It was another day at Duel Academy, and Professor Drake's duel history class was in session.
Drake: Good morning everyone. As I'm sure everyone here knows, all pro duelists start somewhere, quite often as students like yourself. Today I'd like to introduce my teaching assistant, although some of you older students might already know him. Please welcome former Duel Academy student Michael Shadows.
Michael walked into the room, standing beside Professor Drake.
Drake: Michael has agreed to duel a few of you, and don't worry, he's assured me he'll take it easy on you all. But before we continue, we have a new student joining today, so please welcome Miranda Hall.
Michael: Wait, did he just say-
Just then, a girl with long wavy black hair wearing an Obelisk Blue uniform walked into the classroom.
Miranda: Michael!
Michael: No! Of all people, why her?
Some of the students decided to try dueling Michael, but all of them wound up losing, but Michael was polite to each of them, giving advice on how to improve. Class ended and Michael ran out the room as fast as he could. Unfortunately, Miranda began following him. He thought about what to do for a moment and made a break for the Obelisk Dorm, where he found Lily in her dorm room.
Lily: Hey Michael. Is something wrong?
Michael: Hide me.
Lily: Huh? From who?
Michael: I'll explain later, just hide me.
Lily: Okay, in here.
She opened her closet door and Michael rushed inside. He had just closed the door behind him when there was a knock at the door. Lily opened the door and found herself face to face with Miranda.
Lily: Hi. Can I help you?
Miranda: Hi. My name is Miranda. Have you seen Michael Shadows around here?
Lily: I think he went that way.
She pointed her to the other side of the building.
Miranda: Thanks.
She turned and went to search for Michael. Once she was gone, Lily went back in and opened her closet door.
Michael: Please tell me she's gone.
Lily: She is. Who was she anyway? Some sort of crazed fan?
Michael: Kinda. It's complicated.
Lily: How so?
Michael: Well, she's had a crush on me since we were kids. Her parents are friends with mine, so she sometimes hung out with me when we were little.
Lily: And you felt the same way?
Michael: Absolutely not. She was fine at first, but she became extremely clingy. I couldn't go anywhere by myself when she was around. Eventually her parents moved, and I didn't see her again.
Lily: And she's transferred here to see you again?
Michael: Most likely. She must've seen the broadcast where I talked about the class.
Lily: So she hasn't seen you since?
Michael: Nope. I haven't even talked to her since she moved.
Suddenly there was another knock at Lily's door.
Michael: She's back!
Lily quickly shoved Michael back into her closet before answering the door, feeling relieved when it was just Jasmine and Mindy.
Lily: Michael, you can come out, it's not her.
Michael came out of the closet, his face red from embarrassment.
Mindy: Why was he-
Lily: Long story. Is something wrong?
Jasmine: Chazz is back. And he's dueling people to make them join this society.
Michael: What?
Mindy: Yeah, he's been beating students left and right.
Michael: This isn't good. Let's go.
Lily: I think we should go out the back and get the others.
Michael: Good idea.
They left the dorm to get everyone else, but when they came back, the dorm had been painted stark white.
Michael: It's almost blinding.
Lily: How did they do this so fast?
Alexis: Atticus!
Everyone turned to the side and saw Atticus lying face-down in front of the dorm.
Hassleberry: Are you alright soldier?
Syrus: What happened?
Atticus: I tried to stop them from painting the dorm, but they ganged up on me before I could do anything.
Alexis: What are you doing Chazz?
Chazz: I'm just opening everyone's eyes to the light. The Society of Light.
Bastion: He's lost it.
Michael: No, he's being used. Chazz must be under Sartorius' control, like what happened to Aster. Maybe if one of us beats him, he'll snap out of it.
Jaden: Okay then, get your game on Chazz!
Alexis: Wait Jaden. This is a problem in the Obelisk Blue Dorm. I should be the one to duel him.
Jaden: You sure Lex?
Alexis: Yeah.
Chazz: Very well. Soon you shall see the light!
Everyone moved to the main arena to watch them duel.
Jaden: You can do it Lex!
Chazz: I've been waiting for this moment since we met, because once I win, you'll be right where you belong. By my side, basking in the light.
Alexis: If it means standing anywhere near you, I'd rather be in the dark. And I know where I belong, and it's with my friends.
Chazz: We'll see. After all, thanks to Master Sartorius, I can see the future, so I know exactly how this duel will end.
Alexis: Alright Chazz, time to knock some sense into you.
Both: Let's duel!
Chazz: 4000 LP
Alexis: 4000 LP
Chazz: I'll start. And I play the spell Infernal White! As long as this card is in play, you get to see my hand at all times.
Alexis: What could Chazz be up to?
Chazz: Next, I summon Armed Dragon LV 3 in attack mode.
Level 3/Wind/Dragon
ATK 1200/DEF 900
Chazz: Next, I'll place one card face-down and end my turn.
Hassleberry: Why bother? Because of his spell card, she knows it's his Mystical Space Typhoon.
Syrus: How is he supposed to win when Alexis can see everything he's trying to do?
Michael: Unless he's trying to make her think he has nothing to hide.
Jaden: Are you saying you think Chazz is hiding something?
Michael: Maybe. Ever heard the phrase, "Hiding in plain sight"?
Jaden: Yeah, but how does that apply here?
Hassleberry: I think I get it. If Alexis sees all his cards, he can throw her off by playing differently than how she thinks he'll play.
Alexis: My turn. I draw!
Chazz: And now the effect of Infernal White activates. When this card is active during your standby phase, you take 600 points of damage.
Alexis: 3400 LP
Alexis: I summon Cyber Tutu in attack mode!
Level 3/Earth/Warrior
ATK & DEF 1000
Alexis: And now I play the equip spell Angel Wing and equip it onto Cyber Tutu. When a monster equipped with this card deals battle damage to my opponent, they take another 300 points of damage. What is Chazz waiting for? Why won't he activate his Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy my Angel Wing?
Jasmine: Why are they just sitting there?
Mindy: Yeah, it's creeping me out.
Michael: Alexis is expecting Chazz to use his Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy Angel Wing, but I'm not sure what Chazz is thinking.
Alexis: Alright Cyber Tutu, attack Chazz directly with Pounding Pirouette!
Cyber Tutu landed in front of Chazz and kicked him in the shoulder.
Chazz: 3000 LP
Syrus: Alright, she's taken the lead!
Alexis: And now the effect of Angel Wing activates, dealing you another 300 points of damage!
Chazz: 2700 LP
Alexis: I place two cards face-down and-
Chazz: Before you end your turn, I play Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy your face-down on the right.
A gust of air blew from his spell, destroying Alexis' Hallowed Life Barrier.
Chazz: The light reveals all things to those who open their eyes to it.
Alexis: If that were true, he'd have destroyed my other face-down: Pure Pupil. When he activates his Armed Dragon's ability to level up on his next turn, I can play Pure Pupil to negate the effect and destroy it.
Chazz: My turn.
Syrus: Here it comes.
Hassleberry: Since it's his standby phase, he can trade in his Armed Dragon for a stronger one.
Alexis: What's he waiting for?
Chazz: I can see through your plans as though your deck were made of glass Alexis. You were planning on me activating my Armed Dragon's effect so you could negate it with Pure Pupil.
Alexis: What?!
Chazz: I already told you, didn't I? The light reveals everything.
Hassleberry: Can Chazz really see the future?
Syrus: There's no way that's possible.
Atticus: Even if he can't see the future, we can say one thing. Alexis is falling for Chazz's mind games. By showing her his hand, he's distracting her. She's so worried about trying to anticipate his moves that she isn't focused on making her own.
Syrus: If she keeps this up, she'll lose for sure.
Hassleberry: Don't fall for his bluff soldier!
Chazz: Bluff? Like I have a reason to bluff. I play the spell Level Down. With it, the Armed Dragon LV 5 in my hand has its level reduced by 2 this turn, making it a level 3, meaning I can summon it without a sacrifice. Come forth, Armed Dragon LV 5!
Level 5-3/Wind/Dragon
ATK 2400/DEF 1700
Chazz: Now attack Cyber Tutu!
Alexis: 2000 LP
Alexis: I activate the effect of Angel Wing! When it's sent from the field to the graveyard, I draw a card from my deck.
Chazz: Now Armed Dragon LV 3, attack directly!
His dragon rushed towards Alexis and gave her an uppercut, knocking her back.
Alexis: 800 LP
Jaden: Alexis!
Atticus: This is bad.
Chazz: I end my turn, and since Pure Pupil can only be activated when you have a monster with 1000 or fewer attack points on your field, which you don't, I activate my level 5 Armed Dragon's special ability, sending him to the graveyard so I can summon Armed Dragon LV 7!
Level 7/Wind/Dragon
ATK 2800/DEF 1000
Chazz: Your move Alexis. If you think you can make it that is.
Alexis: I-
Atticus: Alexis! Why are you bothering listening to this guy?
Alexis: What are you-
Michael: Atticus is right. You've always done what you thought was right and forged your own path. You've never let anyone tell you how to live your life, so why start now?
Syrus: And even if you fall, you'll always have us to help you get back up.
Hassleberry: So stand tall soldier!
Jaden: They're right Alexis, you can do it!
Alexis: They're right. I'm taking control of my fate and this duel starting right now. I draw!
Chazz: Don't forget, during your standby phase, Infernal White hits you with 600 points of damage.
Alexis: 200 LP
Alexis: I play Pot of Greed! With it, I draw 2 cards from my deck. Next, I summon Cyber Petite Angel in attack mode.
Level 2/Light/Fairy
ATK 300/DEF 200
Alexis: When this monster is normal summoned, I can add a copy of Machine Angel Ritual from my deck to my hand, and now I'll activate it, sacrificing Cyber Petite Angel and Cyber Prima to summon Cyber Angel Dakini in attack mode!
Level 8/Light/Fairy
ATK 2700/DEF 2400
Alexis: When Dakini is special summoned, you have to choose one of your monsters to be destroyed.
Chazz: I choose Armed Dragon LV 3.
Dakini fired a beam of energy from the end of her staff, destroying Chazz's monster.
Alexis: Next, I place two cards face-down and end my turn. I may not be able to destroy his Armed Dragon, but my face-down card is Doble Passe, so if he attacks, I can end the duel in a tie, and if he activates his Armed Dragon's effect to destroy Dakini, I can play my Angel Blast trap to negate the effect and destroy his Armed Dragon. Then once it's my turn, all I have to do is draw Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy Infernal White before it finishes me.
Chazz: You still think you can win, don't you?
Alexis: Maybe, but I do know this. I'll pursue my fate with my own two hands, and I won't let anyone stop me.
Chazz: We'll see. I draw. And I play the spell Magical Mallet. With it, I can return the cards in my hand to my deck in order to shuffle and draw a number of cards equal to what I returned. I'll return both the cards in my hand.
He drew his cards and revealed them, showing everyone his Armed Dragon LV 10 and an equip spell none of them had seen before.
Alexis: His Armed Dragon is bad enough, but what's that equip card?
Chazz: I sacrifice Armed Dragon LV 7 to summon Armed Dragon LV 10!
Level 10/Wind/Dragon
ATK 3000/DEF 2000
Chazz: And now I equip him with the spell White Veil!
A bright light shone from his monster, and when it faded, he was bleach white.
Chazz: Now Armed Dragon, attack Cyber Angel Dakini!
Alexis: Not so fast Chazz, I play the trap Doble Passe!
The card flipped up, but it didn't activate and began sparking.
Alexis: What's going on?
Chazz: When a monster equipped with White Veil attacks, it negates all your spells and traps and destroys them.
His Armed Dragon sent a shockwave towards Alexis' field, destroying all of her trap cards.
Chazz: Armed Dragon LV 10, destroy Cyber Angel Dakini with White Static Orb Thrust!
His monster created a ball of white energy in its hand before launching it on Dakini, destroying her and knocking Alexis on her back.
Alexis: 0 LP
Winner: Chazz
Jaden: Alexis!
He jumped down from the bleachers and ran to her.
Chazz: This moment was set in stone before the duel even began. Nothing she could've done would've changed that. Now Alexis, come into the light!
Jaden: Alexis, please say something.
Alexis: Jaden?
Jaden: I'm right here Lex.
Alexis: Guess I lost, huh?
Jaden: Yeah, but I'm sure you'll get him next time.
Alexis: Yeah. Even though I lost, thanks for believing in me.
Chazz: What?! But you lost! You should've seen the light!
Alexis: Sorry Chazz, but I know where I belong, and that's with my friends. Speaking of friends, thanks for the ring, Michael. I could feel it protect me.
Michael: I'm just glad it worked.
Jaden: And I'm glad you're still with us.
Alexis: Don't worry. I'm not going anywhere.
The two embraced each other for a moment before Alexis kissed Jaden on the cheek, earning a blush from the Slifer student.
Chazz: Grr, let's go!
Syrus: I'm just glad it all worked out.
Miranda: Oh Michael!
Michael: Oh no.
He turned to the side and saw Miranda at the entrance to the arena.
Atticus: Who is she?
Syrus: And how does she know you, Michael?
Michael: It's complicated. Nice to see you Miranda.
Miranda ran up and tackled Michael in a hug, knocking them both to the floor.
Miranda: Oh Michael, it's been years! I've missed you so much! Why did you run off after class?
Michael: Well, you see, I uh-
Miranda: Oh, it doesn't matter. Now we can make up for all that time we spent apart.
Lily: Excuse me.
Michael and Miranda turned to Lily, a rather angered expression on her face.
Miranda: Oh, you're the one from earlier. Is there something you wanted?
Lily: Actually, there is something. I want you to get off my boyfriend.
Miranda: What?! Boyfriend?! She's lying, right Michael?
Michael: Actually, she is my girlfriend.
Miranda: But we're soul mates! I've loved you since we were kids!
Michael: Sorry Miranda, but I don't feel the same way.
Miranda: But you have to! Ever since we moved, you're all I could think about! You homewrecker, you stole my boyfriend from me! I'll make you pay for this!
Miranda stormed out of the arena and everyone just looked at Michael and Lily with the most confused look on their faces.
Jaden: Who was she?
Michael: We were friends when we were kids, but she was practically obsessed with me. She moved away and I never saw her until recently when she transferred here.
Meanwhile, Miranda was walking through the halls, furious about Lily.
Miranda: That girl, it's her fault Michael doesn't love me, I'm sure of it. I'll make Michael mine, no matter what it takes.
Chazz: I might be able to help with that.
Miranda: Who are you?
Chazz: Someone who can help you.
Miranda: How?
Chazz: Duel me and find out.