I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! GX. Only Melinda and Taylor Clawood are mine. This is an alternate story to Obelisk Queen and I thank Abyssdancer for his/her support.

Chapter One- Overreaction

Zane smiled as he took in his classmates. He had just triumphed over a pro duelist, a woman called Melinda who billed herself as a witch duelist. Bastion had done some research on her and presented it to Zane, who read it with mild interest. He discovered that Melinda considered herself a real witch who admittedly was a short-tempered duelist and her cards were spell casters with the word 'witch' in their names.

Melinda was just as Bastion's research said. She was a few years older than him and wearing a witch's hat and cape with her outfit. Her deck was challenging and Zane had found himself on the defensive for a short period and had even lost life points. Zane never lost his cool as he fought back and brought the duel to an end in his victory. The screech of fury from Melinda was a bit unprofessional in Zane's opinion. Her burning glare was a rather immature response and she deigned to shake his hand; instead she had stalked out of the room.

Doctor Crowler had wanted a victory party back at Obelisk but Zane insisted that the whole school attend the party. Sheppard supported this and the arena became the setting of a school-wide party. The happy smiles of the Ra and Slifer students pleased him and he hoped to speak to some of them, especially Syrus and Jaden.

"Wonderful duel, Zane," Alexis said as she came up beside him. "That one had me on the edge of my seat."

Zane smiled in amusement. "Yes, I don't provide that kind of excitement often, do I?"

"Afraid not."

"Well, perhaps I will at the Graduation Match."

"Provided you're in it and you choose a good opponent."

"I am certain I will be in it and I already have decided on my opponent."

"Jaden," Alexis said.

"Correct. He may not be a good student, but his dueling skills are remarkable. We have seen him face tough challenges and triumph each time. I would very much like to see how much he has improved since our first and only duel."

"I'm sure Jaden would love to have a rematch with you."

"No doubt of that. In fact, I think I will speak to him about my recent duel." Zane nodded to Alexis before heading to the brunette.

Jaden was chatting to Syrus and Chumley about the duel and Melinda's cards. "I'd like to test her deck out myself," he said with a grin.

"Ja, she's a pro," Syrus pointed out. "She won't duel freshmen like us."

"Maybe she will. I actually saw her a couple of minutes ago, joining the party."

"Did she?" spoke a calm voice. "Perhaps she will duel you, especially if I vouch for you."

"Zane," Jade said as he turned to him and flashed a grin and a thumbs-up. "That was a sweet duel. Real exciting."

"Thank you. I was concerned that I would lose."

"No way. You're real good. You'll do great on the pro circuit."

Zane gave a nod at Jaden's compliment before saying, "Why don't we go ask Melinda for that duel?"

"Yeah. She's this way." Jaden headed off toward the punch table.

Melinda toyed with the punch ladle when no one needed to use it. Her transport wouldn't arrive for another twenty-five to thirty minutes so she decided to attend the party. It wasn't unusual for her to attend parties, win or lose, as she sometimes performed a magic trick or two for she really was a witch, though she would say she was a magician at non-duel parties. She had a feeling that no one was going to request a trick as it was likely that everyone here believed that her title simply referred to her deck's theme.

"Melinda!" called a voice and she looked to see a boy with brown hair and a red jacket coming up to her with Zane behind him. The boy's cheerful grin and disposition gave her hope. Perhaps I will be performing a trick.

"Hi and you are?" She held out a hand.

"Uh, Jaden Yuki." He took her hand and they shook. "Look, I was wondering if you could duel me."

"Oh. Are you turning pro soon as well?"

"Well, no. I'm a first year but I'm a pretty good duelist."

"I'm sure you are. This is the best Duel School in the world."

"It's more than that," Zane stepped in. "Jaden has won duels where others did not. He has saved the world from destruction against impossible odds. When I leave, he will be the top duelist here."

Melinda turned her attention to Zane. She was impressed by Jaden's accomplishments, but her loss to Zane still angered her and she thought there was a hidden meaning behind the introduction to Jaden. "Are you mocking me?" she demanded loudly, catching the attention of those nearby."

"What? Of course not," Zane said, surprised by the accusation.

"Oh, really?" she snapped, reaching into her cape and withdrawing a wooden wand. "You defeat me and choose to humiliate me further by claiming a first year could beat me. You have some nerve!" Melinda's voice rose and the room was becoming quiet.

"Now, wait a minute," Zane said, feeling things were getting out of hand.

"No," she declared as she advanced and put the tip of her wand to Zane's chest. "I put a curse on you that will physically reveal the true beast that you are." The wand tip glowed white and that glow spread to Zane's body.

"What?" Zane asked, confused by the glow even as it faded.

Melinda laughed bitterly. "I really am a witch and I just put a curse on you. Whatever beast lives in your heart and soul will manifest itself on your body over the next two days. You will live the rest of your life as a half-human, half-animal being!" She laughed as she twirled her wand and vanished from the room and appearing at the helicopter pads.

The arena was extremely quiet and all eyes were on Zane who mentally reeled at what he had heard. He was going to be half-animal the rest of his life? He had been cursed on the mistaken assumption that he was mocking her dueling ability. It was an insane situation and yet that was what just happened.

Zane chose to act nonchalant about the whole thing by getting some punch and declaring, "Don't worry. Curses are not real." The quiet abated as people returned to the food, drink, and music, but Zane could tell that Melinda's words were still on their minds and was sure they were discussing it.

"Zane, I'm sorry," Jaden moaned as they walked away from the punch table. "This is my fault."

"She did not react because of what you said. It was my words that caused her to overreact," Zane said. "One would think that a pro would be flattered that a student wished to test him or herself against them. Melinda is not one of them."

"Do you think she really did curse you?" Jaden asked quietly.

Zane didn't answer at first as he contemplated the question. "I want to say no," he said at last. "But after everything we've seen this year and particularly with the Shadow Riders, a curse is not so far-fetched. I don't like the idea of being half-animal for life, but I cannot do anything but accept what will happen."

"So…what kind of beast is in your heart and soul?"

"I have no idea, but I imagine it is not a water animal," Zane stated confidently. He walked away and outside to a pleasant night. But that did nothing to assuage Zane's concern of his curse. I don't know what animal I'll half be, but I'll eventually find out.