Disclaimer: See previous chapter.

Chapter 8

Two days later

"And that's game!" Jaden pumped a fist, "I win again!"

Jesse sighed, "I gotta strategize better against those Neo-spacian monsters of yours, Jay. I haven't been able to beat you yet!" He put his deck back in his pocket and leaned against the tree. He and Jaden were playing in a shady spot under a large tree, duel disks left behind in Jesse's Obelisk Blue guest room. They weren't playing their duels very seriously, since there were no duel disks involved, but the bio-bands still drained a fraction of their energy.

Jaden sprawled out in the grass, "I can't wait for you to get your Rainbow Dragon card! Your deck just isn't complete without it!"

"Yea, I hear you. But I don't even know where the card is, if it's even been created yet! All I know is that there's a stone tablet with the Rainbow Dragon on it, and Pegasus needs it to make the finishing touch to my deck, but until then…how 'bout a rematch?"

"You're on!"

After that duel, which Jaden won, both students were lying in the grass, staring up at the clouds.

"Hey Jesse…."

"Yea Jay?"

"Did you know the clouds look like Duel Monsters if you stare hard enough?"

"Hey you're right! That one over there looks like that creepy Ojama spirit that's always chasin' Chazz around!"

"Oh, you mean Ojama Yellow? Yea, he's really attached to Chazz. You should have seen him last year when he went through an identity crisis – his Ojama monsters wouldn't leave me alone!"

"Jay!"

Jaden sat up quickly and looked around, "What's up Sy?"

Syrus paused from running, his hands resting on his knees. He took a deep breath and looked up at the two, "While you two were dueling all day, the rest of us, minus Axel and Adrian, were hanging out near the docks. And you'll never guess who showed up!"

"Those weird military guys who bring the new rare cards to the Card Shack?"

"Um…no, Jay."

"How about that old guy that was hanging around with us before I dueled Bastion to participate in the School Duel?"

"Wrong again!"

"Was it Pegasus with the Rainbow Dragon card?" Jesse asked. Syrus shook his head. "Yea…didn't think so."

Jaden scratched at his hair, "I got this…was it a pro duelist?"

Syrus thought for a moment, "Getting warmer!"

"I bet it was Seto Kaiba! Is there another threat to Duel Academy? Do I get to save the world? …Again?"

"Jaden, Seto Kaiba hasn't really dueled in years! You're still wrong."

"Oh man – it's Aster, isn't it? Aster's back on campus!"

Syrus sighed, "Close enough. Sartorius! He met up with the Chancellor and they're in his office right now!"

"Sartorius? Isn't that the creepy-lookin' guy who's Aster Phoenix's manager?" Jesse asked.

"That's him! I wonder what he's doing here. I mean, Aster's back in the Pro Circuit!"

"Well, let's go check it out!" Jaden jumped up and ran for the main building. "Last one to Sheppard's office is a rotten eggwich!"

Jesse and Syrus looked at each other and then bolted after him. They caught up to Jaden half-way to the Chancellor's office, having knocked into Atticus.

"You alright, Atticus?" Syrus asked, helping him up.

"I'm fine! To be honest, plowing me down was actually a favor. I've been looking for Jaden for a while. Chancellor Sheppard asked me to rally you guys up!"

"I thought he was meeting with Sartorius," said Syrus.

"Yea and he wants to see you guys. C'mon, everyone else is already there!"

"Everyone?" Jaden asked, getting up, "Who else is there?"

"Well, there's you, Syrus, Chazz, Lexi, Hassleberry, and me too. Jim was with us and tagged along, so he's chilling in Sheppard's office too."

"I thought Jim and Hassleberry were still in the hospital," said Jaden, "When did Ms. Fontaine let them out?"

"While you were with Jesse dueling all day," said Syrus. The followed Atticus into Sheppard's office where Sartorius was sitting in front of the chancellor's desk.

"Found 'em, Chancellor," said Atticus, sitting next to his sister.

"Thank you, Atticus," said Sheppard, smiling. "Now I'm sure you're all wondering why I called you all here. I assure you, you've done nothing wrong. I'm sure you remember Sartorius, Aster Phoenix's manager. A wonderful opportunity has opened its doors, but I'd like him to share with you." He sat down behind his desk as Sartorius stood, pulling an envelope from his inner pocket.

"What's up this time, Sartorius?" Jaden asked, "Do I get to save the world again?"

"Why so eager to find something evil to vanquish, Jaden?" Sartorius shook his head, "Nothing like that exactly. I'm sure you all have been very involved in your studies here, or, as Professor Viper pointed out to me, involved in plenty of dueling…" His eyes shot a side-glance at Viper, who was leaning against the wall in the corner of the room, arms folded against his chest, looking like someone had told him Christmas had been cancelled. "…How closely have you been following the Pro Circuit?"

"I watch it occasionally in my room," said Atticus, "But it's been a couple of days since I turned on the TV. We've all been busy with Professor Viper's survival duels."

"We don't even get cable in Slifer," Jaden frowned, "Only what I read in magazines."

"Recently, the Pro Dueling networks have been airing various documentaries on dueling, and even memorable dueling specials from the Kaiba Dome. It turns out next week is the tenth anniversary of the Kaiba Dome, and just before the grand opening of the stadium was the beginning of the Professional Leagues. Next Saturday there is to be a grand dueling exhibition to commemorate the stadium, and all of the big names in the Pro Circuit will be in attendance, most of them dueling."

"That sounds sweet! Who's going to be there?" Jaden asked.

"Practically every duelist who's gateway to fame emerged from the stadium. There are also rumors of surprise guests, but there have been no confirmations on those either."

"Will my brother be dueling?" Syrus asked, "I haven't seen Zane in a televised match in a long time."

"Yes, he will be in attendance. I am almost positive he will duel, but that has yet to be confirmed. As the reigning champion, Aster will also be there, and that brings me to why I am here." He handed the envelope to Chancellor Sheppard, "I have enclosed tickets to the exhibition for all of you. You can consider it a vacation from the island, as well as an extended thank-you for your help during last term."

"Y-you mean…we get to go to the Kaiba Dome…on one of the biggest nights for dueling in history!" Chazz's jaw dropped.

"Think of all the professionals that will be there!" Jaden cried, "Maybe I might be able to score a duel with one of them! Oh, man, to go up against a high-ranking duelist!"

"I have also arranged travel and accommodations for you for the entire week leading up to the event. I'm sure in these dark times for dueling; it would certainly cheer up Aster knowing that there won't just be his rabid fans attending his match."

"We get to see Aster duel too? Who's he up against?" said Alexis.

"It was planned in advance for Maxwell Simmons to rematch Aster for the championship title, but, due to the recent tragedy, Kaiba Corporation is keeping the opponent a secret. In organizing the event, Seto and Mokuba Kaiba have been very selective on the information leaked to the public. I'm sure Aster would appreciate the time to spend with his friends and have a break from his rather... crazy dueling schedule."

"We get the entire week in Domino!" Jaden jumped off the couch, "Yes!"

"Now, just a moment," Viper pushed himself off the wall and walked up to Sheppard, "You can't possibly agree to this, Chancellor. We're talking about letting everyone in this room run free from Duel Academy for an entire week, pushing schoolwork and their mandatory duels aside. How do you think the rest of campus will fare, knowing that the top students in this school get a free vacation, while the rest of the school continues as normal? These students are not cut above the rest!" These students are my main donors of duel energy! Allowing them to leave would set back my plans for possibly weeks. He glared down Sartorius.

"Well, that is true," Sheppard frowned, "I'm afraid I can't allow you to leave the island for pure recreation, unless of course, there was something educational about it."

"Of course, Professor Viper raises a valid point," Sartorius side-glanced at Viper, ignoring the hard looks coming back at him, "However, Chancellor, you must also realize that the majority of students at Duel Academy, and their sister sites, plan on entering the Pro Circuit after graduation. Live exposure to professional dueling will open these students' eyes."

Viper rolled his eyes, "Please. Open them to what?"

Sartorius gave him a hard look, "As a member of the Leagues, I see it far too often. Top graduates ruin their careers on their first professional duel because they can't handle the pressure of such standards. Professional dueling is nothing like school. You are constantly tested, and more often than not, top-rate duelists sink to the bottom. Watching the best in action could be what these students need: to know if they have what it takes to enter the League."

Viper scowled.

Sartorius smirked, "Besides, they might aspire to do even better during your 'performance tests' after next week is through. By stepping up their game, they will inspire other students to do so as well, and that would improve all of Duel Academy."

"I think I've heard all I needed to hear on this matter," said Sheppard, "Giving our top students exposure to real-world experience is an excellent idea, and the knowledge they bring back should have a positive impact on the entire island."

"If you excuse me, Chancellor," said Viper, his voice dripping with venom, "I have some performance tests to review…."

Sartorius waited for the doors to hiss shut after him before sinking back into the chair next to Sheppard's desk. "I am not fond of that man…."

"That's alright," said Jim, "We don't like him either."

"Educational enrichment is not the main reason I've asked you to Domino, a week before the exhibition event." Sartorius sighed, his voice much more serious than before, "I fear Aster is in danger."

"What do you mean, danger?" Hassleberry leaned forward in his seat, "What's wrong?"

"I'm sure you're all aware of the professional duelists that are disappearing left and right…," Sartorius shook his head, "After someone planted a small explosive at his home, I could tell he's been on edge. Aster's become very secretive. We've been staying at Serena's home outside of Domino to avoid the public eye, but he's been spending quite a lot of time at Kaiba Corporation. I've asked him about it, but he claimed it was about the upcoming celebration at the Kaiba Dome."

"Has he ever been this secretive before?"

Sartorius shook his head, "I'm sure after the Light fiasco, he might have lost some trust in me, but he's never shown it. And that's not the worst of it…." He looked away.

Jaden frowned. I'll be honest. The most I've usually seen Sartorius was when he was dueling, even though he was being controlled then. For someone who can predict destiny, this guy is awfully worried. Something bad must have happened.

"Aster's recent turn of events worry me. On top of that, I…I've been having visions again."

"I thought you couldn't get those anymore because that freaky alien was gone?" said Hassleberry.

"The Light of Destruction was destroyed; it can no longer fully control me, but I'm afraid there's still a small part of left. I haven't been able to predict the future as I could before, but it doesn't stop me from having those visions."

"What did you see?" Chazz asked.

"The visions themselves haven't been crystal clear, but they explicitly show Aster in a great deal of trouble…," he paused for a moment before adding softly, "all leading up to his death."

Jaden quickly stood up, "We can't let that happen. It won't happen!"

"I need you to go to Domino, if anything, to keep him company. I am almost positive that something terrible is to happen to him soon. The visions keep repeating themselves more and more. If anything, I'm afraid someone may try something during the exhibition next Saturday."

Atticus frowned, "Have you tried talking to him about this?"

Sartorius shook his head, "I've tried, but I feel that he's been avoiding me. I wanted to talk to him two days ago after his last visit to Kaiba Corporation, but he arrived home late that night, and rather tired, so I decided to wait until morning. However, he had gone somewhere early, and I missed him. I have no idea where he went, but he didn't return last night. Serena told me he had called and said he wouldn't return until sometime later today. And now I'm here."

"What about safety?" Sheppard asked, "Have you spoken to him about bodyguards?"

"No. I could tell that the recent events have him spooked. I don't want to cause him more pain before his duel next Saturday, as he will have to defend his championship title. However, I feel that the threat of him disappearing will diminish if there are people with him. There is safety in numbers. I know Aster would refuse the aid of bodyguards, but he would never turn down his friends."

"What about having Aster stay here on campus for the next week?" Sheppard asked, "Unless a possible attacker was already on the island, it would be near impossible for anyone to bring him harm."

"I did think about that," said Sartorius, turning to face Sheppard, "But then I remembered Professor Viper's stipulation. If it was not apparent, I am not a fan of these performance tests. Personally, I would never subject anyone to serious daily dueling conditions. A serious duel everyday would probably tire him out by next Saturday."

"The duels aren't that bad though," said Syrus, "Aster shouldn't have a problem dueling once a day. He could probably beat about everyone…and anyone."

"You forget, Viper is monitoring the duels," said Jim, "he probably considers a serious duel for one of us being a Slifer against an Obelisk. He would probably change his standards for someone of Aster's achievement. Under those conditions, a serious duel then could be him against someone like Zane Truesdale, or another high-ranking professional."

Sartorius nodded, "That is why I didn't bring up the possibility with Professor Viper in the room. I would rather have him comfortable, surrounded by friends in a relaxing environment, than here treated as an experiment, especially since his role as a student here is at the barest minimum." He stood up, "if you choose to come early next week, everything you need to know is with the envelope in Chancellor Sheppard's hands.

"But for now, I'm afraid I must return to the city, and try to weasel some information from my extraordinarily stubborn friend. On another note, Aster has no idea I have invited you to the exhibition games. If anything, he is in for a pleasant surprise." He headed for the door, "There is no need to walk me out, Chancellor. I'm sure you have much to explain to your students. I know the way."

"Thank you, Sartorius," said Sheppard. He turned to the others as the manager left the room. "Now I'm sure you all want to leave the island early – and there's no need to look so excited, Jaden." Sheppard counted the number of tickets in the envelope, and did a head count, "There appears to be just enough for all of you. A boat will arrive to take you to Domino City early Sunday morning, and pending everything running smoothly, you'll arrive back here next Sunday night. There are hotel accommodations included here as well."

He put the information down and gave the students a long, hard look. "Obviously, the purpose of this trip is just as personal as it is educational. If you must share the details of leaving next week, for the sake of Aster's, and Sartorius' privacy, do not reveal any personal information. You were invited to the exhibition event as a favor from Sartorius, and as far as I'm concerned, that's all that needs to be said."

One day earlier

Aster looked at the address Mokuba Kaiba had scribbled out to him, and then to the building in front of him.

Flashback

Aster walked out of Seto Kaiba's office, feeling slightly better than he did when he walked in.

"Wait, Phoenix!"

He turned to see Seto Kaiba walk up to him. "Something is obviously bothering you and I'll bet it has everything to do with what's been happening these past few days."

Aster jammed his finger into the elevator button, "What gave it away?"

"I know if you jabbed that button any harder, you'd have broken the elevator, like I did last week, as Mokuba found it so important to remind me. Look, whatever wrong, you need to talk about it before you have a meltdown in a duel– and I don't mean with me. I will admit I'm not the best with advice, but I know someone who has been through it all. Here's his address. Last time I checked, he still lives there. But if he doesn't, whoever does will point you in the right direction. Believe me, no matter how crazy something is you need to get off your chest, this guy will believe you. Like I said, he's been through everything."

Aster took the slip of paper and his eyes nearly bugged out of his head, "You want me to see him?!"

Seto nodded, "You'll be surprised how much you two have in common."

End flashback

Aster straightened his suit and adjusted his tie. This feels extremely awkward, but if Seto Kaiba says this guy will help me, he's gotta be right…. He walked around to the side of the building, away from the back entrance, and knocked hard on the door to the house.

After a moment, the door opened. The man smiled, "Wow. It's not often a champion duelist comes to find me without a duel disk."

Aster smiled meekly, "While it would be an honor, I'm not here for a duel. Seto Kaiba said you could give me some advice, because I could sure use some right now."