[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/8XTq8p7.png[/img]
[b]Episode 2.5[/b] Introducing the Battleguard Prince[/center]

[indent]Lupe scrambled as he picked apart his deck one more time this morning. Chris had only recently moved in with him, which finally allowed him the opportunity to truly measure his deck up against a specific opponent, however, at each turn, it seemed Chris was simply better and quicker at getting his deck going than he was.

“It’s just a matter of getting your deck engine up and running” he had said. What the heck is a deck engine? Kids back home were certainly not using these “strats” and suddenly Lupe felt completely out of place in his yellow uniform. 0-1 officially weighed heavy... 
0-5 in total hurt.

[color=e0e33a]“What are you even stressing out about?”[/color] Battleguard Cadet asked.

[color=009600]“‘Cuz I suck!”[/color] Lupe huffed. [color=009600]“I’m completely out of my depth here! Chris keeps overpowering my attack capabilities with his damned Gardna’s defense because he’s able to draw more consistently, and Jon…”[/color] Lupe shuddered to think of the duel against the Obelisk Blue ace only to immediately receive a bonk in the head from his Card Spirit’s humongous kanabo. [color=009600]“Ouch! What the heck was that for?”[/color] Lupe lashed out, getting up from his desk and chasing the Card Spirit up into the top bunk and back down again.

Eventually, Lupe fell to the floor, deflated. [color=009600]"What even is the point of any of this? Ever since I saw that bright light..."[/color]

Suddenly, a familiar noise from the hallway, Chris… and he’s brought company! Lupe rushed back to the desk to put his deck away as Chris came on over to unlock the door. Lupe put his deck away. The door opened. “Yoooooo…!”

[color=009600]“Yooooo…!” [/color]

Both boys greeted each other excitedly as they did their secret roommate handshake before Chris showed some concern. “Hey, so, did you shower already? Our parents should be here any time now.” Both boys shared a laugh and Lupe punched Chris in the arm for the playful barb… perhaps a bit too much starch on that one?

[color=009600]“I’m good. Let’s go down to the Courtyard, see who else is there.”[/color]

As the boys left the dorm room, Lupe noticed he’d held on to a copy of Battleguard Cadet. [color=e0e33a]“You shouldn’t stress out so much,”[/color] the card seemed to say with a wink.[/indent]