Generation Next

Written by Shaun Garin

Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Monsters GX is owned by Kazuki Takahashi and Studio Dice.


Whenever I see them, I'm constantly reminded how much I care for these kids.

Don't get me wrong, I hate the antics of the dropout-boy but at the same time, I can't help but wonder how much my life has changed since Number 110, Yuki Judai came into my life. From the day I met him to the time when I said to an Osiris Red, "You are my pride", I cannot imagine how things may have been changing since then.

Coming from an aristocratic family from Italy, my family the De Medici have been powerful and each one of us had our very own quirks at hand. Mine was duelling, how I loved it; enough that I located two of the most rare cards possible and that I gave up the third to a young boy, barely sixteen and powerful in his own right. Ever heard of the Blue Eyes White Dragon? Yes I owned it, once upon a time. But then Kaiba Seto requested it and I gave it up without delay. After all, I had what I wanted, the Medieval Darkness Deck I always dreamed about. And the centerpiece was my very own Antique Gear Golem.

I guess I have a magpie-like quality to my personality, seeking out the best and the most skilled like jewels. How I missed the jewel that shone so brightly in the sea of dull crystal was beyond me. Yuki Judai, number 110 and latecomer, Marufuji Sho, number 119 and brother of the powerful Kaiser, Marufuji Ryo, and my pride and joy, the one who stood through three years and had come so far; Maeda Hayato. How I wished that I could fall to his attack, succumb to its power and his passion. That giant Master of Oz that stared me in the face, mocking my Antique Gear Golem. One slip of the finger and I could fail to activate my magic card that would destroy it. But no, I must give him this final lesson before I turn him loose upon the world.

People see me as the evil villain, always looking for ways to spoil Duel Academy and prevent the trash from rising up in the world. Truth is, most people expect this from me as I constantly tried to stop Judai from progressing further, only to find that my excellent traps laid out for him made him stronger.

Judai has changed so much in Duel Academia, bridging gaps that were once immeasurable in length, forging friendships and even softening my own heart. I guess that's what makes him a Hero. I remember mocking the life of his deck so many months ago and now when I look upon it, I am constantly reminded of how far I've changed, how much time has changed me and the world around me. The Seven Stars, the Legendary Demons, Judai tying the Kaiser in a grand duel that would speak leagues of ones skill, Hayato, my pride and joy becoming part of Industrial Illusions, Manjyome returning to Duel Academia and in Osisis Red, the return of Tenjyoin Fubuki to our ranks, Tenjyoin Asuka being frustrated with her brothers antics; the list goes on and on. And when I look at it now that Marufuji Sho has proven his worth and I have defended Duel Academia from Napoleon, I can honestly say now that my world has changed for the better.

The world is ready for the Generation Next, the new blood of Duelists. And over them, the spirits of the elders watch over them and a little voice says Kuree Kuree.

I lean back, sip my champagne and relish the feeling of Sameshima's desk chair one last time. It's time to stop living in the past and seek the future with my own hands.