It was another day at Duel Academy, and Professor Drake's duel history class was in session. "Good morning everyone. As I'm sure everyone here knows, all pro duelists start somewhere, quite often as students like yourself. Today I'd like to introduce my teaching assistant, although some of you older students might already know him. Please welcome former Duel Academy student Michael Shadows," Drake introduced as Michael walked into the room, standing beside Professor Drake.
"Michael has agreed to duel a few of you, and don't worry, he's assured me he'll take it easy on you all. But before we continue, we have a new student joining today, so please welcome Miranda Hall," Drake said, and when Michael heard the name, he started praying that he heard wrong.
Just then, a girl with long wavy black hair wearing an Obelisk Blue uniform walked into the classroom, waving at Michael and calling his name. Some of the students decided to try dueling Michael, but all of them wound up losing, but Michael was polite to each of them, giving advice on how to improve.
Class ended and Michael ran out of the room as fast as he could, but unfortunately, Miranda began following him. He thought about what to do for a moment and made a break for the Obelisk Dorm, where he found Lily in her dorm room. Lily asked Michael if something was wrong, and Michael said he didn't have time to explain and asked Lily to hide him.
Lily was confused for a moment, but decided to wait to press questions, opening her closet door for him to hide inside. Michael had just closed the door behind him when there was a knock at the door. Lily opened the door and found herself face-to-face with Miranda. Lily asked if she could help, and Miranda introduced herself before asking Lily if she had seen Michael.
Lily pointed Miranda to the other end of the building, saying she thought she saw him going in that direction. Miranda thanked Lily and went off in the direction she had been pointed in, and once she was gone, Lily went back into her room and opened her closet door. Michael asked if Miranda was gone, and Lily said as was before asking who she was.
Michael said they were childhood friends and that she had a crush on him, but the attraction was one-sided. Eventually, he had to move, and he didn't see her again until today. Lily asked how she found out, and Michael said she must've seen the broadcast where she talked about the class.
Suddenly there was another knock at Lily's door, and fearing it was Miranda, Lily quickly shoved Michael back into her closet before answering the door, feeling relieved when it was just Jasmine and Mindy. Lily told Michael it wasn't Miranda, and Michael stepped out of the closet, his face red from embarrassment.
Mindy asked why Michael was in Lily's closet, but Lily just said it was a long story before asking if something was wrong. Jasmine said Chazz had returned to the dorm and that he was dueling people to make them join some strange society. Michael asked how Chazz's "recruitment" was going, and Mindy said Chazz was beating students left and right.
"This isn't good. Let's go," Michael suggested, and Lily said they should sneak out the back of the dorm and go get the others, Michael saying it was a good idea. They left the dorm to get everyone else, but when they came back, the dorm had been painted stark white. Michael noted it was almost blinding, and Lily asked how they could've painted the dorm so fast.
Alexis turned to the side and saw Atticus lying face-down in front of the dorm, immediately running to see if her brother was okay. "Are you alright soldier?" Hassleberry questioned, Syrus asking what even happened. Atticus said he tried to stop them from painting the dorm, but they ganged up on him before he could do anything.
They all turned to the dorm and saw a group of students in white blazers grouped around Chazz. Alexis asked Chazz what he was doing, and he said he was just opening everyone's eyes to the light, or rather, The Society of Light. Hassleberry said Chazz had lost it, but Michael said he was being used.
"Chazz must be under Sartorius' control, like what happened to Aster. Maybe if one of us beats him, he'll snap out of it," he suggested, and although Jaden stepped up to duel, Alexis said she should be the one to duel him since it was a problem in the Obelisk Dorm. "Very well. Soon you shall see the light!" Chazz shouted before everyone moved to the arena.
Jaden shouted encouragement to Alexis, and Chazz just chuckled. "I've been waiting for this moment since we met Alexis, because once I win, you'll be right where you belong. By my side, basking in the light," he declared, but Alexis said if it meant standing next to him, she'd rather stand in the dark. "We'll see. After all, thanks to Master Sartorius, I can see the future, so I know exactly how this duel will end," Chazz assured before they started the duel.
Chazz: 4000 LP
Alexis: 4000 LP
"I'll start. And I play the continuous spell Infernal White! As long as this card is in play, you get to see my hand at all times," Chazz informed as the image of the cards in his hand appeared in the air above him, Alexis wondering what he was up to. "Next, I summon Armed Dragon LV 3 in attack mode," Chazz declared.
Level 3/Wind/Dragon
ATK 1200/DEF 900
"Next, I'll place one card face-down and end my turn," Chazz said as he set his Mystical Space Typhoon. Hassleberry said there was no sense in Chazz's tactics, Syrus agreeing, saying that even Chazz couldn't win if he kept his hand revealed. Michael said that Chazz might be trying to make Alexis think he has nothing to hide, but Jaden said he didn't understand.
"Ever heard the phrase, 'Hiding in plain sight'? If Alexis tries to anticipate Chazz's moves based on what's in his hand, he can throw her off by playing differently than how she expects," Michael explained. Alexis started her turn, and Chazz said that during her standby phase, the effect of Infernal White activates, dealing her 600 points of damage.
Alexis: 3400 LP
Alexis ignored the damage, summoning her Cyber Tutu in attack mode.
Level 3/Earth/Warrior
ATK 1000/DEF 1000
"And now I play the equip spell Angel Wing and equip it onto Cyber Tutu. When a monster equipped with this card deals battle damage to my opponent, they take another 300 points of damage," Alexis explained. Alexis waited for Chazz to destroy her spell card, but he just stood there smiling.
Jasmine asked why they were just standing around, and Michael said that Alexis was likely expecting Chazz to use his Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy Angel Wing, but he wasn't sure what Chazz was thinking. "Alright Cyber Tutu, attack Chazz directly with Pounding Pirouette!" Alexis ordered as Cyber Tutu landed in front of Chazz and kicked him in the shoulder.
Chazz: 3000 LP
"And now the effect of Angel Wing activates, dealing you another 300 points of damage!"
Chazz: 2700 LP
Alexis place two cards face-down and was about to end his turn, but Chazz said he was activating his Mystical Space Typhoon, targeting Alexis' face-down on the right. A gust of air blew from his spell, destroying Alexis' Hallowed Life Barrier. Chazz said that the light reveals all things to those two open their eyes to it, but Alexis thought that if that were true, he'd have destroyed her other face-down.
"When he activates his Armed Dragon's ability to level up on his next turn, I can play Pure Pupil to negate the effect and destroy it," she thought to herself. Chazz started his turn and everyone expected him to use his Armed Dragon's effect, but he proceeded over his standby phase, not doing anything in that phase.
"I can see through your plans as though your deck were made of glass, Alexis. You were planning on me activating my Armed Dragon's effect so you could negate it with Pure Pupil. I already told you, didn't I? The light reveals everything," Chazz assured, and the others began wondering if Chazz really could see the future.
"Even if he can't see the future, we can say one thing. Alexis is falling for Chazz's mind games. By showing her his hand, he's distracting her. She's so worried about trying to anticipate his moves that she isn't focused on making her own," Atticus noted, and Syrus said that if she keeps it up, she'll lose, Hassleberry shouting for Alexis not to fall for Chazz's bluff.
"Bluff? Like I have a reason to bluff. I play the spell Level Down. With it, the Armed Dragon LV 5 in my hand has its level reduced by two this turn, making it a level three, meaning I can summon it without a sacrifice. Come forth, Armed Dragon LV 5!" Chazz shouted.
Level 5-3/Wind/Dragon
ATK 2400/DEF 1700
Chazz ordered his Armed Dragon to attack, the monster slamming its fist into Cyber Tutu and destroying her.
Alexis: 2000 LP
"I activate the effect of Angel Wing! When it's sent from the field to the graveyard, I draw a card from my deck," Alexis explained. Chazz ordered his Armed Dragon LV 3 to attack, and the dragon rushed towards Alexis and gave her an uppercut, knocking her back.
Alexis: 800 LP
Jaden shouted for Alexis, Atticus noting things looked pretty bad. "I end my turn, and since Pure Pupil can only be activated when you have a monster with 1000 or fewer attack points on your field, which you don't, I activate my level 5 Armed Dragon's special ability, sending him to the graveyard so I can summon Armed Dragon LV 7!" Chazz shouted.
Level 7/Wind/Dragon
ATK 2800/DEF 1000
"Your move Alexis. If you think you can make it that is," Chazz taunted, but Atticus had reached his breaking point. "Alexis! Why are you bothering to listen to this guy?" Atticus asked, and when Alexis asked what he was talking about, Michael said Atticus was right. "You've always done what you thought was right and forged your own path. You've never let anyone tell you how to live your life, so why start now?" Michael asked.
Syrus said that even if she failed, she would always have her friends to help her stand back up, Hassleberry encouraging her to stand tall. "They're right Alexis, you can do it!" Jaden shouted, and Alexis realized they were right. "I'm taking control of my fate and this duel starting right now. I draw!" Alexis shouted, and Chazz reminded her that during her standby phase, Infernal White inflicts her 600 points of damage.
Alexis: 200 LP
"I play Pot of Greed! With it, I draw two cards from my deck. Next, I summon Cyber Petite Angel in attack mode," Alexis declared.
Level 2/Light/Fairy
ATK 300/DEF 200
"When this monster is normal summoned, I can add a copy of Machine Angel Ritual from my deck to my hand, and now I'll activate it, sacrificing Cyber Petite Angel and Cyber Prima to summon Cyber Angel Dakini in attack mode!"
Level 8/Light/Fairy
ATK 2700/DEF 2400
Alexis informed Chazz that when Dakini is summoned, Chazz has to choose one of his monsters to be destroyed, and when Chazz opted to destroy his Armed Dragon LV 3, Dakini fired a beam of energy from her staff, destroying Chazz's monster. Alexis then placed two cards face-down and ended her turn.
"I may not be able to destroy his Armed Dragon, but my face-down card is Doble Passe, so if he attacks, I can end the duel in a tie, and if he activates his Armed Dragon's effect to destroy Dakini, I can play my Angel Blast trap to negate the effect and destroy his Armed Dragon. Then once it's my turn, all I have to do is draw Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy Infernal White before it finishes me," Alexis thought to herself.
Chazz asked Alexis if she still thought she could win, Alexis said while she didn't know how the duel would end, she'd pursue her fate with her own two hands, and she wouldn't let anyone stop her. "We'll see. I draw. And I play the spell, Magical Mallet. With it, I can return the cards in my hand to my deck in order to shuffle and draw a number of cards equal to what I returned, and I'll return both the cards in my hand," Chazz said as he drew two new cards and revealed them, showing everyone his Armed Dragon LV 10 and an equip spell none of them had seen before. "His Armed Dragon is bad enough, but what's that equip card?" Alexis wondered as Chazz sacrificed his Armed Dragon LV 7 for his Armed Dragon LV 10.
Level 10/Wind/Dragon
ATK 3000/DEF 2000
"And now I equip him with the spell White Veil!" Chazz declared as a bright light shone from his monster, and when it faded, he was bleach white. Chazz ordered his Armed Dragon to attack, and Alexis activated her Doble Passe trap card, but it didn't fully activate and began sparking. "Sorry, but when a monster equipped with White Veil attacks, it negates all your spells and traps and destroys them," Chazz informed as his Armed Dragon sent a shockwave toward Alexis' field, destroying all of her trap cards.
"Armed Dragon LV 10, destroy Cyber Angel Dakini with White Static Orb Thrust!" Chazz ordered as his monster created a ball of white energy in its hand before launching it on Dakini, destroying her and knocking Alexis on her back.
Alexis: 0 LP
Winner: Chazz
"Alexis!" Jaden shouted as he jumped down from the bleachers and ran to her, pulling her into his arms. "This moment was set in stone before the duel even began. Nothing she could've done would've changed that. Now Alexis, come into the light!" Chazz shouted, and Jaden pleaded for Alexis to say something.
Alexis' eyes fluttered open, focusing on Jaden. "Jaden, is that you?" she asked, and Jaden confirmed it was him. Alexis asked if she lost, and Jaden assured her she would win next time. "What?! But you lost! You should've seen the light!" Chazz shouted, but Alexis said she knew where she belonged, and it was beside her friends. "Speaking of friends, thanks for the ring, Michael. I could feel it protect me," Alexis said as she held up her left hand, and Michael said he was just glad it worked.
Jaden said he was glad Alexis was still with them, and Alexis promised him that she wasn't going anywhere. The two embraced each other for a moment before Alexis kissed Jaden on the cheek, earning a blush from the Slifer student. Chazz just grit his teeth and said they were leaving, the other Society members following him.
Syrus said he was glad everything worked out, but Michael heard a woman shout his name from the arena entrance. Michael turned to the arena entrance and saw Miranda standing there. Atticus asked who Miranda was, and Michael said it was complicated before greeting Miranda, but he was surprised when Miranda ran up and tackled him in a hug, knocking them both to the floor.
"Oh Michael, it's been years! I've missed you so much! Why did you run off after class?" Miranda asked, and Michael began thinking about how to answer, but he was pulled from his thoughts when he heard someone clear their throat behind them. Michael and Miranda turned to Lily, a rather angered expression on her face. "Oh, you're the one from earlier. Is there something you want?" Miranda asked, and Lily said she wanted Miranda to get off her boyfriend.
"What?! Boyfriend?! She's lying, right Michael?" Miranda asked, but Michael confirmed that Lily was indeed his girlfriend. "But we're soul mates! I've loved you since we were kids!" Miranda exclaimed, and Michael apologized, saying he didn't feel the same way. "But you have to! Ever since we moved, you're all I could think about! You homewrecker, you stole my boyfriend from me! I'll make you pay for this!" Miranda shouted before she stormed out of the arena.
Once Miranda had left, everyone just looked at Michael and Lily with the most confused look on their faces, Jaden breaking the silence and asking who Miranda was. "We were friends when we were kids, but she was always trying to start a relationship with me. She moved away and I never saw her until recently when she transferred here," Michael explained.
Meanwhile, Miranda was walking through the halls, furious about Lily. "That girl, it's her fault Michael doesn't love me, I'm sure of it. I'll make Michael mine, no matter what it takes," Miranda vowed, and Chazz walked up to her, saying he might be able to help. Miranda asked how he could help, and Chazz said she would have to duel him to find out.