Hey y'all!
Ahem. Jesse? This is my slot. Anyway, welcome to part 4! It's a longish one. One small point. Caleb's smile is the facial equivalent of ^_^ Everyone loves the cute smile. Since you're here, would you do the disclaimer Jesse?
Alright! Kjel doesn't own me, or the rest of these here characters, apart from Caleb. And y'all should know by now he doesn't own Yugioh-GX.

'How should I put this...? Dear Slifer... Please let me pass these exams! If I don't, I'll always be a failure to my brother...' Syrus checked the clock. 'Oh no! Jesse, wake up! You're gonna be late for the exam!'

'Five more minutes, y'all here me?' Syrus sighed, and filled a glass of water.

'Sorry Jesse, but if this is what it takes...' He poured it over Jesse's head.

'HOLY...! What y'all gone and done that for?'

'Today's the advancement exams Jesse! You're going to be late!'

'Hey you're right! Them there exams are today! I best get moving! You go ahead, I'll catch up lil' buddy.'

'Alright. I'll see you there I guess.' Syrus glanced back through the door as he left, before setting off at a run.

'Jaden!'

'Caleb, go away!'

'I just wanted to make sure you weren't late for today's exams! We can't have your grades dropping now can we?' He paused for a moment. 'Jaden? Could you open the door? It's getting in the way a bit.'

'That's the point!' Jaden looked around desperately for another means of escape. There! He dashed to the window, then remembered he was on the top floor. 'Damn... Looks like I'm stuck with him... Unless... Yubel?'

'No, I'm not getting rid of him. Have you any idea how suspicious that would be?'

'I only meant distract him. What do you take me for?'

'A power-hungry evil king biding his time?' Jaden laughed.

'Okay, you win that round.'

'Jaden? Who are you talking to? I hear voices...' Jaden lowered his.

'Voices? Does that mean he can hear you, Yubel?' Yubel likewise lowered her voice.

'It's plausible. Some poeple do think that misfits are more prone to seeing duel spirits.'

'Give me one good reason why I shouldn't whack you?'

'Because I'm not solid? And you're going to be late for an exam?' Jaden scowled.

'We're having serious words later, do you hear me?'

'Have fun with Caleb.'

'I hate you sometimes.'

'Hello... Caleb. You really didn't have to wait for me you know.'

'No, it's fine! ...Is someone snickering?' Yubel vanished from sight quickly.

'Probably just your over-active imagination. Let's get this over with.' Caleb grinned.

'I wouldn't have taken you for one to be nervous about exams.'

'That's not... Oh, let's just go.' He snapped and walked off.

'I think-'

'I don't care if you think I need friends!'

'Actually, I was going to suggest coffee. I'm not allowed it though...'

'Gee, I wonder why.'

'Well-'

'I was being rhetorical!' Caleb just smiled again.

'I wonder who'll I'll have for the exam duel?'

'Wha- you just completely changed the subject!'

'No I didn't. You were being rhetorical, and I asked a rhetorical question. Related.' Jaden sighed, and contemplated banging his head against a wall. Or better yet, Caleb's. 'Oh! The new card shipment is today, isn't it?' That's right. Not that Jaden really needed them. He had little doubt that his deck was more than strong enough already.

'Hey, y'all need help?' Jesse stopped beside an ellderly lady, pushing a small truck up the hill.

'Why, thank you for the offer. But, don't you have exams to get to?' Jesse smiled.

'It's fine. I've plenty of time to get to them there exams. I can't leave a damsel in distress now, can I?'

'Such a nice young man.' Jesse blushed.

'Aww shucks...' It took several minutes, but with the two of them, the truck moved quickly up the hill. 'Thank you young man. Stop by at the card shop later. I may have something by way of thanks.'

'Gee, thanks. I'll see y'all later then!' Jesse rushed off, hoping he wasn't late for the exam.

'Syrus... Lil' Buddy... Wakey wakey... Y'all gonna miss the rest of the exam.' Syrus woke with a start, nearly hitting Jesse in the face.

'Wha..? Oh no! Have I missed much?'

'Nah, the exam only started a few minutes ago. I got held up helping a nice old lady.'

'Well, we best get on with it then. I think we're being watched...'

'By Professor Banner?'

'No, Pharoh.' Jesse laughed.

'Y'all worry too much.'

'Jesse, I swear, that cat's watching us!'

'Y'all raising your voice...' Jaden growled under his breath. There was only so much of this he was willing to take. Fire was sounding quite tempting right then, although he doubted he'd ever hear the end of it from Yubel. He stole a quick glance around at other people. Alexis, working through calmly and quickly. Well, no real surprise there. Her little sidekicks... Well, the ginger one looked fine. The other... looked like she might have gone a bit blanker than normal. Jaden smirked when he saw Chazz struggling a few rows in front. It was always gratifying to be better than someone you don't like. He caught sight of Caleb too, who actually appeared to be enjoying himself. He was certainly humming quite cheerfully. And loudly. He wondered how he hadn't noticed, and, for that matter, how nobody else seemed to have. He brushed it off, and returned to his own test. The paper was laughable, but that was no excuse to get sloppy and rush. Yubel had taught him early on the dangers of complacency. With his powers, and in all things.

'Alright class. Pens down.' The words had barely left his mouth by the time most of the class had vanished out the door. 'Ah Pharoh. At least you won't leave me.' Pharaoh stretched contentedly. Professor Banner looked up, and noted the students still there. 'Oh? Not in the same rush as everyone else for the rare cards?' Jaden scoffed.

'Hardly. My deck's fine as it is.'

'I wouldn't change my deck for the world. Each card is special to me.' Jaden just groaned. Caleb was such a sap at times.

'Jesse? Jesse! Wake up! The exam's over!' Jesse slowly opened one eye.

'Really? Guess it's time I was up then.'

'I can't believe you fell asleep in the exam!'

'I can-' Jaden was cut off by an elbow to the ribs. Which could have come from Alexis, her groupies, or Caleb. That was annoying. Now he couldn't get them back for it. At least, not without guessing, and from experience with Yubel, you didn't make a girl angry.

'You worry too much. Dy'all think I'd fall asleep before I finished?'

'Girls? Did you not want new cards?'

'Not today. I'd rather use I deck I know in the exam, instead of a new one.'

'As would I. I already have the formulae worked out with my current deck.' Banner nodded approvingly.

'A sensible outlook. Well then, good luck to all of you in the exam later. Though, I am sure, you have nothing to worry about.'

'Maybe they don't...'

'Come on, lil' buddy! Y'all won't win if you keep thinking like that.'

'He's right, you know. A negative outlook can really hinder one's performance.'

'I won't win anyway... And do we know you?'

'Bastion Misawa. I'm in Ra yellow, not that you hadn't noticed, I'm sure.' Syrus just sighed.

'Great. Someone else who's better than me...'

'Y'all doing it again.' Jaden sighed and left them to it. If Jesse wanted to waste his time trying to encourage Syrus, then it was his decision. As long as it didn't affect him, who cared?

'So, fancy a quick practice session before the real thing?' Jaden nearly jumped out of his skin.

'Caleb? What the hell are you doing?'

'Being nice. Is it really such a strange concept to you?' And yet he still has that obnoxious little grin...

'He just practically insulted me, and he still manages to stand there and radiate sweet and innocent. ...I hate this kid.'

'Sorry, did you say something?'

'Nothing at all Caleb. Let's just head for the duel fields. There's no sense in waiting here.'

'Doctor Crowler!' Crowler turned. It was unusual for someone to specifically call for him, not that he knew why. To his relief it was one of his Obelisk Blues.

'Ah, Chazz. Is there something I can help you with?'

'I want to duel Jaden in the exam duels!' We have some... unfinished business.' He was curious, but decided not to press the point.

'Well, I had had someone else in mind, but if you insist, it shouldn't be difficult to arrange. I'll just have your old partners face against each other.'

'Now he'll see who the better duelist is...'

'I'm sorry Chazz, have I missed something here. I say, Chazz?' Chazz was already halfway down the corridor, no doubt to prepare his deck for the duel to come. 'Sometimes I just don't understand that boy...'

They'd been walking for a few minutes when curiosity finally got the better of Jaden.

'So, Caleb, what kind of deck do you use? I don't remember seeing your enterance exam.'

'Oh, I was early you see, so I duelled before most people got there. But I can't tell you that. I'm waiting for the big debut.'

'The exam?'

'Nope. I've already done mine. I was doing some practical extra credit with Doctor Crowler, and afterwards he told me that it'd count as my field exam. I'll still be there to root for you though.' Again, the annoying smile.

'Okay? Is that even allowed?'

'Doctor Crowler says so.' Jaden considered this for a moment.

'That doesn't really count for much...'

'I still think you need friends.'

'Shut up.'

True to his word, Caleb was in the duel arena in time for Jaden's duel.

'Oh, Alexis! Jasmine, Mindy. Oh, wow! Zane! Gosh, I guess it's an honour to meet the top duellist at the academy.' Zane rolled his eyes. He was used to this.

'Are you joining us then, or what?' Caleb looked like he might faint with excitement.

'Of course! By the way, does anyone know who Jaden's against?' Alexis shook her head.

'No, it's been kept really quiet. But then, that's normal, so we can't draw anything from it.'

'True, but there's no other duels right now. The whole island can be here to watch it. That's suspicious.' Zane's forehead creased slightly, the only outward sign he cared at all.

'Must be someone well known then. Otherwise they wouldn't have made such a big production of it.'

'I hope it's someone cute!'

'Mindy, you think all the boys here are cute...' Jasmine sighed. 'Can't you just decide on one?'

'But there's so many! I mean, there's Chazz, that Slifer, Jesse, was kind of cute... And Syrus!' Mindy giggled. 'Not to mention Jaden! He may be a bit cold, but he's really hot!' She looked across. 'And you go without saying Zane.'

Again, he rolled his eyes. Sooo used to it. 'And now that I think about it, I guess you're kinda cute too Caleb.'

'Aww, shucks. You're just flattering me.'

'No. I bet with a few sessions in the gym you could be a real heart-throb!' He actually blushed.

'That's really sweet. But I am actually attached.'

'Really? Aww...' Both Mindy and Jasmine sighed this time, but for different reasons.

'Mindy, five minutes ago you were drooling over Jaden. This is getting ridiculous now.' Alexis shushed them.

'Look, they're coming out! Is that... Chazz?'

'He must have pulled some strings with Doctor Crowler to be Jaden's partner. He must want to finish what they started the other day.' Zane looked blank.

'Have I missed something here?'

'I'll tell you later. They're starting.'

'I believe it's my turn to go first.' Jaden glanced at his hand. Nothing special, apart from one card, but he was only going to use it if he had to. 'I'll begin by playing Evil Hero Rockman in defence mode. Your move.' Chazz sneered.

'Is that it? First, I play magical mallet, so I'll return it and 4 cards to my deck and draw five more.' He smirked. 'Oh, look! I drew magical mallet. So I'll play it and return another card, and draw two more.' He grinned. 'This is where you get off Yuki. I summon V-Tiger Jet in attack position, and activate frontline base! Since I'm sure you know what it does, I'll spare the explanation and go straight to using it to summon W-Wing Catapult. Next, I remove both of my monsters from play to summon my VW- Tiger Catapult!' He smirked again. It was beginning to get a little repetitive. 'And I'm sure you know his effect too. So I discard a card from my hand, to swap your rockman to attack mode, and now, VW, destroy his rockman!' Jaden, as always, didn't even flinch as Rockman was obliterated, and his lifepoints fell to 2800. 'Had enough?'

'Of your annoying voice? Absolutely. Of this duel? Not by a long shot. I draw.' He glanced at his cards again, and threw down a face-down. 'I also summon Evil Hero shockwave in defence mode. Your turn.'

'Defence mode? You do realise I can just swap it to attack mode.' He began to sneer again.

'Of course. But now it costs you a card to do it.' The sneer faltered.

'You won't be so confident after my next move. I summon X-head cannon, in attack mode! But we wouldn't want him to be lonely, so I'll use frontline base to summon Z-Metal Tank!' Again with the damn sneer. 'But I still think something's missing. So I play call of the haunted to return my Y-Dragon Head! I'm sure even you can guess what's coming next.' Jaden scoffed.

'If it's as predictable of the rest of your moves.'

'Why you...! I combine them to form my XYZ-Dragon Cannon! And then, I fuse him with my VW-Tiger Catapult, to form my ultimate monster, VWXYZ-Dragon Catapult Cannon!' Jaden couldn't hold it in any longer. 'Crying 'cause you know I'll win?' Then Chazz heard the noise. 'You're... laughing!? But I'm about to beat you!'

'But, heh, for an ultimate creature, heh, it's kind of pathetic.' A vein throbbed in Chazz's forehead.

'I'll show you pathetic! I use his effect to remove your shockwave from play. And now, finish him!'

'Not so fast. I activate a hero emerges. Pick a card.' Chazz pointed, and Jaden had to hide a smile. 'Very well, I summon Yubel in defence mode.' There were some murmurs in the audience.

'About time you played me...' Yubel kept her voice low.

'You can thank Chazz later if you want.' Jaden, likewise, spoke quietly.

'No attack or defence? I'll discard a card to change Yubel to attack mode then, and attack it, with my VWXYZ-Dragon Catapult Cannon!' It was Jaden's turn to smirk, as the attack stopped, and was redirected at Chazz.

'I guess it's my turn to fill you in. You see, Yubel can't be destroyed in battle. And any damage she would take, is directed back at you. Shame about those three thousand life points. Finished?'

'Fine. Your move.'

'And my last. I activate Yubel's effect, forcing your cannon to attack her. I believe that's game.' Chazz slumped to the ground, disbelief all over his face. Yubel smirked as she faded from view.

'Go Jaden!' He groaned.

'Why the hell odes Caleb have to have such a loud voice?' He stalked out the arena, hoping to get out before anyone cornered him.

'Way to go Jaden! What's that, twice you've beaten him now?' Zane looked blank again.

'No, really, have I missed out on something here?' Alexis smiled.

'Chazz challenged Jaden to a duel on his first day here, after hours. The duel got interrupted, but he would've won if there'd been time.'

'And Chazz is still sore about that? He really needs to grow up. I don't know what you see in him Mindy.'

'It's not what's in him Jas.' Everyone rolled their eyes, apart from Caleb, who was probably oblivious.

'That sounded really shallow you know.' Mindy assumed the kicked puppy expression, forcing Alexis to relent. Jaden scoffed.

'It's still shallow whether you make a cute face or not. And it wont work on me, so don't bother.' Zane threw up his hands.

'Finally! So I'm not the only one who isn't affected by that?' Caleb and Alexis glanced at each other. The similarity was noted. And, in Caleb's case, commented upon.

'You mean you're both cold and heartless?' Two death-glares impacted upon the innocent smile. The smile held. Both gazes broke, mostly out of boredom.

'How does he get away with it...?'

'I really don't know Mindy. I really don't know.' Caleb appeared to have a thought, and suddenly perked up even more,

'Anyone want to come to my room for cookies?' Zane and Jaden shared a look.

'Is he always like this?'

'Always.' replied Jaden grimly. Zane sighed.

'I can see why you warned me about him.'

'I'll have cookies!'

'Mindy, is that really a good idea? Too much sugar...' Jasmine trailed off, in mute horror.

'Don't worry, I'm the same, so they're low sugar ones.' Jasmine received a double puppy dog stare, and caved in.

'Fine. But only for a little while. We're going to be back in time for dinner, you hear?' Caleb and Mindy glanced at each other.

'YAY!' Collective sigh. The two ran off, with Jasmine jogging to keep up.

'Ah, peace...' Zane nodded in agreement.

'He certainly is lively. It's weird. I feel like he reminds me of someone, but I can't think who...' Zane raised an eyebrow.

'You too?' Alexis looked at him.

'It must be someone we both know then...'

'Leaves quite a lot of people.'

'True...' Jaden looked blank.

'Have I missed something?'

'Oh, me and Zane kind of grew up together. With Atticus...' She trailed off, and her eyes were moist.

'...Atticus?'

'Her brother. He went missing two years ago. As far as we're concerned though, until we have proof he's dead, we're not giving up hope.'

'Can't say I know how you feel. There's only one... person I'm really close to, and she's pretty hard to lose.' Zane noticed the slight pause, but chose not to comment. 'Friend just drag you down.' He braced himself, then relaxed again. 'God it's nice to be able to say that without getting a speech off Caleb.' Zane raised an eyebrow, again. 'He gives friendship speeches. It's really annoying.'

'Oh, wow! You have a piano in here? How did you get it to the island?' Caleb smiled.

'Doctor Crowler arranged it, after I beat him in a duel. Don't say anything though. I promised not to spread it. I'll play a bit for you if you want' Even Jasmine seemed intrigued at this. 'I'll just grab those cookies first.' And so, cookies in hand, he began to play, and sing.

On my own, pretending she's beside me.
All alone, I walk with her til morning.
Without her, I feel her arms around me,
and when I lose my way I close my eyes and she has found me...

In the rain, the pavement shines like silver,
all the lights, are misty in the river,
in the darkness, the trees are full of starlight,
and all I see is her and me, forever and forever.

He trailed off. He rubbed his neck at their expressions.

'Sorry. I didn't hurt your ears did I?'

'Hurt our... No! That was incredible! I didn't know you could sing like that. What was the song?'

'Oh, it's from an old musical, Les Miserables. Not many people know it these days...'

'You just gained major hot points!' Caleb and Jasmine shared a glance.

'Maybe we should go back. Thanks for having us over. You should sing more.'

'Really? I guess I'm a bit cagey about it...' Jasmine laughed.

'You? Cagey? Never.'

And there. It be done. I'd just like to say that OCG Yubel doesn't have that effect, but Anime Yubel does, so I went with that for convenience. And, I don't own On my own, or Les Miserables.