The Light has Arrived.
Sartorius was currently sitting in his plane on his way to the island. He was sitting at his table and had The Wheel of Fate tarot card face up while three other tarot cards were face down below it.
He flipped two of the cards face up. 'Within the wheel of fate exist both the indecisive Fool and the Heirophant. They represent both Jaden Yuki and Aster Phoenix. Either one of them will influence my destiny… But what is this card lying so close to the Fool?' He wondered as he picked up the third card.
He flipped it face up and saw a picture of a mechanical creature with a blue head, burst out of the ground in a ruined city. 'The Strength… Power? A symbol of unyielding power… Would this mean that this one may have an effect on my destiny?' Soon another card blew off from his table. When Sartorius picked it up, he immediately glared it.
'The Devil is right-side up, yet I can't seem to find him… He's the one that keeps causing the Wheel of Fate to turn. But why? No one has such free will to alter fate.' He thought about it some more and calmed himself. 'Duel Academy… It may just be a place of greater interest then I imagined… Especially if the so-called devil is there.'
A Couple Hours Earlier
Earlier in the morning at the Chicken Coop. Dorthy, currently holding a net, was waiting patiently for the special hen to lay the rare golden egg. After the hen began gawking. Dorthy immediately took action and took the egg the hen just laid. She quickly took off once the hen wasn't in sight anymore.
"The first golden egg we've had in a while!" Dorthy exclaimed.
Syrus, rubbing his eye lids, was walking back to the Slifer Red dorm. He knew Jaden was prone to oversleeping, so he decided to wake him up. "Jaden, it's morning you know… Please just wake up already."
In an instant, Jaden came running out of his room fully dressed as he came down. This caught Syrus by surprise. "Jaden, what's going on? You're in such a rush!"
"Oh, Sy! It's almost time for the draw bread to get there!" Jaden said as he ran up to him impatiently. "I heard that the first golden eggwich in a while is there today!" He ran past Syrus and continued to rush forward.
"Wha?! Wait up! Don't leave me behind!" Syrus called out and followed Jaden.
Later that Morning
The duo made their way to the card shop where the sandwich cart usually was. Pant to catch their breath, they notice Red Hat was finishing opening a few card packs. This caught them by surprise as Red Hat very rarely woke up this early.
"Hey Red Hat, what's up!" Jaden called out as the duo walked up to him.
Red Hat turned around and waved at Jaden, purposely forgetting Syrus was even with him. "Jaden, what brings you here?"
"Didn't you hear? It's been a while since the golden eggwich has come up! Sy and I are here to try and get the golden egg!" Jaden explained.
"I see. Well then, I wish you luck with that. Haven't pulled an eggwich for what felt like ages." He said as he put away his new cards in his back pocket.
"Got anything good from those?" Jaden asked, curious as to why he didn't want to show them.
"Eh, nothing of value for me. It's mostly cards I don't need or cards that I'm already using." He flatly replied.
"Oh? In that case, can I have some?" Syrus asked.
Red Hat shrugged and gave him all the cards he pulled. "Suit yourself. I don't need them. You may find a use for them." He gave Syrus all the cards he pulled except for one card. "Alright, let's get some sandwiches."
Red Hat went up to the sandwich cart and bought himself a sandwich. He picked up a random sandwich and opened up the wrapper. He took a bite out of the sandwich and he instantly regretted it. "Agh! Garlic Sandwich!"
"Ouch, talk about bad luck this time." Jaden commented.
"Oh well… Better luck next time." His mark soon began pulsating and grew stronger. While he tried to ignore it. He knew this meant something. "Uh Jaden, I got to do something. I'll see you later, and save me a sandwich, thank you!" He called out as he ran out. While eating his terrible sandwich choice.
"Hey! Where are you going!" Jaden called out, though he got no answer in response. "He sure was in a hurry"
"Um, Jaden… How we expect to even pull the golden eggwich. You know how tough it is." Syrus pointed out.
Jaden smiled at him. "Simple Sy, we're going to spend as much of our duel points on these sandwiches!"
"Eh?! All of our money on the sandwiches?"
"That's right! Besides, I'm starving!" Jaden said as he began to collect as many sandwiches as he could. Dorthy laughed it off as Sadie sweat dropped at their antics.
Obelisk Blue Dorm
Red Hat clutched his left arm after finishing his sandwich. The mark began pulsating out of control. He wondered why it was pulsating this much. While it would pulsate when Sol members were around. But now, it was much stronger than he cared to admit. Was there another force out there stronger than the usual Sol members?
'Why is the mark pulsating this much? Sol members are one thing, but it never pulsates like this…' He thought as he looked around. Thinking there was no one around, he decided to head back to the Red Dorm. Only he was stopped by two Sol Members. One female and one male. He could have sworn he seen them before.
"Halt right there, devil!" The former Obelisk blue boy said.
"We can't allow you to proceed any further." The former Obelisk blue girl added. "Master Sartorius is on his way and you won't interfere with his plans!"
Red Hat immediately ready his duel disk. "He's coming here? Where is he so I can take him on!"
The two of them scoffed at him. "We will not answer any questions from you. Our orders are to stop you from interfering." The Sol girl said
"We'll take you on at two vs one duel. We'll make sure the devil is put down!" The Sol boy added. The two of them activated their duel disks.
Red Hat lowly growled as he placed his 'cursed' deck into the duel disk slot. "I'll take the two of you on!"
"Taking two on your own? And I thought Jaden was crazy."
The trio turned around and were surprised to see Aster Phoenix walking towards them.
"Stay out of this, Aster Phoenix! After your decision to cut ties with Master Sartorius, you are now a traitor to the Society of Life!" The Sol girl barked
"Interfere and we'll have to take you out too!" The Sol boy added.
Aster shrugged, not caring what they had to say. He knew they were just spouting nonsense. "I have no idea what you're talking about. You mentioned Sartorius is coming. I want answers as to what Sartorius is up to."
"You'll have to beat us to figure that out! A traitor like you has to be taught a lesson!" The Sol girl said.
Aster smirked as he readied his duel disk. "You can't hide from Destiny. Lose your cool and you'll lose this duel. I'll tag with him. Red Hat, you better not slip up here."
Red Hat nervously chuckled as he rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Never thought I'd be your tag partner." He turned to face his opponent. "You two never introduced yourselves."
"My name is Anca Yuki, and no I'm not related to him!" The Sol girl, now named Anca spat.
"My name is Simon Yasuhiko, or just Simon. I'm a close partner to Anca here and we're taking you down." The Sol boy, named Simon declared.
"Well see about that!"
DUEL
Red Hat & Aster: 8000 LP
Anca & Simon: 8000 LP
"I'll start this duel! My turn, I draw!" Red Hat draws.
Hand 6
He took a look at his hand and noticed his partner. 'Want to join already?'
His spirit friend Aussa appeared next to him. 'Someone has to keep you sane. Can't have you go on a rampage after that last fiasco you pulled.'
Red Hat bit his tongue when tiring to retort. 'I'm not crazy and I'll prove it to you!' He whispered loudly as he continued. "I summon Familiar Possessed – Aussa! (Atk: 1850 Def: 1500)" His spirit partner emerged onto the field. "I set one card facedown and end my turn." Red Hat ends his turn.
Hand 4
"That all you got?! My turn, I draw!" Anca draws.
Hand 6
"I first play the continuous spell The A. Forces! First, I summon Marauding Captain in attack mode! (Atk: 1200 – 1400 Def: 800)" The knight unsheathes his sword and made a pose as it emerged onto the field. "His effect allows me to special summon a level 4 or lower monster from my hand. Appear Command Knight! (Atk: 1200 – 2000 Def: 1900)" The female knight emerged onto the field and unsheathes her sword. "Command Knight gives all my warriors 400 attack points, and The A. Forces give all my warrior an extra 200 attack points per warrior or spellcaster on my field!" (Atk: 1400 – 2000 Def: 800)
"Same strat, different opponent…" Red Hat taunted.
"Go ahead, make jokes! I set one card facedown and end my turn! I'm not dumb enough to attack while you have a facedown!" Anca ends her turn.
Hand 2
"Can you hear the countdown to your defeat? My turn, I draw!" Aster draws.
Hand 6
"First, I play the spell card Destiny Draw! I discard a Destiny HERO to draw 2 cards!" He discards a Destiny HERO and drew his cards. "I play the spell card D – Mind! If I control no Destiny HERO monsters, I can special summon a level 3 or lower Destiny HERO monster from my deck! Here's Destiny HERO Doom Lord! (Atk: 600 Def: 800)" Doom Lord deseeded onto the field.
'It feels serial seeing Aster's Destiny HEROs on my side…' Red Hat thought.
"Doom Lord's effect now activates. I banish one of your monsters and send it two turns into the future! Go, Impending Doom Grip!" Doom Lord leaped forward and gripped Command Knight by her throat. "Be gone!" Soon Command Knight vanished. "Since you lost her, your monster loses his attack power!" (Atk: 2000 – 1400 Def: 800)
"Now I summon Destiny HERO Diamond Dude! (Atk: 1400 Def: 1600)" Diamond Dude emerged onto the field. "Now for his effect! I check the top card of my deck, and if it's a normal spell card, I send it to the graveyard then on the next turn it can be activated." Aster draws and checks the card and smirks. "Well, what do you know, it's the spell card Heavy Storm! I'll send it to the graveyard." He explained and sent the card to his graveyard.
Anca grit her teeth at the play. "Great, now we can't set backrow next turn, because you'll just destroy it."
Aster merely gave them a smug look. "Looks like destiny is on my side. You're destined to lose. I set two cards facedown and end my turn." Aster ends his turn.
Hand 2
"Destiny is on our side, not yours! My turn, I draw!" Simon draws.
Hand 6
"I play the spell card Graceful Charity! I draw 3 cards, then I discard two!" He draws his cards and discards Magician of Faith and Night Assailant. "Night Assailant effect, if it's sent from my hand to the graveyard, I can add back a flip effect monster from my graveyard. I'll add back Magician of Faith I just discarded!" He added back his card.
"I remember an old loop you can do with that card. Although, all official tournaments made it so you can only play one copy of Night Assailant. Thus, making that loop impossible." Red Hat explained.
"Whatever you say. Now, I tribute the Marauding Captain to tribute summon Mobius the Frost Monarch! (Atk: 2400 Def: 1000)" The captain disappeared and, in its place, emerged the familiar monarch.
"I'm more surprised other people have monarchs…" Red Hat flatly said.
Simon chuckled at his comment. "Did you honestly think you were the only one to have such cards? You're more of a fool then I thought! His effect destroys two spells or traps!" Mobius unleashed a powerful blizzard and destroyed two facedown cards which revealed to be Mirror Force and D – Counter.
"So much for protection…" Red Hat commented.
"You're wide open! Mobius attack Destiny HERO Doom Lord! Show Aster what happens when you betray the light!" Mobius conjured an icicle lance and launched it at Doom Lord, piercing him, destroying him in the process.
Red Hat & Aster: 8000 – 6200 LP
"Is that supposed to scare me?" Aster scoffed. "You triggered my other trap, Destiny Signal! Since you destroyed a monster in battle, I can special summon a level 4 or lower Destiny HERO monster from my deck! Avenge your comrade, Destiny HERO Captain Tenacious! (Atk: 800 Def: 800)" The Destiny HERO appeared as it crouched and crossed his arms with his shield blades.
"Tch, fine by me. I set one card facedown and end my turn!" Simon ends his turn.
Hand 5
"It's my turn, I draw!" Red Hat draws.
Hand 5
"Go trap card! Trap Dust shoot! Since you have at least four cards in your hand, I can look at your hand and send one monster card from there back into the deck! So let me see!" Simon announced.
Red Hat reluctantly revealed his hand. Five larger imageries of the cards appeared above his head. As Simon and Anca took a look at his hand. He revealed to have Dark World Dealings; Ceruli, Guru of Dark World; Silva, Warlord of Dark World; Dark World Lightning; and Rein-Beaux, Overlord of Dark World. After thinking about it for a while, with Anca also reading the cards that were shown, Simon made his final decision.
"Cerli, Guru of Dark World goes back to your deck, devil! I know what you're trying to do now!" Simon announced as he pointed at the specific card.
Red Hat placed Ceruli back into his deck and shuffled before putting it back in the deck slot. "So, you figured it out. Still, I'll activate the spell card Heavy Storm from the graveyard! Your backrow is destroyed!" Powerful winds blew away and destroyed The A. Forces and the facedown, revealing to be Royal Decree. "So, that's why you didn't stop Aster's floating trap. You wanted to get rid of a card in my hand."
"That traitor isn't any of our concern. Our focus is taking you down or holding you back long enough for Master Sartorius to come." Simon replied.
"Answer me! What does Sartorius want? Why are all of you following him anyway? He wouldn't just promise a bunch of academy students a spot in the pro leagues for no reason!" Aster asked with a hint of venom.
"Aster, you really don't understand, do you? Master Sartorius is going to show the world the beauty of the light!" Anca corrected. "Those in the Society of Light are his followers! We answer to Master Sartorius! We have no interest in the Pro League!"
'Sartorius, what happened to you? You don't pull stunts like this… This isn't right, and what could you possibly want with these amateurs.' Aster thought, not understanding the situation he got himself into.
Red Hat fought the urge to scoff at them. "Well, in that case, I activate Dark World Dealings! We both draw one card then discard one card!" Red Hat draws his card and discards Rein-Beaux, while Simon draws and discards Magician of Faith. "Next up, I play the quick play spell Gateway to Dark World! With this, I special summon a Dark World monster from my graveyard! In exchange I cannot summon monsters for the rest of this turn except by this card's effect, but I can normal set, despite not mattering in this case! Return, Rein-Beaux Overlord of Dark World!" A portal emerged and the powerful overlord came out of the portal.
"It had to be that card…" Anca commented.
"Battle, Rein-Beaux attack Mobius the Frost Monarch!" The overlord fires black beams from his staff and destroyed the frost monarch.
Anca & Simon: 8000 – 7900 LP
"And now, it's Diamond Dude's turn to attack you directly!" Diamond Dude leaped forward and punched Simon directly, causing him to stumble a little.
Anca & Simon: 7900 – 6500 LP
"Aussa, show them what you're made of! Staff Baton Bash!"
The spirit of Aussa chuckled at his command. 'Alright then. I think Hiita is rubbing off on you.' She said as she leaped forward, twirled her staff and bashed Simon with her staff.
Anca & Simon: 6500 – 4650 LP
"I use Dimond Dude's effect. I check the top card of my deck and if it's a normal spell, I send it to the graveyard to activate next turn." Red Hat drew the top card and checked it out and turned out to be, Monster Reborn. "It's Monster Reborn, so I send it to the graveyard to activate next turn. I end my turn." Red Hat ends his turn.
Hand 2
"I won't be stopped by you! My turn, I draw!" Anca draws.
Hand 3
"I play the spell card Pot of Greed!" Anca draws her cards and smirks. "I play the spell card Dark Hole! All monsters are destroyed!" A Black hole appeared on top of the field and absorbed all monsters on the field and destroyed them.
'I won't let them get away with this…' Red Hat thought.
"Next I play the spell card Graceful Charity!" Anca draws her three cards and discards Jinzo and Silent Swordsman LV5 "I play the equip spell card Premature Burial! By paying 800 LP I can bring back a monster I just discarded. Come back to the field, Jinzo! All traps are now useless! (Atk: 2400 Def: 1500)" The familiar cyborg emerged onto the field.
Anca & Simon: 4650 – 3850 LP
'Talk about spin… It's like they're trying to use my older strategies against me…' Red Hat thought with distain.
'Speak for yourself.' His spirit partner teased.
"I'm not done yet! I summon my second Command Knight in attack mode! (Atk: 1200 – 1600 Def: 1900)" The second Command Knight emerged onto the field and unsheathed her sword. "Battle, Command Knight attack the devil directly!" The knight charged forward and slashed Red at with her sword.
Red Hat & Aster: 6200 – 4600 LP
"Now Jinzo and attack him directly! Cyber Energy Shock!" Jinzo conjured a ball of energy and launched his attack at Red Hat, causing him to cry out and knocked off his feet.
Red Hat & Aster: 4600 – 2200 LP
Red Hat slowly stood up, recovering from the last attack. 'I'm starting to get really annoyed by these attacks actually causing harm.'
"I set one card facedown and end my turn! You're almost taken down! Once we destroy the devil, we'll handle Aster for betraying Master Sartorius!" Anca proclaimed as she ended her turn.
Hand 0
Aster scoffed at her comments. "I still have no idea what you're talking about. But one thing is for sure, you won't be beating me."
Soon they heard the sound of a plane. After looking around for a bit, they noticed the plane landed nearby the docks. Both Anca and Simon knew who has arrived. Aster glared, knowing full who that plane belonged to.
"Master Sartorius is here!" Anca cried out.
"That means, he's here on a mission before he'll come to us! We have to hold back the devil and Aster until he's done!" Simon added.
"Okay, you two are starting to get on my nerves. I'm ending this duel right now!" Aster called out as he drew his card.
Hand 3
"Because it's been two turns, my first Command Knight comes back to the field and give my warriors another boost! Since I now control two of them, you can't attack either of them!" Anca pointed out as the first command knight came back to the field. (Atk: 1200 – 2000 Def: 1900) (Atk: 1600 – 2000 Def: 1900)
"You think that's going to change your fate? Get real! Since, Monster Reborn is in the graveyard, I can use it to special summon a monster from my graveyard! Come back to the field, Destiny HERO Disc Commander! (Atk: 300 Def: 300)" Disc Commander came back to the field as it crossed its arms. "His effect allows me to draw 2 cards when he's special summoned from the graveyard!" Aster draws his card and smirks.
"What are you smiling about Aster?" Simon asked, irritated.
"Your end is getting closer is why I'm smiling. I play the spell card Destiny Draw! I discard a Destiny HERO to draw 2 more cards!" Aster discarded Destiny HERO Malicious and drew his cards. "Malicious effect from the graveyard activates! By banishing it, I can special summon another copy of him from my deck! So come out, my second Destiny HERO Malicious! (Atk: 800 Def: 800)" the second copy of Malicious emerged onto the field.
"What are you plotting?! You can't be serious!" Anca asked, becoming impatient with Aster moves.
"You'll find out. Lose control of yourself, you lose control of the duel. I summon Destiny HERO Fear Monger! (Atk: 1000 Def: 1000)" A man covered in armor shaped like a jet emerged onto the field. "But he won't be staying on the field for long. I tribute Destiny HERO Disc Commander, Malicious and Fear Monger to special the all-powerful Destiny HERO Dogma! (Atk: 3400 Def: 2400)" the three Destiny HEROs disappeared and Dogma took their place.
"It had to be that card." Simon commented.
"You two already lost this duel. Dogma, attack that, Jinzo! Chronical Blow!" Dogma readied his blade and flew towards Jinzo, impaling him with its blade and destroying him.
Anca & Simon: 3850 – 2850 LP
"I set three cards facedown and end my turn." Aster ends his turn.
"It's my turn, I draw!" Simon draws.
Hand 6
"Before your turn begins. Destiny HERO Dogma's effect activates! During your standby phase, your LP is cut in half!" Dogma got surrounded by a purple light and both Simon and Anca got trapped in a pillar of light and screamed in pain.
Anca & Simon: 2850 – 1425 LP
"No matter, we'll win regardless! I banish Silent Swordsman LV5 and Night Assailant from our graveyard to special a card you're familiar with! Rise up, Chaos Sorcerer! (Atk: 2300 Def: 2000)" Both cards were ejected from Anca's and Simon's graveyard. In exchange, the Chaos Sorcerer emerged onto the field, only looking slightly different then before, least to Red Hat.
"You have a chaos monster?" Red Hat asked, hiding the fact he was both shocked and surprised someone else in the academy has a chaos monster.
"Did you think a devil like you is the only one to control such a monster? Tough luck, because now I use his effect to banish that Dogma! In exchange, he can't attack this turn! Banish that monster!" Simon commanded as Chaos Sorcerer conjured and launched purple flames at the Destiny HERO banishing it from the field.
"Lose control of yourself, you'll lose the duel. You think that's gong to change anything?" Aster smugly said.
"Tch, wise guy. I summon Breaker the Magical Warrior in attack mode! (Atk: 1600 Def: 1000)" Breaker appeared onto the field as his sword began to glow. "When he's normal summon, he gains a spell counter to boost his attack by 300, only I'm going to use that spell counter to destry one of your facedown cards! Destroy the right one!" Breaker swung his sword forward and launched a blast of light at the facedown card, revealing to be Ring of Destruction as it shattered.
"Is that supposed to scare me? I can end this duel right now, you know." Aster replied, not impressed with what he was seeing.
"This duel is over for you! Both Command Knights attack him directly!" As both Command Knights began to charge in, Aster merely shrugged.
"You need to learn to control your temper. I activate the trap card, Ceasefire! You take 500 effect damage for every effect monster on the field! That's four of them, so you lose all your remaining life points!" Aster pointed out as the trap revealed itself.
"Not happening, I'll activate the continuous trap, a second Royal Decree! All other trap cards are negated! You lose!" Anca declared as she flipped up the card.
Aster lightly chuckled. "Here's a tip, next time, pay attention to the field. You may just run into something you didn't expect. I activate the quick play spell, Mystical Space Typhoon! With this, I'll destroy your Royal Decree card! It's like I said, you can't hide from Destiny." A typhoon emerged onto the field and shattered the continuous spell card. Once it was destroyed, and explosion happened, causing the monsters to stop as Simon and Anca's LP were depleted by the explosion.
Anca & Simon: 1425 – 0 LP
The duo fell to their knees before collapsing and losing consciousness. As Red Hat approached the duo, the familiar white energy left their bodies completely. Signaling they were freed from the light.
'So, they're now free. Aster was the one to defeat them, not me. Because I also had an influence is why they're now free…' Red Hat thought as he observed the fallen duo. 'So long as I or Jaden participate, then we can free them. Otherwise, they'd still be under the light's influence. It's why Bastion wasn't able to free that Sol member last time...'
"Here's a bit of friendly advice to you." Aster said as he turned to face Red Hat. "Your overconfidence almost cost you the duel. You work on that ego, especially with a deck you aren't used to. That kind of confidence only results in failure. Don't play Lone Wolf either. It's not healthy for you."
This caught Red Hat by surprise, but refused to respond.
"Don't think I didn't notice your reactions. We'll whether you take my advice or not is up to you." Aster turned around hiding his smirk. "Don't think we're friends because of this."
His comment only made Red Hat chuckle. "You don't have to tell me twice. We're nothing more then acquaintances if even that."
Aster soon walked away without a word. Red Hat knew better then to interrupt him and began to try and help the fallen duo. 'This is going to be a pain… I'll need some help…' He thought as he quickly made his way to the Ra dorm for help.
After running back to the dorm and looking around a bit. He noticed Bastion exiting his room. Red Hat sighed in relief as he saw him. "Bastion I'll need your help right now."
Bastion raised an eyebrow and gave him a confused look." Did something bad happened that you need my assistance? What have you done this time around?"
"Nothing personal really. Just follow me and you'll see." He replied as he began to run back, signaling Bastion to follow him.
"Hey, hold on a sec!"
The two of them eventually made their way back to the location where the fallen former Society of Light duelists were still at. After seeing the downed duelists out in the open, Bastion had many questions to ask.
"What happened here? Did you duel these two?"
Red Hat shook his head. "Was going to duel these two alone. However, I somehow was supported by Aster Phoenix…" He clarified. Still baffled onto why Aster even considered helping him out.
His statement caught Bastion by surprise. "You mean, Aster Phoenix helped you out in a Tag Duel? Why would he do that?"
"These two were talking about Sartorius, Aster's former manager. Aster wanted to get answers from them, but it mattered very little. He's already here…"
"Shouldn't we warn the others that he's here? Considering Sartorius is the one who is creating the problem?" Bastion asked.
"We don't leave people down like this. Let's take these two to the infirmary before we head to the dorm. I hope Jaden is already back there." Red Hat replied as he picked up Anca bridal style.
Bastion nodded and began to piggyback the unconscious Simon. "I'm going to ask what they've been doing later."
The duo began to take the former Sol members to the infirmary as fast as they could, now knowing the situation at hand.
Meanwhile
Hassleberry was currently taking a nap back at the Red Dorm, while Jaden and Syrus were out. Suddenly, Hassleberry began to have a nightmare about some dinosaurs in his deck fighting each other. This cause Hassleberry to instantly fall out of his bunk bed and onto the floor painfully. Hassleberry then sat up as he groaned in pain while rubbing his head. As he looked up, he was shocked to see who was sitting near the desk, a man he didn't recognized staring at him, unaware it was Sartorius.
Startled, Hassleberry glared at him. "Identify yourself immediately!"
Sartorius merely smiled t him. "This would be Jaden Yuki's room, I assume?"
"That's classified." Hassleberry replied. "And what do you want with Jaden?"
Sartorius glared at Hassleberry, sensing great strength within him. 'So, this one is the strength, is he? The card of power that opposes me?' He mumbled.
Standing up, Hassleberry continued to glare at the mysterious man. "What are you babbling about? Besides, who the hell are you?"
Sartorius closed his eyes and smiled as he stood up. "My humble apologies. I am Sartorius Kumar, Aster Phoenix manager." He then placed his hand inside of his jacket and then held out a card to Hassleberry.
Hassleberry's glare immediately intensified. "What? So then, you're the 'Master Sartorius' that Chazz keeps yappin' about?"
"Oh? Mr. Princeton said that of me?" Sartorius asked, faking being surprised.
"It's because of you that not just Chazz, but Alexis too turned all weird!" Hassleberry added.
Sartorius looked at him with a smile. "Assuming that everyone does worship me, it's but their own freedom to do so."
Hassleberry gritted his teeth as his pupils turned into a reptile's. "You're going to break up that 'Society of Light' group of yours and get out of Duel Academy!"
Sartorius looked at him as he narrowed eyes. 'What is this strong power that is emanating from his body? Interesting…' He thought with a smirk. "I understand. I will try and speak with Mr. Princeton. However, there is one condition: I would like you to duel me."
Hassleberry looked ta him shocked. "So, basically, if I beat you, then you'll disband that Society of Light, huh?"
"No, that will be of Mr. Princeton's own free will. All will be fine if you duel me." Sartorius clarified.
This caught Hassleberry by surprise. Although something about this man didn't sit well with him. Still, this could be his chance to bring back those that have been brainwashed. Not wanting to waste this opportunity. He looked around to get a pair of duel disks.
Meanwhile Outside
Jaden and Syrus were walking back to their dorm with Dorthy following them. The duo was carrying a box full of wrapped sandwiches. Jaden spent a lot of Duel Points in hopes that he'll be able to get the Golden Eggwhich this time.
"Will your spending money be alright after buying so many sandwiches?" Dorthy asked, worried that Jaden spent a bit too much just for a chance to get a Golden Eggwich. "You even had to pay for Red Hat's sandwich earlier."
"Well, it's pointless to try and stop Jaden…" Syrus pointed out.
"Come on, if we buy up this much, we'll definitely get a hit here!" Jaden said optimistically.
"Leave it up to luck, huh? Even Red Hat wasn't able to pull it these days and he buys sandwiches every day for breakfast and dinner." Syrus pointed out.
"How unusual of you." Dorthy replied.
"Well, I won't be able to think at all if I'm hungry…" Jaden was interrupted when he spotted Aster standing near one of the metal pipes near the dorm. "Yo Aster!" Aster turned to face him with a serious expression. "What are you up to all the way here?"
"Found someone I wasn't expecting to arrive, you see." Aster replied.
The trio took a look at the field, just outside the dorm, Jaden spotted Hassleberry standing across someone with a duel disk on his arm. "Hassleberry? Wait, who that over there with him?"
"That's Sartorius Kumar. He's my manager, but at the same time, he's the leader of the Society of Light. I only found out recently thanks to an encounter with your friend earlier." Aster explained.
"Friend? You mean Red Hat?"
"Hold on! Does that mean Hassleberry is going to turn like them?" Syrus asked.
"No doubt Chazz became strange from dueling Sartorius. There's no other way to explain his behavior." Aster explained further.
"Wait, then that's bad news! We got to warn Hassleberry!" Jaden said worringly as he gave his bag of sandwiches to Dorthy. "Dorthy, take hold of these for a minute."
"Okay!"
"Jaden, wait up!" Syrus cried out, still carrying the bag of sandwiches.
"Sartorius, why are you even here? What is it that you want from these students?" Aster asked himself as he took a sealed sandwich and unwrapped it, taking a bite into it.
"You can't! Those belong to Jaden!" Dorthy scolded him.
As Aster finished taking a bite, he took notice what the sandwich was. "Huh? A gold egg?"
"You actually got it?" Dorthy said, shocked that Aster actually got the Golden Eggwich without even realizing it.
The duo began running to the field to warn their friend.
"Lay off, Hassleberry!" Jaden yelled out. Due to the weight of the sandwiches, caused Syrus to trip over and fall flat on his face. "Syrus, you okay!"
"I'll… be… alright…"
Back at the field, Hassleberry readied his duel disk. Although, he noticed his opponent didn't activate his.
"Hey, just what are you doing?"
Sartorius looked at his duel disk from different angles and pressing different buttons. Sartorius looked at Hassleberry with a troubled smile on his face. "Oh, my apologies. I wonder, how would I use this?"
Hassleberry gave him a confused look. "You mean, you never used a duel disk before? There's a button near the top, that's the on button!"
Sartorius pressed the button Hassleberry told him and the duel disk was activated. He then looked at him with a smirk. "I see now… Truth be told, this is my first time using a duel disk. I'm looking forward to this in many ways."
Hassleberry grunted, feeling unnerved by Sartorius. 'What's with this guy? He's got to be kidding me…' He thought before continuing. "Alright, time to engage for real this time!"
DUEL
Hassleberry: 8000 LP
Sartorius: 8000 LP
"I'll let you go first." Sartorius insisted.
"Very well! It's my turn, I draw!" Hassleberry draws.
Hand 6
"Sabersarus, reporting for duty! (Atk: 1900 Def: 500)" A red dinosaur emerged onto the field. It had white horns on its head.
"A normal monster with 1900 attack already huh?" Commented Sartorius.
"I'll end my turn for now." Hassleberry ends his turn.
Hand 5
Jaden and Syrus approached Hassleberry with haste. "Hassleberry! That guy is Sartorius! We don't know what he'll do, so keep an eye out!"
Hasslebery turned to face them. "I already know that, Sarge. Well, just watch like you were riding on a brontosaurus's back and let your right-hand man handle this."
Sartorius looked across his shoulder and smirks as he knew Aster was here. 'Aster… Well, you should be watching this, as well…' He thought until he sensed a dark presence nearby. 'This power… Only one being has this much darkness and that's the devil… If he's here, he can not be allowed to roam free.' He thought as he continued.
"It's my turn, I draw!" Sartorius draws.
Hand 6
"I summon Arcana Force I – The Magician in attack mode! (Atk: 1100 Def: 1100)" A creature that looked a bit like an alien with black and red clothes appeared onto the field.
Hassleberry looked shocked as The Magician's card appeared above it and began to rotate. "What in Sam Hill is that?"
"Do you believe in Destiny? Destiny is that which has been decided. However, fortune and misfortune are both present in any given event." Sartorius explained.
Hassleberry gave him a confused look. Not understanding what he was trying to imply.
Sartorius smiled at him. "In other words, it is something that changes greatly in the mere speck of an instant. Please shot the word 'stop'. The position of the stopped card will determine its effect in accordance with whether its right side up, or upside down. Incidentally, The Magician's effect…"
Hassleberry narrowed his eyes. "Even if I listen to all that, it's still a game of chance! Stop now!" The card then began to slow down and then it stopped right side up.
"Since it's right side up, during the turn when a spell card is activated, it's attack points are doubled."
Hassleberry rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Oh well, I guess I just have bad luck."
Sartorius chuckled. "Out of luck? And just what do you think destiny is?"
Hassleberry gritted his teeth. "That bull's just about whether or not you get good luck or bad luck!"
"It is no surprise at all you seem to possess such a level of perception. However, the entire future is determined in accordance with the wheel of fate. As is the fact that those beloved dinosaurs of yours went extinct, to give an example."
Hassleberry glared at Sartorius. "Guess again, pal! The dinosaurs are not extinct! Their spirits live inside me!"
Sartorius closed his eyes and chuckled. "How romantic of you… Well, it matters not. Symbol of the strength card, I shawl have you." He opened his eyes as he continued. "I activate the spell card, Upstart Goblin. For you see, I draw 1 card, then in exchange, you gain 1000 LP."
"Giving me LP for a draw? So, you are using luck after all. Thanks for the gift." Hassleberry thanked.
Hassleberry: 8000 – 9000 LP
"Don't misunderstand, and no need to thank me. Destiny has already decided." Sartorius drew his card, and The Magician grew in strength. (Atk: 1100 – 2200 Def: 1100)
Aster glared at the field. 'You're up to something, Sartorius…'
"Battle, Arcana Force I The Magician, attack his Sabersarus! Spheriod Stream!" A green sphere of energy formed in The Magician's hands and then a dark green mist appeared around him and flew towards Sabersarus as it surrounds it and disappeared.
Hassleberry: 9000 – 8700 LP
"I set three cards facedown and end my turn." Satorius ends his turn. The Magician's attack returns to normal. (Atk: 2200 – 1100 Def: 1100)
Hand 2
"It's my turn, I draw!" Hassleberry draws.
Hand 6
"I play the spell card Graceful Charity! I draw 3 cards then discard two." Hassleberry draws his cards and discards Ultimate Tyranno and Black Stego. "I'll special summon Gilasarus in attack mode. (Atk: 1400 Def: 400)" The smaller dinosaur emerged onto the field. "Next, I play the spell card Big Evolution Pill! By tributing a dino, for three turns, I can normal summon a high-level dinosaur type monster with tributing! So, goodbye Gilasarus and say hello to Black Tyranno! (Atk: 2600 Def: 1800)" The smaller dinosaur disappeared and a larger dinosaur appeared and let out a mighty roar. The Magician grew stronger since a spell card was used. (Atk: 1100 – 2200 Def: 1100)
Hassleberry then laughed a little. "You see, even with your powered up Magician. Your Arcana is no match for my hungry dinosaur. Time for battle, go and attack his magician!" Black Tyranno roared as he ran towards The Magician before it turned around and slammed his tail on him, which destroyed it.
Sartorius: 8000 – 7600 LP
"Just going on and yappin' at me about whatever that destiny bull of yours is. My destiny changed from meeting the Sarge and the Red Hat. I've woken up to the strength of the dinosaurs, so any words that threaten me won't work!" Hassleberry said with a smirk as he lifted his arm to show his muscles.
Syrus groaned. "More like the brain of the dinosaurs…"
"I heard that, Private!" Syrus fell down and dropped the box of sandwiches. Jaden nervously chuckled and Aster just sighed. "I end my turn here." Hassleberry ends his turn.
Hand 3
"It's my turn, I draw." Sartorius draws.
Hand 3
"I play the spell card Cup of Ace." The spell card appeared on the field and began to rotate. "Should I explain its right-side up and upside-down effects?" Sartorius asked.
Hassleberry narrowed his eyes. "Stop right there!" The card right-side up.
"Since it's right-side up, I can draw two cards." Sartorius drew his cards.
Hassleberry had a bitter smirk on his face. "You were just lucky."
"Lucky? Destiny guides every man equally. I'll show you right now. I summon Arcana Force VII - The Chariot! (Atk: 1700 Def: 1700)" A black mechanical monster with yellow lines on its body appeared. It had multiple arms, eyes on the middle part of its body, it had long cable like blasters on the lower end of its body, and had no legs as it was hovering. The card began to spin. "Go ahead, you know what to do."
Hassleberry narrowed his eyes, getting annoyed. "Stop now!"
The card slowed down then stopped upside-down. "Its upside-down effect activates. You now gain control of The Chariot." The Chariot disappeared and reappeared onto Hassleberry's field.
Hassleberry laughed a little with a satisfied look on his face. "Heh, looks like it helps me again. No complaints here."
"It's a bit premature to thank me. I play the spell card Foolish Burial. I simple send a monster from my deck to the graveyard." Sartorius looks through his deck and sends a monster to the graveyard. "What was the point of that you may ask? Well, I'm going to revive that monster with the continuous trap, Call of the Haunted. Appear to my field, Arcana Force XII The Hanged Man! (Atk: 2200 Def: 2200)" A green creature then appeared on the field dangling upside down in a tentacle on a tree. The card began to rotate. "Go ahead, the choice is yours."
"Stop now!"
The card slowed down and stopped at upside down position. "The Hanged Man is upside down." Sartorius chuckled at bit. "I end my turn. This where the Hanged Man's effect now activates. You see, when it's upside down, I can destroy one monster you control during the end phase. Then, you take damage equal the attack of the destroyed monster. The Hanged Man destroys your Black Tryanno." The Hanged Man wrapped its tentacles around the dinosaur and destroyed it.
Hand 2
Hassleberry: 8700 – 6100 LP
"My turn, I draw!" Hassleberry draws.
Hand 4
"I play the spell card Pot of Greed!" Hassleberry draws his cards. "I play the spell card Monster Reborn! I bring back my ace, Ultimate Tyranno! (Atk: 3000 Def: 2200)" Ultimate Tyranno appeared onto the field. "I still have a normal summon too. I summon Dark Triceratops! (Atk: 2400 Def: 1500)" The triceratops emerged onto the field next to Ultimate tyranno. Both dinos let out a mighty roar.
"You monster doesn't stand a chance against my Dinos! First up, my Ultimate Tyranno must attack you all your monsters first! Go, attack the Hanged Man!" Ultimate Tyranno charged forward and took a bite at The Hanged Man and destroyed it.
Sartorius: 7600 – 6800 LP
"Now it's time for the rest to attack you directly! Go Dark Triceratops and Arcana Force VII!" Dark Triceratops charges forward and slams itself onto Sartorius.
Sartorius: 6800 – 4400 LP
"Now time to attack you with your own monster!" The Chairot moved forward and attacked Sartorius with its blasters and fired some kind of substance. Sartorius covered himself with one arm.
Satorius: 4400 – 2700 LP
"I set one card facedown and end my turn." Hassleberry ended his turn.
Hand 2
Jaden and Syrus cheered him on. "He did it."
Aster looked at the field with a stern look. He knew full well, Sartorius had all of this planned from the start. 'Sartorius always predicts the future. He knew this scenario would play out.'
Meanwhile with Red Hat
Red Hat and Bastion were making their way back to the Slifer Red dorm to meet up with the others. After receiving a scolding from Ms. Fontaine about his dueling causing students to become unconscious. She warned to stop dueling for a little while, to avoid causing more problems.
"That could have gone better. Granted, I can't tell her why those two actually passed out." Red Hat sighed, not liking his situation.
"You mentioned they are free from the light, yet they passed out. That also happened with Dante the other night." Bastion reminded him.
"Right, but why do they keep challenging me anyway? I never go out of my way to duel them anyway. If I even try to get close to their dorm, they just kick me out."
"If they are the one challenging you, then someone has to be ordering them to do so. Or they're dueling you for their own purpose." Bastion closed his eyes and thought about the situation before glancing at Red Hat. "You mentioned you and Aster spotted Sartorius's plane. The same guy they worship. If he's here, then he must be up to something."
Red Hat nodded. "Then let's hurry to the dorm and warn Jaden and the others."
The duo quickly ran back to the dorm. However, once they arrived there. They notice Hassleberry was in the middle of a duel with some mysterious man. He raised an eyebrow and had a few questions. Who was this man? Why was Hassleberry dueling him? For what purpose is this man dueling Hassleberry? He spotted Aster next to Jaden, Syrus and Dorthy.
'Hold on… If Aster is here… then could this man be Sartorius? The one Aster and the other Sol members been mentioning? If so, he realized Hassleberry was in big trouble.' As the duo made their way to the others. Red Hat's mark began pulsating only to a much stronger degree. 'Damn, not again. Agh, it's pulsation is stronger then ever…' He clutched his arm furiously, holding back the pulsation.
Sartorius took notice of the darkness that was being omitted by him. 'The darkness he emits is strong… Yes, this person is the Devil. The one that can extinguish the light and influence others. He must not be allowed to roam free.' Sartorius thought with disgust, focusing his attention back to Hassleberry.
"Hey, where were you Red Hat, Bastion?" Jaden asked, curious to what he was up to. Believing he was back at the dorm.
"I just had an encounter and Bastion and I had things to do." He lied, not wanting to admit he and Aster were dueling more Sol members. "Who is Hassleberry dueling anyway?"
"Hate to break it to you, but that man he's dueling is Sartorius." Replied Aster. "You got here too late. Sartorius is targeting him and he has no chance against him."
"What do you mean by that?" Red Hat asked, confused.
"Sartorius duels with Destiny. He outsmarts his opponents by trying to predict the future with his cards. Sartorius predictions are never wrong, and he uses that to toy with his opponents. Your friend can not escape the wheel of fate that Sartorius is turning."
"But Hassleberry is winning! I'm sure he's slipped up by now." Jaden pointed out.
"You're completely wrong about that. Sartorius moves are well calculated and he doesn't make mistakes. Every move he makes that may seem like a mistake is what he actually wants." Aster corrected.
'I'll deal with him later… First things first…' Sartorius thought as he continued. "Its my turn, I draw!" Sartorius draws.
Hand 3
"I play my second Cup of Ace spell card." The card appeared and began to rotate. "Come on now, you're the one who's in control over what position the card will land in."
"Stop now!" Hasslebery called out.
The card slowly stopped to the right-side up position, leading to Sartorius to draw his cards. "I activate the equip spell card Premature Burial, by paying 800 LP I can special summon a monster from my graveyard, I bring back Arcana Force I The Magician! (Atk: 1100 Def: 1100)" The Magician appeared once more and his card began to rotate once more.
Sartorius: 2700 – 1900 LP
"Stop now!"
The Magician's card slowly stopped upside down. "When The Magician's is upside down position, you gain 500 LP for every spell card I activate. This effect is meaningless as I'm tributing him to tribute summon, Arcana Force VIII - The Strength! (Atk: 1800 Def: 1800)" A mechanical monster with long thin arms and round hands with claws emerged onto the field.
Hassleberry smirked. "Well too bad for you! I activate the counter trap card, Intercept! You see, when you tribute summoned a monster with at least one tribute I can take control of that monster! So, it now serves me!" A giant net opened up and took hold of Arcana Force VII – The Strength and came over to Hassleberry's field. The Strength's card appeared on top of it and began to rotate.
"Don't forget his effect still goes off. This means I get to choose where it lands." The card continued to rotate only for Sartorius to smile. "Stop right there." The card stopped and landed right-side up. "The Strength right-side up effect. You get to take control of one monster I control. However, since I have no monsters left on the field. The effect fizzles out."
"Heh, well tough luck for you. After all that talk about destiny. I've been able to change my destiny as you can see." Hasslberry boasted.
"I wouldn't celebrate just yet. I activate the continuous spell card, Valhalla, Hall of the Fallen! Since I control no monsters, I can special summon a fairy-type monster from my hand. Come forth, Arcana Force XIV – Temperance! (Atk: 2400 Def: 2400)" A machine looking monster with long arms, round hands, and had what appeared to be a long dress with gold markings around it. The card soon begins to rotate slowly. "If what you say is true, then this should be an easy task."
"Grr, fine, stop right there!"
The card slowly stopped to its upside-down position. "When Temperance is upside down. Its effect makes it so, you take half the battle damage you would have taken otherwise."
Hassleberry began laughing. "You see, I'm in control of my own destiny!"
Sartorius merely chuckled. "Don't be so naïve. You shouldn't be giving me your thanks so soon. Just as there are people who turn their lives into many shambles with one mistake… So may a duel suddenly take a turn for the worse with just one card."
Red Hat narrowed his eyes. 'Just what is he on about. This entire time he's just been gambling his effects. At least, that's what it feels like.' Red Hat observed, as he had a feeling Sartorius was just messing with Hassleberry.
"Want to find out now? I activate the trap card Reversal of Fate! All Arcana Force monsters have their respective effects treated as the opposite effects!" All Arcana Force cards suddenly changed from their opposite positions. With Temperance and the Chariot being right-side up and The Strength being upside down respectively.
"The Strength upside down effect activates. I get to control one monster you control. I'll take that Dark Triceratops of yours." Dark triceratops disappeared and reappeared onto Sartorius field.
The choice confused Hassleberry. "Why did you steal him and not Ultimate Tyranno? Sounds like you made a mistake."
"Oh, pardon me, but that was no mistake. Why don't I show you? Battle, Your Dark Triceratops, attack the Chariot!" The dinosaur charged forward took a bite at the Chariot and destroyed it.
Hassleberry: 6100 – 5400 LP
"Temperance attacks the Strength!" As Temperance began to charge up its attack. "This is my final facedown card! I activate the trap card Arcana Call! I banish an Arcana Force monster from either graveyard, then, one of my Arcana Force monsters gains the effect of the banished monster with the same effect. Since Temperance is right-side up, it now gains the Chariot's right-side up effect." Satorius card was ejected from his graveyard, then Temprance card above was replaced with the Chariot's. Temprance fired a green laser at The Strength and destroyed it.
Hassleberry: 5400 – 4800 LP
"Temprance effect now activates which is the Chariot's effect. When it destroys a monster by battle, I can special summon that monster to my field. Even if it's one of my own. Come back, Arcana Force VIII – The Strength! (Atk: 1800 Def: 1800)" The Strength reappeared onto the field and began to spin. "This is your last chance. Think you can defy your destiny? Then show me you can control your own destiny."
Hassleberry glared at the card as it was slowly rotating. "Stop right there!" The card slowly began to stop and landed right-side up.
Sartorius chuckled. "Don't you see? This is how it was meant to be. The Strength's right-side up effect allows me to take control of one monster you control. Your Ultimate Tyranno comes to my side." Ultimate Tyranno disappears and reappears onto Sartorius side. "Shawl, we continue? Ultimate Tyranno attack Hassleberry directly!" Ultimate Tyranno charged forward and attacked Hassleberry directly.
Hassleberry: 4800 – 1800 LP
"This duel is over. How fitting, with the very card that presents you. Arcana Force VIII – The Strength attack him directly!" The Strength approached Hassleberry and took hold of him. It then released an electrical shock onto him. Hassleberry screamed in pain before collapsing completely.
Hassleberry: 1800 – 0 LP
Sartorius began to walk towards Hassleberry. "This was your destiny. You may think of it as a new destiny. The path of light will now open your eyes. Its quite the straight, magnificent path of white."
"Hey!" Syrus called out.
"Quit it! Don't get any closer to Hassleberry!" Jaden called out"
"Stay away from him!" Bastion called out as the four of them began to run toward him.
Sartorius turned his eyes toward them and glowed with purple light for a second. The trio froze in place, being unable to move from the intense pressure of light energy radiating from Sartorius.
Red Hat on the other hand, his arm began to radiate intense darkness, fighting off the pressure from the light. "Back off, this ends now!" Red Hat charged forward to prevent Sartorius from getting close. Sartorius radiated more power which caused Red Hat's mark to pulsate further causing him to cry out pain as he dropped to his knees and clutch his arm.
"Know your place, devil. Don't even think you can lay a finger on me…" Sartorius said with a cold voice.
"D-d-damn you…" Red Hat wheezed, trying his best to fight off the pain from his mark pulsating and resisting the pressure from Sartorius.
They all watched as Hassleberry began to push himself off the ground. "Impressive tactics, soldier. You're quite powerful Sartorius."
Syrus, Jaden and Bastion were who can move again since Sartorius had released the pressure, he put on them. The trio looked at Hassleberry worried. Red Hat was able to stand back up, still clutching his arm. "No… Is Hassleberry off to the Society of Light too?" Jaden said worryingly.
"No way… You can't, Hassleberry… You just can't!" Syrus added.
Hassleberry now sat on his right knee, he looked up with a smirk. "However, I won't be joining the club!"
Sartorius looked at Hassleberry shocked. "What? But you should have been bathed in the baptism of light… What is this?"
While Syrus, Jaden, and Bastion looked at each other with a sigh of relief. Red Hat smirked and stood back up, now knowing Hassleberry couldn't be controlled. How did he resisted he had yet to know.
Hassleberry chuckled. "Well, I'm not some normal person either. Look at this scar on my leg." He pulled up the left leg of his pants and revealed a large scar on his leg. He looked at all of them. "In my old days, when I was excavating dinosaur fossils. I broke my leg bone in a landside accident. That's when they stuck in a dinosaur fossil to make up for mw flawed bone. That was when some dinosaur DNA was mixed into me… and I turned into a pretty strong kid who doesn't lose so easily!"
Syrus looked at him like he grew a second head. "Does that… even happen?"
"I never heard of such an anomaly…" Bastion added.
"S-so, that's what makes him Hassleberry." Jaden spoke up.
Syrus sighed. "Jay, I don't get what you mean by that."
'So that's how he's resilient to the light. In my case, this brand prevents me from being controlled. Although, I rather not figure out if I lose to him or his minions. He now knows I'm the one freeing his minions from his control…' Red Hat thought, as he stood away from Sartorius as his mark stopped pulsating.
Hassleberry stood up while his pupils once again turned into a reptiles for a few seconds before changing back. "Thanks to the Sarge, this power is all woken up."
Satorius turns around smiling and began to walk away without saying a word. 'I now know who you are, devil. To prevent you from ruining my plans, I'll make sure you don't interfere with me again.'
Aster glared at Satorius. He wondered what could he possibly want from this place and a bunch of amateur students? The more he thought about it, the less sense it made. Why would his manager suddenly drop him for a bunch of students? He began to walked as he wanted to investigate further on his own.
The trio ran up to Hassleberry with Red Hat following close by. "Hassleberry!"
"Are you okay?" Syrus asked.
"You had us worried back there." Bastion added.
"Sorry I made you worry, Sarge." Hassleberry apologized.
"Well, talk about a relief. Least now we don't have to worry anymore." Said Red Hat.
"Private, did you cry for me?" Hassleberry rubbed the back of his head with a smirk.
"That never happened!" Syrus snapped, only to receive a hard bonk on the head by an annoyed Red Hat. "Ow! Why did you do that?!"
"Your lies and your pettiness annoy me." He flatly replied, always finding it amusing how Syrus always disregards anything if it means he isn't one upped by Hassleberry.
Bastion and Hassleberry sweat dropped at his action, with Bastion commenting how unnecessary and uncalled for that was.
Jaden glanced at Red Hat with slight worry. "Say, what happened to you back there, Red Hat? You looked like you were in pain."
Red Hat eyes widened underneath his hat. The last thing he wanted was bring the added burden he was dealing with onto the others. "Its nothing. Just Sartorius used his power to keep me from moving."
"While true, we just froze up being unable to move. You fell to your knees and clutched your arm. That isn't normal." Bastion pointed out.
Red Hat shook his head. "Its nothing. We're free for the time being so that's all that matters right?" He deflected as he began to walk back to his room, sealing his door shut.
One of his duel spirit friends, Wynn came up to check up on him. 'Why won't you tell them about your brand? I'm sure they'll understand.'
"Doubt they will. Not only will they not believe me, and even if they did, I don't want to burden them with anymore trouble. This is something I have to deal with on my own. Getting them involved, they'll just get in my way." He replied flatly.
Wynn sighed at his stubbornness. 'This lone wolf mentality will eventually catch up to you. Please understand that you can't keep handling everything on your own.'
"So, you say… When it comes to handling situations, unless I'm forced to team up. I rather handle it myself. Offering assistance to others is one thing. Them assisting me is another. I'm not the type to ask for help… Much like long ago…" He replied flatly. Not wanting to speak on this matter any further. He soon fell into a deep sleep, with his duel spirit friend soon disappearing.
Next Day at the Auditorium
All the students had gathered in the auditorium because Crowler had an announcement for them. Sol members sat in one row completely occupied by them. Ra Yellow and Slifer Red students sat far away from them as possible. Meanwhile the few remaining Obelisk Blue students, boys and girls, sat at the top row where the Slifer Red students were.
"Uh, yes, testing! Tiramisu! Old miss! Buon giorno, ladies and gentlemen of the academy! You all have a new companion!"
"Hey, c'mon, are we grade school kids?" Jaden said.
"Well, one of us is." Hassleberry teased as he stared at Syrus.
"And who's that supposed to be?" Syrus snapped, knowing full well who he meant.
'Sometiems I wonder why I put up with you two.' Red Hat thought, soon clutching his arm as his brand began to pulsate again. 'Why now?'
Crowler held out his hand. "With that, I shawl now introduce to you our transfer student!"
Jaden and his friends immediately directed their full attention towards the podium as they saw Satorius walk out with a smirk on his face. Red Hat narrowed his eyes. Not believe Sartorius is now a transfer student.
Crowler looked at them with a smile. "This is Sartorius Kumar, who is being admitted here as a third-year student!"
'What the… What's this guy up to?' Jaden thought, not understanding what his goal even was.
Red Hat narrowed his eyes. 'Just what are you planning by enlisting as a third year…'
"Yes, be quiet be quiet now…" Crowler announced. "Now, everyone, let us welcome him with a clean slate!"
Red Hat began to slowly leave the Auditorium. Not only was his brand pulsating to the point it began to burn. He knew Sartorius was targeting Jaden and him. One thing was for sure. Things were about to get worse.
A/N: This was supposed to be uploaded months ago. Had a lot of irl personal issues, and also lack of motivation to write. Especially when it doesn't meet the criteria or up to standards.
I'll be honest. I hate the Sartorius duels in the anime. Not only did I have to use different cards outside its own time period. (Intercept being the only one). I had to use both Tag Force 2 and the real effects. The Strength's effect is slightly different in Tag Force 2, same goes for The Hanged Man. Tag Force 2 version of Reversal of Fate is the same as the anime. Considering I have a history of disliking anime cards. I had to take some liberties because there was no other way to replicate this anime duel otherwise. Took many attempts on Edopro to make sure every play was legal.
Next time, since we haven't had a Jaden duel in a long while now, same with Bastion. This time around it will be a tag team with the two, since we never got such a scenario yet. And it's not going to be that duel like the anime.
Anyway, next time hopefully I should be able to get the next chapter out soon. See you all next time.