Quillion9000:Okay, Zack's parents finally make their first appearance. To those of you who may be disappointed in how the duel ends... well, it's realistically the best route Zack had for victory. Alexandria's deck, which has been mentioned before, is a Magician Girl deck. I spent time looking at builds and the best way to overcome its effects is not to attack until the right moment. Also, this isn't the last appearance they'll make.
Zack: What do you mean by that? You mean they're...
Quillion9000: No drastic spoilers now Zack. Just do the disclaimer.
Zack:Fine. Quillion9000 and Unknown entity328 do not own Naruto or Yugioh Gx. They only own their original characters and any plot points they may come up with. Enjoy and don't forget to review.
Coauthor:Unknown entity328
Helicopter, Early Morning…
This helicopter contained two passengers. One was a well built, tall man at seven feet even. He had well groomed, medium length white hair and dark blue eyes. His attire consisted of a black suit and sunglasses.
His fellow passenger was a short woman with long, dark blue hair in a pony tail underneath a dark blue witch's hat. Her eyes were forest green. The rest of her attire consisted of a blue and white witches garb with a white cape.
The man angrily threw a letter, from a proctor of Duel Academy they knew, on the floor.
"Dear Mr. and Mrs. Henderson
You son is an Obelisk, but he has chosen to live amongst the Slifers."
That was all it said and all it needed to say.
"How disgraceful. I thought we raised him better than this." The man angrily stated.
The woman nodded. "Yes, clearly we went wrong somewhere if he has not thought of how this affects his future and us."
The man shook his head. "If this is allowed to continue, then it's going to be a nightmare to deal with."
"It won't. We'll take him back into our care and turn him into a son to be proud of." The woman stated.
School Yard
Zack, Bastion, Syrus, and Jaden were chilling out in the school yard. It wasn't even intentional that they all ended up there. It was just something they decided to do themselves and roll with it when they all showed up.
Zack had brought out a cooler with a bunch of sodas, so they had refreshment. Bastion went and bought them all sandwiches and chips. In the end they had a decent lunch. Now, they were just relaxing on the grass with satisfied stomachs.
"You know, it feels good to relax like this." Syrus stated contently.
Bastion took a deep breathe. "I agree. Sometimes it is best to stop and smell the roses."
Jaden was confused. "But there aren't any roses here."
"Figure of speech Jaden. Bastion means that it's good to take things slow from time to time and enjoy the moment." Zack explained with his eyes closed.
"Hey Zack, you said your dad usually wears a suit and your mom dresses like a spellcaster, right?" Syrus suddenly asked.
Zack suddenly got the feeling that this nice, relaxing day was over. "Don't tell me, they're coming this way?"
Bastion nodded. "That appears to be the case."
Zack sighed, opened his eyes, and stood. His parents were making there way up the path.
"I always knew this day would come." Zack looked at his friends. "It's your choice, but know that if you come with me, they're likely going to end up insulting you."
With that, Zack put his hands in his pockets and walked over to them. He also noticed that Bastion, Syrus, and Jaden were following him. That made him smile.
The two groups stopped a few inches from each other. Zack's parents were clearly disgusted by the company their son kept. Jaden, Syrus, and Bastion were a little surprised that Zack's father was taller than him.
"Alexandria. Johnson." Zack greeted. "What can I do for you?"
Johnson looked at Zack. "That's mother and father to you."
Zack chuckled. "No, I'm pretty sure the names I used were right. Let me introduce you to the guys. This is Jaden, he's my best friend. Those two are Syrus and Bastion. They're a only two of the good friends I've made since joining Duel Academy." He then looked at his wrist. "Oh my, it is rather late late. Thank you for visiting, but you should really be on your way."
"Real cute son, but you know why we're here." Johnson stated.
Zack crossed his arms. "I'm well aware, but you can't do anything to me until Alexandria wins the duel."
Alexandria rolled her eyes. "Do you really think you have any chance of winning? At this point, wouldn't it be better to save yourself the embarrassment?"
"You're such a charmer Alexandria. I wonder how you keep the fans you have?" Zack chuckled. "Oh, wait I do know the answer. Unlike your fellow competitors, they don't know who you people really are. All they know is the act.
Either way, I have no intention of ever being put in your care again, nor do I intend on leaving Duel Academy. At this point, you two would be better off going up to Chancellor Sheppard's office and arranging our match."
Johnson sighed. "So be it. You brought this on yourself." They began to walk away. "Just be ready for reeducation. Once we're done, you won't associate with trash like them."
Zack glared at them. "They aren't trash. They're my friends."
Neither of them responded to that, so her turned to his friends "Sorry about them guys.""
Bastion smiled at him. "You have nothing to apologize for. I think your description of them didn't do justice to how terrible they really are."
Syrus nodded. "Yeah, your nothing like them at all Zack. Like I said, you're a good person."
Jaden patted him on the back and gave his trademark goofy grin. "I bet you can duel circles around her."
"I won't know until we duel, but at the very least, I won't go down easy. This is where I belong. Plus, Duel Academy is counting on me to lead our team to victory. I have no intention of letting anyone down." Zack declared.
"You three are welcome to watch since you know truth. I doubt they'll let anyone who doesn't since my mother wouldn't want to run the risk of her act being ruined. Go ahead and invite Alexis, Mindy, Jasmine, and Chumley while you're at it."
Zack walked inside already going over everything he wrote on his mother in his notebook. That included her cards, combos, and counters he had for them. From there, he began running through his own combos trying to determine what he could do depending on what hand he got.
Hallway
Zack was standing in the hall. Almost all his friends, except for Alexis, Mindy, and Jasmine, had already entered as had Sheppard, who would referee the match, Johnson, and Alexandria. The duel wasn't scheduled to start until noon, so he was going to make his parents wait.
Was it petty? Yes. Did Zack care? Not in the slightest. It just felt good to finally make them wait on him instead of the other way around. Speaking of Alexis and her friends, they were walking down the hall towards the arena.
Zack nodded. "Hey."
Alexis asked, "What are you doing out here? Is the duel already over?"
Zack shook his head. "No, I'm just keeping my parents waiting is all."
Alexis turned to her friends. "You two go on in. I'll catch up."
Mindy and Jasmine nodded before walking in.
"Okay, what's really going on here?" Alexis asked.
Zack raised an eye brow. "Why do you assume there's something more?"
Alexis rolled her eyes. "We may not have known each other long, but I know more than enough about you to say that there's more to you being out here instead of in there. You're the type of person that is both open and closed. If that makes any sense?"
Zack sighed. "I do want to make them wait, but I will admit that I am afraid of the outcome. I'm confident I can do this, but I know better than most how powerful Alexandria's deck can be. She may be a terrible mother, but her dueling skills are not in question."
"Zack, do you want to stay at Duel Academy?" Alexis asked.
Zack nodded determined. "Yes."
"Do you want to relieve yourself of this fear they cause? To be free?" Alexis asked.
Zack nodded once more. "More than anything."
Alexis gave him a warm smile. "The only way you're going to get those things is if you go in there and defeat her."
Zack smiled. "Thank you, Alexis. You're right. I'm going to go in there, win this duel, and, secure my independence from them."
Alexis put a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, any time you want talk, I'll be willing to listen."
Zack nodded. "Same to you Alexis. I need to repay you for listening to my problems lately."
Alexis removed her hand. "You don't need to do that."
"I may not need to, but I want to." With that, Zack walked into the arena leaving Alexis with the barest hint of a blush touching her cheeks.
She shook her head and walked into the arena after him.
With Jaden and the Others
They watched as Zack made his way to the stage looking completely determined.
"Do you think he can do this?" Syrus asked worriedly.
Bastion thought about it. "It's a tough call. Alexandria's deck is said to be quite powerful."
Jaden had faith as he smiled. "I think he's got this in the bag."
Alexis joined them. "I agree."
With Johnson
His arms were crossed as he watched Zack walk onto the stage. Images of every defeat his son suffered played through his head causing him to frown as he remembered the humiliation he and his wife suffered because of it.
"This will be over before it really begins." Johnson thought.
Stage
Zack, now completely determined to win, walked to his place across from Alexandria. Sheppard stood off to their side. He looked at Zack feeling genuine sadness for the poor boy. Every child should have parents that loved them, but after meeting his…
Well, it just wasn't the case for him. In the end, he hoped the boy would win. That wasn't because he was the recently named team captain. He wanted the boy to be genuinely free. Free to live the live he wanted instead of the live his parents wanted.
Sheppard held up his hand. "This duel will determine Zack Henderson's fate. If he wins, then he will be declared an emancipated adult. If he should lose, then his parents take full custody of him once more and he will be removed from Duel Academy. You may duel when ready."
Alexandria grinned at her son. "This is your last chance Zackery. Give in now and leave with some self-respect."
"Tell me, where the self-respect in surrendering before you've even fought? The answer is nowhere." Zack smiled. "If I had to duel Yugi Mutou, Seto Kaiba, and Joey Wheler all at once, then I'd do it to be free from the two of you."
"Duel."
(Zack 4000/Alexandria 4000)
"I start by playing Lemon Magician Girl(800/600) in attack mode." A female spellcaster in a yellow outfit appeared on field. "I then set two cards and end my turn."
Zack drew. "I play Pot of Greed allowing me to draw two more cards. I then activate the field spell Konoha." The familiar, old village rose up around them. "This card has two effects. One is that all my Shinobi gain 300 ATK. The other I'll explain when it comes up.
Now I hope your ready because I'm about to introduce you to my ace. I activate Polymerization to fuse the Naruto and Sasuke in my hands to fusion summon Shippuden Naruto(3100/2500 Konoha)." The young man with spiky blond hair and orange and black jumpsuit appeared."
His effect now kicks in. Every turn I will gain a Shadow Clone Token(300/0) that I'll be placing in defense mode." An exact copy of Shippuden Naruto appeared kneeling on his field. "I'll then throw down two cards of my own and end my turn."
"Oh, you're not going to attack." Alexandria taunted.
Zack smirked. "Let's just say I know better than to attack a week monster. Now continue your turn." Alexandria frowned at this but drew anyway. "I gain another token."
Alexandria looked at the tokens, but she shrugged it off and continued her turn. "I activate Swords of Revealing Light. For three of your turns, you won't be able to attack me. I then summon Apple Magician Girl(1200/800). A woman in a red outfit appeared. I'll have Lemon Magician girl destroy the token on the left."
Zack smirked. "All tokens are Shinobi monsters, so the second effect of my field spell activates. Whenever a Shinobi is destroyed, I'm allowed to summon another from deck so long as they are level 4 or lower. Say hello to Lee(2000/1500 Konoha)."
A boy in green spandex with bushy eye brows and a bowl cut appeared on the field.
Alexandria looked at him with disgust. "Why would you keep such a freakish looking monster in your deck?"
Zack laughed. "Freakish? You call Lee freakish when there are so many cards that look weirder than him." He became serious. "Don't insult my deck. This is the culmination of mine and Lexi's hard work." Zack ordered.
Alexandria said, "Doesn't matter. all your monster will fall soon enough."
"We'll see." Zack returned.
"I set another card face down and end my turn." Alexandria declared so Zack smiled and drew. "I activate the trap Nightmare Wheel…"
Zack Interrupted her. "First, I'm back up to two tokens. Secondly, I activate my own trap Genjutsu. When you activate a spell or trap, and I have a Shinobi monster on my field, I can negate and destroy that trap."
Alexandria flinched at that as she sent her trap to the grave.
With Johnson
He utterly shocked. "What is going on here? Zackery shouldn't be holding up this well at all."
With Jaden and the Others
"Zack is using a very well thought out strategy to counter Alexandria's deck perfectly." Bastion complimented.
Jaden cheered. "That's the way Zack. Use your… uh… strategy to win!"
"Things are going well for him, but she still has those face downs." Syrus reminded them worriedly.
Stage
"It's still my turn and I'm activating Dust Tornado to destroy your swords." Zack declared. "I then tribute my two tokens to bring out Asuma(2800/2000)." The man in green vest with a beard appeared on the field. "I'll then have Shippuden Naruto destroy Apple Magician Girl (Zack 4000/Alexandria 2100)."
"I activate Call of the Haunted to bring Apple Magician back to the field in defense mode." Alexandria declared."
Zack smiled. "Let me guess. That other trap you have face down is Ordeal of the Traveler?" Alexandria was shocked. "That's all I need for clarification. Asuma destroy Apple Magician Girl. You should know, he does piercing damage (Zack 4000/Alexandria 100). This means this duel is…"
"Wait just one moment young man! You do this, and we'll never send you any financial support again!" Johnson declared.
"Is that really the threat you came up with? Just in case I got this far?" Zack laughed. "If that's the case, then you underestimate me Johnson. Lexi and I have been preparing for emancipation for years.
At this point, I have enough money to live comfortably, by my standards, for at least 10 years after Duel Academy. The fact is, I don't need either of you. Today, I am free! Kiba, destroy Lemon magician girl (Zack 4000/Alexandria 0)."
Zack turned away from them as the holograms faded and Alexandria fell to her knees. "I can't believe it. There's no way you should have been able to win."
"Believe it." Zack declared. "I spent years studying that deck of yours and my deck could have countered any play you came through with. Fair warning, a restraining order is now in effect. You two are not to come within 300 yards of me.
Any violation will be met with strict, legal action per the forms you signed. Also, don't bother trying to destroy any of the documents. I have ensured that countless copies exist in countless places. Now get off the island. I don't ever want to see you two again."
"You can't do this!' Johnson shouted.
Zack turned to them. "I most certainly can. Any violation of the restraining order, and you will be severely punished. You two should be aware of this considering you signed every form Lexi showed you over the years. Now leave unless you want the bad publicity."
Johnson glared at his son, but he walked down to his wife taking her with him.
He glared at Zack. "Mark my words, you will pay."
Zack sighed. "You know what I have to do now, right? You just threatened me, so I'll be making a call to the law enforcement in Domino City."
Johnson continued to glare but said nothing as he left with his wife.
Jaden had run down and put his arm around Zack in a celebratory manner. "I knew you could do it, and now you get to stay!"
Zack smiled. "There was some doubt coming into this, but I'm glad all that studying paid off."
Zack and Jaden shared a laugh and began to celebrate while the others watched with a smile.
School Yard, Some Time Later…
Zack was sitting on the ground, looking at the sky, when Jaden suddenly plopped down next to him. The Slifer was quickly joined by Chumley, Bastion, and Syrus who created a circle and set the cooler from earlier in the center as well as a bag filled with sandwiches and chips.
Zack looked at them questioningly, but Jaden happily shouted. "Alright, it's time to really celebrate!"
Zack smiled. "So that's what this is."
Bastion nodded. "Of course. You won your duel, earned your freedom, and get to stay here. I believe that's cause for celebration."
"We figured you'd enjoy getting back to relaxing then some party." Syrus added.
Chumley had already started eating. "Dig in. This food is great even if we don't have grilled cheese."
Zack smiled as he grabbed a sandwich and a soda. The five boys celebrated well into the evening.
Helicopter
"That ungrateful brat. I can't believe he would so effortlessly kick us away." Johnson stated furious.
"Me neither." Alexandria was still going over the defeat in her mind. "There's no way he should have been able to win. That's why we signed the contract in the first place."
"We won't let him get away with this. There is a lot we can do to ruin his life." Johnson stated as he opened a briefcase and began going over things.
Just then, a portal of darkness opened and out stepped a young man with long, brown hair and a black mask with a red jewel on the center. His attire consisted of a black shirt with matching pants and a black and gold trench coat over top. Around his neck sat half an amulet.
"Alexandria and Johnson Henderson." He smiled. "There is much to discuss, but know that, should you listen, you'll have your revenge on your son and so much more. What do you say?"
They were utterly shocked at what happening, but a way to get back at their son belied their shock at what was happening. They looked at each other and nodded.
"We're listening." Johnson stated.
The man smiled and handed them a card. "Once you land, come to the location depicted on that. There you will meet the man who can help you. I'll tell you this now, swear to serve him, and you'll have a much easier time dealing with you son."
With that, the man stepped back into the portal which closed behind him.
Dark Green Demon:awesome, good duels, I like to see the improvement of Syrus, as Bastion, I still like he with the Oto deck, although he lost, gives realism, I say, I guess he still needs time to master that deck, je interesting way to resolve the duel between Jaden and Alexis
Quillion9000:Yeah, Bastion still needs time to truly master his new deck, but I also hope I'm showcasing that he's an even better wielder of this deck than the previous owner
Savoxgut:Incredible duels, good to see Syrus growing as a duelist, I think Bastion still has to dominate the Oto deck, still good duel, Zack working the crowd, that was interesting, also the duel between Jaden and Alexis, I think it was something very Jaden, hehe
Quillion9000:Glad you liked Alexis' and Jaden's duel ended as well as the previous duels. it's true Bastion still has to work on his deck. There's also the fact it's missing one important piece from bring truly complete. Orochimaru. He'll get it before the end of the Shadow Riders. Oh yes. He'll get it.