Author's Note: This chapter returns back on Shaggy's perspective, and unlike the first time this time he'll be dueling with his real deck! Enjoy the read!
Chapter 5:
Well Wisher
The Night After The Entrance Exams
It was half an hour till nine o'clock when I closed my luggage back with the necessary belongings in my bedroom, and Sabrina offered to help me out since the ship was gonna set sail at ten in the morning. We were both just relieved that it hadn't been the same day as the exams were held because that would've been a nightmare. Not that there was a lot needed to be packed for Duel Island. Only thing that had been left was the deck I held in my hand that wasn't permitted in the Entrance Exams.
"Shaggy... Oh Shaggy!" My little sister shook my shoulders lightly, "How long do you plan to keep admiring your cards?"
I felt slightly embarrassed and scratched the back of my head, "Sorry about that Sabrina, I just got a little sidetracked."
"Still feeling a little bummed that you weren't able to use it in the exams?" She asked.
"I honestly was at first when Lucian and Rory gave us the heads up, but then it started to click with me." I looked at Sabrina with a smile, "Then, it just made me feel more excited that it turned out that way!"
"Oh, why do you say that?" Sabrina raised an eyebrow, "I mean don't you want people to be wowed by the deck you've built since grade school?"
My eyes directed to a single card, "More than anything, but I'm sure there's a good reason behind it all!"
Present time...
That last duel analysis test from Jake, and the explanation from Doctor Nora had given me all the answers I needed for this moment. On the left hand side of the field was where I stood prepared to take on my opponent who was testing alongside me. The teal green haired girl whom I had met in the exams.
"Would you mind facing me in a duel?"
I still remembered that promise we made shortly after my test had ended, and one look at Rory when she handed her transmitter to Doctor Nora then she made her onto the field across from me without a sound.
Her hands shook, which led me to call out, "Rory!"
"Huh?" Rory asked in confusion.
I gave her a thumbs up, "Let's give it our best!"
She tapped her cheeks once with a nod, "You're right, Shaggy!" with a cheeky smile.
"Glad to see you both are ready to get this test going, but there's still also the student who will be evaluating your duel!" Doctor Nora looked over at his notes, "Which judging by the person... Oh my!"
I asked, "What is it?"
"Doctor Nora?" Rory asked because he had his hand over his forehand.
A voice called out as footsteps approached from the entrance, "He's referring to me!" when the orange tinted hair girl with a clipboard and pen in hand.
"Rachel!" My eyes widened curiously.
She rolled eyes in annoyance, "To think I'd have to do anything for you, again!"
Dr. Nora sighed, "Rachel, you know better!"
"Whatever, Daddy!" Rachel rested against her back against the wall, "Let's just get this out of the way!"
He refocused his attention back to the top of the dueling field, "Are you both set to go?"
"As ready as I'll ever be!" I smiled briefly until my eyes looked towards my opponent, "Rory?" who looked in fear at the way Rachel glared at her, "You still with me?"
Rory blinked a couple times once my hand waved in the air, "I'm sorry Shaggy, just got a little side tracked!" as she took a quick deep breath, "It's like you said, both of us will give it our best!"
"Love to hear it!" I answered proudly as our duel disks activate simultaneously alongside the holographic projectors underneath the field.
SHAGGY ECLIPSE: 4000 LP
RORY LIU: 4000 LP
"LET THE DUEL BEGIN!" We both yelled and instantly drew the top five cards from our deck.
Rory observed the cards in her hand thoroughly, "Shaggy, you can have the first turn!"
"Oh, isn't it more polite to let the girl go first?" I raised an eyebrow.
She giggled happily, "I'm just feeling generous!"
"Are you sure about that?" I continued.
Rory winked as her cheeks glowed, "Positive!'
TURN 1: SHAGGY ECLIPSE
"In that case..." I drew the top card from the deck and added it to my hand. "Now let's see what I've got to work with here?"
Alexandrite Dragon, Trade In, Frozen Soul, Void Trap Hole, Luster Dragon, Fissure
I placed a card onto the monster zone, " I summon Alexandrite Dragon to the field in attack mode, and set a card face down on the field to end my turn!" as a human sized dragon materialized on my side of the field with a low screech.
Alexandrite Dragon LV: 4 ATK: 2000 DEF: 100
Cards left in my hand: 4
Cards left in Rory's hand: 5
TURN 2: RORY LIU
"Okey-dokey then..." Rory drew the top card from her deck and added it to her hand with a quick glance over, "Since you have a monster on your field, and there are none on mine then I am allowed to special summon Aromage Daisy!" A purple haired woman, with an aqua green hat and similar color dress, materialized onto her side of the field.
Aromage Daisy LV: 5 ATK 2000 DEF: 1800
"Look at that our monsters are totally even!" I answered in awe towards her monster.
Rory quickly snapped her fingers, "You can say that, but Daisy's special ability activates... See if it's special summoned then I gain an additional one thousand life points!" with a jittery smile
I cracked a chuckle that became a quick smile, "Hate to say this Rory, but I'm afraid you're gonna have to miss Daisy's effect!"
"Huh, but wait, Alexandrite Dragon doesn't do anything!" Rory pointed out in confusion towards the dragon on my field.
"He can't do anything, but my facedown card is a different story!" I extended my hand across the field as the facedown card on my field lifted, "I activate Void Trap Hole!"
Her eyes widened at the sight of my trap card, "Not that trap card, it'll not only destroy Daisy, but also negate her special effect!" just as Aromage Daisy digitized away from the field.
"Hew, I saved myself from that one!" I answered with a short sigh of relief.
Rory twirled her finger back and forth, "You sure did, but lucky for me that my turn isn't exactly finished just yet because..." then showcased a spell card from her hand, "I activate the spell card, Rose Bell of Revelation... This allows me to pick any plant monster from my deck with twenty-four hundred or more attack points, and add it to my hand!"
I witnessed her scan through the cards from her deck briefly, "Something tells me there's more to your play then just that!"
"You've got that right because I remove my spell card from the graveyard!" Rory set her spell card inside of her duel case attached to the belt around her jeans, "So that I can summon Aromage Bergamot!" as a red haired man with a maroon samurai attire stood on her side of the field.
Aromage Bergamot LV: 6 ATK: 2400 DEF: 1800
"Twenty-four hundred attack points!" I spoke calmly in awe at the sight.
Rory giggled and pointed her finger, "Bergamot attack his Alexandrite Dragon!" when the red haired warrior stabbed my dragon just moment as it disappeared off my field.
LP: 4000 decreased to 3600
"Not bad Rory, Not bad at all!" I smiled from the outcome of her turn.
She sighed in relief, "It's back to you!"
Cards left in Rory's hand: 4
Cards left in my hand: 4
TURN 3: SHAGGY ECLIPSE
"In that case..." I drew the top card from my deck, and added it to my hand with a single glance, "I'll start by activating the spell card Fissure!" a holographic of the spell card materialized on my side temporarily, "Now normally I would be allowed to destroy a monster on your field with the lowest attack points, but since you've only got one there!"
Rory's eyes drifted towards the red haired warrior in front of her, "I get the general idea!" that shattered to pieces within seconds.
"Now, I summon, Luster Dragon to the field in attack mode!" I set the monster card from hand onto the duel disk as a dragon covered in sapphire materialized onto the field.
Luster Dragon LV: 4 ATK 1900 DEF 1600
"This doesn't look good!" Rory gave out the puppy dog look to the sapphire scaled dragon.
A big grin showed on my face, "Luster Dragon attack her life points!"
Luster Dragon let out a huge burst of flames infused with sapphire as steam surrounded the field.
"Ahh!" Rory grunted unpleasantly.
RORY'S LP: 4000 decreased to 2100
"Then, I'll end my turn with a face down card!" I answered calmly as a facedown card materialized behind Luster Dragon.
Cards left in my hand: 2
Cards left in Rory's hand: 4
In the crowds...
Sweat fell off the side of Lucian's face, "This one tough match to watch!"
"It just sucks that Shaggy's her opponent!" Jake took a deep breath at the field, "Especially shen was looking forward to dueling against his real deck!"
Cherry, who sat just above him kneeled over, "What makes you say that, Jake?"
He blinked and looked over, "Oh hey Cherry, I didn't realize you were there!"
The pink haired girl stuck out her tongue embarrassingly, "Ooh.. I'm sorry about that!"
Jake shook his head, "It's no biggie, but did you say something?"
"Your friend Shaggy... Something about his deck?" Cherry asked.
"It's not one to underestimate." Jake said.
Lucian's gaze went towards our other friend, "Rory..."
Back to the fields...
Currently:
SHAGGY ECLIPSE: 3600 LP
RORY LIU: 2100 LP
TURN 4: RORY LIU
"My move!" Rory drew the top card from her deck then quickly glanced at the other cards in her hand, "First off, I activate the spell card Aroma Gardening!" a holographic image of the continuous spell card materialized on her field, "Thanks to this, I gain an extra one thousand life points whenever I normal summon or special summon an Aroma monster to the field!"
I gasped, "You're kidding me!"
She giggled, "Afraid not because I summon Aromage Rosemary!" as a girl in a blue silky dress with a root like staff appeared.
Aromage Rosemary LV: 4 ATK: 1800 DEF: 700
RORY LIU'S LP: 2100 increased to 3100
"That's all? I asked.
Rory pointed over to her monster, "Not quite, you see if I gain life points then it activates Rosemary's special effect...That allows her to change the battle position of one monster on the field, and I'm gonna pick Luster Dragon!" as Rosemary directed her staff towards my monster that forced it into defense mode.
Luster Dragon DEF: 1600
My eyes keened at the thought, "That can only mean one thing..."
She called out, "Rosemary attack his monster!" as Aromage Rosemary directed her charged up spear towards Luster Dragon.
"Not so fast, I activate the trap card Protect!" I extended my hand out as the trap card unveiled momentarily, and Luster Dragon caught and held its arms up towards his face, "Which protects my dragon from being destroyed!"
Rory sighed softly with her hand to the side, "I end my turn!"
Cards left in Rory's hand: 3
Cards left in my hand: 2
Rachel's eyes lid up with her back against the wall behind a distance away from where I stood, "Okay then..."
In the crowds...
"Awesome, she made a comeback!" Lucan raised his hands up with excitement, "I just knew that wouldn't keep her down."
Jake gave off a cheeky grin, "That may be, but Shaggy isn't exactly going down either."
"Umm... I don't think it's wise to be picking favorites since they are both your friends!" Cherry chimed in bluntly.
Jake and Lucian obliviously blinked towards where she sat from above, "Hmm?"
Cherry waved her hands around in confusion, "I'm sorry that came out aloud!"
Jake scratched the back of his head, "No you're right, Cherry!"
"Ditto, they are both giving it their all right now!" Lucian echoed the same remark with a nod.
Back to the fields...
Currently:
SHAGGY ECLIPSE: 3600 LP
RORY LIU: 3100 LP
TURN 5: SHAGGY ECLIPSE
"Here goes..." I drew the top card from my deck with one quick glance over at the other two cards in my hand, "Now, I switch Luster Dragon back into attack mode, and then I'll summon Spear Dragon to the field!" Luster Dragon regained its offensive stance just as Spear Dragon materialized next to him.
Luster Dragon ATK: 1900
Spear Dragon LV: 4 ATK: 1900 DEF: 0
"Oh no!" Rory took a single step back.
I called out, "Luster Dragon attack her Aromage!" to my monster who bursted out a heavy sapphire blast from it's mout towards Rosemary before she shattered to pieces.
Rory screamed, "Ahh!"
RORY'S LP: 3100 decreased to 3000
"Now, Spear Dragon will follow up with that by attacking your life points!" I directed my other dragon towards Rory as he let out a sonic screech that led her to cover her ears.
RORY'S LP: 3000 decreased to 1100.
She caught onto her breath slowly, "That was a good move Shaggy, but... now you've just helped me out!"
"How so?" I raised an eyebrow.
A dark haired woman in a black dress with a vine-like staff materialized onto her side of the field as Rory smiled, "Since you destroyed Rosemary in battle that allowed me to activate Aromage Marjoram' special effect which allows me to special her from my hand, and also gain an additional five hundred life points..."
Aromage Marjoram LV: 5 ATK 2000 DEF: 1600
RORY'S LP: 1100 increased to 1600
My eyes went directly to her continuous spell card, "Also, taking Aroma Gardening's effect in mind with that..."
Rory winked with a snap of her fingers, "Bingo, I also gain an additional one thousand life points!"
RORY'S LP: 1600 Increased to 2600
I pushed my hand over to the side, "Since the damage step is now down, Spear Dragon has to now go into defense mode!" Spear Dragon concealed himself within his wings.
"Almost forgot, since my life points are lower than yours, I can use Aroma Gardening last effect which allows me to special another Aroma monster, but this time from my deck... So I choose..." A card slipped from the side of her deck as she pulled it out & set onto her duel disk, "Aromage Goldenrod!" when a dark haired woman an ancient egyptian outfit materialized next to Marjoram.
Aromagee Goldenrod LV: 8 ATK 2400 DEF: 2000
I glanced over at the remaining two cards in my hand, "I'll just end my turn with a facedown card."
Cards left in my hand: 1
Cards left in Rory's hand: 2
"Don't tell me that's all you got!" Rachel rolled her eyes in soft annoyance at my field.
TURN 6: RORY LIU
"Okey-dokey!" Rory drew a card from her and glanced over at the other two in hand with a sigh of relief, "I summon Aromage Jasmine to the field in attack mode!" a tiny long white haired girl with a carrying bag materialized onto the field, "Thanks to her special effect I'm aloud to summon additional monster, so I'll set this guy face down!" a face down card materialized next to Aromage Jasmine.
Aromage Jasmine LV: 2 ATK: 100 DEF: 1900
I just stood there with only a thought. Shaggy, Don't pull the trigger just yet!
"Jasmine attack his Spear Dragon, and Marjoram you go for Luster Dragon!" Rory ordered her two monsters to follow suit as both dragons on my field were instantly destroyed.
LP: 3600 decreased to 3500
If things pan out then just maybe... I looked towards the only remaining monster that waited patiently on Rory's command.
That was when she directed her finger towards me, "Now, Goldenrod go ahead and attack Shaggy's life points!"
Aromage Goldenrod dashed over to my field and laid an instant slap across my face that led me to a single scream, "AHH!"
LP: 3500 decreased to 1100.
"With that, I'm all done!" Rory answered happily.
Cards left in Rory's hand: 2
Cards left in my hand: 1
Off on the sidelines, Rachel witnessed the way I stood there, "How are gonna get yourself out of this?"
TURN 7: SHAGGY ECLIPSE
Come on Shaggy, you're down to more than half your life points with only 3 monsters and face down defense... You got to try and make it count now.
All I could do was draw the top card from my deck and glance at the remaining card left in my hand, "I activate the spell card Trade in..." a holographic image of the spell card briefly materialized onto the field, "Thanks to this, I can send a level eight dragon monster from my hand to the graveyard, and draw two cards." I sent the card in my hand to the graveyard, and drew two extra cards with only a single glance, "and then I'm gonna activate Mystical space typhoon to destroy Aroma Gardening!"
Rory gasped, "What?" as her continuous spell card was destroyed on her side of the field.
"With that card out of the way you can no longer gain any more life points, but..." a facedown card materialized onto the field next to the one I set earlier, "I'll end my turn with one card face down."
Cards left in my hand: 0
Cards left in Rory's hand: 2
In the crowds..
"Only two face down, and... no cards left in his hand!" Cherry said quietly at the sight of the field.
Lucian nodded curiously, "The duel seemed like it was going in Shaggy's favor only for Rory to come back in a big way. Unless he's able to pull something out I'd say this duel is done!"
Jake's eyebrows curved up, "Bro..."
Back to the fields...
Currently:
SHAGGY ECLIPSE: 1100 LP
RORY LIU: 2600 LP
With her back against the wall just a distance away from the field, Rachel studied both of our sides of the duel feld, "Interesting choice..."
TURN 8: RORY LIU
"Okey-dokey!" She drew the top card from her deck then quickly examined the other two cards in her hand, "Alright, I activate the spell card Aroma Cyclone!" as a holographic image of a spell card that showcased a cyclone covered in cent, briefly materialized , "Thanks to this I get to destroy one face down card on your field, and I gain one hundred points for each monster on my field."
RORY'S LP: 2600 Increased to 3000
"Which one are you gonna go for?" I asked curiously.
Rory pointed her finger, "The one on the left!" as a powerful aroma like storm shattered the face down card, "Now, Marjoram attack his life points directly and END THIS DUEL!"
"HAAA!" Marjoram charged her vine-like staff towards my direction as it began to charge a powerful blast before She and the other cards on her field that remained shattered in dozens of pieces.
Rory's eyes widened in shock, "What the?"
Rachel dropped her pen on the floor, "Woah..."
In the crowds...
"Every single monster on her field is destroyed" Lucian covered his mouth.
Cherry smacked her hands against the back of Jake's sea, "That's insane..."
Jake just cackled hysterically, "He did not..."
Back to the field...
Rory dashed her hand to the side, "How were you able to pull that off?"
"I still had one face down card left, remember!" I pointed over to the last card on my field that lifted up instantaneously, "A trap card called Spellbinding mirror which can only be activated when you declare an attack, and it gives me two effects to choose from... I could either negate special effects of all face up monsters... or destroy every monster on your field!"
Rory took a closer look at the card in my field, "And since it's a continuous trap card..."
I nodded calmly, "We'd basically be stuck in one infinite loop, unless you got something to stop it?"
Rory glanced over at her hand once more, "I'll just end my turn with one card face down!" as a face down card materialized onto her side of the feld.
Cards left in Rory's hand: 1
Cards left in my hand: 0
TURN 9: SHAGGY ECLIPSE
It's all or never now, Shaggy! My heart pounded softly as I drew the top card from the deck and glanced at it momentarily, "Now I activate Return of The Dragon Lords!" a holographic image of the spell card materialized onto the field.
"But in order to use that card, a level seven or eight dragon monster has to be in your graveyard!" Rory raised an eyebrow in confusion, "And the only monsters I know that are in your graveyard are Spear Dragon, Luster Dragon, and Alexandrite Dragon which are all level four dragons!"
I answered confidently, "Did you forget about my last turn when I activated Trade in?" as my graveyard emitted a bright light.
"You had to discard a level eight monster in order to draw two cards..." Rory answered in shock.
It was then a giant dragon made up entirely of shining blue ice materialized onto my field of that field that left me grinning, "Say hello to White Night Dragon!" as he gave out a fearsome roar.
White Night Dragon LV: 8 ATK: 3000 DEF: 2500
"Not on my watch mister!" Rory extended her hand out as her facedown card lifted up, "I activate the trap card Compulsory Evacuation Device which allows me to target 1 monster on the field and return it to that person's hand, and..." she smiled with such excitement, "The only monster present is your dragon!"
White Night Dragon remained still as the holographic image faded in and out until he let out a might roar and maintained it's form the which left the teal haired girl in confusion as I said, "What's the matter, are you wondering he's still on the field?"
"Don't tell me..." Her eyes were in absolute shock, "He's got a special effect?"
I just simply nodded, "Yup, White Night Dragon can negate the effect of any spell or trap card that targets him, and he can destroy that card!" as the trap card on her field shattered into pieces.
"With nothing left on my field-" the sound in Rory's voice broke as White Night Dragon growled towards her.
That only left me with a grin of confidence, "That's right... WHITE NIGHT DRAGON ATTACK RORY'S LIFE POINTS, AND END THIS DUEL!" as White Night Dragon emulated a powerful blast towards Rory.
"AHHH!" Rory screamed upon the contact of the powerful blast that forced to land against her side.
Rory's LP: 3000 all the way to 0.
Rachel was left stunned with her back against the wall, "I can't believe it..."
In the crowds...
"That was... Woah!" Lucian held onto his chest tightly.
Cherry blinked curiously, "You know that kind of reminded me of our duel test?"
"Huh? No way ours was totally different!" Jake scratched the back of his head embarrassingly.
She lightly nudged his shoulder, "N-No.. It totally was..."
Back to the fields...
I ran over to my opponent's side of the field after the hologram projector went off, "Hey Rory, are you okay?"
She rubbed the side of her ribs, "Aside from that last attack, I'm still in one piece!"
I laughed awkwardly, "Sorry didn't mean for the attack to hit you hard!" as my hand extended over towards her.
"Eh, don't worry about it..." She quickly latched on to my hand and picked herself back on her two feet, "That was honestly one amazing duel!"
"That makes two of us, we really gave them a show!" I gave off a cheeky smile.
Rory's face flushed red, "Well you certainly know how to sweep a girl off her feet!" and planted a kiss on my cheek.
Many students in the stands immediately cheered in unison, "SHAGGY, SHAGGY!" or another remark such as, "HE'S GOT THAT RIZZ!"
"Rory..." I blinked in confusion as she gave me a playful wink, "Wow... What was that?"
Doctor Nora clapped his hand loudly to bring the noise back down, "Miss Rory, you know that's better saved elsewhere!"
"Spur of the moment, Doctor N... Got a little carried away there." Rory giggled with a cheeky grin.
Rachel rolled her eyes, "That's what you wanna tell yourself!"
Rory complained to the frizzy oranged haired girl, "Hey, I was just complimenting him okay!"
I quickly placed my hand on Rory's shoulder that drew her attention away, "Take it easy.." then looked towards our instructor, "Dr. Nora, how did our analysis test go?"
Dr. Nora smiled with pride towards us, "It was truly exceptional seeing the display you both showcased in the duel. Neither one of you gave up that charismatic spirit throughout each turn, and that is how these Analysis tests are meant to be conducted, wouldn't you agree with me on that Rachel?"
"Ughh, I could honestly care less about the passionate speeches dad!" Rachel rolled her eyes towards her father before her view went towards us, "Though, this did confirm something for me in the long run."
I crossed my hand curiously, "Oh and what might be?"
She chuckled with an attitude, "The way you dueled with your real deck just proves you only won through luck not skill, and that I can duel circles around you..." and pierced her gaze at Rory, "Then there's miss cheery sparkles... you're still so beneath me.." and began to walk off.
"Rachel, that was a little-" Rory extended her hand out toward my mouth before I could get a chance to finish my statement which left me confused, "Rory..."
The teal haired girl shook her head aggressively, "Please, Shaggy it's fine... I can't exactly fault her statement at all..." that quickly flipped into a cheery smile.
I argued back, "Yeah but..."
Rory interrupted, "Please... I don't wanna talk about it."
"Sure..." I said quietly towards the way she clenched her fist, "If you say so..."
"But you know, your deck is really incredible especially with White Night Dragon. That's such an ace card you've got there, and..." That left me scratching the back of my head, "Don't be modest about it because you know I'm right about that."
"Well..." I answered as sweat fell off from the side of my face.
Doctor Nora fake coughed towards us, 'You are both welcome to go back to your seats since we still have many analysis duels to get there!'
Rory and I both looked at one another with a sudden laugh, "Right of course, thank you again for the kind feedback!"
Dr. Nora smiled just before the two of us walked on, "And thank you both once again for that incredible performance!"
It wasn't long until Rory and I made it back to our seats in the middle, she sat next to Lucian and I next to my buddy Jake before the other analysis duels that were about to be underway for the next few hours. Lucian talked about how conflicted it was for him to have seen two friends duel one another for a test, and Jake was very much entertained by everything that just went down in the duel. Even his analysis opponent Cherry, properly introduced herself to Rory and then to me shortly afterwards. It was honestly quite a surprise to both Rory and I when it came to the huge praises that were sung from Cherry and the other students in the stands from our duel.
"I guess it's gonna be hard for everyone else to live up to our duel huh, Shaggy?" Rory whispered in my ear.
I nodded, "Especially since..."
"Since what?" She continued.
It was then I whispered into her ear, "White Night Dragon isn't even my Ace card!"
"Get out of here!" She whispered back in shock.
"It's the truth.." I continued
That Same Night After the Entrance Exams
Sabrina placed her hand over her cheek, "I still can't say that I understand the mentality behind it,but one thing is for sure my big brother knows how to wow a crowd!"
I sighed embarrassingly, "Sis, don't start with that now I'm just lucky!"
"Nuh-Uh!" My little sister swiped the card from my hand, "Not with this card in there since it always gets you out of a tight situation!"
A voice called out, "I see my two duel enthusiasts would be getting ready for bed?" as a man with midnight blue hair, who wore a jacket over his buttoned down shirt and black dress pants, stepped into my bedroom. It didn't really surprise my sister and I because he was our father. Adriel Eclipse.
"Dad, you finally made it back from the duel stadium!" Sabrina and I dashed over to him with a big giant hug.
He patted both of us on the head, "I did mention that it was because the meeting with the boss would take up most of the day."
"Can't say I blame you for it since you are a card designer after all!" I shrugged my shoulders casually up in the air.
Dad grabbed both with laughter, "Hey even card designers do more than just make cards! It takes a lot of time and process to think and-"
Sabrina and I unanimously in boredom said, "We know dad, it's not anything new that you haven't told us before!"
"Valid point, but here's the thing, Shaggy when I saw your duel in the booths..." Dad gave off a big happy smile, "It was so spectacular and amazing to see how well you did!"
My eyes met the floor, "I just wish Mom was here to have seen it..."
He nodded, "She'd be so proud of you!"
My little sister embraced me, "Somewhere up there she was cheering you on till the end."
"You're right about, and she sure wouldn't want me sculling over this now!" I gave her a tight embrace in return which was followed up by our father.
Sabrina asked, "Dad didn't you say there was a special surprise you were saving for Shaggy after the Entrance Exams were done?"
"Oh yes that's right..." Dad pulled out a mini box from his pocket, "This is for you."
I took the box and opened it in total awe, "No way!"
"Congratulations on passing, my son!" Dad smiled graciously, "Take great care of that card!"
"I sure will, Dad." I smiled with excitement.
Present time...
"Oh yeah..." She turned her head sideways with a finger pointed toward her lip, "Next time we duel again, show me that ace card you've got?"
I gazed at her curiously, "You're that curious, huh?"
"Let's call it a well-wisher's desires." Rory giggled softly.
"Alright, some other time then!" I said casually.
She pointed out, "Some other date of a lifetime, you mean."
I continued, "Sure thing."
"Promise?" Rory curiously gazed with her fist in the center.
I smiled calmly and bumped my fist against hers, "Promise!"
There's a lot I can say when it comes to this particular chapter, but all of that will delve into spoiler territory for what I've got in mind for the overarching story. There are only two things from my notes that were written prior, but once I had gotten to those particular points they just didn't mesh so well with what the chapter was centered on. Instead, I have decided to move those a plot points to another chapter within the story. A good example I'd like to address is the flashback to the night after The Entrance Exams... Originally, I planned to showcase that at the end of Chapter 3, but once I went over the chapter I realized that it didn't fit and it felt more appropriate to showcase that at this point when Shaggy showcased his true deck. Which I already know... "How could you do that to us with that teasee?" Well it was an intentional decision on my part.
Asides from the flashback, What I loved most about writing this chapter was to showcase what Shaggy's dueling method through his duel disk against an opponent, but display how he can get out of a tough situation too when things look desperate. That was honestly why I chose Rory to be the perfect dueling partner in this duel analysis given that her true deck was unknown too. They just complimented each other so well during their entire duel, and hopefully I was able to portray just how the duel could've gone in either person's favor.
Finally, that leaves us over to Rachel's brief side of the angle as Shaggy and Rory's Duel Evaluator during their Duel Analysis. There's something about her presence that I'm sure a lot of you are wondering... "How can you be so stuck up?" and "Ughh she's so antagonistic to Shaggy and Rory for no reason. I can't stand her at all..." It's easily a plot point that will be tackled at some point... When exactly? Well you'll just have to wait and find out... Also is that some Shaggy x Rory I sense brewing up? or am I looking too much into their dynamic? Who knows really... All I can say for sure is that, we are already halfway the 1st story arc I like to call; Genesis. 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!