Alexis took it and scanned it with her own eyes. "T-this is a girl's hairclip...Zane, there's probably something you should know. It's about Jaden..."
"Ahhh...Taking a bath feels great!" sighed Syrus, stepping inside his dorm room as he dried his hair with a towel. Once inside, he noticed that nobody but himself was in the room. "Huh? Where is everybody?"
Chumley, who had been laying down on his bed, sat up and saw Syrus at the front door. "I thought they were with you."
Syrus shook his head as he climbed on top of Jaden and Blair's bed. "No, I haven't seen Jaden ever since he ran off to...find Blair..."
Chumley, who was sweatdropping, watched as Syrus's normal demeanor quickly changed into...well, the proper term was determination.
"JADEN'S WITH BLAIR?! NOOO! IT CAN'T BE!"
It didn't take a genius to figure out that Syrus has a crush on Jaden, possibly even bigger than when he admired Alexis. Chumley could tell that Syrus was officially jealous of all the attention Blair was giving to Jaden, or at least, that's what it seems like.
"Chumley, come on! We gotta find them!"
"But why me?"
"Just because! Now, come on!"
"So, let me get this straight. You're a girl."
"Yeah."
"So, when you were talking about Zane, he wasn't-"
"Nope."
"You were actually-"
"Yeah."
"Oh! That makes sense! I thought you were a guy with long hair!"
"...Really, Jaden? Did the facial expressions and long hair not give it away?"
"Well, I mean, sure you looked cute as a boy, but Professor Banner has long hair too, you know."
"Point."
Both Jaden and Blair conversed near the ocean in the rocky shores, and right above them was the Slifer Red Dorms, so it wouldn't take them that long to reach their dorm room. Right at the moment, both were talking about what occured earlier today and were trying to resolve the situation.
"Listen, Jaden," said Blair, looking up at her. "The fact that I'm a girl has to stay a secret!"
"But what for, Blair?"
"..." Glancing down, Blair found herself unable to respond to Jaden's question. She knew that Jaden had every right to know, especially what she's been put through, but still...
"Look, I don't mind keeping it a secret, but if it's a secret, I should at least now why it is one," Jaden tried to reason.
"No!" snapped Blair indignantly. "You don't need to know why! Look, you just can't tell anyone that I'm a girl!"
"Why not?"
"Because it's a secret."
"Then, why is it a secret?"
"Because it is."
"But I like to be told secrets!"
"Well, that's top shit, because I'm not telling you!"
"Well!" Kneeling down and reaching something inside her backpack, Jaden spoke, "If you're not going to tell me, then you gotta duel me!"
"What? How will that solve anything?" asked Blair as Jaden took out her duel disk.
"'Cause in a duel, the truth always comes out!"
"Fine, but if I win, you keep quiet without me having to explain myself!" told Blair, agreeing to duel with Jaden for the sake of her secret.
"Sure. It won't matter anyways, because this duel will tell me all I need to know!" said Jaden, nodding in agreement.
Meanwhile, laying flat on their stomaches and witnessing Jaden and Blair from above the cliff were both Chumley and Syrus. Syrus was frowning every time he glared at Blair's direction, and if it weren't for Chumley holding him back, Syrus would have tried to clawed Blair with his own bare hands.
"I wonder what Jaden and that Blair guy are talking about?" wondered Syrus curiously.
"Well, it's funny that you mention that, Syrus," said Zane as he and Alexis walked up to both Syrus and Chumley. "Because Blair isn't a guy, she's a girl. Obelisk security cameras showed her at the dorm."
"But what it doesn't show is why she's gone through all that trouble," said Alexis, thus proving that despite learning Blair's true gender, they still haven't completely solved the entire mystery.
"Huh, really? I wonder how Jay plans to solve that mystery," wondered Syrus. He was quickly answered by a loud unison cry of 'DUEL' from beneath them.
- DUEL -
Blair - 4000 LP
VS
Jaden - 4000 LP
"Alright, it's my turn! Draw!" started Blair. "I summon Maiden in Love! And, I'll end my turn!"
A beautiful young girl wearing a puffy, yellow and white dress with bright eyes and flowing, wavy brown hair with a pink hairband on top appeared. She giggled slightly and winked at Jaden, pleased to meet her.
Maiden in Love - (LIGHT/Spellcaster) - LV2 - (400/300)
"Wow! She's cute!" sighed Syrus happily.
Chumley frowned, glaring at him. Did he not remember the whole reason for searching for both Blair and Jaden in the first place? It was becuase Syrus's was jealous for his crush, Jaden! Now he's oogling at some fictional Duel Monster? Somehow, he's relieved that he's not in love.
"My turn, now! Draw!" Jaden said before examining her hand after drawing. "I summon Elemental Hero Ocean in Attack Mode!"
Bursting from the ocean nearby, a drenched hero in blue wielding a trident-like weapon appeared in front of Jaden with his arms crossed.
Elemental Hero Ocean - (WATER/Warrior) - LV4 - (1500/1200)
"Now, attack! Aqua Burst!"
Twirling his trident in front of him, a water-like vortex appeared in front of Ocean before transforming into a swirling water tornado that engulfed Maiden in Love completely, drenching her from head to toe.
Blair - 2900 LP
Jaden - 4000 LP
"Maiden in Love's special ability activates!" said Blair. "You see, as long as she remains in Attack Mode, she won't be destroyed in battle!"
Winged Kuriboh flew up to Jaden and nudged her in the face. 'What's up?" she asked the flying creature as he pointed towards the scene occuring at the moment.
Elemental Hero Ocean was kneeling down to Maiden in Love in what appears to be a field of pink flowers, offering his hand while wearing a sympathetic look on his face. "M-milady...are you alright?"
"I...*sniff* I don't know...Everything's happening so fast," spoke Maiden in Love, tears forming in the corner of her eyes as she turned away from her attacker. Ocean felt regret for attacking such an innocent and lovely maiden and tried hugging her from behind in order to make her feel better.
"Awww! Ocean's cheering up Maiden! That's good of him!" cheered Jaden, feeling happy for the two. Winged Kuriboh facepalmed, knowing that Jaden was misinterpreting the situation at hand.
"Oh, and I forgot to mention Maiden in Love's second effect!" spoke up Blair. "Any Monster that attacks her gets a Maiden Counter and then, falls in love with her!"
"Wait, what?!" Switching from Blair's direction towards her Monsters, Jaden's jaw dropped when she saw Ocean openly expressing his love towards Maiden in Love by pecking her in the cheek. That...actually explained what was happening earlier, since Jaden knew that Ocean never acted that way towards anyone before.
Maiden in Love opened her arms out for Ocean and blew something towards Ocean. That 'something' happened to be a heart-shaped air kiss that targeted his heart and made him more infatuated with Maiden in Love.
"Now then, moving on!~" sang Blair as she drew her card. "Alright, I attached the Equip Spell, Cupid's Kiss, to my Maiden!"
A tiny, cupid-like angel glided towards the beautiful Maiden before smooching her on the cheek, making Maiden in Love blush lightly.
"And now, I'll have her attack!"
"Oh, Mr. Ocean! Where are you? Please come out and play!~" cooed Maiden in Love sweetly as she skipped around the field of flowers in an attempt to try finding her crush.
"Uhh..." Unable to react in this sort of situation, Jaden decided what to do what was best. "Ocean, attack Maiden in Love...?"
Spotting Maiden in Love from afar and thinking she was an enemy, Elemental Hero Ocean fired a water blast from his trident and watched as his opponent's Monster fell to the ground.
Blair - 1800 LP
Jaden - 4000 LP
Sobbing uncontrollably from not only being blasted, but wet as well, Maiden in Love turned to Ocean and questioned, "Why did you do that? You're so mean!"
Realizing that the target he shot at was his beloved lover, Ocean rushed over to her side with a concern look on his face. "Milady! I didn't realize it was you! Will you ever forgive me?"
"Okay!~" agreed Maiden in Love, wiping away her tears before kissing Ocean in the cheek, causing the WATER-type Monster to blush red. After Ocean helped her stand up while caressing her tiny hand, Maiden in Love turned to her hero. "Now how about doing me a little favor, Mr. Ocean?"
"Anything!~"
"Good!~ See him?" Maiden in Love pointed directly at Jaden. "Take him down!"
"Done!" Without hesitation, Ocean's trident sprouted a blast of water that slammed into Jaden's stomach, knocking her flat on her back.
Blair - 1800 LP
Jaden - 2500 LP
Groaning, Jaden clutched her stomach, thankful that it didn't leave any permanent damage. "Ocean! Are you nuts?! Can't you see she's using you?"
"Sorry, Jaden!" said Blair. "But when Maiden takes damage from a Monster with a Maiden Counter, the Equip Spell, Cupid's Kiss, automatically activates, and that lets me take control of your Monster! Sure, it'll cost me Life Points, but it's about to cost you a lot more! Now that I've taken control of your Monster, I think I'll just set one card facedown and end my turn!"
"My turn, draw!" After drawing Sparkman, Jaden glanced up and looked at Ocean sorrowfully. 'I can't attack Maiden, or else my Monster will be under her control. So, that means I'll have to attack Ocean. Sorry, Ocean...'
"I summon Elemental Hero Sparkman in Attack Mode!" declared Jaden, watching as the hero of electricity made his appearance.
Elemental Hero Sparkman - (LIGHT/Warrior) - LV4 - (1600/1400)
Glaring at Ocean, Jaden told him, "Sorry, Ocean! But you're either with me, or against! Sparkman! Attack Ocean with Static Shockwave!"
Storing up a large surge of electrical power in his palms, Sparkman fired multiple jolts of electricity towards Ocean once he was charged up.
"I don't think so! I activate the Trap, Defense Maiden!" shouted Blair.
With fierce determination to protect her loved one, Maiden in Love stood in front of Ocean with her arms out and took the electrical attack instead of him, screaming in pain and falling to her knees.
Blair - 600 LP
Jaden - 2500 LP
"Thanks to Defense Maiden, Sparkman's attack is redirected towards Maiden in Love!" explained Blair. "And you know what that means!~"
"Oh God, please don't," mumured Jaden as she was forced to watch the next love scene occur before her eyes.
Trembling with anger, Ocean glared at Sparkman for doing such a thing to Maiden in Love. "Sparkman, how dare you strike at a defenceless maiden?! Have you no shame?!"
Ashamed and upon realization for what he's done, Sparkman grasped both sides of his helmet in agony. "Oh, God! What have I done?! Maiden, please forgive me! I'll do anything to make you happy!"
"...Anything?" asked Maiden in Love, slightly interested in his proposal. "Well, nothing comes to mind now, but I'll think up something!~" She, using her cute charms, winked at him seductively, which was more than enough for Sparkman to instantly fall in love with her.
"Ah!~ Just say the word, my darling!~"
"Awww! Sparkman's feeling bad, so he's volunteering to help cheer up Maiden!~" cooed Jaden, feeling happy for Sparkman and his righteous duty to defend the weak and defeat evil, just as a hero should be.
Winged Kuriboh sighed before picking up a stick. He carved a heart with a thunder bolt in the middle before poking Jaden in the leg with the stick. Remembering that Ocean fell in love with Maiden in Love and that the possibility of Sparkman falling victim was high, Jaden gasped before focusing back to the battlefield.
"Sparkman! You can't fall in love with Maiden!" cried out Jaden, frailing her arms anime-style.
Winged Kuriboh nodded. Of course Jaden would come to her senses! She just needed the right signal to get the message through her thick skull!
"Because...Because Ocean's already in love with her!"
"KURI?!" Okay, that didn't go as expected. When the others told him that Jaden barely had any sense of love, they weren't kidding, for sure!
Hearing Jaden's words, Sparkman swiftly turned to Ocean. "Is that true, Ocean?"
Holding Maiden in Love closely to him, Ocean stared back at him. "Of course I do! I love the Maiden! Truly, I do!"
"Then, I shall fight you for her honor!"
"So be it, Sparkman!"
Unknown to anyone but Jaden and Winged Kuriboh, both Sparkman and Ocean started clashing attacks together and attempting to bring the other down in order to win Maiden in Love's heart. Chumley, who would hear Duel Spirits, heard lightning sounds and the rush of water, but he was confused and looked around, wondering what was making all that noise.
"Now, Sparkman has a Maiden Counter," said Blair.
"Jeez! What's with you guys?! Stop it!" cried out Jaden, scratching the back of her head furiously. "All this for one girl? I'll just buy some Maiden in Loves tommorow if you really like her that much!"
"I want one! How do I get a Maiden Counter?" wondered Syrus, still obsessed with Maiden in Love's charm and beauty.
"Yeah, me too! I want one, too!" chimed in Chumley.
"Uh...Guys? Try and remember that it's just a card you're looking at," reminded Alexis, sweatdropping.
"Try and remember who you're talking to," said Zane. "When Sy and I were growing up, he used to say that he was going steady with Dark Magician Girl."
"Z-Zane! That was supposed to be a secret!" whined Syrus who blushed madly. "Now Alexis and Chumley will think I'm some kinda freak for liking her so much even though she's not real!"
"Actually, I used to have a crush on Dark Magician Girl," admitted Chumley.
"Sy, you're not the only one who likes her," said Alexis. "Lots of fanboys are in love with her, so it's really no surprise."
"Personally, I thought that was the second strangest thing about you, Syrus," said Zane. "The first strangest was your relationship between you and your boyfriend, Jaden. But I quickly adapted that. Imagine my surprise when I learned that Jaden was actually a girl."
"I'm not ga-Wait, you knew that Jaden was a girl?!" wondered Syrus. "When?!"
"Alexis told me about an hour or so ago. Apparently, Jaden's too...oblivious to figure out that nobody else but us know that she's a girl. Regardless, I approve your relationship with you and your girlfriend, Syrus. I'm sure she'll take care of you."
"But...But we're not together! The stupid Yaoi Fanclub just assumed that!" cried out Syrus. "And that kiss back at the Tag-Team Duel was only a friendly one! It didn't mean anything!"
"Oh...I see."
"MAN! I CAN'T TAKE THIS!" yelled Jaden. "Fine! I set one card facedown and end my turn!"
"My turn! Draw!" After drawing the card she needed, Blair smirked. "Now I activate Stray Lambs from my hand! I Special Summon 2 Lamb Tokens to my field in Defense Mode, but I can't summon anymore Monsters this turn!"
Lamb Tokens - (EARTH/Beast) - LV1 - (0/0)
"Then, I activate Token Thanksgiving and destroy my two Tokens! In exchanges, I receive 800 Life Points for each one destroyed!"
Blair - 2200 LP
Jaden - 2500 LP
"Hold it right there! I have a Trap!" shouted Jaden. "I activate Elemental Recharge! For every face-up Elemental Hero I have on my side of the field, I recover 1000 Life Points!"
Blair - 2200 LP
Jaden - 3500 LP
"Fine, but Maiden's still going to attack your Sparkman! Attack!" ordered Blair.
"Oh, Mr. Sparkman!~" called out Maiden in Love as she searched frantically for the Elemental Hero. Sparkman, who was exhausted from his brawl with Ocean, stepsided out of the way, causing Maiden in Love to trip and fall.
Blair - 1000 LP
Jaden - 3500 LP
"Sparkman, how could you do that?!" cried out Maiden in Love. "You said you'd do anything for me!"
"You're right! I'm sorry! Command me, my love!" begged Sparkman before placing a hand over his heart. "What is your wish?"
"SPARKIEEE!" cringed Jaden; her jaw dropping.
"I wish...that you'd beat up that mean boy over there!" pleaded Maiden in Love, referring to Jaden.
"With pleasure!" Sparkman didn't waste any second on shooting electricity at his former master.
Blair - 1000 LP
Jaden - 1900 LP
"Mr. Ocean!~ Your turn, too! If you please!~"
"Yes, my dear!" Ocean lifted up his trident, and a large, holographic wave washed over Jaden. Once the wave passed, Jaden and Winged Kuriboh were left twitching on the rocky grounds of the duel.
Blair - 1000 LP
Jaden - 400 LP
"Ahhh! Much better!" sighed Blair in relief after taking off the bandanna and hat that held her long hair up and hidden.
Getting back up and patting the dust off her jeans, Jaden sighed exasperatedly. Okay, maybe sending out two of her male Elemental Heroes wasn't such a good call. Maybe it's time for form a different strategy this time? After all, Blair's only got a few Life Points left, so just another huge hit to Maiden, and it's game over!
"Sparkman! Ocean! Can't you remember me? It's your friend, Jaden!" pleaded Jaden, attempting to pull out the puppy dog eyes which they so heavily fallen over countless times in the past.
Unfortunately, they weren't falling for them, as they stayed loyal and lovingly towards Maiden in Love.
'Guess I gotta increase the pressure!' Jaden thought before focusing on her puppy dog eyes power. She lifted her head a bit more, stuck her bottom lip out more, and widen her shining eyes brimming with tears.
Yet, Sparkman and Ocean still weren't affected.
'Damnit! PUPPY DOG EYES FULL POWER!' Jaden crams her eyes as much as she could, squeezing out tears as she sniffled and quivered her lower lips, looking like a helpless puppy abandoned in the middle of a rainy day.
Much to her shock, Sparkman and Ocean still didn't react.
'IT'S NOT WORKING! THE PUPPY DOG EYES ALWAYS WORKS! WHY ISN'T IT WORKING?!' thought Jaden, shocked with her jaw dropped.
Unknown to her, Syrus and the others saw her attempts and immediantly fallen for her. Syrus and Chumley sniffled and their protective instincts wanted to rush over and hug poor, crying Jaden. Although they knew Jaden was faking the tears, both Alexis and Zane felt at least some sympathy and pity for Jaden and even thought she was a little cute.
"Alright, my move!" said Jaden, drawing her card before checking out her hand. "Huh...I wonder what I should do. What did I just draw? Polymerization? Maybe I can use that!"
"Kuri!" Winged Kuriboh shook his head, poking his small paw over at her hand.
"No, you're right! I've got nothing to fuse! De-Fusion? No, there's no Fusion Monsters on my field!"
"Kurrri!"
"What? What do you think, Kuriboh?"
"Kuri!"
"Well, I just drew Polymerization. Do you want me to use Polymerization?"
"Kuri!"
"I don't...really know what you're telling me. What do you want me to do?"
"Kuri!"
"You mean this card?"
"Kuri!"
"I can use this card-"
"Kuri!"
"I don't know what you mean."
"Kurrriii!"
"I really kinda-I don't-!"
"Kurri!"
"I don't-I don't know-!"
"Kurrri!"
"Look, Kuri-! I don't know-! I wanna play this-this one?"
"Kuri!"
"That one?"
"Kuri!"
"Dude, I just wanna-"
"Kuri!"
"I don't know-"
"Kuri!"
"I-I'm just trying-! This one?"
"Kuri!"
"That one?"
"Kuri!"
"I just-!"
"KURI!"
"OKAY, STOP!" snapped Jaden, frustrated enough as it is. "This is just getting-*GASP* WAIT! WAIT!"
Examining her cards closely, Jaden began to read the effects of each and every one. Yes, yes! It was going to work so perfectly! With this right combo and here and there, she knew that the card she chose wouldn't fail! Yes, it would help her achieve victory and retrieve both Ocean and Sparkman back! Yes, the card she's chosen is...
"BLADEDGE!"
"KURRRRRIIII!"
"Ow! Ow! Ow! Okay, Okay! I was just joking!" pouted Jaden as Winged Kuriboh tugged angrily at her hair. "I summon Elemental Hero Burstinatrix!"
The female Elemental Hero of fire emerged with a fiery aura surrounding her both literally and metaphorically.
Elemental Hero Burstinatrix - (FIRE/Warrior) - LV3 - (1200/800)
"Burstinatrix, set those two straight!" ordered Jaden. "I even tried the ultimate puppy dog eyes trick, but it didn't work!"
If Jaden truly had done so, then this was serious for Burstinatrix as she intensified her angry glare at her two Elemental Hero comrades, who were taken aback by her fierce anger.
"B-Burstinatrix!" cried out Ocean. Even though he was a WATER-type himself, even he himself couldn't douse out a woman's anger, much less Burstinatrix's! Besides, she was one of the female types that nobody normally would mess with!
"I know what you're thinking," spoke up Sparkman, trying to defend himself. "And I know this looks bad, but-"
"Save it! You two are pathetic, especially you, Ocean!" snapped Burstinatrix as her anger increased tenfold.
"W-we're in for it, now!" said Sparkman as he and Ocean stepped back.
"Well, at least I got to experience love for a short while," muttered Ocean, trying to cheer himself up.
Amazed and somewhat frighten by the rare display of anger Burstinatrix showed in front of her, Jaden gaped at her. "Whoa, you go, Burstinatrix! And now, I activate Burst Return! As long as I have Burstinatrix on my field, all other Elemental Heroes return to my hand!"
The Maiden Counters shaped as hearts that were implanted on both Ocean and Sparkman's chests popped, snapping the two of them out of it as they remembered that they had done.
"What have I done? I can't believe I was infatuated by love!" cringed Ocean, gripping the sides of his head as he felt ashamed of himself.
"My date's never going to forgive me if she learns what happened tonight!" cried out Sparkman, reacting the same way Ocean did.
Both male Elemental Heroes turned to each other and came to a mutual agreement. "Guy pact: This didn't happen, okay?"
"How about you two get over here right now or I'll tell the entire deck?!" threatened Burstinatrix, losing her patience. Without a second thought, both Ocean and Sparkman obeyed the fire Elemental Hero's command and turned back into cards before returning to Jaden's hand.
"Alright, and now that I've got my heroes back, I can now wage a counterattack!" said Jaden, holding up her two Monsters that were previously taken under control by Maiden in Love. "I activate Polymerization and fuse together Avian and Burstinatrix to create Elemental Hero Flame Wingman!"
Avian glanced at Burstinatrix, wondering why she was pissed off. Before he could ask, Burstinatrix shot him a glare that made him wish he could sew his mouth, thus forcing him to forget what was happening as they fused together.
Elemental Hero Flame Wingman - (WIND/Warrior/Fusion) - LV6 - (2100/1200)
"You wouldn't hurt a girl, would you?" asked Blair, being skeptical and hesitant. After all, that thing had more than enough power to take her Life Points out! Sure, Maiden in Love will survive due to her special effect, but she'll still take damage!
"No, of course not!" said Jaden.
"Oh, good! 'Cause that would make you a big d-"
"I burn the living crap out of them!"
"Wait, what-"
Before Blair could understand her words, Flame Wingman shot fire all over Maiden in Love, practically incinerating her to a crisp before she was destroyed. The fire reached all the way to Blair as she cried out from the holographic effects, yet suffering no burns whatsoever. However, the flames felt more hotter than usual; courtesy of a certain fire Elemental Hero.
Blair - 0 LP
Jaden - 400 LP Winner: Jaden
"That's game! Now tell me that secret!" said Jaden, giving Blair her usual finger pose.
Blair, who was on her knees, looked up at her with a defeated expression. "Okay, Jaden. It's only fair. I...I...I'm in love with Zane!"
Jaden blinked. "That's it? ...Oh, hey guys!" Spotting Zane and the others approaching from climbing down the pathways towards the shore, she waved at them.
Turning around, Blair gasped when she saw the group, especially Zane among them! Her first crush was here right there! She could feel her heart beating rapidly as a red blush formed on her cheeks. This was her chance to confess and finally be married to Zane!
Alexis smiled and nudged Zane, reminding him of what they came here to do. Zane had somewhat of a uneased look on his face as he looked into the sparkling, awaiting eyes of the young girl. Sure, he's dealt with fangirls, but this was...a very young one. What did he do to deserve this...?
"Um...Zane? Jaden wasn't the one who intruded in your dorm room. It was me. He was only trying to stop me," confessed Blair shyly. "I've been in love with you ever since we met."
Zane nodded, recalling the first time they met. "At the Nationals."
"Yeah, right after you won the championship! I just couldn't stop thinking about you! I gave up everything just to come and see you! It was then that I made a pledge; that I would do anything to be with you..."
"Awww..." awed Syrus, and Chumley with pink blushes, taking in heart of Blair's honest and lovingly words.
"I remembered that you said that if I trained really, really hard, I could get into Duel Academy like you!" continued Blair. "And I did! So, please accept my feelings!~"
When Blair reached her wide arms out for Zane, as if expecting him to embrace her, Jaden could see a Duel Spirit, Maiden in Love, reacting the same way as if wanting someone to embrace her as well.
Alexis lightly chuckled before stepping forward. "Blair, sweetie...Love doesn't work like that. You can't sneak your way into somebody's heart. Just look what happened to your Maiden. She used tricks to get love, but in the end, she ended up alone and in tears. You can't use Spells or disguises. You have to be honest and upfront with them, just like how you confessed to Zane right now."
"Yeah, right! You just want Zane for yourself!" shouted Blair indignant and jealous. "You're trying to get rid of me!"
Sweatdropping as the short girl was growling at her, Alexis requested, "Zane? A little help, please?"
Deciding to step into the conversation, Zane decided to try and sugar coat his words to the young girl as much as he could. "Blair, as flattered as I am with your feelings, I'm devoted to dueling."
"Dueling?"
Fetching something out of his pocket, Zane handed the same hairclip he found in his room to Blair. "I'm sorry, but it's time for you to go home."
"Wait, why does she have to go home?" demanded Jaden, ready to defend Blair in her need. "She's a great duelist, a student here, and she almost beat me!"
"Jaden, it's much more complicated than you think."
"What could be more complicated than-"
"She's only 11."
"WHAAAAAAATTTTTTT?!" screamed Jaden, Syrus, and Chumley, shocked and showing their reactions in different ways. An Elementary school grader that young attending Duel Academy just to be with a guy several years older than her? Even though Jaden doesn't know much about romance, even she can tell that's wrong!
Blair giggled and stuck her tongue out at the tomboy before copying her finger pose. "That's game, Jaden! Well, Zane might not love me, so I envy you, Jaden. After all, you've got a lovely boyfriend in your hands!"
"But...there's nothing in my hands," spoke up Jaden, turning her palms to prove to Blair that they were empty.
"I mean, you've got a lovely boyfriend to take care of!"
"Uh...who?"
"Syrus!"
"Oh! Yeah! I always take care of him!"
"We're not lovers!" cried out Syrus; his face inflamed with embarrassment. Now?! Seriously, of all times?!
"But...Sy, you and Chumley are both my boyfriends," said Jaden, confused. "You too, Zane."
"Jaden, what are you talking about?" wondered Zane; his arms crossed as Chumley and Syrus's jaws dropped. "We're not boyfriends. I'm not like that."
"Eh? But, you're a boy, and my friend! Naturally, you're my boyfriend!"
Everyone may assume boyfriends and girlfriends are naming terms for lovers, but in Jaden's logic, it just means friends.
"I...am so confused," Blair admitted, speaking up to break the awkward silence transcending the air.
Alexis sighed. "Jaden looks like a boy, but she's really a girl."
"Whoa, what?"
"Which reminds me..." Zane glanced at Syrus and asked, "Syrus, are you and Jaden really-"
"NO! We're just plain, best friends!" said Syrus, shaking his head.
Jaden tilted her head. "But...I thought we were boyfriends-"
"NO."
Shrugging, Jaden turned to both Blair and Alexis. "Guess that makes us girlfriends, then!"
"Jaden...just...don't. We're simply friends," said Alexis as Blair flustered at Jaden refering the two females as such.
"But-"
"Just...friends."
"Oh, alright. Hey, Blair? What was it you were doing in Zane's room?"
"What do you mean?"
"You were definitely doing something with the cards."
"...Look at the time! It's getting late! We should get moving! Jaden, wanna play with those toy plushies?"
"Yay! Let's go!"
"Zane, what's she talking about?"
"...You really don't want to know, Alexis. Trust me."
The next morning...
Once Blair met up with her parents at the port, Jaden and her friends waved and watched as Blair sailed away in the ferry that was to escort her back home. Blair wore a brand new dress and called out to the others as she was waving to them.
"Goodbye! I'll be back as soon as I graduate next year and take the exam in the fall!"
"Haha! You hear that, Zane?" Jaden teased, turning to him.
"Oh, please. I'll be long gone by the time she gets here," replied Zane, who wasn't worried in the slightest. Once the ferry vanished into the long distance of the sea, the others walked away, knowing that they might have a potentially skilled student soon enough.
Done! A couple of Abridged references that might leave you laughing!
The only reason why I didn't include the whole 'I love you, Jaden' thing was because Jaden was a girl in this story. I did consider making a male Blair where he does fall in love with Jaden and is only a huge fanboy of Zane, but I discarded the idea because I thought it might be more fun if Jaden had a couple more female friends.
With that said, read and review and tell me any good ideas for interaction with Jaden's potential lovers!~