Summary: Back to school night causes some trouble for Crow.
-
Back to school night was a night filled with buzz. The parents and student get to meet the teachers. How ever this year there was interesting as a new teacher has everyone’s attention.
‘I hear there is gonna be a criminal teacher.’
‘Why would they hire someone like that? Insane!’
‘A famous turbo duelist is going to be a teacher here.’
‘A celebrity teacher?’
The chatter was ablaze with curiosity towards the new teacher.
“He really is the talk of the town.” Xitto takes a sip of his coffee.
“What is he like?” Asks Arrow. “You helped him did you not Ms. Glassouffle?”
“Yeah.” She nods while adjusting his her glasses. “He is dedicated to the job that’s for sure.”
She left it on that note. As they all will have the chance to get to know him.
“I wonder how he will deal with this….” Xitto says.
The teachers left the lounge room to their respective classrooms.
Outside, the commotion could be heard.
Walking through the hall was a man with bright red hair and face full of criminal markers.
Glassouffle was going to greet him but was stopped by Xitto.
“Hmm?”
“He’s got to do this on his own.” He says.
“Ah, you’re right. After all this is his battlefield.” She says.
Crow walked through the halls with his head held high. He knew his markers were going to cause him trouble, but he wasn’t going to go through the trouble of hiding them. If anyone has something to say to him, they can say it to his face. He reached his classroom, that was filled with students and parents. There was a look of shock on their faces as he wrote his name on the board.
“My name is Crow Hogan. It is nice to meet you all. I am a new teacher, so please be patient with me.” He says with a smile.
‘It really is the famous turbo duelist.’
‘What a career change.’
He cold hear the chatter from outside the classroom. He looked around the room and could tell who did not like the idea of a criminal teacher. Which Crow could understand unfortunately. But he had to dispel their suspicions.
“This year I will be teaching at Neo Domino Duel Academy as the synchro specialist and duel disk maintenance instructor.” He explains his position.
The few parents in the classroom murmured amongst themselves.
‘How could this school hire him?’
‘This is a safely issue.’
The words stung, but he didn’t let it get to him. As he already knew, this was expected.
Back to school night was essentially a meet-and-greet. So if anyone had any complaints about him, now would be the time to air them out.
“No way! We actually have him as our teacher!” From the doorway stood a trio of students. One of whom was excited to have Crow as a teacher. She steps in with a cheerful look on her face. “I am Allie. This is Amanda. We are going to be your students soon. We are also big fans of you.”
“Allie, don’t ask for his autograph. You’ll make him uncomfortable.” Amanda says.
“I wasn’t. But now that you mention it….”
“Okay meeting over.”
“But Guu hasn’t met him yet.” Allie waves at Guu who was still at the entryway. She had deep dark skin and pink hair tied into a cloudy puff.
Guu was avoiding eye contact with Crow.
“Did I do something wrong?” He worried.
“No. She just has a crush on you.” Absentmindedly, Allie revealed her friend’s infatuation for Crow.
Guu hides her face as she runs out the door in embarrassment at having her feeling revealed.
“As I said, this meeting is over!” Amanda practically drags Allie out the classroom by her arm. Clearly she was frustrated with her friend’s antics.
Crow had never thought about how his celebrity status would influence his role.
“Excuse me.” A sturn woman approached him. She had a very disapproving look on her face. “I don’t know why they hired a criminal as a teacher. But I will get to the bottom of this and have your license revoked!”
After she made that declaration, she left without giving Crow a chance to respond. That was unexpectedly expected. However, Crow was not worried. He loved a challenge. He would take this head on like any other fight.
Summary: Allie, the bright-eyed founder of Neo Duel Academy’s first Duel Club, is determined to prove herself. With her loyal friends, fierce determination, and a spark that refuses to go out. she'll take her first step into the dueling world right here on campus.
Crow hogan, a former duel champion turned teacher. Find himself the advisor of the duel club. How will he deal with working in a system that wasn't meant for former criminals.
This is my teacher Crow AU.
The class buzzed with a mix of groans and speculative murmurs as Crow wrote 'Summer Festival Planning' on the board in big bold letters.
"So any ideas for the summer festival?" Crow addressed the class. "We got chosen to do a cafe."
"We can do a cosplay cafe!" Sari's hand shot up. "Like, the waiters and cooks dress up as characters! It'll be way more popular than just a regular one!"
"That's a suggestion..." Crow said, momentarily caught off guard by the specificity. And trying to not think of the time he had to dress up as a cup noodle character. He dutifully wrote down the idea.
"I can provide menu ideas and design concepts." Kichi announced from her seat, already mentally cataloging her family's catering contacts and what would photograph well. "Presentation is key for a successful venture."
"Why did we get stuck with such a lame gig...." Frank slumps into his chair.
"It'll be fun!" Allie chirped, always the optimist.
"I don't want to hear that coming from someone who isn't going to help us." Frank retorted, pointing an accusing finger.
Allie rolled her eyes, then turned to Crow. "Oh! I can ask Ms. Wana for some costumes and materials from the drama department! She's got tons of stuff!"
"That would be a huge help." Crow said, grateful for the practical offer. He scanned the room. "If there are no major objections... we'll go with the cosplay theme for the class cafe."
"See, I did help." Allie grins smugly at Frank.
There a mix of reluctance and cheerfulness from the class.
-
During the break, the trio of girls grouped together as usual.
"Allie why are you not helping?" Asks Amanda.
"I am going to be performing with my acting class for the school festival." She responses. "We were going to showcase an Action Duel performance. But that's a dud. So we are going to put on a one act-play. I might not be able to come to club much right now."
"The same is for us too." Amanda says. "I feel that would be the case for a lot of clubs right now."
Their conversation was interrupted as Crow approached, a slightly mischievous spark in his eyes that indicated interesting news.
"Hey girls," Crow walks up to the trio. "I have some good news. I was able to secure us the privilege of doing an exhibition match for the festival."
"I'll do it!" Allie says without hesitation. Her performer's heart leaping at the chance.
"If you decide to do this, you'll be excused from the cosplay cafe." Crow adds.
Amanda didn't need to think twice. A duel in front of a festival crowd was infinitely preferable to serving drinks in a costume. "It's no problem for me," she said, a determined smile playing on her lips. "So, who am I dueling?"
"That's the best part. You get to pick your opponent. Anyone in the school. If you can't decide, or if they decline... well," Crow's grin widened, "I'll be your default opponent."
Amanda nods, latching onto the offer. "Understood Mr. Hogan."
As Crow left to handle his next pre-class task, Allie buzzed around Amanda like an excited bee. "This is such a cool idea! You get to pick anyone! Who are you going to choose?"
"Hmm...?" Amanda murmured, her gaze turning inward. The wheels were turning.
"What are you thinking?" Allie pressed.
"I'm thinking," Amanda said, "that one exhibition match is good. But a series of matches, showcasing the whole Duel Club would be a real event. We could have each available member face off against someone."
Guu nods with a smile, agreeing with the idea.
"Frank is practically begging for a 'get out of jail free' card from the cafe," Allie pointed out, giggling.
"If I can get this approved, I am sure he will be happy about this." Amanda smiles.
-
The atmosphere in the Arch Academy commons room was picture perfect scene of muted gloom. The news Glassouffle brought in should have been a spark.
"Good news! I managed to get us a spot at the Neo Domino Summer Festival." Glassouffle walks into the commons room with a smile of victory.
The trio of Emile, Phovi, and Songo had no reaction to the news. Phovi ignored her, continuing to look at the tv. Emile paid her a passing glance from his book. Songo shrunk in on herself, pulling up her sketchbook to hide her face.
Glassouffle let our a wry breath. "We decided on an art show. If you want to participate, just bring an art piece that you created. Those who want to join can meet in the art room after school."
She left the flyer on a table and exited, the click of her heels echoing in the silence she left behind.
"Once again, she looked like a kicked puppy." Phovi groans.
"Songo... Songo thinks we should do it," Songo murmured, her voice barely audible from behind her book.
"That would mean less time spent as the duel club for now." Emile points out, his voice flat.
"Not like your plan of getting us discovered through dueling so we can have a future is working anyways." Phovi retorted, his voice a low mumble laced with weeks of bottled-up frustration. "Besides anything to get away from scam 'coach' of ours."
Emile finally looked up, a frown etching his features. "Why the hostility? Mr. Risebell has been nothing but supportive of our goals."
“To you!” Phovi snapped, finally turning his head. The show's laugh track sounded grotesquely out of place. “Have you actually listened to what he says? He’s creepy. How he scammed his way into this job is beyond me.”
Emile's frown deepened, but he didn't argue. He saw Risebell as a realist, a man who understood the world's harshness and was preparing them for it. Phovi saw a snake.
In the end, the trio agreed to participate in the art exhibit. For now, their talents, and their frustrations, would have to find expression somewhere other than the dueling field.
-
The school board meeting room felt like a courtroom designed for public execution. The air was thick with judgment and a poorly concealed fear. Glassouffle sat ramrod straight taking shallow breaths. Next to her, Sistart gripped her hand under the table, a silent anchor.
"You can't have a psychic around the students! It's not safe for them."
"She put a device on a child. That alone should result in termination."
"She lied on her application. Her employment should end now!"
"Order!" The board chairman's voice cut through the accusations. He turned to Glassouffle, his expression unreadable. "Ms. Glassouffle, do you have anything to say in your defense?"
Glassouffle stood, her legs feeling like water and walked to grab the microphone.
"I... I hope you can find it in your hearts to forgive my deception. My intention was never to cause harm, but to pursue a career I love, in a world that often makes that... difficult." She paused, swallowing hard. "As for the incident, in that moment of crisis, I did what I believed was necessary to protect every child in that room. Thank you for hearing me out."
She made her defense. Heartfelt but fragile, was not enough.
Glassouffle was unceremoniously removed from Neo Domino Academy.
-
Weeks of frantic preparation blurred by and suddenly the day of the Summer Festival arrived. Neo Domino Academy was transformed. Paper lanterns hung between trees, the scent of street food warred with the smell of fresh paint from game booths, and the air thrummed with a contagious, chaotic energy. Even for the students working, there was a buzz of freedom: no classes. Just the vibrant hum of their own creation.
"Thank you for getting me out of doing the cafe thing, Amanda." Frank let out an exaggerated sigh of relief. "I owe you my life. Or at least my dignity."
Amanda had gotten used to it over the few weeks. She was happy that this would end soon.
"You are going to duel the principal. You have a tough match ahead of you." Amanda says.
"Until then, I will be enjoying the festival properly!" Frank grins as he runs off.
"Just remember your match time...." Amanda's voice trails off.
Guu smiles silently at the show in front of her.
Allie was in her white and orange costume gown waiting at the entrance of the school. She perked up as a familiar voice shrieked her name.
"Allie!"
Songo came barreling through the crowd, not in her school uniform but in casual clothes—a black top and skirt, her signature oversized, detached sleeves flopping wildly as she moved. She launched herself at Allie, and the two friends spun in a joyful, giggling circle.
"You have to show me your art piece!" Allie says.
"You'll see it during the show!" Says Songo with a gleam in her eye.
"I am free now. I can help set it up."
"You are trying to cheat."
"I won't look I promise!"
Their bubbly exchange was observed from a few feet away by Phovi and Emile. Phovi wore his usual scowl, but it was softer here outside the academy's walls. Emile watched with an unreadable expression.
"Songo, she has to show use the way to the miscellaneous room so we can set up." Emile interjected, his voice calmly cutting through their laughter. "I am sure she is not trying to look at your art project before hand."
"Right this way!" Allie beamed, taking on the role of official guide. "Follow me!"
Allie lead the Arch Academy group to the miscellaneous room. Glassouffle was there to greet them as she finished helping Tanner set up his display.
"Is there anything else I can help with Ms. Glassouffle?" Allie asks.
"Nope. Enjoy your time at the festival before your performance." She says.
"Songo will be free during lunch so we can hang out then." Songo called as Allie, with a final wave, disappeared back into the vibrant current of the crowd.
-
Inside the makeshift gallery, Tanner stood proudly next to his displayed artwork: a surprisingly detailed and vibrant crayon drawing of a stag beetle.
"Tanner, that's a beautiful picture of a beetle," Ms. Sistart praised him, her voice gentle. Then she glanced around her brow furrowing slightly. "Where are your parents, sweetie?
Curiously, she looks around for Tanner's parents. They always showed up with him for events.
The boy's face, so bright a moment before, clouded over with a confusion too deep for his years.
"I don't think my parents like me anymore." When he said that, it had and air of childlike innocent. He still had not grasp the full picture, but he knew something was wrong. The air around them froze as Sistart tried to come up with something to sooth the boy's worry. Sistart opened her mouth, grasping for the right soothing, hopeful lies. But found none that wouldn't ring hollow.
Nearby, Emile was setting up his own contribution. He overheard and didn't look up. A dark, knowing shadow passed behind his golden eyes. He knew were this was headed. The familiar bitterness a cold stone in his chest. 'It's the same all the time....'
Luckily Glassouffle came up to him, wondering about his art piece.
"Emile, you said this art piece was from experience." She stared at the blank canvas. "There is nothing on here."
"The piece is called Projection," he explained, his voice cool and detached. "My lived experience is whatever the viewer projects onto the canvas. Fear, pity, curiosity, indifference. The canvas merely reflects the observer."
It was a sound bases for a project however...
"I can't help but think," Glassouffle said gently, "that you just didn't want to participate."
"You could have rejected my entry." Emile counters.
"I didn't want you to be left out...." She sighs.
A few feet away, a more animated conflict was brewing. Phovi was holding up his contribution: a strikingly rendered painting of a wilted, dying flower. Its petals scattered on barren soil. Growing from the same stem was a conjoined and parasitic flower. Vibrant, healthy, and glistening with a sinister dew.
"My art piece is a wilted flower having its life sucked out by another flower." Phovi explains with grim satisfaction.
"Why does the leech flower look like me?" Risebell had a strained look on his face and a dangerously calm voice.
"Don't like being an inspiration to your students, coach?" Phovi asked, the question dripping with dry, undisguised malice.
The look of irritation became more obvious on Risebell's face. No longer a flicker, it was promise that this particular piece of student expression would not be forgotten.
Songo's art piece was by far the most popular. Seeing as it was a drawing of one of her monster cards from the game. A secluded area of fun within the heavy atmosphere of the makeshift art gallery.
-
"You are a bit more gloomy today than usual." Phovi observed later, as he and Emile took a break in a corner of the room.
"I could say the same to you." Emile says, side glancing at Phovi. "I have never seen you express this much emotion before."
Emile was referring to the art piece. He could feel the distaste for Risebell radiating off of it.
"You are usually good at hiding your emotions." Emile continued.
"I'd figure I might as well participate in the festiveness and pour my soul into it." Phovi took a sip a water. "Don't change the subject. What's gotten you into knots?"
Emile's gaze was fixed on a point across the hall where Sistart was now gently helping Tanner pack up his beetle drawing early. Sistart is going to let Tanner be relieved from his duties for the rest of the day so he could enjoy the festival.
"He said that his parents didn't like him anymore...." Emile whispered, the words barely audible. "He is such a well mannered kid, but suddenly who he disappears in the eye of his parents because of his powers."
Emile closed his eyes, tilting his head back against the wall as if seeking strength from the ceiling tiles. "Sorry, it hit a little too close to home for me."
Over yonder, their somber moment was shattered by a jubilant whirlwind. Allie burst into the room, her stage gown swirling, a paper bag of festival treats clutched in her hand.
"Songo! I brought some food." Are you ready?" She began distributing warm, delicious-smelling snacks: taiyaki, yakitori, bags of candied nuts to the Arch Academy students, a wave of normalcy and kindness. She also took this time to look at each of the art pieces made by them.
Her first one was Songo's and she recognized the character as Spright Carrot from Songo's deck. "This is so pretty Songo."
"Thank you." Songo beamed, her mouth full of taiyaki.
"I don't mean to pry, but are you guys going to participate in the Fall tournament?" Seizing a lull, Allie's naturally blunt curiosity surfaced.
"Oh... um... Songo doesn't know...." She replies. "After what happened...."
"Oh, right... that's understandable." Allie for once was considering her next words. Which was a feat for her. "Songo why don't you like showing your limiters? I mean, you wear your heart on your sleeve, but not those."
It was a reasonable question for someone like Allie to ask. An innocent question from someone who lived in a world where trust was default. Though Songo had trouble explaining her feelings.
"Songo wants people to trust Songo without having to show Songo's limiters." She explains.
Allie was taking in the information, but it was clear that she barely understood what Songo was getting at.
"Then other kids kept stealing Songo's limiters and blaming Songo for things Songo did not do." Songo shrunk in on herself, visibly shaking at the memories. "No one believes Songo without Songo's limiters. Songo doesn't like that."
"Sorry, I didn't mean to bring up bad memories." Allie says, as she wraps an arm around Songo.
"It's okay." Songo and Allie hug.
Then Allie remembers something. She dug into her satchel and pulled out a clipboard with a petition. "We are getting signatures from students and staff to bring back Ms. Glassouffle."
Songo happily signs it and passes it to Phovi who writes his name with a grim nod.
The clipboard reached Emile. He stared at it as if it were a poisonous insect.
"Tsk, what the heck is this supposed to do?" Emile spat, the calm finally cracking. "This is just going to go to the same people who fired her in the first place!"
He snatched the paper, crumpled it into a tight ball, and threw it to the floor.
"Hey!" Allie shouted, her temper flaring.
"What is this going to change?" Irritation ringing in Emile's voice. "We keep groveling at their feet hoping their hearts will magically grow? They humiliated Ms. Glassouffle! Do you really want to keep her going through this degradation ritual!"
"It's better than doing nothing!" Allie yelled back, stepping forward.
"Enough!" Glassouffle's sharp voice with authority and pain, cut between them. "I was the who mentioned it my students when I was saying my farewells to them Emile. They had asked what could be done to overturn this decision. So if you are angry at anyone, let it be at me."
"You try and try so hard and it has gotten you nowhere." Emile turned on her, his golden eyes blazing. "When was the last time anyone has heard you out. Taken your concerns about Arch Academy seriously. Because of the rules you can only go back to the same people that allow nothing to change. A never ending cycle of humiliation! You're efforts are useless!"
"You take that back!" Allie roared, reaching her limit. "Ms. Glassouffles efforts are not useless! I won't allow you get away with talking to her like this!"
"As if you have any grasp on the issue!" Emile shot back, his composure in ashes. "You live in your bright, simple world where signatures fix everything! You are just like everyone else. Why don't you save us all the trouble and show your true colors already! End this farce friendship you have with Songo!"
The word 'farce' hung in the air, toxic and final.
"Psychic students can't duel outside of sanctioned—" Emile began, automatically reciting the regulation that had always been his cage.
"Shut up!" Allie screamed, the sound raw. "You either show up on that duel field or I will hunt you down!"
She turned on her heel, her stage gown flaring, and stormed out of the room, a tempest of orange and white.
Emile stared after her, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles were white. He slammed the clipboard onto the ground. Then, without a word to anyone, he too strode out the door.
Allie did not bother changing from her gown as she stormed the duel arena. Amanda's match was scheduled at this time against Xitto, but it did not matter to the two angry students.
"Allie what are you doing? What's going on?" Amanda asks, confused. "What about your play?"
"Sorry but I have to do this." Allie looks forward to her opponent.
On the other end, Xitto steps aside out of Emile's way. He saw the look of confusion on Amanda's face and figured this was an unplanned happening. He sighs and has Emile tell him his name before moving to the center of the field to officiate.
Soon the respective club members and coaches showed up on the sidelines. Just as confused as everyone else.
"What is going on?" Crow asks.
"I have never seen Allie this angry," Amanda whispered, a knot of worry in her stomach.
"This violates every safety protocol!" Kichi hissed. "He shouldn't be allowed on that field!"
"Be quite about rules for once Kichi!" Allie yelled back from her position, not even turning her head.
Crow places a hand on Kichi's shoulder to silence her retort. "I think you'll have to let this one go."
Crow knew that look on Emile's face. The look of someone who has been back into a corner too many times. Now lashing out at anything and everything.
"Hey, kid you didn't tell me that you signed up for this exhibition match." Risebell says.
"It's not an exhibition match." Emile stated flatly, activating his duel disk with a sharp click-hum.
"Oh really... wow I did not think you could get all fired up like this. You should do it more." Risebell usual sick cheeriness came back.
"You're the reason Emile's like this. This is your fault!" Phovi shouted next to him, unable to contain himself. Risebell didn't even glance his way, his eyes fixed on the spectacle about to unfold.
Xitto looked from one duelist to the other. Allie, a tempest in a ballgown. Emile, a glacier of contained fury. He raised his hand.
"Now, are both duelists ready?" Xitto states.
The air was filled with anticipation, confusion, and fury.
Summary: Allie, the bright-eyed founder of Neo Duel Academy’s first Duel Club, is determined to prove herself. With her loyal friends, fierce determination, and a spark that refuses to go out. she'll take her first step into the dueling world right here on campus.
Crow hogan, a former duel champion turned teacher. Find himself the advisor of the duel club. How will he deal with working in a system that wasn't meant for former criminals.
This is my teacher Crow AU.
The big day finally arrived for the club. Saturday dawned bright and clear, the sky a brilliant, untroubled blue. It was a day made for beginnings. The members of the Neo Domino Duel Club stood assembled in front of their school, dueling gear in hand, a collective bundle of nerves and excitement.
"Thanks again Mr. Taxus." Crow says as he enters the small bus.
"Don't forget my food," Taxus mumbled in reply, his eyes fixed on the road ahead with a focus usually reserved for napping. The promise of a paid meal was a powerful motivator.
Outside the bus the Amanda was giving the team a pep talk.
"I hope everyone rested up this week. This is the moment we've been waiting for." Her gaze swept over each of them; Allie's vibrating energy, Kichi's poised confidence, Frank's nervous grin, Guu's quiet resolve. "You have all put your best foot forward, now let's show everyone what the Neo Domino Dule Club is made of!"
There was a wave of cheers from the group before they boarded the bus.
-
The atmosphere in the Arch Academy duel arena was its polar opposite of that at Neo Duel Academy. Emile sat on the bench surrounded by silence. His posture perfect but his shoulders bowed under an invisible weight. The echo's of Risebell's footsteps getting closer broke the quite.
"Why so glum, chum." Risebell asked, his tone artificially bright as he dropped onto the bench beside Emile.
"What can I do to help my friends see my way." Emile sighs. He didn't look at him, his golden eyes fixed on the empty duel field.
"You can't make them see your way." Risebell says. It was the voice of a false confidante. "All you can do is keep telling them and slowly they'll come around. Let them realize on their own. Trying to force it will only push them away."
"I just want to keep them safe." Emile admitted, the words feeling like a confession of failure.
"I can tell." Risebell smiles. "When they realize the truth, you have to be there for them. They are your besties. Right? Is that what the kids say these days."
Emile sighed again, the sound lost in the vast, empty room. "I just have this feeling... that something is going to go very wrong today."
Before Risebell could offer another slick piece of manipulation, the heavy doors at the far end of the arena groaned open. Phovi and Songo entered, their presence immediately changing the air. Songo's eyes were red-rimmed, her usual bounce absent. Phovi’s expression was a guarded scowl.
"Heya~ everyone~ are you ready for todays competition?" His voice was a singsong parody of cheerfulness. "I know I've only been your coach for a short while, but I truly believe in you guys."
Phovi rolled his eyes. "We don't need your fake encouragement."
Risebell was defeated by Phovi's bluntness. He glances at Emile. "Hey, maybe moral will boost if they got a word of encouragement from their captain...."
Emile stood. His back straighten as he faced his friends.
"Look, we are only doing this so we can have a secure future for ourselves. Don't mess up." He walks past them not waiting for a reply, leaving a chill in his wake.
"He's nervous in his own way. Please excuse him." Risebell tried to placate the worry written on Songo and Phovi's faces.
-
The stadium was filled with high octane energy. The competitive spirit could be felt radiating in the air. Crow missed this atmosphere from his Turbo Dueling days. It brought back many memories.
Allie was shaking with unbridled excitement. "Cool!"
Your are making us look uncool with your childish antics." Kichi scoffs.
"Girls." Crow interjected. His tone a warning for them to calm down.
"Let get to registration before you both get us kicked out." Amanda sighs.
While at the registration desk, Allie was scanning the bulletin board when her eyes landed on a certain flyer.
"An Action Duel competition is coming soon!" Allie's eye lit up. Guu looked curiously from beside her.
"Focus on one things at a time." Frank said.
The group gather around Amanda, who showed them the lineup.
"The first one to go will be Allie. Then Kichi. And I will be going last." Amanda explains. "Frank, I trust that you have your deck ready to go."
"Yep!" Frank nods with a thumbs-up. "You can count on me as your backup!"
"For the turbo duel division, they will have both first and second rounds today." Guu says. "Because there are not a lot of groups competing in this division."
"So you're going to be here for the long run if you win." Crow finished.
"You mean when we win." Allie corrected, her confidence blazing.
"Let's stay in the realm of possibilities." Amanda says.
"The matchups have been posted. It's time to get ready." Crow says.
The group looks at the monitor to see there first opponents and time of the match.
It was their debut on the stage. The announcer got the crowd going with her energetic introductions of Allie and her opponent.
-
Allie stepped onto the field, no nervousness taking over. In fact the stage seemed to be a second home to her. The duel began in earnest once the timer struck zero and both duelist drew their cards.
Allie managed to start off strong establishing her aquatic domain with 'Sea Lord's Amulet'. She ended her first turn on 'Deep Sea Diva' and 'Star Boy' in defense mode and one card face down. Her opponent put her on the defensive with his deck. She managed to turn the tides of battle with a combo of 'Diamond Dust' and 'Torrential Reborn' to deal burn damage to her opponent. She had 3 monsters on her field for protection now.
"Great going Allie!" Amanda cheers.
"I did not think she had a backup strategy in her deck." Kichi says. "Since it's her Main Phase One, she can easily deal damage to her next opponent during her Battle Phase before they get a turn!"
"No so fast Kichi." Crow says. "To prevent something like that, the rules make it so that when you defeat an opponent your turn ends automatically."
"Huh! Well that's just unfair."
"Only someone like you would think that, Kichi." Frank sighs.
"Allie is on her last bit of life points. She put all of her revived monsters in defense mode." Amanda studied the field.
Guu gives Kichi a look. One that silently told her that she should get ready.
Guu's prediction was correct. Allie lost during her opponent's next turn.
It is Kichi's time to shine. Her Gem-Knights captivated the audience with their lustrous radiance. Kichi normal summoned 'Gem-Knight Alexandrite' and tributed it using its effect so special summon 'Gem-Knight Crystal'. With 'Gem-Knight Fusion', she managed to get her 'Gem-Knight Lady Lapis Lazuli' out to the field and use its burn effect to to pull off a one-turn kill to her opponent using her monster's burn effect. She was lucky that her opponent's field was filled with special summoned monsters. Along with her own two special summons, it amounted to enough burn damage.
Allie and Amanda cheered.
Kichi and her Gem's managed to overpower her opponent and win the match. With two wins, the Neo Domino Duel club moves onto the second round.
"Good job girls!" Crow says. "Rest while you can."
"I'm going to look for Songo and the others." Allie announced, already bouncing on her heels. "I want to cheer them on!"
She went over to the matchup list to look for Arch Academy, but they weren't listed. She searched for their names in the singles or tag duel divisions, none of their names were listed. Allie tilts her head in confusion, as she sends a quick text message to Songo. She returned to her team, who were now gathered around a concession stand lunch.
"Allie, you should eat something before our next match." Frank says.
Amanda and Guu both notice something is off.
"Something wrong?" Amanda asked, her voice gentle.
"I wanted to watch Songo duel... but Arch Academy isn't listed anywhere." Allie confessed, her usual exuberance dampened by concern. "I was really looking forward to dueling them in the competition."
"Why would the committee let them compete?" Kichi balks. "Their powers are danger to others. The gall they have to even think they would be allowed to compete is astounding."
"Have you texted Songo? Has she responded?" Asks Amanda. Allie shakes her head, staring at her silent phone.
-
A bit earlier.
The Arch Academy students arrived, same as everyone else. However, their entry was all but calm.
"They all have on their Limiters." Risebell insisted, his voice a blend of charm and pressure. "Go on show them."
With an air of reluctancy, Emile and Phovi both showed their devices. Songo refused.
"I can't allow her to participate if she doesn't comply." The gentlemen said.
"Songo just show him." Phovi tells her. Songo vehemently refused.
"I can let the other two join, because they have their Limiters." The gentlemen said.
"Then Phovi and I will join singles." Emile says.
Everything went smoothly until Phovi match. Phovi launched a successful attack on his opponent, he fell over.
"His attack did real damage! He tried to hurt me!"
Phovi stared, numb. "No. I didn't." His denial was automatic, hollow. He'd heard this script before and couldn't be bothered to deal with it.
"Don't blame the kickback of this over tuned science project on my student." Risebell said as he was confronted with the other team's coach.
Phovi was disqualified. Emile didn't even bother doing his match. Not wanting to go through some humiliation ritual. Thus Arch Academy's tournament run ended with broken spirits.
-
"Thanks for the food." Taxus says.
"You ate me out of my wallet...." Crow grumbles.
"I needed sustenance for the next few days. Thank you for funding my survival."
"Are you really homeless Mr. Taxus...?" Crow mumbles not expecting an answer.
While waiting for their food, Crow over hears a conversion not far from him.
"Hehehe. Good job faking that injury. You got your opponent disqualified without lifting a finger."
"When I found out my opponent was a psychic, the plan came to me naturally."
"Seriously, what did those Arch Academy stools think was going to happen."
"Just don't let the coach know or he might feel bad. You know how noble he is."
The three students laughed at having their plan be a success. Crow understood all too well that there were crooks in the dueling world. They were willing to do whatever to win no matter the tricks. Crow knew the bigger picture. From the outside looking in, this was going to make the students of Arch Academy look worse to the general public.
-
Crow was walking through the halls of the stadium when he saw all three Arch Academy students sitting together on a bench. They all looked crestfallen.
"Hey guys." Crow spoke up in a cheerful voice. Trying to pretend he did not overhear the earlier conversation.
Songo's eyes perked up for a split second and Phovi just did not acknowledge his presence.
"Hi Mr. Hogan." Emile responded.
"How did your duels go?" Crow asked. "Did you decide to not take part in the Turbo Duel division?
"We couldn't," Phovi scoffs. "Songo wouldn't show her Limiter. So me and Emile signed up for the singles tournament."
"Phovi got disqualified because his opponent claimed that Phovi used his psychic abilities." Emile was composed, but his voice was filled with bitterness. "It goes without saying, that no one believed Phovi."
"The implicit distrust... I know that all too well...." Crow scratched at his markers.
"Mr. Hogan did Mr. Hogan have to duel against psychics when Mr. Hogan were a duelist?" Songo asks.
"Hmm, I guess I did. But I wouldn't know. The rules are completely different in professional leagues." He recalled how Akiza was able to enter the WRGP with no issue after displaying her abilities in the Fortune Cup tournament.
It was small but a tiny bit of hope returned to Songo's eyes.
-
The tournament continued as normal. But the second round was not as kind to them as the first round. Their opponent's were much tougher, with their coordinated decks. Each of the opponent's used the left behind monster's of the previous teammate to their full advantage. It was a grand show of their perfect planning and teamwork that allowed them to overpower the Neo Domino Duel club.
"This sucks." Frank says.
"How?" Allie says, genuinely confused.
"Are you really asking that...?" Frank says.
"Is it really a loss." Crow asks.
"We made it to the second round." Allie says. "That means we might start getting challenges."
"That means more opportunities to practice against other school's clubs." Amanda realizes.
"We always have the fall tournament to look forward too." Allie adds.
"Sometimes a loss can be a step toward a win." Crow says. "Learn from it and come back stronger than ever."
"Can you have your pep talk later. Get on the bus! I want to go home." Taxus grumbles from the driver's seat. "I'm tired, and my spiritual homelessness requires a nap."
Thus ends the group's first tournament outing. They hadn't won the trophy, but they had won something perhaps more valuable: experience, exposure, and a clear vision of the path ahead.
Summary: Crow Hogan, a newly appointed teacher and former turbo duelist champion, becomes the duel club's supervisor.
This is my teacher Crow AU.
The weekend had arrived once more. What would be a time for resting is just another busy day for others.
Glassouffle arrived at Arch Academy gates, her heels clicking softly against the pavement. The building loomed in front of her, solemn, grand, and eerily still, as though the air itself refused to stir within its walls.
The school was quieter than usual, the kind of silence that felt less peaceful and more restrained. When she reached the student lounge, the sound of her footsteps was the only thing that broke the stillness.
Emile sat at the corner table, quietly reading a thick novel, his posture proper and composed as always. Phovi lounged on the couch, absently flicking through television channels with no real interest, stopping briefly only to scoff at whatever program flashed by. Songo, seated near the window, had her notebook open, her handwriting looping and uneven as she scribbled something onto the page.
Songo immediately looked up, her face lighting up as she waved cheerfully. Emile offered a polite nod, though his eyes never left his book. Phovi ignored her completely.
"I came here to see how everyone is doing after yesterday's event." Glassouffle said, clasping her hands in front of her. "Surely you all came up with strategies that will help you in the upcoming tournament?"
"All we have to do is win." Phovi shrugs. "How we do it doesn't matter."
Glassouffle’s brow furrowed, though she kept her tone patient. "A strategy will help increase your outcome of victory. I wouldn't throw away that option just yet."
Phovi rolls his eyes. "Not like we have a coach, so what does it matter?"
"Hmm? What about headmaster Arlekino?" Glassouffle asks.
"He is a headmaster first. Coach second." Emile speaks up without looking from his book. His voice calm but tinged with resignation.
"Besides who do you think taught us that winning is all that matters?" Phovi smirked without humor.
The answer hit harder than she expected. Her heart sank at this revelation.
'Why would you approve of the club if this is what you are doing headmaster Arlekino?' Glassouffle shook her head in disappointment at her boss. She couldn't let this stand. There had to be something she could do.
"No offense Ms. Glassouffle, but you suck as a duel coach." Phovi continues, voice dripping with blunt honesty. "So don't try to take over for principal Arlekino."
That stung a bit, but anything was better than having them be warped by Arlekino's philosophy.
"I am going to the community center today to help setup the Little League Grand Prix. I could use some help." Glassouffle said, her voice steadying.
No one responded. Not even Songo.
“It could help you come up with some new ideas for your deck strategies,” she added, trying again. Still, silence.
Phovi returned to his television. Emile turned a page. Songo lowered her gaze to her notebook, her pen hovering motionlessly above the paper.
Glassouffle exhaled slowly. The weight of the quiet pressed down on her shoulders. For a moment, she thought about turning back right there but instead, she straightened herself and smiled faintly.
“I’ll be at the community center if any of you change your minds,” she said softly, before leaving the lounge.
Behind her, the TV flickered. No one spoke.
When the trio was sure she was gone, Phovi turned off the tv and let the remote fall to the floor without a care for it.
"She looked like a kicked puppy. Can someone go with her?" Phovi groaned.
"Songo thinks we should all go with Ms. Glassouffle." She says.
Emile closed his book with a sigh. "It would be good for the club.... This club... is our only path to a secure future for us. We should take it seriously."
The trio nodded and rushed to catch up with Glassouffle.
-
Across town, Allie was in her room watching Action Duel performances when she got a text from Songo. It asked her if she wanted to help out at the community center with her. Allie sent a quick reply back and got ready to leave.
Allie arrived at the community center. She looked around until she spotted the familiar red hair.
"Heya Songo!"
"Allie!"
The greeted each other.
"I hope you don't mind that I invited Amanda and Guu. You said this will help the duel club."
"Songo doesn't mind." She says.
Said duo arrived shortly after. With their coach, Crow in tow.
"Strange I didn't know there was club meeting today." Crow joked.
"Hello Mr. Hogan!" Allie greets him. Songo hides behind her. "Why the sudden shyness Songo?"
"Songo won't answer." She says. "Let's go."
Songo gathers the trio into the building to sign in for volunteer.
Crow follows suit. He eventually runs into Glassouffle and the event organizers. Crow's job was mostly to help teach a small class of young duelists with tournament prep for the Little League. He had the help of Amanda, Songo, and Guu.
"Make sure to pack important stuff: water, food, money. Get a good night rest before the tournament. Try keep to whatever your normal routine or else you might feel weird on the day of the tournament." He spoke with warmth and ease, each word resonating with quiet authority and experience. The quiet, grounded confidence of someone who had walked a hard road and come out stronger.
Crow went through his advice smoothly. Before long his hour was up. "Good luck next week. I'll be cheering you on."
The kids packed up and filed out the room.
'I can't believe they let a criminal teach children...'
'I know. I was scared he would say weird stuff.'
Crow could overhear some comments from the parents as they exited with their kids. The old sting returned. His hand briefly brushed over his markers. He was here to teach, that's all that mattered in the end. He let out a sigh as he cleaned up.
"Thank you girls for your help." Crow says.
"No problem." Amanda says. "This was enlightening."
Guu nods.
Songo was off to the side, twiddling her fingers. She looked as if she had something to ask Crow, but couldn't find the words to ask.
"Songo, Is something the matter?" Crow asked gently, approaching her. Amanda and Guu had slipped out of the room.
"C-can Songo..." She fidgeted.
"This is embarrassing!" Phovi could be heard from outside the room. "She wants your autograph."
"Phovi!" Songo squeaked, her face turning scarlet.
"If the posters in your room are anything to go by, I made the right guess." Phovi said. "Just ask and get this over with."
"Songo, is that what you wanted to ask me?" Crow says. Songo nods.
Crow smiles as Songo gives him her notebook. He wrote down his signature phrase and his name. "Official and authentic!"
Songo beamed, her earlier shyness replaced by pure joy. It was a small moment, but one that reminded Crow why he’d chosen this path. Not for fame, not for redemption, but for these simple sparks of happiness.
The time for volunteer ended. The student went their separate ways from the teachers. They had the rest of their Saturday and weekend to enjoy.
Glassouffle stood near the door, watching the students laugh and chatter together as they walked away. For the first time in a while, they looked like ordinary kids. Not psychics that everyone was afraid of or soldiers in Arlekino's vision of victory. Just children, free and alive.
"Something on your mind?" Crow asks., walking next to her.
Glassouffle sighed. "I'm sorry you have to see me like this.... I just...."
A beat of silence passed.
"It seems our conversation yesterday got to me more than I let on." She says. "Not knowing what happens after graduation is normal and come with the job. But... I now realize that I haven't done much for my students in Arch Academy.... I am so ashamed of myself...."
Tears threatened to fall from her eyes.
"My students... many of them have nowhere to go. This duel club is likely the only chance they have at a decent future." She said between quite sobs. "Colleges will see where they graduated from and promptly reject them. Same with jobs.... They are thrown into the fire with no protection.... Those three... I'm sure they realize it too. That's why they made the duel club. So they have a fighting chance at a decent future.... What am I to do?"
Crow’s gaze was steady, his own marked face a testament to carrying burdens. “You can give them something to carry with them when they leave.”
The duo walked to a nearby bench.
"When I was younger," Crow began softly. "I was in a tough place. I had no future being from Satellite and already having a marker at a young age. Then I met my mentor. He saw that I had potential, that I wasn't a lost cause. He taught me and the children of Satellite what we needed for survival. What we needed to make our own future. He gave us hope."
Glassouffle listened to Crow's story.
"He believed that we had a future and that we deserved that future too." Crow says. “You can’t fix the world they’re stepping into, but you can make sure they don’t step into it empty-handed. Your students at Arc Academy deserve that too. They need to know someone believes they have a future worth fighting for."”
Glassouffle’s lips parted, but no words came. She could only nod, feeling something deep in her chest begin to uncoil. For the first time in a long while, she didn’t feel powerless.
"You believe in them. That means more that you realize."
Glassouffle looked up to the midday sky. The tears were drying up. Replaced with something she couldn't quite describe.
"The question is: Where to start?" She whispers. "They see people that should be contained, controlled, and feared. I have done my best to make the school better. To no success...."
"If the school was made to help kids with their psychic abilities, why is it ignored like it is?" Crow asks.
The question hung in the air.
Glassouffle didn't answer right away. She folded her hands in her lap, as though she came face-to-face with a truth that she had been ignoring. Her voice, when it came, was brittle.
"It was never about helping them...." The words reluctant. "Arch Academy was built under the pretense of being a safe place for psychic duelists. A sanctuary. That’s what we told the public. That’s what I believed when I joined. But in reality... it’s a cage. Just a well-polished one. It’s just a pipeline. From containment… to obscurity."
She looked at Crow, eyes hollow with regret. “I saw it happening, and I let it happen. It’s stagnation. They won't grow like this or after they leave.”
“I need to change things,” she said, more to herself than anyone. “Not just for the students now, but the ones who come after. I need to fight for them. Even if I can’t tear the walls down… I can carve a door into them."
She let out a steadying breath.
"The city doesn't give us much of a budget. They are more than willing to make the school suffer. Only keeping it afloat to funnel psychic students into it." She looks to the ground. "Most of our funding, ahem generous donations, come from the Arcadia Movement."
Crow narrowed his eyes.
"We are stuck.... I don't trust them. I never trusted them. But we are under their thumb or the school will not have enough money to sustain itself. I wish we didn't have to rely on them...."
"How deep is the Arcadia Movement's claws in the school?" Crow asks.
"Very." Glassouffle says. "Just last year, the former headmaster disappeared. Mid-semester. He didn't even come back to get his stuff. Arlekino was instated since then. No one ever heard from the former headmaster. When I brought it up to the school board, they all turned a blinded eye. They are willing to let the Arcadia Movement do whatever they want to this school and the students...."
Something had to be done about this. Glassouffle stood.
"I am going to talk to headmaster Arlekino come Monday." She says with resolve in her voice. Determination replacing sorrow.
"Are you sure that's safe?" Wary, Crow asks.
"It is a start." She said firmly.
A part of her that still believed in change, even after years of silence and compromise. All thanks to Crow's words.
Summary: Bright eyed Allie starts a Duel Club with her friends at Neo Duel Academy being the first to ever do so. Crow Hogan, a newly appointed teacher and former turbo duelist champion, becomes the duel club's supervisor.
The week passed by in a blur of classes, homework and serving detention time. Before anyone realized it, Friday had arrived once again. The afternoon sunlight filtered lazily through the classroom windows, casting long streaks across the floor as the girls discussed their plan. They were deciding on if they should visit Arch Academy or not.
"I think we should go!" Allie announced, her voice full of enthusiasm and mischief.
"Of course you would say that." Amanda sighs. Despite her tone, there wasn’t a hint of true protest in her eyes. In fact, the idea intrigued her as well. Guu, seated neatly beside her, simply nodded in quiet agreement. She had no objections either.
Before they could continue, a sudden wave of chatter echoed from the hallway. Students were whispering excitedly, their voices rising above the usual end-of-week buzz.
“What’s going on out there?” Amanda muttered.
A moment later, the classroom door slid open and Xan popped his head in, wearing a grin. “The Duel Club has guests!” he declared dramatically.
All heads turned toward the doorway.
Entering was none other than Songo, practically glowing with energy. She wasn’t wearing her school uniform this time, but rather a black outfit that somehow managed to be both cute and chaotic: a black skirt and black top that had the sleeves extend way past her hands.
"Hi, Allie!" Songo cheered, rushing across the classroom before anyone could stop her. She grabbed Allie’s hands and began bouncing on her feet. "Songo is here for duel club!"
"Huh? Just you?" Allie blinked in surprise.
Songo shook her head and replies, "Phovi and Emile are here too!"
She gestured toward the hallway, where two familiar figures stood just beyond the threshold. Phovi, with his ashen-brown hair tied neatly in a bun, gave a shrug. Emile, composed as ever, stood beside him, his dark purple hair and golden eyes as striking as ever. Both were dressed in casual clothes instead of their uniforms, giving them a surprisingly approachable appearance.
"You surprised us last week, so we are here to return the favor!" Songo declared proudly.
Her grin widened as she looked around the classroom. “Where’s the duel arena? Let’s go!”
"Right this way!" Allie, equally excited, was going to lead Songo to the duel arena until she was grabbed by Amanda and brought back to reality. "Hold on! Today is Friday. There is no club."
"Besides," Amanda added, glancing toward the front of the room, “maybe you should ask him first.”
Crow who was watching the entire scene, along with the rest of the class, unfold with a mix of amusement and mild disbelief.
“I wasn’t aware there was a Duel Club meeting today,” Crow said, raising an eyebrow. His tone wasn’t stern, but there was a definite edge of humor in it.
"Allie, your teacher looks exactly like the turbo duel champion Crow Hogan." Songo says aloud, while pointing at him.
Allie, completely unfazed, replied without thinking, “That’s because he is.”
This elicited a gasp from Songo, as she looked back at Crow. He smiled back at her.
Allie remembered something. "Oh I am not aloud to revel information about him. Could you forget what I said?"
The entire class let out a collective groan.
"Please, try to remember that before confirming my identity...." Crow sighs.
-
Luckily for the duel club, there was a free duel field for them to use.
"Why did you guys not wear your uniform." Allie asked.
"Allie!" Amanda scolded her for that question.
"We didn't want people figuring out what school we came from." Phovi explained. "Figured it might cause a ruckus."
"Somehow we still ended up doing just that." Emile gave an apologetic smile.
"No worries. Though it is probably for the best...." Amanda muttered.
Kichi and Frank arrived.
"You guys decided to stay? Great!" Allie says pumping her fists in the air.
"Today's surprise practice caught me off guard, but I wasn't going to miss it." Frank says.
Kichi, however, did not share his enthusiasm. She shot the Arc Academy trio a vicious glare. "Are you lot even allowed to duel outside your school?" she demanded. "We don't have precautions set up here for people like you!"
The air in the arena went cold.
Songo's smile faltered.
Phovi rolled his eyes. It was as if he heard all of this before.
"We will follow whatever rules your club has." Emile calmly states.
"What is going on here?" Glassouffle asks as she walks into the arena with Crow right behind her. In the stands Principal Martha and Xitto found seats.
"I was just asking them where their Limiter devices are," Kichi huffed, her voice sharp with accusation. "They can't just duel without them."
"Hey! You can't just ask them that!" Allie jumps in.
"It's fine...." Emile, as impassive as ever, simply points to his choker.
Phovi gestures to his hair pins.
However, Songo crossed her arms tightly, her cheerful demeanor vanishing.
"Songo doesn't want to show Songo's Limiters!" she declared, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and defiance.
"Then you shouldn't be allowed to duel." Kichi snapped.
"Hey! That's not fair!" Allie spoke up once more.
"Enough!" Crow claps his hands. "Kichi, my proposal still stands. You can choose to not duel if you don’t want to."
"But I'm not a danger to people!" Kichi shot back.
"Neither is Songo!" Songo says, her voice was shaking but full of conviction.
"Okay, then how about this." Crow speaks up to quell the raising tension. "Tabletop."
Everyone went silent.
"There are no holograms to worry about in this case. So Songo doesn't have to show where her limiter device is." Crow says.
"It's a simple question." Kichi says.
"It's Songo privacy!" Songo says.
"Girls!" Glassouffle cuts in sharply.
"Songo accepts the proposal." Songo says, her voice still shaking.
Kichi scoffs, but accepts nonetheless.
"If everyone else agrees with this setup, Guu and Allie, Please go get the tables from the storage room." Instructs Glassouffle.
The club progressed without incident after that.
"What how do we keep track of the Life Points?" Allie asks.
"We do it manually." Answers Amanda.
"Huh?!" Allie clearly did not want to do that.
"We will also need people to be overseers." Amanda adds.
"I can do that." Emile volunteers raising his hand.
The tension between the groups were low. Kichi and Songo were amicable with each other for the duration of the club. Though they did not interact with each other.
It was time for the Arch Academy students to leave. The orange colored sky was indicating it was getting late.
The trio of Allie, Amanda, and Guu were at the entrance with the Arch Academy trio.
"Thank you for coming over." Allie says.
"Songo enjoyed herself!" She waved.
"Have a safe trip home and enjoy your weekend." Amanda says.
"Yeah... home...." Phovi turns his back on the girls and began walking.
"Oh, did I say something wrong...?" Amanda asks.
"Don't worry about Phovi." Says Emile.
The Arch Academy students made their way back to their academy.
Songo had more pip in her step despite the tension earlier.
Emile brushed a finger over his choker.
"Something bothering you?" Phovi asks.
"It's always the same...." For a moment his usual calm impassive demeanor broke to revel his slight irritation. He was used to this, so why was he angry? "Its always the same...."
"Look, its not like we will see them again. At least not until the tournament." Phovi shrugs.
"But Songo wants to see them again...."
Emile stopped. Songo and Phovi stop just ahead of him.
"So you can be degraded again?" Emile had a way of saying the most vicious lines with a serene tone. "Treated like you have no right to privacy or decency?"
Songo began to sniffle.
"Dude, can you make her cry back at the Academy and not in public." Phovi says.
"But, Cr- Mr. Hogan didn't make Songo show her limiter" She says between sniffles.
"While it was a nice gesture and quick thinking, don't get it twisted. He as well as well as everyone else are all the same." He let out a quiet breath, eyes fixed ahead.
“They gave us a table when we asked for a seat. But we’re still standing outside the room.”
Needless to say, when they arrived back at the academy, Songo quickly ran to her room to cry herself to sleep.
-
Crow was walking through the halls. The earlier scene still playing in his mind. He is wondering if he should confront Kichi's behavior or leave it alone.
"Something bothering you?" Glassouffle slowly walks up to him.
"Just thinking about today...." He replies.
Glassouffle nods. "I should check up on them this weekend."
"You know where they live?" Crow asks.
"They live at the school." She answers. "Arch Academy has dorms."
Crow got a nagging feeling in the back of his head. This all felt familiar.
"Psychics are normally thrown away by their parents. So Arch Academy has dorms so students can have a place to stay." Glassouffle explains.
"What happens when they graduate?"
The question hung in the silent hallway. Glassouffle looked like she was reflecting on an unsolvable equation.
"I don't know."
That was not the answer Crow wanted to hear.
"I don't mean to pry, but it seems this isn't your first encounter with Psychics." Glassouffle says.
"One of my friends is a Psychic." Crow answers.
A smile tugged on Glassouffle's face. "Well, it seems like she is lucky to have a friend like you."
There was a question that tugged in Crow's mind.
"Is Arch Academy in any way connected with the Arcadia Movement...?" He said the words quietly. Like the words were filth on his lips.
Glassouffle staired at Crow. Not knowing what to make of him now. She did not expect him bring that organization up or make a connection like that.
"Mr. Hogan... Remember what I said about not spreading yourself too thin." She said gently. She placed a hand over her mouth as she let out a light, yet nervous laugh. "I don't know if should answer your question. It seems either way you'll get into something."
Crow could not deny that.
"Mr. Xitto mentioned that you wanted to be someone that students can believe in." She paused deep in thought. "Hopefully my students from Arch Academy got the message."
With that, she left him alone in the empty hallway. The echo of her words lingered long after she was gone.
Summary: Bright eyed Allie starts a Duel Club with her friends at Neo Duel Academy being the first to ever do so.
Crow Hogan, a newly appointed teacher and former turbo duelist champion, becomes the duel club's supervisor.
The halls of Neo Domino Duel Academy were still cloaked in the calm silence of early morning. Crow Hogan walked quietly through the near-empty corridors, his boots echoing softly against the polished tile. He rarely arrived this early, usually his mornings were filled with last-minute rushes or student crises. Today, he made a conscious decision to get ahead of the noise and avoid unnecessary trouble.
That peace did not last long.
As he turned a corner, Crow spotted a small figure standing in the middle of the hall. A young child, maybe five, maybe six years old, clutched his backpack straps tightly. His eyes darted between the hallway signs and classroom doors in growing panic.
'One of the younger students?' He thought. Not wanting to startle him, Crow approached slowly, keeping his voice gentle. "Hey, are you lost?"
The child flinched and instinctively backed away, eyes wide with fear. He stared at Crow’s face, specifically the criminal markers decorated his features.
Crow's fingers lightly traced the markers on his face. He was used to this kind of reaction.
"It's okay, I am a teacher." He said calmly, reaching into his coat pocket.
He pulled out his ID badge and held it out, letting the boy read it at his own pace. Slowly, the child’s posture relaxed.
"You seem to be in trouble. Is there anything I can do to help?"
"I am lost." The kid says. "I don't know where the kindergarten is from here."
“Ah. That explains it.” Crow nodded. “No worries. I’ll walk you back there. What’s your name?”
"T-Tanner." He replies.
Crow guides the child to the younger part of the school were the kindergarten is located. Crow didn’t say much as they walked, but he made sure to move at Tanner’s pace. He knew better than to crowd a scared kid.
When they reached the kindergarten wing, marked with brighter walls, cheerful bulletin boards, and painted dueling mascots, Tanner slowed again. His expression showed that he recognized the area.
"Do you remember who your teacher is?" Crow asks when they arrive in the kindergarten hall.
“Um…” Tanner looked around anxiously. “Her name is Ms. Sistart.”
Before Crow could respond, a voice pierced the hallway.
"T-Tanner!" A worried voice cuts in from behind. "Tanner! Get away from him!"
Crow got a bad feeling about this.
Tanner froze in place, confused and frighted.
"Hey! Miss!" Crow tried to calm her down. He took a step forward, holding up his hands in a pacifying gesture.
"Quite, you! I'm gonna call security!" She hurled an accusatory tone at him. "I don't know how you got on campus. Or why you are using a child for your own twisted games. But I won't allow it criminal!"
Her words stung. The markers outweighing every good he tried to do. No matter how far he's come, they still only see the ink.
"I am a teacher here!" Crow pulls out his id badge for her to see.
"You expect me to believe it wasn't doctored." She spat. "I am not an idiot."
Before Crow could say anything else, another voice rang out. Cool, graceful, and unmistakably authoritative.
"It's not forgery, sister dearest." Ms. Glassouffle approached, every bit the picture of composed elegance as she walked down the corridor. Her eyes were sharp but calm as she addressed her sister. "He is Crow Hogan. He's one of the upper-grade instructors."
She looks back at Crow. Sistart blinked in surprise. Her posture relaxed, but her face was taut with guilt and embarrassment.
"I was escorting him back to the kindergarten. He was lost in the upper grades school." Crow explained.
"Oh, so that's what happened... I apologize...." She said. Her voice was earnest.
Crow gave a small shrug, but his eyes lingered on Tanner. The kid looked more confused than scared now.
“Tanner, is that true?” she asked gently.
“He helped me find the way,” Tanner said. “I got lost. Mr. Hogan was nice.”
Crow smiled. “No harm done.”
Now that the situation calmed down, Tanner slipped out from next to Crow and made his way over to Sistart. He gave crow a shy wave. “Bye, Mr. Hogan! Thank you!”
“Take care, kid,” Crow said, waving back.
As Glassouffle and Crow turned to head back toward the high school wing, Crow let out a long sigh.
“Well,” he muttered, “that went better than I expected.”
Glassouffle smirked. “Better than usual for you, at least.”
“Let’s not make this a trend.”
“No promises.”
They disappeared down the corridor, leaving the awkward moment behind. Just another morning at Neo Domino Duel Academy.
-
The academy was still relatively quiet, the peaceful lull before the storm of students filled the halls.
Due to the morning's event, Glassouffle almost forgot to tell Crow about his student's detention.
"Crow your students, Allie, Amanda, and Guu all have detention with me after school. So they won't be participating in the club today." She says.
"Huh?! What happened?"
Glassouffle explained what happened at Arc Academy.
"I wonder if it had anything to do with the practice match getting canceled." Crow wonders.
"Nonetheless, those three will not be attending the club meeting today." Glassouffle says as she exits the teacher's lounge.
"Thanks for letting me know." He says.
With a nod, Glassouffle turned and exited the lounge, leaving Crow alone once again.
Crow sits at his desk lost in thought. There was still some time before school starts in earnest. Unconsciously, his hand went up to his face, tracing his markers. They felt like a weight on him. They always felt like that, but this time it was different. He replayed the events of this morning in his head.
Crow had tried to help only to be met with suspicion and panic from a teacher who didn’t know him. All because of the markers on his face. He understood. Really, he did. Still... it stung.
Just then, the lounge door creaked again.
Crow turned and saw Xitto casually strolling in, his usual unreadable blank look on his face. He flopped into a nearby seat, tilted his head, and stared openly at Crow.
"Wow, they really did a number on your face."
Startled, Crow turn his head to see Xitto's curious gaze.
"Why did they put an 'M' on your forehead?" He asks not really expecting or caring about an answer.
Crow lets out a sheepish chuckle. More out of habit than humor.
"Something happen?" Xitto asks.
Crow wasn't sure how to answer. Something was bothering him, but he couldn't pinpoint it.
"Something happened this morning... reminded me how some people still see me.” His mind returned to the morning encounter with Ms. Sistart. How quickly she had assumed the worst of him. How easily fear had turned to accusation.
"You mean as a criminal?" Xitto asks.
The silence between them was thick for a moment, but Crow didn’t answer.
Unexpectedly, Xitto says. "Since you were allowed to get a teaching degree it means you aren't a sex offender or a murderer. You can at least be proud of that."
The words hit like a backhanded compliment. Blunt, awkward, but not intentionally cruel. Crow gave a tight-lipped smile and looked away, unsure whether to laugh or groan.
"You gave up a lifestyle where most people would overlook your markers. For a career where judging people is top priority." Xitto looks at Crow. "Why give that up. And was it worth it?"
"Of course it was worth it!" Crow said, louder than intended. He paused, took a breath, and composed himself. The fire in his chest remained, though now it came out steadier. He thought back to his own mentor. And how he was able to impart knowledge and hope onto the children of Satellite.
"I want to be someone that students can believe in. My goal is to give students the means to create and go after their dreams. I want to give them hope. People see me as a lost cause. Many children feel like the world has given up on them. But not me! I want them to know that!" His voice grew softer at the end, but the conviction behind it never faded.
Crow did not mean to get carried away like that. He felt rejuvenated.
The faintest smile crossed Xitto's lips. He got up and walked to the entrance of the lounge in silence. Without looking back, he responded. "Well... with a cause like that, it's not worth it to let anything get you down."
Xitto exited the room.
For some reason Crow could feel the chains on his face didn’t feel quite so heavy.
Summary: Bright eyed Allie starts a Duel Club with her friends at Neo Duel Academy being the first to ever do so.
Crow Hogan, a newly appointed teacher and former turbo duelist champion, becomes the duel club's supervisor.
The classroom buzzed with idle chatter as students filled in before the bell. Near the back, as always, Allie, Amanda, and Guu sat close together in their unofficial corner of the room.
"Hey," Frank said, weaving through the clusters of desks to approach the trio of Allie, Amanda, and Guu. He wore a triumphant grin. "I finally finished my deck."
"Just in time for us to not have club today." Allie says.
Frank scratched the back of his head. “It took me longer than I thought to get it right.”
"What kind of deck is it?" Amanda asked, genuinely curious.
"I wanted a gimmick deck so I made a deck that focuses on direct attacks. You know, sneak past defenses and chip away." Frank puffed up slightly, proud of his unconventional choice.
"That's awesome! I want to see!" Allie excited, claps her hands together.
"I'll show you after school." Frank says.
"Oh, no can do. We are going to Arc Academy after school today." Allie says.
Frank looked distraught. He slowly looked over at Amanda and Guu. From their faces, it seemed they were in on it too. Frank sighed and holds up his hands.
"Well, I am not going to be apart of this scheme." He says backing away and going to his desk.
"It's not a scheme!" Allie shouts.
-After School-
The final bell rang, signaling the end of school. Allie, Amanda, and Guu, all made their way to the nearest bus stop. The trip would be about an hour if traffic was good. Which is great, because Arc Academy got out of school one hour later than them. Though they would have to walk the rest of the way there.
Upon arrival at the gates, the trio could immediately feel the difference in atmosphere between their school and Arc Academy. The air felt more oppressive and there was a severe lack of students wondering around.
Despite them not touching anything, the heavy front gates creaked open with a low groan. The girls shared an uneasy look as they slowly walked onto the school campus. They jumped when they heard the gates slam shut behind them.
"...guess there is no turning back." Allie marches on into the school. Amanda and Guu followed hesitantly behind her.
They all went to the administrative office of the school to find someone who would help them. However, there was no one there. It confused the girls.
"Why is this place so empty." Allie wonders about the lack of staff.
"Here's a map of the place." Amanda was viewing the map of the school on the wall. It showed where the duel arena was. The groups destination.
The trio began their trek to the duel arena with Amanda at the lead.
Arch Academy had dark hallways devoid of color. The air was heavy as if there was some foreboding force weighing down on them. No student art, no announcements, no warmth. It felt like walking through a ghost town.
While walking the girls did not see many teachers and those that they did see simply paid no mind to the obviously out of place students.
"Is it me, or are the teachers ignoring us...?" Allie whispers.
"I get that feeling too." Hushed, Amanda says. Guu clutched her bag tighter.
Their long walk down the silent corridors had their footsteps echoing louder than they should have. Everything felt… watched.
The trio stuck close to each other as they made their way to the duel arena. Eventually, they reached the duel arena—and found the only sign of life so far.
Arc Academy's duel arena was a bit different from normal arena's. A glass barrier was erected in front of the spectator seats. No doubt for the protection of the audience.
The trio stepped forward just as a duel ended. Holograms shimmered and vanished as the field powered down.
"Songo will win next time!" A girl declared, stamping a foot in mock fury. She was wearing the standard uniform. She stood with arms akimbo, her onyx eyes practically sparked with intensity. She had bright red hair parted into two side ponytails. She had hair accessories sticking out from various places. "Songo wants to challenge you again Phovi!"
The girl who calls herself Songo poured her cards out in front of her on the floor from a deck pouch. Most likely her sidedeck and began switching out her cards.
"I'll take you on anytime but we have to pause for a bit. We have guests." The guy named phovi looks over to the trio of girls in the stadium.
Allie, Amanda, and Guu were all surprised as none of them made a peep to indicate their presence.
Phovi has his ashen brown hair pulled back into a bun. His lapis colored eyes pierced through each of the girls. He also had hair accessories holding his hair together.
"What brings you lot here?" Phovi asked flatly.
Amanda steps forward and clears her throat. "We are members of the duel club from Neo Domino Academy."
"You are the losers who canceled the practice match!?" Songo screeched.
"Shut up, Songo!" Phovi scolded, though it sounded more like a habitual reflex than genuine anger.
"Well you see... we came here to apologize for cancelling the practice match." Amanda continues. "You see, parents were upset that students from your school were coming to our campus and demanded the match be shut down. It wasn't our call."
There was a moment of pause before Phovi simply said, "You're weird."
The bluntness of it stunned Amanda into silence.
"It wasn't your fault the match was canceled," he elaborated, his tone making it sound like the most obvious fact in the world. "So why apologize?"
"We were the challengers, so it seemed like the best course of action. Besides you were looking forward to the match too, right?" Allie speaks up.
Phovi looked away, a slight tightening of his jaw the only admission that Allie was right.
"In that case how about we duel." Amanda suggested, seeing an opportunity to make amends in a language duelists understood best.
"Songo will duel!" Songo’s eyes lit up. She was, already vibrating with energy, her previous frustration forgotten.
"Since our captain isn't here, it would have to be a one-on-one or tag duel." Says Phovi.
"A solo duel is fine." Amanda says.
"Pick your player. Let us know when your ready." Phovi steps out of the duel field.
The girls talk amongst themselves.
"I'll duel. This was my idea after all." Allie volunteered.
"Should... we be doing- this...?" Guu softly says. "There is no supervisor...."
Amanda turned and asked Phovi directly. “Is your supervisor around?”
"Don't know," he shrugged, a gesture of pure indifference. "You caught us at a bad time it seems."
"Welp, we'll deal with the punishment when it happens." Amanda sighed, turning back to her friends.
"I suppose so...." Guu relented, though she still looked uneasy.
"Actually," Amanda said, placing a hand on Allie's shoulder. "I'll be the one to duel."
Amanda makes her way onto the duel field. She take a breath to calm her nerves.
"You can do it Amanda!" Allie cheers from the sidelines.
Songo looks on with envy in her eyes. She turns her gaze towards Phovi.
"What?" He said, already sounding annoyed.
"Songo wants cheers too!" She whined, stomping her foot lightly.
"Huh!? No way! All that matter is winning. Nothing more." He spat.
"Grr!" Songo huffs and turns her attention to Amanda. "Songo will win! And she doesn't need cheers to do it!"
Both players readied their duel disks. The air in the duel arena crackled with energy as the holographic projectors hummed to life. The glass barrier separating the spectator seats from the field shimmered faintly. On one side, Allie and Guu watched with bated breath. On the other, Phovi stood with his arms crossed, his expression unreadable. A countdown timer started at three beginning a downward countdown.
3
Amanda took a deep, steadying breath, her fingers tightening around her deck. She slid it into the slot on her duel disk. The machine whirred as it shuffled the cards automatically. Her heart was pounding, but her focus was absolute. She was here to apologize with action, not just words.
2
Songo cackled, a wild, energetic sound that echoed in the quite room. She slammed her deck into her disk with a flourish, her many hair accessories jingling with the movement. "Songo will crush you! Then Phovi will have to cheer for Songo's victory!"
1
Duel!
Both player drew their 5 cards stating the duel.
Amanda: 4000
Songo: 4000
"Since you are the guest, you can go first!" Songo says.
"Thanks!"
-Turn 1 Amanda-
She look at her hand.
"I activate Melffy Hide-and-Seek! and end my turn." Amanda says.
This shocked Allie.
Songo laughed. "You left yourself wide open!"
"Did I really?" Amanda allowed a small, knowing smile to touch her lips. "During my end phase I my Melffy's can special summon themselves from my hand. I special summon Melffy Puppy and Melffy Wally! Both in defense mode!"
Amanda ended her turn.
-Turn 2- Songo
Songo draw's a card.
"Songo normal summons Thunder Kid. If I have a level 2 monster on the field, Songo can Special Summon-"
"Hold one! When my opponent Normal or Special Summon's, I return my Melffy's to my hand to activate their effects. I return Melffy Puppy to my hand to activate it's effect to Special Summon One level 2 or lower beast monster to the field! I choose Kalantosa, Mystical Beast of the Forest! In defense mode!"
Kalantosa replaced Melffy Puppy in defense mode.
"If Kalantosa is special summoned by effect of a beast monster it can target and destroy one card. I choose your Thunder Kid!"
"How could you ruin Songo's turn like that!" Songo declares. She looked at her hand in frustration. With her normal summon gone, she can't summon any more monsters now. "Songo place's a card facedown."
With that Songo passed her turn.
-Turn 3- Amanda
She draws her card.
"I normal Melffy Puppy and set one card face down. I end my turn."
-Turn 4- Songo
Songo takes her draw.
"Wait! This is the same set up as the last time!" Songo points out.
"Maybe it is. Maybe it isn't." Amanda says, her voice very even.
That only served to annoy Songo. She couldn't go down like this. She had to do something.
"Songo plays Spright Starter! It lets me Special Summon 'Spright' Monster from my deck, but Songo loses Life Points equal to its original attack. Songo chooses Spright Carrot! In defense Mode!"
Spright Carrot is summoned. Songo loses 1000 Life Points.
Songo: 4000 -> 3000
"I will activate my Melffy Wally's effect in response. I return Melffy Wally to my hand and it lets me Special Summon two Melffy's from my deck with different names. Melffy Fenny and Melffy Puppy, come on out in defense mode!"
Amanda called upon her animal friend's.
"Are done playing on Songo's turn!"
"That depends on you." Amanda shot back.
"Now that Songo has a Spright on field. Songo can Special Summon Spright's from the hand. Songo Special Spright Jet from my hand! When it is special summoned, it lets me add a 'Spright' spell or trap card from my deck to my hand."
"Then Songo plays Thunder Short to inflict 400 points of damage for every monster you control!" Songo pushes through and makes her next play.
Amanda: 4000 -> 2400
Songo now had two monsters on the field. She had to chip away at Amanda's defense. But all of Amanda's cards activate their effects if she attacks any of them. She couldn't just do nothing.
"Grr! I attack with Spright Jet! Get rid of Melffy Fenny!"
"I return Melffy Fenny to my hand and it lets me special summon one beast monster from my hand. I special summon Melffy Pinny in defense mode! When a beast monster I control is returned to my hand, Melffy Pinny can Synchro Summon using itself and a Melffy monster in my hand. Melffy Pinny and Melffy Fenny, Synchro Summon into Merry Melffys! I put it in attack mode!"
"No fair!" Songo has the choice to replay the attack of call it off. Her Spright Jet or Spright Carrot cannot beat Merry Melffy. And attacking another Melffy would activate the effects. She called off Spright Jet and attacked Kalantosa, Mystical Beast of the Forest with Spright Carrot. Amanda's field now had three monster's instead of four. It wasn't much, but it was something.
"Songo ends her turn...." she muttered, defeated.
-Turn 5 Amanda-
She draws her card.
"I summon Valerifawn, Mystical Beast of the Forest! And I activate it's effect. I can discard one card to special summon one level two or lower beast monster to my field in attack mode." Amanda says.
"Oh no...." Songo had a feeling she knew which monster Amanda was going to bring back.
"I think you know what's going to happen."
"Songo hates that card!"
Kalantosa, Mystical Beast of the Forest returns to the field in attack position. When it is special summoned by effect of a beast-type monster, it can destroy one card. Amanda got rid of Spright Jet.
"Now, I take Kalantosa, Mystical Beast of the Forest and Valerifawn, Mystical Beast of the Forest to Exceed Summon. Look around the forest! Look at all the fluffy friends! Gather around! Joyous Melffys! I detach a material from my Joyous Melffys and now all of my Melffy monsters can attack you directly this turn! The material I detach is Kalantosa, Mystical Beast of the Forest. Next, I play Big March of the Animals. All of my face-up beast-type monsters gain 200 attack points for every beast monster I control. So everyone gets an 800 point boost." Amanda took her turn.
Since monsters could attack directly, Songo's Spright Carrot did not matter. Amanda attacks with Merry Melffys first.
Songo: 3000 -> 700
"Joyous Melffy, Joyous Sound!"
Songo: 700 -> 0
Victor: Amanda
The duel arena powered down. The monsters faded away. The cheers of Allie and the light clapping were the only noise filling the arena.
"Great job Amanda!" Allie shouts.
Amanda gave her a small, sheepish smile. "Thanks," she murmured.
"Songo, you were great." Amanda says walking towards her.
Songo, still standing opposite her, folded her arms tightly. Her red twin ponytails bounced as she turned her head to the side. “Songo lost. What’s so great about that?” she muttered, cheeks puffed in frustration.
“Because you gave me a really great duel. And because… you’re a strong duelist, Songo. It’s not about who won.”
The compliment seemed to catch Songo off guard. She stared at Amanda, her lips twitching, as if she couldn’t decide whether to smile or scowl. Eventually, she settled on a pout. “Hmph.”
That brief moment was broken by the firm, echoing voice of Phovi from the sideline. "We only have time for one match today. So you all better get going."
"Yes, you should get going." Before anyone could respond, a new voice cut through the stillness like a cold wind. From the entrance came a familiar voice. Glassouffle walks over to the group of students with a stern look on her face.
Phovi looked away from her. Songo hide behind Amanda much to her dismay.
Allie not sensing the atmosphere happily waved at her teacher. "Hi, Mrs. Glassouffle!"
Guu facepalmed.
"You both know the rules. You are not allowed to duel without supervision!" She while her voice was even, it had a sharp edge to it. "I would appreciate it if you did not drag unsuspecting students into trouble! You both have detention come Monday!"
"Wait Mrs. Glassouffle," Amanda tried to calm the flames. "We wanted to duel them and got impatient. They explained that we needed to wait but we wouldn't listen...."
Amanda put on her best poker face as she twisted the truth of the events. Glassouffle narrowed her eyes as if trying to gauge if Amanda's words are true.
"Fine." Glassouffle sighs. "You three have detention on Monday. As for you two, try not to give into peer pressure next time."
Phovi and Songo both nodded.
"Now, please escort our guests out. You all have a wonderful weekend." She says.
The students all filed out the arena leaving Glassouffle alone. She look around the room until her eyes landed on the commentary box. "And just how long were you going to let this go on Principal Arlekino?"
Arlekino looked down at his co-worker from above. He said nothing, leaving Glassouffle to her own devices.
"Everyone here is so apathetic...."
-
"No one asked you to that." Phovi muttered, walking a few steps ahead. "I'm not thanking you."
"You're a tough nut to crack aren't you." Allie says.
"Hopefully we can come over and duel again." Amanda says.
"Again? Aren't you scared of us?" Phovi asks. "Quit joking around!"
A silence befell the group.
"I'm outta here. This is stupid. You lead them out Songo." Phovi turned away and walked off into the descending shadows of campus..
"Songo likes having friends!" Songo shouts after Phovi.
Allie smiled warmly. “We like being your friends.”
"Phovi will come around eventually." Songo smiles.
The sun had begun to set by the time they made it to the school gates. The gate loomed tall, still giving off that unnatural chill that seemed to cling to everything at Arc Academy.
"Emile!" Songo waves enthusiastically at the mysterious boy.
His deep purple hair framed his face like a stormcloud, with striking yellow eyes. A leather choker sat tight around his neck, almost like a restraint.
“This is Emile,” Songo said, practically bouncing. “He’s our captain!”
"Nice to meet you." He said courteously. "Sorry, I was not around for the meeting."
"Don't worry about it." Amanda says.
"The next time we meet, we will be much better prepared. If there is a next time." Emile says. "This wasn't exactly official."
"Are you guys joining the tournament in a few months?" Allie asks.
"Yes." Emile says.
"Then let's help each other out. We’ll help each other get stronger,” Allie said, looking to Amanda and Guu for confirmation. "How about next week? Same time same place?"
"My schedule is open." Amanda says. Guu nods quietly.
"Then it's settled. Next Friday it is!" Allie declared.
Songo was happy with this setup too. While the girls clamored amongst themselves, Emile was impassive.
Amanda, Allie, and Guu all walked past the huge gate. walked past the towering gates, leaving Arc Academy behind them. The solid iron slammed shut behind them with a bang, as if closing off a different world.
Emile and Songo watched until the solid gate blocked their view from them. The loud bang signaling the end of their meeting.
"Songo has Allie phone number! Songo made a friend." She cheered.
"Don't get your hopes up." Emile says.
Songo froze.
"They will show their true colors in due time like everyone else."
"But...." Songo flinched, tears welling up in her eyes. This did not make Emile relent.
"Don't get your hopes up knowing you will get hurt! You are a freak! Give up on any notion that you'll have a normal life. It'll hurt less that way."
"Whaaaa!" Songo ran back into the building. She didn't even realize that she passed by Phovi.
"You really know how to comfort a girl." Phovi scoffs.
Emile brushes his fingers over his choker, his limiter. "You know I am right."
Without another word, the two vanished into the school’s dim corridors.
-
The bus ride home was quiet. The trio didn’t talk much, lost in their own thoughts. Only once they started walking the last stretch home did Guu finally speak.
"...Why weren't we afraid of them." Guu ponders. She couldn't get Phovi's question out of her head.
"What was there to be afraid of? Nothing happened." Allie said all nonchalant.
"Were you not scared of the monsters coming to life Amanda." Guu asks.
"I'll admit, I was." Amanda says. "I'm sure they don't want the monsters to be real anymore than we do. At the end of the day, we are all trying to get by. Why make it worse for each other."
Guu agreed.
"Oh, Frank is gonna be so upset that he missed this." Allie giggles.
Amanda and Guu both smiled at that.
And together, they continued toward whatever came next.
Summary: Bright eyed Allie starts a Duel Club with her friends at Neo Duel Academy being the first to ever do so.
Crow Hogan, a newly appointed teacher and former turbo duelist champion, becomes the duel club's supervisor.
The cool air brushed against Crow's face. The weather was crisp signaling the beginning of winter her in Neo Domino City. He is sitting next to the grave of his mentor Pearson. He always made it a point to visit here when he came back to the city.
His career as a turbo duelist is at an all time high. However, he came to realize that it wasn't something he could do forever. His team was growing, so there was less and less for him to teach them. Eventually his injuries will keep getting longer to heal. Turbo dueling was a tough sport. He loved it. But at some point, it was not going to love him anymore. He started to think about how he could be involved with dueling in other ways.
There was always regular standing duels. But Crow approached this from a different angle.
"I am going to become a teacher. I have the money to go to college. I can also still work as a duelist. As much as I love turbo dueling, I need to plan for the future. One of these days I will get injured and I might be damaged for life. I hope that doesn't happen. But... I want to end my career on my own terms."
He let out a chuckle.
"I started down this path because I wanted to put smiles on kids faces. No doubt I did do that during my career, I am sure I can do that as a duel instructor too. It'll be just like how you taught the kids of Satellite all those years ago. I want to do that too. I can't even imagen myself in a classroom studying. Crow the Bullet never backs down from a challenge."
Crow cleaned off the grave. He took one more look at the vast sea and sky. Beyond the horizon, there lies an unprecedented future.
-
"Crow Hogan is the champion of the Neo Grand Prix!"
The roar of the crowd was something he was going to miss. He took his trophy while atop the first place stand. This was his last tournament as he was retiring from dueling after this. He was happy it ended on a high note.
It was a difficult journey juggling both dueling and going to college. Especially now at the end where he had to get live classroom hours. Crow was only two months away from getting his teaching degree. By the next school year he will be able to teach at a school.
He decided on applying to Neo Duel Academy in Neo Domino City. He will be close to home this way. He did not realized that he was this much of a homebody. This works out for the best, as he will be near Martha and the orphanage.
Things were looking up.
-
"Thank you for taking us up on our offer on such short notice." She and Crow were walking down the hallway of Neo Domino Duel Academy. She stood straight and tall. Her voice carried and never faltered. Crow was captivated by how she carried herself. He hoped to one day become like that too.
"This was my first choice, so I am happy to be here." Crow says.
"That is great to hear!" She says. "Oh! We've arrived at the teacher's office. Here is your desk. Feel free to make yourself a home."
She was called out by one of the other teachers. There wasn't much staff here right now during break. Crow was being given a tour of the school. It was all still surreal to him. Going to college. He never thought he would do that.
Pretty soon Crow was standing in front of the entrance as a full fledge teacher. Finally this is his new beginning.
"Hold it! Sorry we can't allow criminals on the premises." Security stopped him right at the door. She had vibrant teal hair.
"Oh, but I am a teacher here." Crow showed his badge to the officer. Who was shocked.
"They are letting criminals become teachers now!?" She squints her eyes at his badge, not quite believing it. "I'll let you off this time. But I am watching you!"
She glares at Crow before something else takes her attention. "Hey you! The homeless center is the next block over!"
"We've been through this." The man sounded fed up with this situation.
It seemed that this school was full of eccentric teachers. It made him feel less like an odd one out.
"Is that a criminal?"
"Hmm. It looks like Crow Hogan."
He could hear the whispers of some of the students. His hand went up to his cheek. He did expect this to happen; for his markers to give him trouble. Even through college professors were shocked and confused as to why a criminal was going into teaching. Heck he even had counselor's try to push him towards a different career path. Recalling it gave him a headache.
Now he made it, he wasn't going to back down. Him being a well known duelist did help ease the potential trouble his markers would give him. People could just search him up online and find out who he is for the most part.
As he walked to the teacher's lounge, he noticed two girls putting up a poster. It was for a duel club. He thought to himself how interesting that would be.
"Is there a coach for the duel club?" Crow asks Glassouffle.
"It caught your eye?" Glassouffle hands Crow a flyer. "No, because the club does not exist. This school never had a duel club. Since you are a well known duelist, I'm sure they will ask you to be the coach."
"I wouldn't mind doing it."
"It is nice to know you are such a go getter. But this is your first year teaching. So try not to spread yourself too thin." Glassouffle advises him.
Crow nods.
Crow days as a teacher is off to a splendid start.
