The dimly lit hallways of Monster High pulsed with their usual gothic charm, but today, a new energy surged through the school as a stranger made their way down the corridors. Heads turned, voices hushed, and a ripple of admiration swept through the student body. This wasn’t about being weird or freaky—this new student had a presence that commanded attention and respect. They were scary cool in the most literal sense.

Deuce Gorgon leaned against his locker, arms crossed, his snakes lazily shifting beneath his beanie. Cleo de Nile stood beside him, gesturing dramatically as she vented about something her sister, Nefera, had said to her earlier. Deuce nodded occasionally, though his focus wavered as a faint sound of unfamiliar footsteps reached his ears.

When his eyes finally shifted to the source, his cool composure nearly cracked. The newcomer was... well, let’s just say his snakes hissed in excitement, curling and twisting under his hat like they were trying to escape. He snapped his fingers quickly to silence them, but the sudden motion drew Cleo’s attention.

Her eyes followed his gaze, and a sly smile spread across her face. “Go say hi, Deuce,” she said, nudging him toward the newcomer. “I’m sure they’d appreciate a warm welcome from someone like you.”

Deuce chuckled under his breath, shaking his head as he pushed off the locker. “From overbearing girlfriend to overbearing friend,” he muttered with a wry grin, straightening his shades and adjusting his jacket.

Gathering his composure, he strolled over to the new student, his usual laid-back confidence tempered by the excited hissing of his snakes, which seemed more eager to greet the newcomer than he was willing to admit.