Chapter 5 – Three Azure Sirens: Red Men's Blues! Night of Discord
Bold words: Name Introductions; Card names; Monster Stats; 'Special Attacks'; Player(s) Life Points.
. (A) / (FM): Anime / Fan-Made - Cards used in the Anime/Manga; Cards created by the author.
. Italic: Non-English words; Epilogue and Prologue.
. " " - Normal Talk
. ' ' - Thoughts; Summon Chants
Special Thanks: Zeon Paralysis Crystal, Miki-chan13 (Story Proof-Read); CaioCoia (Story Idea – Duel Points)
Author's Note: This chapter will contain 2 parts; The second part will be posted way later (in about a week or so).
– PROLOGUE –
Syrus' Flashback: Eight Years Ago
"Happy 7th Birthday!"
Syrus beamed in delight at the presents in his lap: a child-sized duel disk from his parents and a video disc of Duelist Kingdom from his brother. He was so happy; his grin hurt his face and his heart felt like it'd explode.
And it was only going to get better.
"Here you go, my boy."
"What's this, Grandpa Marcus?"
"An extraordinary deck, put together by an extraordinary person."
"You?"
"Well yes, but also Maximilian Pegasus."
Syrus couldn't believe his ears. THE Maximilian Pegasus?! The man who created Duel Monsters?! And he helped his grandpa make his deck! It must be super special, awesome, and strong!
He scrambled to put the deck inside the duel disk and struck a heroic pose. "I can finally be an awesome duelist! I'll show everyone at school how cool this is!"
Grandpa Marcus laughed kindly before picking up the boy. "They are indeed cool, but not for the reasons you're thinking of." He gently took Syrus' hand and placed it on the deck.
"These cards will listen to your words, your 'feelings'. And they will respond to the best of their strength."
"BIG BROTHER!" Syrus couldn't contain himself, his yell alerting his older brother. "LET'S DUEL!"
Zane looked back at the deck he was practicing with at the time and back at his little brother.
"Sure. Anything for the birthday boy." He grinned and motioned to the stairs. "Let's head to my room, yeah?"
"Yeah!"
As the two brothers headed upstairs, Marcus smiled. He had had troubles with his brothers, so seeing the bond between Syrus and Zane had eased his heart and brought him a good measure of peace.
The power of bonds is in a class of its own, sparking change and creating progress, he mused before mulling over his words…
"Bonds, of that very Strength… Huh"
Location: Slifer Red Dorm; Time: 7 am
Dee's eyes opened on their own, sensitive to the sunlight already peaking in. Already, she felt the shift of Yubel waking up and yawning like a cat as they awoke as well.
Stretching her body out, the sorceress was about to head into the bathroom when the bunk bed caught her eye. Jaden of course was snoring in a mess of limbs and sheets on the bottom bunk, Chumley was breathing softly on his back while grasping a pillow.
And Syrus was nowhere to be seen in the middle bunk.
As for where the cutie had gone, Dee couldn't ascertain. But the deck on the studying table that couldn't be Jaden's (since he never took it out of his disk slot) could provide answers.
"Maybe if I just take a lo-", Dee's hand was inches close to touch the top cards of the deck.
As she tried to, the bathroom door was already opening. She quickly retracted her hand and backed up as fast she could just as Syrus came out, smelling of steam and shampoo.
She acted as naturally as she could, pretending to look at her nails while leaning against the wall. But Syrus didn't notice her as he sighed satisfied from getting washed up, and wore his Red jacket.
"Okay. Just gotta get breakfast next and I'll be able to check out the card packs!"
The blonde sighed with relief that he hadn't noticed anything. But more than that, she wished Jaden could take after his example. Despite his timid nature, Syrus took better care of himself than her brother and took said care seriously.
'It's not that I don't understand why Jaden doesn't.', she thought, insides clenching. "But maybe Syrus could help him take better care of himself."
Eager to find out more from this good example, Dee quietly left after Syrus.
Location: Slifer Red Canteen
"Two chai and two of the specials, please."
The smell of hot tea was enough for Syrus to forget that the sandwiches were at least a day old. Either way, he knew that Jaden wouldn't be able to tell.
Chumley, Syrus could trust to get his breakfast (not because of his weight, but because he was a responsible person); but he knew Jaden would be sleeping in unless someone woke him up (remembering that time he slept on the helicopter).
"Thank God breakfast doesn't cost anything. Otherwise, I'd have nothing to buy cards with!", said , after quickly placing the chai and sandwich beside Jaden's bed. Chumley waved good morning from where he was already finishing his breakfast.
Dee couldn't keep the smile off her face, watching Syrus place the tea and sandwich by Jaden (who was still snoring), and walking away from the room to get his card packs.
Yubel's amber and turquoise gaze followed before catching the blonde's eye.
"Don't tell me you woke that kid up to take care of the prince."
"Of course not! He was already up… All I did was follow him!"
"And then you call me a stalker; at least with my Prince, it's my duty"
"Will you just keep checking on Jaden so he wakes up before class starts?"
"And why can't you? Oh wait, you're going to keep stalking 'four-eyes'?", Yubel smirked. "Are you trying to get a peek at his… 'notes'?"
"Yubie!", Dee gave her a scandalized look before a small flustered smile appeared on her lips. "He wants to check out the cards, and I want to go with him."
"Oh really? Is that all there is to it?", the demoness snarked even further. "What, did you fall in love with him at first sight or something?"
"L-Love, me…? You and I know full well that doesn't exist!" Even as Dee thought this, her face tomato red. "He's just a kind kid helping my little brother, nothing more. And he's one of the only good kids we've met outside of home-"
Yubel waved her off. "Calm down there, 'Maiden in Love'. Go catch up to him - Maybe hug him, so he can check out your 'notes' instead?"
"The only reason I'd hug him… would be because he is as cute as a teddy bear, but nothing else! Now wake up Jaden for me!", Dee implored.
As Dee all but crab-walked out of the room, Yubel couldn't contain their laughter. Chumley looked up a bit with confused eyes (he didn't know where the voices were coming from), while Jaden kept right on snoring.
"Still romantic love or not, it's certainly changed our little mage...", the demoness said those words to herself. "My, my~. Where did Jaden put his Skyscraper again? I've got a fun bet for the goody goods this time…"
Location: Duel Academy Main School; Time: 7:30 am
The Card shop was the room located on the Main School, next to the school Canteen. Syrus could see some Ra Yellow and Obelisk Blue students in each group, gathered with some card packs next to them… he didn't want to meet up with stranger faces before the class could start, so he walked inside the Shop.
There, he saw a jolly rotund old lady in her mid-forties. Just like Syrus, she wore round glasses, her long brown hair had a long braid on her end; The name shown on her badge was Dorothy.
"A new face here in the Academy. Good morning, young boy.", she winked at him. "Feeling lucky to open new packs today?"
Syrus showed a nervous laugh. "I'm usually unlucky on drawing cards from packs. But I'm curious about the new cards that I can help my deck become stronger."
Dorothy gave him a huge grin. "Now that's what I like to hear. Help yourself by looking at what we have."
She revealed the shelves of every kind of Card pack:
– OCG (Original Card Game) Booster Packs
- TCG (Trading Card Game) Collectible Packs
- Champion Packs
- Tournament Packs
- Reprint Packs
Syrus checked his PDA, which contained information on the Card Packs. "I see. These packs contain the cards that were played in the Duels I used to watch when I was little.", he smiled.
'It brings back memories…'
Dorothy was staring at him with a playful look. "Have you decided on what packs to draw? It is almost time for your class to start…"
"Ah… F-Forgive me…", Syrus looked back at the PDA for the remaining information he needed. "Then, I would ask for… a Labyrinth of Nightmare Pack. And a Tournament Pack 4, please."
"Oh, my. A Collectible Pack and Tournament Pack, is it?", she smiled while clicking her digital screen. "Very well, that will be 250 DP, please. Or if you want to pay by currency, it'll be 1500 yen."
'Hmm… It's not that expensive.' Syrus looked at the PDA; To his surprise, he saw that he had 425 DP, wondering how. Checking the history purchase, he noticed a 'Welcome Gift' and 'Spectate a Duel' quest complete.
('Welcome To Duel Academy Gift' = +400 DP; 'Spectate a Duel' = +25 DP)
(S = 425 DP)
'I see… So, I get to earn more Duel Points besides on Dueling and School Learning.', Syrus smiled. 'A weekly quest complete, and there's 7 of them. Big Bro will need to know more about this.'
He returned his attention to the staff woman. "I'll pay with Duel Points, please."
"Very well.", Dorothy asked the boy to place his PDA on top of the machine to do the purchase. "I'll be bringing your Card Packs; Thank you for the purchase, Mr. Truesdale."
(S: 425 – 175 DP)
The Slifer boy nodded and bowed in appreciation. While the old woman was picking the mentioned packs, Syrus checked the other weekly quests…
'Duel against a Slifer Red duelist.'
'Duel against a Ra Yellow duelist.'
'Duel against an Obelisk Blue duelist.'
'Play a total of 30 Spell Cards.'
'Play a total of 30 Traps Cards.'
'Normal Summon 35 Monster Cards.'
After he read the remaining quests, he sighed.
"Each of these quests value 25 DP, so that's… 150 DP; This will be challenging, but luckily ends at the end of the week. Hopefully, Big Bro can help me with some of these quests."
Dorothy returned with the mentioned packs; giving them to the Slifer and waving at him. "May Lady Luck help you with your Pack Opening, New Student."
"Thank you very much. Nice to meet you…", Syrus waved back and walked to the door where the students would start the class. "I don't want to get late for my first class, but I want to know if Big Bro is already awake."
"You talking about me?", Jaden's voice cuts in from behind Syrus.
"GAHHHH!", the Slifer Syrus shouted and jumped in surprise and fell backward, looking up at Jaden and chuckling good-naturedly at his reaction. "You scared me… again."
"Sorry, Sorry. I love to do these kinds of pranks.", he walked closer, giving him a hand. "Here, let me help."
Syrus heard some small laughs from stranger faces of other dorms, his embarrassment rising as he closed his eyes but accepted his helping hand.
Dee pouts at the act, while Yubel places a hand on her shoulder.
"Should I pinch Jaden's cheek for you?", the demoness offered. "Even after the breakfast that he prepared for my Prince, it's up to you to decide."
Dee shook her head.
"It's fine, it's okay.", she gave a small smile. "I only wished Jaden could follow some examples from that poor boy. I only wished that…"
"… You could hug his tender body, to help him in his 'studies'~?", Yubel asked her in a flirty tone, leaving a red-cheek Dee on the spot; she then laughed at the magician's reaction. "… I was just kidding. Don't need to explode here, bestie~."
"J-J-Just… Stop teasing me, Yubie! It's not fair, hmph…", she pouted again. "Why am I getting this worked up over Little Blue? There's plenty of fish in the sea; I'm not that predictable!"
The demoness just shrugged, floating close to Jaden and Syrus. "Whatever you say, Dee~. Don't let those emotions struggle on letting you pick your 'disciple'."
Dee kept standing there, a deep thought coming to her mind… as she saw Syrus walking inside the class; seeing how the boy was nervously laughing next to his adoptive younger Brother. The blush never left her cheeks, her thoughts were a jumbled mess.
'There's no way I have… feelings for Little Blue, do I~?'
Location: Classroom; Time: 8 am
Every student was sitting on the mentioned spot; the Obelisk Blues were on the top benches, next were the Ra Yellows, and finally, the Slifer Reds were on the bottom. One that would say, it resembled a Value Pyramid, from the worst at the bottom to the best at the top.
The teacher walked in, to the surprise of some students; it was no other than Dr. Crowler. Glaring at the Slifer Red students with a repulsed look, the professor put his working papers on his table so that he could begin his class.
"Buongiorno, students. As some of you already know, I'm your Practical Training Teacher, Professor Vellian Crowler. Today's lesson will be centered around the card type – na no ne."
Crowler's lesson continued to drone on; his niceness slowly but surely melting away into saccharine sneering. Clip after clip on the big screen showed the necessary cards the students needed to memorize if they ever hoped to be anything in the dueling world.
Before long, he grew bored despite his student's exemplary behavior. 'Who shall I bring up to the guillotine now?'; A flash of light blue hair caught Crowler's eye and his smile widened. 'Perfect.'
"Signor Truesdale, would you like to explain what's a Field Spell?"
Syrus stood silent for a moment, thinking to himself a bit hard. Repeating the words "Field Spell", just so he could remember what would be the best explanation…
"Relax, Sy…", Jaden murmured. His friend turned his head to Jaden. "I know you got this. Remember my entrance exam duel…"
"Your… entrance duel. Skyscraper, wasn't it?", Syrus murmured, turning his head to Dr. Crowler's attention. He then remembers he also played his Field Spell during the Entrance Exam…
He was ready for this question; ignoring the quiet snickers of the Obelisk Blues to focus on Jaden giving him a thumbs up and a friendly grin. He wasn't going to let those jerks get him down!
"Unlike the other Spells, a Field Spell is activated on the Field Spell Zone. The use of a Field Spell is to give an effect on the entire field, as long as it stays face-up on the field."
"Card examples; like Yami, powering up face-up Spellcasters and Fiend monsters, and decreasing Fairy–Type monsters; Fusion Gate, where you can fuse monsters from hand or field by removing them from the game. Those are Field Spells that either benefit or harm each player during the duel."
The deafening silence was evidence enough that no one, least of all Crowler and his precious Obelisk Blues, expected someone like Syrus to have the right answer. Jaden grinned even wider at seeing their faces.
'Leave it to my best pal to show those guys who's the best! Who else could answer those crazy questions like he did?'
Crowler bit back the snarl in his throat; Who did this brat think he was, humiliating his Obelisk Blues and giving such an incredible answer?!
But he calmed almost immediately and smiled cruelly.
"Goodness me, Signor Truesdale; Such an eloquent and correct answer - no ne! You managed to waste almost a full minute to fill the room with your voice! Next time, do try to keep your responses to what was asked of you, yes - na no ne?"
This got some snickers from the Obelisk Blues and Syrus' face burned.
"At least I knew the answer," he muttered under his breath as he sat down.
Crowler caught that little comment and his smile widened – an opening!
"It is certainly an accomplishment a Slifer Red got a question right! But don't let me see you coasting off of Signor Truesdale; For he truly is the exception of your studying habits rather than the norm - na no ne."
Yet despite his stern look of authority, Jaden did not balk or wither beneath his gaze. That alone made Crowler seethe with indignation.
"Big talk, Teach! Especially considering how you got your butt handed to you by a little ol' Slifer Red's Field Spell!"
"W-WHAT?!" The elite students were stunned at Jaden's exclamation. Surely, he was bluffing!
But one look at their professor's barely repressed glower put that to rest. "You put too much pride in a fluke, Signor Yuki…"
"Heh-heh..."
Crowler stopped, eyes flickering toward the chuckling Jaden; the boy's smirk made a shiver go down his spine.
"And you put too much pride in picking on students even when they do what you ask."
The retort got an even bigger gasp from the students. Crowler felt light-headed from the sheer fury he was feeling from Jaden's posturing.
'I won't endure these slights anymore! I WILL expel this slacker if it's the last thing I do!'
"C… Class Dismissed - na no ne!"
The bell rang inside the class, the teacher left the room defeated; it was break time. While most of the students left, some of them glaring at Jaden, the two Slifers stood in the same spot.
"You did well with your answer, Sy.", Jaden said, Syrus looking at him. "I'm serious about my words. You were very specific and well-detailed on the question. If I told you another teacher would ask you that same question, they would be proud of you…"
"Do you think so?", Syrus asked, his smile showing up. "… I just thought that maybe I would give a good impression, to you, I guess. After the words you told me yesterday, not getting depressed; I took them by heart, so I did the best I could."
Jaden's grin was above his limit. Hearing him saying such kind words to the fellow red exclusively, Jaden instinctively put his arms around Syrus' neck. "Aww, man. Who would think you would have a gentle heart for someone like me? I'm honored…"
"I, ca-can't breathe. *Cough* Help, *Cough* Someone Help!"
Time: 9:30 am
The class had changed, Professor Banner was their next teacher for his Alchemy lesson. A class that talked about metal formation, the creation of some valuable solid, like gold; Alchemy was the art of turning basic substances into noble ones. The class took another hour and a half until the bell rang again for the class to be dismissed…
Due to school duty, Banner asked for two students to be picked to clean the room. One of them was a student named Nate, a Slifer Red. The second student was… Syrus.
Any semblance of a good mood the boy might have had evaporated. Adding insult to injury, he had to stay and clean up the classroom...
"So much for a good second day of school," he muttered glumly.
Unbeknownst to him, Dee watched him from behind the door. She longed to comfort him, to help him; he didn't deserve to be mocked by others, or be shot down when he was trying his best.
But she couldn't gain the courage to cross the barrier.
"Our worlds are so different from one another... so why do I want so badly to know about yours?"
Location: Professor's Office
A feather pen scribbled some words on a piece of paper; Dr. Crowler sitting on his chair, an annoyed look on his face, remembering the comments the Slifer gave to him…
"Impudent, arrogant, upstart slacker!"
Crowler scribbled furiously across the paper, the speed of his efforts making ink splash everywhere. "You dare embarrass the Grandioso Crowler not once, but TWICE – NO NE?! He won't get away with this, I swear upon my reputation of the best teacher in Duel Academy – na no ne!"
He picked up a container of red lipstick and placed it on his lips; to then deeply kiss the front of the letter. Crowler's grin was so wide, it made his face feel like it would crack open; This plan was flawless! No teenager in their right mind would turn down an invitation from an elite and beautiful student!
And he might've succeeded, were it not for the hidden figure hearing all of this; the door was semi-open, and a female student staring at his plan. With her back stuck to the wall, the sneaky student gave a quiet snicker at the teacher's plotting.
'Hmm~… A love letter, isn't it? Things are starting to get interesting…'
Location: Boy's Locker Room
"Sneaking, sneaking…", the 'nice' teacher hid himself behind the lockers, to find the correct one; freely opening each locker "Where are the Slacker's shoes? Where are they?"
He then found the locker where it had the shoes with his name. He placed the letter on top of them while laughing to himself. "There we are; the Farewell-Kiss!"
Dr. Crowler suddenly heard footsteps coming from the hall, and he didn't want to get busted; so, he hid himself inside another farther locker room.
"Thank goodness I was here on time for PE class. Nate helped me with the clean-up.", Syrus said with a huff while opening his locker.
'Jeez, Big Bro; don't you know that this is my locker door? Even after telling you in our dorm…', he then saw a letter with a kiss mark on it. 'A love letter; On my second day of School? That's weird…'
Opening the letter, he read what was written…
'
To my beloved Jaden,
I know that this will come as a shock but ever since we met, I cannot get you off my mind.
You are always in my thoughts, and I simply can't deny it.
I have fallen in love with you.
I beg you to come meet with me tonight, beside the Obelisk Girl's Dorm. Here is a map for the safest route.
Yours forever, Alexis Rhodes.
'
Syrus looked over the letter, confused and surprised. 'Alexis has a crush on Jaden? Never would have thought it...'
The bell rang, which would mean the start of another period.
"OH SHOOT, GYM CLASS!"
The bluet scrambled to his locker, kicking off his school shoes and struggling to get his gym shoes on one at a time. Dee couldn't help the fond smile spreading across her face watching how earnest he was.
"Not two days here, and my little brother is already a lady killer. I guess the quickest way to a girl's heart here is through a late-night grudge duel."
Location: Duel Academy Main School; Time: Lunch Break
"Do you want to get some packs before we get our lunch at the Dorm?", Jaden asked Syrus, after they were done with the PE class.
"I've already got my packs to open during Lunchtime.", Syrus explained, before pulling an envelope from his pocket. "But I do have something to give you."
Jaden looked over the note a few times. No matter how he thought about it, it didn't make sense. Alexis wasn't the shy type, he knew that. And she never was roundabout either.
So why did this letter imply both those things?
"There's something fishy here," Jaden declared aloud, frowning at the letter. "It's not like her at all..."
Yubel also read the letter and turned her attention to Dee. The female sorceress understood it and gave an interested look. The demoness called Jaden to whisper wily words in his ear; as the plan was being laid out Jaden's grin only grew wider with his growing excitement.
"Are you okay, Big Bro?"
Jaden handed over the letter to his friend with a deadpan look.
"Hmm… I don't know if I should accept it, ya know? Like, think for a bit… It's Alexis; she showed up when we met up with Chazz. The way she positioned herself, the confidence she excluded; she wouldn't suddenly change her tune to write a letter...right?"
"Is that so?"
Jaden continued, "Besides, we have PDAs for that. Chazz did it to ask me for a duel last night, remember?"
Syrus nodded, looking back to the letter. "You have a good point, Big Bro. So, you're telling me this is a set-up?"
"That's all up to you to decide it.", Jaden placed his hands on Syrus' shoulders. "If I were you, I would do this..."
While the two Slifers were conversing, they weren't aware of the female student listening to their conversation on the stairs to the second floor. A hidden manic smile bloomed on her lips.
"Oh, this is giving me a rather spicy idea. I have nothing better planned tonight, might as well get a good show out of it."
Location: Girl's Dorm; Time: Lunch Break
"Would you believe it, Alexis?", one of said girl's closest friends questioned with a huff. She had brown eyes and dark grey hair stuck in a ponytail, the hair tips going up. Her name's Mindy.
"You can't find good boys these days? Especially that Yuki Brute; The way he sounded so vulgar in front of Dr. Crowler…"
"Why would you tell me that?", the blondie asked, while eating her meal. "I don't care about it one way or the other. What I do care about, is knowing where's Jasmine."
"I'm sorry, girls. Did I make you wait?"; A girl walked close to their table; She also had brown eyes and somewhat spiky dark-red hair. "I was about to leave my class when suddenly someone gave me this letter. However, it's not for me; it's for you, Mindy."
"A love letter… This soon?", Mindy blushed while having that curious thought 'Could it be from… him?'.
Opening the letter, she read and her smile turned to a shocked and annoyed look.
"Mindy… is everything okay?", Alexis asked worriedly.
"Speaking of the wendigo in duelist clothing; Jaden wants to meet with me at night at the lake to confess his feelings to me.", She crumbles the paper in pure anger as she makes her rage known. "Oh, he's in for a rude awakening now!"
Suddenly, Alexis' PDA started beeping too. "Who could be sending me a message at this time of the hour?"; Her screen showed Syrus' face in it, his voice sounded a bit nervous…
"H… Hum, Alexis Rhodes. I-I came to tell you that I'll be waiting at the beach before night comes. It's about something really important, so please accept my invitation. Thank you…"
"Oh… another admirer?", Jasmine asked, inwardly legitimately curious cause she didn't expect them to respond. "Is it going to be another confession that you'll reject straight away?"
Alexis looked at the message with a calm but severe expression on her face.
"This kid was next to Jaden yesterday when I walked inside the Duel Stadium; unlike Jaden, who wanted to confront Chazz, he looks fragile. I'll tag along and see what he wants…", she got up from her seat and walked away from the room.
"Of course, I won't be merciful if he tries to pull a prank on me. Or else…"
Location: Beach; Time: 6 pm
Besides the calm winds, the weather wasn't the best one. Syrus was looking at the dawn, the sun leaving down the ocean; creating tones of orange, combining the dark-blue colors from the sky.
"It's really cold to wait for her here.", Syrus said, hugging himself for some heat. "A… A–CHOO! Jeez, Big Bro; just what made you think this was a good idea?"
He wasn't aware, but Dark Magician Girl's Spirit Dee was watching him closely. She wanted to know how this would end.
"This morning, you were the one waking up first. You were responsible enough to do your morning chores to prepare yourself for the class, you even gave Jaden his breakfast.", Dee took some time to think. "Just how is this day going to end for you, I wonder…"
Footsteps on the sand could be heard, Syrus and Dee turning their attention to Alexis; the blonde Obelisk girl walking close to the boy.
"You called me, didn't you?", the girl asked with her arms crossed. "What's the 'important call' that needs my presence here?"
Syrus gulped, but approached still seriously; getting close to her.
'You can't be serious now… it WAS a confession after all. And today's the 50th lost soul, I might reach a record…', Alexis closed her eyes with an annoyed look.
"I'm sorry, but I won't accept…"
"What's with this note?", Syrus asked.
Alexis blinked. "I'm sorry. What?"
The kid gestured to the envelope, which she was disturbed to find had her name in her handwriting. Which she most certainly didn't write…
"Let me see that," she all but ripped it out of the kid's hands to look over.
Her hands were trembling; blood was cold as she read over a whole letter in her style, confessing her love for Jaden Yuki and asking to meet her in the Obelisk Blue Dorm.
'Oh… When I find out who was the creep that wrote this… I'll make him pay!'
Location: Girl's Dorm
"A-A… A-CHOO!", Dr. Crowler sneezed, hiding on the nearby bushy thicket. "Strano (Weird). I asked Signor To-Be-Expelled-Boy to come at this time around at this place – no ne."
The professor was dressed in what looked like a dark spy costume, only getting to show his face; to prove his anonymous identity. He was holding a camera, an impish cruel grin twisting his lips.
"The best place to hide is behind the bath in the Girl's dorm – no ne. Soon, Jaden will arrive; And then… Snap! A camera flash, such a picture will make him look like a pervert; caught peeping on the girl's bath! And only then, the kid will be expelled from the Academy – na no ne!"
A flashback came from his mind. Looking back at the camera it was in his hands...
Location: Professor's Office; Time: 3 pm (3 hours ago)
Someone was knocking on the door.
"Avanti (Come in)!", Dr. Crowler asked, the door opening to see one of the girl's Obelisk Blue students; much for his satisfaction. "Ah, Signora Jasmine – no ne. What seems to be the problem, mio caro (My lady)?"
"Good evening, Professor. I'm having a little trouble with this thing.", the dark-red-haired girl shows her camera to the teacher. "I'm trying to take some good photos, but the lens keeps acting up when I try to take them."
She then shows off her best attempt at puppy dog eyes to the teacher as she begs and grovels a bit to poke at his ego for her benefit.
"Wouldn't you mind taking a look at them, and see if there's a problem with them tonight? It shouldn't be too hard for the Great Professor…"
Dr. Crowler's ego grew two sizes at that moment and while self-serving, he spoke supportively to the female Obelisk Blue Student. "Nessum Problema, signorina. I'll be sure to test your camera at nighttime, to see if there are any problems – na no ne."
"Nothing like a small testing session in my room to ease my nerves, scooping at my pretty roses and tulips. The pictures looked… Vistoso (Flashy) – no ne. And since Signora Jasmine was so kind to let me have this camera for tonight, why not the opportunity to give Duel Academy News a 'New Scoop' – na no ne? Ehe… Ehehehe!"
After Dr. Crowler's mental maniacal laughter session became stifled to his surprise who was approaching the lake; he saw Mindy walking to the nearby harbor where there was a rowboat. She placed her hands in each stick, and started rowing the small wooden boat to another place…
"Eh? Why is Signora Mindy taking the boat out at this hour, I wonder – no ne.", he pondered concernedly as he decided to follow her while hiding himself in the bushes.
His eyes couldn't believe this sight and as if the universe wanted to make the 'good' Professor gape wider in shock and incredulity. On the other end of Mindy's direction… was Jaden Yuki on a rowboat as well.
"Oh brother, why do I gotta be the guy dealing with the Waterworks?", Jaden idly questioned with a bored tone to his voice
"Cause you are a glutton for trouble and this is Christmas Ham and Chicken for you.", Yubel retorts, sitting on the same boat; her back leaning on his as she joked further.
"Such a reckless prince you are Jaden. But I suppose you are more comfortable in the darkness if you felt attempting this stunt twice was a good idea. Although, the scandal hanging over your head is a good incentive."
"You say that, but all I see is a girl on the other side of the lake."
"Hmm? A girl?", Yubel turned her head to see the same girl Jaden was looking.
Mindy steadied herself as she got up from her boat, giving a very fierce, even bestial glare.
"Jaden Yuki! You have some nerve, for what you pulled today."
"What the heck did I do to make you ticked off?"
"The roasting you gave Dr. Crowler during his lesson; that was at least funny, but receiving a love letter from your scruffy self!? You crossed a line there, Red!"
The Slifer stood shocked still, his mouth agape in a morbid horror with Yubel snickering. "A love letter? FROM ME!?"
"Unless you're blind, it's your name written on the letter; and I'm the receiver.", She shows it from her boat, only Yubel being able to read the letter and only struggled to not laugh harder.
"She's right, my reckless prince… Your name is written on there, and it's the same text written on Syrus' letter."
He facepalmed after hearing that, his mind was running over-drive; too much was going on.
"I woke up, ate a late breakfast, and got to class, on time. Dr. Crowler's lesson, after that, Professor Banner's lesson, and finally, Miss Fontaine's PE class. I had lunch with Syrus while opening booster packs… in what time did I have a chance to write a love letter?"
"Why should I care if you had time or not? What I want to know is why did you write this letter to me?"
"I DIDN'T! That's the part you don't get it!"
Mindy was getting more upset and angrier as the misunderstanding continued and hit her breaking point. "If you're not going to answer my questions; then our cards will do the talking! Let's Duel, you and me!"
A smirk joined Jaden's lips, ignoring the drama that was going on. "Now you're speaking my language! Who are you again?"
"Mindy Hamaguchi! Remember it, because it'll be the name that will defeat you!"
"Alright, Mindy! It's time to throw down and get your Game ON!"
"DUEL!", they shouted.
Location: Beach
Alexis sighed after reading the letter.
"Let's get something straight here: I didn't write this. I don't know who wrote this," Alexis laid down sternly before adding, "And IF I was going to confess to Jaden, I'd do it in person. I wouldn't pull any of this round-about nonsense!"
"Well, that's-"
"Besides, why do you even have that letter if it's not for you?"
"I-I received the letter in my locker. I gave it to Jaden, and he told me to confirm if the letter was done by you; he wasn't sure if this was a set-up, so he asked me to call you and meet you here."
Alexis gave a huff of laughter.
"Be that as it may, why would Jaden have you come here in his stead? Is he that afraid of me?" Alexis asked curtly. "Or did he assume you'd be willing to do whatever he asked of you without thinking? I'd call it cute, it's honestly pretty sad."
"I, I…", Syrus was having trouble speaking. Only silence was the best answer for him.
Dee's fists clenched tightly. "Who is she to say all of that when she doesn't know a thing about him or my brother?!"
But as she looked at Alexis closer, something felt off. "This isn't like how she talks; if anything, it's closer to that Chazz-Hands boy from yesterday. What in the world is going on?"
While Syrus tried to come up with an answer, Alexis just pulled her hair and sighed.
"If this is the company Jaden's content to surround himself with, I fear for his future: surrounded by nothing but props or sycophants!"
Syrus wasn't sure what he was feeling. It was like a storm, roiling in his blood.
His body felt hot and his headlight, but not from embarrassment.
"... it back."
"Hmm?" Alexis cocked her head. "What was that just now?"
"I said, TAKE IT BACK!" Syrus roared, body shaking from the primal fury in his bones. "You can say whatever you want about me, but I won't let you badmouth Jaden behind his back, you coward!"
Alexis almost recoiled. "… Excuse me?! Did you seriously just call me a 'coward', you brat?!"
"Chazz and Professor Crowler at least locked eyes with Jaden in the flesh when they insulted him! But you're different; You... You just diss him to someone like me behind his back! You're the biggest coward I've ever met! And I won't stand here while you insult my PRECIOUS FRIEND like this!"
Dee stared in wonder and surprise at Syrus. Was he the same timid boy from before? Now she wondered if Jaden had rubbed off on Syrus, or if he had inspired new inner strength in the boy.
Alexis was startled but took a breath to regain composure. She walked right up to Syrus, looking him over.
"This is the first time someone like you had so much nerve to approach me like this. I can't help but have some admiration for that. But… What if I don't do what you say? What are you going to do about it, four-eyes?"
Syrus's arm shot out, duel disk activating as he glared right back into her eyes.
His answer was clear.
"This- this has to be a joke!", Alexis blinked in surprise before laughing.
Syrus said nothing, gaze furious.
"So, it's NOT a joke. Fine!" Alexis' arm shot out as her duel disk activated. "I'll accept your challenge if you'll give me your name."
"I'm Syrus Truesdale of the Slifer Dorm! Prepare yourself!"
The blonde went still, her upper face shadowed. "Truesdale...?"
Of all the students here, of all the people... she was facing his brother?
She smiled coldly as she regained her energy. "This is my lucky day. Show me what you've got in your tank!"
Unbeknownst to the two duelists in a heated confirmation, they had an audience of one watching…
"Oh, this is even better than I expected!"
Jasmine sat comfortably beside the trees to the left with some pillows, popcorn, and lemonade; her ever-trusty camera getting ready to get scoops of this duel while remaining completely inconspicuous.
Dee winced from behind the rocks on the right, hands clasped tightly.
"Syrus, do your best! Don't let someone like this look down on you!"
"DUEL!", the two students declared, disks lighting up the night as the match began.
– TO BE CONTINUED –