"What do you mean, 'you need my help'?" I asked. "What could you possibly need my help for?"
"Leon…do you honestly think we brought Scott here just to duel you?" Sheppard began.
"Well…it would have been a very thoughtful gesture from you guys…" I began. "But…since you're leading on to it, it seems like a very…shrewd idea."
"See…the school's been under a bit of trouble lately." he said, looking out the window. "Leon, have you ever heard of the concept of Duel Energy?"
"Duel Energy?" I asked. "I'm afraid I haven't."
"Duel Energy is the power a duelist uses in a duel." Scott said. "Its origin is uncertain, but there are many factors that influence the growth of Duel Energy within a duelist. Connection to their monsters is paramount, but a hint of fate is a heavy factor…and that's what you're here for."
"…You believe I have fate on my side?" I asked.
"I don't…" Scott said. "But someone who I know very well does."
"All right, this whole thing is confusing." I said. "So…something involving fate has given me this Duel Energy thing you're referring to?"
"Yes." Sheppard replied.
"Then…what?" I asked. "Do you want my Duel Energy?"
"I don't…" Sheppard began. "But there are certain individuals who do."
"…?" I asked, still confused.
"We have been noticing strange behavior among some of the Obelisk Blue students." he said. "We were considering canceling the mid-term assembly and the promotion exams, but at all costs, this situation must remain confidential."
"What situation?" I asked. "What individuals?"
"Of late, certain Obelisk Blue students have gone missing." he said. "Some have began to act strange, and we believe it's because there are forces at work that are attempting to steal Duel Energy."
"Why and how?" I asked. "The concept of stealing something that doesn't have physical form seems strange, and stranger still is the fact that there is a purpose for this."
"But there is." Scott said. "There is a very powerful dark force locked inside the bowels of this island. Certain individuals have knowledge of this force and are trying to unearth it."
"What does this have to do with my 'immense' Duel Energy?" I asked.
"First of all, we're telling you to be careful." Scott replied.
"I understand your approach." I said. "You're not going to exactly create mass panic by telling everyone at once that the Boogey Man's coming to take their…Duel Energy. Really, I don't get this at all…what's Duel Energy?"
"It's the essence of a duel, in a nutshell. It is released during every duel, and the amount released depends on the duelist." Scott said. "Now back to the point. In addition to us telling you this information in order to warn you to be careful…we need your help in dispatching of these evil forces."
"All right, so let me get this straight…" I began. "You want me to risk my life to fight these guys that are trying to awaken some evil power that's on this island by dueling strong people?"
"Precisely." Sheppard said.
"How do you expect me to do this?" I asked. "I don't know what I'm up against, and I'm by myself to boot."
"Well…you're not by yourself." Sheppard said.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"A protégé of mine is here to help you." Scott said. "Xavier, please come in."
The doors of the office opened. A man in a black trench coat appeared.
"Greetings." he said to me in a very dark and powerful voice.
For some reason, I don't know why…I felt like I'd seen this man before. I don't know where it was, but there was an air of familiarity about this man that felt…weird.
"Excuse me…Xavier, is it?"
"Hmm?"
"Do I know you?" I asked him.
"You and I have just met, young man." he replied. "I've…never seen you before." He then turned his head over to Sheppard. "Have you given the boy all the information regarding the mission?"
"Yes, I have, Xavier." he said. "He knows all about the mysterious figures that have been at work to free the powers at work."
"Good." he said sternly. "I've been observing the movements of the figures. They've been acting suspiciously, but after today's events, I'm inclined to believe that their next target is Leon."
"What?!" I asked.
"Don't worry…" Sheppard said. "We were planning to promote you to Obelisk Blue regardless, so this is perfect timing."
"Wait, wait, wait." I said. "First of all, Obelisk Blue is their prime target. Not only would it be silly to try that idea due to the fact that it would kill two birds with one stone for them, but really, don't you think a straight promotion to Obelisk Blue would raise some eyebrows?"
"Wise words, boy." Xavier said. "He's right, Sheppard. It's too much of a risk to put all the eggs in one basket. Allow me to guard the boy; if the figures attempt to attack him, I think he is perfectly capable of defending himself."
"I agree." Scott said. "He's perfectly capable, all right."
"But what about the other duelists that the mysterious figures are after?" I asked.
"If the targets cannot defend themselves, then we will deal with the abductees." Xavier said. "After all, most of the duelists that have disappeared due to this situation have been found…albeit, they haven't been found in the best states of mind…"
"What do you mean by that?" I asked.
"These figures don't care about the duelists, just their Duel Energy." Sheppard said. "They defeat them, then take their souls in order to prevent the leak of their identities."
"Cowards." Xavier said. "Their methods sicken me…taking the souls of innocent children, and using them like puppets…it's despicable."
"That's what we're here for, Xavier." Scott said. "We're here to ensure that this madness is stopped."
"Indeed." Sheppard said. "Now, enough discussion." He then looked at me. "Leon, we believe that your friends can help us. However, I ask that this remain an underground operation. We cannot allow this information to scare the mass populace."
"I agree." I said. "And I promise I will do whatever I can to help. But I still have questions…for example, what is this power you're guarding, exactly?"
"…I can't tell you that." Sheppard said.
"I can." Scott mused.
"You can?" Sheppard and I asked.
"Have you ever believed that Duel Monsters could be real, Leon?" Scott asked.
"I always believed that it was plausible…but the reality seemed impossible." I answered.
"Well, they are very real." Scott said. "The power in question is a certain group of Duel Monsters turned evil."
"You knew this, Scott?" Sheppard said.
"No, I didn't…" he replied. "He does…"
"…I see." Sheppard replied. "Well, what are these monsters, and what turned them evil?"
"…He doesn't know." Scott replied.
"Well, it doesn't matter." Sheppard mused. "We won't allow them to unlock this power."
"Indeed." I said. "I have a lot of friends in high places, so we should have enough people involved in this to prevent them from getting enough Duel Energy to unlock this evil power."
"Wonderful." Sheppard said. "That is all. I wish the two of you good luck…"
"What about you two?" I asked.
"I can't do anything." Sheppard said. "I don't duel; I'm just the principal of this school."
"Me staying here would only raise eyebrows." Scott said. "I want to help, but there is little I can do…However, if all else fails, I am a phone call away."
"I see." I said. "By the way, Scott…thanks for the duel."
"No problem, Leon." he replied. "Keep training…you're a great duelist."
Xavier and I left the office, heading back to the Slifer Red dorms to wait for the others to come back from the assembly. Andrew, Josh and Emmanuel all returned eventually.
"Hey, Leon!" Andrew said. "Who's this dude?"
"…" Xavier didn't speak up.
"This is…a friend." I said. "He's helping us with a situation at the school that's going on right now."
"A situation?" Emmanuel asked. "What's going on…?"
"…" Xavier looked at me.
"They're trustworthy." I said. "Guys, can you keep a secret?"
"Sure we can." Josh said.
"Of course." Andrew added.
"Wouldn't be the first time I kept a secret." Emmanuel said.
I explained the situation to them. They gasped.
"You mean there's a powerful Duel Monster in this island, and a bunch of caped freaks are trying to kidnap duelists, take their Duel Energy, and unlock this monster?" Andrew asked.
"That's correct." I said. "Xavier here is helping us fight these caped freaks."
"Well, count us in." Andrew said. "Right, guys?"
"Of course." the two of them answered.
"Well, Xavier, it's getting late now…" I said. "What are you going to do?"
"I'm going to stand guard." Xavier answered. "If anyone tries to get in, I'll chase them off for you. I won't let anyone harm you."
"Thank you, Xavier." I said. "I think we all need some sleep…"
The four of us headed inside our dorm, getting some sleep, but something woke us up…