The next day, I went over to the school like last time, hearing the bell ring as I got close. I saw Yuma rushing through the entrance, causing me to face-palm. Late again; no surprise. I'm apparently now the around-the-school girl of Heartland Academy, courtesy of the student council often noticing me supervising Yuma's crew. Things were going on as usual: Tori scolding for Yuma's tardiness, Bronk teasing Yuma, and Cat trying to be noticed. But things got a bit hectic when duel period rang up.
I was watching Yuma's duel, in which he had just summoned lvl 3 Gagaga Girl, who was more than ready to battle. Unfortunately, before Yuma could do anything, Ray called out, "Yuma!" to get his attention.
Ray quickly said, "Come on Yuma; hurry, we got big trouble! Just come with me!" Ray quickly grabbed Yuma's arm before running off, leaving a super-ticked Gagaga Girl behind on the field. I quickly followed after them to see what was up.
By the time we got to where Ray was leading us, he yelped and ducked, leaving Yuma to take a shoe to the face. Cathy was being held back by Caswell, shoe in hand while yelling, "You are a wannabe!"
Bronk was nervously trying to calm down Tori, who was shouting back, "Take that back you freaky cat!" The two of them were fighting for some reason; that was what Ray meant by "big trouble." They kept going for each other until Yuma told them to quit.
"I can't believe this! You guys are friends; what are you yelling for?" he shouted to make them stop.
Ray replied, "Well, it's sort of 'cause of an idea I had..."
Apparently, Ray's idea for the Super Secret Number Hunter Investigation Club(SSNHIC) cheerleader totally backfired on him. He tried to suggest Tori, as she was "Yuma's girlfriend" before remembering she couldn't duel. Cathy agreed, declaring that "we need a duelist, not a wannabe". That got on Tori's bad side, who retaliated by calling her a "freaky cat-girl". By then, things went downhill from there.
"...It's my fault." Ray finished sadly, which Yuma and I agreed. "Looks like the Ray Way failed again," Yuma groaned.
"Let's just forget it," Ray suggested, to which me and the boys agreed; Cathy and Tori, not so much.
"Stay out of this Yuma!" Tori snapped.
"But I don't think -"
"If you don't think, don't talk!" Cathy catcalled. Poor Yuma had to back down in dismay. Just then, I heard Rio's mind coming in close, soon coming in.
"What's going on, guys?" she asked, "Sounds like you're having an interesting discussion." Bronk grinned and suggested Rio being the cheerleader, but Cathy would have nothing of it.
"We need a real duelist," she hissed, pointing at Rio, "Not Shark's guppy little sister." I slinked away from Rio, seeing those words flipped the switch.
"If you're challenging me to a duel, Cathy, I accept." Rio replied venomously as a red aura glowed around her.
"Maybe this cheerleader idea isn't so great," Caswell figured, taking a step back, "Let's just forget it."
Flip added, "I'll tell you what isn't great: Bronk's intelligence."
Bronk looked at them menacingly as he growled, "I'll crush you."
Yuma got scared and called out, "No, Bronk, no!" But before we knew it, all Shadow Realm broke loose in front of Yuma and me. Yuma tried to calm things down as Astral secretly appeared behind him. The spirit looked around and jerked his head back to avoid a book to the face. I noticed Girag standing by the door and glared at him. This is the chance I've been waiting for, he thought with expectation. I narrowed my eyes to sum up my opinion on his plan.
The next day, Yuma and I kept an eye on everyone during their day. We watched as Tori and Cathy saw each other, both turning their backs and going in different directions. Farther down the hall, Bronk came across Caswell and Flip, turning on them.
"Guess they're all really mad," Yuma concluded.
"You think?" I asked rhetorically. Then we both saw Rio walking off with her back to us.
"Hey Rio," Yuma called, - even though I tried telling him not to - "Wait up!"
Rio stopped, her red aura still glowing, and asked threateningly, "Did you want something?"
Yuma flinched, "Who, me? Nah!"
When the school day was over, we were were walking down the sidewalk. Yuma was pretty bummed out that everyone left early.
"I really felt like having a duel today," he pouted. Ray offered to duel him, but Yuma declined.
"Okay," Ray replied cheerfully, "Some other time, then." Astral and I suddenly felt rather than heard Girag approaching from behind.
"Yo, Yuma," he said to get our attention. Yuma turned around, surprised by Girag's size.
"Yeah, what do you want?"
"Nothing much," he replied, "Just a little duel..."
"...So whaddya think?" Girag asked as he finished.
"You want them to have a sports duel?" Yuma asked back, confused.
Girag nodded and explained, "Your friends gotta get over their frustrations. And sports are the way to do it. Team 'em up with each other and they'll have to work together to win."
Ray smiled, "Know what? He's right."
Yuma grinned, "Yeah it's a great idea!"
"But there's one thing you gotta remember," Girag reminded them, "You'll have to compete, too. And if you make it to the finals, ya gotta make sure you let the other guys win." Astral and I listened carefully, discouraged by his reminder to lose on purpose. "The reason you're doing this is so your friends will be friends again," he continued, "If they win, they'll be happy; and if they're happy you'll be happy."
"Yeah, I get it!,"Yuma exclaimed, "Thanks a - wait; I don't even know you, so why do you wanna help me?" Yuma asked, giving the giant Barian a suspicious glare.
His mind scrambled in a blind panic for a cover story, coming up with, "Uh, it's because...I'm a big fan! I love your work!"
Yuma cocked his head, "Thanks, I think... Okay, tomorrow we'll hold the first ever Friendship Games! Come on Ray, let's go tell them!" Meanwhile, Astral and I seemed to be having the same thoughts: I have a bad feeling about this.
After school, we had everyone gathered in the school courtyard, even Shark. Yuma, Ray, and Girag had everything set for the games. According to them, I would be supervising from the players area, while Ray would be MC. Girag hosted the welcoming ceremony, "I officially welcome all of you to the first ever Friendship Games!"
With applause, Yuma reminded everyone, "Remember, do your best and good luck." Ray said it was going to be fun; although everyone else disagreed.
"When will this be over?" Shark questioned in annoyance.
"Look," Yuma assured, "Let's just try. If we all get into this, we'll all come away happy!" Girag relayed the rules to everyone. They were going to play in teams; if a team won a match, they got a point; the two teams with the most points would advance to the finals. Afterward, the teams were displayed on the screen. Too Cool and the Fool: Yuma and Shark; Nerd Herd: Caswell and Flip; Beauty and the Bronk: Rio and Bronk; Grrr-l Power: Tori and Cathy. The girls hated being in a team together, but Ray calmed them down by claiming the winner would be SSNHIC cheerleader.
The first event was picked as a random card out of a box: Skydiving field. Everyone set their duel gear and picked a duel monster partner for the first event. I was also going to chose different monsters, depending on the event, since my job for this tournament is crossfire monitor. As soon as the card activated, everyone was falling through the air.
"And now," Ray called into his microphone, "The first duel will take place in the sky!" Shark was standing on Aero Shark, aiming for the Nerd Herd. "Go, Aero Shark," he commanded in a bored tone, and it used Devouring Dive on Caswell and Flip.
I was on Yinlong's back, commenting over my gazer, "Some of these guys could've at least used monsters that fly." Shark turned to look at me and nodded in agreement, as did our monsters.
Yuma, holding onto Zubaba Knight, shouted, "Hey look, Shark! We beat 'em!"
"The first match is a quick victory for Yuma and Shark!" Ray declared. I sounded off, "One point scored for Shark and Yuma."
The next match was a volleyball tournament, and I was on the sidelines with Dark Magician.
"Now it's the Beach Volleyball Duel." our MC announced. The match was Yuma and Shark vs. Rio and Bronk.
"Heads up, Bronk," Rio warned as she launched the ball to him. Bronk jumped up, ready to spike, thinking, you just watch me, Rio. However, he began to look nervous when he realized Shark was in front of him.
"Hey Bronk... in your face!" he shouted, spiking the ball at Bronk, being literal about his remark. The ball got Bronk square in the face as Black Ray Lancer used Shimmering Spear Slash on his Tin Archduke, destroying it. He fell to the ground as Rio looked down at him. Arms crossed, Dark Magician tutted with disapproval and commented, He should've paid more attention.
"And that is a facial 'disgracial.'" Ray updated, causing me to laugh a little. I called in, "Another score for Shark and Yuma."
Next match: Tennis Duel of Grrr-l Power vs. Nerd Herd. This time, I was flying above the field, riding on Koumori Dragon. Tori managed to receive the ball and hit it to the boys. Flip reflected it and taunted the girls. Tori was about to get it, but then Cathy rushed over and shouted, "I got this!" Famous last words; the two of them crashed into each other and dropped the ball.
"You're a total ball-hog!" Tori jeered at Cathy.
"I'm not a hog I'm a cat!" the gray-haired girl hissed back. All the while, Cat Girl's looking down and Little Fairy is face-palming.
"See, they're finally speaking to each other again," Ray remarked off-mic with a grin.
"Sounds like yelling." Girag frowned back. Koumori growled with impatience as the girls carried on. I sighed and declared halfheartedly, "Score Caswell and Flip."
Ray nodded and tallied the scores: Yuma and Shark: 4 pt; Rio and Bronk: 3 pt; Caswell and Flip: 3 pt; Tori and Cathy: 0 pt.
Shark won at Table Tennis against the girls with a single strike. Bronk and Rio won the Wrestling match against Tori and Cathy. By break time, Shark and Yuma had 5 pt, whereas Bronk and Rio had 4 pt. Almost everyone was sitting down, exhausted, but the Kastle twins were still standing. The boys admitted they were beat, but the games were fun since they got rid of their frustration. Cathy and Tori were sitting back to back, but they smiled at each other. Tori apologized for being catty, and Cathy confessed her jealousy of Tori. Rio complimented them for being a good team.
"Hey Yuma," Ray informed, "Your friend's strategy is working perfectly." Yuma agreed before crying tears of joy, "This just makes me so happy!"
Astral commented, "I do not understand how a person can be so happy, when their dueling ability is so sad."
I laughed at the comment as Yuma snapped at him, "Be quiet!"
By then, Girag was announcing which teams were making the finals. Obviously, Yuma and Shark were advancing; we didn't expect Cathy and Tori to make it, though. Girag explained that all-girl teams get a 50-pt bonus, much to the boys' surprise. "And for being the points leader, I got a special kind of award to give you, so come with me."
The girls happily agreed and followed Girag, with Ray and Astral giving suspicious looks toward him.
I quietly followed Girag and the girls from outside the building, using their minds as trackers. They stopped at their usual classroom, a ways away from the courtyard. Cathy and Tori were wondering what they were going to get, hoping for a rare card. But when Girag turned around, he lifted Barian's Force to them. Their thoughts were quickly wiped out, replaced by a Barian red aura that only repeated, We will battle for Barian.
I got really scared because Yuma and Shark were going to lose on purpose. Then I heard the familiar sound of Shark's runner starting up. I turned to see him putting on his helmet and getting ready to leave. I'm over this, he was thinking before he drove away. My fear immediately disappeared; Shark left because he got bored, typical. That's a chink in Girag's plan; serves him right for lack of insight!
Besides, I was exhausted from all the excitement, so I figured Shark had the right idea to bolt. So I padded over to where the school's floral design club was, since I found Lotus to be trustworthy. I walked up to the door and knocked at it, hearing Lotus' voice reply, "Come in." I quietly opened the door to see that only Lotus was in the room.
"Welcome to the club, Star," Lotus greeted as she trimmed her petunia. I can see that Star has been through much pain. But I'm sure that she'll find the club as a safe place for her. I saw pity in her thoughts as she gestured for me to sit down by the window, and I did so.
"You needn't worry about me hurting you, Star," Lotus told me, "I'm not going to."
"I know," I sighed as I rested my head on the wall. I just sat there, listening to the sounds of Lotus' plant clippers. The snips were steady, helping me to calm down.
"Just fall asleep, Star," I heard Lotus say softly, "You clearly need rest." I was already getting pretty sleepy, and I knew that Lotus was right. Before long, my eyes closed, and I fell asleep.
When I woke up, I saw that the final duel was over. I also noticed Lotus was watching me as I sat up straight.
"Did you sleep well?" she asked me.
I nodded back and replied, "Thanks, I needed that." I got up and said goodbye as I left to get back to the courtyard. By the time I got there, I noticed that Tori and Cathy had no memory of the brainwashing. They didn't think they had their duel yet and started chasing Yuma. I smiled slightly before opening a Gateway and heading back home for the night.