Chapter Text
The sea breeze wafted through Jesse’s hair as the young man stood at the front of the ship bound for the island of Duel Academy. Over his white, long-sleeved shirt he wore a blue vest and with it matching jeans and sneakers. A joyful grin spread across his face as the vessel neared that familiar coastline, that familiar light house and that familiar bridge. He could already feel his blood pumping, his body trembling, the excitement almost ready to burst. The GENEX Tournament had given him a taste of what life at Duel Academy could be like…and he’d wanted more.
“I’m back, Duel Academy!” He exclaimed, “And this time, I’m not gonna be pushed away quite so easily!”
“Easy there, mate,” interjected a voice behind Jesse, the young blue-haired man turning around to see a tall young man in a white shirt, leather vest and blue jeans, his black hair flaring to the left and right a he wore a wide-brimmed, slouch hat. Curiously, his right eye was covered by bandages…and perhaps more curiously was that he was accompanied by a crocodile. “Shirley could sense your blood pumping all the way from the pool,” the young man stated, gesturing behind him, “She can get pretty feisty when she feels someone else getting worked up.”
“I’m sorry, I just can’t help myself,” Jesse apologised, scratching the back of his head nervously, “…Uhh…I don’t believe we’ve been properly introduced.” Jesse offered his hand. “Name’s Jesse Anderson, I’m from North Academy.”
The taller boy smiled, shaking Jesse’s hand. “Name’s Jim Cook from South Academy.” He gestured to the crocodile next to him. “This here’s Shirley. Her bite is worse than her bark but she’s as good a friend as I could hope for.” The Crocodile eyed off Jesse, making some kind of snorting sound. “So, you’ve been to Duel Academy before?”
Jesse nodded. “Yep, and I couldn’t get enough of it,” he answered, “…especially this one guy. I wanted to duel him so bad…but rules were rules.” Jesse smiled. “But now, as an exchange student, I got nothing holding me back!”
Jim laughed. “S’truth?” He questioned, Jesse nodded, “Well, I guess throwing my hat into the ring was the right call then.” Jim stood next to Jesse as the pair faced Duel Academy together. “So…what’s the name of this fella that’s got you ready to throw some cards?”
Jesse grinned. “Jaden Yuki.”
………………………
A panicked scream echoed across the cliffs around the Slifer Red Dorm as Jaden’s eyes were wide in panic. Gone was the rustic, two-story building…and in its place was a larger, L-shaped one with notably greater distance between the doors, a fenced off area within the bend of the L…and even a few more rooms than he remembered.
“The Slifer Dorm…what did they do to it?” Jaden questioned, falling to his knees.
“Looks like they remodelled it,” cooed a voice to Jaden’s right, the Slifer Ace looking up to seeing an unexpected sight; Luna Sapphires, clad in a white dress over which she wore an elongated version of the Red Jacket, “Maybe this might help lower the attrition rate of Slifer Red Students.” She smiled at Jaden. “It’s good to see you again, Jaden…but why are you still in Slifer Red? Someone who’s a match for Zane should be in Obelisk Blue, yes?”
Jaden stood up, huffing. “I happened to like the Red Dorm,” he answered, “Both the uniform and the building.”
Luna sighed, patting Jaden on the back. “Change is an important part of life, Jaden,” he noted, “We can either accept it and grow or cling to the past, letting it consume us.” Luna nodded, folding her arms. “This is, perhaps, why Egypt was the only empire of the near-east that survived the Bronze Age collapse.” Suddenly, an explosion sounded from the fenced off area, Jaden’s expression immediately turning to one of curiosity…and then joy.
“Hey, someone’s dueling! I wanna see!” Jaden exclaimed, rushing towards the fenced off area.
Luna sighed…and then smiled. “I suppose some things staying the same isn’t bad…”
Jaden quickly found one of the gates leading into the fenced off area, finding it to be a duel arena. He smiled at the sight of the properly measured lines that matched the exhibition stage inside the main academy building. His eyes turned to one end of the arena…seeing Alfimi standing there, clad in a Slifer Red Girls Uniform with her Duel Disk active, five cards in her hand. And across from her…stood David Smith, Jaden gasping as the Former Shadow Rider held his own hand, a confident grin on his face. From what Jaden could see, the Duel had only just begun…but behind Alfimi sat Hassleberry, the muscular Ra Student groaning in frustration…before his eyes lit up at the sight of Jaden. He at once picked himself up and rushed over to Jaden.
“Top of the morning to you, Sarge,” Hassleberry greeted, saluting Jaden.
Jaden chuckled, saluting back. “Hey there…trooper,” Jaden replied, “So…why are they dueling already?”
Hassleberry sighed, then turned around to look at David. “That smug, smiling son of a gun was looking for you,” the Ra Student explained, “Said you and him had some business that required a duel. I told him that you weren’t home and, even if you were, he wasn’t worth your time. He disagreed…and he whipped my behind. Kept stealing my Dinos and using them against me!”
“So, he’s back to using his Scab Scar Knight again?” Jaden asked, Hassleberry nodding, “Well…why’s Alfimi dueling David?”
“She came looking for Bree,” Hassleberry dutifully answered, “Which is odd cause I saw her by the Blue Barracks this morning.” Jaden looked at Hassleberry. “Change of threads and everything. Makes sense since she made it to the GENEX Quarter Finals last year.” Jaden smiled at that thought before turning his attention back to Alfimi.
David smiled. “Ladies first,” he stated, gesturing to her, “I’d like to see what one as lovely as you can do.”
Alfimi looked at her hand. “I activate…Power Bond!” She declared, wind and lightning circling above her, “This card will let me Fusion Summon a Machine Monster at twice the usual strength.”
Hassleberry gulped. “…But at the end of the turn, she’ll be taking damage equal to her monster’s original attack points,” he noted, “Powerful card…but where’d she get it? That card is meant to be a Truesdale family speciality.”
Jaden reached into his pocket, pulling out a sealed pack of cards. “I guess she must have gotten it from her Prize Pack,” Jaden explained, Hassleberry looking at him in confusion, “All the Semi-Finalists from the GENEX Tournament got a tailor-made pack of rare or powerful cards as a prize just for placing in the Semi-Finals. I haven’t opened mine yet…but I guess she must have gotten a copy of Power Bond from hers.”
Alfimi smiled. “I’ll combine my Panther Warrior and Cannon Soldier together to form a creature with the instincts of a beast and the power of a machine,” she continued, two streams of energy rising up into the chaos above her, “I Fusion Summon Beastborg Panther Predator!” Lightning crashed down in front of Alfimi, dissipating to reveal, the half-machine form of the humanoid panther, a scimitar in its hand (ATK 1600 -> 3200). Alfimi slid another card from her hand. “Next I’ll use my Limiter Removal Spell Card; this doubles the attack points of all Machine monsters on my field, such as my Panther Predator, but destroys them at the end of the turn.” A glow surrounded the Panther Predator as lightning danced around it’s form (ATK 3200 -> 6400).
“A bold play, my dear,” David noted, “But you forget that it’s the first turn. Mighty as your Panther Predator is…” he smirked, “…It can’t attack me.”
Alfimi sighed. “…Interest. Killed.” She stared blankly at David. “…I activate Panther Predator’s effect. This lets me inflict damage to you equal to my monster’s current attack once per turn.” David gasped in alarm as Panther Predator’s mechanical eye lit up…before a red beam of light slammed into him, driving him to the edge of the arena, his LP plummeting to 800.
“Not bad…” he noted, “But on my turn, I’ll…”
“You’re not getting a turn,” Alfimi coldly interjected, “I activate De-Fusion!” Jaden smiled a little. “This will return Panther Predator to my Extra Deck and let me summon his Fusion Materials to the field.” The Panther Predator transformed into an orb of light that split apart and became two bodies, one taking the form of the armored, humanoid Panther Warrior (ATK 2000) and the other the blocky, mechanical Cannon Soldier (ATK 1400), its titular cannon atop its form pointed directly at David. “And now for Cannon Soldier’s effect,” Alfimi continued, “I can tribute monsters on my field and inflict 500 damage for each.” Panther Warrior transformed into a beam of light that flew into the barrel of the cannon. “Here’s the first shot.” The cannon fired, the shot slamming into David as his LP slid to 300. “And now the second…and last.” Cannon Soldier transformed into a stream of red energy that flew across the field, striking David one last time and sending him flying back into the fence behind him, his LP at 0. Alfimi exhaled slowly.
David stood up…and then applauded. “Absolutely amazing,” he congratulated, “Are you doing anything later? Maybe we can-” David yelled in alarm as a hand gripped his shoulder tightly, the Obelisk Student looking over his shoulder as sweat beaded at his brow…Crimson standing behind him with a murderous aura…and yet with an absolutely warm, almost loving smile.
“Davey,” she purred, “You wouldn’t happen to be trying to put your…charms…to work on Miss LuCreize over there, would you?” David gulped, chuckling nervously. Crimson’s smile took a sinister note…before her aura vanished, and a confused expression spread across her face. She looked down, seeing Alfimi’s hands fondling her generous bust, the transfer student smiling and drooling ferally behind her.
“So soft…so big…”
A loud thud filled the air as Crimson’s fist collided with the top of Alfimi’s head, flooring the blue-haired girl, spirals taking the place of her eyes as she saw stars and the world spun around her. David gasped in alarm…before yelling again as Crimson began to drag him away. Jaden blinked at the display in front of him…before smiling. And then laughing. Crimson smiled herself on the way out, flashing a peace sign towards Jaden as she left with David in tow.
“I see some things never change around here,” interjected another familiar voice to Jaden, the Slifer Student turning around…and seeing Jasmine standing at the entrance to the Dueling Area, holding her luggage in front of her as she smiled at Jaden. Jaden blinked as he studied her uniform…and the gasped. “What do you think, Jaden?” She asked.
“Jasmine…you’re a Slifer Red?”
………………………
“This is…extravagant…” Alexis noted, stepping into the new suite she and Karyu had been awarded, “…I kind of miss the cabin to be honest.” Past the entry was a small kitchen and dining are with an adjoining lounge area that, in turn, branched off into a bedroom and adjoining bathroom. Alexis stepped into the lounge area. “…And you say all the top students are getting these?”
Karyu walked into the suite, nodding slowly. “Highest ranked pair of students,” Karyu answered, “As well as Research Students, Visitors and other case-by-case exceptions.” He smiled softly. “Sorry if it’s not to your liking, but they tore down the Study Cabins over the break.” He joined Alexis in the living area before looking out the window at the greater area of Duel Academy. “Most of the renovation budget went to Slifer dorm this year…as well as efforts to preserve the Abandoned Dorm.” Alexis looked at Karyu, noting the bag he had slung over his shoulder…and the familiar tome sticking out of it, that golden eye seemingly looking at her.
“…You still have…Banner’s Book?” She questioned.
Karyu looked over his shoulder, his eyes widening in horror. “I’m sorry,” he apologized, “I should’ve thought about…”
Alexis shook her head. “No, it’s ok,” she noted, “I won’t forgive Banner for what he did to Atticus…but I can’t forget what he tried to do to make things right.” She smiled solemnly as Karyu closed the distance between them, embracing Alexis in a warm hug…and Alexis hugged him in turn. “…You know…this reminds me of a couple of nights ago…”
Karyu raised an eyebrow. “Do you regret us doing that?”
Alexis shook her head softly. “No, I don’t regret it happening,” she replied, “I just kind of wish it wasn’t so random.” She blushed at the memory of their break, how a few nights earlier to this they had simply laid together…and then come even closer. Alexis stepped back. “…Don’t be getting any ideas that it’ll be as simple as that night,” she stated, “I mean…we are back at the Academy and…”
Karyu nodded. “I understand,” he noted. Alexis smiled at him, closing the distance and gently pressing her lips to his…
…………………………..
Axel Brodie opened the brief case in front of him as he sat at the desk of his cabin. Inside was some kind of disassembled device. He reached into it, removing casing, holsters and even a firing mechanism. And then, with practiced precision…he got to work assembling it. In absolute silence, he worked to put it together…his Duel Disk, customised to appear not unlike an oversized golden magnum, though with a muzzle akin to that of a flame thrower. The dark-skinned, dark-haired, muscular young man quickly fix the device to his arm, slid his deck into his holster within the device, stood up and faced the door, five cards drawn…
…just as there was a knock on the door. “Come in,” he coldly stated. Into the room walked another tall, muscular figure, though this one in a blue Duel Academy Teachers uniform, not unlike Crowlers though with more militaristic regalia in place of the frills and fluffs. His hair stood as though gelled, facing forward akin to the head of a snake. “Professor Viper…” Axel noted.
“At ease,” Viper instructed, Axel nodding, returning his hand to his deck and disengaging his Duel Disk, “Your abilities continue to exceed my expectations.”
“Thank you, Professor,” Axel replied.
Viper chuckled. “No need to be so formal with me,” Viper noted, “Ever since your father’s death, I’ve raised you as though you were my own flesh and blood.” Viper looked down, a hint of melancholy all to familiar to Axel in his eyes. “But enough about that,” Viper continued, steeling himself again, “We’ll soon be arriving at Duel Academy. Reggie says that a handful of students show a lot of promise…but the rest are slack, lazy and need a thorough course correction. At least…that was my takeaway from it.” Axel noted.
“Just tell me what you need,” the American student stated.
Viper nodded in response. “I need you to be my eyes and ears on the ground,” Viper stated, “I need you to act where I cannot, to push these slackers to their limits. To help me straighten them out and set them on the path to the future!”
“I won’t let you down, Professor,” Axel affirmed, clenching his fist in front of his chest.
“I know you won’t,” Viper replied, “You never have.”
…………………………….
The crowds of students murmured and chattered among themselves as the Senior Year Auditorium filled up. Jaden sat between Jasmine, who seemed to be beaming with her usual joy…and Alfimi who seemed to be slumping depressed on the desk. Behind them sat Chazz and Mindy, with Syrus and Blair to their left, and Miyuki and Hassleberry to their right. Alfimi groaned again…before suddenly sitting up at the sight of three students moving to the row in front of her…Alexis, then Karyu and finally Bree, the third of this group now clad in an Obelisk Blue Uniform.
“There you are!” Alfimi called out, Bree gasping and then blushing, “I can’t believe you ditched me to join the Blue Dorm!” Bree said nothing a first…before gasping as Alfimi took hold of her breasts when Bree tried to pass. “Ahh…I’ve been waiting all break for these!”
“Cut it out!” Jasmine snapped, slapping Alfimi. The blue-haired girl chuckled, releasing Bree from her grasp, allowing the brunette to pass and sit in her seat, “…maybe I should have stayed in the Blue Dorm after all…”
Alexis looked up over her shoulder. “I’ve been meaning to ask about that,” Alexis stated, “Why’d you…demote yourself? And all the way to Red?” Jasmine pulled out her PDA and opened up a file she’d saved. “What’s this? A copy of the Lodging Regulations?” Jasmine nodded as Alexis quickly saw that certain lines were highlighted. “Let’s see here…No Physically Male Student may enter the premises of the Obelisk Blue Girl’s dorm…No Physically Female Student may remain within the Premises of the Obelisk Blue Boy’s dorm after light’s out…Oh…” Alexis chuckled. “I understand now.”
“What?” Syrus asked, leaning forward.
Alfimi sat up, her cheek still bearing the red mark of Jasmine’s hand. “One of the revisions added over the break states that Physically Male and Female students may not spend evenings within shared lodgings…but all Senior and Research Students have an exemption from the rule.” Alfimi grinned. “Of course…any accidents will lead to immediate expulsion…”
“Ok…so why the demotion?” Blair questioned, “I mean, it’s sweet and all…but why go that far?”
“…Because the Blue Dorm Buildings, perhaps due to being in Advertisements, have special rulings regarding co-habitation,” Karyu explained, “The Slifer and Ra Dorms, however, don’t have specific dorm buildings for Male and Female students and thus are where the Senior Exemption can be applied. Depending on how competitive placing gets, you might be forced into a situation where Co-Habitation is required.” Karyu looked at Bree and she blushed, thinking back to the first year. “The Senior Exemption is likely there both as a show of faith and a means of protecting any juniors from…well…the reason co-habitation is so contentious among the school board.”
Jaden smiled at Jasmine before looking up over his shoulder…and seeing Jin sitting several rows above him, glaring at Jaden. Jaden grinned back. …Jaden… Jaden looked around for a moment, unsure of where that voice had come from. He felt cold suddenly, his chest feeling particularly heavy. Unbeknownst to Jaden, Jin grinned, pulling a deck of cards from within his blue coat, his eyes fixing on the first card.
Before Jaden could question what had happened further, the room dimmed somewhat as Chancellor Sheppard walked onto the stage, the figures of Midori, Crowler, Fonda, Satyr and Luna stepping out behind him and taking a seat on a row of chairs behind and to Sheppard’s left. Curiously, though, there was a sixth seat. And a second group of four seats on the opposite side of Sheppard.
Sheppard tapped the microphone on the pedestal in front of him. “Good morning, Students,” he greeted, smiling, “I must say it’s pleasing to see so many returning faces to this school…especially after how crazy last year got.” The students murmured among themselves for a moment. “But the past is the past and it’s time for us to focus on the future! And, I can tell you, your future will be filled with a whole slate of new challenges.” Sheppard paused for a moment. “But before we get to that, a couple of returning faces deserve a welcome.” Sheppard gestured to the teachers. “Returning to us after her year-long trip to Egypt is Miss Luna Sapphires. She will be resuming her previous post as History Teacher and Co-Principal of the Slifer Red dorm.” The students clapped as Luna waved and smiled at the crowd. Sheppard pointed up to the crowd. “Also returning to us from his year in America is David Smith, who represented us at our sister academy in America while Miss Reggie Mackenzie represented the American Academy here.” The applause for David was less enthusiastic than it had been for Luna, but Crimson did attempt to lead as many students as possible into congratulating David.
“And now, onto the future,” Sheppard continued, “Last year, we had the privilege of hosting two amazing students from abroad.” Sheppard eyed off Alfimi nervously as she waved at him. “…and, of course, the lovely Miss Alfimi LuCreize enjoyed her stay so much she decided to transfer here…” Sheppard exhaled. “But that experience got me thinking; if having students from two of our Sister Academies worked out so well…why not host a student from all four?” The crowd oohed at this question. “And that’s exactly what has happened!”
Sheppard gestured to the right side of the stage. “Joining us from South Academy, Jim ‘Crocodile’ Cook!” Jim stepped out onto the stage, Shirley walking with him, waving to his new classmates. “From the American Academy, we have Axel Brodie!” Axel was the next to step out onto the stage, standing at attention with his hands behind his back next to Jim. “From the Near-East Academy, allow me to introduce Adrian Gecko!” Another young man stepped out onto the stage, tall with spiky light brown hair, his eyes covered by a pair of glasses as he wore some king of cape over a robe-like shirt and pants. “And finally, from North Academy, we have a somewhat familiar face. He competed in the GENEX Tournament last year but was sadly eliminated by his peer. He’s Jesse Anderson!” Jesse dashed out onto the stage, waving at the assembled body of students…before locking gazes with Jaden.
This time, we’re gonna have that duel! “How do you do, Duel Academy?” Jesse exclaimed, looking away from Jaden to wave at the rest of the crowd. They applauded and even cheered in response as his took his spot next to Adrian in the line-up.
“Of course, its not just some students joining us this year,” Sheppard stated, the four exchange students sitting down, “As a special favor from the American academy, for this year we will be joined by one of their most talented instructors.” Sheppard gestured behind once again. “With great pride, I introduce Professor Thelonius Viper!” Professor Viper stepped out onto the stage, the sound of his boot steps echoing through the hall as he scanned the body of students. “Professor Viper will be taking over as the Chief Assessment Officer for this year.” Sheppard looked at Viper. “Care to share a few words with the students?”
Viper nodded, stepping towards the pedestal as Sheppard stepped to the side. “Thank you for the introduction, Chancellor,” Viper began before once more looking across the body of students, “I’m not going to sugar-coat things for you all; I’m a man with high standards who expects high results. I’ve guided students to achieve these high results in America and I am going to do so here. And the first step towards that goal is the suspension of the traditional examination block…in favour of the Survival Duel System.” The crowd began to murmur. “Rather than partaking in traditional blocks of written and practical exams, you will have smaller written exams more frequently. Furthermore, your practical examination ranks will be graded on every duel you participate in. And you will be required to participate in a minimum number of duels each week or face either demotion or expulsion.” The crowd gasped and whispered among themselves in alarm. “Not only will you be evaluated on how well you play,” Viper continued, “You will be graded against who your chosen opponent is and how they stand in relation to yourself, both in official rankings as well as a new metric I will be instituting.”
“So that means the higher-ranking students can’t just make weekly sweeps of the lower ranked students to stay afloat,” Alexis noted, “They have to duel among themselves.” She smiled somewhat. “I have to admit it’s a good system to encourage us to keep improving, even if it seems harsh on the surface.”
Karyu chuckled. “Though I suspect the likes of Torimaki or Wisteria are less than thrilled…” he added, “Given that Torimaki and his gang were probably the second largest factor to the Slifer Attrition rate over the last two years.”
“With this in mind,” Viper stated, “Chancellor Sheppard and I have already agreed what this year’s exhibition match will be.” Viper smiled. “Though, I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised by one of the combatant’s willingness, having volunteered before we even arrived ashore.” Jaden sat on the edge of the seat. “This New Semester Exhibition Match will be Jesse Anderson vs Jaden Yuki!” Jaden grinned, locking gazes with the grinning form of Jesse. “The match will begin in one hour. Make your preparations and duel well.” Viper bowed his head before stepping back from the pedestal.
Alfimi grinned. “Well, well,” she mused, “Guess we’re getting one of the most interesting match-ups right off the bat.” She grinned at Jaden. “You better watch yourself, Jaden,” she noted, looking towards the Slifer Ace, “Because if I was North Academy’s answer to Alexis…Jesse is the North Academy answer to you.”
Jaden gulped in response to his, shivering a little in anticipation. So, it’ll be like facing myself, huh? In that case, I’d better get my game on!