Osiris Red Dorm, Duel Academy

October 28, 2027

1:44 PM

As it turned out, Yuki didn't need to introduce Alexis to Bastion. They met, entirely by coincidence, all by themselves.

"You're Bastion Misawa, a friend of Jaden's, right?" Bastion, who had just arrived at the Osiris Red dorm, jumped in surprise and whirled around to find the tall, attractive blonde making her way toward him.

"I suppose you could say that. And you're Alexis Rhodes, yes?"

"Yeah." There was an awkward pause. "So, what brings you here?"

"I've come to ask Jaden and Syrus if they want to study together this afternoon. How about you?"

"Oh, you know," Alexis gestured vaguely, "I just came by for a friendly visit."

"Oh, well, we'll just go up together then, shall we?"

"Sure. Why not?" Alexis followed Bastion up the stairs to room 2B.

…

Inside their room, Yuki and Syrus were both quietly occupied with their own tasks: Yuki was rearranging his deck to include Transcendent Wings, and Syrus was once again worrying over Zane and his cryptic advice.

"Hey, Zane, what's the difference between knowing how to use a card, and knowing how to play it? Aren't they the same?"

"That's something that can never be taught. Only learned. It takes a moment of pure clarity, when you see dueling on a different level. A higher level. All the angles, all the moves— you won't think, you'll just act."

Syrus didn't know how he was supposed to act on advice that seemed to say "just wait for it to come to you." He'd been trying to figure it out for years, to prove that he had taken his brother's words to heart, but his efforts had gone unnoticed. Zane just seemed to despise him more with each day that passed.

Yuki, on the other hand, had actively encouraged Syrus. In between all their crazy adventures, he'd forced the smaller boy to practice over and over and over again, explaining in detail what mistakes he was making and how he could do better. He praised him when he got something right and brushed it off when he got something wrong, and the effects were tangible— as proven by his midterm exam.

Syrus picked up his phone and opened up the Academy's App to look at his grade again, half convinced they'd realized they made a mistake, and it would be different now than the last fifty times he'd checked. But no, it was still the same, and Syrus couldn't help grinning. He was improving, and he was doing it with Yuki's help, not Zane's.

If I'm going to get even better as a duelist, I can't allow anything to get in my head— especially Zane. After all, the last time I let him get to me, Yuki really let me have it. He told me to believe in myself, and that's just what I'm going to do. Believe in myself…

"I believe in myself, Yuki!" he cried out loud, making his best friend jump and fall out of his chair. Syrus felt his cheeks heat up in embarrassment.

"Uh… that's great, Sy," Yuki complimented, picking himself up off the floor. Before Syrus could offer an explanation, there came a knock at the door.

"Who could that be?" he wondered. Yuki shrugged and went to open it.

"Good afternoon," Bastion greeted pleasantly.

"Oh, hey Bastion. And Alexis! You're here too? I didn't realize you guys knew each other."

"We don't, not really," said Alexis, stepping into the room after Bastion and looking around curiously.

"We just met outside, actually," Bastion explained.

"Oh, cool. So what brings you both here?"

Bastion glanced at Alexis, as if waiting for her to state the purpose of her visit first. When she remained silent, he answered, "I wanted to ask if you and Syrus would like to study together this afternoon. Studying with peers is one of the proven better methods for retaining information, you know."

"We'd love to! Hey, Alexis, you want to join us?"

"Maybe. Jaden, can we talk?"

"Sure, Lex. Aren't we talking right now?"

Alexis gave him a peeved look. "I meant alone."

"Of course." Fortunately for Jaden, Bastion caught on quickly. "Syrus and I will wait outside."

"We will?" Alexis shot her cousin a look. "Oh, right. We will." Syrus hastened to put on his shoes and follow Bastion out the door.

"So, what's going on?" Yuki asked as soon as the other two boys had left.

"It's Crowler, that's what. I don't know if you knew, but my Dad was recently on the island, and—"

"Oh, yeah, I saw Mr. Kaiba."

Alexis blinked. "You… saw him?"

"Yeah. I got a message from my Dad that he was here, delivering his deck for the exhibit, and so he and I met up one night. Your dad was there too— for a little bit, anyways."

Alexis nodded in understanding. "Ah. He didn't tell me that. Well, I met with him, too, and he told me that Dr. Crowler recently requested permission to arrange a duel between you and Belowski, one of my dad's sponsored kids. Dad wanted to know if there was any reason he shouldn't let the two of you duel."

"Of course there's not a reason why I shouldn't have a duel!" Yuki sounded scandalized. "I'm always ready to throw down!"

"This wouldn't be just 'throwing down', Yuki," Alexis cautioned. She drew in a deep breath, seeming to waver over a decision. "You know how, when our parents duel, they don't always…need a duel disk?"

That caught Yuki's attention. "Yeah?"

"My Dad's been researching… it ever since the Pharaoh returned to the afterlife, and— you remember how he sponsors orphans if he thinks they show enough potential? Well, he heard through a contact of his in the foster system about a kid that no one would take, because strange things would happen whenever he dueled. Dad went to check it out and eventually decided not only to sponsor Belowski, but to make him a subject in his research."

Yuki nodded absently, remembering the days he'd spent at the KaibaCorp lab, having endless tests run on him and his deck after he'd first discovered his ability to see and talk with Duel Spirits.

"After they'd conducted some trials, Dad realized that he recognized what he was seeing—Belowski had the same unique connection with Duel Monsters that the Wielders and the Keepers do."

Yuki stared at her. "You mean… he can see and talk to his monsters like I can?" All this time he'd thought he was an anomaly…

Alexis shook her head. "It's not just that. Belowski… it's only one monster, but… he can bring it to life on the field, and its effects become real. Like, really real."

It took the younger Muto a moment to absorb this information. As far as he knew, there had only ever been eleven people, since the return of Duel Monsters, able to make a monster's effect real in a duel without a Millennium Item: the seven Wielders of the Millennium Items (ironically enough), and the four Keepers of the Soul Monsters. Of those eleven, only the Keepers and the Wielders of the four Soul Items (the Puzzle, Eye, Rod, and Key) had retained a significant amount of power after the items had been returned to the desert sands.

The idea that there was another person with such an ability out there was… almost incomprehensible. How could such a person exist? The Wielders and Keepers were all reincarnated souls of those chosen by destiny or something— Yuki'd never thought about it too hard— but for some random person to have that power? The implications were huge.

"Wow."

"I know."

"So why's Dr. Crowler want me to duel this guy? Did your Dad say?"

"No, but I think we can guess." Alexis huffed. "He wants someone to beat you, Yuki. He wants to humiliate you the way you humiliated him."

Yuki scoffed. "I'd hardly call one loss humiliating."

"Maybe not to you, but to Dr. Crowler? It was a big deal for a Professor to be beaten by an applicant while using his own deck, Yuki. There's a certain amount of prestige involved with working at my Dad's school, certain expectations. It's not all fun and games when you're a teacher."

"Oh. Maybe I should apologize?"

"I didn't say that. Crowler honestly should have gotten over it by now. He's taking things way too far."

"Right. So, did your dad agree to let Belowski duel me?"

Alexis hesitated. "Not exactly. He didn't agree to let Crowler set up an official match, anyway."

"But…?"

"But he did say he'd suggest to Belowski that he might want to seek you out for a duel when he gets back."

"Gets back? You mean here? He works here at the Academy?"

Alexis shook her head. "No, Yuki. He's a student here."

Main Building, Duel Academy

November 1, 2027

2:55 PM

Due to his special abilities, Alexis explained, Belowski was regularly transported by helicopter to one of KaibaCorp's research facilities to participate in tests, and his academic schedule was arranged specifically to accommodate this need. He was due back from one such trip relatively soon, though Alexis wasn't sure exactly when.

"You need to be ready, Yuki. If we've learned anything about Crowler, he'll be waiting to pounce as soon as Belowski challenges you and draw as much attention to the duel as possible," she'd warned.

"You don't think I can win, do you?" Yuki asked, mildly offended.

"It's not that so much as I don't think you'll be able to finish the duel if Belowski brings out his special monster, which is probably exactly what Crowler's hoping for. He'll probably try to spin it to make you look as bad as possible, and we can't exactly tell people the truth— not with Dad's research so inconclusive."

"Right."

Yuki wasn't an idiot. He knew that it was very likely that Mr. Kaiba had told Alexis about Crowler's request for reasons other than concern for Yuki's reputation. The research at KaibaCorp was guarded with insane levels of security; even Alexis wouldn't have been able to inform him about Belowski's special talents without express permission. Undoubtedly, Mr. Kaiba'd wanted to make sure that if he allowed the duel, Yuki wouldn't cry foul if he was unable to finish, thus drawing unwanted attention to Belowski and therefore to KaibaCorp.

It said a lot about Dr. Crowler, actually, that he knew about Belowski. When he'd asked Alexis about it, he'd been surprised to learn that the man had been Belowski's original tutor when he first joined the KaibaCorp sponsorship program.

"Crowler may be eccentric, but he's— usually— good at what he does. My Dad doesn't keep people on unless they are."

How much of Alexis's concern was about Yuki's reputation and how much was about her father's potentially controversial research getting out, the Osiris couldn't say, but he didn't particularly care, either. Despite his gruff demeanor and ruthless public image, Mr. Kaiba wasn't a bad man, and there were some things that the public just really didn't need to know about.

Besides, Yuki wasn't so insecure that he would whine about being unable to finish a duel. The Kaibas had nothing to fear from him.

For three days Yuki was just about driven mad with anticipation. He was always ready to throw down with a new challenger, but he'd never faced the prospect of dueling someone who had the same special connection with their deck that he did with his. He'd always thought that it was because of his parents (one a wielder of a soul item, the other a keeper of a soul monster) that he had the unique ability to see and talk with his monsters. The idea that maybe it wasn't, that maybe there was some other reason, and that it wasn't just him… it was world-changing.

As excited as Yuki was, when he actually met Belowski, he was completely taken off guard. Classes were over for the day, and he'd headed to the roof of Duel Academy's main building for some time alone with his deck. A secluded spot not a lot of people knew about, it was a good place to chat with the Elemental HEROs, since no one was likely to walk in on them and think Jaden was crazy for talking to the air. He was therefore quite surprised— and a bit put out— when he found it to be already occupied.

"'Sup?" the Anubis Blue lounging on the roof greeted.

"Uh… no offense, but I was hoping to find some peace and quiet," Jaden said awkwardly. "What're you doing up here?"

The Anubis grinned widely. "I'm up here to duel you, Jaden."

"Who are you?" Okay, maybe not the most intelligent question, considering.

"Just a dude with a deck. Call me Belowski."

"So you are Belowski."

"Yep. You ever notice how clouds look like Duel Monsters if you look really close?"

Jaden opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, there was a flash of light and a familiar "ooooh!" as Winged Kuriboh popped out of his deck. "Oh, hey there pal. What is it?"

"Nice Kuriboh. I've never seen one with wings before," Belowski observed, sitting up.

"So it's true! You can see him!"

"Of course I can! And hear him too, though my Kuribohese is a little rusty."

Jaden snorted out a laugh. "No kidding," he chuckled.

"You know, unless you use it every day… anyhow, let's duel."

"You're on! Let's throw down! But don't think I'm easy pickin's 'cause I'm in red."

"Red, blue, yellow, who cares. Those are just symbols the man uses to try to propagate social division. See, it's all a conspiracy of the political-industrial complex to permeate the so-called free market— but I'm sure you don't want to hear about that."

Jaden stared at him. "I thought you were a member of the KaibaCorp sponsorships program…?"

Belowski shrugged. "Just because I'm sponsored by them doesn't mean I have to agree with them. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful to Mr. Kaiba and all, but I still think his dorm ranking system is extremely sus. And I don't trust big business or big government as a rule. So, you ready?"

"Of course." Before Jaden and Belowski could begin their duel, however, there were footsteps on the stairs as Syrus, Bastion, and Alexis arrived on the roof.

"There you are Jaden," Syrus huffed.

"Oh, hey guys. You're just in time."

"Just in time for what? And who's that Anubis over there?" Syrus asked.

"Indeed," added Bastion.

"That is Belowski. He's going to be my opponent."

"A duel?" Bastion asked, intrigued.

"Careful, Jaden," Alexis murmured, her eyes darting around as she tried to find Crowler.

Dr. Crowler was, in fact, watching the duel get started, perched on the top of one of the Academy's towers and dressed in his old protective suit— the one he'd used while working as Belowski's tutor.

"Oh, Jaden," he crowed to himself. "Once Belowski uses his special skills, you will finally be put back in your place where you belong. A pity I couldn't get a larger audience, but Belowski insisted. Said he wouldn't duel if there were too many people around. His powers have grown since I last saw him. Oh, well, your little friends will be audience enough, I suppose. A ha ha ha!"

Ever since receiving the "anonymous" (nice try, Dr. Crowler) notification on her Academy App, Alexis had been gearing herself up, prepared to watch every move of the duel like a hawk. The moment Moki Moki came out on the field, however, all the tension and worry just… drained out of her. Suddenly nothing seemed all that important anymore.

"Goodness me. That's not a monster it's a marshmallow," Bastion exclaimed in delight.

"He's so cute! Like a great big fluffy pillow," Alexis sighed.

"Makes me want to take a nap," Syrus murmured.

"Yeah, me too…" his cousin agreed, her eyelids getting heavy.

Jaden was aware of a strange tugging on his consciousness, but caught up as he was in the heat of the duel, he didn't think much of it. It didn't take long, however, for him to notice the odd behavior of his friends, and the strange way they seemed enamored with Moki Moki. He must be the monster that Alexis told me about, Jaden realized, the one whose effect Belowski can make real. But I thought you had to be participating in the duel for it to affect you…? Needless to say, Bastion's, Alexis's, and Syrus's swooning got old very quickly.

"What'd you do to my friends?" Jaden demanded. "How is your monster affecting them when they're not even a part of the duel?"

"Perhaps I can offer an explanation?" Jaden jumped, his attention quickly drawn upwards to where Crowler was now jet-packing down to the roof, wearing one of the weirdest outfits the Osiris had ever seen.

"Jaden! I see you've met one of my favorite students— Belowski! Well, when I'm safe from his powers, that is."

"Uh… is that why you're dressed like an astronaut?"

"It's a protective suit," Crowler sniffed in disdain. "It was developed specifically for me when I became Belowski's tutor. You see, Belowski is one of the students sponsored personally by Seto Kaiba himself, and—"

"Yeah, I already know that," Yuki cut him off, "I want to know why his powers are affecting people who aren't a part of the duel."

Crowler reeled backward. "You already—!?"

"My power's grown a bit since Mr. Kaiba took me in," Belowski answered for him. "It used to be I'd just affect my opponent, and even then only when I activated Moki Moki's effect, but as I got older and more skilled at Duel Monsters, the ability evolved so that I can affect everyone within a certain radius, as long as I summon Moki Moki to the field.

"It's cool man, don't worry. It's not as if they're in any kind of danger or anything. Moki Moki just makes them feel nice and cozy."

"What do you mean you already—!? Never mind." Crowler appeared to have finally found his voice again. "It doesn't matter. Soon you, Jaden, will be in the same mindless stupor as your friends. It might take you days to come out of it, and by then, everyone will know that the supposed great Jaden Yuki couldn't finish a duel!"

Standing next to the exuberant headmaster, Belowski made a show rubbing his ears.

"Yeah, well, right now I'm still wide awake, so how about you and I get back to it, Belowski?"

"Yeah, dude, far out."

"Alright! I summon Elemental HERO Necroshade!"

…

As the duel progressed, Jaden didn't feel any more tired than he had when they'd started, despite the ever-present pressure behind his eyes. He wasn't the only one to notice the lack of effect Moki Moki had on him, either.

"Belowski, shouldn't he be nodding off by now!? Moki Moki is supposed to drain Jaden. But no! He's fine! Just check out all his friends!" Jaden glanced over his shoulder to see that Bastion, Alexis, and Syrus had all fallen asleep. "Why isn't Jaden like that?"

Belowski shrugged. "Search me dude."

Crowler looked dumbstruck. "That's your answer?"

"It's cool." Belowski exchanged a knowing look with Jaden.

Oh. Mr. Kaiba probably told him about my ability to talk with my monsters, but Dr. Crowler doesn't know about that, and Belowski knows he doesn't know. He doesn't want to give me away, even though that's the most likely explanation for why I'm not affected. Jaden flashed a blinding grin back at his opponent.

…

Despite their mutual understanding, neither duelist was willing to give an inch, and the duel continued to rise in intensity— which was how Jaden found out that just because he wasn't affected the same way as his friends didn't mean that he couldn't still feel the raw power in Moki Moki's attacks. He was almost bowled over by the giant confectionary's vibrations more than once.

(Dr. Crowler actually was taken down, the protective helmet on his suit shattering in the process. He was completely zonked out less than a minute later.)

That was nothing, however, to the final turn. Jaden managed to take control of Moki Moki, turning the monster back on its master. Belowski was thrown backward, landing hard on the ground. Jaden blinked in surprise. He hadn't realized the monster would continue to be real once it was no longer under the Anubis's control. He hurried over to see if Belowski was okay, but before he reached him, the Anubis sat up on his own, blinking in surprise.

"That's game!" Jaden said triumphantly once he was sure the other student was all right, "and what a game! I actually thought you had me a few times."

"You weren't so bad— woah!" Belowski's eyes went impossibly wide as he stared up at Jaden, his skin going a few shades paler. "Dude!"

"What? What is it? I have something on my face?" Jaden raised a hand to touch his cheek.

"No… Jaden, your eyes are like, totally glowing. They're gold."

Given Kaiba's past as an orphan, it makes sense that he would set up a program for gifted children in orphanages or the foster system to get the education they deserved, and I think this makes much more sense than "Belowski was left on Duel Academy's doorstep as a baby".

Originally in this duel, Jaden summons Elemental HERO Wildheart on turn 4, which is then destroyed on turn 5. Because Wildheart doesn't exist in this universe, he summons Necroshade instead. While Necroshade does have 1600 ATK instead of 1500 like Wildheart, ultimately the 100-point difference doesn't affect anything too drastically. Belowski simply has 1600 Life Points before he's defeated instead of 1700, and Jaden wins with 1700 points rather than 1600.