With the punishment duel past them, Jaden and his friends were in the middle of a game of the great American pastime baseball. The boys and girls were split into two teams with Jaden captaining one and Lucia leading the other. The Ra Yellow statistician was presently on the pitcher's mound as Jaden took to the plate with bat in hand. A confident smirk was on his face as his gaze went to the scoreboard. His team was presently ahead by three runs. The bases were loaded and his team presently had no outs.
"Statistically speaking, we're royally screwed," Lucia sighed as she pondered her team's position, "I can't seem to throw a ball that baffles these guys enough to…"
"Hey Lucia! You might want to start running after I hit this ball because it's going out of here," Jaden grinned cockily as he confidently pointed his bat towards the centerfield fence, once I hit this thing out of the park, we're going to have a seven-run lead.
"Maybe I should have thought my choice of players through a little more thoroughly before we started," Lucia lamented as she took a pitcher's stance.
"Hold on! Wait!" A new voice interrupted. The players turned and saw Bastion running in.
"Apologies for the wait. I was caught up in some attack point quantum theory mechanics and lost track of time," Bastion apologized as he grabbed a mitt from Lucia's team's bench.
"Can you throw?" One of the students asked. Bastion nodded.
"Pitcher change! Lucia, come on back!" The same Ra called. Lucia sighed with relief as the genius took her place and the ball from her. Seeing that there was a new pitcher in play, Jaden got serious.
"This is no written exam Bastion! Give me all you got!" Jaden challenged as he took a batter's stance.
"But of course. I hope you're ready for some heat," Bastion agreed. Tightening his grip on the ball, he quickly hurled it towards Jaden. The ball slipped right past him and comfortably into the catcher's glove.
"Strike one!" Ms. Fontaine, who was playing umpire, called.
"Not bad Bastion," Jaden mumbled as the ball got back to his friend. Both players took their stances once more and Bastion pitched again. The ball curved and Jaden missed again.
"Strike two!" Ms. Fontaine shouted.
"Alright, now it's on," Jaden growled as Bastion got the ball back. Bastion smirked as he threw the ball one more time and Jaden swung. To his horror, he missed completely as the ball landed in the catcher's mitt again.
"Strike three! You're out!" Ms. Fontaine declared.
"Nuts!" Jaden's cursed as he stormed back to the dugout. With a skilled pitcher on her team now, Lucia's team quickly managed to turn things around. Soon Lucia's team was taking their turn at bat with Jaden on the mound. Jaden took his frustration out on the girl's batters as he quickly got two batters out. Then to the surprise of his team, he let the quality of his pitches slip.
"Time out!" Syrus called after the third batter from Lucia's team took a base. Jaden and Syrus gathered the players of his team around the pitcher's mound.
"Jaden what's up?" Syrus asked, "You struck out the first two batters and let the last three walk."
"I know. Pretty sweet huh?" Jaden grinned.
"Sweet? What are you talking about?" Atsuko, his team's second baseman, asked.
"I did that so I could pitch Bastion next," Jaden replied as he looked up and saw the Ra Yellow genius take the plate.
"What? You let all those players walk just so you could get even with Bastion?" Syrus asked incredulously.
"Oh, I don't want to get even. I want to get ahead," Jaden said confidently.
"Are you sure that's a good idea Jaden-kun? This is the last inning for them. If they hit a home run now, we're going to lose the game," Atsuko cautioned, glancing back at the scoreboard.
"Don't worry guys. I'm not going to let you down. Now let's do this," Jaden urged. Reluctantly, his team went back to their positions.
"I'm flattered that you wanted to pitch for me Jaden but that's a mistake you're going to regret," Bastion remarked as he took his stance, "Now give me your best shot Jaden. That is if you can even get the ball over the plate."
"You want it? You got it!" Jaden called back as he pitched his fastest curveball. The Ra grinned as he swung as was rewarded with satisfying cracking sound of his bat hitting the ball. Jaden's jaw dropped as the ball soared high over the field. At the same time in the bleachers above the gymnasium, Dr. Stratton and Dr. Crowler were in the middle of a discussion of their own.
"...So that resolves that issue. Now about that student you were talking about... You said you had some concerns about Chazz?" Dr. Stratton asked.
"Yes. I find that his performance of late has been rather lacking. Aside from his average grades, his dueling performance is quite abysmal. It's a shame really. The boy had such high dueling grades when he first arrived," Dr. Crowler sighed as he looked over his tablet notes.
"I agree Vellian. I also find Chazz's performance somewhat lacking in the classroom," Dr. Stratton concurred. Their discussion however was interrupted by a baseball hitting Crowler in the face. The doctor cried out in pain and surprise as the forced knocked him into a storage locker of sporting equipment that was lying nearby.
"Vellian! Are you alright?" Dr. Stratton asked worryingly as he knelt down to his fellow staff member. The ball had struck him in the left eye socket and was presently wedged there.
"Heads up!" Atsuko called as she ran up to them with Jaden and Syrus at her heels. When the Slifers saw Dr. Crowler's condition, they freaked out in surprise.
"YOU! Of course! Who else would cause me such intense pain?!" Dr. Crowler lashed out angrily.
"That's keeping your eye on the ball," Syrus said as Dr. Crowler pulled the ball loose.
"Sorry," Jaden apologized, "I threw the ball…"
"Wait! It's my fault!" Bastion called as he and Lucia ran up to them, "I was the one who hit it. Dr. Crowler, please accept my apologies."
"Oh it's alright. I've been meaning to have my contacts refitted for ages and now I have the perfect excuse," Dr. Crowler said dismissively, and a new lackey to help me deal with that slacker Jaden.
"Your appearance is good timing Bastion. We need to have a talk with you," Dr. Stratton said.
"With me? What have I done?" Bastion asked nervously.
"We'll discuss that shortly," Dr. Stratton assured him, his gaze going to the onlooking Slifers, "Alone." Taking the hint, Lucia led the Slifers away.
Chapter Eleven: Equation for Success
Later in one of the classrooms, Chazz sauntered in and immediately took a seat near the top of the classroom. Grinning, he leaned back in his chair and propped his feet up on his desk. Looking over at a couple other Obelisk Blue freshmen, he snapped his fingers.
"You two, foot rub and an ice tea, pronto," Chazz ordered.
"Get it yourself," The Obelisk snapped.
"What did you say?" Chazz asked angrily, "Tell me again, I don't think I heard you." Lynn walked by and took a seat in the row above.
"Chazz, what are you doing?" Lynn asked.
"What does it look like I'm doing? I'm sitting in my seat," Chazz snapped, looking up to her.
"The seating arrangement was changed today. You don't sit there anymore," The Obelisk male said.
"Moron, this seat is mine. I have my name right… here?" Chazz gasped, pointing to a blank spot on his desk, "What gives? Where's my nametag?"
"It was moved over there to your new seat," The Obelisk said, pointing to the lower rows where the Slifer Red and Ra Yellow students sat.
"No way! This has to be a mistake! The next world champ shouldn't sit with slackers," Chazz protested as Dr. Crowler walked in. Spotting him, Chazz looked down at him hopefully.
"Dr. Crowler, tell everybody they're wrong. I should be sitting here," Chazz declared, "Not with the losers."
"I wouldn't say that Chazz. After all, you've lost to many students now including Jaden Yuki and Atsuko Fujibayashi. Two Slifers! After much discussion with Dr. Stratton, we've decided that you will duel Bastion Misawa and if you lose to him as well, you'll both switch dorms!" Dr. Crowler shouted angrily.
"What? You mean I could become a Ra Yellow duelist?" Chazz asked fearfully.
"Why yes, you could if you lose. Do you not believe yourself up to the challenge?" Dr. Crowler asked snidely. Many of the students began to chuckle at Chazz's plight.
"I won't lose to some Ra!" Chazz shouted angrily.
"Then take your new seat… for now. We have much to discuss," Dr. Crowler ordered, pointing to Chazz's new seat. Grumbling in embarrassment, Chazz packed his bag up and immediately moved down to the lower rows. As she watched him unpack, Lynn couldn't help feeling sorry for him.
"Poor Chazz. I can understand wanting to test him but embarrassing him like this in front of the whole class? Dr. Crowler's being a little cruel," Lynn said quietly as her duel spirit appeared in the seat next to her.
"Maybe but Chazz hasn't exactly lived up to his Obelisk Blue blazer and the requirements for wearing it," Valkyria reminded her, "Remember what your friends said. Only rich people and top duelists in school can wear a blue blazer. Chazz may be rich but he's no top duelist." Before the discussion could continue, the smartboard in the classroom came to life as Dr. Crowler addressed his students.
"Alright everyone. Let's begin class with a quick review. Somebody tell me the three formats of Duel Monsters used today in professional dueling," Dr. Crowler ordered, looking to the students. One Ra raised his hand, "Yes you there."
"The three known formats today are speed, advanced and master," The Ra listed off.
"Very good. Somebody tell me how many life points you have in each," Dr. Crowler promoted, selecting an Obelisk this time, "Yes?"
"In speed and advanced, you duel with 4000 life points but in master dueling, you duel with 8000," The Obelisk replied.
"Excellent. In which of the three formats can monsters be summoned in face up defense position?" Dr. Crowler asked, looking to a Slifer.
"That would be advanced," The Slifer said.
"Well done. Now which format incorporates the use of skills?" Dr. Crowler continued, looking again at the Obelisks.
"That would be speed dueling," The Obelisk said, "But Dr. Crowler, why are we going over formats?"
"Excellent question. Up to this point, duels on campus have been fought according to the advanced rules but starting today, duels may now be fought in speed and master formats," Dr. Crowler explained, looking at Chazz in particular, "For those of you struggling with your game, I encourage you to try these formats as well…" Chazz winced as he looked down at his notes.
Lousy Crowler… I'll show him a thing or two. Chazz swore angrily. On another part of the campus, Jaden, Syrus, Lucia, Bastion and Atsuko were walking along the pathways towards the Ra Yellow dorm.
"I'm not the most knowledgeable person when it comes to sports but hitting the ball over the center of the fence... Doesn't that usually mean you score a home run?" Syrus asked. The boys grinned knowingly as Jaden frowned in anger at being wrong.
"Give it up Jaden-kun. Misawa-san had you back there," Atsuko said patting the Slifer on the back, "Though how he beat your fastball is beyond me." Bastion pulled his bat out of his bag and held it up. Upon closer inspection, one could see mathematical formulas scribbled on its surface.
"That's simple Atsuko. I play like I duel - With formulas. I believe science, mathematics, chemistry, physics... They all play a role in our daily lives," Bastion explained.
"I never really thought about it that way before," Jaden admitted as they entered the Ra Yellow dorm.
"Does that mean you have a formula for everything?" Syrus asked. Bastion laughed as the group were led into a bedroom where the room's walls were littered with even more formulas.
"You might say that," Bastion replied modestly.
"Geez Bastion. You ever hear of cloud storage?" Lucia asked, "If my father saw your room, he'd be furious with you for writing on the walls."
"Your father is the reason I called you all here. He did see my walls and has requested I clean them up. Do you mind helping me out?" Bastion asked, gesturing to a pile of cleaning supplies nestled in the corner. In minutes, the teens had moved Bastion's furniture out into the hallway and were scrubbing and painting over his old formulas. In the center of the room, Jaden stood on a step ladder and was painting the ceiling.
"Hey check me out! I'm Michelangelo!" Jaden laughed. Laughter filled the room at Jaden's joke.
"Get it? Because I'm painting on the ceiling!" Jaden chuckled when he began to lose his balance on the ladder. Panicking, he accidently threw his brush and struck Syrus in the face with it. Paint splattered in the Slifer's surprised face. Seeing his friend all messy, Jaden couldn't help but laugh at his friend's predicament.
"You do realize this means war Jay," Syrus said deadpanned as he reached for his paint bucket.
"Come on Sy. It was an accident!" Jaden pleaded but that didn't stop his friend from rearing back with the bucket. Crying out in fright, Jaden leapt into the air and barely avoided a wave of paint.
"Now see here! Give me that paint… Bleck!" Bastion guffawed as Syrus's paint struck him in the face. Jaden landed firmly on the ground and immediately laughed at his friend's white face.
"Funny, is it?" Bastion demanded angrily. He tossed his paint rag and struck Jaden in the face. The girls howled in laughter at the boys' faces and their paint-covered forms. Seeing that the two girls were unblemished, the three boys looked at one another and grinned as they grabbed their paint buckets and implements.
"Uh what are you doing?" Lucia asked nervously.
"Guess!" Jaden grinned as he tossed a paint soaked rag. It struck Atsuko in the face as Bastion and Lucia began to swordfight with their paintbrushes. Syrus quickly got in as he hurled the rest of his paint bucket and the two girls were doused in white paint. For several minutes, paint and rags soaked with the stuff were hurled back and forth until there was little left. Eventually, a ceasefire was called and the work was completed. The group showered off and were soon dining in the Ra Yellow meal hall. Unlike the other two dorms, this one was cafeteria style similar to the one in the main building.
"I never had so much fun painting," Jaden grinned as he dug into his meal, "Bastion, Lucia, you two are alright."
"Yeah and so is Ra Yellow's food," Syrus agreed.
"You flatter us," Bastion said as he brought over a lobster dinner, "But I'm sure it's not much better than Slifer."
"You'd be wrong there Misawa-san," Atsuko disagreed as she took a helping for herself, "The closest thing we get to seafood is the fish Banner-sensei feeds his cat."
"Speaking of teachers, what did Dr. Crowler and Dr. Stratton want to discuss with you?" Syrus asked.
"They want me to test to become an Obelisk Blue," Bastion replied.
"Are you serious?" Syrus asked shockingly.
"It's true. Word has it that Chazz's constant losing to lower level students and his poor performance in class has been grating on Dr. Crowler's nerves," Lucia explained, "And my father's. They both agreed to test Chazz's worthiness to remain in Obelisk Blue."
"Hence why you asked us to clean your room," Atsuko guessed, "You were cleaning it in hopes that you and Chazz-baka will change dorms." Bastion looked a little chagrined at the comment.
"You deserve it Bastion. Congratulations," Jaden smiled.
"Well thank you," Bastion replied modestly, "But I still have to win before I can earn my promotion."
"With skills as weak as Chazz's, I calculate you'll barely have to break a sweat," Lucia grinned, "Since his arrival, Chazz hasn't impressed anyone with his dueling."
"Almost makes you wonder what he's doing to get ready," Syrus remarked.
"If he's planning to get ready…" Jaden agreed as he dug back into his meal. As dusk fell on the island, Chazz was back in his dorm room. His laptop was connected to his HD TV, the screen split down the middle with two older men on screen. The one on the left has sharply cut brown hair and a pale face. The other on the right has his black hair slicked back, a trim beard covering his chin. Despite the sharp suits they wore, Chazz knew them well.
"Got it Chazz?" The man on the right asked.
"Yeah Slade, I get it," Chazz mumbled.
"We can't hear you," Jagger frowned.
"I said I get it Jagger," Chazz snapped angrily, "What else do I have to do to make you two understand?"
"I'll say it again Chazz. We've completed our ends of the deal. Now everything falls to you," Slade reminded him.
"Yeah. We're already dominant powers in politics and finance. If you control Duel Monsters, the Princeton family will have the means to control the entire world. The entire future of this family now relies on you," Jagger added.
"Now go be the best, no matter what," Slade ordered before cutting the connection.
"Be the best... How can I be the best with losers like that around?" Chazz frowned, thinking upon his previous defeats. He stepped onto his balcony and from it, he could see Jaden leading Bastion and the others to the Slifer dorm.
Bastion's heading to the Slifer dorm for the night? That means his room's empty... Chazz thought before looking back to his scattered cards on his coffee table. Since the announcement, Chazz had gotten all of his cards and was frantically reworking his deck to compensate for the new rules. Unfortunately, a lot of his old strategies weren't going to work with what he currently had for cards.
I don't have time to rework my deck completely and not enough time to shop for new cards. Guess I'll have to take drastic measures… Chazz frowned as he returned to working on his deck. Another hour of work later, Chazz slipped his deck into its case and set his alarm for early in the morning. He settled into bed for a few hours until his clock woke him up shy of five in the morning. Quickly getting dressed, Chazz went over to the Ra Yellow dorm. With everyone still asleep, Chazz easily entered and went upstairs to Bastion's room. Furniture was strewn around in the hallway including his desk. Chazz began opening the drawers and was rewarded with a deck.
Gotcha… Without a deck, there isn't going to be a duel. Chazz grinned as he swiftly sifted through the cards. Before he could turn to leave, the slamming of a door got his attention. Lucia was walking out of her own room garbed in a yellow and black tracksuit with a backpack over her shoulder.
"Nothing like a morning run to wake you up before your next study session," Lucia grinned as she stretched her arms over her head. She turned to walk down the hall when she saw Chazz next to Bastion's desk. A terse moment of uneasy silence filled the hallway as the two duelists' eyes met. Seeing Chazz standing next to an open desk drawer with a deck in hand, Lucia quickly frowned.
"Hey! What are you doing here Chazz? Those cards don't belong to you!" Lucia asked angrily. The Obelisk chose not to respond. Instead, he turned and ran the opposite direction.
"Where do you think you're going? Get back here with those cards!" Lucia repeated as she hastily followed him. With the Ra nipping at his heels, Chazz ran out of the Ra dorm towards the docks.
Aw come on! Why'd the bookworm have to be an early bird? Chazz swore angrily as the docks came into view. An early morning fog still enshrouded the area as he stepped onto the docks. Looking at the cards in his hands, he turned his gaze towards the water.
"Alright, time to teach Bastion why you don't mess with the Chazz," Chazz mumbled as he drew his arm back.
"Stop right there!" Lucia ordered as she scampered up to him, "Those cards belong to Bastion! Give them back right now or you're going to be sorry!" Chazz gritted his teeth in anger. With his hand having been caught in the cookie jar, he couldn't deny what he'd done.
"Oh yeah? Why don't you make me?" Chazz challenged. Lucia responded by removing her backpack and pulling out two duel disks.
"Fine I will," Lucia offered, tossing one at Chazz's feet, "Let's duel. If I win, you give back those cards you stole. If I lose, you get to throw them away." Chazz looked down at the duel disk and promptly picked it up.
"Fine by me. The Chazz fears no challenger," Chazz grinned confidently as he slid the duel disk onto his arm and put his deck in it, "Crushing you in a master duel'll be a nice warmup before I take on that loser Bastion."
"Warmup huh? I'll turn up the heat up so high you won't be able to stand it," Lucia agreed as she put her deck into her own duel disk.
"Duel!"
Chazz's LP: 8000
Lucia's LP: 8000
"The first move's mine and I'll start things off with my Chthonian Soldier in attack mode (ATK: 1200) and a facedown. That'll do for now," Chazz said as his familiar warrior appeared alongside a hidden card.
"According to my statistics, you've led with that same opening move in eighty-percent of your duels," Lucia recited as she drew a card, "And I've already calculated how to overcome it. I set two cards facedown and activate the field spell Dusk Dragon Square." Lucia's three cards materialized as the docks area changed to a shrine of stone. In each of its four corners was a statue of a black dragon in an aggressive stance.
"I don't see how four statues can make me run scared," Chazz grinned cockily.
"Patience Chazz. My move isn't done. I summon Nohrian Mercenary Selena," Lucia continued as a red-haired woman in full leather armor appeared on her field brandishing a sword (ATK: 1800), "Now I'll use her effect. It allows me to draw one card and keep it if it's a Nohrian monster." Flipping the top card off her deck, Lucia grinned.
"The card I've drawn is Nohrian Prince Corrin so I get to keep it," Lucia said.
"Keep it if you want. You can't summon it right now anyway," Chazz said dismissively, "And with my setup, I'm not worried at all."
"I'm not worried either. I could destroy your monster now, but I'll spare my life points the damage and end my turn here without attacking," Lucia concluded when her four statues began to glow with black light, "And with the end phase having arrived, my field spell's effect activates. For each Nohrian monster I control, you have to send a card from your deck to your graveyard." Chazz frowned in anger as he sent a card away.
"Removing one of my cards won't stop me. I sacrifice Chthonian Soldier to advance summon Chthonian Emperor Dragon (ATK: 2400)," Chazz declared as his soldier vanished in favor for his green-scaled dragon, Next, I'll use Call of the Haunted to special summon Chthonian Soldier from the graveyard and since you said I'll do it, I'll use the spell card Inferno Reckless Summon to call two more Chthonian Soldiers from my deck." Chazz laughed haughtily as the three fiendish knights appeared alongside his dragon (ATK: 1200 X 3).
"Now Emperor Dragon destroy Selena. Emperor flame attack!" Chazz ordered as flames gathered at his beast's mouth.
"Your attack triggers my continuous trap card, Wartime Weariness," Lucia cut in as one of her cards flipped open.
"That won't stop my attack!" Chazz grinned as his dragon's fire burned away Lucia's mercenary.
Lucia's LP: 8000-7400
"Maybe but I expected that move. I'm activating my trap card Darkfire Flare!" Lucia countered, as a pillar of black fire erupted on her side of the field, "When a Nohrian monster is defeated, I can special summon another level four or lower Nohrian monster from my deck to the field in face up attack position. I'll use that effect to special summon Nohrian Cavalier Peri." From the flames came a girl mounted on a horse with black armor. She had crimson eyes and wild blue-pink hair tied in two sloppy pigtails (ATK: 1400).
"Whatever. I end my turn," Chazz concluded.
"Good. With your turn at an end, my trap card's effect kicks in. For every attack you launched this turn, you send a card from your deck to the graveyard. And let's not forget my field spell. You lose another card because I have a Nohrian monster in play," Lucia pointed out as two cards vanished from his deck.
"Now it's my turn. I activate Peri's ability. When I advance summon a Nohrian monster, I can treat Peri as two tributes. I'll give her up and advance summon Nohrian Prince Corrin," Lucia declared as her cavalier vanished in place of a new monster. Garbed in black and silver metal armor with a blue cape, his blond hair (ATK: 2500).
"Additionally, when Peri is sacrificed with her effect, you lose one more card out of your deck," Lucia continued as another card vanished from Chazz's deck, "And I'm not stopping there. I equip Dark Blade Ganglari to Corrin and have him attack your dragon!" A twisted purple sword appeared in her warrior's hand. Brandishing it, the knight charged in and buried it in the beast's chest. The dragon roared in pain as black lightning shot out of its body and caused it to explode.
"My dragon!" Chazz gasped as he looked at his life point counter. Despite his monster being weaker, he had lost no life points.
"Don't feel too bad. My spell prevents me from harming your life points, but it does let me send three cards from your deck to the graveyard when my monster destroys one of yours," Lucia grinned as three more of Chazz's cards vanished, "Of course, if my sword is still in play after three turns, I'll lose 2000 life points for using it. Next, I'll throw down a facedown and end my turn. With the end phase having arrived, I lose one card from my deck due to Wartime Weariness and you lose one card from your deck due to my field spell." Chazz frowned in anger as both players' decks got a little smaller.
"Yeah whatever. I play the equip spell Chthonian Alliance. This spell card increases my monster's attack points by 800 for each monster on the field that shares the same name as him," Chazz explained as the center Chthonian Soldier grew in size and power.
Chthonian Soldier (ATK: 1200-3600)
"Now that he's powered up, Chthonian Soldier attack! Dethrone her prince!" Chazz ordered. His biggest Chthonian roared in challenge as it charged at Lucia's sole monster.
"I calculated you'd do that so I set up this trap card. I activate Earth Dragon Vein! Since I have a Nohrian royal on my field, I can switch all of your monsters to defense mode," Lucia countered as a brown aura surrounded her prince. Channeling his strength, he created an earthquake that forced all of Chazz's monsters to take a knee (DEF: 1400).
"Not only that, for each monster that changed battle modes, you send one card from your deck to the graveyard. Three monsters changed modes so you lose three more cards from your deck," Lucia warned as Chazz's deck got even smaller, "And with your turn over, you have to send another card from your deck to the graveyard due to my Dusk Dragon Square field spell."
"Whatever. I still have more monsters and life points than you do," Chazz said dismissively, except she's not targeting either. Her deck's all about targeting my cards.
"We'll see about that. I summon Nohrian Fighter Arthur in attack mode!" Lucia announced as another leather-clad, blond monster emerged on her field. This one grinned broadly with shining teeth and carried a battle axe (ATK: 2300).
"Now Arthur and Corrin, destroy the two Chthonians with equip spells!" Lucia ordered. Both of her monsters rushed in and quickly cut down one of the biggest Chthonians and one of its smaller cousins.
"Now that Corrin destroyed one of your Chthonians, my sword's effect activates and causes you to lose three more cards from your deck," Lucia said as she placed a spell card in her duel disk, "and with that effect resolved, I'll play Spoils of Victory. This spell cards lets me draw a card for each monster I destroyed in battle this turn." As Chazz's cards vanished from his deck, Lucia drew two more cards.
"Now that I have the cards I need, I'll bring about my end phase. With this, I lose two cards from my deck due to Wartime Weariness and you lose two more cards due to my field spell's effect," Lucia concluded as she and Chazz both discarded cards from their decks.
"It's my turn now and I'll activate the equip spell Symbols of Duty. It lets me special summon a normal monster from my graveyard. Since Chthonian Emperor Dragon is a normal monster when he's in my graveyard, I can call him out without a problem," Chazz said as his dragon reemerged on the field (ATK: 2400).
"Aiming to give your dragon another chance? That would be a waste since Corrin is stronger," Lucia pointed out.
"Don't be so sure. Who says I'm keeping him? I'll sacrifice my dragon and all the cards in my hand to call out my most powerful monster!" Chazz smirked as he discarded all his cards. A fierce explosion shook the docks as a massive black worm monster emerged on the field, a Chthonian Soldier sticking out of its forehead (ATK: 2800).
"Meet the Infernal Incinerator! He gains 200 attack points for every monster on your field," Chazz continued as his monster powered up.
Infernal Incinerator (ATK: 2800-3200)
"3200 attack points… That makes him more powerful than either of my monsters," Lucia frowned.
"That's right! Time to show you why it's dangerous to play with fire! Infernal Incinerator destroy Arthur! Firestorm blast!" Chazz ordered. The beast roared as a flame blast erupted from its jaw and consumed the blond axe-wielder.
Lucia's LP: 7400-6500
"How'd you like that? Your monster's toast," Chazz grinned as his monster's strength reduced a little.
Infernal Incinerator (ATK: 3200-3000)
"Maybe but now that your turn is over, my field spell and my trap card kick in, forcing you to send two more cards from your deck to your graveyard," Lucia reminded him as her two cards glowed with their effects once more and Chazz sent two more of his cards away.
"Yeah whatever. I still have the strongest monster on my field and your life points will soon be history," Chazz said dismissively, "You might as well call it game." Lucia drew a card and frowned at it.
"This isn't over. I switch Corrin to defense mode (DEF: 2100)," Lucia said as her monster took a defensive stance, "Then I'll throw down two facedowns and end my turn." It was then her monster's sword shattered.
"Don't forget. Three turns have passed since you played your sword. Now it's gone and you lose 2000 life points for using it," Chazz warned as the damage set in.
Lucia's LP: 6500-4500
"And don't you forget Chazz. Thanks to my field, you have to send a card from your deck to the graveyard," Lucia countered as Chazz's deck got even smaller, "And with my last move, your deck's fighting power has been reduced to twenty-five percent."
"Twenty-five percent?" Chazz asked, looking down at his deck.
"Yeah because your forty-card deck has only ten cards left. Better make the most of them," Lucia grinned.
She's trying to make the Chazz deck out! Chazz frowned as he drew a card. I've got to make this move count and this card'll do just that.
"Oh I will and then some! I activate Shield Crush! This spell card allows me to destroy any monster hiding in defense mode so say goodbye to your Prince Charming," Chazz said as he slotted in his sole card. A beam of green light fired towards Lucia's monster.
"Finally, a good move but that won't stop my trap card! I activate Lightning Dragon Vein! If I control a Nohrian royal on my field, this card destroys four cards in your deck," Lucia countered as one of her two facedowns flipped up and countered with a surge of lightning. The two beams soared past each other, one striking Chazz's duel disk, the other Lucia's monster. Both duelists grimaced as both suffered damage to their deck and field respectively.
"You may have whittled my deck down further but my Infernal Incinerator can still lay a beating on your life points," Chazz warned as his monster's strength changed once again.
Infernal Incinerator (ATK: 3000-2800)
Despite its lowered strength, the creature roared with power as it launched a storm of flames that struck Lucia with enough force to knock her off her feet.
Lucia's LP: 4500-1700
"I end my turn," Chazz concluded.
"But not before my trap card kicks in again. You lose one more card for attacking me," Lucia cautioned as Chazz's deck was whittled down by yet another card.
"Tch. Whatever. I've got a monster with 2800 attack points and you've only got 1700 life points. On my next turn, I'll wipe you out," Chazz vowed, it'll have to be my next turn since I'm almost out of cards.
"With your deck down to four cards? I wouldn't take any bets on that happening," Lucia said as she drew, "I activate the spell card Magic Planter! I'll send my Wartime Weariness card to the graveyard and I get to draw two cards. Then I'll summon Nohrian Princess Azura." Lucia's trap card vanished and in its place, a new monster appeared. A fair, blue-haired maiden in an elaborate purple and black dancer's outfit appeared on her field. The lower half of her face was concealed by a veil and she walked barefoot as she stepped towards Chazz (ATK: 0).
"Zero attack points? I think you miscalculated. She's no threat to my Infernal Incinerator," Chazz scoffed.
"You still haven't learned, have you? Just because her attack points are zero doesn't mean she can't beat you," Lucia lectured.
"Oh really? Show me then. How's a monster with no attack points going to beat me?" Chazz asked cockily.
"Easy. I'm going to pair her up with my final trap card," Lucia announced as her final trap card flipped open, "I activate Strange Dragon Vein! With this card out, I can banish Azura from my field and reactivate the effect of a Dragon Vein trap card with a different name in my graveyard."
"A Dragon Vein trap card in your graveyard…? You don't mean?" Chazz gasped as Azura glowed with a multi-color aura.
"That's right! I reactivate the trap card Lightning Dragon Vein. This trap card destroys four cards in your deck," Lucia announced as the colored aura changed to a yellow one, "And if my calculations are correct, those four cards are your last." Channeling this power, Azura fired a bolt of lightning that struck Chazz's duel disk. It sparked wildly as Azura faded from the field.
"No, my cards!" Chazz howled as the last of his deck vanished into his graveyard.
"Guess there's not much more I can do. I end my turn and this duel," Lucia concluded as the holograms faded, "Since your deck is empty, you can't draw and that means I win." Chazz clenched his fists in anger as he stared down at his now empty duel disk. DECK OUT flashed on the screen of his duel disk.
I can't believe this. I've lost again and to a Ra no less! When's the losing streak going to end? Chazz silently fumed.
"You've lost this duel Chazz. It's time you handed over that deck you stole," Lucia said as she walked towards him.
"Oh yeah? Who says I have to?" Chazz challenged as he pulled out the cards he had taken. Before she could move on him, Chazz discarded the cards into the water. Lucia looked out in shock as the waves consumed Bastion's cards.
"You creep!" Lucia roared in anger, "We had a deal!"
"Doesn't mean I have to keep it!" Chazz laughed, "Ha! Nobody's going to demote me to Ra Yellow!" His task complete, he dropped the duel disk and ran off into the morning fog.
"You dishonorable, Obelisk coward… You'll pay for this," Lucia swore as the rising sun began to burn away the morning fog. Angrily, she kicked a rock off the docks into the water. She watched it hit the water but as she did, she saw something in the fog not far away. Looking across the water to the opposite dock, her eyes widened in surprise and hope. Hours later, Dr. Stratton and Dr. Crowler were with Chazz in the arena in the main building. Bastion walked in with Jaden, Syrus, Lucia and Atsuko right behind him.
"Ah Bastion, welcome," Dr. Stratton greeted.
"I see you've brought some friends with you," Dr. Crowler frowned, spotting the Slifers at the genius' heels.
"I hope you duel better than the company you keep," Chazz grinned.
"With what you did this morning Chazz, I'm surprised my dad is even letting you duel," Lucia fumed.
"Lucia? What do you mean?" Dr. Stratton asked.
"I was going out for a run this morning and caught Chazz red-handed stealing a deck from Bastion's desk. What's worse is that I chased him down and watched him throw it into the ocean," Lucia explained. The two doctors were surprised at the accusation.
"Chazz, is this true?" Dr. Stratton wondered.
"I don't know what she's talking about Dr. Stratton. I didn't do anything," Chazz said defensively.
"Oh, is that so?" A new voice challenged. All the people in the room turned and saw it was Alexis who had spoken, Zane and Lynn flanking her.
"We saw you Chazz. You threw them in the ocean and ran off with your tail between your legs," Alexis accused. The onlookers and teachers regarded Chazz with a new level of disgust.
"I wouldn't normally snitch but you don't mess with someone's deck," Alexis frowned.
"Yeah, that's low even for you Chazz," Jaden agreed.
"Oh come on. How do you know those cards I threw out weren't mine?" Chazz proposed, "Did it ever come into your heads that Bastion and I might have the same cards?"
"Not likely," Lucia said dismissively, "Seeing as how I chased you away from Bastion's room with your hand in his desk drawer… In the Ra dorm at five in the morning!" With each accusation, the two teachers frowned further but for different reasons. Dr. Stratton's eyes were filled with disgust, Dr. Crowler's with shock.
Could Chazz have really done this? I don't like slackers but even I wouldn't resort to something so heinous. Dr. Crowler though to himself.
"Mr. Princeton, is this true?" Dr. Stratton asked.
"I don't know what she's talking about," Chazz replied evasively, "I spent the whole evening preparing for this match."
"You're lying Chazz. When you got to the docks, Lucia challenged you to a duel with Bastion's deck as the wager. You lost the match and were cowardly enough to throw them away anyway," Zane retorted.
"Ridiculous! There's no way you can prove I dueled this reject!" Chazz countered.
"Wrong again Chazz. Every school duel disk on the island is registered with the Duel Academy computer network. Every card and duel is logged. If someone were to check for a duel that was fought at five AM, I'm sure the school's records will confirm that we had our match," Lucia explained.
All duels are recorded on the network? That's not good. Chazz winced at this. Dr. Stratton discreetly reached for his PDA and began to cycle through the data.
"I'll look into Zane's claim. Can you handle this Vellian?" Dr. Stratton whispered.
"Of course," Dr. Crowler agreed and Dr. Stratton stepped out of the way.
"Nobody calls me a liar and nobody calls me a cheat! It's not my fault Bastion didn't keep a better eye on his deck," Chazz snapped angrily. The two doctors in the room were both frowning at this point, both for different reasons. Dr. Crowler was disappointed in his student while Dr. Stratton was angry that one of his students had been victimized by a student who had to prove something.
"Fine then. You're not a cheat or a thief. Let's just have our duel," Bastion conceded.
"But your deck is waterlogged," Lucia protested as Bastion unbuttoned his blazer.
"That's not a problem. A good duelist always has a spare deck or a few of them. You saw all my different formulas. Well they were for all my different dueling decks!" Bastion explained, opening his blazer wide open, "And each one is more powerful than the next!" A homemade harness with six deck boxes was strapped to his chest. Popping one open, he yanked the deck out of it and slapped it into his duel disk.
"Fine. You can have your six stinking decks. I only need this one," Chazz said boldly, holding up his duel disk preloaded with his deck, "Now let's start this duel already." Bastion jumped up onto the arena floor as Chazz took his position on the opposite side.
"I thought you'd never agree Chazz," Bastion agreed.
"So bring it on!" Chazz challenged.
"Duel!"
Chazz's LP: 8000
Bastion's LP: 8000
"Alright, here comes the hurt! I summon Chthonian Soldier in attack mode. Then I'll throw down a facedown and end my turn," Chazz announced as his dark warrior emerged on the field alongside a card (ATK: 1200).
"This opening again? You'd think Chazz would try something different by now," Lynn remarked.
"Good show but my turn is now commencing. I activate the continuous spell Magnetic Attraction. Then I'll summon Beta the Electromagnet Warrior in attack mode," Bastion began as a bulky red monster with magnets for hands and feet along with an enlarged head appeared on his field (ATK: 1500).
"Now that I've called upon a monster, Magnetic Attraction's effect activates. It lets me special summons another magnet monster from my deck as long as it's a normal monster with a similar name," Bastion explained as his spell glowed. A beam of light erupted from Bastion's field and took the form of a yellow magnet monster with beady black eyes.
"That card's Beta the Magnet Warrior (ATK: 1700)," Lucia remarked.
"Must be throwback Thursday," Jaden grinned, "That's an old card."
"Yes but while this card has aged gracefully, I shall adhere to the rules of the modern era by activating Beta the Electromagnet Warrior's effect. It allows me to add another Magnet Warrior from my deck to my hand. I shall choose Magnet Warrior Sigma Minus," Bastion continued as he added another card to his hand, "And with that concluded, I commence my battle phase. Beta the Magnet Warrior destroy Chthonian Soldier! Magnetic punch!" The yellow monster floated quickly over to Chazz's creature and struck it in the chest destroying it.
"You just activated my Chthonian Soldier's special ability. When it's destroyed, we both take the same amount of damage to our life points," Chazz reminded as both players' life points went down.
Chazz's LP: 8000-7500
Bastion's LP: 8000-7500
"That won't mean anything in a moment. You're wide open after all," Bastion commented as his red monster moved towards Chazz.
"Don't think so you Ra reject! I pay 1000 life points to activate my trap card Soul Rope! With this I can special summon a level four or below monster from my deck. The card I choose is X-Head Cannon," Chazz countered as a blue machine monster with shoulder cannons and a spiked ball for legs appeared on his field (ATK: 1800). Spotting the stronger monster, the remaining Beta flew back to Bastion's side.
Chazz's LP: 7500-6500
"I'll end by setting a facedown card," Bastion concluded as a card materialized behind his two magnet warriors.
"That Soul Rope card was new," Atsuko remarked, "But it doesn't help him much. Chazz-baka is still outnumbered two to one."
"I get the feeling that's going to change," Syrus frowned as Chazz drew a card.
"Since you've got a continuous spell, I'll activate one of my own. I activate Frontline Base. This card lets me summon a union monster from my hand along with my normal summon. I'll summon the Dark Blade (ATK: 1800) and uses Frontline Base's effect to special summon my Pitch-Dark Dragon (ATK: 900)," Chazz explained as a black armored knight with silver blades appeared on his field alongside a large black dragon.
"Three monsters… This is going to hurt," Lucia winced.
"Got that right! Time to bring the pain! Dark Blade destroy Beta the Electromagnet Warrior!" Chazz ordered. The black armored swordsman flew in and quickly removed the head of Bastion's red monster. The resulting explosion forced Bastion to shield his eyes.
Bastion's LP: 7500-7200
"Now X-Head Cannon attacks Beta the Magnet Warrior! Cannon blast!" Chazz added as his blue monster fired a barrage that destroyed the classic monster.
Bastion's LP: 7200-7100
"Now that you're wide open, Pitch-Dark Dragon attacks you directly," Chazz continued. His dragon launched a black fireball that struck Bastion head on.
Bastion's LP: 7100-6200
"During main phase two, I'll use Pitch-Dark Dragon's ability. It can equip itself to Dark Blade and raise its attack points by 400," Chazz concluded as his knight mounted the dragon, "With that, I'll end my turn but with a 2200 attack point monster staring you down, you might as well quit now."
Dark Blade (ATK: 1800-2200)
"I don't see why Chazz is so confident. He's nearly depleted his hand with that last maneuver," Lynn remarked.
"Not only that, his monsters aren't compatible at all. X-Head Cannon and Dark Blade are monsters from two completely different deck styles. If he's trying to hybridize his deck, he's not doing a good job of it," Zane agreed, "He'd be better off working with one monster type or the other."
"Hybridize? What do you mean big bro?" Syrus asked.
"Just keep watching Syrus. You'll see what I mean in a moment," Zane replied.
"Good show Chazz but I have something better in mind. I'll start my turn by activating the trap card Shrapnel Blast! This card forces me to discard five cards from the top of my deck and then I can inflict 200 points of damage for each rock monster that is sent to the graveyard," Bastion began as his trap flipped open. As he drew out the cards, they materialized briefly on the field for everyone to see. There was Magnet Warrior Sigma Minus, the spell White Elephant's Gift, the trap Stronghold the Moving Fortress, Mine Golem and Gamma the Magnet Warrior.
"Since three of my cards are rock monsters, you take 600 points of damage," Bastion declared as he discarded the cards. Three explosions erupted around Chazz as his life points suffered from the effect damage.
Chazz's LP: 6500-5900
"That's all? You're going to have to do better than that," Chazz sneered.
"Is that so? I can manage that. I summon Delta the Electromagent Warrior in attack mode," Bastion continued as a blue magnet monster composed of triangular body parts and magnets mounted on its head, hands and feet (ATK: 1600).
"Now for Delta's ability. I can send Alpha the Magnet Warrior from my deck to the graveyard," Bastion explained as his monster turned and aimed a magnetic hand at him. A blue wave of energy pulled a card from Bastion's deck before sending to his graveyard.
"Now that's taken care of, I can use another of Delta's abilities. I can banish three Magnet Warrior cards from my graveyard to special summon Valkyrion the Magna Warrior from my deck," Bastion said as Beta the Magnet Warrior appeared alongside a pink magnet monster with extendable arms and a gray one carrying a sword. The three broke apart into many pieces and the onlookers watched in amazement as they combined. With a silver body, a golden masked head and pink wings on its back, it swung its sword mightily, whipping up a shockwave as it landed on Bastion's field (ATK: 3500).
"What a sweet move! Now Chazz is the one who is in trouble," Jaden grinned.
"Now my mighty warrior, destroy X-Head Cannon! Magnet saber!" Bastion ordered. The magnetized monster quickly flew in and demolished Chazz's monster with one powerful slice. The shockwave from the attack was powerful enough to nearly blow Chazz off of his feet.
Chazz's LP: 5900-4200
"I shall conclude my turn with two facedown cards," Bastion concluded as two more cards materialized on his field, "Well Chazz, how's that for doing better?" Chazz grimaced as he got back to his feet.
"Don't get cocky you Ra Reject. I'm not done with you yet! I summon another Chthonian Soldier in attack mode!" Chazz announced as another of his soldiers appeared on the field (ATK: 1200), "Then I'll send Dark Blade to destroy Delta!" Once more, his knight charged in and destroyed Bastion's blue magnet monster.
Bastion's LP: 6200-5600
"Now Chthonian Soldier! Attack Valkyrion the Magna Warrior!" Chazz ordered, to the amazement of everyone watching.
"I think my ears need cleaning out. Did Chazz just order his Chthonian to attack a monster with nearly triple the strength of his own?" Lynn asked as the soldier charged in.
"Yeah why do that? His soldier's attack points are much too low," Syrus wondered too as the soldier was swiftly overpowered and struck down.
"Don't forget Syrus. Chthonian Soldier's effect forces both players to take the same amount of damage when he's destroyed in battle," Zane reminded sagely as both players suffered from Chazz's play.
Chazz's LP: 4200-1900
Bastion's LP: 5600-3300
"Could he be aiming for a tie?" Alexis asked, "You know, wiping out both player's life points at the same time?"
"As if! I just wanted my monster beaten so I can use this. During main phase two, I play the spell card Chthonian Blast! When one of my monsters is destroyed in battle, I can destroy one of your monsters and you take damage equal to half of its attack points!" Chazz answered as he slotted in his last card, "And since you only have one monster, guess your Magna Warrior has to go bye-bye!" Bastion cried out in fear as a line of explosions erupted from Chazz's spell card and consumed his magnet warrior and him in flames.
Bastion's LP: 3300-1850
"Oh no! Bastion!" Jaden called out fearfully as the smoke faded.
"I'm OK," Bastion assured him as Chazz's turn ended, "A little shell shocked but OK."
"Oh you'll be more than shell shocked when my next turn comes around," Chazz grinned, "Better get out your calculator because if you can't beat me this turn, you're toast." Bastion drew a card and grinned. Seeing that his opponent didn't look the least bit worried, Chazz frowned.
"What're you smiling about?" Chazz demanded angrily, "You're pretty happy for a guy who lost his strongest monster."
"Losing Valkyrion was always a possibility but you depleting your own life points was something I didn't expect," Bastion admitted, "I had anticipated that it would take me at least two more turns to defeat you but you made things quite easy for me."
"Your calculator must be a few buttons short. My calculations tell me that without your best monster, you're all but finished," Chazz grinned.
"Then you better doublecheck your work because I've already done all the math," Bastion declared.
"All the math?" Dr. Crowler gasped, "Did he...?"
"Bastion had all this planned from the very start?" Jaden declared.
"You're bluffing!" Chazz countered, "Without your best card, you're all but done."
"Valkyrion is hardly my best card. I have cards far more useful than him. I don't need a powerful monster to defeat you. It's just the opposite," Bastion countered back as he drew a card.
"How can Bastion defeat Chazz without a powerful monster?" Lynn wondered.
"There's more than one way to inflict damage. Just watch," Zane advised sagely.
"I'll activate my trap card Rock Bombardment. This card sends a rock monster from my deck to the graveyard and inflicts 500 points of damage to your life points. I choose my Mine Golem," Bastion began as a rock monster with a landmine mounted in it appeared on his field briefly. A catapult appeared around it and quickly launched it at Chazz. The monster exploded on impact, shaking Chazz harshly.
Chazz's LP: 1900-1400
"That all you got?" Chazz challenged.
"Hardly. Next, I'll summon Block Golem in attack mode," Bastion continued as a massive monster composed of Lego bricks and drills on its arms appeared on his field (ATK: 1000), "And then I'll use its special ability. By sacrificing it, I can special summon two level four or below rock monsters from my graveyard. I shall choose two Mine Golems!" The brick monster promptly shattered and in its place were two of Bastion's mine monsters (ATK: 1000 X 2).
"Ha! You can have a hundred Mine Golems. None of them can defeat my powered up Dark Blade!" Chazz grinned, "Especially since their special abilities can't be used this turn."
"With this last facedown card, I won't have to. I activate the trap card Minefield Eruption. This trap card destroys both golems and inflicts 1000 points of damage for each one," Bastion explained as his final facedown card flipped open.
"1000 points for each?! I only have 1400 life points left!" Chazz realized as the mines on the golems' heads began to glow brightly, "No! This can't be happening."
"I'm sorry Chazz but you have lost," Bastion said with finality. The two golems lumbered over to Chazz and grabbed him in a bearhug. The Obelisk student cried out in fear as both monsters blew up and flung him off the stage.
Chazz's LP: 1400-0
"Pure luck. You drew a lucky card and stumbled into the win," Chazz growled.
"Luck had nothing to do with it," Lucia retorted, "Bastion's a far better duelist and a far better man than you."
"There's no need to defend me Lucia. Perhaps it was luck but as they say, luck favors and the prepared and I was fully prepared to defeat you with at least a dozen other cards as well. But deny it if you wish, just like you deny throwing my deck into the ocean."
"Oh yeah? Let's see you prove it," Chazz challenged.
"If you insist," Bastion said as he reached into his jacket pocket. He pulled out a damp Vorse Raider card, a formula scribbled on its surface.
"Let me tell you how…" Bastion said as his own thoughts raced back to that moment hours before. He had been having breakfast in the Slifer dorm where he had crashed for the night. The boys were up in Jaden's room talking excitedly about the upcoming match with Chazz when there was heavy banging on Jaden's door.
"Jaden! Jaden!" A heavy female voice called. The Slifer opened the door and found Ms. Dorothy on the other side of it, breathless.
"Hey what's up Ms. Dorothy?" Jaden asked, "Is everything OK?"
"I was out unloading goods from the docks what I saw them. Cards tossed everywhere!" Ms. Dorothy gasped.
"Cards tossed?" Jaden asked worryingly.
"Yeah I heard some shouting as the cargo boat was coming in. I didn't who was out there but I saw a fiery explosion along the way. It looked and sounded like a duel was going on," Ms. Dorothy explained as Syrus and Bastion joined him.
"Can you show us?" Syrus asked. Ms. Dorothy nodded. A few minutes later the group was out where Lucia had dueled Bastion. The tide was out at the moment and cards could be seen littered among the rocks. Reaching down, Jaden could reach two of them and handed them to Syrus.
"Vorse Raider and Ring of Destruction… Bastion, don't you use these cards?" Syrus asked, holding them out to Bastion. A closer look showed mathematical formulas were etched on them.
"These cards were from a deck I kept stored in my desk," Bastion frowned.
"The same desk that we moved yesterday into the hall?" Jaden asked. Bastion nodded as he refocused his thought back to the present.
"Some of my cards had drifted back on to the rocks. This card has a formula written on it," Bastion explained, "by me."
"Oh really? How do you know I didn't write that formula?" Chazz challenged.
"Aside from the fact that the handwriting will match mine? If you wrote this formula, you should know what it's for," Bastion replied, "can you answer that? What does this formula on this card represent Chazz?" Chazz's eye twitched in nervousness.
"I don't have to answer that," Chazz said.
"Yeah you don't, considering you're a bold-faced liar," Dr. Stratton said back, crossing his arms in front of his chest, "I just checked the records with the academy database. You dueled Lucia at five AM this morning by the docks. Records indicate you lost but you say you never dueled at all. You know what that makes you?" Chazz frowned, realizing he was busted.
"It makes a you a liar. In light of the overwhelming evidence and your loss here today, you will be demoted to Ra Yellow effective immediately," Dr. Stratton declared, "But once I run this situation by Chancellor Sheppard, you'll be lucky if you even get to stay at all." To the amazement of all but Dr. Stratton, Chazz put his deck away and threw the duel disk at him in anger.
"Don't bother prepping a room for me. I've had it! If this school won't acknowledge the talent I have, I'll go somewhere that will!" Chazz fumed outrageously, before running out of the room.
"Fine by us. We don't want you here anyway," Lucia called, "You lousy, good for nothing..."
"Lucia…" Dr. Stratton interrupted dangerously.
"Sorry Father," Lucia replied sheepishly.
"As despicable as Chazz's actions were, we mustn't forget that this whole thing has brought out some good," Dr. Crowler said, stepping up onto the stage, "Bastion Misawa, you've more than proven your ability. Welcome to Obelisk Blue!"
"Thank you Dr. Crowler but I must decline your invitation," Bastion replied.
"What? But why?" Dr. Crowler asked.
"When I first arrived, I decided that if I didn't make Obelisk Blue at the start, I would only become an Obelisk once I became the number one duelist in the freshman class," Bastion explained before turning to face Jaden, "out of all the freshmen here, I believe you to be the number one duelist Jaden."
"Hey thanks. Does that mean you want to settle this right here?" Jaden asked eagerly, "Seeing you up here really made me want to get my game on."
"Sorry but not now," Bastion said, shaking his head.
"Huh? Why not?" Jaden asked perplexedly.
"Because I have a lot of work to do before I duel you. I have many formulas to write, theorems to solve, and equations to balance. You're an excellent duelist and I want to be ready. Soon my dorm room walls will be filled with new problems and equations and we will have our duel," Bastion promised. Another loud cough got the group's attention, once again made by Dr. Stratton.
"Ahem… As happy as I am that you're remaining in Ra Yellow Bastion, I believe I already wrote you up once for vandalizing school property. If you're going to do more formulating, do us a favor and get cloud storage for your computer," Dr. Stratton ordered exasperatedly. Bastion rubbed the back of his head nervously as his Slifer and Ra friends laughed.
"Uh yes sir," Bastion agreed, his gaze going to Jaden once more. The two duelists' gazes met and once could almost sense the eagerness and fighting spirits of both rising. Lynn however had other thoughts.
If Jaden's the number one duelist among the freshmen, I wonder where I rank? Lynn wondered, her left hand subconsciously going to her deck case. Unbeknownst to her, her case was glowing briefly. Had the discussion of the match not been going on, someone might have heard the low growling noise coming from Lynn's deck case…