☆14: VS Duelists X

"Strange... no matter how much I asked, no one would answer my question"

Wondered a grown man in a ponytail wearing Slifer Red jacket.

Gerard, a former duelist now turns reporter, is doing an investigation related to The Abandoned Dorm, or specifically the missing students.

To help with his investigation, he decided to disguise himself as a student to blend in the school. Even so, his investigation isn't that very smooth like he thought.

Most of the students he spoke ignored him, if not they started bullying him by speaking harsh words, pushing him to the ground, etc.

"Is it a taboo to talk about The Abandoned Dorm?"

If there is a reason of why his investigation isn't that smooth sailing, it is because he overlooked one simple thing.

He decided to undercover as a Slifer Student.

If he didn't rush and have planned it thoroughly, rather than a student, he should disguise as a teacher or a staff, instead.

The reason for this is that he is too old to disguised as a high school student. If he learned one or two things about the school's culture, isn't it the best to disguised as an Obelisk Blue student?

Then again, Obelisk Blue wouldn't have a student like him which is way too old which implies he is an undergraduate who failed miserably to graduate for so long aka Long Overdue, and the place of those people usually gather in Slifer Red Dorm.

... why this reason make more sense of why he's undercover as a Slifer student? No matter, the important thing right now is to gain intel first.

Gerard decided to scout the main campus and mapping the layouts, then suddenly...

"Huh? Wha-"

Gerard suddenly heard loud footsteps noises then turns around, and saw many students running to his direction like a stampede.

"Move!!!", before he even finished his words, the students already ran through him and tramples him in the process.

"Ow! Ow!! Ow!!! Is today a Black Friday?!", wonders him as he slowly gets up with a body full of pain.

Irritated and curious, he grabbed a passing student wearing the same red jacket as him.

"Oi! Let go!", shouted the Slifer student.

"Just a sec, what's happening right now?! Why everyone in such hurry?!", asked Gerard.

The Slifer student tilted his head, "You didn't know?! That rising star is here!"

"Rising... star?", questioned Gerard, as he tilted his head looking at the student with confused eyes.

The student nods, "Yeah! It's him, Aster Phoenix! He's going to duel the troublemaker Jaden and Yuji!", told him excitedly.

"Aster... Phoenix? Why?!"

The student then answers his question again, "Don't know, maybe The Academy specifically hire him to kick those two's butts"

Gerard sighed, "The Academy? Why? I asked you why Aster Phoenix going to duel those two?"

As Gerard knew, Aster is one of the top Pro Duelist in the world. It is very unlikely someone as skilled and famous as him going to The Duel Academy just to duel some students.

Except the students in question is a famous duelist as Aster himself, and not some troublemaker and a no-name at that.

But, if it's true, then maybe that The Academy is holding a special event by hiring Aster, thinks him.

The student, which Gerard had questioned, scratches his forehead.

"Well... as I know, Jaden and Yuji trespassing into the off limit area... I think it was The Abandoned Dorm, and because of that they're going to be expelled"

"Strange... if so then why The Aca- huh... hehehe", Gerard's eyes widened and started grinning, which scared the student.

"Freak!! Let go of my hand, you damn old geezer!"

The student then forcefully pulled his hand, and quickly leaving Gerard alone who lost in his thought.

[Abandoned Dorm... students trespassing... Aster Phoenix dueling those two... Jackpot!!!]

Gerard then start running to the direction of where the students are headed.

"Hehehe, this... this is going to be a big news!"

.....................................

"Amazing!!!"

Jaden shouted excitedly, as his eyes twinkling looking at Aster's figure while smiling.

"To think we're going to duel against a Pro! This gonna be an interesting duel for sure!", said Jaden as he's rubbing his hands.

This Tag-Team Duel was hold to decide Jaden and Yuji's expulsion from Duel Academy.

A normal student would be nervous or even panic when they knew the opponent is a Professional Duelist.

The moment they're facing a strong opponent, even if they somehow manage to keep calm and assure themselves they can win, it is just for a naught!

Why? It is because they subconsciously think they can't win, and or already had DOUBT in their heart.

But that only for a Normal Person!

For a Duel addict like Jaden, this is a great CHANCE to get a taste of The Pro Dueling World! Maybe with this kind of duel against Aster, he can break through his current limit and learn another possibilities.

For the current him, Losing or Winning has lost their meaning. The only thing that have meaning in front of him is a Challenge.

A FUN and Exciting NEW Challenge that he can't wait to try and savor.

Jaden then turned his head toward his tag partner beside him, "Isn't that right, Yuji?!"

Yuji slowly nods, "Yeah... to think they give us such an opponent"

Even thought Yuji already accept such assignment, but number of emotions clouded his heart like Excitement, Anxiety, and Anger.

Yuji turns his gaze to Crowler, [What a bitter man he is... that Crowler]

Told him in his mind as he saw a figure of a middle age man jumping excitedly with a foul and wicked smile.

The idea about Tag Duel comes first from him.

Even Yuji still remembers the words he's spouting when he and Jaden in Court of Inquiry.

Crowler: [Rabble Rabble Rabble, Ancient Gear Golem!]

Yuji shakes his head, "That's not it...", then tries to remember Crowler's actual dialogue.

Crowler: [Rabble Rabble Rabble, Expulsion!!!]

Yuji squinted his eyes, "Um...", then tries to remember the next thing.

Crowler: [Rabble Rabble Rabble, Tag Duel!!!]

Well, at least he tried...

[What a pain! Suddenly decide to hold a Tag Duel, moreover the opponent is him of all people]

Fortunately for Crowler, he didn't notice Yuji's empty-cold gaze.

Looking at his pain in the ass-teacher, he sighs, "Well, in the end we are still in the wrong", whispers him, thinking about the previous event on The Old Obelisk Blue Dormitory.

He then shifted his gaze to Aster.

Aster Phoenix, a guy two years younger than Yuji. Regarded as a Genius in dueling and other sports.

Joined The Professional League before he even started High school, and in The Pro League he is also the favorite to win.

It's even said that he hasn't lost in a duel yet, not even once.

He heard some rumors that an upperclassman made a bet on Aster's previous Pro League duel match that he will lose.

But Aster just winning the game easily.

That upperclassman who bet on Aster's defeat lost a Huge amount of money, and presumably still swimming in debt.

That Upperclassman: Hachoo!

Zane slightly shifted his eyes to Kei beside him, who let out a sneeze, then he shifted his gaze again to Aster.

The corner of Yuji's mouth bend upward.

"A Pro Duelist, huh? Not a bad- no... this is technically the best opponent for us!", smiled Yuji while clenching his right fist, eyes focused on Aster.

"Isn't it?! My heart's beating so fast, can't wait to start the duel!", replied Jaden.

[Aster Phoenix... he's (almost) the same age as us, but he's already one of the top Pro Duelist that even Mr. Pegasus approved]

Thinks Yuji as he then grabs his deck for today's event.

"I wonder if I beat him I can get closer to my dream...", whispers him while looking at it smiling.

-●-●-●-

In the front row spectator's seat behind Jaden and Yuji were Alexis, Misawa, Syrus, and Chumley.

"A Pro?! This isn't fair!!", shouted Syrus, looking at his friends' back with worried expression.

Misawa nods slowly, "Yeah... but this is the decision The Academy assigned for them. Wants it or not, they must beat those two to stay remain at The Academy" told him as he rested his chin on his crossed hands.

"This is my fault...", said Alexis weakly, looking at Jaden.

Misawa, Syrus, and Chumley then shifted their gaze to her.

She continued, "I- it should've been me on that stage...", told her as she clenched her left hand in front of her bosom.

Syrus and Chumley looked at each other.

"That isn't true, Alexis!", said Syrus while Chumley nods beside him.

Alexis looks at Syrus, "But..."

"If they were here with us, Big Bro and Yuji wouldn't blame you for it! If there is someone that has to be blame for this, then that is the masked person who assaulted you!", said Syrus.

"Assaulted? Masked man? What are you talking about?", asked Misawa.

"You see Misawa that is-"

"Syrus!"

Before he continues, Alexis shakes her head implying to him to not share the story which made Syrus understood.

Looking at her expression, Misawa sighed, and decide to keep quiet... at least for now.

"But really, to think they assigned a Professional Duelist for this job. Duel Academy... they didn't joke around about the rules", commented Misawa.

Alexis, Syrus, and Chumley nods in unison about his comment.

The four of them then look at Yuji and Jaden's back.

[Jaden, Yuji... please win!], Pray Alexis in her heart.

Just three seat behind them, Zane and Kei are waiting for the duel to unfold.

Unlike Zane who's seriously watching them with arms crossed like the arrogant Last Boss, Kei is just chilling around with a Pop Corn bucket on her hands while wearing funky star-shaped glasses.

"Pop Corn?", asked her as she's offering a bucket full of Pop Corn to Zane.

"No, thanks", replied him with a straight face and monotonous tone as he tired of her presence.

"Which one do you think would win?", asked her.

"I don't know", replied him, as his eyes totally focusing on Aster's figure.

[Aster Phoenix... a guy that just a few years younger than me, but has stepped in the Pro League before me.

I wonder... what kind of deck he'll use?]

Zane Truesdale.

A third year Obelisk Blue, and a duelist who gained the title of "Kaiser", the strongest duelist in The Academy given by everyone.

After graduation, they've expected him to become a Pro Duelist, and joined The Pro League like Aster.

Of course, he himself believe and wanted to become one, and already paved way for himself to become one.

Winning every Dueling contests since young age, trained under a strong duelist (lol) in particular 'Cyber' style, attending The Duel Academy where he joined the best dorm and class, receiving the best course, and no slacking in training daily to better himself.

Truth to be told, he wanted to duel Aster Phoenix right here, right now. He wanted to test how stronger he got in these three years, and wondering if he can surpass his current limit by dueling him.

[At first watch he looks very relaxed and like an approachable guy, but...], Zane began to frown.

[What is this frightening feeling I sensed from him? Such a strong feeling that can make my blood boils! Is this the aura only attainable by those who has fighting for years in The Pro League?]

Kei winks at Zane, "Don't worry ☆ You'll have many opportunities in the future", told her, and Zane replied by nodding.

She shifted her attention to Aster.

[Kukukuku, not bad... I hope you can bring us a good entertainment, eh? Little D]

Contrary to them, on Chazz's side...

"Kyaaa!! Aster ♡ Aster ♡ Look over here ♡♡♡"

When the news about Aster's visit as an opponent for Jaden and Yuji's expulsion duel spread.

So many duelists (mostly female) rushed at once to The Obelisk Blue's duel arena.

They're even ditching their class, and some of them just straight out ran in the middle of the lesson, angering their teacher, only to see the tag duel.

For them, it is a very rare thing that a Pro Duelist came to the island, even to duel some first year who's a Slifer, the bottom of the barrel.

Thanks to this, the somewhat quiet duel arena, now is very bustling with students and become noisier, some of them even willing to sit on the floor only to watch it.

The female students waving their hands to gain Aster's attention. In return, Aster also waving and smiling toward them.

"Kyaaa ♡♡♡"

"The noises... the cheers... it's become louder!!!", Chazz who observing him in the spectator's seat become more grumpy, gritting his teeth hard as he is enviously watching and listening to the ladies cheering for Aster.

[Tch! What is so good about that guy?! I'm cooler than he is!!!]

Chazz then turn his attention to the girl beside Aster.

"Hm?", Sakura turned her head, both her and Chazz's gaze met each other.

The moment their gaze met, the time around them felt like it was stopped as gentle and warm breeze filled the room with flower petals in various color fall slowly.

AS IF!!!

"Heh!", Sakura gave Chazz an antagonizing smirk like she was looking at a pitiful Clown, then turned her gaze away from him.

In retaliation to her mockery, Chazz repeatedly kicked the seat in front of him in anger, making the girl who sit in front of him mad.

"Anone... can you Sto-"

"HA?!!!", shouted him angrily.

"Hiiiikkk!"

The girl seating in front of him was getting mad for his action, but when her gaze met with Chazz's bloodshot eyes, she decided to keep quiet like a small animal.

With raging eyes, and his taste bud felt like the taste of an iron, he kicked the seat in front of him harder.

[That damn bitch! Just you wait... the humiliation you've brought me, I'm going to return it ten- no... one hundred! No! A thousand times! Yes... Ten thousand times!!!]

The girl who sit in front of him was trembling in fear, she prayed that Chazz would stop kicking her seat, as a tear begin to drop from her eyes, "Someone help me..."

On Sakura's side...

"I'm no Pro Duelist, but... don't forget that I am here", told her to remind them.

Jaden then gives Sakura a thumb up gesture.

"Ou! How can I forget?! I can't wait to duel you too, Sakura!", smiled Jaden, as he then requested something from her.

"Bring out your dragon, okay?"

Sakura's eyes widen, "Ha... hahahaha!", and begin to laugh.

Everyone (Yuji includes) who knew about her and her ace doesn't want or always praying that she won't summon Starving Venom Fusion Dragon.

But this mad lad Jaden requesting her to bring him out, not even fearing him a bit even after he watches and experiencing being blasted by the dragon.

[Interesting...], said Sakura in her mind.

"Okay, but brace yourself for the pain we'll give you"

Jaden clenched his fist, "Bring it on!"

"Don't forget that I warned you", smiles her.

Sakura then shifted her gaze to Yuji, "Whatever happen... no hard feeling, okay?"

Yuji nodded while smiling, "Um! No holding back, okay?!", told him, as he's showing his Duel Disk on his arm.

Sakura smiles watching Yuji's reaction, then nods as to reassure him.

She then shifted her gaze to Aster, "Mr. Pro..."

"Just Aster is fine, you are older than me after all", replied him by smiling mischievously.

Yesterday, she received a mail from The Academy to let her know that the package send to her by her father has arrived, and she can pick it up in Dorothy's store.

On her way to the store, she met Professor Crowler who asked her to come to Chancellor Sheppard's Office after class.

She thought at first Crowler would do something... dirty to her, but then she received an official mail from Chancellor Sheppard and Crowler himself, who urges her to meet them.

To her surprise, when she came to the room there is another guest who just arrived at the island, and that guest is none other than Aster.

After a bit of explanation, she was chosen to become his tag-partner and become Jaden and Yuji's tag duel opponent.

Sakura nods, as she slowly closed her eyes.

"Then Aster... DON'T GET IN MY WAY!", she then told him loudly, as she opened her eyes.

The female students (fans) who heard what she is saying to Aster begin insulting her.

"That bitch! What is she thinking?!"

"Yeah! Yeah! How dare you to say that to my Asterix!"

Etc, etc., etc., they've begun to bad-mouthing Sakura.

Mindy and Jasmine who hears what she is saying to Aster also getting angry for the way she talks to their Idol.

But, it quickly died down after they remember what kind of person she is, and after listening to the vicious comments the other female students are spouting, they begin to worry about her.

But Sakura didn't care, she just yawned hearing their insults, and even scratches her ears as to provoke them.

"Sakura... she really has the nerve of tungsten, isn't it?", said Mindy, a bit amazed.

Jasmine who hears her comment smile wryly, "More like... she doesn't have any"

Aster surprised, this is the first time that a girl tell him to not get in the way.

Amused, he let out a small chuckle, "Right back at you... senior"

After that, Aster examined his two opponent. When he saw Jaden, he let out a smirk, but when he shifted his gaze to Yuji.

[So, that's the person Sartorius talked about]

Aster tilt his head slightly, as he examines Yuji's face attentively, as he felt a strong déjà vu coming from him.

[That guy... where have I met him?]