Chapter Ten- Year Two

The summer past in a blur of duels, dates, and spending time as a trio when Zane was available. Atticus made sure to call her family over the summer to let them know she was okay and was having fun. She called on the last day to say that Zane was going to have a helicopter take her and Syrus to school the next day.

Syrus and Atticus disembarked from the helicopter and as they left the field, they heard, "Sy! Atticus!" They turned to see Jaden running up to them. He clasped one of Syrus' hands and gave Atticus a hug. "How was your summer? Hope you're ready for the new year."

Atticus giggled at Jaden's enthusiasm. "I missed your upbeat attitude, Jaden. Our summer was great. Zane was made to be a pro duelist."

"You have any dates?" Jaden asked in a teasing tone.

Atticus nodded almost shyly; her female thoughts and actions had grown stronger over the summer and she enjoyed being closer to her new gender. "Yes. They were…romantic."

"Great. Alexis is already here and our room is exactly like we left it, Sy, only it's just you and me."

"That's fine, Ja. Hey, maybe we'll get a freshman roommate tomorrow when the new students arrive."

"Maybe. Oh, I almost forgot! Chancellor Sheppard's not around and Crowler's taking charge."

"Crowler!?" Atticus exclaimed. "He's our chancellor now!?"

"Looks that way and he's got a vice-chancellor too."

Atticus opened the door of her room to see Alexis sitting on her bed, her deck spread across it. She looked up and smiled. "Atti!" she said, hopping off the bed and going to her sister, giving her a big hug which she returned. "I missed you too, Lexi."

"Have you heard about Crowler?" Alexis asked as Atticus closed the door and put her suitcase on the bed.

"Yeah. Syrus and I met Jaden as we left the landing field."

"How's Zane doing?"

"Great. Pro-dueling suits him. He hinted that the two of us could be a pro tag team in addition to single dueling."

"Oh, wow. Is that what you want to do when you graduate?"

"I think so. It sounds cool."

"Speaking of pros, check this out." Alexis flipped open a dueling magazine and tapped a pro profile. Atticus took the magazine and looked at the picture.

"Aster Phoenix," she murmured. Her eyes scanned the profile, widening at the last line. "He's entering this year's freshmen class!" she gasped. "But, but he's the top pro duelist in the world. Why is he attending the Academy?"

"I don't know, but you can bet Crowler will be thrilled to have a famous duelist attending here. He may think it'll made him famous."

Atticus scoffed, "Then he's deluded. Some new chancellor."

Both sisters watched all the freshmen disembark the next day, but none matched Aster's picture. They left for the welcome banquet at Obelisk and discussed what they saw at the docks once in their room.

"Maybe Aster changed his mind," Alexis suggested.

"He could have. Did you see that boy with the bulging muscles?"

"Yeah. I also noticed he was wearing khaki pants that kind of brought thoughts of the army to my mind."

"Maybe a family member is part of the army. Anyway, he definitely looks like someone who's not intimidated."

"I agree and he's apparently in Slifer or Ra as I didn't see him at the banquet."

Classes began the next day and Atticus threw herself into her work, determined to pass this time and advance to third-year with her sister and their friends. It was three days later when she decided to see Jaden and Syrus. She saw them in class, but had been so busy with her work that she didn't really spend time with them. She climbed the stairs, went to the door, and knocked. "Jaden? Syrus?" she called.

The door opened and she took a step back. The muscular boy stood there, wearing a Ra jacket with the sleeves ripped off. A bandana with a dinosaur look to it capped his black short dreadlocks. His olive green eyes lit up at the sight of her and a grin came to his face.

"Hi," he said, sticking out a hand. "Name's Tyranno Hassleberry, but I go by my surname."

"Uh, Atticus Rhodes," she said, taking his hand. "Is Jaden or Syrus around?" Hassleberry nodded and, as Atticus passed by, she noticed he was looking her up and down.

"Hi, Atticus," Syrus greeted.

"Hi. I see you made a new friend." She nodded to Hassleberry.

"And roommate," Jaden added.

Atticus blinked. "Roommate? A bit unusual isn't it?"

"I like Jaden. He's cool and I could learn a lot from him," Hassleberry protested.

"I know that. I've known Jaden and Syrus for months."

"Great. I'd like us to be friends, too. Perhaps, maybe-,"

Atticus put up a hand. "Hassleberry, I accept your friendship, but I already have a boyfriend. Sorry."

"Oh. Well, okay. We'll just be friends." The look in Hassleberry's eyes told Atticus that he liked be friends with a pretty girl like herself. Just wait until he meets my sister, she thought.

Atticus smiled at him in a friendly manner as she left the room. She looked over at the far side of the dorm at the large addition attached to it. She knew that was Chazz's new place; he had previously won a duel to promote him to Obelisk, but Crowler changed the promotion and kept Chazz at Slifer. Chazz then chose to have a lavish place of his own built at the Slifer dorm. I know he was looking forward to returning to Obelisk and then Crowler just had to change that. Poor Chazz.

Atticus rang the office bell and heard, "Enter." The doors opened and she stepped in. "You wished to see me, Chancellor?"

"Yes, Atticus. Please come and have a seat." Crowler gestured to a chair that normally wasn't there. Atticus nodded as she came closer and sat.

Crowler took a moment to look over Atticus' face and upper body, trying to see the boy he had known. It was in vain; the necklace had done a thorough job of transforming Atticus into the young woman before him. Atticus tilted her head in confusion at the silence. "Chancellor?" she prompted.

Crowler cleared his throat. "Ah, yes. I heard rumors last year that you had become Zane's girlfriend."

"That's correct."

"It must be frustrating for you to still be here while he's out in the real world, dueling."

"I don't find it frustrating," Atticus said, a bit surprised. "I'll eventually be out there, dueling as well."

"Of course, my dear. But, tell me: What would you say to fame and fortune without needing to graduate?"

"What do you mean?"

"I would be willing to advertise you and Alexis as dueling pop star sisters."

Atticus blinked. "You want us to sing while we duel?"

"Yes, that's exactly the idea. Plus, matching outfits for the both of you. What do you think?"

Atticus resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the ridiculous idea she just heard. "I respectfully decline the offer. It is tempting, but I would prefer to continue my studies and become a pro duelist. I'm certain that Alexis feels the same way. Plus, I'm a terrible singer. Thanks anyway, Chancellor." Atticus rose and left the office, shaking her head. I had that same crazy idea back when I was a guy and I actually liked the idea. Now, I found it out of the question. And I really am a terrible singer.