In front of the hall room
Normal POV
"Aki, what took you so long? We're going to be late for the duel," said Carly frantically.
"Sorry, it just, uhmm, took a while to look for the ladies' room," Akiza lied. "Where's Misty?"
"She went on ahead of us. She still has to dress up and look good for the ceremony. After all, she's the one who suggested this so it's only natural that she be the host," answered Carly.
"What do you mean she suggested it? Is she the daughter of the school's chairman or something?" Akiza asked.
"Close enough. She's the school's student council president. She proposed the duel ceremony as a way of welcoming the students, both old and new, to the academy," Carly replied.
"Wow, having both looks and brains must make her really popular. No wonder she became council president," Akiza mused.
"Well, you have yours truly to thank for that as well. I helped her with the fliers and campaign stuff. Anyway, we have to go now. I won't miss my Jackie's duel," Carly squealed as she pulled Akiza along with her.
Hallway in front of the Duel Arena waiting room
Yusei POV
"Good news, I now have an excuse to not participate in the duel," Yusei thought. "Bad news, my Stardust Dragon is missing. Weird news, I got Black Rose Dragon instead in my deck."
Yusei paced down the hall in circles frantically, thinking of how his card got switch.
"Think Yusei, Stardust was still with you when you alighted upon your runner. The only places I could think of losing my card are the hallway, the janitor's closet and by the…stairs," remembering the girlshe bumped into.
"Makes sense; our cards were scattered all over the floor so it's natural for us to accidentally switch cards since we didn't look them over. Problem is where do I find her?"
Just as he was thinking of a plan to look for her, the door suddenly swung upon and out came a worried Crow.
"There you are man, you had me and Jack by the throats. We thought you got swept up by a mob or something," Crow said to him.
"Listen, Crow, I can't duel with you guys up in the arena today," Yusei started.
The ginger-haired boy looked at him like he just lost his hair or something
"I lost Stardust," Yusei finished.
After Crow heard that, he stood rigid for three seconds. Five seconds. Then down he goes with a loud thud to the ground, loud enough for Jack to come busting through the door with enough force to send Crow at Yusei's feet.
Inside the Duel Arena
Aki POV
"I've never seen so many people gathered in one place all at once. The seats are practically spilling the students on to the floor because of the sheer volume. It's a good thing that Misty reserved seats for us in the viewing alley. We can see everything from up here, not to mention that the large video screen is within our line of sight so we can watch everything clearly. "
"Is it always this crowded here?" I asked my bespectacled friend.
"When it comes to The Enforcers, it's always like this," Carly replied.
"So the academy's three hottest guys go by that group name?" I asked.
"Pretty much; it's the only group name they used when it comes to dueling in a group. Said that they grew up under that name back at the Satellite along with another friend of theirs," Carly replied.
Akiza was debating on whether she should tell Carly about the guy she bumped into this morning, wondering if she may know him before the lights dimmed in the arena. A single spotlight was shone onstage, revealing a supermodel like girl, wearing a long flowing green gown, smiling at the crowds of students whom I realized to be Misty.
Normal POV
"I, Misty Tredwell, will be your host for today's first ever Duel Academy Battle Ceremony. So, are you all shaking in excitement?" Misty asked, pointing the microphone towards the crowd. It was met by an ear shattering group of voices, eager to get the battle started.
"Before we move on to the main event, we have disappointing news to tell everyone," Misty started.
A soft murmur could be heard from the students, wondering what the news could be.
"For all you Yusei fans out there," Misty continued, "he won't be competing in today's three-way battle."
You could practically hear the cries of every fangirl in the arena, shouting how unfair it is that he won't be participating today.
"But don't you girls cry your heart out just yet. Even if he won't duel today, he's still going to be onstage to support his friends' battle," promised Misty.
Then the spotlight began focus itself on the performer's stage, revealing an intermission dance number choreographed by some of the school's best dancers to first entertain the crowd.
Aki POV
"So the school's top hottie is named Yusei huh," I said plainly.
"Why do you look so uninterested Aki? You should be happy that you get to see a fine male specimen onstage, along with two others," Carly stated.
"It's not that I don't care; it's just that after seeing those blue orbs and handsome face of his a while ago, I can't imagine myself of looking at another guy in the same way," Aki thought.
Just as she was about to fantasy land once more, Misty's voice grounded her to reality. She's praising the intermission number done by some students.
"And now, the moment your all waiting for, let's give it up for The Enforcers," Misty hollered as the crowd started yelling each of the Enforcer's names.
"First up, you all know him as that scruffy little guy with the big attitude when standing up to other people. He's rides a sleek black custom designed Duel Runner. Give a warm welcome to Crow "The Bullet" Hogan," Misty shouted over the roar of the crowd.
The duel stage began giving out smoke, like a steampunk design, and a platform began rising up the floor until it was ten feet high from the ground. On top of it is a scrawny ginger-haired boy with criminal marks scattered across his face. He's wearing the standard male Duel Academy uniform consisting of the blue blazer, black trousers and black leather shoes. The only thing that goes against the dress code is that he replaced the necktie with a bow-tie. He acknowledged the crowd by waving to them, earning some more ear-splitting shrieks.
"And now," Misty started, "the second duelist, who we all know as the King of Faster, the Red Dragon Emperor and the self-proclaimed King of Turbo Duels, riding an elegant white Duel Runner, make some noise for Jack Atlas."
Again, smoke started filling the stage before another platform raised high from the floor. On top of the platform is tall, blonde guy wearing earrings designed as the letter A. He doesn't have any marks on his fair-skinned face. The only thing standard clothing he has on is his necktie which hangs loosely. He's wearing a white blazer, black leather pants and designer shoes. He looks more of a rock star than a duelist. He scans the crowd and scowls at them, making them shout even more. I mean, really now? Beside me, my friend Carly has her mouth open as she takes picture after picture.
"Carly, you look like your trying to catch some flies with your mouth. I don't think Jackie would approve of that," I teased her.
"I can't help it, Jack is so hot. Also, only I'm allowed to say Jack's cute nickname. If you say his nickname again, I'll tell everyone in class later that you put paddings under your bra," Carly shot back playfully.
"Fine, I won't use your nickname of him to tease you as long as you keep my bust out of it," I answered her. "And for the record, I don't pad my chest up," I added.
"I know already. I was just kidding around. When I felt you up, they were definitely real. I think you have a bigger asset than Misty," Carly said, feeling hers and looking at mine jealously.
"Okay, let's stop talking about my size," feeling embarrassed about our talk concerning my womanly gift or gifts.
I focus on Misty's voice again, hearing that she was about to welcome the last member of the Enforcer and Carly's mystery guy talk from the bus.
"And now, the last but definitely not the least, the current Dueling King of the Academy and top-ranked student, Satellite's Shooting Star and my companion onstage for today's duel," Misty said playfully to the envious screaming fans. "Let your voice out everyone in giving Yusei Fudo a warm welcome," shouted Misty over the roaring voices.
As like before, smoke started spewing out onto the stage but, this time, in different colors. A portion of the floor beside Misty opened up and a platform began rising from the ground. Then I see his jutted hair with streaks of gold followed by those mesmerizing eyes of his. I recognize the blazer's darker shade of color as well as the criminal mark on his face. There's no mistaking it. It's the boy she bumped into this morning. It's the boy who kept invading her thoughts. It's the boy that she started falling for.
"THAT'S YUSEI FUDO?!"