Quick Note before we Begin:
Hello, readers! I won't have notes like this in every part, I promise. Just wanting to establish a bit of background, since this story of mine is 10+ years old (no, I'm not kidding).
1. I've gone over this story and re-written the plot several times over. The characters have changed as I have; I started writing this fic when I was 10-11 years old and I am currently almost 22.
2. Although I have Arc 1 finished (and there are seven arcs, so that you're aware), I do not have any other completed arcs yet, as just recently I decided to scrap and rethink the entire plot for this fanfiction. It still has the same general premise that I began with, it's just a bit better executed.
3. Yes my main OC-protag is named Noah; No, it is not in relation to Noa Kaiba. The name actually came to me before I even got to that arc in watching Yu-Gi-Oh! way back when, and it just stuck. This story combined both the Japanese and English dubs of the anime series (with some sprinkling of Season 0 reference), but completely ignores the Virtual World arc and the Grand Championship arc for time's sake. Many original characters of DM are included, as well as several new ones of my own design.
(Cookies to those who've read this far) Lastly, I do still welcome all the critique for my writing, but please be aware that-as this story is 10+ years old-there's not much more I'm willing to "change up" in regards to plot or character personality (unless the critique happens to mention a way of making something smoother, or filling any plot holes I may have missed, which is always possible).
tl;dr - This story is 10+ years old. There are certain things I am neglecting from the original anime series for the sake of continuity in my story, but nothing of significance to the main plot. The Virtual World Arc and Grand Championship Arc are ignored for this purpose. I appreciate any and all comments and critiques, but please be aware that this story is very old and there's not too much more I'm willing to change for the sake of not wanting to go through it once more for the umpteenth time.
That being said, thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy!
Yu-Gi-Oh! (c) Kazuki Takahashi & KONAMI
All OCs and "YGO AD" story (c) me (Bee)
The alarm clock went off for a third time; a hand pressed down on the snooze, a small, reluctant groan along with it. He'd been trying to put this day off for months, and now all he could do was extend the time that he had left by nine minutes apiece before suffering the day away.
Except, this time around, there was a knock at his bedroom door, and a call from his mother, "Noah? Are you up yet–?"
He grumbled incoherently into his pillow before sitting up and rubbing the sleep away from his face.
Then he raised his voice enough to be heard, though his speech was still a little slurry, "M'up, Mom, I'm up, really…"
"Well, hurry and get down here to eat, or you'll be late!"
'Like I care to be on time…?' Noah sighed and rolled his eyes, before shoving the bed covers off.
The time finally came for his first day of last year at a new high school, not that he looked forward to attending this school. Firstly, he'd always considered being 'social' to be overrated, and he really only went to school to learn. He was clever enough as it was (in his own eyes) and being around people made him feel claustrophobic and at the same time like a dead battery. He wished his mother would've listened to him about just being home-schooled.
Secondly, it was his father's old high school; the thought alone made his blood boil. He'd tried the past five-to-six years to cut off any ties to the man. And yet, somehow, he found himself running into the name multiple times over in just the past few weeks since he and his mother arrived. He supposed that fate just hated him that way. The sooner he could get through his final year and leave Domino City for good, the better off he'd be.
He groaned once again as he got up and out of bed to pull his uniform on. Noah's appearance didn't even match his surname: he was fairly tall, had naturally-blond hair that did spike up oddly in the back when he'd gotten it cut so short [though he tried to flatten it as best as he could], and bright blue eyes that had some odd mix of light and dark hues. He was fairly normal-looking, actually, considering his genes.
After he'd pulled the uniform on, he grabbed his bag and rushed down the stairs, heading straight for the door and skipping any lectures his mom might give him about another new school.
She did call from the kitchen, leaning halfway over the counter as he ran past the breakfast bar, "Wait!—What about your breakfast–?"
"I'll eat when I get there–!" He quickly replied with a wave of his hand, before the door slammed to punctuate his sentence.
For a moment, she glared at the door, but then gave a huff as her hands went to her hips. She knew already that he wouldn't eat at all.
"Always in a rush to get somewhere, yet somehow never on time to where he needs to be…" She grumbled to herself.
Her glare quickly fell as she thought about it, and then she glanced over to the living room, at a picture of the family taken when Noah was still a child. [Noah had actually insisted on moving it to her room, but she 'asked' for at least one picture to remain in the living room.]
Her shoulders relaxed, and she went over to the picture, taking it into her hands, "Like father, like son, right…?"
Téa looked at the photograph a bit longer, before sighing and looking to the calendar.
'Ten years since you disappeared…'
She looked over to the window, carefully setting the picture back down after wiping it of any dust with her apron, 'But I know you didn't just leave like Noah thinks…You wouldn't just walk out on your family…'
She stared at the image for a bit longer before going back up to get ready for work; however her steps were slow as she head into the bedroom, where much more pictures were set up all around.
Téa gave a small sigh and looked out the window as she took out her ponytail band, combing out her hair, which, by this point, reached the middle of her back.
'I wish you were here, Yugi…I wish you could see how much he's like you…'
She paused in combing, lying back on the king-size bed, sitting in the silence for just a moment, 'He wants you home…I know he does…'
Noah sprinted to get to the school; Domino High School was still held in high regard, but there was that nagging weight on his shoulders about being enrolled there. Noah was still rather bitter over his mother's insistence of moving back to Domino City. After going between the States and a couple years in London, Domino City was a step down for Noah at this point, more because of its grisly reminders than its actual stature.
With Téa having once been one of the best, world-renowned dancers in New York, it was easy for her to get any job teaching dance at several universities and studios. After many years, she was transferred to London, and they lived there for two years before Téa finally insisted they return to Domino to get back in touch with their hometown. Noah would've much rather stayed in the U.K., even if the last school he was at wasn't the best for him, mentally or education-wise.
But instead, he ran onto the Domino High campus, trying not to be late for his first class and make a bad reputation for himself within less than twenty-four hours.
But as he put one foot on the steps up to the front doors—
~bump-bump~~
He abruptly stopped, pulling back and away from the steps. Maybe it was from having run a mile and a half to get there, but the moment he took that step, it felt like his heart had jumped into his throat, gave a loud beat, and then fell down into his stomach. It gave him a surge of anxiety and dread.
Noah's eyes narrowed, and he tried to go up the steps again. The same thing happened.
'What in the world…?' He thought, stepping back down and looking at the stairs with an arched brow. There didn't seem to be a switch or crack in the steps.
But then he heard the small bell of a bicycle and turned about; right when he did, there was a quick yell of "Look out!" before a bike slid on the dirt and, consequently, rammed into him, sending him right onto his back with a yell and a harsh THUD.
For a moment he laid there, as the relapse passed over, and he went ahead and gave a light groan [although his pain tolerance was actually pretty high].
Then whoever had rammed into him spoke up, "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry–! Are you okay–?"
He started getting up into a sitting position, rubbing the back of his head and starting to flatly mumble, "Yeah…Yeah, I'm just peachy after being rammed into by some crazy, ditzy—"
However, Noah's words came to a halt when he looked at the person, from bottom to top, specifically at a 'her.' And it was a cute 'her,' in his opinion.
Her long, slightly-wavy hair was a lighter blonde than his own and stretched down to her waist, her brown eyes bright and brought out a bit more from the blue bow on her uniform. Her skin was fair, and she was on the taller side, even with her loafers.
Yet, she then glared at him, hands going to her waist as she stood up again, having been bent over him, "Well, excuse me, then. Don't bother getting up on my account."
Noah straightened and sat up a bit more before giving a sheepish frown, "I-I'm sorry…I-I was just startled…"
He got himself up as she put her bike in the racks, and then gently cleared his throat as he brushed himself off, "A-Are you in your last year, too, or…?"
"Yeah," The girl replied, a bit more calmly and politely, "I've been at this high school all four years, though."
"Oh, that's good, actually—See, I'm new here, and I was told my classroom…was…Can I help you with somethin'–?"
Noah's question had come to a halt when she started circling around him, having done so after getting a good look at him.
At his question, she turned and an eyebrow soon rose on her face, her head tilting just a little, "Do I know you?" She asked him finally, "You look like someone I've seen before."
"No," Noah replied, rather abruptly, before giving a shake of his head, "No, I-I've just moved back here recently. You probably haven't seen me at all."
Already he had to be worried about being associated with his last name.
"You sure?" She replied, circling him and examining him again, "C'mon, it's gonna bug me. I know you from somewhere."
His shoulders tensed up from being observed and examined, but he soon gave a harsh sigh, "Look, I literally just moved back here a few weeks ago. I don't know anybody around here."
"Wait!" The girl then brightened, coming up closer to him rather abruptly, "Now I know where I've seen you! It's all in the shape of your face. My dad's told me all about you and your family!"
This time, Noah arched a brow at her, "How would your dad know about my family?"
"I can explain later. Would you mind meeting me back here after school?—I-If you're not busy afterwards?"
Noah tensed; this sounded an awful lot like he was about to be told about a life-changing relation that he did not want any part of.
"Th-Thanks, but I-I don't think I—"
"Please? I promise it'll be worth your while. I think you'll recognize my dad real quick."
She stared at Noah with a pleading smile that twisted his guts.
He ended up giving a regretful sigh and gently closed his eyes for a moment.
"Yeah. All right, sure," He mumbled in defeat.
The girl grinned at him and clasped her hands together, "Great! I'll see you after classes, then–!"
And then she started off to her own classroom, though midway to the door she turned in her heel and gave him a friendly wave.
"Oh, and my name's Jessie!" She shouted before going up the stairs and through the doors.
Noah looked after her tiredly before sighing and slapping a hand to his forehead in exasperation. Two minutes at this school and he'd already set himself up for trouble.
'Is it just universally impossible for things to go how I want…?' He thought to himself.
Still, he gave a sigh and tried walking up the stairs again, the odd feeling of earlier having disappeared, and he went through the doors and headed for his classroom.
As the final bell rung for the day, Noah actually felt relatively relaxed, moving leisurely as he got his things together. Although, by the end of the day, his nerves rose once again as he headed out to meet Jessie by the racks. She was way too excitable, a bit of a ditz, and definitely clumsy on her wheels.
…Still, it'd been quite some time since he'd had some kind of a companion. As long as he didn't open up too much. He assumed her father would simply apologize for her eagerness and ask him to stay to eat. Simple enough.
Noah stood by the rack, sighing lightly, and sent a brief text to his mother that he was being held up by an hour or so. She never really questioned much when he'd tell her that he was taking more time doing something.
Then there was a small yell, somewhere off to his left, and he turned abruptly with a small jump.
There were two rather large boys towering over a petite, brunette girl over in the nearby shrubbery and tree; she sat on the ground, skirt and bow slightly disheveled, looking up at them with her hazel eyes, her hair pulled back out of her face by a bright yellow headband.
"Please, leave me alone–!" She said to them firmly, backing up on the ground and trying to keep her voice loud to attract attention.
One of them lifted her back up by the upper arm, holding her tightly, "Oh c'mon…you're not in a position to refuse us…"
She tried to tug her arm away, though not out of his grip, "I said already for you not to touch me–!"
The boy holding her smirked before something came over the back of his head; he yelled out and let go of her, but then was yanked back and thrown to the ground. Upon looking up, he saw Noah standing before the girl, bag slung over his shoulder.
Noah glared back at him, eyes soon narrowing, "When a girl says to leave her alone, ya leave her the hell alone, bastard."
"Stay outta this, beanpole," The other boy replied, standing up again, "Don't go nosin' into people's business."
"It's been made my business," Noah threatened, tossing his bag aside.
The two glared at him, but then one came at Noah with a quick rush; almost as a second reflex, Noah whipped around and stretched a leg, swerving and tripping him so that he crashed into the tree. The second tried the same, and Noah took him by the wrist, bending his arm behind his back, temporarily incapacitating him, but then he turned him about and shoved him against the first guy so that they both were thrown back into the tree, stunned and collapsed.
Noah straightened, fixing his jacket and giving a small "hmph."
The girl gave a small sigh of relief, coming over to Noah after getting his bag.
He was brushing his sleeves off as he asked her, "Did they hurt you at all?"
She shook her head, a bit frazzled, but managed to give him a weak smile, "N-No, no, they didn't. I-I'm fine…Thank you."
His eyes softened in return and he took his bag when she offered it, though he then saw Jessie coming over to them from the racks.
She frowned, glancing at the two collapsed boys, "Hey—Is everything okay? I saw you fighting…"
"It wasn't really much of a fight…" Noah muttered, eyeing the two.
Jessie sighed a little before glaring lightly at him, tone coming out in a chastising way, "You're gonna get in trouble if you keep picking fights like that."
Before Noah could counter her comment, Jessie smiled to the other girl first, "Hey, Sarah–!"
As she abruptly hugged her, the other girl chuckled tiredly while smiling softly, "Hi, Jessie…"
Noah looked between them, "You two know each other–?"
"We're cousins," Sarah replied with a nod while Jessie drew back.
Jessie then brightened, "Oh! Speaking of which, I was going to introduce Daddy to—" She gave a small frown to Noah, "I'm sorry, what's your name?"
He frowned at her while Sarah spoke up with an arched brow, "You invited him over without even asking for his name…?"
"But look at his face!" Jessie replied eagerly, then turning Noah to Sarah for her to look at him, and he flinched at the movement, "Tell me you recognize this face!"
Sarah arched a brow before she finally got a good look at him, "Hang on…Yeah, okay, I think I see it now," She smiled weakly, "I had to remember that group photo your dad has, Jess. But it's a long-shot—my dad said the family moved away, like, ten years ago…"
"But my dad will know for sure! That's why I'm bringing him with me!"
Noah finally sighed harshly and looked between them, "Mind telling me who this guy is that should know me and I should know him–?"
"C'mon, c'mon!" Jessie replied, taking him by the arm, and, after getting her bike, they were off, "Just trust me, you'll know him when you see him! This'll be so great!"
"I'm gonna apologize ahead of time for her," Sarah replied to Noah, trailing after the two as Jessie tugged him along in one hand while she had her bike in the other, "She's really…excitable."
"Oddly enough, I've already figured that out," He answered flatly.
Where they were, Noah had never been before; it had to be a newer place, but it looked to be a café squished between two larger buildings. It was on the smaller side, compared to the rest of downtown, but it looked to be in good business, for the most part.
He arched a brow, "What is this–? I don't remember this being here…"
"A café our dads work at—on the side, anyway. It was built a few years back," Sarah explained, "It was more my dad's idea, but he's a fantastic cook, and Jessie's dad definitely has enough…personality to bring people in."
Jessie left her bike chained up outside, and as they stepped into the café, there was a rather large rise in temperature from the machines running in the building. It had a rustic-city look to the interior, and it smelled like coffee and baked goods.
Jessie went up to the counter, speaking to the barista after she was greeted by name, "Could you tell my dad to come up front? There's someone I really want him to meet."
He gave a nod and left the counter for a moment, meanwhile Noah looked at some of the pictures that hung on the walls.
For the most part there were families, a few well-known political figures of Domino, perhaps one celebrity—except the one photo that caught his eye was the picture of his father, with his mother and a large group of people whom he just vaguely recognized. His mother kept a similar photo in her bedroom. Perhaps he'd met all the people in the photo as a child, but he couldn't have been too old.
His eyes widened a bit before the barista came back and smiled to Jessie, "He says he'll be out in a moment, Miss Wheeler."
Noah swerved and looked to her in shock, jaw dropping, "Wheeler? Jessie Wheeler? N-No way, not as in like the—"
But he stopped and came closer as a male came out from the back to the front counter; the shaggy blond hair and brown eyes coupled with the height was all too familiar to what Noah had always seen on old posters and in the man's televised Duels.
Noah's eyes were wide again, his jaw dropping once more, "Joey Wheeler…!?"