Slifer Red Dorm: Night…
Syrus woke up needing to use the bathroom. "Oh, bathroom breaks in the middle of the night are the worst."
He walked down the stairs, towards the bathrooms, unaware of a figure following him from the shadows. The vehicroid user soon walked by a cracked door with a soft light seeping through. He paused before deciding to peek inside, the figure from before now drawing closer to him.
"You are not here to ask why, you are here to obey." An unfamiliar voice declared to Banner, who was looking at a computer.
"We still lack a seventh member." Banner tried. "Without all hands-on deck, I do not think this is our year to attack."
With the professor's attention on the computer, he did not notice Syrus. "Attack?"
"I have another working as we speak on acquiring the seventh, but if it does not pan out, we will move ahead regardless." The voice declared.
Hearing that, Syrus silently shut the door and began taking fearful steps back. "This doesn't sound good…"
The vehicroid user was suddenly grabbed from behind, his voice muffled by a hand being placed over his mouth to prevent him from screaming. His head was forced forward, preventing him from looking back while a dome of light blue energy suddenly appeared.
"Is this something like that Jinzo incident Kai and Dimitri spoke of!?" Syrus thought.
The light blue dome became a brilliant light, and once it faded, there was no sign of Syrus anywhere.
Volcano
A platform of light blue light appeared before Syrus and the figure appeared atop it. The Vehicroid user was stunned as not only did he have his duel disk now, but he could plainly see they were right over the academy volcano.
"This is starting to seem more and more like Jinzo stuff!" Syrus thought.
The figure dropped Syrus before stepping back with dark laughter. The Slifer scrambled to his feet and whirled around to face his assailant. It was guy who seemed about as tall as Zane with brown hair.
He wore a tight-fitting overcoat, with raised shoulders and waistline, a tight black turtleneck, black leather pants, and black shoes. He wore a dark dragon mask, resembling the head of "Red-Eyes Darkness Dragon. A completed, Egyptian amulet was around his neck.
"W-What is this?" Syrus asked, intimidated.
"It only makes sense you wouldn't know, Syrus Truesdale." The figure chuckled. "I am Nightshroud, and we're going to have ourselves a Shadow Game."
"Shadow Game!?" Syrus exclaimed. "Like what Crowler's duel with Titan became."
"Exactly." Nightshroud stated. "If you win, I'll be forced to return you to safety. If I win, you'll be coming with me. If you refuse, hopefully your smart enough to figure out what will happen."
Syrus looked down and gulped as he had a good idea what refusal would get him. Even with that, the Slifer knew he wasn't the same duelist he'd been at the start of the year. He's grown to the point maybe he stood a chance here.
"Not like he's really giving me an option…" Syrus nodded, trying to find his determination, as he activated his duel disk. "Alright, I'll duel."
"Good." Nightshroud returned, activating his duel disk.
"Let's duel!"
(Syrus 4000/Nightshroud 4000)
"I'll be taking the first move!" Nightshroud drew. "I believe I'll start with my Red-Eyes Insight spell card."
"Red-Eyes!" Syrus exclaimed. "Isn't that the deck Alexis said her brother played? Oh man, I've heard he was able to genuinely compete with Zane for top of the Academy with that deck. Now, I got to face it myself…"
"If the mention of the archetype has you shook, you won't like how I play it." Nightshroud declared. "Speaking of which, Insight lets me send any 1 Red-Eyes monster I wish from my hand or deck to the grave. Then I get to add any other Red-Eyes spell/trap from my deck."
A card popped out of his deck, and he sent it away. "I'll pitch one of my Red-Eyes Black Dragons." Another card popped out of his deck. "Now, I'll add Red-Eyes Fusion to my hand before then activating it.
In exchange for this being my only summon this turn, I'm permitted to Fusion Sumon any monster that lists a Red-Eyes monster as material. Additionally, I can call on material from my hand, deck, or field."
"He's really not wasting any time!" Syrus thought, stunned.
Two cards popped out of his deck. "I'll fuse my Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon and Meteor Dragon Red-Eyes Impact. Fusion summon Meteor Black Comet Dragon(LV 8/3500/2000)." A large, blazing black dragon appeared.
"Upon being Fusion summoned, this dragon lets me pitch any Red-Eyes I want from my hand or deck to the grave." Another card popped out of his deck. "I'll be sending my second Red-Eyes Black Dragon(ATK 2400). Now you take damage equal to half the sent monster's ATK."
"Wait, what!?" Syrus exclaimed.
Meteor roared as the transparent form of Red-Eyes Black Dragon shot out at and slammed into Syrus. He was sent skidding back, crying out in pain, by the sheer force. The smaller Slifer fell to his knees, clutching his upper torso (Syrus 2800/Nightshroud 4000).
"This is the pain Dimitri and Crowler went through?" Syrus thought, grunting.
"If you think that's bad, just wait as I have so much more in store for you." Nightshroud declared. "Unfortunately, all I can do now is end my turn. If I were you, I'd go about making this turn count."
Syrus coughed a bit before managing to slowly rise back to his feet. "I intend to!" He drew. "I start by activating my Double Summon spell card, granting me the ability to normal summon twice this turn. I'll use the first to set one monster face down.
The second will be used to call on my Submarineroid(LV 4/800/1800)." A cartoonish submarine appeared. "I can't get over that monster of yours right now, but that doesn't matter when Submarineroid can launch a direct attack for his original ATK."
Submarineroid produced a torpedo and fired it past the opposing monsters to strike the duelist (Syrus 2800/Nightshroud 3200). Nightshroud crossed his arms and managed to weather the explosive, though he was left shaking by the end of it.
"Whenever Submarineroid battles, he switches to defense mode immediately after." Syrus declared. "That means if you want to get at me, with anything other than a direct attack or effect damage, you'll have to get through them. I now set two cards. Your move."
"You fool, those monsters can do nothing to save you." Nightshroud drew. "Especially as I now activate the spell Inferno Fire Blast."
"Isn't that Red-Eyes Black Dragon's attack?" Syrus asked.
"That it is, but like other spells modeled after the attack, this one does something more." Nightshroud declared. "I target 1 Red-Eyes Black Dragon I control…"
"Wait a minute, that fusion isn't Red-Eyes Black Dragon!" Syrus interrupted.
"Any monster summoned through Red-Eyes Fusion takes on the name." Nightshroud retorted. "That means Inferno Fire Blast can target it, and in exchange for not attacking this turn, you take damage equal to the original ATK of this Red-Eyes Black Dragon!"
"I'm seeing how Atticus must have competed with Zane." Syrus thought, as a huge sphere of dark fire was shot at him. "I activate my first face down, Damage Polarizer. This negates the activation of an effect that would deal damage before we each then draw one card."
"Er, you may have saved yourself this turn, but it won't last!" Nightshroud exclaimed as they drew. "I now activate Return of the Dragon Lords to special summon any LV 7 or 8 dragon-type monster in my grave.
I choose Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon(LV 7/2400/2000), and special summon it." A black dragon with red eyes appeared, surrounded by fire. "As I haven't used my normal summon, I can use it now to Gemini summon my Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon(LV 7/2400/2000)."
"It's a Gemini monster!?" Syrus exclaimed.
"That it is, but you hardly need to worry about its effect right now." Nightshroud declared. "What you should worry more about is the fact he can attack, and I'll go about destroying that face down monster of yours. Go, Flare Fire Blast!"
Black Flare Dragon fired on the face down monster to reveal Shuttleroid(LV 4/1000/2000), a white, cartoonish shuttle.
"When Shuttleroid is targeted for an attack, I can banish him!" Syrus declared.
The cartoonish shuttle vanished, causing the attack to miss just in the nick of time.
"Useless." Nightshroud declared. "With that monster gone, I'm allowed to target another, so I'll get rid of Submarineroid."
"I'll now activate my second face down, Supercharge." Syrus declared. "As you've declared an attack while I only control machine-type monsters, I can now draw two cards."
Syrus drew two as his Submarineroid was blasted.
"You weathered this turn, but it won't be long." Nightshroud voiced. "I now set two cards before calling it a turn."
"I only need to last long enough to win!" Syrus drew. "Now that it's my Standby Phase after Shuttleroid(LV 4/1000/2000) was banished by its own effect, he returns to the field and brings with him 1000 life points of damage."
Shuttleroid appeared in the air before swooping in and slamming into Nightshroud from behind, managing to lay him out before returning to Syrus' field (Syrus 2800/Nightshroud 2200). Nightshroud was only down for mere seconds before getting to his feet, angered.
"Finish your turn, so I can end this already!" Nightshroud exclaimed.
"To bad for you, my turn will actually be the end!" Syrus declared. "First, I set one card before then activating Card Destruction. Now, we both discard whatever cards are in our hand before drawing an equal number to what was discarded.
I now can activate the spell I just set, Ultimate Machine Union. By removing roid cards from my field and/or grave, I can Fusion summon any roid monster. I banish my Shuttleroid on the field with Submarineroid, Tankroid, Armoroid, and Drillroid from my grave.
Five become one to Fusion summon Barbaroid, the Ultimate Battle Machine(LV 12/4000/4000)." A large, red and white robot appeared while readying its gears. "Barbaroid, attack Meteor Black Comet Dragon!"
"I activate my face down continuous trap, Spirit Barrier." Nightshroud countered. "So long as I control a monster, this card will prevent me from taking any battle damage."
Barbaroid swung on the opposing fusion, destroying him while an invisible barrier sprung up to shield Nightshroud.
"Er, you've defended against battle damage, but one of Barbaroid's effects deals my opponent 1000 life points worth of effect damage if it destroys a monster by battle." Syrus declared. "Let him have it!"
Barbaroid released steam which washed over the opposing duelist, forcing him back (Syrus 2800/Nightshroud 1200).
"You're taking this better than I am." Syrus noted, having to adjust his stance a bit as he stumbled slightly.
"Sorry, I leave that to my opponents." Nightshroud returned. "Anyways, as my Meteor Black Comet Dragon was just sent from the monster zone to the grave, I can revive any normal monster in there, and I'll choose one Red-Eyes Black Dragon(LV 7/2400/2000)."
"Well, let's see how you feel after this!" Syrus declared. "Barbaroid is a monster that can't attack directly, but in exchange for that restriction, I'm permitted one more attack this turn, and I'll use it to attack that Red-Eyes Black Dragon."
"I activate the graveyard effect of Return of the Dragon Lords." Nightshroud declared. "If a dragon-type monster of mine would be destroyed, I can banish this card instead."
The original Red-Eyes was coated by a light blue aura, helping it weather the attacking fusion.
"Without destruction, Barbaroid can't deal more effect damage." Syrus thought. "All I can do now is set one card before turning things over to you."
"Now, I'll end this!" Nightshroud drew. "I activate the ritual spell, Red-Eyes Transmigration. By tributing both my Red-Eyes on the field, I more than fulfill the requirement. Ritual summon Lord of the Red(LV 8/2400/2100)." A figure in Red-Eyes Black Dragon armor appeared.
"Now, I activate the spell card Dragon's Gunfire, allowing me to deal you 800 life points of damage. Before that, one of my ritual's quick effects activates. As a card was activated, I can target 1 monster on the field and destroy it."
"That means…" Syrus began.
"That's right!" Nightshroud declared. "Your Barbaroid is gone!"
Lord of Red surged forward, pummeling the fusion to destroy it. Syrus was then hit by a ball of fire which pushed him back and forced him to one knee in pain (Syrus 2000/Nightshroud 1200).
From that position, he used his remaining card. "I activate my set, Call of the Haunted."
"My ritual's second quick effect activates!" Nightshroud declared. "As a card was activated, he can now destroy any 1 spell/trap on the field!"
To Syrus' dismay, Lord of the Red flew up before coming down right on his Call of the Haunted, leaving him undefended. "I don't have a card left."
"Without a card to defend with, you're finished!" Nightshroud declared. "Lord of the Red, finish this with a direct attack."
Lord of the Red surged forward, pummeling the Slifer who cried out in agony (Syrus 0/Nightshroud 1200). His body was launched back and landed right at the edge of the platform, unconscious.
Nightshroud then approached the body, picked it up, and slung him over his shoulders. "Per the agreement, you're coming with me."
The platform became a full dome before emitting a light, which even against the light cast by the lava below obscured both bodies. The dome soon faded to reveal a now empty platform before it vanished as well.
Cave: Later…
Within a dark cave, six figures were obscured by the shadows.
"Throughout the year, Seto Kaiba has done a great job unknowingly testing our enemies. With Nightshroud now resting and our last ally soon to be in place, the time is upon us now. Which of you shall lead us to battle?"
"Allow me to strike first." A woman's voice called out.
"Very well, Camula. I will be expecting quite a bit from you."
A woman with long green hair, yellow eyes, and pointed ears stepped into the light cast by the moon. She wore a long dress, displaying her cleavage, with long slits revealing the side of her legs and a pair of heels.
"Of course." Camula answered. "The prey shall fall first before the prize of Duel Academy is ours."
Chancellor Sheppard's Office: Just Before Sunrise…
A thick fog was rolling in at the lake, leading to Chancellor Sheppard staring out his window. Within it, he could just make out what looked like a figure.
"So, it's now beginning…The war for the Sacred Beasts." Sheppard stated solemnly.
Lake
Many bats gathered around Camula. "Go my minions." The bats took off. "Find my prey, so that we may succeed."
Slifer Dorm: Jaden & Chumley's Room, Morning…
"…Jaden!" Chumley called out.
"Gah!" Jaden called out, being shaken awake by Chumley. "What's going on!?"
"It's Syrus." Chumley stopped shaking him, allowing the elemental hero user to see the visibly worried expression on his face. "He's not here, neither is his duel disk or deck; however, his uniforms are accounted for."
"What?" Jaden asked, leaping out of bed.
Chumley opened where Syrus kept his uniforms, not a one was missing; however, where the vehicroid user kept his deck and duel disk were devoid of said items.
"You don't think he decided to leave duel academy again, do you?" Chumley asked.
"No, that can't be it." Jaden stated. "Syrus has been…" He stopped upon both their PDA's going off at the same time. "This better not be what I think it is."
They both grabbed their PDAs to find an email from Banner.
Dear Mr. Yuki/Huffington,
A little after midnight, Chancellor Sheppard and I both received an email from Syrus Truesdale informing us he has dropped out of Duel Academy without informing the two of you. As such, I took it upon myself to deliver this information.
Sorry,
Lyman Banner.
"No way…" Jaden stated, dismayed.
"This is so not lichious…" Chumley added.
Duel Academy: Later…
Everyone within the group had been called to the academy earlier than a few of them would normally arrive. Once they were together, there in the courtyard, Jaden and Chumley filled everyone in with the fact Syrus had dropped out. It was taken about as well as could be expected.
They even shared another email which had come in, saying almost exactly what Banner had, from Sheppard. While there were people closer to others within this group, everyone was a friend to one another in some form. To learn one of there own would just drop out like this…
It was hard to swallow. Especially given the fact none of them knew this would happen. Some theorized perhaps that is how Syrus wanted it while others were adamant who he was now would have at least told them. Regardless of belief, it didn't change the fact Syrus wasn't here now.
"Zane, do you know anything?" Kai asked, causing everyone to turn to the oldest among them. "Maybe he decided to go home."
"No, mother would have contacted me if that were the plan." Zane voiced. "Despite the suddenness of this, I know for a fact he would have told her, and she'd have called me. Just as with the time before, his plan now isn't to head home."
"Do you think he decided to head for North Academy, like Chazz?" Mindy asked.
"It's possible, though any other academy is just as likely." Jasmine shook her head. "That's even if his intention is to continue on at an academy."
"Good point." Greg sighed. "For all we know, he might just head home eventually and decided to wait things out to avoid us finding out."
He had to imagine that if Zane did learn of Syrus returning him from his mother, the third year would at least tell Kai or Alexis. Then, they'd tell them. If Syrus' intention were to head home, without being talked out of it, not saying a thing to your parents would be the best course.
At that moment, the first bell rang.
"Regardless of what the truth is, it seems we must at least accept Syrus simply does not want to be here." Bastion noted, though no one in the group quite liked it.
"Regardless of acceptance or not, there's nothing any of us can really do about this until Syrus turns up somewhere." Dimitri stated.
"All we can do now is head to our respective classes." Sadie voiced.
It wasn't a satisfying conclusion, but there wasn't much any of them could do. Even Jaden, Bastion, and Kai recognized Seto Kaiba wouldn't help here. People dropped out of his academy, it happened. He wasn't one to go seeking them out at that point.
Class
Classes were a rather somber affair as Banner taught Alchemy. As Dimitri was in another class and Kai always sat with Bastion, Greg still sat with Jaden, Chumley, and Raynos despite making Ra. While he'd usually be the one ensuring Jaden stayed awake, that wasn't a problem today.
That's not to say Jaden's heart was in learning, nor was his mind which wandered to Syrus. He, like quite a few others in the group, just didn't get it. Sure, he wasn't the most socially adapt guy, but he couldn't think of anything which indicated Syrus was planning to leave.
Even if he missed something, he knew there was no way anyone else in the group would have. Eventually, the bell rang for the end of class. Despite his thoughts being elsewhere, Jaden shook his head upon hearing the bell.
"Before I leave, I must say something." Banner called out. "Jaden Yuki, Alexis Rhodes, Bastion Misawa, and Kai Delmar." That drew not only the attention of those named, but the rest of class to boot. "It seems Chancellor Sheppard wants to have a word with you four."
"Think this has something to do with another School Duel?" Chumley whispered to Raynos.
"I doubt it." Raynos whispered back. "I mean, I'd think Greg would be called if that were the case. Besides, wasn't the School Duel something you all knew was coming in advance?"
"That is true." Chumley admitted.
Ultimately, those named soon stood and left the class together.
Sheppard's Office
The four who left their class walked on in relative silence to the chancellor's office. The four of them ended up reaching the door at the same time as Crowler and Zane, with all six of them soon being joined by Dimitri.
"So, some of the best students in the school were called." Crowler noted.
"That's what we all have in common, though you're a teacher." Kai noted.
"Indeed, Mr. Delmar." Crowler nodded. "The fact the six of the best students and a teacher were called at once raises questions." He shook his head. "Ones I'm afraid I could not answer."
"Answers won't come to us standing around out here." Zane moved to enter the office, prompting the rest to follow.
The group of seven soon stood before Sheppard and Mokuba.
"Good, you're all here." Sheppard noted, seriously.
"What exactly is this about?" Dimitri asked.
"Kai, Jaden, Bastion." Mokuba called out, catching their attention and causing everyone else to look at them. "The purpose my brother gave you three is no longer in effect because the Sacred Beast cards are why you are all here now."
"Sacred Beasts?" Crowler asked.
"What do you mean those three had a purpose from Seto Kaiba?" Alexis added.
"To start with, the Sacred Beasts were sealed deep underneath the first Duel Academy." Sheppard informed. "If they ever see the light of day, terrible things will happen."
"My brother, along with Yugi Muto and Joey Wheeler, experienced what they could do first hand." Mokuba continued. "They resulted in buildings crumbling and duel monster spirits fading. Fortunately, those three have the highest duelist energies.
I'm talking about what Kaiba Corp, has recorded. As such, the only way for the person who used them prior to snatch their energy, as well as that of their cards, was to take them on. You can imagine how that turned out from those three's past, as well as where the Sacred Beast are now."
"This then leads to the task he laid at the feet of Kai, Jaden, and Bastion." Sheppard voiced. "A lot of strange occurrences have been happening on Academy Island in recent years to the point Mr. Kaiba took the precaution of setting those three up to report to him this year.
They were to send in reports on any strange activities and given such a role, they were naturally made aware of the Sacred Beasts. The caveat to all of this is that they were required to not say a word about this to anyone. Only I, Mokuba, and Mr. Kaiba were in the know prior."
"Contact with Mr. Kaiba…" Crowler suddenly realized why the man had made so many visits to the academy this year.
"So, all this time they were reported to Seto Kaiba about everything?" Alexis asked.
"Anything that was strange, we reported per his orders." Bastion noted. "To start with, we were each awarded decks; however, those have become wholly our own now. Not to mention paid well."
"Given how omitting things has gone in the past, I do just want to say Seto Kaiba is someone you don't want to upset." Kai voiced.
"I can vouch for that." Mokuba stated. "While my brother is generally a good guy these days, he is not kind with betrayal on any level. Do not blame these three, for they have done as was asked of them. Now, the secret is no more."
"Moving on, in a way, the reason the secret is no more comes down to the fact a band of duelists, known as the Shadow Riders, now covet these cards. You seven were gathered as our best to protect these sacred cards from them."
"If Yugi, Seto, and Joey stopped the person who used them prior, why can't they do it again?" Dimitri asked.
"They could." Mokuba voiced. "Though Seto has convinced Yugi and Joey, even as they may not like it, that there comes a point the next generation must step up. Those three may be in their prime now, but their time will one day set on this world.
If we've only relied on them, what happens when the next threat after their gone comes around? Right now, this is your time to step up, but we are in no way forcing any of you to accept. If it in any way soothes your worries, those three will step in come the worst-case scenario."
"I assume protecting the cards requires more than just reporting on strange activities now." Zane stated.
Sheppard brought out a small, black box. "You can protect the cards by protecting the Spirit Gates. To get to the cards, one must unlock them, and to unlock them, one must gain the seven keys that are needed for each gate."
Sheppard opened the box, revealing lined interiors and seven oddly shaped keys.
"By accepting these keys, you will become targets the Shadow Riders will seek out." Mokuba stated. "Fortunately for our side, someone else in the know came up with this idea. We need our best, and this year you seven proved its you."
"As it has been said, none of you need accept this." Sheppard declared. "No one would blame you since the Shadow Riders will play for keeps." He pushed the box forward. "So, who feels like stepping up?"
Dimitri looked at Alexis, Alexis looked at Zane, and Zane looked at Crowler. As for Jaden, Bastion, and Kai, they each took one at the same time.
"We've already been in this since the beginning of the year." Bastion voiced.
"Yeah, count me in." Jaden grinned as he slipped it on. "How about that? It's just my size."
"If anyone's going to step up, might as well be us." Kai agreed.
Zane smiled as he took his own. "I too accept."
Dimitri nodded. "It would be my honor."
"I don't want you boys having all the fun." Alexis noted.
"With these students throwing themselves in, I shall do no less." Crowler declared, taking the last key.
"Well, let's get started!" Jaden declared. "I think the best duelist should go first, so that would mean…" He pointed at himself with a grin. "…me."
"If we're going by the best duelists, that would be Kai and Zane." Bastion sighed at the Slifer.
"Actually, our present record sits at 10 to 9 in Kai's favor." Zane informed.
"Though, that last duel was just as close as the third." Kai noted. "At the end of the day, this does not matter as we're not entering a tournament."
"Mr. Delmar has the right idea." Mokuba stated.
"Indeed." Sheppard nodded. "This is war. One where you could be attacked by the enemy at any time and place. Perhaps you'll get a choice on who duels, but do not treat this as a game. My students and colleague, be on guard."
With that, the seven keykeepers have accepted their role. Though, with one of their opposition already on the island, as well as another having unknowingly to them snatched one of their own, are they already behind in this war?
Ordinarily, the next thing to cover would be Grave Risks; however, I've given the Gravekeepers to Bastion. Additionally, the amulet only really comes in handy during the Camula duel and leads Nightshroud/Atticus to take on Jaden when we all know that should have been Alexis' duel. Beyond that, my plan for this half of the season is that obviously the seven key holders are going to their shine. As they get that, the others in the group can have the extra content to come.
You know, dueling dark magician girl, that gambler guy, and so on...within reason. I'd say the only exception to this would be the duel spirit of Kaibaman because I feel that is really central to Jaden, and I got something else planned for that time. As for what I'm doing with Syrus, I realized pretty quickly that I wanted to remove a Show Rider, among the others I have done that to, and needed someone for that. Figured Syrus would do once you see what I got for him.
Note: In canon, Jaden was the one to finish five of the seven Shadow Riders. Not to mention he got the duel with Kagemaru at the end. I will tell you right now, Jaden and Kai are not going to pull off the same. That doesn't mean key holders won't fall, but it does mean I am going to work on treating these seven as a group by dispersing some of those wins.
kedus-matias(ch, 1): Pendulums are for way down the line when I crossover into the Arc-V story.
Vital Info: Yeah, Chazz got some great shine. Naturally, I just had to give him quite a bit considering it was always my intention to have him stay in North Academy. As for fillers, those come during the Shadow Rider arc. I will say people like Alexis and Greg don't need those slots because they're key holders. They'll be getting their shine in the Shadow Rider duels, I promise you. Filler stuff like Dark Magician, the admiral, and so on can go to other characters.
The Duelist of Dawn: Your explanation is one reason, though I chalk it up to the other things going on. In season 2, we got the Genex Tournamnent right around the time they'd probably have the school duel. Year 3 is covered season 3 and 4, so there probably wasn't a school duel then because at least in the dub North Academy was there on the island in the form of Jessie.
Threebranch: Ah Chazz...I just saw no reason for this variation of him to stay, but that doesn't mean he's done with this story.
I pumped this chapter out faster to let you all know that now I am told we are moving sometime during the middle of this month. While I have now more often that not been spending roughly 5 chapters, or less, between chapters...It's still nice to keep you guys updated on the off chance something goes wrong to the point I may vanish for a while. At least then you'll know there is likely a reason.