I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! GX, any of its characters, etc.
This fanfiction is rated E for Everyone.
Hiro opened his eyes to a bright orange light that constantly flickered. His eyes adjusted and he saw that the light was in fact a large fire, out of control and with a burnt house in its clutches.
"Mom! Dad!"
A voice was heard in front of Hiro, and he looked near the front of the house to see a small boy, and he sounded like he was crying.
"Hey, kid, what's wrong? W-What on earth happened here?" Hiro ran up to the kid and put his hand on his shoulder.
When the boy looked up towards him, the boy was indeed crying. However, he had no face, and tears streamed down from no visible starting point.
"They're gone... Gone..." The boy turned from Hiro's gaze and started sobbing again.
Hiro was jolted from his dream. His clothes were damp with sweat, and Hiro tasted salt. He touched his face to find he was crying, as well.
Hiro tried to get back to sleep, was unable to do so. With light starting to shine across the horizon, Hiro decided to calm down with a shower.
Hiro had been reading a book, but was still attentive of what Jaden was doing. "Jaden, what are you doing?"
Jaden had all of his cards spread out on the floor in front of him, and he was looking at them intently.
"You've been staring at your cards for the past hour. You've been awake since eight, and you usually you sleep until noon."
Jaden suddenly looked at Hiro. "Oh yeah, I haven't told you yet." Jaden stood up and turned at Hiro. "Anyways, there's this other dueling school called North Academy, and every year someone from our school duels against someone from their school in the annual School Duel." Jaden then grinned from ear to ear. "And this year I'm the one who's been picked to be Duel Academy's rep! Isn't that sweet?"
"W-wow, that's so cool! You're a great duelist, I'm sure you deserve it." Hiro closed his book and got out of his chair. "Come on, l-let's get some breakfast." Hiro looked at the lump resting on the top bunk. "I'll w-wake up Chumley, or at least tr-try. Oh, and where's Syrus?"
Jaden was putting up his cards. "Oh, he's already eaten and off taking a shower or something. I don't see how he can wake up so early in the morning."
Crowler stood in the shadows near the Slifer Red dorm, chuckling to himself. If my plan works like it should, then when Jaden leaves his room, he won't be in any condition to participate in the school duel. Then the spot will be free for me to nominate another student of my choosing.
Outside the dorm room, the flooring under the welcome mat had been weakened near breaking point.
Crowler watched carefully from his hiding place, but he screamed a little when Hiro was the first one to leave the room.
"Come on, let's go!" Hiro was so hungry he dashed out the door and jumped over the welcome mat.
"I hope there's grilled cheese." Chumley walked out of the room next.
Crowler almost lost it as Chumley walked across the mat. The wood creaked heavily but didn't give.
"Grilled cheese for breakfast?" Finally, Jaden walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. "I don't think your obsession with grilled cheese would make sense of it being served for breakfast."
Crowler sighed in relief as Jaden walked onto the mat.
There was a loud crash as Jaden fell through the flooring to the ground below.
And right onto Hiro.
Hiro had been standing at the door of the mess hall of the Slifer Red dorm, coincidently directly underneath their dorm room.
"Ow, my arm!" Jaden cried out in pain. Jaden jumped off of Hiro and was holding his limp arm.
Hiro got up and studied Jaden's arm. "This looks b-bad! We-we'll have to get you to the i-infirmary!"
Chumley put his hands on his hips, and said sadly, "Does this mean we're skipping breakfast?"
"Eh, y-you better go on ahead and eat. We'll catch up to you later." Jaden tried to wave goodbye to Chumley with his hurt hand, and was only rewarded with a wince of pain for his troubles.
"I hate to say this, but you've got a broken arm." The doctor checked Jaden's x-rays. "Luckily it's a clean break. It's a good thing you landed on your friend here," the doctor pointed to Hiro. "Or things could've been much worse."
"Broken! What does this mean for my dueling? I can still duel, right?" Jaden looked at the doctor pleadingly.
"Well, normal dueling is fine, without the use of a duel disk. But dueling with one, the holographic monsters would put too much strain on your arm."
Sheppard was also there in the infirmary, and was dismayed at the news. "But Jaden's our representative in the School Duel, and it's in three days! If he can't duel, then what are we supposed to do?"
"You'll just have to find a replacement, I'm afraid. Jaden mustn't be allowed to duel in such a manner until his arm fully heals in a few weeks. That's the end of it." the doctor said curtly. He then left the room.
The door to the infirmary suddenly opened, and Alexis and Syrus rushed in.
Alexis ran up to Jaden's bedside. "Jaden, are you okay? I came as quickly as I could when I heard what happened."
Hiro turned to see her, and immediately his face reddened.
Jaden crossed his good arm across his chest with his broken arm in the sling. "My arm's broken, but that's not the problem. The doctor says I can't duel in the School Duel!"
Alexis's eyes widened at the news. "But you're one of the best duelists at our school! Who could replace you?" Alexis then noticed Hiro, and Hiro's turned away from her. "Oh, you're the one who beat Dr. Crowler."
"Oh yeah, you two haven't met yet. Alexis, this is Hiro. Hiro, this is my friend Alexis." Jaden motioned with his hands as he spoke.
"U-Um, h-h-h-h-hi A-Alexis. N-N-N-N-Nice to m-m-m-meet you." Hiro shook Alexis's hand shakily.
"Hey, what's up Hiro?" Jaden cocked his head at Hiro. "You don't usually stutter this much."
"I think it's cute." Alexis said it jokingly, but Hiro's face only reddened even more. "Well, I'm Alexis Rhodes. It's nice to meet you, too." She smiled at Hiro, and he looked away quickly.
Jaden smirked with confidence. "I think I have the perfect idea for a replacement." Jaden pointed dramatically at Hiro. "Hiro, I think you should take my place in the School Duel!"
"W-W-W-W-What? M-M-M-M-M-M-Me? N-No, I-I-I-I-I-I..." Hiro stuttered profusely at Jaden's idea.
Syrus sighed. "There he goes again. If he's this nervous when he's not dueling, what about when he is? Do you think this is a good idea?" Syrus then noticed Hiro looking at him. "Ah, not that I don't think you're a good duelist, I think you're great, it's just..."
The door to the infirmary opened again and Zane walked in. "I overheard what you said from outside. I think it's a great idea." Zane looked intently at Jaden, then Hiro. "It's a shame I won't be able to see more of Jaden's dueling skills, but I think it's not so bad if I get to see yours."
"That's Zane Trusdale, the best duelist in the school," Syrus whispered to Hiro, "and my big brother."
"I agree, Zane." Sheppard cut in. "Hiro, you've only been here a short week, but from what I've seen, you've proven yourself a skilled duelist."
Then the door to the infirmary opened yet again.
"Wow, I'm popular today, huh?" Jaden laughed at his joke.
Crowler walked into the room and feigned mock surprise at Jaden's injury. "Oh my, I heard you were hurt, but I didn't think it was this bad." Crowler pushed past Hiro and stopped in front of Jaden. "If you're hurt like this, I don't think you'll be able to participate in the upcoming School Duel." Perfect. Now's my chance. Crowler smiled devilishly, and turned to Sheppard. "Chancellor Sheppard, for a replacement for Jaden, I propose-"
Sheppard put his hand up for Crowler to quiet. "It's already been taken care of." Sheppard reached out and grabbed Hiro by the arm and dragged him in front of Crowler. "Hiro will be our new representative to replace Jaden. You needn't worry yourself about it any longer."
"What? Him! But he's just another Slifer sla-" Crowler quickly cut himself off and silenced his outburst, but the veins in his head starting bulging. That nameless brat? What did they call him, Hiro? It doesn't matter, he's just another Slifer slacker. Why they would choose him is beyond me. Crowler then started to leave the infirmary and said, with his back turned to everyone else, "Yes, a good choice I do believe. After all, he did beat me. That must mean something." Must mean he's got some beginner's luck!
After Crowler left, Jaden chuckled a little and turned towards Hiro. "So, whadya say, Hiro? Wanna give it a shot?"
Hiro hesitated. "W-well... I-I um..." Hiro paused, not knowing what to say.
Zane walked up to Hiro and put a hand on his shaking shoulder. "I believe you should think about it for a little bit. You don't have to make the decision right away."
"Y-yeah." Hiro said sadly as he walked out of the room. "I-I'll be in the library if anyone needs me." Hiro said before closing the door.
Hiro sat at a table in the library with his head in his hands. Can I do this? I'm not sure if I'm good enough. What if I let everybody down?
You can do it, Boss! You're the best duelist we know!
Hiro looked around the library in confusion. And now I'm hearing those voices again. Have I gone crazy?
You have your sanity, my lord.
Out of nowhere, three Raging Flame Sprites appeared. Hiro screamed and fell out of his chair, and luckily no one else was in the library.
"W-Who are you guys? A-a-am I imagining things?" Hiro stood up and stared at the Raging Flame Sprites.
"Guys? Hey, I'm a girl. Get it right, kid." the middle Raging Flame Sprite said indignantly.
"As am I, my lord." The Raging Flame Sprite on the left bowed.
As Hiro looked at the three Raging Flame Sprites. They looked identical, but there was something in their eyes, and how they held themselves, telling him those two were in fact female. However he could only tell if he really concentrated.
"Don't forget about me, boss! I'm not a girl!" The Raging Flame Sprite on the right smiled.
"B-But you all look the same, h-how am I supposed to tell you apart?" Hiro tried to see a distinct difference to make things easier, but could find none.
The middle Raging Flame Sprite crossed her arms. "We have names, kid. I'm Kulina."
The other female rose from her bow. "And I, my lord, am Aarien."
The male Raging Flame Sprite flew right in front of Hiro's face. "And I'm Makar! We're your Spirit Partners!" Makar tried to shake Hiro's hand, but he just phased through it. "Oh, right." Makar floated back next to Kulina and Aarien.
"Sp-spirit Partners? L-like duel spirits? I've heard of those." Hiro thought in silence for a second, but then remembered something. "Wait, was it you three those couple times I heard those voices?"
"It was me when you opened our card pack." Kulina raised her hand.
"And me when you summoned me against that creep Crowler." Makar raised his hand enthusiastically.
"And I spoke to you a short while ago." Aarien bowed again.
"Ok, so is what you said true? Do... Do you really think I can compete in the School Duel? I don't think I'm r-ready." Hiro sighed and looked at the floor.
"Oh, come on, boss. You did fine against that Crowler guy, didn't you? You weren't nervous at all. You can do the School Duel for sure!" Makar gave Hiro a thumbs up.
"Right now, I think you need to calm down, kid. Go read a book or something. I'm leaving." Kulina disappeared from sight.
"I'm sorry, my lord, but Kulina isn't quite alright with this situation. She thinks sometimes you're too timid." Aarien then disappeared.
"Well, I'll be seeing ya. Bye, boss!" Makar waved goodbye as he faded.
"Go read a book, huh?" Hiro walked over to a shelf and started leafing through the various books on the shelves. Eventually he came upon a large old book with a card placed in it as a bookmark. When Hiro opened the book and inspected the card, it was as if it were meant for him.
She must've known this was here. Hiro smiled to himself.
Nope. Kulina chimed in. Had no clue. I just told you to read a book or something. Nice card, though, kid. Might come in handy.
Hiro chuckled a little. "Right."
Hiro knocked on Sheppard's door after his trip to the library.
"Come in." Hiro heard Sheppard's voice from inside the room.
Hiro opened the door and entered Sheppard's office. He walked up to Sheppard with confidence, knowing his decision. "I've come to a decision, Chancellor Sheppard."
"Yes, and what may that be?" Sheppard asked hopingly.
"I'll make Duel Academy proud, Chancellor."
