Author's Note: The chapter resumes focus on Shaggy Eclipse again, and it's pretty crazy that it drops so soon after the previous one. All I can say is I just couldn't contain my excitement for one. Enjoy the read.

Chapter 7:

The Malicious Duelist

The sun had risen right in my face at around nine-thirty five in the morning when I yawned loudly. Classes would have normally started around eight o'clock and I would've been up a few hours ago with things as such, but the only exception to that rule was the weekends for a very simple reason. It gave the students a chance to catch a small break from their classes, and take it easy for a couple days. In fact, once classes wrapped up for the day on Friday it would've even allowed friends and loved ones from that student's hometown to come by and visit during that time period. The thought of that brought Sabrina to my mind of her visiting me for proper authorization by Director Roman, but at the very least we made it a habit to communicate at least once or twice a week through the cell portal zone on the first floor of the dorm. My little one even told me last night, "Lately, I've started going by Brie from a lot of my friends cause it's so me." which I also understood why because that was what mother used to call her when she was still around... That's when I told myself each time the thought came back. Shaggy just knows that wherever mother is, she'd be so proud of you. That's what matters most.

After a good fifteen minutes, I had gotten ready with ease and slipped on my denim jacket over my white shirt after my jeans were fixed before making my way out of the room which was comprised of a medium size bed, a dresser next to the window that led to the balcony, a closet that sat next to the bathroom, and of course a computer desk set with fancy chair that stood just sat across from my bed. Not even a minute had gone by before a lot of the roommates made eye contact.

"My man, this is just what the doctor ordered today." One of them raised his hand in the air.

I returned the favor with a high five, "You know they say Ruben, gotta take these off days like a blessing."

He snapped his fingers with a grin, "Amen to that brother."

The next person I came across down the hall said, "Shaggy, Did you hear about what happened last night at The Emperor Dorm?"

"I'd love to hear about all the details a little later in the day, Mikey!" I patted him on the shoulder, "But were you able to get some breakfast?"

"Absolutely!"

"Love it!" I chuckled softly down my way to the very end where the stairwells to the cafe was stand where a brunette Barista was, "Janice, I thought you'd be holding down the fort in the afternoon."

"I had gotten a last minute call from Selene, she had a few things to take care of at the office,and she asked me to handle the morning duty while Tori offered to cover the afternoon part." Janice explained with a happy smile as she passed a cup of Caramel Frappichino to me, "Your drink was already, thanks to your girlfriend from the Gearhead Dory!"

My eyes widened at the sight of Rory waving her hand in excitement towards me then back to Barista when I grabbed my drink, "She is definitely my girl friend!"

I made my way as she continued, "You know exactly what I mean, we can all see it Shaggy!" when Rory ecstatically rushed towards me.

"SHAGGY!" Rory swung her arms around my neck in a tender manner, "How's my star duelist doing this morning?"

I awkwardly with the cup of caramel frappe in my hand, "other than the usual attention, nothing too crazy."

"That's my guy for you, always going with the flow." Rory giggled at the sound of my stomach, "I see someone is also starving."

My eyes glanced over at the table she occupied, "Sure did, and you even got my favorite type of croissant too!" where a couple chocolate croissants rest on top of a plate, "Honestly, you are the best dormmate ever."

She playfully placed her hand over her chest, "Sing my praises once more, my prince!" till her stomach rumbled as well.

"I say we eat so that our stomachs stop singing." I laughed jokingly.

Rory pointed with a smile, "You've got it."

Aside from the plate of two croissants, a couple bowls of oatmeal was also present in the center on the table. Rory sat across me with her glass of cappuccino, and I with my own frappe. Each enjoying our own individual bowls of oatmeal alongside a croissant. Be it the week day, or the weekend the food was amazing.

Rory studied the look of my eyes staring out to the window, "What's on your mind Shaggy?

Just thinking about that assignment that Professor Monet assigned to us in her Duel Healthology class yesterday." That quickly drew my attention to her in curiosity, "Which.. Didn't we all agree to discuss it here?"

Rory nodded, "That was what we agreed on, but when I was ready for them back at my dorm, Jake and Lucian told me they wanted to help Cherry and her partner figure out the site they're observing the duelist's behavior and mental stability when it happen, and that's why they thought about taking care of their own since it seemed like we were all given different locations."

"Can't say I'm too surprised about that for Jake knowing how much he loves witnessing duels amongst others." I chuckled at the thought and took a bite from my croissant, "It's a shame that we couldn't collectively work together as a whole on this."

Rory ate up a portion of the oatmeal with her spoon, "Yeah it would've been more fun for us helping each other out, but at the same time, Professor Monet, did assign us in pairs of two for a reason."

"I remember." I took a sip from my frappe momentarily then towards my teal haired friend with sunkist eyes, "Which, I gotta ask... know the spot we're supposed to head off for this?"

She pulled a checked out tablet from the library and showcased the map of the island with a red beacon, "Well based on our device... we're supposed to head over to the waterfall near the Kuriboh Dorm for our assignment in like less than twenty minutes."

"Oh my god, that's soon!" I looked at the digital look on the wall at 10:00 AM, "Let's get going there quickly!"

Rory nodded, "Yeah!"

There was much left from the breakfast we had eaten together, but Rory and I raced up the forest at an incredible speed. A lot of which was attributed to my partner's hand locked with my own so that we didn't slow down for even a moment. I couldn't believe how fast we went when the Gearhead dorm came into sight, and neither one of us realized how out of breath we had been by the time we approached the cliff side of the waterfall.

"I'd say our marathon goal went well." Rory winked jokingly.

I breathed heavily, "You don't have to tell me twice."

She chugged a bottle of water briefly, "Your turn." and passed it over to me.

"Thanks." I mimicked her stance till nothing was left, "We still got one more left, right?"

Rory nodded, "That's right." with a glance towards the tablet she quickly pulled from her backpack, "and it seems like we made it here just in the nick of time for the..." and gasped suddenly.

"The assignment, yeah..." I saw where her focus went towards which left me stunted at the sight of the presence of tinted orange hair that had blown to the side with the wind's blow, "Of all the people..."

Rory's voice cracked when she witnessed her lilac eyes glancing towards us, "R..Rachel, you're the one we're observing."

Not a second passed for Rachel to have rolled her eyes, "Ughh.. It just had to be you guys.."

I pointed out, "Just to let you know, we weren't exactly aware of this either."

"Oh well, no use complaining..." Rachel answered in annoyance, "At least this will give you a chance to see my deck up close and personal, newbie!"

A gentle soothing voice said, "It's not just your deck, they get to bear witness to my former pupil." From the dark ceaser styled haired man, with his buttoned down gray shirt and pair of slacks, smiled confidently.

Rory and I couldn't even believe the opponent who stood across from Rachel, "Professor Shah!"

The Professor centered arm in the center while his duel disk activated, "Indeed, this should provide for an excellent session, no?"

Rachel chorted briefly with the same expression, "Professor Shah, best not to bore our observers, yes?"

"That I guarantee you will not happen!" The Professor answered with enthusiasm.

"In that case..." Rachel continued with her own duel disk activated.

"LET THE DUEL BEGIN!" They both yelled and simultaneously drew the first five cards from their respective decks.

RACHEL NORA LP: 4000

PRO. YOHAN SHAH LP: 4000

"Professor, I will be kind enough to let you make the first move." Rachel humbly answered towards her opponent.

The Professor asked, "Oh ho, the pupil doesn't wish to make the first turn?"

"Just a token of my generosity is all." She continued in a polite manner.

TURN 1: PRO. YOHAN SHAH

"Very well then, my dear!" Professor Shah gently drew the top card from his deck and added it to the other five he held, "I will begin by summoning Skilled Blue Magician to the field." as a caster in blue robes materialized on his side of the field.

Skilled Blue Magician LV: 4 ATK: 1800 DEF: 1800

"Oot I then end my turn with a card face down!" The Professor continued as a facedown card materialized behind his spellcaster.

Cards in Pro. Shah's hand: 4

Cards in Rachel's hand: 5

TURN 2: RACHEL NORA

Rachel held her right hand over her cheek, "Interesting move Professor, but it's my turn." and quickly drew the top card from her deck with a smirk, "So I'll start things off by summoning Ameba to the field." as a tiny blue clunk appeared on her side of the field.

Ameba LV: 1 ATK 300 DEF: 200

"Oh yes, I'm familiar with this little guy." The Professor answered in awe.

Rachel continued, "I'm glad you did because now is the part where I activate.." as a holographic image of a spell card materialized on her side of the field momentarily, "Creature which allows me to trade my Ameba for your Skilled Blue Magician." The monsters on both side of the field switched sides, "thanks to Ameba's special effect sense it now belongs on your field that causes you to lose two thousand life points."

The Professor felt a sudden tap against his shirt from Ameba's frustration for a second as his life points decreased.

SHAH'S LP: 4000 decreases to 2000

"As expected of you Rachel, but I will move forward with my facedown card, Shadow Spell!" The facedown trapped card turned upwards on The Professor's side of the field as Skilled Blue Magician frozen in place, "With this, Magician won't be able to attack and it loses 700 attack points in the process."

Skilled Blue Magician ATK: 1800 decreases to 1100

Rachel took a deep breath, "Bummer guess I'll end my turn with a card down." as a holographic image of a facedown card materialized behind Skilled Blue Magician.

Cards in Rachel's hand: 4

Cards in Pro. Shah's hand: 4

Off to the side...

"That's insane... She really took out half of The Professor's life points so easily." My jaw dropped at what had just happened.

Rory covered her mouth, "That vibe... It's different."

I raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"

"It's nothing, don't mind me, but..." Rory wrote notes down on the tablet with the electronic pen that was attached on its side, "She didn't even attack either."

I nodded, "Professor Shah seemed prepped for that move thanks to that trap card otherwise..."

"Otherwise, it would've gotten me closer to ending this duel, that's what you're thinking huh?" Rachel glanced over with a scowl and laughed, "Just keep watching, newbie!"

I was taken aback by her remark only to then notice the watered eyes from Rory as she slowly said, "Rachel..."

Back to the field...

Currently:

RACHEL NORA LP: 4000

PRO. YOHAN SHAH LP: 2000

"A magnificent move Rachel, you've done well in a single turn."Professor Shah remained calm at the situation at hand.

Rachel nonchalantly said, "Appreciate the kindness Professor, but do please make your move."

TURN 3: PRO. YOHAN SHAH

The Professor given the no sign with his finger, "Patience is always the key, I need not remind you of this, Rachel especially of your talents."

Rachel sighed in annoyance, "I respect you Professor, truly but I came to duel not for a speech that you gave a million times already."

"If that is what you wish then I shall go." Professor Shah had once again gently drawn the top card from his deck with careful attention to the ones in his hand, "And allow me to mark the end of this duel."

Rachel bit her lip, "I've got a feeling about what's coming.."

"Indeed." A holographic image of spell card that depicts a merge between Gia and Curse of Dragon materializes briefly, "I activate the spell card Spiral fusion which will allow me to fuse Gia The Fierce Knight and Curse of Dragon from my hand.." as a bright light shined.

Off to the side...

Rory shielded her eyes from the light, "Is he about to..."

I just nodded, "The Professor is about to summon him!" and shielded my own till it finally cleared up at the sight of the creature

Back to the field...

"Gia, The Dragon Champion come forth!" Professor Shah proclaimed as his monster appeared on his side of the field, "Thanks to Spiral Fusion's effect, my Dragon Champion's attack points are doubled as result."

Gia, The Dragon Champion LV: 7 ATK 2600 DEF: 2100

The Dragon screeched as Gia yelled, "HOOO!"

Gia, The Dragon Champion ATK 2600 increases to 5200.

"Not only that, but he could also attack twice each turn!" Rachel answered with confidence, "I know very well, you got me!"

Professor Shah smiled, "Then it is defeat you have accepted in the end."

"Seems like it." Rachel echoed the same remark.

He was at ease, "Very well then, Dragon Champion destroy The Skilled Blue Magician, and end this duel."

Gia, The Dragon Champion roared as it pierced through Skilled Blue Magician before it disintegrated completely from the field. The force of the attack generated a heavy blow that left Rachel unfazed.

"It seems you have learned a sense of patience and acceptance from our duel, my dear." Professor Shah answered proudly towards his former protege.

"Oh yes, this duel has helped me with a lot of patience and acceptance, Professor Shah." Rachel giggled softly as it hysterically grew louder and louder, "So much so, the duel isn't quite done yet."

RACHEL NORA LP: 4000 increases to 8100

The Professor was stunned, "How did you pull that off?"

"A trap card from my last turn." Rachel continued to cackle as her finger directed to the card she had face down, "Rainbow Life which converts any damage I would've taken from your monster's attack to life points I would gain from the battle."

"Astounding." The Professor responded in kindness towards her.

Rachel snickered, "You still got one attack left Professor, do you intend to try again?"

Professor Shah brought a smile on his face, "I believe that ends my turn."

Cards left in Pro. Shah's hand: 2

Cards left in Rachel's hand: 4

Off to the side...

"Any idea, what she's gonna do next, Rory?" I looked to the teal haired girl next to me who held onto my shoulder tightly.

Rory was shook,"I... I don't even know..."

Back to the field...

Currently:

RACHEL NORA LP: 8100

PRO. YOHAN SHAH LP: 2000

TURN 4: RACHEL NORA

Rachel closed her eyes with one finger rested on the top card of her deck, "It's time to tie the bow on this duel for good." and drew the card with only a quick glance before she placed it onto her monster zone, 'Now I summon Fire Trooper!" as a tiny bat like creature whose head was in flames appeared on her field.

Fire Trooper LV 3 ATK: 1000 DEF: 1000

She extended her hand out to the side, "Now I activate it's special effect." as her newly summoned monster integrated into ashes, "By sending it to the graveyard you take one thousand points of damage."

Professor Shah smiled as shards of fire came straight towards him without fail for a small moment.

SHAH'S LP: 2000 decreases to 1000

"What else?" The Professor asked curiously to the tinted orange haired duelist, "The closing call of the curtains?"

Rachel smirked as she gently slid a card into her duel disk, "Activate the spell card..." as an holographic image of the spell card briefly appeared, "Misfortune which allows me to select one monster on your field, and you take damage equal to half its attack point."

The Professor closed his eyes with a kneel, "in that case!"

SHAH'S LP: 1000 decreased all the way to 0.

My eyes gistend at the way her hair blew from the echoed winds of the final attack, "Woah!"

"R-Rachel..." Rory held onto the side of her shoulder, "That was... Amazing!"

She gave a single glance towards us in silence then said, "Please... that was nothing."

The sounds of claps echoed from Professor Shah's hands,"Congratulations my dear, you've won our simulation duel for our new students."

Rachel looked away and began to walk off, "Like I said, it was nothing, but mercy from me.."

That was when I yelled, "Rachel...I know we didn't exactly hit it off well at the end of our first encounter, but I hope that someday we could face each other in duel."

Rory eyes' widened at my enthusiasm, "Shaggy!" a she saw Rachel's movement come to a complete halt.

She stood there with a quick glance towards me, "Sha...Newbie, let's make this perfectly clear to you." and cackled hysterically, "You've gotta prove your worth before I even consider facing..." it was then the tinted orange haired girl froze, "YOU... WHY DID YOU SHOW UP HERE?"

The sounds of the bushes rustled behind the two of us where a long Apricoot hair guy, who wore a black jacket that white shoulder sleeves and collar from the back, walked deeper into the forest, "Who is that?"

Profesor Sah adjusted his glasses, "That would be the top student who is often referred to as The Emperor King of Duel Island."

A rush of excitement kicked in, but I kept it contained with a simple, "The Emperor King, huh..."

Rory's eyes watered towards her, "Rachel, listen..."

"NO!" Rachel yelled towards the teal haired girl, "WHEN DID I SAY WE WERE COOL?" and ran off.

I placed my hand on her shoulder, "Rory this isn't the first time, I've seen you act this way whenever Rachel's in the picture.." as water streamed from her eyes, "So you have to tell me what's going on? Then maybe I can help."

"OH Shaggy..." She fell right onto my shoulder and wailed in tears with her hands around me, "Remember what I had told you and Jake after The Entrance exams ended?"

I raised an eyebrow, The Entrance exam..." before the words echoed back in my mind.

"Lucian and I were gonna try and meet up with an old friend!"

Rory continued sobbing on my shoulder while my eyes widened towards the orange haired girl who continued to run off, "That friend was none other than Rachel..."

There is just so much on my end when it comes to the writing process of this chapter, but probably the best to start off is the return of focus to Shaggy's perspective which was so exciting to dive back after the long break I had took after chapter 5 was published which was the last time the story truly got a chance to focus on his perspective. Which admittedly yes, it was also a bit of challenge in a fun way to write the duel that ensued from his perspective, and where the story will go from here.

As far as The duel between Rachel and Professor Yohan Shah, there is a lot that can be said given that he is an instructor at The Academy like Professor Andrew Reign, and Dr. Rowan Nora both of which had showcased their dueling style in the first couple chapters of the story, and when it came to Yohan... I always planned on showcasing something that was rather unique when it came to his stye of dueling. This also brings me to Rachel's dueling style which was easily the most excited thing for me when it came to content and I understand there will be some setbacks about whether or not she should've defeated Yohan in that matter. Though, it's iike Rachel had said in the chapter that was her way of "Mercy" and it could've been a lot for. Much like with Lucian's deck in the previous chapter, what you all witnessed with Rachel's style of dueling is only just a taste for how she truly is, and when that day come... you'll just have to wait and see when that arrives.

Finally that brings me to the last third with the tension in the air between Rory and Rachel that was present since they had given that exchange during chapter 3.. I'm sure that some of you will have seen this coming, and some of ya'll will be at the edge of your seat thinking "Did you have already have this in mind, or was it something you came up with on the spot?" Well I can safely be at ease by saying that the tension between these two girls was something i had already known since the inception of Duel island before I had written the first chapter. What that entails for the future with Rachel and Rory... you'll just have to wait and see. "Oh god please don't tell me they are gonna turn into romantic rivals ha want win the heart of Shaggy in the foreseeable future?" I don't know about all that personal, but The Top Student... Now there's something to ponder about... What part does he exactly play into this story for Rachel, Rory, and of course for Shaggy? As the famous saying goes, "All in due time!" For the time being, that is about all I gotta say when it comes to the characters and this story, please feel free to share your thoughts and as always thanks for reading!