OOC Note: The character of Ashitaka Tomoe was created by MunroMae; all creative credit goes to him for the character)

The action was getting fierce in the arena but some students where outside it, including Chloe Richardson and Tyler Kaiba.

They were on their way back from the dorm that she shared with Chelsea with Chelsea's laptop underneath Chloe's right arm, at the moment they were walking away from the dorm and talking amongst themselves.

"Okay, by my watch we should be back at the arena with plenty of time to spare." Tyler commented as he checked his watch. "I'm still surprised that Chelsea didn't grab her laptop before the duel."

"She had PE with me and Marcus right before the duels started, Jeff wouldn't let us leave without getting changed first which didn't give her much time at all to go and grab it." Chloe explained and Tyler nodded as the two of them made their way through the path that connected the center of the island to the area where the Osiris Red dorms where. "Otherwise she would've."

"I suppose I can't blame Jeff in that case." Tyler shrugged as they made their way down the pathway. "I'm not going to chew you out for it but how are you feeling after last night's duel?" Tyler asked and Chloe sighed.

"Like crap to be honest, being chewed out by Theresa didn't help." Chloe responded as she turned to him. "I'd rather just pretend that it didn't happen."

"I can understand that but being in denial about it probably won't help." Tyler answered before noticing someone in Chloe's way. "Chloe look out!" Tyler warned her but it was too late as she bumped into the student sending her on her backside.

"Sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going." Chloe apologized before looking at the student; he was a male, Japanese Ra Yellow student with long black hair in a ponytail wearing traditional Japanese clothing under a first year Ra Yellow blazer.

"No need to apologize miss, I'm just familiarizing myself with the island." The youth responded before helping Chloe back up to her feet. "My name is Ashitaka Tomoe; I joined the academy last weekend."

"I'm Chloe, he's Tyler." Chloe introduced herself as she picked up the laptop. "I get the feeling I'm going to be here all day trying to pronounce that name so do you mind if I call you Ash for short?"

"If you think it will be easier then I won't mind." Ashitaka responded with a respectful nod. "I was looking for the main arena, the tournament duels interest me greatly but I have been unable to find it."

"You're in luck; we were just heading over there." Tyler responded and Ashitaka nodded. "Unfortunately you've already missed the first duel of the day but there's another one being held in a bit."

"Ah, good, I was worried that I had missed them." Ashitaka said with a sigh of relief. "Would you mind showing me the way?"

"Sure." Chloe nodded before Tyler led them to the main building. "So, how are you finding Duel Academy so far Ash?"

"I'm finding my way around okay so far." Ash answered as the three teens made their way down the pathway. "Though the student I was supposed to room with ended up getting sick so Jeff stuck me in one of the spare rooms until further notice." Ash added and Chloe and Tyler shared a look before Chloe turned her attention back to Ash.

"That student wouldn't happen to be Lance Alvers, would it?" Chloe asked and Ash nodded in response. "Yeah, Marcus mentioned that the Ra Yellow students would be getting roommates soon, you should get along with him fine."

"I'm sure I will." Ash responded with a nod before getting a thoughtful look on his face. "Though I do doubt that accuracy of the rumors about how he got the cold in the first place, I mean, dueling at night in nothing but your swimming trunks? Who does that, honestly?" Ash asked and Chloe laughed nervously as a large sweat-drop rolled down her head.

"I was there, trust me the rumors are true." Chloe answered earning a confused look from Ash. "As for how it happened, it's a long story but basically me and some other girls where swimming in the lake near the hot springs and Lance was on the lookout for any perverts that might have been lurking in the bushes." Chloe added and Ash nodded.

"So he ended up fighting a pervert and didn't have time to get changed?" Ash asked and Chloe nodded. "Okay, I guess that makes sense."

"Yeah, it does, don't worry he should be okay by tomorrow." Chloe responded as they entered the building. "And it's definitely a lot easier to explain than the real reason."

"He will find out at some point Chloe." Silent Magician's voice rang out as her transparent form appeared alongside her. "I'm concerned about how the Orichalcos Duelists will follow up their last attack."

"You think they will start targeting other students?" Chloe asked and Silent Magician nodded, Chloe turned her attention back to Ashitaka briefly before turning to Silent Magician. "Well, this guy was good enough to get into Ra Yellow so he should be fine if he's targeted."

"So was Andreas and he ended up having his soul captured." Silent Magician answered and Chloe winced as she thought back to the second duel of the Battle City Semi-Finals.

"Is there something on your mind Chloe?" Ashitaka asked and Chloe looked up before shaking her head.

"Nah, I'm just thinking about some stuff." Chloe shrugged her shoulders as they entered the main building, they led him to the arena and too Chloe's relief the duel hadn't started yet. "If you want too you can sit with us."

"I appreciate the invitation, thank you." Ashitaka responded before following Chloe and Tyler to where the other students were sitting.

"Thanks for getting my laptop Chloe." Chelsea thanked her as Chloe handed it over. "There is a bit of a delay due to one of the students losing their decks but things should be back on track now." Chelsea added before noticing Ashitaka. "Who's he?"

"I am Ashitaka Tomoe; I'm one of the new Ra Yellow students." Ashitaka introduced himself as he took a seat. "I bumped into Chloe here on the way over, literally."

"Me and Tyler where talking on the way over and I wasn't paying attention as a result." Chloe added with a sheepish grin before turning her attention back to the duel field. "How did one of the participants lose their deck anyway? I was under the impression that most duelists kept their decks in their duel disks or deck holders."

"That was just what we were told by Martin over the PA system." Marcus responded as he turned to her. "If you want the specifics ask him, I think the participant will be too embarrassed to go into detail about it."

"I won't blame that duelist one bit if that's the case." Chloe agreed as the four duelists that where competing today stepped into view. "They should be thankful that they're team was on second tonight because I'd hate to be held up by something like that."

"I can't help but agree there." Andreas nodded in agreement as the four duelists stepped onto the arena. "But the match is starting now so let's focus on that."

"I'm sorry for the wait students but the second match is about to begin!" Martin's voice rang out and the crowd cheered. "In this match we will see Grace Cathryn Craig of Obelisk Blue team up with Osiris Red's Staci Griffin to take on Ra Yellow's Vernon Chan and Osiris Red's Charity Hensley, they will have a tough act to follow after that last match but please put it together for the next participants!" Martin added and the crowd cheered. "After this match I'll announce tomorrow's matches as usual but that includes the first second round match!" Martin added and the crowd cheered louder at that news.

"Yeah, there's no pressure on any of us." Staci gulped as she shuffled her deck; she was around Chelsea's height with shoulder length dark brown hair and blue eyes who was clearly a first year student. "Teaming with an Obelisk Blue student is bad enough but after that match? I'll have to bring my A Game to even feel proud of myself." Staci added before hearing her partner clear her throat.

"Then I expect you to back up your words on the duel field." Grace answered back and Staci glanced up, Grace was tall for a woman with black hair that went just past her shoulders and blue eyes. "Talk is cheap after all."

"I know." Staci nodded as the two girls activated their duel disks and drew their opening hands before turning to their opponents. "I hope you guys weren't planning on joining the others in the second round because we have our tickets punched!"

"It's like your partner said Staci, talk is cheap." Vernon answered as he activated his duel disk, being the only male in the match he was easily the tallest duelist and he had short black hair and brown eyes which were behind a pair of small, round glasses. "Back up your words on the duel field and I'll believe it because otherwise I hope the two of you can find comfy seats up in the stands for the rest of the tournament."

"For a guy who says "talk is cheap" you like the sound of your own voice." Charity said as she shook her head, she was the shortest out of the four duelists and had shoulder length blonde hair and blue eyes. "And as for you two, well as far as I'm concerned all you can look forward too is your place in the loser's circle!" Charity added before she activated her duel disk and drew her opening hand, Vernon did likewise and the two teens grinned. "So, what order will we go in?"

"I think I should go first followed by Charity, then Grace and finally Vernon." Staci offered and once the other three duelists nodded she drew her first card. "Okay, not bad so far but I've definitely had a better opening hand." Staci thought before picking up two cards. "I set two cards facedown…" Staci said as the two facedown cards appeared on the field. "And one monster in defense mode in order to end my turn now let's see how you handle that." Staci announced and once the third card appeared on the field Charity drew her card.

"You want to know how I can handle that huh? I'll show you!" Charity answered before looking at the card she had drawn. "If Heavy Storm was still legal I'd happily use it to wipe out Staci's facedown cards but it isn't and I can't, doesn't mean I don't have a move that I can't make." Charity thought before playing the card. "I set a monster in defense mode and a card facedown." Charity announced as the two facedown cards appeared on the field. "And I end my turn at that."

"Everyone seems to be playing defensively so far." Grace thought as she drew her card. "Off course that could mean any number of things, setting up a future strategy or simply not having a good hand." Grace thought before she looked at her drawn card. "Excellent, I have everything I need!" Grace thought before playing a card. "I summon Garoth, Lightsworn Warrior to the field!" Grace played the card and the tanned man with blue hair appeared on the field wearing his armor and wielding his weapon (4/1850/1300). "I set one card facedown and end my turn." Grace set the card and Vernon drew his card.

"Oh great, another Lightworn deck," Chloe said with a shudder. "I still remember Brandon's match in New York against that deck."

"That was a really close duel." Brandon agreed with a nod. "If I hadn't have drawn Leeching the Light when I did…." Brandon added before shuddering. "I'd rather not think about it."

"You're that scared of an archetype?" Ashitaka asked with a raised eyebrow and Brandon frowned before shaking his head.

"It's a long story." Brandon said and Ashitaka nodded before turning his attention back to the duel, Brandon leaned over and whispered in Chloe's ear. "You didn't tell him about the Orichalcos?"

"I didn't want to scare the new guy." Chloe responded with a frown as she turned to him. "Besides your duel against Goldsmith was after the tournament was over so even if he was following it I doubt he knows about that duel or the Orichalcos."

"Good point." Brandon admitted with a nod before frowning. "Still I think you'd better keep an eye on him just encase." Brandon added and Chloe nodded in response as they turned their attention back to the duel.

"Two defense monsters and a Lightsworn monster, if I had anything that could attack over Garoth right now I'd happily summon it." Vernon thought as he looked over his hand. "But that doesn't mean there's nothing I can do." Vernon thought before making his move. "I set two cards facedown and a monster in defense mode to end my turn." Vernon announced and once the three cards appeared on the field Staci drew her card.

"So far Grace has been the only one to go on the offensive." Staci thought as she glanced up at Garoth. "I don't see why not, her monster's fairly strong, but if I had something that I could use alongside it that would be great." Staci thought before looking at her drawn card and grinning. "Perfect!" Staci thought before sending her set monster to the graveyard. "I sacrifice my facedown monster to summon Morbius, the Frost Monarch!" Staci played the card and another monarch appeared on the field, this one was made of ice complete with an icy crown and a long cape (6/2400/1000). "And your facedown cards are about to get a severe case of frostbite, when Morbius is tribute summoned…."

"You get to destroy up to two facedown Spell/Trap cards we control, we aren't ammeters Staci, and we know how the monarchs work." Vernon interrupted her as his trap card flipped up. "And besides that your monster's effect won't work plain and simple, I activate Skill Drain!" Vernon played the card and Staci's eyes widened as Morbius doubled over in pain before he could use his effect. "It may cost me a thousand life-points." Vernon added as his life-points dropped to seven thousand. "But it prevents neither of us using any monster effects on the field."

"And just encase either of you have something like Mystical Space Typhoon or that flip effect Lightsworn monster, I have this!" Charity chimed in as her facedown card flipped up. "Imperial Custom, to get to Skill Drain or any other continuous trap cards you will have to get through this."

"You may have stopped Morbius's effect but he can still attack!" Staci responded as she pointed to Vernon's facedown monster. "Morbius put that monster on ice!" Staci commanded and the frost monarch launched a ball of ice at the monster, revealed to be Prevent Rat (4/500/2000) which was quickly destroyed. "You run a normal monster skill drain deck? I wasn't aware that such a thing existed."

"It's my own unique creation and considering that it put me in Ra Yellow when I applied for this school, well I'd say that it's served me well." Vernon responded as he sent his monster to the graveyard. "And as the duel goes on you'll see why!"

"We'll see about that, for now I'll end my turn." Staci announced and Charity drew her card.

"I'm going to warn you in advance." Charity said as she added the card she drew to her hand. "If you think I'm dumb enough to destroy Imperial Custom with something like Magic Planter like Kyle Winston did last week then don't."

"I always say that those who don't remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Vernon added with a smirk as he pushed his glasses up his nose. "But please, continue with your move!"

"Gladly, I summon Vorse Raider!" Charity played the card and the hideous; halberd wielding beast warrior appeared on the field (4/1900/1200). "He may not be strong enough to attack over that monarch but Garoth on the other hand….." Charity trailed off as Vorse Raider charged towards the Lightsworn monster…..

"Skill Drain may monster negate effects but not traps! I activate my Trap Card Lightsworn Barrier!" Grace said before sending the top two cards from her deck to the graveyard. "By doing that I negate Vorse Raider's attack but there's more!" Grace added as Wulf, Lightsworn Beast appeared on the field. "He happened to be one of the cards I milled and since Skill Drain doesn't affect the graveyard…."

"Very clever, and I notice that Lightsworn Barrier is a Continuous Trap Card as well." Vernon said with a frown. "And since Imperial Custom affects all Continuous Trap Cards on the field you're effectively using our own strategy against us."

"Not quite what I had in mind when I set this card but I'll take it." Grace admitted with a nod before turning to Charity. "Anything else you can do?" Grace asked and Chastity looked over her hand.

"I set one card facedown." Charity announced the facedown card appeared on the field. "Go ahead and take your turn." Charity told her and Grace nodded before drawing her card.

"My best chance is to destroy Vorse Raider with Wulf then go for a direct attack with Garoth." Grace thought as she added her drawn card to her hand. "That facedown card may be a problem in that regard but if I can draw first blood we'll be in a good spot." Grace thought before looking at the card she had drawn. "Hello…." Grace thought with a grin before picking it up. "You may not be dumb enough to destroy Imperial Custom Charity but what you are dumb enough to do is to activate it without giving it any protection."

"Yeah but so what, I mean it's not like a Lightsworn deck has many destruction cards besides Ryko!" Charity responded with a grin which quickly disappeared as Imperial Custom was swallowed up by Trap Eater (4/1900/1600). "Since when do Lightsworn decks have THAT?!"

"Mine does, it's like your partner said, it's my own original version of a Lightsworn deck." Grace responded with a grin as she played another card. "And don't think Skill Drain's safe either, I have more than one copy of Trap Eater in my deck and whilst I don't have such a monster in my hand at the moment I do have this monster, for my Normal Summon I shall bring out Lumina, Lightsworn Summoner!" Grace played the card and a new monster appeared on the field, it was a young girl with short blonde hair who was wearing a white and gold dress (3/1000/1000).

"You had my worried for a moment there." Vernon scoffed as he folded his arms. "But I know Lumina's effect and how you could summon another copy of her at the cost of one card from your hand thus allowing you to go for a Rank Three XYZ monster that is if it weren't for my Skill Drain." Vernon added with a cocky smirk. "Even without Imperial Custom my Skill Drain still hinders you."

"It would, if I was going for an XYZ Summon." Grace answered and Vernon's grin disappeared. "Skill Drain may negate effects but there's one thing it can't negate, the fact that Trap Eater's a Tuner monster!" Grace added as Trap Eater and Lumina leapt into the air, Trap Eater dissolved into four Synchro Rings that quickly surrounded Lumina. "So, I tune Trap Eater with Lumina to Synchro Summon Michael, Lightsworn Lord!"

"There aren't any Lightsworn Synchro Monsters!" Vernon pointed out as the bright flash enveloped the field, once it faded a new monster appeared on the field, it was a large, white dragon like the one from Neverending Story but the main feature was on top of the dragon as it was being ridden by a man in gold armor with shoulder length blonde hair and a pair of golden wings (7/2600/2000). "Okay, I stand corrected."

"I'm not surprised that you've never heard of Michael as the Lightsworn Synchros where only just released." Grace said with a smirk as the dragon touched down on the field. "And yes, that plural was intentional, there's more than one of these things in circulation."

"Well, if he has an effect you can't use it." Vernon countered as he pointed to Skill Drain. "Or did you forget about this already?"

"I didn't, but even without his effect he's still useful as a 2600 attack point beatstick, Michael, attack Vernon's life-points directly!" Grace commanded and the dragon breathed fire at Vernon….

"I was saving this but I'll make do, I activate my Trap Card Birthright!" Vernon activated the trap before retrieving Protect Rat from his graveyard. "As the duelists in the last duel demonstrated this is a useful card to have in a Gemini Deck but it's also useful in mine! I use my trap to Special Summon Prevent Rat in attack mode!" Vernon announced as the monster returned to the field.

"I've seen some dumb moves in my time but that? That's pretty much suicidal!" Grace scoffed as she pointed to Protect Rat. "Michael, your new target is that rat!" Grace commanded and the dragon prepared its breath attack….

"And I was saving this for when you attacked Vorse Raider with Wulf but now's as good a time as any." Charity said as her trap card flipped up. "I activate Justi-Break! Since you just targeted a face-up attack position Normal Monster for an attack this trap card destroys all monsters on the field that aren't Normal, attack position monsters!" Charity announced and her opponents' eyes widened as Morbius, Michael, Wulf and Garoth shattered. "And it gets worse; your trap card is now useless since you've used up your Normal Summon for this turn."

"So it is." Grace said as she played another card. "I activate Magic Planter! I destroy Lightsworn Barrier….." Grace trailed off as her trap card shattered. "And I get two draws in return." Grace added before drawing twice. "Then I'll set two cards facedown….." Grace trailed off as her two drawn cards appeared on the field. "And end my turn."

"And you mocked me for my deck choice!" Vernon scoffed as he drew his card. "Well, I'll play a drawing spell of my own, White Elephant's Gift! Prevent Rat goes back to the graveyard….." Vernon trailed off as the rat disappeared from the field. "And I get to draw two cards as well!" Vernon added before drawing twice, once he saw his drawn cards he grinned. "Now I activate Swing of Memories to bring back Prevent Rat." Vernon played the card and Prevent Rat returned to the field again. "And now I sacrifice it to summon Cyber-Tech Alligator!" Vernon played the card and Prevent Rat disappeared from the field, in its place stood a large alligator wearing red armor with metal claws (5/2500/1600). "Cyber-Tech Alligator, attack Grace's life-points directly!" Vernon commanded and the alligator charged towards Grace before slashing her with his claws bringing her life-points down to 5500.

"If you want to use Vorse Raider for a follow up attack, I won't stop you." Chastity added and Vernon nodded.

"I will, but not on Grace." Vernon responded before pointing to Staci. "Vorse Raider, attack her life-points directly!" Vernon commanded and the beast warrior charged towards Staci before slashing her with his halberd bringing her life-points down to 6100. "Next I move to my second main phase and I'll activate my own Magic Planter! I'll use to destroy my now inert Birthright!" Vernon played the card and once his trap card shattered he drew two more cards. "I set this…." Vernon said as another facedown card appeared on the field. "And I end my turn.

"But not before I activate my own trap!" Grace said as her trap card flipped up revealing Shock Draw, she quickly drew two cards and Staci drew her card once Shock Draw was in the graveyard.

"Okay, this is bad." Staci thought as she added her drawn card to her hand and shuffled it around. "Their decks are unconventional to say the least but they actually make it work leaving me and Grace with little that we can do except hope that we draw something that can attack over their monsters." Staci thought before looking at her drawn card and playing it. "I activate Instant Fusion! I play one thousand life-points…" Staci trailed off as her life-points dropped to 5100. "And in exchange I get to Special Summon one Level Five or lower Fusion monster from my extra deck."

"And how exactly will that help you?" Vernon asked as Staci retrieved her monster from her extra deck. "Even if you summoned something life Reaper on the Nightmare you wouldn't be able to use its effect!"

"Who said I was summoning a monster for its effect?" Staci asked before playing the card. "I use Instant Fusion to summon Dragoness, The Wicked Knight!" Staci played the card and a new monster appeared on the field, it was a female warrior wearing yellow and green armor, a helmet that covered her hair and eyes, had wings and was wielding twin curved swords (3/1200/900). "Dragoness doesn't have an effect for Skill Drain to negate."

"And she has an absolutely laughable attack score for a fusion monster." Vernon pointed out with a laugh. "Unless you're planning an XYZ summon with that thing I don't see the point."

"I'll show you the point, I tribute Dragoness to summon another monarch!" Staci announced as she played the card and Dragoness disappeared from the field, in her place stood a monster that they didn't take long to recognize as Caius, the Shadow Monarch (6/2400/1000).

"I'd be worried if you could use that thing's effect." Vernon said as Caius went to use its effect. "But as we both know he can't!"

"Actually he can, I chain my remaining facedown card to Caius's effect, go Trap Stun!" Grace activated the trap and Vernon's eyes widened as Skill Drain got consumed by electricity alongside his facedown cards. "Not the most ideal solution but with those traps negated for the rest of the turn Staci is free to use Caius's effect!"

"That's right and I use it on Cyber-Tech Alligator!" Staci added as Caius launched its shadow ball at the alligator banishing it. "I may have been able to do more damage by banishing Vorse Raider but considering that you could've easily destroyed my monster with that card I was not about to take that chance!"

"Trust me; you'll pay for that on my next turn!" Vernon scowled as he pocketed Cyber-Tech Alligator and braced himself.

"I'll send you an IOU card, now Caius! Attack his life-points directly!" Staci commanded and the monarch launched another ball of dark energy at Vernon bringing his life-points down to 4600. "You can consider that revenge for those direct attacks you did last turn, but for now I'll end my turn with a facedown card." Staci announced and Chastity drew her card.

"They may have the lead over Vernon but not me." Charity thought as she looked at her drawn card. "Besides, using Trap Stun so that they could use Caius's effect was clever but Trap Stun's effect wore off the moment she ended her turn and with Skill Drain on the field her monster's nothing but a 2400 beatstick." Charity thought before looking at her drawn card. "Correction, make that dead meat!" Charity thought before playing the card. "I sacrifice my facedown monster to summon….well; it worked well for my partner so why differ?" Charity asked as a second Cyber-Tech Alligator appeared on the field. "Now Cyber-Tech Alligator, attack Caius!" Charity commanded and the alligator charged towards Caius before slashing him with his claws bringing Staci's life-points down to 5000. "Now it's your turn Vorse Raider!" Chastity commanded and the beast warrior charged in before slashing her with the halberd bringing her life-points down to 3100. "You'd better hope that your partner drew something good with Shock Draw because otherwise you'll be out of the duel after Vernon's done, I end my turn." Charity announced and Grace drew her card.

"Fortunately for us I did draw something good with Shock Draw." Grace thought as she looked at one of the cards in her hand. "Granted, it's not MST, Royal Decree or Trap Eater good but it's still good." Grace thought before picking up the card. "I set this facedown and end my turn." Grace set the card and Vernon grinned before drawing his card. "I'd better hope that he hasn't drawn his own MST because otherwise I'll be joining my fellow Obelisk Blue students in the loser's circle."

"Hmmm, MST, with this I could destroy Grace's facedown card and secure is our spot in the next round." Vernon thought as he looked at the card he had drawn. "Ah, who needs it? That facedown card is probably a bluff!" Vernon decided before turning to Charity. "I need your monsters and I think you know why."

"Go for it." Charity responded with a nod and Vernon grinned as the two monsters made their way over to his side of the field. "The sooner you can secure our spot in the second round the better!"

"Then I won't waste any time, Cyber-Tech Alligator, Vorse Raider, eliminate Staci!" Vernon commanded and the two monsters charged towards her before hitting their attacks. "One down, one too…."

"Vernon, Grace activated a trap." Charity cut him off and Vernon stopped himself short before looking up. "And you've just fucked up big time!"

"Rainbow Life…." Vernon trailed off as he stared at the card in disbelief.

"That's right and besides the swearing I couldn't have put it better myself." Grace responded as she pointed to her trap in question. "Rainbow Life here requires me to discard a card from my hand but in exchange the damage that she would've taken instead gets added to her life-points." Grace explained as Staci's life-points increased to 7500. "I was lucky that you didn't draw MST when you did." Grace added and Vernon started sweating bullets.

"Err, yeah, about that….." Vernon trailed off before quickly playing MST and using it to destroy Staci's facedown card. "I had MST in my hand since the start of the turn." Vernon added and Charity quickly glared at him. "How mad would you be if I said that the only reason I didn't use it right away was because I thought that facedown card was a bluff?"

"I would be very, very, very, VERY mad." Charity said as she glared at him. "I'm not even using my regular deck for this duel because you assured me that this deck was better for teaming with you and you go and pull that crap?!"

"Now, now, let's not jump to conclusions." Vernon said with a nervous laugh. "Besides if I was right then you would've eliminated her!"

"Ugh, no wonder you lost your deck before the duel started." Charity said as she pinched the bridge of her nose in annoyance and Vernon blushed furiously.

"I thought we agreed never to speak about that in public!" Vernon said as he blushed like a madman.

"Wait, that was you?!" Staci asked with an amused look on her face and Vernon nodded reluctantly. "Just out of curiosity, where did you find it in the end?" Staci asked and Vernon somehow managed to blush a deeper shade of red.

"Err, well, it's not my place to say really…." Vernon said as the three women gave him amused looks. "I….I spent the night in my girlfriend's dorm room last night and I….." Vernon trailed off before sighing. "I found it amongst her sex toys." Vernon admitted and it was exactly five seconds before the rest of the stadium had face-faulted.

"…..what….." Charity, who was now more amused and shocked than angry, trailed off as she stared at him. "What was it doing in there…..you know what? Forget it! I actually want to eat dinner later!"

"I'm still not so sure myself; the last thing I remember is drinking some alcohol that she had snuck into her dorm room." Vernon admitted before shaking his head. "How about we get this duel back on track before I dig myself all the way to China?"

"It's too late for that." Staci muttered under her breath as Vernon looked over his hand.

"I set one monster in defense mode to end my turn." Vernon said quickly and Staci drew her card.

"…..did that conversation really just happen?" Chloe said after a few minutes as a massive sweat-drop rolled down her head. "I mean, that's pretty much the one sentence I was told never to expect from a duelist when my dad was teaching me the basics."

"Err, yeah, if I where you I'd call him later on and tell him that a duelist actually said that." Chelsea said as she got to her feet. "And yeah, that sentence really did happen and now you know why I leave my duel disk in our dorm room whenever I pop over to Beth's for the night."

"At least you have more common sense than Vernon." Brandon chimed in before it hit him. "Wait, why where you and your dad talking about stuff like that whilst you where training?" Brandon asked and now it was Chloe's turn to blush like a madwoman.

"Look, I was sixteen when he first started training me and by that point he had taught me about the birds and the bees whilst warning me about the dangers of teen pregnancy." Chloe answered as she tried her best to hide her embarrassment. "We somehow ended up talking about sentences a duelist would never say, stuff like "The Unhappy Maiden has destroyed the Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon" you get the drill, dad came up with that one and we pretty much agreed to end the conversation there because there was no way it could be topped."

"That sounds like a fun conversation to be a fly on the wall for." Theresa said with a slight laugh before turning her attention to the duel. "How about we just focus on this for now?" Theresa suggested and the other, equally embarrassed, students nodded before turning their attention to the duel.

"Well, I'm ready to pretend that never happened." Staci thought as she shook her head. "And I'm guessing that they are as well." Staci thought before looking at her card and setting it alongside a monster. "That ends my turn."

"Out of all the students I get paired up with in Duel Academy it had to be him…." Charity thought as she shook her head. "I'd gladly trade partners with Cameron Matthews right now if I could!" Charity thought before looking at her drawn card. "I may as well start on bringing your life-points back down to size! Vorse Raider, attack her defense monster!" Charity commanded and the beast warrior charged towards the monster, revealed to be Dandilion (3/300/300) which was quickly destroyed.

"Dandylion's effect activates in the graveyard meaning I get two Dandylion Tokens!" Staci announced as two spores appeared on the field (1/0/0) in defense mode.

"Fine, Cyber-Tech Alligator, attack the token on the right!" Charity commanded and the alligator charged towards the token before destroying it with his claws. "That ends my turn." Charity announced and Grace drew her card.

"Well…..that happened….." Grace trailed off as she looked at the cards in her hand. "Poor kid, he won't be able to live this incident down for the rest of his time at Duel Academy!" Grace thought with a sigh before playing a card. "I activate Charge of the Light Brigade! I may not be able to use my Lightsworn monster's effects but I can still use this." Grace announced before drawing twice and milling three cards. "And what luck, I just milled my two remaining Lightsworn Beasts." Grace announced as two copies of Wulf appeared on the field.

"Fine, they'll make for good target practice." Vernon scoffed and Grace shook her head.

"Not what I had in mind!" Grace announced as the Overlay Network opened up. "I'm using my Lightsworn Beasts to construct an Overlay Network and XYZ Summon Costellor Omega!" Grace played the card and the two beasts where sucked into the Overlay Network, from it emerged a tall humanoid figure that was muscular and had white and gold armor, it's face was covered by a mask and it had golden wings (Rank: 4/2400/500). "I'm going to tell you right now, as soon as I activate my monster's effect he won't be able to be affected by Spells or Traps for the rest of the turn."

"Did you forget already?" Vernon scoffed as he pointed to Skill Drain. "As long as this is on the field no effects can be activated!"

"I didn't forget because that card won't be on the field for much longer!" Grace said as she played a card. "Fittingly it's the same card that you forgot to play Vernon!"

"Oh no…." Vernon trailed off as Mystical Space Typhoon appeared on the field and shattered Skill Drain. "I have more than one copy of that trap!"

"And unless your facedown cards are more copies of it I don't see it activating any time soon." Grace added as she sent one of the beasts to the graveyard. "Now I use Omega's effect!"

"Well, so much for my Birthright/Justi-Break combo!" Vernon thought as he braced himself.

"For my normal summon I bring out another Garoth!" Grace played the card and the warrior returned to the field, Grace pointed at Vernon's facedown monster and he charged at it before slicing the monster, revealed to be another Vorse Raider, in two. "Costellor Omega, attack his life-points!" Grace commanded as the fairly launched a beam of light at Vernon bringing his life-points down to 2200. "It seems you're in the same spot that Staci was in a couple of turns back."

"Except we only need one direct attack to finish you off." Staci added with a massive grin as Vernon got back to his feet.

"I end my turn at that." Grace announced and Vernon quickly drew his card.

"I activate the Spell Card Spellbook inside the Pot!" Vernon played the card and all four duelists drew three cards, Vernon grinned when he saw his before sending his Spell Card to the graveyard. "Now I'll play another Spell Card, Taking the Bait." Vernon played the card which depicted Dark Scorpion – Chick the Yellow and Cliff the Trap Remover cracking into a safe not realizing that the police were behind them and had already captured the other Dark Scorpions. "This costs me a thousand life-points." Vernon continued as his life-points dropped to 1200. "But I can take one trap card from my graveyard and add it to my hand." Vernon added before taking Skill Drain and adding it to his hand.

"You realize that if you activate that trap card you'll be in worse shape than you where before, right?" Grace asked and Vernon nodded before playing another card.

"It's a price that I'm willing to pay, I activate Trap Booster! All I need to do is discard one card from my hand…." Vernon trailed off as he sent a monster to the graveyard. "And I can activate one Trap Card from my hand and I think you both know my intended target!" Vernon added before playing the card and sure enough Skill Drain appeared on the field as his life-points dropped to 200. "Next I activate Birthright and I use it to bring back the monster I just discarded for Trap Booster!"

"It must be a good one if you're willing to put your life-points in the red." Grace commented as Vernon played the card.

"Not only is it a good one but it's my best monster!" Vernon announced as the monster appeared on the field, simply put it was a hulking behemoth of a man with blue skin, one, Cyclops like eye and long red hair, strapped to his back was a sack containing numerous golden items and the straps where gold as well as having spikes on them (7/2750/2500). "Say hello to Sengenjin!"

"That monster's strong but I've seen stronger." Grace commented with a grin as she stared down the monster. "Besides, he won't do that much damage when he attacks Omega."

"Who said that was the target? Last I checked Staci still had a token left and I have two cards that are really going to put the hurting on her!" Vernon responded before played the cards. "First up is Megamorph! As you said my life-points are in the red but as a result this will double Sengenjin's attack score!" Vernon responded as Sengenjin's attack score shot up to 5500. "As for the other card well it is a little Spell Card called Big Bang Shot!"

"Oh crap….." Staci trailed off as the monster's attack score shot up to 5900. "Grace, if he summons another monster I'm out of the duel!"

"I know that Staci!" Grace responded before looking over her hand. "Damn, not a single copy of Mystical Space Typhoon!"

"And you're out of the duel! I summon La Jinn, the Mystical Genie of the Lamp!" Vernon played the card and a lamp appeared on the field, seconds later a green muscular genie emerged from it with a Fu Manchu beard and black hair tied into a ponytail (4/1800/1000). "Charity, I require the usage of Vorse Raider!"

"He's all yours." Charity responded as her monster walked over to his side of the field. "But if we do win this duel, do me a favor and leave your deck in your dorm room the next time you visit your girlfriend!"

"I am never going to live that down, am I?" Vernon asked and the three girls shook their heads simultaneously, Vernon sighed before pointing at Staci. "Knock her out of the duel guys!" Vernon commanded and the monsters charged towards Staci before hitting their attacks bringing her life-points down to zero. "I end my turn which in turn turns things over to Charity; feel free to use my monsters."

"As long as I don't have to touch them I'm not complaining." Charity sighed as she drew her card and Vernon's monsters walked over to her side of the field; it was then that she realized something. "Vernon, you are an idiot!"

"What did I do now?" Vernon asked before it hit him. "Your life-points where untouched throughout the duel!"

"And now Megamorph's side effect kicks in." Charity nodded as Sengenjin's attack points plummeted to 1775; Charity looked at her drawn card and sighed. "You're lucky I drew this when I did." Charity added as she activated Emergency Provisions, Vernon quickly got the idea before sending Megamorph to the graveyard and boosting their respective life-points up to 1200 and 9000 respectively whilst boosting Sengenjin's attack score up to 3150. "Sengenjin, attack Costellor Omega!" Charity commanded and the monster charged towards the XYZ Monster before smashing it with his hammer bringing Grace's life-points down to 4750. "Vorse Raider, attack Garoth, Cyber Tech, La Jinn, attack her life-points." Chastity commanded and the three monsters launched their attacks bringing Grace's life-points down to 400. "Technically it's your turn now but with your life-points as low as they are I wouldn't blame you for surrendering." Charity announced and Grace drew her card.

"Mystical Space Typhoon, funny how I draw this after it would've proved useful." Grace thought as she shook her head and surrendered. "Never thought I'd surrender to a Normal Monster deck but you've earned this win! Good luck in the next round."

"Here are your winners, Vernon Chan and Charity Hensley!" Martin announced and the crowd cheered. "The tournament will continue tomorrow but after the first match the second round will commence starting with a duel that's sure to bring the house down! In the first match Osiris Red's Omar Boyle will team up with Ra Yellow's Shon Robinson to take on Lemeul Hicks and Kenny Maynard but in the first second round match we will see the perpetual underdog team from Osiris Red, Chloe Richardson and Chelsea Cunningham…."

"Oh….." Chloe trailed off as it hit her.

"Take on Ra Yellow's Andreas Freshier and Obelisk Blue's Damien Tarnow!" Martin announced as the crowd cheered, all except one section.

"Shit….." Chelsea finished for her as her eyes widened. "Chloe, will you be ready for that match? Please, say yes?"

"It hasn't been long enough since my last duel." Chloe said with a nervous gulp. "This is bad…."

"And at this point it is most likely too late for the day's to be switched again." Andreas chimed in with a frown. "Well Chloe, your one duelist that I've never had the pleasure of facing and I do wish that it was under better circumstances but it seems our match is set in stone."

"I'll try to be ready for the match by tomorrow; maybe I'll have some practice duels against Chelsea." Chloe said as she rubbed the back of her head nervously. "If I can then I look forward to a great match." Chloe added before noticing that Ashitaka had left. "Anyone see where Ash went?"

"I think he left after the duels where announced." Theresa answered as she looked around for the Ra Yellow student. "I'm sure he can look after himself but maybe you and Chelsea should keep an eye on him encase he is targeted." Theresa added and the two girls nodded before leaving.

*meanwhile*

"Victor, ironically it was Chloe that identified my target for me." The female figure said with a smirk as she looked at Ash's profile. "Ashitaka Tomoe, seventeen year's old, five foot nine one hundred and forty nine pounds, even runs a variant of Tanner's deck." She added with a grin. "I can take that kid easily."

"I have the profile in front of me and I agree he seems like an ideal first target." Victor responded and she grinned. "Isolate him, challenge him and capture his soul."

"Understood, I'll be back before dinner, US Time." The figure added before walking off.