Hey! This is my first fanfiction ever, so please no flaming!

Anyway, Rise of the Phoenix is about Aster Phoenix finally becoming the hero he always wanted to be—but at a cost. Dun, dun, duuunnn! ROP takes place a week of two after Jaden defeats Sartorius in Season 2, whatever episode number that is…whatever, it's the last episode in Season 2.

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh GX. If I did this would be an actual episode (or possibly an actual movie), now wouldn't it?

Thanks for reading!

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"AHHHHHHHHHH!" Aster Phoenix screamed, jolting up in his bed. "NO!" He glanced around his room and, sighing in relief, realized that it was just a dream. He had had that recurring nightmare again; the one where he lost to the D. It hadn't been very long since Aster had dueled his legal guardian and won, but the memory of his father's face poking out of Plasimius, of the D's yacht on fire, of his once trusted guardian's expression and tone as he retold the story of Aster's father's demise…it was all just too much for the young Pro Leaguer.

And now he was having nightmares about losing that duel—of failing his father.

But now he was at Duel Academy, because he felt the need to complete the remainder of his term; it was only a few weeks until summer, anyway. Either way, it was time to put the D behind him. Along with an evil Sartorius, the Society of White, the Light of Destruction, everything. Even…no. Aster shook his head. He wouldn't think about that. But he couldn't help but think of it; but wallow in his own misery.

After all, when he had tried to become a hero, to save his best friend, what did it get him? An open slot of the damsel in distress. And, as much as he hated to admit it, he owed his life to Jaden because of it. Jaden Yuki.

Aster hated him, he really did. Deep down, he knew that the kid in the red jacket was a good guy, but…Aster was too jealous to admit that. And he was too proud to admit that.

He—Aster Phoenix, one of the youngest Pro Leaguers out there, master of every sport imaginable, and one smart dude—was jealous of a Yugi-Moto-wannabe. Scratch that—Yugi-Moto-couldbe.

Let's face it—that kid could actually be the next King of Games, Aster thought. It's possible. He let out a deep sigh. Why am I even thinking about this? He checked his watch. God, it's two in the morning and I'm laying here thinking about Jaden Yuki becoming the next King of Games. Maybe a midnight snack will help me get back to sleep. Wait—make that two-in-the-morning snack. He groggily got out of his plush bed and heading for his boat's kitchen. He always slept on his boat—it was better than the Obelisk dorm; fan girls found it much easier to approach a door than to swim a couple of meters out to a boat, plus it was bigger than any dorm DA could offer, even Chazz's.

Oh, well look at that, Aster thought angrily, trudging toward the fridge. Another person I don't like. I'd list the reasons, but they're totally obvious. Everyone hates Chazz except for Jaden, and he's an idiot. Chazz isn't like Jaden in that respect—while everyone hates Chazz, they also all love that Slifer kid. Except for me, Aster added as an afterthought as he took some shrimp from his refrigerator. But I have a logical reason. Or maybe I'm just making up excuses. Either way, I'm probably the only one out there who doesn't like—to quote Chazz—that Slacker.

After scarfing down his shrimp hungrily—he hadn't realized just how hungry he was until he started eating—he plodded back to his bed and nestled under his covers. Maybe Jaden and Chazz—no, make that this whole stinking academy—will fall off the face of the planet—maybe then I'd finally get some peace.

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Review, please! I'll update soon!