Episode(s): 53

"Wow. Jaden doesn't waste any time, does he?" said Rose as she and Chazz walked up to Miss Dorothy and Syrus, whom were watching Jaden duel a freshman down by the beach. The boy wore a white suit and had white hair, from what they could see.

"It' figures he challenged a freshman," said Chazz in a mocking voice.

"Actually," started Syrus, "that guy challenged him. He just showed up in our dorm room and was all: 'I'm here to throw down with the best duelist in the Academy and from what I here, that's Jaden Yuki.'

"And that brings us here. Now take a close look, I could swear I've seen that guy before."

"You're right," said Rose, thoughtfully. 'I wonder why?'

"Yeah, he does look familiar," said Chazz in confusion.

"Hey, Chazz, maybe he graduated from that snooty prep school of yours," said Dorothy with a laugh.

"Good call," said Syrus with a smile. "He definitely looks rich enough and stuck-up enough."

"Look, shrimp, he's nothing like me!" said an angry Chazz.

"Ojama Yellow in defense mode!" said the mysterious boy, causing Chazz to fall over and Rose to laugh.

"Ojama? Are you sure?" asked an overconfident Jaden.

"Jaden!" called out Rose, making everyone turn to look at her. "Don't be overconfident! That just makes you an asshole!"

"R-right," said an embarrassed Jaden.

"Told ya we're not alike!" exclaimed Chazz. "That's gotta be one of the dumbest moves I've ever seen! I would never start out with a lame card like that!"

"You'd save the best for last! Right boss, right!" said Ojama Yellow.

"Wrong. Now beat it, pit stain!"

"I love it when you use my pet name!"

"That was disturbing," giggled Rose. Chazz's cheeks turned red. "Anyway, I wonder what else he has in his deck."

"Not much, I bet," said Dorothy as she stroked Pharaoh, causing the others to look at her in confusion.

"Wait. How do you know that?" asked Syrus.

"It's simple. He just assembled that deck this morning from random cards in the campus Card Shop."

"Really?" asked a shocked Rose. 'Why would he build a deck like that? Is he trying to test Jaden?'

"It's true."

"Give me a break! Who duel's with leftover cards?" asked an annoyed Chazz.

"That guy?" said Rose with a raised eyebrow.

As the group watched Jaden duel, Rose couldn't help but lose focus as she thought to herself.

'Something feels off about that boy. I feel like I've seen him before, but I can't remember from where. Not only that, but the facial expression he makes seem off. Like he's trying to hold back. But why would he do that. I don't trust this boy at all.

'Not only that but Jaden needs to stop acting like he's the best. Yes, he may have saved the world, but there will always be people better. No matter what,' thought Rose as she watched.

"Wha'ja do, take lessons from Chazz or something?" asked Jaden, causing Chazz to fall over in shock. Rose laughed at that.

"I'll place this card face down and – huh?" said the boy in shock as a ringing was heard.

"What's the deal?" asked a confused Jaden.

"It's cool. Just my cell phone!" said the boy as he pulled it out and answered it. "It's me. What up? Nah, I'm not busy at all."

"Who whips out a cell phone in the middle of a duel?" asked an angered Chazz. "That's obnoxious!"

"Yeah, no joke. He really is like you, Chazz," said Syrus, causing Chazz to glare at him while Rose held in her laugh. Or, at least, she tried too.

"Thanks for the call!" said the boy as he hung up.

"Alright! Get your phone off and your game on!" said Jaden as he got ready to duel, only for a ringing to cut him off, again. "What now?"

"Sorry, that's me," laughed Rose nervously as she took out her phone and walked away to answer it.

Once she was a good enough distance, she answered.

"Hello?" she asked, confused.

"Rose," said the male voice on the other end. "It's me."

"Oh! Hey Zane! What did you need?"

"I need to warn you of something. I heard from the grape vine that someone has taken a real big interest in Duel Academy. I haven't figured out who or why, but I thought I should let you know now. It could be just a rumor, but after last year, we shouldn't take chances."

"I understand, but why tell me and not the others?" asked a confused Rose.

"Because you're the only one who thinks things through. Jaden would go headfirst, and the others will follow," chuckled Zane.

"That's true!" laughed Rose with a huge smile.

"Anyway, I'll let you know if I hear anything. I have Atticus trying to find out more info as well. Till next time."

"Bye, Zane. And good luck on your matches!" said Rose as she then hung up. She walked back to where she had left everyone, only to see that the duel was over.

"What a duel, huh, guys?" asked Dorothy with a smile. She then looked at Rose with a smirk. "And that new mystery student is quite the looker, don't ya think? Did anyone catch his name?"

"Uh . . . A.P.?" said a confused Syrus.

"So, I guess I'll see ya around, Ap!" said Jaden with a laugh. A.P. walked up the hill and made toward where Jaden's friends were.

Dorothy smiled at him and waved. A.P. smiled back and nodded. He was about to walk away, when he stopped to look at Rose. He stared at her foe a few seconds, then quickly turned his head and walked away. Hiding his slight blush.

"Don't be a stranger, stranger," laughed Dorothy.

"So, what ya guys think about my first duel of the year?" asked Jaden as he came up to his friends. "It was pretty sweet, huh? Well, spill it!"

"You rocked! Way to play, J!" said Syrus, happily.

"Anyone who thinks you're a legend isn't the sharpest tack in the box," said Chazz with annoyance.

"Maybe, but he was kind of cute," said Rose with a giggle. 'Definitely cute.'

"Uh, didn't notice," said Jaden as he scratched at his head, trying to hide his annoyance. 'What makes her think he's cute?'

'How dare that boy take Rose's attention!' thought an annoyed Chazz.

"Anyway," said Jaden as he tried to rain in his annoyance, "I'm sure we haven't seen the last of Ap."

"Hey, wait!" said Syrus, causing the others to look at him. "He said his name was A.P.!"

"Huh?" said the others in confusion as Syrus leaned down to go through his backpack. He pulled out a book and started to flip the pages. Once he got to the page he wanted, he quickly looked through it and stood up.

"I knew it! He's Aster Phoenix!"

"Okay. So, he's got a weird name," said Jaden, not understanding what was so important. 'Jaden Yuki sounds cooler.'

"Jaden, think! Aster Phoenix is the number one duelist in the world league! As in he's a pro!" said Rose in shock. 'Why would he lose to Jaden, then?'

"You're kiddin' me!" said Chazz in shock. "I mean, of course! You didn't know that!?"

"It looks like the pro took a schoolin' from the student," said Jaden with a smile.

"Uh, Jaden," said Dorothy, getting everyone's attention. "I should probably tell you that wasn't Aster's real deck. He put it together this morning."

"He what? You mean . . . I just dueled a guy . . . who was using leftover cards!?" asked Jaden in distress.

"Cheer up!" said Syrus with a closed eye smile.

"At least you won," said Rose.

"That's right, you legend, you," mocked Chazz.

"Oh yeah! You're right!" said Jaden, ignoring Chazz, which annoyed him. "And now I have a rematch to look forward to.

"Hey, Aster! This game is still on!"