Book 1 - The Rose-Red Tyrant: Chapter 21; Duel Ill-Advised

The screen turns on as the chapter title plays "Chapter - 21; Duel Ill-Advised".

It's now the next night as the next dream sequence starts to play, with the mirror sucking her in as it ripples and glows. It starts out in that black void, but now there is this white fog around the edge as Yuu questions "Another strange dream?"

It shifts to show that girl from before, although now known as Alice standing at a trial "And as for you, Your Majesty… "Your Majesty," indeed!" The Queen then appears on a higher podium unsatisfied as Alice continues "Why, you're not a queen. You're just a fat, pompous, bad-tempered old ty…tyrant…" The Queen of Hearts asks "Hmhmmhmmhmmhmm… What were you saying, my dear?" A strangely colored purple and magenta striped cat with a big grin appears over the Queen of Heart's head and answers her "Well, she simply said you're a fat, pompous, bad-tempered old tyrant!" Before starting to laugh. The Queen then yells "OOOOOOOOOFF with her head!" As some of the cards go "Oooooooh!" As a bunch of cards are seen floating around and above her as she turns and looks at them all. The King of Hearts then said "You heard what Her Majesty said! Off with her head!" As even more cards start to fall around, surrounding the girl. The mirror then lets her out as that void at the end surrounds her and she hears the voice say "If only someone had stopped her before it came to this…"

Yuu then opens up her eyes to see Grim above her chest saying "Hey, Yuu! Ah, good, you're already up." Yuu starts to sit up and rub her eyes as Grim floated off.

Ace is sitting in the corner of the room, wearing his dorm uniform as he stands up seeing Yuu awake and reminds her "Today's the big duel! Let's DO this thing."

Yuu was getting up but freezes as she sees that red flat background with the puddle. Just then three more black drops of liquid fell and made it even bigger. She also noticed the entire thing, as more black was added the darker it got. As much as it caused her worry and unease she got up and went to the rose maze for the duel.

Her and Grim were allowed to be there and watch for moral support, as their two first year friends had requested.

The Heartslabyul student that had come up to Cater and Trey that night they had been baking pastries asked two others "Did you hear? They say someone's challenged Housewarden Rosehearts to a duel!" Another student said "Riddle Rosehearts? Seriously?! Whoever it is has gotta be outta his mind. Riddle will have his head off in five seconds flat." The student who had announced Trey and Riddle's entrance to the unbirthday party also commented "Still, it's the first challenge since Rosehearts took power. I'm pumped!"

Meanwhile in a different area, Trey is just telling Cater about what had happened at the library. Cater quietly shouts out "You're saying Ace and Deuce are challenging Riddle for the housewarden's seat?! Please tell me you're kidding." But Trey only tells him "I tried to stop 'em." Cater then says "Of all the stupid ideas… I just hope this doesn't make everything worse." Trey responded "You and me both."

As it shows the duel area. It was a rectangular cleared space and no exact markings to show it was the duel area. Ace and Deuce are standing on one side, with Yuu and Grim not too far behind them. Then Riddle is on the other with Trey and Cater not too far behind him. Then Crowley is standing on one of the long sides with the students watching from afar on the other long side.

The headmage announces "We are about to commence two challenges for the housewarden position at Heartslabyul House." He then points to one side as he continues "The first challenger is Ace Trappola. The second challenger is Deuce Spade." Then the other side "The current housewarden they have challenged is Riddle Rosehearts." Now no longer pointing he continues "Now, in accordance with the duel rules, please remove the magic-sealing collars as they would provide an unfair disadvantage."

Riddle then nodded as he removed the collars with a burst of magic. Ace shouts "Ah! FINALLY, the dumb collar is off!" But Riddle simply tells them "Enjoy your moment of freedom. The collar will be back on soon enough. I could hardly believe it when I heard you two intended to duel me. Is this a joke?" This bothers Ace as he asks back "Do I look like I'm joking?" And Deuce says "I'd never propose a duel as a joke." Riddle just says "Hmph. Have it your way." Before simply stating "Let us get this over with."

Cater then walks a bit closer as he asks Riddle "Uh, Riddle, what do you want to do about today's afternoon tea?" Riddle turns his head back towards Cater as he answers "A foolish question. You know that the rules stipulate I take my tea every day at 4 p.m sharp." Cater justifies his question by explaining "It's just that it's already past 3:30…" Riddle raises an eyebrow and says "And you fear that I will be late? All the more reason to end this promptly."

Riddle then turns to the Headmage and tells him "It appears I have little time to waste. Rather than facing my opponents in succession, I will take on both at once."

Some of the Heartslabyul students shout out "You can do it, Housewarden!" While some others continue the shout "Knock 'em dead, sir!" Trey is silent at this.

But this just seems to fire up Ace and Deuce more. As Deuce looks at them and tells them "Cowards." Grim then says "Myah. I got a bad feelin' about this." But Ace just says "Hey, at least we got a plan!"

Now done waiting Riddle tells the headmage "Headmage, please give us the signal."

The headmage then continues his announcement and officiants "When the mirror I've thrown shatters upon the ground, that is you signal to begin."

He then throws it up while shouting "Ready!" Then once it hits the ground and shatters, shouts "GO!"

But the fight isn't seen the screen starts to fade to black as "To be continued" shows before it fully turns off.