Once again Yukiko found herself in another dream. Only this time, it was in a court room where that girl Alice was being tested. But she had a brave face.

Dream Sequence – Queen of Hearts]

"I’ll give you a piece of my mind. What kind of a queen are you!?
You’re just a selfish and evil tyrant who does what she wants." Alice said angry at the Queen's temper.

"What did you just say, girl?" The Queen said as she started to turn red.

"She called you a selfish tyrant~ ♪" A smiling cat taunted.

"OFF WITH HER HEAD–!!!"

The Card Guards went after Alice as she ran.

" It’s the Queen’s orders! Off with her head~!" A small man yelled as the soldiers made the chase.

Yukiko could not stand the sight of this, so she ran to see if she can help Alice.

Suddenly she caught up to Alice with the help of Charizard and Alice was surprised.

"Who are you?" Alice asked.

"A friend. Charizard, slow them down with Overheat, then Fire Pledge!" Yukiko said as Charizard roared and kept the soldiers away with fire attacks as they screamed in fright.

"Ahhhhh! A Jabberwock! RUN!"

As Alice and Yukiko flew off, they made it to a door.

"You should get going. It's not safe here." Yukiko said as the door opened.

"Thank you." Alice said as she departed for her home as the dream ended.

The white haired girl looked concerned. What could that dream mean?

LOCATION: Heartslabyul Dorm – Rose Maze]

The news of what was going on spread around the Heartslabyul dorm like a wildfire the next morning.

"Hey, did you hear? Someone challenged Prefect Roseharts to a duel!" One Heartslabyul student said.

"THE Prefect?! I can't imagine it. It'll probably be over in a flash."

"But this is the first challenge he's ever gotten. Let's go watch~"

In the Rose Maze, Yukiko was watching from the sidelines with Grim in her arms and Pachi on her shoulder.

She decided to have Steenee, Butterfree, Charizard and Primarina. And Persian in case.

Persian was at Yukiko's side watching Riddle with a hard look.

As if she sensed something was off.

"Acey and Deucey were guided by the Headmaster into challenging Riddle to a duel!? Are you serious?!" Cater asked Trey.

"I tried to stop them, though..."

"Geez, now they've done it... I hope this won't turn out for the worst..."

"Yeah..."

"Now then, I shall be watching over the duel about to take place here in the Heartslabyul Dormitory.
The challengers are Ace Trappola and Deuce Spade.
The one who accepted the challenge is the current Prefect Riddle Rosehearts.
Now then, please remove the collars in order to start the duel with no handicaps for both sides." Crowley directed to Riddle so they could have a fair fight.

"The damn thing's finally off...!" Ace cheered.

"It will be back on you in a little while, so I'd say you best enjoy it while you can.
Although, I almost doubted it when I heard that you had challenged me to a duel. Are you really serious?" Riddle questioned.

"Of course." Ace said.

"We will never challenge you as a joke." Deuce added.

"Hmph, never mind. Let's get started quickly." Riddle said as he looked over to Yukiko.

After what happened the other day, he'd have to deal with her too.

"Riddle, what should we do about our afternoon tea?" Cater asked.

"No problem. Afternoon tea always has to be at exactly 4 PM." Riddle replied.

"But it's already past 3:30..."

"Do you think I'll be late for anything in my life? I'm pretty sure this will be over quickly." Riddle said in a smug tone before gesturing to Cater to whisper something before the 3rd year nodded and turning back to the duel. "As you can see, I don't have enough time. Taking you on one at a time will be time-consuming, so come at me, both of you."

"You can do it, Prefect! Please settle it quickly~!" The Heartslabyul residents shouted.

From the way the students said it, Yukiko knew the cheering was fake.

At that, she saw Pachi and Persian tense and her Pokeballs shook. "Huh?" Yukiko began to worry if something was going to go wrong.

"They sound confident." Deuce commented.

"Ugh, that's so creepy!" Grim muttered.

"We didn't come here without a plan, you know!" Ace said.

"Headmaster, please begin at once." The prefect said wanting to get it over with.

Crowley nodded as he took out a small hand mirror in hid hand holding it up. "The moment this hand mirror falls to the ground is the signal to start. Ready... Fight!"

But before Deuce and Ace could do anything, Riddle simply put the collars back on them to stop them from using their magic. It seemed completely unfair.

"Damn it...! Can he do nothing else but seal other people's magic?!" Ace shouted.

" To think that we couldn't even do anything...!" Deuce lamented.

'Its not even a fair fight...' Yukiko thought with an angry face.

"One's magic strength comes from strength of the imagination. The stronger he imagines the results of his magic will be, the more successful it will turn out. Little Rosehearts here has shown how much he has polished his magical skills." Crowley explained.

"Ah... The difference in their levels is just too much...!" Grim complained.

"Hmph, that didn't even take 5 seconds. I'm surprised that you went and challenged me with your skill level. Aren't you embarrassed? Anyone who breaks the rules will always amount to nothing. It is as Mother said." Riddle scoffed.

But then Deuce began to speak up.

"... It's true that rules should be protected. But, strictly implementing every single nitpicky rule you can find is called oppression!"

"Huh? There is a punishment for rules that are broken. And I am this dorm's absolute rule. That's why, those who break the rules have no right to complain to me!" Riddle stated like it was natural.

"The rules themselves are no real reason to do whatever you want. That's what a tyrant does! A real leader must have real courage." Yukiko spoke getting Riddle's attention with her Pokémon agreeing.

"Oh? And what about the commands your creatures follow? Do they really listen to such a lenient master?" Riddle mocked making Pachi and Persian mad.

"It's not leniency, it's compassion and respect. That's what a true leader needs." Yukiko said which only made him mad.

"No one would follow a soft leader! What sort of lessons were you given from your own parents that you can't even understand something so simple as this? I thought that at least the new beast tamer of the school would at least understand. They must've been pathetic themselves compared to you." Riddle scoffed.

Yukiko would've walked over to the brat and give him a good back-handed slap for bad-mouthing her parents.

Pachi looked ready to electrocute Riddle and Persian was about to pounce on the brat for bad-mouthing her missing partner and her mate.

But Ace beat them to it with a punch to the face shocking everyone.

"I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"He... He punched the Prefect?!"

"That was a pretty clean right hook!" Grim exclaimed.

"A-Ace!?" Deuce said just as surprised.

"Ah, I'm tired. I don't care about you or this duel anymore." Ace said darkly.

Riddle was still in a daze. No one ever dared to lay a hand on him before. "Ouch... Eh? You... punched me...?

"Kids aren't their parents' trophies. Your parents aren't the ones who get to decide what you're worth. I finally understand that you being a trashy person isn't your mom's fault at all! You've been in this school for a year. And the one to blame is the bastard you call a friend who did nothing but turn a blind eye to your selfishness!" Ace remarked.

"What are you saying...?" Riddle asked darkly.

"And I understand that your mom raised you the way she did, but is "Mama this, Mama that" all you can say?! You're not capable of thinking for yourself!? To hell with that "Red Ruler" bullshit! You're just a baby who happens to be gifted with magic!" Ace shouted.

"Baby, you say...? Me...?! You know nothing and yet... You don't know anything about me and yet...!" Riddle yelled only to be interrupted.

"Yeah, I don't. I don't know a damn thing! Do you think anyone would know anything or bother to understand with that attitude of yours? Don't be stupid." Ace asked rhetorically.

"Shut up, shut up, SHUT UP!! QUIET!!!" Riddle began to shout, looking more like a kid throwing a tantrum when things didn't go their way. "Mother is right! That's why I am also right!!"

Then Yukiko and her pokemon noticed a bad shift in the air.

And she was not alone.

Trey began to panic when Riddle was starting to go beserk. "Riddle, calm down. The duel is already over!"

"Clover is right. Any attacks done outside of the duel will nullify your victory! If you continue to do any more than this, you will be breaking the rules!" Crowley said trying to get some sense into the raging redhead.

But some of the Heartslabyul residents were getting just as mad about this and out of nowhere.....

Someone threw an egg at the ill tempered prefect.

"!? What was that...? An egg...? Did someone throw that?" Cater asked as he panicked.

"Who threw that egg at me!?" Riddle shouted in anger as no one dared to answer.

Before anyone knew it, it seemed that Riddle had finally snapped with madness. ".....HAHAHAHAHA! You've had enough? I'm the one who's had enough!! No matter how much I warned you, no matter how strict I've gotten, you all kept breaking the rules! Every single one of you... You're all just idiots who think about yourselves! Very well. If no one will admit, then I'll have you all take responsibility!"

Many of the students suddenly got scared and started scattering anywhere to find a hideaway.

"Off with all your heads! OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!!" Riddle started shrieking like a banshee as students ran for their lives.

"AHHHH!! RUN AWAY!!"

In the process of trying to get away, students lefts and right got the collars on their necks. But it felt like it was suffocating them!

"Urk...!! The collar is...!!"

Riddle began cackling like a madman. "Ahahaha! How's that! Now none of you can raise a hand against me! I'm the only one who's right because I protect the rules!"

"Desist, Rosehearts! Not following the rules is unlike you at all!" Crowley yelled in desperation.

"Trey, this is looking bad... If he uses any more of that magic, he'll..." Cater said worried.

Getting the point, Trey had to intervene. "... Riddle, enough!"

Meanwhile Ace was trying to divert the redhead's attention. "Hey, you! Not everything will go the way you want, you know!? You throwing a tantrum like that is exactly why I called you a baby!"

"Take that back right now! Do you want to get skewered!?" Riddle shouted red in the face.

"Hell no. Never." Ace gritted out.

Riddle screamed in anger as the Rose Garden became disoriented.

Cater shouted to Yukiko. "This is really getting bad! You guys, get out of here!"

"Wh-wha–!? All the rose trees in the courtyard are floating...!" Grim said in fright.

"Is this..... distorted magic...! Does he plan on using that on Ace!?" Grim yelled in panic.

"Rose trees, tear that man's body to shreds!!!" Riddle yelled as the trees came to life.

"This is bad! Get out of the way!" Crowley warned

However...

"Ace!" Yukiko yelled. "Steenee, Quick Attack with Drill Kick, then Trop Drop!" She yelled throwing Steenee's pokemon. The tomboyish pokemon attacked and destroyed the trees.

"Whoa!"

"What?!" Riddle exclaimed.

"Whoo, thanks." Ace thanked Steenee.

"Wow! She kicked those those trees like they were nothing!" Deuce said in amazement.

At that Trey shouted to Riddle. "Riddle, enough already!" As Trey said that, the collars were coming off!

"Trey's Doodle Suit!? Eh, but how...?" Cater asked.

"I told you, right? My Doodle Suit can change any given situation for a short amount of time.
That's why, I changed Riddle's magic to be replaced with mine." Trey explained.

Cater was shocked. "No way... Is that even possible?! That's like a cheat, isn't it?"

"Ugh... Off with your head! I said, off with your head! Why are cards coming out!?" Riddle exclaimed.

"Stop that, Riddle. You're only setting yourself up for destruction. Look at everyone's faces!" Trey yelled as he gestured to the other students in the area looking in fright.

"He was serious about skewering him..."
" That's going too far..."
"He... He's a monster...!"

But Riddle was not listening. "Hah...? My magic was overwritten by Trey's...? Does that mean that his magic is stronger than mine...?"

Trey countered. "There's no way that's true! Riddle, calm down and listen to what they're saying."

"Are you saying that I'm wrong, too? Even after I did my best to protect all those strict rules?! Even after I've endured so, so, so many things! I won't... I will never... I will never believe it!!!!!" Riddle said as a dark aura surrounded him.

"You mustn't, Rosehearts! If you use your magic further, your magic jewel will become tainted with Blot!" Crowley yelled in worry.

'Blot? What does that-?" Yukiko thought when she saw some black stuff emerging around Riddle. 'W-what is that-?!'

"I am...! I ALONE AM–!!! I'M THE ONLY ONE WHO IS RIGHT!!!!"

"RIDDLE!!"

What looked like black ink surrounded Riddle and changed him completely.

Riddle had went into Overblot.

'Is that what happens when one overblots?! He looks more menacing! Is it a corruption of sorts?!'
Yukiko thought as her Pokemon stood in front of her to protect her. Charizard, Butterfree and Primarina came out to help as well.

Riddle then began acting like a crazed megalomaniac as his voice sounded demonatic. "HAHAHAHAHAHA!!
I do not need anyone who defies me in my world. I am my world's absolute ruler. My world itself submits to me!
I will not tolerate any answer aside from, "Yes, Lord Riddle."!!
It's off with the heads of everyone who defies me! AHAHAHAHAHAHA!!"

"Ah, how could this happen?! How could I let a student go into Overblot while I am here?!" Crowley panicked.

"What's Overblot? That guy's turned completely evil now...!" Grim said very afraid.

Crowley quickly explained; "Overblot is the one situation that all magicians should avoid. Right now, he has been enveloped by so much negative energy that he's lost control over his emotions and magic."

"You mean its some sort of corruption?!" Yukiko asked.

"Somewhat like that, but yes!" Cater answered.

" If this goes on, Riddle's life will be in danger!" Trey said

"What?!" Yukiko yelled, shocked. 'Does that mean if he keeps doing this, he'll...!!!?'

Grim shouted in panic. "His life!!??"

"The other students' lives takes more priority. I'll go help with the evacuation! Rosehearts must come to his senses before his magic consumes him. Losing his life is an absolute bad scenario, but even worse is..." Crowley paused fearing the worst. "In any case, you boys go get the rest of the staff and dorm heads to help control the situation–"

"TAKE THIS!!!"
"COME FORTH, CAULDRON!"

Ace and Deuce attacked Riddle to keep him in one spot.

"You insolent little...! What are you doing!?" Riddle shouted in anger.

"H-h-hey, what are you guys up to!?" Cater said in fright.

"You said he would be in danger if we leave him like that!" Grim exclaimed.

"I don't really want him to go out that way. Plus..." Deuce said as Ace finished.

"I still haven't heard him say "It's all my fault, I'm sorry" to me!" Ace said

Trey looked at them seeing the determination in their eyes."You guys... Got it! I can overwrite Riddle's magic for a short time. When that happens, I'll leave it in your care. Headmaster, please escort the others to safety."

" Wait a minute, you boys! That is dangerous!" Crowley said concerned for them.

"He's right! What are you saying, Trey? There's no way you can win against Riddle!" Cater added in panic.

"It's too lame to keep losing to people we challenge!" Ace said.

Grim agreed. "It's totally not cool at all!"

"We have to try at least." Yukiko said as she put a hand on Cater's shoulder and her pokemon nodded.

"This is the only way I can think of to make him come back to his senses." Deuce said.

"Yeah... I can't lose him yet. I... There's something I still have to tell him!" Trey said with determination.

"Ah, damn it! I get it already. There's really no other way, huh!" Cater sighed.

"Ah, good grief... I'll return as soon as I escort the others to safety, so please stay safe until then, all of you!" Crowley yelled, still in concern.

Yukiko then came up with an idea. It would be risky, but she had to do it. She looked to Steenee who nodded knowing what they had to do.

"We'll try." Deuce nodded in determination.

"No prob!" Ace said with a thumbs up as the other two nodded as well.

"Every single one of you are getting ahead of yourselves... Off with your heads!" Riddle yelled as the blot manifestation attacked.

"Butterfree, Protect!" Yukiko ordered as the Butterfly Pokemon put up a green force field blocking the attack.

"Charizard, Flamethrower! Pachi, Electro Ball! Persian, Iron Tail!"

The pokemon fired their attacks catching Riddle offguard and pushing him back greater than the others.

Then before anyone knew it, as the blot manifestation was about to attack Trey, Steenee zoomed with speed and used Stomp on the blot's hand making it cry out in pain.

"Ah! Why you!" Riddle said about to hit Steenee only for the tomboyish pokemon to counter with faster Stomp attacks making Yukiko realize something.

"Wait, when a Steenee is that restless, it means-!"

The boys looked confused which turned into surprise when a certain blue glow enveloped Steenee as she attacked again.

"Hey is this?!" Ace asked.

"Like with Crobat in the cave!" Deuce realized.

"Steenee's evolving!" Grim cheered.

As Steenee's form changed, the light died to reveal its newly evolved form.

"Tsareena!" It cried out, delivering a harder kick to the blot creature.

"Ow! That hurt more!" Riddle said.

As the fight went on, Deuce asked Rotomdex what pokemon Steenee is now.

'Tsareena, the Fruit Pokemon. A grass type. Despite its elegant appearance, it takes pride in its legs which Can Hurt Like A steel whip, and can knock out a kickboxing champion. It refuses listen to anyone who doesn't have a good heart.' Rotomdex described.

"Whoa! I would not want to mess with her." Cater said.

"Tch. Even if it looks more like a queen, it can't stand up to me!" Riddle yelled.

"Unless I do this. Tsareena!" Yukiko said as Tsareena nodded.

Yukiko's Z Bracelet shone with a green light as Tsareena and Yukiko moved in Rhythm.

"The abundance of nature filled with unstoppable power, now blossom and florish! Tsareena, Z-Move! Bloom Doom!"

Tsareena was then surrounded by a vibrant green aura, causing the battlefield to be covered in flowers. The energy surrounding Tsareena formed into an orb in the air, which  fired at Riddle in the shape of a massive beam destroying the blot manifestation as it screeched in pain and its bottle shattered.

"Whoa! A O.T.K!" Grim exclaimed.

"I was... wrong...? That's not true... Is it...? Mother..." Riddle said as he faded into unconsciousness, the blot wearing off.

Then something in Yukiko's mind told her to take the Ghost Camera and Tsareena was agreeing with this.

What Yukiko did not expect was to be pulled into Riddle's childhood memories along with Tsareena.

The more she'd hear the voice of Riddle's mother the more she disliked the woman.

From the sound of things, it was like she was constantly shoving stress and pressure down her son's throat.

It also seemed that she never even told Riddle 'I love you,' like a decent mother should.

And in one unexpected memory, she found she was right about Mrs Rosehearts' true status among others.

No one would actually come up and talk to her. Sure they pity Riddle for having such a mother, but they were too afraid to even confront her. So they would keep their kids away from her, or would find an excuse to change doctors because of her harsh judgement on their children's upbringing.

The only patients she had were adults as a result.

Brilliant woman or not, being a professional doctor does not give you the right to dictate someone else's child's life!

--------

After that flow of memories she heard Riddle's voice.

'Whenever I broke the rules, even the fun times were taken away from me.
That's why, I had to listen to every rule that Mother said. Because my Mother, who was known by everyone in town, will always be right. But, you know, Mama...I wonder why? For some reason, my heart feels so heavy...

I want to eat tarts even if it's only on my birthday.

I want to play outside more.

I want to make more friends.

Please tell me, Mama... What rule should I follow to make this sadness disappear...?'

Yukiko was sad at this recalling how she was sad when she missed her parents, wishing they were back.

Having a picnic on the beach, teaching her to ride a Mantine, making leis, reading runes.

Then she felt a bump in her pocket.

It was the Celestia Flute her mom had given her before her disappearance.

She then played the song she remembered her mom played as she heard it in Almia.

With that melody, Riddle's face of pain eased into one of calm.
----------

"Riddle!!!" Riddle had heard Trey's voice, and he could tell it was truly concern for him. He also felt he was in some kind of embrace. But wasn't anything like his mother's.

It was genuine and warm.

--------

'!!??' As Riddle woke up he found himself in Yukiko's arms and holding one of his hands in a reassuring grip. His face flared in embarrassment when he realized he was laying in her arms.

"He's coming to." Yukiko said making the others sigh in relief. Including the pokemon.

"Whew! I totally panicked... I don't know what we'd have done if you didn't wake up...!" Cater said putting a hand over his heart.

Riddle looked around the garden, which was now a mess from his overblot. "(panting) What in the world... have I done...?"

"What a relief. You've gained consciousness again. Miss Yukiko and her Tsareena was able to save you." Crowley smiled nodding at the two.

"You don't have to think about anything right now. You need to rest." Trey added kneeling to his friend's side.

"It's 'cause you spoil him like that that he throws tantrums when he gets scolded! What he did was no joke, y'know? We almost died there." Ace reminded them.

"Indeed, it was no joke." Deuce agreed.

"Geez, you can't go wild just 'cause you need to release stress, yanno?" Grim stated, putting his two cents in.

"... I... I really wanted to eat that marron tart, too..." Riddle began to confess gaining everyone's attention.

"Eh?" While the boys were looking confused, Y/N just softly smiled.

" I like white roses, too. And pink flamingos are totally fine...And I prefer honey over sugar in tea. I actually like milk tea more than lemon tea... I wanted to talk with everyone after meals a lot, too..." The red-head said as his voice started to crack.

"Riddle...?" Trey said softly.

"And.........I've always... Always wanted to play with you more, Trey..." Riddle cracked before he started crying into Trey's chest as Trey enveloped him in a hug.

"No way... Riddle is crying..." Cater said, surprised.

'Of course he is. He's been holding in all that pain and resentment for so long he wasn't allowed to.' Yukiko thought.

"Hey! Don't think that I'll forgive you just because you're crying!" Ace said before Tsareena kicked him upside the head and he fell to the ground. "Ow! What was that for?!"

"You really should learn to read the atmosphere..." Deuce said frowning at Ace.

"I'm sorry, too. I always knew you were suffering but I kept quiet..." Trey said as he let Riddle let it all out. "That's why I'll say this now. Riddle, you were wrong. You should apologize to everyone here."

"... I'm sorry... I'm so sorry...!!" Riddle cried out as Yukiko rubbed his back in comfort.

"I actually wanted you to say sorry for everything you've done, Dorm Head, but..."

But Ace on the other hand; "As if I'll be satisfied with a single sorry!! I'll NEVER forgive you EVER!!!!" And that earned him another hit to the head.

"The heck you?!?!" Ace glared at Tsareena who glared back.

"In this situation? Really?" Grim asked.

"Of course! I experienced a lotta trauma! And the marron tart I worked hard to make was thrown like garbage! I won't forgive you easily even if you cry.......But, we should have a do-over of the Unbirthday Party." Ace said having everyone look at him.

"We weren't even allowed inside the party. Also, bring a tart that you made next time. Ah, you can't ask Trey-senpai for help either! Make it yourself from scratch! If you do that, then I may or may not forgive you...! Okay, okay, I'll forgive you then!" Ace suddenly changed his mind when he saw Tsareena ready to attack again.

Instead of looking sad, Riddle actually had a teary smile. "Yeah, I got it..."

"Indeed, indeed. What a beautiful turn-out this has been. Let's say things are settled for now, shall we?" Crowley said cheerfully.

---'---'-''''
Next is a redo of the Unbirthday Party then I will do an extra scenes chapter or two.

I'm stuck on whether to have Yukiko's Aunt Angela be able to briefly contact her niece through the Rotomdex and learn the truth of her heritage, teaching Heartslabyul how to make pokepuffs and malasadas, and making bento for the boys.

Plz comment 🙏