I still liiiiive... just about. I won't bore you with the details. Jaden, since you're in this chapter a fair bit, due to popular demand (and the fact that he was going to be anyway), care to do the disclaimer?

…

...apparently not.

Jaden braced himself as he opened his door the next morning, but to his pleasant surprise the torrent of friendship speeches he had expected never came. "Odd. He never usually misses me coming out."

"You sound almost disappointed." Jaden just shot Yubel a sideways glare. Still, he was curious, and tentatively listened at the door.

"...I can't hear anything."

"You sound worried," said Yubel, clearly quite amused. "He's probably just left already." Jaden rolled his eyes.

"I know that," he drawled. "I'm just used to his infuriatingly perfect ability to synchronise when we leave our rooms. I swear he listens at the walls."

"Like you?" Jaden chose to ignore that.

Jaden had just reached the front of the dorm when his peace was shattered.

"Oh, hi Jaden!" Inside, Jaden despaired. Caleb pulled up to him carrying a bizarre assortment of packages. Curiosity got the better of him.

"What the hell are you carrying?"

"What, these? They're for baking cookies." Jaden groaned. Now he'd heard everything. "We're getting together to celebrate Jesse and Syrus winning yesterday, and being able to stay. You're more than welcome to come." Jaden fixed him with a death glare, which was customarily ignored.

"I'll pass," growled Jaden, really hoping that Caleb would just take the hint. He never did.

"Well, if you change your mind we'll be at the Slifer dorm. And maybe we could duel sometime. I'd like that." Jaden grunted.

"Though I admit crushing him would be quite entertaining."

"Anyway, I need to head off. Mindy's coming over to help with the cookies, and I said I'd have everything ready to go before she got there. So I'll see you later!" Caleb dashed off, leaving Jaden muttering,

"I wouldn't count on it." After a few minutes, Yubel appeared next to him. "Been anywhere interesting?"

"Around. That Chazz is still fuming. What did you tell him yesterday?"

"That he was only in Obelisk because of his money and connection, and that me and Caleb didn't have either."

"Which was a lie." Jaden laughed.

"Of course. Caleb went to a very good prep school-" He remembered that conversation in excruciating detail, "-And I hardly need to explain our circumstances. But it was more than worth it to see his face. I'm sure he'll find out eventually, but until then I'll just enjoy his insecurity." Yubel sighed.

"Is it really necessary to antagonize him so much?" she asked, wearily. "What happened to keeping as low a profile as possible? I seem to recall you saying you didn't want any unnecessary attention." Jaden shrugged.

"Hmm, but the kid's a braggart, and an incompetent one at that. I wouldn't mind if he could back up his posturing, but he's all bark and no bite." Jaden paused for a moment. "I need to arrange a public duel, so I can crush him for everyone to see..." Yubel sighed again.

"Jaden..."

"Caleb! I'm here to make the cookies!" Caleb jumped up at the sound of Mindy's voice, and scrambled for the door.

"Coming!" As he went to open the door, Mindy could have sworn she heard him talking to someone, but it must have just been her imagination. Jasmine always said it was over active. "Hey!" Said Caleb cheerfully, as the door opened. "Oh, hi Jasmine! I didn't know you were coming too." Jasmine nodded at him.

"I thought I'd best make sure the two of you don't burn anything down." Caleb feigned upset.

"Jasmine, I'm hurt you'd even suggest such a thing. Anyway, I've got everything set up, so we're good to go whenever you're ready."

"Then let's go!" cheered Mindy, "Those cookies won't make themselves!" Jasmine sighed and shook her head.

"...This is gonna be a long day..."

Elsewhere, in the Slifer dorm, Jesse and Chumley were still asleep. Syrus, bored of waiting for them, had gone for a walk by the cliffs. He'd been there for about ten minutes when he spotted a very familiar figure.

"Zane?"Zane turned and gave him a long, slow stare.

"...Syrus." There was an awkward silence. "You... did well yesterday." Syrus smiled, just a little.

"That means a lot, coming from you." Awkward silence descended once more. After a while, Zane made to speak again, but Syrus cut him off. "It's okay, you don't have to force it. I know you aren't good at this sort of thing. Anyway, I should be getting back. Jesse and Chumley'll worry if I'm not there when they wake up." He paused for a moment. "...If they notice. Anyway, I'll see you later!" He set off, but turned back and shouted back to Zane. "By the way, we're meeting up at the Slifer dorm later to celebrate. You can come if you want!" And with that he was off, heading back to the dorm at a slight run. Zane watched him leave.

"...Syrus..."

"Caleb, Mindy, how haw the hell did you make so much mess while I was gone? I only went to the bathroom!" The kitchen was a mess. Cookie dough seemed to be attached to everything, and most of it was on Mindy and Caleb. The two of them looked at each other.

"S/he did it!" They both yelled together. Jasmine sighed at them both.

"Did you at least manage to make some cookies?"

"Oh, of course," said Caleb cheerfully, "It was only when we got to licking the bowl that... we..." he trailed off.

"That you what?" Asked Jasmine, really not in the mood for this.

"We... may have started arguing over who got to lick the bowl first..."

"And?" Asked Jasmine, folding her arms. Caleb shuffled around a little.

"A spoon may be been flicked..." Jasmine didn't even bother to say anything to him this time, and just folded her arms. "And it may have had cookie dough on it..."

"And I might have thrown one back..." Added Mindy, both of them looking like naughty schoolchildren. She sidled closer to Caleb. "I think she's really mad..." She whispered.

"Yeah... Well, time for kill or cure." He whispered back, and Mindy sidled back away, much quicker this time. "Look on the bright side, at least it's my kitchen, not yours," he pointed out cheerfully. Mindy tried to take cover as stealthily as she could.

"True, but you two still better clean this mess up!" Nobody moved. "Now!" Both Caleb and Mindy jumped, and began dashing around, trying to scrub bits of cookie dough off the walls. Jasmine sighed. It was quite comedic really. Besides, she never could quite manage to stay mad at Mindy. It'd be like kicking a puppy. She sighed again and rolled up her sleeves. "I may as well help. The sooner this is clean the sooner we can go." She was just asking for it really.

Alexis was already on her way down to Slifer. She was very early, but with Mindy and Jasmine making cookies with Caleb, she was bored and lonely. She just hoped that Jesse and the others would be up by now. From what she'd heard, there was a strong chance they weren't. She sighed. She felt awkward going down like this, but her only other options were Bastion, who she barely knew, or Zane. And Zane was a nightmare to find, especially if he didn't want to be found. If nothing else, she could probably get a duel out of one of them.

As she reached the dorm, she hovered awkwardly, just away from it. It wasn't her dorm, and she couldn't help but feel really awkward going in without an invite. Well, technically she was invited, but surely it didn't apply when you were this early?

"Miss Rhodes? Why, this is a surprise! What can I do for you?" Alexis turned around, startled.

"Oh, Professor Banner. I didn't see you there. We'd planned to meet here later to celebrate Jesse and Syrus staying, but... Well, I'm just really early." Banner raised an eyebrow, which is an impressive feat when your eyes are closed.

"Oh really? Is there any particular reason?"

"Not in particular... Everyone else was busy, and I guess I was just a little... lonely." Banner nodded at her.

"Well, the boy's room is that one," he said, pointing. "They... should be awake by now, although I'm not sure Syrus is there. I saw him leave earlier, and I didn't see him come back yet." Banner, for want of a better term, looked up. "Ah, speak of the devil. I think that's him now." Syrus ran up to the two of them, slightly out of breath.

"Oh, hi Alexis! What're you doing here so soon? I thought we weren't meeting 'till later?" Alexis sighed, cursing her need to explain again.

"Mindy and Jasmine at helping Caleb, so I'm bored and lonely. Are Jesse and Chumley around?"

"As far as I know, they're still in bed. I can never get them up... I don't suppose you could give it a go?"

"I suppose, but..." Alexis hesitated, feeling really awkward about the next question. "They don't sleep naked do they?"

"What? No!" Alexis breathed a quick sigh of relief.

"Then that's okay. Thanks, Professor...-" She trailed off, when she realised Professor Banner had vanished. Syrus looked at her quizzically.

"Huh? There's no one else here?"

"That's strange... I was talking to him just before you got here." They both jumped at the sound of a loud meow, and Pharaoh came and sat between them. He gave Syrus and intense stare.

"Alexis... He's watching me... Again...! Jesse doesn't believe me, but I know that cat's been spying on me!" Alexis resisted the temptation to agree with Jesse.

"Why don't we go and get them, Syrus?" She asked soothingly, desperately trying to change the subject. She half led, half dragged Syrus up the stairs towards his room. Syrus spent most of the time looking over his shoulder, towards Pharaoh, who hadn't moved and still had his gaze fixed firmly on Syrus.

"Jesse, Chumley, are you guys awake?" Syrus' question was met with snoring, neatly answering him. "Alexis, can you think of anything? Nothing I do ever seems to work. Well, except the bucket of water on exam day, but that was an emergency!" Alexis thought for a moment.

"Jesse, Chumley. There's no food left in the cafeteria." Both of them shot up like rockets. "I thought that might work."

"What? Lex? What're y'all doing here?"

"Getting you two up. It's past eleven you know." Jesse groaned.

"Is that all? But it's a Sunday!" Both Alexis and Syrus sighed.

"But Jesse, we're supposed to be celebrating be able to stay! Remember, Caleb said he'll make cookies."

"Cookies? Where?" Chumley darted up at the sound of cookies, but forgot he was on the top bunk, and came tumbling off, narrowly avoiding Alexis and not quite avoiding Syrus.

"C-chumley! Get off!"

"Oh, sorry there Sy. Totally not 'liscous." Syrus got up, gasping for air.

"Would you stop doing that! That's the third time this week!"

"I said I was sorry! I can't help it." Alexis took that moment to step in before they came to blows.

"Guys, does anyone want a duel while we wait for the others?"

Elsewhere, the cookies had been finished, and Caleb, Mindy and Jasmine were on the way to the Slifer dorm. They were just closing in, when Caleb stopped dead.

"Jaden? Yoo hoo! Jaden!" Just down the path, Jaden groaned. He knew he shouldn't have walked so close to the Slifer dorm. "Are you here to join us after all?"

"No." Snapped Jaden. "I couldn't give a damn whether they're here or not. And to be honest, I couldn't really give a damn about you, either." Caleb's face hardened, albeit into a pout.

"Oh, I've had enough of your 'I don't need anyone' attitude! Mindy, take the cookies-" Common sense kicked in. "Jasmine, take the cookies. Protect them with your life. Jaden. I challenge you to a duel!"

"Pfft, like I'd waste my time duelling you." Scoffed Jaden.

"What's the matter? Scared you'll lose to lil' ol' me?" Caleb gave such an innocent and cheery smile, Jaden couldn't help wonder if he did it to purposefully annoy him.

"Oh, fine then. This wont take long anyway."

"I take it you don't mind me starting?"

"Do whatever you want." Caleb smiled.

"Then I'll start with Mythical Beast Cerberus. I'm sure I don't need to tell you of all people his effect." Jaden snorted. "Then you know what happens when I play terraforming. And when I play the magical citadel I added to my hand. 2400 should keep you occupied, no?"

"2400? How did it get so big?" asked Mindy.

"The spell counters. Mythical beast Cerberus gains 500 attack for each counter on it." Explained Jasmine.

"Such a flimsy defence. It's counters dissipate each time it fights." Added Jaden, with more than a hint of contempt. "I summon evil hero Stonewall in defence mode, and play a facedown. Your move."

"Hmm... Given your deck and what you know, that face-down is likely a trap to prevent my attack, wasting my counters and allowing you to kill my Cerberus next turn. Therefore I summon Breaker, the Magical Warrior in attack mode. He gains a counter for being normal summoned, but I can remove that to destroy a spell or trap card. Like that face down." Said card exploded, leaving Jaden's field a bit less robust. "As I thought, Hero Barrier."

"Wow, that was... unexpected." Said Jasmine, with quite a bit of surprise in her voice, before moving the cookies away from Mindy's questing hand.

"Well, he is in Obelisk. And we all knew he could duel." Stated Mindy, sulking slightly at her thwarted attempt on the cookies.

"It's just... It seems so out of character for him. And he wasn't like this in the duel with Para and Dox..." Mindy though about it for a moment.

"That duel was a big spectacle, so he probably wanted to put on a show. He was probably thinking that way the entire time. Plus, he's seen Jaden's deck, so he can plan better. He didn't know what he was up against last time."

"That was... surprisingly well thought out. Are you feeling okay Mindy?"

"I'd feel better with cookies in me!" Jasmine sighed.

"With that gone, I attack Stonewall with Cerberus." Stonewall vanished, along with the two spell counters on Cerberus. "And I'll finish up by attacking directly and playing a facedown."

Jaden:2400/Caleb:4000

"Then I draw-"

"I reveal the Tower of Babel!Whoever puts the fourth spell counter on it takes 3000 points of damage."

"Whatever. I play Dark Fusion, combining Darkwing and Blackfire from my hand to form Inferno Wing!" Caleb just kept smiling cheerfully.

"That's one."

"Hmph. I play a facedown, and attack your mythical beast with Inferno Wing! And don't forget his effect!"

Jaden:2400/Caleb:1900

"I didn't. However, the spell counter moves to my citadel."

"And? I end."

"Right then. Sorry Breaker, but I'll have to tribute you for dark red enchanter. He comes in with two counters, and they each give him an extra 300 attack. So I attack your Inferno Wing!"

"I reveal my facedown, Invincible hero! Until the end of the turn, Inferno Wing cannot be destroyed by battle." Caleb frowned.

"Well, that's a bit inconvenient. Still, at least you still take the damage."

Jaden:2200/Caleb:1900

"I'll get over it. You done?"

"No... I'll put down a facedown. Now I'm done."

"Fine, I draw." Jaden smirked. "This should do it. I play H- Heated Heart, giving Inferno Wing an extra 500 attack."

"Yes, but it also gives 300 to Dark Red Enchanter. That makes them equal."

"With Inferno Wing, that's enough. I attack Dark Red Enchanter!" Both monsters exploded, but then Inferno Wing's effect activated, and dropped Caleb down to 0.

Jaden:2200/Caleb:0

"Darn it. That could have gone better. I suppose that didn't prove quite as much as I hoped..."

"No, no it didn't. If you're done, I'm going now." Caleb sighed.

"Fine, go on then. I can't stop you. But one day, you'll understand. Hopefully before it's too late..." Jaden glared at him.

"What-? No, I don't even care. I'm gone." They watched him walk away.

"Well, I suppose we should go find the others. They'll be waiting for cookies."

"How can be so, well, normal, after that last comment to Jaden?" Whispered Jasmine as they followed him.

"I think it's just Caleb. He just doesn't have it in him to be depressed." Answered Jasmine, hoping to sneak a cookie. She failed.

"Hey guys, sorry we're a bit late." Shouted Caleb cheerfully upon reaching the Slifer dorm. Alexis looked up.

"Did something happen? It isn't like you to be late." Caleb shrugged.

"I just needed to duel Jaden. Sorry it took so long." There was an awkward pause, before-

"You did what? When? Who won?" Shouted Jesse, nearly barrelling Caleb over.

"About 15 minutes ago? Jaden won... One of these days, I will get him..." He smiled. "Anyway, I have cookies!"

"So, you duelled him after all." Noted Yubel, when Jaden returned to his room.

"It was the quickest way to shut him up. Hopefully a defeat like that'll drive him off for a while." Yubel smirked at him.

"It didn't look all that crushing from where I was. And I think you only made him more determined."

"...Yubel?"

"Yes, Jaden?"

"Shut up."

Bastion joined them a little later, and Zane managed to drop by and congratulate them, although he didn't stay for very long. Several duels occurred, with Jesse winning most of them, although Caleb and Bastion managed to duel each other to a standstill for a little while. The sun was just beginning to stroke the horizon when they were finally forced to call it a day.

"See you guys tomorrow! And Jesse, try not to wake up late for class!" Shouted Caleb, as he bounded back to the Obelisk dorm.

"We should be going too," added Alexis, and helped Jasmine drag Mindy from her brooding over the empty box of cookies. "We should meet like this again sometime. Just, y'know, without the whole nearly getting expelled part."

"Can't argue with y'all there." Grinned Jesse. "Y'all going too Bastion?"

"I should. Professor Satyr will worry if I'm not back by sundown." There was an awkward pause.

"...Who?"

"Anyway, be seeing you chaps."

"See you Bastion!" The three of them waited awkwardly.

"So... what now?" Asked Syrus.

"...Y'all wanna go eat?"

"'Liscous. I'm all for that."

"You would be Chumley. But that works for me!" And so the three of them ran into the sunset, until they reached the Slifer dorm ten steps later. Much shrimp was eaten that night.

...I'm not convinced by that ending. It feels really awkward to me, but I was determined to actually put something up. I really need to update more ¬¬