Hey all. Okay, I know...its been a while. There is a reason for that. I have decided to change up my updates. Normally, I tried to do it weekly...but...this is proving to be more trouble then I thought. Between my work and RL events, it has not become sustainable. So, I am making updates for all my stories monthly. Once a month, I will update my stories. This is to give me more breathing room in working on chapters and give me time to rest.

I'm gonna be honest.

I've been feeling burned out and that's been affecting my writing. In getting chapters out quickly, they suffered becoming bland and...well, forgettable. Sorry, I want to give you chapters you will remember and keep you around for the next one.

So, here's hoping this new format works out! For now, enjoy!

The news Jaden gave to the EoD was not well received. They knew the King couldn't really do anything given how the rules were set up and the members of the light. But it still hurt. Thankfully, it was going to be some time before the satellite was in place to do any kind of damage. It was outside the controllers range and wouldn't be back for at least three weeks.

Professor Jason sighed, rubbing his face.

"Alright, we got three weeks before that thing is in place for Sartorius to adjust its orbit so its facing Earth. However, we need to let Sheppard know of this."

"Agreed. The other schools too. Jaden is the Light's biggest fear and will try to take him out with that thing." Mindy pointed out.

Everyone nodded gravely.

EODGX

The other professors had been alerted to what had happened and as one, rushed to let Sheppard know. When the chancellor saw all of his professors enter, he knew it was bad news. When told, Sheppard just stared at them all. When it was finally digested, he groaned, covering his face.

"I had no clue that was Sartorius' endgame! I need to let Kaiba and Pegasus know right away!"

"You do that. We can't keep this from the other schools either." Professor Fudo said, his expression grim.

Sheppard nodded, dialing several numbers. Kaiba, Pegasus, and the four heads of the academies all appeared on his large screen. Kaiba looked irritated while the other five looked curious. Sheppard explained everything to the group.

Needless to say, the other four took it as well as they could. They lost their shit at a potential world ending superweapon. Kaiba and Pegasus though were calm and cool about it all.

"Sheppard had no clue that this would happen, everyone. For now, we keep on the tournament." Kaiba stated.

"But Mister Kaiba-!"

Kaiba shook his head. To pull the plug now would send a message that the schools weren't ready. It'd be a PR nightmare not to mention the damage to their reps it would do. The four chancellors all frowned, but nodded. Kaiba rolled his eyes. He knew how to get them to listen. Just threatening them with the bad publicity and they folded faster then Joey at their local poker games.

Pegasus asked what steps were being taken to deal with the SoL. Sheppard smiled a bit at that.

"The professors and students are attacking the SoL en mass. The SoL have avoided dueling many of the EoD for fear of losing their members. But now thanks to this tournament, its open season."

"The SoL is shaped like a pyramid. The weaker members of it make up the base and we're removing the foundation faster then they can replace it. Before you know it, we'll be on the intermediate level at the end of the week if not sooner." Jason reported, making Pegasus nod.

"Good. I want this dealt with everyone." Kaiba barked.

"We're working on it. Thankfully, the SoL have an overinflated sense of self. They think they're 'perfect' as is. They weren't expecting us to completely rework our decks." Satyr said, smiling.

EODGX

Jaden was out and about, many of the EoD dueling the various students and pros. The second day of the tournament was just as furious and fast as the first day. The EoD was gaining many of the SoL's lower ranked members back, but they were still a long way from getting to the elites. Jaden simply shook his head. He needed to focus.

"AH-HA!" A voice said, making Jaden stop.

Turning around, he saw a man dressed up in a kabuki outfit. He blinked. He knew this duelist.

"There you are, Jaden Yuki! It is time for our rematch!" The man shouted, striking a pose.

"Orlando. Yes, it has been some time." Jaden said, turning to face the duelist.

The pair deployed their duel disks, both of them drawing their opening hands. Jaden had bested Orlando on the circuit in his rise. While a fan of the arts, Jaden did not hold back against the man nor did the man hold back against him. It was actually one of the more fun duels he ever had.

"I hadn't believed the rumor you took a year off from the pros...but I see there was truth after all." Orlando said, drawing his card.

"When someone like Seto Kaiba asks you for help, do you turn it down?" Jaden remarked, making Orlando laugh.

"True! I'll begin my turn with a fan favorite, Kabuki Stage – Big Bridge!"

Orlando placed the card into the Field Spell slot that had slid out. Once it was back in, around them a large stage with a wooden bridge appeared. Cherry blossom petals began to fall, making Jaden smirk.

(Kabuki Stage – Big Bridge – Type/Spell/Field.

Once per turn, if a monster is attacked, that monster's controller can Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower monster from their hand in face-up Attack Position at the end of the Damage Step. You can send this face-up card to the Graveyard to activate 1 "Kabuki Stage" card from your Deck.)

"Places, everyone! To set the mood, I summon to my field, Yoshitsune the Goblin of Beauty in attack mode!"

(Yoshitsune the Goblin of Beauty – LV/****, Attribute/EARTH, ATK/800, DEF/800, Type/Warrior/Effect.

When this card is selected as an attack target by an opponent's monster with 1000 or more ATK, change this card to Defense Position. Once per turn, this face-up Defense Position card cannot be destroyed by battle.)

A woman wearing a white kimono appeared, landing on her feet. She placed her hands in her robes, staring at Jaden. Orlando ended his turn, Jaden drawing.

The card he gained was Infernal Prodigy. Looking over his hand, he smirked, seeing his top commander. Orlando saw that smirk and grew nervous.

"I'll start by Special Summoning my Evil HERO Infernal Prodigy. Since you control a monster, I can do this. Also, since you control a monster, I can tribute summon him for...Evil HERO Malicious Edge!"

The spiked fiend appeared with a crazed laugh. Orlando grimaced. That monster was not one he wanted to face right off the bat, but it seems Jaden's opening hand was lucky enough to get the monster. Jaden placed a card facedown and ordered an attack.

"Due to my Goblin's effect, she switches to defense mode. Normally, she isn't destroyed...but given your monster has pierce power, I'll still take eighteen hundred points of damage."

The spikes pierced the monster who was now kneeling on one knee. They passed through and struck Orlando making him grimace.

Orlando: 6200

"Thanks to the effect of my Stage, I summon Armed Samurai – Ben Kai from my deck."

Jaden watched the monster appear, smirking. The King just shrugged.

"I'll end my turn and thus gain a card thanks to Prodigy's effect." Jaden said, drawing. "So, I understand you have gone into the show biz?"

Orlando drew, nodding. He had plans to make duel monster variations of classic tales like West-Side Story and Fiddler on the Roof. That peaked Jaden's interest. While not a big big fan of Broadway, he did know quite well what the plays were. He'd have to take the girls there when the production was out.

"I play two equip spells onto my Armed Samurai. Mage Power and United we stand!"

Jaden grimaced. Those two were problems on their own but with a monster with Ben Kai? It was even worse.

Ben Kai – ATK/500 → 2000 (Mage Power 500 x 3 spells) → 2000 → 1600 (United x 2 monsters) → 3600

"Oh this is gonna hurt..."

"I'll make it hurt even more, Jaden, with my Dramatic Pose spell!"

(Dramatic Pose – Type/Spell/Effect.

Select 1 face-up monster your opponent controls. Until the End Phase, it loses 500 ATK and all face-up monsters you control gain 500 ATK.)

A face with a glare appeared, one side colored blue, the other red. The intense gaze made Edge waver a bit, its power dropping.

Edge – ATK/2600 – 500 → 2100

Ben – ATK/3600 + 500 → 4100

Yoshitusne – ATK/800 + 500 → 1300

"That's a lot of points..."

"Yes, and they are aimed at you! Ben Kai, attack his Edge!"

The monster charged, slashing at the monster with his sword. Edge blew up, Jaden covering his face.

Jaden: 6000

"I use the power of your Stage, Orlando. I bring forth Evil HERO Turbine in attack mode. Thanks to his effect, I gain another card from my deck."

"Well, I'll just attack Turbine as well!"

Ben Kai dashed again, smashing through the monster. Jaden winced at the damage he had gotten.

Jaden: 3700

"I use my facedown trap! Evil Signal. I bring forth Evil HERO Mad Jack!"

(Evil HERO Mad Jack – LV/****, Attribute/DARK, ATK/1900, DEF/1800, Type/Fiend/Effect.

This card cannot be destroyed by battle with monsters whose ATK is 1900 or higher.)

Mad Jack appeared with a cackle, dressed in a leather overcoat, white pants one would find on a ringmaster, same with the boots, a top hat, and finally a mask that was split. One side of the mask was a classic frown, the other side a smile. Mad Jack cackled, daintily landing on his feet. Orlando frowned, wondering why the King would summon such a monster. But he ignored it, focusing on his next move.

"Thanks to the effect of my stage, I now destroy it for a new scene! Act two! Kabuki Stage – Cherry Blossom Mountain!"

(Kabuki Stage – Cherry Blossom Mountain – Type/Field/Spell.

When a monster(s) is Normal or Special Summoned, change the monster(s) to face-up Attack Position. When a monster declares an attack, the attack target is chosen randomly. During your Main Phase, you can send this card from the field to the Graveyard to activate 1 "Kabuki Stage" card from your Deck. (This effect can only be used once per turn).)

The stage shattered, a large mountain rising up, a massive cherry blossom tree in the middle of it. Petals fell around the pair. Orlando smiled, ending his turn with a facedown. Jaden drew, revealing Dark Fusion and using it to fuse Spark and Clayman. With Lightning Golem, he destroyed Ben Kai. Orlando then used his facedown, Threatening Roar. As Jaden ended, Orlando drew his card. He revealed it to be a tribute to the Doomed card, discarding his second Dramatic Pose card. Once Golem was sent to the grave, Orlando got around to summoning another monster.

"With the steps, a dancer is needed to lead. I summon Shizuka the Heavenly Dancer in attack mode. Further more, I equip her with New Year Drum."

A woman appeared next to the actor, a drum coming into her hand.

(Shizuka the Heavenly Dancer – LV/ ***, Attribute/LIGHT, ATK/300, DEF/600, Type/Fairy/Effect.

When this card is selected as an attack target by an opponent's monster, gain 600 Life Points.)

(New Year Drum – Type/Spell/Equip.

When the equipped monster is selected as an attack target, Special Summon 1 "Battle Claw Fox" from your Deck and switch the attack target to that monster.)

Orlando gave a nod to Jaden. The king took it as the go ahead to move.

The King drew his card, revealing it to be a Magical mallet card. He shuffled all but one card from his hand and MM into his deck. A quick shuffle later, he had a new hand...and a way to win.

"First up, I use Dark Fusion again to fuse Elmental HEROs Avian and Burstinatrix together! Inferno Wing, take flight!"

The signature monster appeared next to the King, nodding at him. Jaden revealed his second card, Mask Corruption. From it, an ooze covered her, making her cry out. The ooze melted the monster, only for Wicked HERO Anger to rise up.

"But I'm not stopping there. I play a new card...Mask Corruption II!"

Orlando watched in shock. A mark two version of the same card?! Jaden discarded a card for the cost. A miasma of darkness surged out of the card and covered Inferno Wing. Jaden smirked.

"The first of the Seals were broken and I heard a voice say 'Come!'. And Behold, a rider on a white horse appeared. He was given a sword and rode forth to conquer the world. Charge forward...VILE HERO WAR!"

The darkness exploded outward to revealed a large monster decked out in white armor, holding a broadsword and a helmet that reminded Orlando of the Roman Gladiators.

"War gains five hundred points for each monster in attack mode AND all monsters are to remain in attack mode!"

Orlando's eyes went wide at that. That was a powerful monster indeed! Jaden wrapped up his main phase with his normal summoning. He used it to summon Elemental HERO Bladedge.

"What?! Unless...the card you discarded for that second corruption was Elemental HERO Necroshade?"

"Got it one. War! Attack that Goblin of Beauty!"

War charged, but Jaden knew what was going to happen next. The attack went from the Goblin to the Dancer. The New Year drum began to beat and a humanoid in a kimono with fox ears appeared next to the group. Orlando explained that it was Battle Claw Fox.

(Battle Claw Fox – LV/****, Attribute/DARK, ATK/800, DEF/1200, Type/Warrior/Effect.

If this card battles an opponent's monster, destroy that monster during the End Phase.)

"You should realize that this is gonna hurt you more then me, Orlando. Or did you forget my War gains five hundred additional points for each monster in attack mode?"

War – ATK/3000 → 4500

"Yikes!" Orlando yelped, War slicing through the Fox.

Orlando: 4300

"I may lose War...but he has a LOT of surprises in store for you. But now, I'll have Bladedge attack as well!"

Once more, the drum beat as another Battle Claw Fox appeared. Blade sliced right through it, Orlando hissing.

Orlando: 2500

Jaden ended his turn, War exploding same with Bladedge. Orlando smirked, only to stare in shocked horror as a Fusion monster appeared next to Jaden.

"Sorry, Orlando, but when War is destroyed, I can summon any Fusion Monster while ignoring all summoning conditions. So, Evil HERO Electro is here to protect me! And don't forget, Electro gains three hundred for each and every HERO I have."

Electro – ATK/2500 → 4900

"I'll end my turn with a card facedown." Jaden said, placing said card.

Orlando drew, playing the card instantly. Pot of Greed. He drew two cards and destroyed his stage. From it, an ocean appeared.

"Kabuki Stage – The Rough Seas!"

(Kabuki Stage – The Rough Seas – Type/Spell/Field.

During each player's Main Phase 1, the turn player can add 1 Level 5 or higher Monster Card from their Deck to their hand.)

Orlando used the effect of his Rough Seas, adding a card. Once it was in his hand, he sacrificed both his Dancer and Goblin to play...

"Genghis Khan the Dragon Emperor!"

(Genghis Khan the Dragon Emperor – LV/********, Attribute/DARK, ATK/2800, DEF/2500, Type/Dragon/Effect.

When this card is destroyed by a card effect, select 1 monster in your opponent's Graveyard, and inflict damage to your opponent equal to its ATK.)

A large golden dragon rose from the sea, roaring. It landed on the house of the stage, Orlando smirking.

"I attack your Mad Jack with my Khan!"

Jaden cursed, forgetting about Mad Jack. The fire rushed around the monster, licking at Jaden.

Jaden: 2800

"I'll set one card and end my turn." Orlando said, giddy at how the duel has gone.

"I draw!" Jaden snarled, drawing. "Now, I use the effect of The Rough Seas. I'll add my newest Hero to my hand."

Elemental HERO Neos came to his hand. Jaden went on the offense with Electro, but Orlando revealed his facedown, Thousand Strings.

(Thousand Strings – Type/Trap/Normal.

Activate only when an opponent's monster declares an attack. Negate the attack. The ATK of all face-up monsters on the field becomes 0.)

Layers upon layers of webbing swirled around all of the monsters, making them take a knee. Orlando smirked, crossing his arms.

"It seems I have bested you!"

"Nope. I reveal my facedown, Quick Summon!"

(Quick Summon – Type/Spell/Quick-play

Normal Summon 1 monster.)

"Oh...nuts. Well, good game." Orlando said.

"Thanks, Orlando. Hope your productions are a smash hit. I tribute my Mad Jack and Electro to summon...Elemental HERO Neos!"

The pair vanished in a stream of light, the Cosmic hero descending. Orlando was shocked. That was one heck of a monster! Jaden smiled, seeing his Captain descend next to him.

"Thanks for the praise. Glad to see my younger self had some talent in making him."

"Wait...that contest! That was you?" Orlando said, recalling his own entry.

Jaden nodded. Orlando was impressed. He spread his arms wide, waiting for his final bow.

"It was a good duel. Let's end this on a high note!"

Jaden nodded, ordering the attack. Neos charged at the Emperor Dragon, his right arm awash with cosmic power. The HERO slashed through the dragon, splitting it in two. As the pieces fell away, the energy sparked several times before exploding. Orlando went skidding back, covering his face.

Orlando: 0

Jaden sighed, watching the holograms fade. That was too close. Orlando though was laughing.

"A superb duel, Jaden! Worth the wait!" Orlando said, holding up his GX Medal. "You have more then earned this."

"Thanks Orlando." Jaden said, taking the medal. "What now?"

"I will stay and watch the rest of the tournament. I want to see the brats you trained for the circuit."

Jaden smiled, nodding. He walked off, in search of another duel.

And there we go! You know, it was kinda nice to have Jaden duel just for fun. Orlando was even more fun to write then before.