Well, this is the chapter that everyone's been waiting for. Chazz is back! Back in Black! Anyway, Sorry for the wait, I had surgery and wasn't really in the writing mood. But I'm back!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize from the show.
Warning: Secrets are revealed and we learn that Aurelia's been hiding a something about herself. Secrets, Secrets, Secrets.
Also, there is mention of yaoi and puppyshipping. Because I love puppyshipping.
Somewhere out in the frozen North lightning split the sky and thunder rolled. Darkness had set in because of the dry storm overhead but no one seemed to notice in the large building set against the frozen wasteland.
"Students of North Academy, I give to you our school's new top duelist. And I present to him North Academy's top dueling cards." the voice continued ominously. "With them, you will rule. With them you will…Chazz it up." What? Doesn't really fit does it.
"Chazz it up! Chazz it up!" the crowd below chanted.
Chazz turned to his adoring fans. "Duel Academy is toast!" and the lightning once again flashed.
Aurelia woke up early the day of the School Duel. She tried to go back to sleep but her body wouldn't let her. Apparently it was excited about the return of her mate to Duel Academy.
Aurelia sighed and stared at her clothes. What to wear…she glanced at the corset she had worn to Duel Academy that first day. And the T-shirt she was in when Chazz left. She settled on the corset and her favourite pair of jeans. The corset bared her midriff slightly and her jeans hugged her curves before flaring at the bottom. Why she was spending so much time on choosing an outfit was lost on her as she brushed her long hair. Her gold bangs framed her face while her black hair edged at the bottom in red, fell in waves down her back. Some people thought her hair was weird but she loved it. She smiled at the mirror before leaving.
Aurelia headed for the school. She knew Sheppard would be up by now because he was always up early doing stuff she herself should be doing. She'd tried to take the duties from him but he insisted, saying he needed something to do here or he'd be bored. She shook her head as she crossed the bridge.
When she made it to the school she climbed the steps toward Sheppard's office when she caught a different scent. Not unfamiliar however. Expensive cologne and a hint of stale air like from an enclosed space. An office perhaps? She smirked.
When she opened the door she smirked at Sheppard and Seto who was standing next to him. "Hello Seto."
Seto turned to her and raised an eyebrow. "Caught my cologne did you?"
She nodded.
"Good." he walked toward her. "Because I had to put on loads of it to hide your present."
Aurelia cocked her head then looked the way he gestured to find Joey leaning against the wall smiling at her.
"Joey!" she ran and threw her arms around him.
"Hey Aurelia. We've missed you." Seto scoffed, and Joey rolled his eyes. "Well I have anyway. So has Mokuba."
Aurelia smiled. "I've missed you guys too. Hell I even missed the grouch over there." she hugged Joey again. "I'm so glad you guys came."
"We're not just here for a visit." Seto said from Sheppard's desk.
Aurelia glanced at him the looked up at Joey. He smirked and shrugged. "Maybe I ain't the only present here."
Aurelia cocked her head and looked at Seto. Not unlike a cat. "You're giving me another present?"
Seto held up a piece of paper and Aurelia went over and took it from him. She stared at it. It was the deed to the school!
"I don't understand." she said tearing her eyes from the deed. "You're giving me the school? Why?" she asked Seto.
He cleared his throat and nodded to the deed. "We felt that you deserved it. We've heard that you saved the school quite a few times."
"Actually I didn't."
"Regardless. The school is yours now." Aurelia stared at Seto who almost looked uncomfortable then Joey who looked almost smug. She smirked back at Seto. "They got you with the puppy dog eyes again didn't they?"
Joey burst into laughter and Seto rolled his eyes and looked away. Aurelia giggled behind her hand and watched Joey. "Face it Seto I know you way to well."
Seto gave her a look. "You are too much like your mother."
Aurelia smiled. "I know. I'm told that quite often."
Aurelia looked over the signed deed again then looked back at Seto. "Thank you."
Joey came over to her. "No problem. We love you." Seto rolled his eyes again and started for the door. Joey shook his head and leaned close to her. "He loves you too he just won't admit it." he whispered but Seto caught it.
"Come on mutt." he practically growled.
Joey looked back at him with a knowing smirk. "Yes master." Seto's mouth twitched.
Aurelia looked away. "Guys seriously, not while I'm in the room. You can make bedroom faces at each other when I'm gone." she moaned.
Joey laughed and joined Seto. "And please not on the couch where anyone could walk in on you…again." she shivered as she remembered the last time that had happened. She'd come home from a day out with Aster to find her "parents" having sex on the couch. She couldn't look at them for days.
Seto was gone but Joey poked his head through the door. "We'll try. No promises." he winked then was gone.
Aurelia shook her head. "Ugh, boys." and glanced at Sheppard who was standing with a shocked look on his face. Aurelia grimaced. "Uh…you get used to it."
She walked over to Sheppard's desk and took up the deed. She grabbed the pen near her and scribbled her signature on the bottom. She now officially owned Academy Island and Duel Academy. She smiled as she stared at it.
"Are you coming for the meet-and-greet with North Academy?" Sheppard asked.
Aurelia glanced at the clock. It was only eight. "They're coming now?" she felt her excitement from before come back full force.
"Yes." Sheppard simply said before leaving. Aurelia rolled the deed up and wrapped it with the ribbon nearby that she assumed had come with it. She placed it gently in one of Sheppard's drawers then left the room heading for the dock.
Aurelia stood next to Sheppard as the Chancellor of North Academy walked across the gangplank and toward them. She was told his name was Foster.
"Foster! It's been far too long, how have you been?" Sheppard greeted kindly.
"I've been well. Ever since the defeat you handed us at last year's duel." Foster replied bitterly.
"Oh it was a close match."
"Not really, but this year I have a feeling it will be." Aurelia didn't like Foster. She sensed he had ulterior motives.
"To a spirited duel between our two schools." Sheppard said.
"Yeah yeah spirited." Jaden said popping out of nowhere. "But enough with all the how-you-doins I want to meet who I'm going to be dueling."
Aurelia rolled her eyes. The chancellors stepped back, surprised but Jaden's sudden appearance. "Yes Jaden, we were getting to that."
"Jaden? So you're Duel Academy's phenom?" Foster asked.
Jaden wheeled around to him. "Phenom! That's the coolest thing I've ever been called! What's it mean?"
Aurelia stepped up and grabbed Jaden's shoulder pulling him back. "Just be quiet Jay. I'll tell you…"
"When I'm thirty right?" Jaden grew crestfallen.
"I was going to say after the duel…" Aurelia said. He ignored her.
"Come on! When do I meet my opponent?" Jaden shouted.
"Right now Slacker."
Aurelia breath hitched. She slowly moved her eyes up to where the sub was docked. Chazz stood in the middle surrounded by North Academy students.
Damn, he'd changed. He looked good in his Obelisk uniform but black was definitely his colour. He wore a purple turtleneck, black jeans and a black trench coat over everything. Aurelia couldn't help it, she stared. Part of her wanted to run over, grab him and never let go but the other half, her sane half, kept her there.
"Chazz?" Jaden asked. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm here for the duel." Chazz replied.
"I think it's sold out." Aurelia face palmed at Jaden's stupidity.
"I'm in it."
"Like as a ref?"
"I'm dueling you!" Chazz said.
It finally clicked for Jaden. "You're North Academy's rep? Since when did you transfer?"
"Since I stopped getting the respect I deserved here." Chazz replied.
"That's right." two North Academy kids jumped in front of Chazz and blocked her view of him. She just about shouted for them to get out of her way.
"Now it's payback time." Some large guy said
Aurelia shook her head. "How about we finish with the pleasantries and get this duel started?" she said stepping forward.
The North Academy students backed slightly and Aurelia caught a view of Chazz again. This time they locked gazes. Aurelia froze and stared back at his cold grey eyes.
Chazz drank Aurelia in. She was wearing almost the same outfit that she wore the first day of Duel Academy and it clung to her body, showing her curves. How could he not have noticed her before? His blood heated when he met her blue eyes. She was still as beautiful as the day he left. He was starting to forget why he left in the first place. Then he remembered the idiot standing next to her and he remembered the time he lost to him and the humiliation he felt at his hands. Chazz wrenched his gaze from Aurelia and looked firmly away. He would not be distracted now.
Aurelia winced when Chazz tore his eyes from hers. He was still angry at her. She looked down until a large gust of wind came and blew her hair into her face. Everyone braced themselves against the wind and Aurelia parted her hair to see two helicopters floating above them.
"What's up little brother?" "Mind if we drop in?"
"Slade. Jagger. Why are you here?" Chazz yelled.
Aurelia stared at the two men standing in the helicopters. So these were Slade and Jagger, Chazz's brothers. She recognized them as soon as Chazz did. They hadn't changed since the last time she saw them when she was ten.
"Why else? To celebrate your big dueling victory." Jagger said.
"You are going to win, right Chazz?" Slade continued.
"That's it, beautiful, just act natural." some guy in a lift said with a camera next to him.
Sheppard stared up at the camera. "What's going on?"
Aurelia turned from the camera, hiding her face. "What's going on? Don't you mean when are you going on? The answer is prime time baby. This School Duel's going to be broadcast worldwide."
Aurelia winced. Oh shit.
"No way! Me on TV? My face beamed across the world? In full colour? In full stereo?" Well at least Jaden was excited about this.
Aurelia turned back to Chazz. He didn't seem very excited about this at all. She was going to approach him but the North Academy kids whisked him away to his locker room and she never got the chance. Instead she turned to Jaden and gave him a weak smile when he turned to her with a full out grin. She shook her head and followed him into the school.
Chazz sat on one of the benches in the locker room. "You set this up didn't you? The broadcast?"
Slade sighed patiently. "Well of course we did. We need the whole world to see you're on your way to becoming Duel monster's best. It's all part of the plan."
"Yeah, yeah." Chazz sighed.
"Look, world domination as ours for the taking. If we all do our part Chazz." Jagger said.
"And we have, now it's your turn little bro." Slade said. "To conquer the world of Duel monsters. To be the best. And to not give up." Chazz looked down, he'd heard this all before.
"Did you really think you could get away from your duties? That you could get away from us? By dropping out of Duel Academy?" Jagger said.
Chazz winced. "Uh…"
Jagger jumped to his feet. "Don't deny it! You have always been the slacker of this family."
"It doesn't matter. The point is Chazz, you can still turn it around. You can still show that we're supreme." Slade said.
"And these are going to help you do that." Jagger placed a briefcase on the bench in front of Chazz. "They are the most expensive cards so you have no reason to lose. Don't let us down Chazz. Don't let the Princeton name down. It's all on you."
"Now go, and win." Slade finished.
Chazz stared at the briefcase before him as his brothers left the room. Why did they have to show up now? Chazz glanced at the door then back to the suitcase.
He still heard Jagger's voice. "It's all on you Chazz."
Chazz shook his head and stood. He glanced at the briefcase one last time then left.
"Jaden wait up!" Aurelia yelled, running after Jaden. He was running with a comb and a can of hairspray. "I'll do your hair for you."
"Man if I knew I was going to be on TV I would have combed my hair. I might have even washed it." Jaden said.
Aurelia rolled her eyes as she followed him to the boys bathroom. "I probably would have even showered."
"You didn't shower?" Aurelia yelled. "Jaden that's gross!"
Suddenly Jaden stopped at the door and Aurelia almost ran into him. Suddenly she heard a bang as if someone were hitting something.
"Man up Chazz. Man up! Come on! Show them that Chazz Princeton is no Slacker! That you're worthy of the Princeton name. That you can win. That you can keep winning. Over and over. That you're the best." Chazz was kneeling next to the sink in the bathroom. She guessed trying to psyche himself up for the duel.
"You've got to do your part Chazz. You've got to prove that you're supreme. It's your duty, it's the plan." Aurelia shuddered when Chazz did. She knew he was crying, she could smell the salt.
Jaden backed away silently and left but Aurelia stayed and leaned against the wall. She heard the water running and splashing. She assumed he was washing his face.
"Now, go and win. Go and win. Go and win."
Aurelia leaned her head back against the wall. What had those two bastards done to Chazz? He seemed so strong and now she knew he was terrified of his brothers. She heard shuffling as he pulled himself off the floor and footsteps as he retreated out of the bathroom.
When he noticed her he froze. "Aurelia?" he glanced back at the bathroom then to her but said nothing. He looked away when she approached.
Aurelia slid her hands up to the sides of his face and turned it so he met her eyes. For a long time they just stared at each other, black meeting blue in close proximity that reminded Aurelia of when they kissed. Then she trailed her hands down his body and around his middle and hugged him.
Chazz froze when Aurelia pulled herself into his arms. She felt so good that he slowly wrapped his arms around her and laid his chin on the top of her head. She was the perfect height that he could do so comfortably. She snuggled further into him when he did and sighed. It felt like he was dreaming, this beautiful woman was in his arms. Thoughts of his brothers and his upcoming duel vanished as he held her.
All to soon however, she pulled away and stared into his eyes again. She had such beautiful cobalt blue eyes.
"You don't have to be them Chazz." Be who? Oh…his brothers. "You don't have to do anything you don't want to."
Chazz shook his head and willed her to understand. "Yes, I do. I have no choice. Please Aurelia, try to understand this." the duel would be starting soon.
Aurelia shook her head. "No Chazz, you have control of your own destiny. Only you, no one else. Please don't be like them. Please." she was begging him. She was actually begging him.
Chazz went to shake his head but she interrupted him. "Chazz, don't lose your soul and become a heartless bastard like them. Don't lose who you are, because if you do then life will lose all meaning and the only thing you'll ever want is power."
Aurelia backed further away, looked him over once more then turned and left. Chazz sighed, she would never understand.
Aurelia leaned over the rail watching as Chazz and Jaden faced off against each other. Crowler stood in the middle of the arena as usual and held the mic up to his face. "These are two duelist I know personally and personally, I just adore them."
Aurelia smirked. "Liar."
"First from Duel Academy, introducing Jaden Yuki." Crowler waved his arm toward Jaden who was standing there with a serious look on his face. "And his opponent…"
"Get off the stage." Chazz said emotionlessly.
"What?"
"I'll introduce myself you scrub."
"I beg your pardon?" Crowler screeched into the mic. Aurelia winced and covered her ears, letting out a whimper of pain. "Scrubs don't have PhDs in Dueling." Crowler was dancing around on stage and forgot to watch his mic cord. When he pulled it tight it wrapped around his legs and he fell off the stage.
Aurelia smirked as Jaden ran over to the side and suggested that next time they go cordless.
Chazz stood in the centre of the stage where Crowler once was. "Shut up. It's Chazz Princeton's turn now. Then again, I don't really need an introduction, after all, everybody here knows who I am. Or do you? See Chazz Princeton has changed. Sure, I used to be a classmate of yours but when I left here, I left my old self as well. Now you're looking at the new Chazz, the North Academy Chazz and I'm here to…"
"Chazz it up!" North Academy yelled.
"Say it again!" Chazz ordered the crowd.
"Chazz it up! Chazz it up!"
"Alright." he turned back to Jaden. "Go time. Show me what you've got."
"Show no mercy Chazz!" North academy screamed.
"Ask and ye shall receive." Chazz said drawing a card. He played Masked Dragon in defence mode and that was it.
Jaden played Burstinatrix and had her destroy Masked Dragon.
"All right, Jaden's taken the lead." Aurelia was surprised she heard Syrus so well from where he was.
"Nu uh. He's taken the bait." now Chazz could summon a 1500 or below dragon from his deck. He summoned Armed Dragon Level 3.
"Level 3?" Aurelia said aloud.
"Yep, it goes up to level 7." Ruin and Athena appeared next to her.
"Level 7 huh?"
Jaden played a facedown card and then ended his turn. Because it was Chazz's standby phase he levelled his dragon to it's level 5 stage, with 2400 attack points. Jaden played his trap which made it so monsters over 1900 attack points can't attack. But Chazz used Armed Dragon's special ability which let him destroy Burstinatrix and still attack Jaden reducing his life points to 1600. Chazz placed one card face down and ended his turn.
For his turn Jaden summoned Bubbleman and used his special ability to draw two cards. Jaden then fused Avion, Sparkman and Bubbleman to create E-Hero Tempest. Tempest destroyed Armed Dragon Level 5 which brought Chazz's points down to 3600. Chazz played Call of the Haunted however and brought back Armed Dragon Level 5.
Jaden played a face down and that was it.
Chazz sent one card to the graveyard to use Armed Dragon's special ability but Jaden used his defusion to get Avion, Sparkman and Bubbleman. Chazz used his attack to destroy Sparkman.
Chazz then brought out his highest monster. Armed Dragon Level 7.
Ruin whistled low. "Wow, gonna be hard to beat."
Aurelia nodded. "I'm glad this is only a school duel."
"I am glad that Chazz has returned though." Athena said. Ruin and Aurelia turned to her in confusion. "Now that he's here you won't have to pine for him any more."
"I wasn't pining." Aurelia crossed her arms in defiance.
Ruin patted her shoulder. "Sure you weren't. And what was with the hugging before?"
"I don't want to talk about it." Aurelia said.
"What's wrong Jaden? Not so talkative anymore huh?" Chazz goaded. "You don't have anything to say?"
"Yeah I do! I gotta get me one of those! He's so cool! Trade for him?" Jaden said.
"No I won't trade for him! What's wrong with you! You should be scared of him not admiring him." Chazz said.
Aurelia shook her head and chuckled. "How could I not? He's an incredible monster and this has been an incredible duel. How can anyone not be excited? I mean this is as good as it gets! Thanks Chazz!" Jaden said bouncing from one foot to the other. He looked like a kid at Christmas.
"Thanks? You're pitiful Jaden. Jumping up and down like some fool. Never taking anything serious. That's why you'll never be a champion. It takes discipline to win. You need to have a sense of duty. You need to have a plan. I have a plan, and I have a sense of duty and that's why I'm going to beat you Jaden." Chazz yelled. "That's why I'll defeat anyone in my way! I can conquer anyone! I'm gonna conquer the whole world!"
Aurelia cocked her head. "Did he say the whole world?"
"Yep, he did." Ruin nodded.
Aurelia shook her head. "Why does everyone think the world needs to be conquered? Seriously."
"Okay…well if you don't mind can I take my turn first?" Jaden said.
"Make it quick." Chazz growled.
"Chill." Jaden said. He played Rotweiler in defence mode and a facedown card and that was it.
Chazz used his dragon's special ability to take out Jaden's monsters then attacked but his attack was foiled by Hero Spirit.
"Why didn't my attack go through?" Chazz said.
"Didn't you know Chazz? When Hero Spirit's out all damage goes to zero, zip, zilch, nada." Jaden explained.
"Congratulations you can use a thesaurus." Chazz deadpanned.
Jaden summoned Winged Kuriboh in defence mode.
"What? Why'd you bring him out Jaden? You planning to dust around here?" Winged Kuriboh flapped it's wings around enraged. "What, did I hurt it's wittle feelings?"
Suddenly a little yellow creature appeared beside Chazz. "It's okay if you did boss, I mean, those fur balls give me the creeps. Just look at him, all that hair. I mean, where do these monsters come from? So weird."
Aurelia almost fell over the rail. Chazz can see duel spirits? And he had a little yellow one at that.
"Get lost! If I want your opinion I'll give it to you, you got that?" Chazz said.
"Yes, boss." the little yellow…thing hid behind Chazz's shoulder. "Sorry."
Winged Kuriboh jumped up on Jaden's shoulder and cooed at him. "What? Chazz has a duel spirit?" Jaden squinted over at Chazz. "Hey I see him. I thought only Aurelia and I had duel spirits? So Chazz, who's your little friend?"
Chazz jumped and started swinging at the creature. "It's nothing! Nothing to see here! No duel spirits at all! Leave me alone!" Chazz clapped his hands together on the duel spirit and it disappeared.
"Well, he certainly doesn't like his duel spirit." Athena said quietly.
"Maybe it's just that one." Aurelia replied.
Chazz destroyed Winged Kuriboh and then it was Jaden's turn. Jaden' played Pot of Greed to draw two more cards then played Special Hurricane. Jaden sent one card to the grave then used his hurricane to destroy Armed Dragon Level 7.
"I summon Elemental Hero Wildheart!" Jaden's monster appeared on the field. "Now Chazz you're in for some heartbreak! Uh…actually that doesn't make any sense! Uh…just attack."
That brought Chazz to 1600 attack points. Chazz played the spell Graveyard in the Fourth Dimension which let him bring back Armed Dragon Levels 3 and 5 and shuffle them into his deck. Then he summoned Armed Dragon Level 3.
All of a sudden Chazz turned to the stands and said "I'm trying." Aurelia followed his gaze to his brothers sitting in the stands watching.
"Trying what?" Jaden asked. "Hello, earth to Chazz?"
Jaden seemed to piece it together too. He mumbled to himself then turned to Chazz. "Let's duel!"
"What do you think we've been doing?" Chazz asked sarcastically. Aurelia face palmed.
North Academy laughed then started the chanting again. Jaden used Wildheart to destroy Armed Dragon Level 3. Chazz then used the Grave of Enkindling which let both Chazz and Jaden summon a monster from the graveyard to the field in defence mode. Chazz summoned Armed Dragon Level 5.
Jaden brought back Hero Kid from the graveyard. Because Hero Kid was special summoned Jaden summoned two more Hero Kids. Then put down a facedown card and ended his turn.
Chazz played Level Up from his hand.
"What's level up do?" Sheppard asked.
Aurelia rolled her eyes as Chazz explained that it let him level up a monster. Chazz summoned his Level 7 dragon. Chazz then played Armed Changer and equipped it to his dragon. Jaden's life points dropped to 300. Chazz then used his monster's special ability to destroy Jaden's Hero Kids.
Aurelia watched Jaden closely. He had something up his sleeve she knew it.
"Dueling's about having fun." Jaden said after Chazz gloated. "And if I'm having fun over here losing shouldn't you be having more fun winning? It's seriously not that hard. Despite what your brothers may want you to believe."
"What?" Chazz reeled back. "What do you know about my brothers?"
"Well for starters Chazz, I know they're the ones you're dueling for." Jaden started.
"Not completely." Chazz said. Aurelia stopped breathing for a second. He couldn't mean her could he?
Jaden paused too, then continued. "And the ones putting all this pressure on you too. Aw come on Chazz, remember when you used to duel for the excitement of it?"
"I only duel to win." Chazz growled.
"Well we'll see where that gets you." Jaden played the Warrior Returning Alive which brought back Avion. Jaden fused Avion with Burstinatrix to bring out his favourite monster Flame Wingman. Jaden then used his trap Miracle Kids to drop Armed Dragon's attack points to 1600. Jaden's Wingman destroyed Armed Dragon and because of it's special effect Chazz's points dropped to zero. The duel was over and, as per usual, Jaden had won.
Aurelia glanced at Chazz's brothers who were making their way down to the arena. "Alright, time to shine."
Aurelia used her speed to get to Sheppard's office in 3 seconds and back to the field in the same time. This time with the deed to the school. She got to the field in time to hear Slade and Jagger.
"You loser, you dog. You've disgraced yourself. You've disgraced the Princeton name." Slade started.
"You are no brother of ours anymore." Jagger said.
"Just give me another chance." Chazz said from his kneeling position on the floor.
"Another chance? Do you know how much we spent on this duel?" Jagger said.
"The cameras, the rare cards, none of which you used I might add." Slade exclaimed.
"Sorry, I thought I could win this by myself." Chazz replied.
"Ugh, yourself?" Jagger said as he grabbed the front of Chazz's jacket and pulled him to his feet.
"When could you do anything by yourself Chazz?" Slade said.
Aurelia stepped onto the field and motioned for Jaden to stop when he looked like he wanted to say something. And with a carefully placed cold mask that Seto had taught her she approached the arguing brothers.
"Let him go." she said in a dangerously quiet voice.
"What?" Slade and Jagger.
"You heard me, let him go." she replied, still dangerously quiet.
"And what if we don't?" Jagger challenged her.
Aurelia snapped her fingers and campus security appeared at all the exits. "Then you will be forcibly removed from the premises."
Slade and Jagger glanced around at the security then back to her. "Who are you to order us around?"
Aurelia smirked. "You don't recognize me do you?" she sighed dramatically. "Of course that was 5 years ago when I was ten. We met at your company function. You thought I was a little tagalong brat at the time. Well I'm not anymore."
"Wait a minute. You were the little girl with…" Jagger and Slade glanced at each other.
Aurelia smirked and spread her arms wide. "That's right boys, my name is Aurelia Kaiba and I own this school."
Everyone in the grandstands became deathly quiet. They only knew her as the girl in Slifer red. Jaden, Syrus and Chumley stared at her with pure shock on their faces. So did Chazz. Jagger and Slade dropped him and backed away.
Aurelia pulled the deed to the school from behind her back. "I now own this Academy and if you ever harass any of my students again I will banish you from the island. However, today I'm letting you go with this warning." She stepped up to their faces. "Don't mess with me or this school. Or Chazz. Got it?" she threatened.
They nodded then turned away. "Good. Now get out."
"I don't have time for this garbage anyway." Slade said as he and Jagger left.
Aurelia glared at their backs as they left. Syrus came up to her then. "You're Aurelia Kaiba?" she smiled down at him and replied with "We'll talk later."
Aurelia turned to see Jaden talking to Chazz. "I know it's cheesy but I think we both won today."
"Come on Jaden no one believes that." Chazz said quietly. Everyone was quiet and Aurelia walked over to Chazz. She came around in front of him and tilted his head up to meet her eyes. She smiled then gestured to North Academy. "They do."
Her statement was followed by "We believe in you Chazz!" "Same here!"
"Yeah! Chazz it up! Chazz it up! Chazz it up! Yeah!" they cheered. Duel Academy and North Academy both.
It didn't seem to reach Chazz though. "Princeton?" he looked back at her. She bit her lip. "I believe in you." she whispered it so only he could hear. He smiled slightly then turned back to his audience.
As the arena began to empty and everyone crowded around her trying to find out why she kept herself secret for so long, Chazz still stood there watching everyone leave. Aurelia motioned Jaden to her and whispered. "I want to talk to Princeton alone." Jaden nodded then proceeded to shoo everyone out of the arena. Soon, it was just her and Chazz alone.
"Princeton?" he still didn't move but she knew he heard her. "Who's your duel spirit?"
Chazz looked up at her then. "How do you know about duel spirits?"
Aurelia smiled. "Jaden's one of my best friends, he talks to his Kuriboh constantly. You kinda pick up on stuff around him." it was a lie but she'd tell him soon.
Chazz pulled his deck out of the duel disk and went through it. He pulled out a card and handed it to her. She looked down at…Ojama Yellow?
"Ojama Yellow is your duel spirit?" Aurelia asked.
Chazz sighed, "Unfortunately."
Yellow chose then to appear. "What do you mean boss? We're best friends!" it said in it's whiny voice.
Aurelia laughed as Chazz swatted at him. "We are not best friends! I don't even like you!" Chazz noticed her laughing and shot her a confused look.
"I can see him too." she said simply.
"Really?" she nodded.
Yellow flew over to her and seemed to consider her. "She looks pretty Boss, is she your girlfriend?"
Aurelia's brows rose and she looked to Chazz. He stared at her then turned to Yellow. "No she's not my girlfriend."
"Aw why not?" Yellow asked.
Chazz looked very uncomfortable so Aurelia stepped in. "How about we talk about something else? Like…" She held her hand under Yellow then touched him, turning him solid. He fell into her waiting hand and she showed him to Chazz. "How I did that?"
Yellow patted himself then looked up at Aurelia. "I'm solid."
She smirked. "I know."
Chazz walked over and plucked Yellow out of her hand. He stared at the little duel monster in his hand then looked back at her. "How'd you do that?"
Aurelia shrugged. "I've had that power since as long as I can remember. I turned Seto's blue eyes solid once, scared him half to death." she giggled. "Kisara was happy though."
"Kisara?"
"Seto's blue eyes." Aurelia rolled her eyes. "Long story. I can turn duel spirits solid and then," She touched Yellow again and he turned back into a spirit. "back to a spirit."
Chazz turned away from Yellow and back to her but he paled when he did. Yellow did too. She couldn't understand why they did until she heard Ruin say "Boo." and Yellow hightailed it behind Chazz. Her duel spirit laughed her ass off while Aurelia rolled her eyes.
"Who are they?" Chazz asked.
"They are Ruin, Queen of Oblivion and Athena. My duel spirits." she gestured to both in turn.
Chazz studied both as Ruin stopped laughing. "They're beautiful." he finally said and blushed after he realized what he said.
Ruin grabbed Aurelia's hand to turn herself solid then lifted Chazz's chin up to look at her. "I knew I would like you." she said to his face.
Aurelia cleared her throat and Ruin backed away with a laugh. "Sorry kitten."
Chazz shook his head and looked at the tall lady next to him. "Is she always like this?"
"Only on days that end in 'y'." Athena said stepping forward. "Hello, I'm Athena." she reached forward to shake his hand and realized she wasn't solid. "Right, Aurelia?" Aurelia touched her and Chazz and Athena shook hands.
"Nice to meet you." Chazz said still a little star struck. "Uh, can I talk to Aurelia alone now?" Aurelia nodded and touched both Ruin and Athena.
"Aw you get to have all the fun." Ruin pouted.
"Take this thing with you." Chazz gestured to Yellow who was still behind him.
Ruin smirked evilly then grabbed the little ojama kicking and screaming. All three disappeared then.
"Well that was entertaining." Aurelia said.
Chazz rolled his eyes. "Yeah, real entertaining." he turned to her. "Aurelia…why did you hide yourself?"
Aurelia smiled. "I knew this was coming. I knew before coming here that no one would know who I was so I decided to hide among the student body to get to know my students before they started going around saying Miss Kaiba and avoiding me out of fear. I just wanted to be me here. You know, away from the hectic life of the Mainland."
Chazz nodded. "Yeah, away from family who don't even like you." he looked longingly out the door.
"Not completely away." Aurelia smirked. "Seto and Joey dropped by this morning to bring me the deed and to tell me that I now own this whole island. It was a pretty good morning that's for sure."
Chazz looked puzzled. "Wait, who's Joey?"
Aurelia froze. Crap, she forgot no one knew Seto was dating Joey. But…with Chazz…maybe. "Joey Wheeler." she said.
"Yugi's friend?" Chazz asked. "I thought Kaiba and Wheeler hated each other."
Aurelia snorted. "There's a fine line between love and hate. They tossed that out the window seven years ago." she smirked at Chazz.
He looked confused until he got it then stared at Aurelia with wide eyes. "Seto Kaiba and Joey Wheeler?"
She laughed. "Yep, and only trusted employees know. They've been together for 7 years now actually, they got together the year I joined their little family." she turned to Chazz. "You understand that no one knows yet, only friends." she hinted.
Chazz nodded. "I won't tell anyone."
Aurelia nodded then stopped. "Why would you do that for us?"
Chazz shrugged. "I won't do it for your family…but I'll do it for you." he stared at her with such intensity then that she looked away.
She started walking out of the arena and Chazz walked beside her. "So how was it at North Academy?"
"Cold." Chazz replied bluntly.
She gave him a look and he smiled. "Okay. It looks like a scene out of an old western movie but the food is good. The rooms are a bit small." Aurelia nodded along with his description and he stopped. "Aurelia why are you asking? Why are you even talking to me? You hate me!"
Aurelia turned to him. "Why would you think I hate you?" she asked.
Chazz glanced around. Their feet had led them outside to a hill overlooking the ocean.
"You said so the day I dueled Bastian." Chazz said.
Aurelia shook her head. "I said no such thing. I said I was disappointed in you. And I was, but I don't hate you. I just don't particularly like you."
"Oh thanks." Chazz replied sarcastically.
"Well what do you expect, you were a jerk to me back then. A jerk to everybody. You even kissed me without my permission and you expect me to like you? Well it doesn't work-"
"What's so wrong with a kiss?" Chazz asked sounding incredulous.
" Oh, I don't know, probably because you're only the second person who's ever kissed me."
"You've only been kissed by one other person?" Chazz sounded incredulous.
Aurelia blushed. "Yes. Is that so hard to believe?"
"Well yes…I mean…I don't know. You're just so beautiful." Chazz blushed too.
Aurelia stared at him. "You think I'm beautiful?"
Chazz looked out over the ocean. "Yes."
Silence.
"So you've only been kissed once before?"
"I never said that."
Chazz looked confused. "But you said-"
"You're the second person to kiss me, not my second kiss."
"Oh"…"Serious relationship?"
Aurelia shook her head. "Nah, just fooling around."
Chazz shrugged. "Oh well if that's all." he said sarcastically.
Aurelia smiled and blushed as she looked out over the ocean in the sunset. Wait, wasn't Chazz supposed to be somewhere?
"Princeton, your sub's leaving soon!" Aurelia realized.
Chazz started then realized she was right. They took off running toward the docks but Aurelia dreaded getting there. Chazz would be leaving soon.
"Well Chazz, I guess this is good bye. Don't forget to write." Jaden nudged Chazz. Aurelia couldn't even look at them, she didn't want to watch Chazz leave again, it was to painful.
"Jaden." she heard Chazz say quietly. "I'm not going back."
Aurelia whipped her head around so fast she thought she'd put a kink in it. Chazz was staring at her. She gave him a confused look.
"Look guys, I don't belong with you." Chazz said over his shoulder at them.
"Then where do you belong?" the kid with the Russian accent asked.
Chazz turned to them. "Right here. Duel Academy was always my home."
"But you're our best duelist Chazz, you sure?"
Chazz turned back to Aurelia. "I am, if Aurelia will allow me back."
Aurelia stared at him and she felt like crying. He wanted to stay. With her. She nodded. "Sure why the hell not?" they smiled at each other.
Foster patted Chazz's shoulder. "Guess I'll be going." he froze when Crowler's voice came over the mic from the stage.
Chazz made his way to Aurelia and stood next to her while Crowler prattled on about the prize of the school duel.
"Now I give you the most beautiful woman on the island, Miss Duel Academy!" he yelled.
Aurelia cocked her head and Chazz turned to her. She glanced at him and blushed. "It's not me."
"Well he said most beautiful woman on the island." Chazz shrugged and smirked. He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye.
Aurelia shook her head and rolled her eyes. "I don't think I can get used to you flirting." she scoffed.
"Well, you're going to have to." Chazz said.
Suddenly Dorothy appeared on stage. She heard from the front. "Dorothy's Miss Duel Academy?" She recognized Jaden's voice.
"Will the winning Chancellor please approach the stage." Crowler called.
Sheppard marched up there looking full of himself. And presented his cheek to Dorothy. She kissed it.
"A kiss, that's the big prize you two were talking about?" Jaden asked.
"That's a chick?" Chazz asked.
Aurelia nudged him with her elbow. "Be nice."
"But I didn't know that was a chick."
Aurelia sighed. "Maybe I should abolish this tradition." She looked to Chazz and they both surveyed a grinning Sheppard and a balling Foster. They looked back at each other. "Nah." they said, then laughed.
A few minutes later all the North Academy kids were loaded onto the sub and it pulled away.
"We'll miss you Chazz!" the Russian kid yelled.
The ret of them were balling. "Just one more cheer." another said. Then they all struck up the Chazz it up cheer. Aurelia snorted as she tried to cover a laugh.
When they were out of sight Chancellor Sheppard turned to Chazz. "There is one more thing."
"What's that?" Chazz asked.
"Banner."
Banner stepped forward. "Since you dropped out of Duel Academy and are now coming back you are technically a new student and therefore must start at the bottom, in Slifer red."
"Slifer!" Chazz shouted.
"Yes, welcome. We'll get you fitted for a blazer as soon as we get back to the dorm. Then we'll find you a roommate." Banner explained.
"Roommate?" Chazz asked. "Look here, Chazz Princeton rooms alone."
"Alone huh? Do cockroaches count?" Syrus asked.
"What?"
"The dorm's got a few, and some rats." Jaden explained.
"Rats! I change my mind! Turn the sub around!" Chazz yelled out at the ocean.
"Guys how about we give him the Slifer cheer?" Jaden said.
Chazz wheeled around. "I don't want it!"
"S-L-I-F-E-!" everybody yelled, even Aurelia.
"Can we just stick with Chazz it up?" Chazz cried.
"Or Slifer it up!" they all crowded around Chazz. He sunk to the floor throwing his hands over his head.
"This stinks, my new family's already dysfunctional." he said.
Aurelia crouched in front of him. "In my experience it's more fun that way." then Jaden, Alexis, Syrus and Bastian joined them on the ground and they all laughed…except Chazz that is. But he did offer a small smile which Aurelia caught. He'd be all right, she just knew it.
Yay for another chapter finished! I know, they don't kiss in this chapter but she does hug him. And she does tell him about the Duel Spirit thing. Baby steps people.
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