Yu-Gi-Oh ! GX : Destiny's Dawn
CHAPTER 9
(It's been a few weeks since Bastion helped me rebuild my deck. I've been spending that time learning it, dueling with it and I have felt I've grown stronger.)
Konrad was busily leaning against a tree near the Slifer Red dorm, lost in the world of his own thoughts.
(…But things haven't been smooth between Jaden and I. Ever since that day, he hasn't been talking to me. Syrus and Chumley, I still talk to them sometimes, but I feel as if they don't really want to be with me.) His hands clenched into fists as he slammed them on the ground.
"Argh, Darn it! I really was an idiot back then!" Konrad cursed, "Jaden- All he was doing was trying to help me and I pushed him away! I have to apologize to him. I've wasted enough time as is! I'm going to go right to his room and say sorry." He stood up but was stopped as he saw Bastion heading towards him. The Ra Yellow had overheard.
"You're making progress, I see." Bastion spoke, "Both as a duelist, and as a person. Color me impressed."
Konrad blinked a few times at him, "So you heard me, Bastion?"
"Anyone not deaf would be capable of. You were nearly shouting." Bastion replied, smiling and crossing his arms. "But you might want to hold on to that. Today they have an important announcement to make, and we cannot be late. Then you can apologize to Jaden later."
"…I guess so." Konrad said, as he looked up to the sky. "By the way, it's the end of this year, isn't it? Doesn't it feel rather short?"
"You would be right. It is indeed short." Bastion agreed. "It also didn't help you arrived to the academy later than we did. However, I hope you weren't unaware that Duel Academy isn't like a normal school. It's a Summer School." The Ra Yellow stated. "We still have to go to public schools and whatnot. Not something I particularly like, but oh well. We'll come back here next summer, so."
"Oh yeah, I totally forgot about that." Konrad admitted. "Lead the way, Bastion."
Bastion nodded, and marched towards the academy, Konrad following him. They entered the classroom and like usual, it was empty. There were perhaps about a dozen or two of students, many seats were available. Out of the present pupils were Jaden, Syrus, Chumley, Hiroto, Alexis and Zane. They were all sitting and waiting for the announcement.
"If there is one upside to all of this, is that we are free to sit anywhere we please." Bastion said. "Let's take our seats." Despite his statement, Bastion would go over to his usual spot. Konrad sat next to him, all while looking at Jaden. Jaden glanced at him, then quickly turned, not sparing a second gander.
"Jaden...I bet he really hates my guts, right now." Konrad sighed as he looked in front. There was the Chancellor, behind him, the professors of the academy. The mood was rather sombre.
"It's been an eventful year." Sheppard spoke, facing the few students that were left. "And as you all have noticed, many of us have left, unable to reach the end. It's unfortunate, but not uncommon."
"Yeah, but something seems not 'licious here." Chumley spoke, thinking about what the Chancellor was saying. "You think, Chum?" Syrus asked, wanting to knw what's wrong. "Is it related to what we talked with Bastion a while ago?"
"I'm just saying, Sy, we get people leaving the island, sure, but it's never been like this." Chumley replied, "And I'm sure your brother also noticed something wrong. Look at him, he looks meaner than usual."
Syrus turned to look at Zane, and sure enough, there was a bigger frown on his face than usual. "Uh-oh, that has to be the biggest frown Zane made."
"Relax, you guys." Jaden said, leaning back against his chair with arms rested on the back of his head. "I think the classes were too tough for them, and I agree. I nearly flunked out of the academy! Still, I'm happy you guys made it to the end. And for me, that's what counts."
"Aw, Jay! You're our herooo!" Chumley and Syrus cried, with Jaden looking abashed and grinning.
"The idiot trio at it again, hmph." Hiroto said, looking at them rather scornfully.
"Zane, Syrus really looks up to Jaden, doesn't he?" Alexis asked him, smiling as she saw the trio having fun. "Yeah. Syrus is in good hands, I can trust him to Jaden, and you guys. But I wouldn't be able to do that if something happens to the academy."
"Grr, Silence Slackers!" Crowler shouted at the three of them causing them to drop dead quiet, "Chancellor Sheppard was still speaking!"
"Ahem. Anyways, I would like to say, thank you all for being with us there. But before we all send you back home, there is still something left to do. Something to end the year with a bang." Sheppard said with a smile. "And that is the interscholastic tournament!" He announced with vigor and energy as the large screen of the classroom lit up and showed Duel Academy, alongside the other branches: North, South, East and West academies."
"Interscholastic? Hm, so it isn't a tournament just held by Duel Academy," Bastion said, then looked around, "Not like there are enough people here to hold a proper tournament."
"Dr. Crowler? Perhaps you do not mind if you took over?" Chancellor Sheppard asked him. Crowler simply shook his head, "No, it will be my pleasure." He stated as he took the mic.
He then cleared his throat. "Anyways, yes. There will be a tournament between the different branches of Duel Academy," Vellian explained. "The stage will be set here, our lovable school, so if any of you were worrying about transport and such, rest assured that your worries have been put to rest."
"Oh man, I would have loved to visit the other academies. I've seen everything here." Jaden pouted. "Me too, Jay. Me too." Syrus added.
"Dr. Crowler, excuse me," Alexis said, rising her arm to get his attention. "Everyone from those academies are going to participate? Including the teachers?"
"Good question, Alexis. You have been paying attention." Crowler grinned, anything to paint Obelisk Blues in a good light. "Fortunately, no, the teachers, and the rest of the staff, will be overseeing the tournament. It is against the rules for us to participate. It will only strictly be between students from the four corners of the world."
"That's good to hear." Konrad sighed, not having to worry about dueling a professor.
"Anywho, I'll explain the tournament in greater detail. Starting from this week, Duel Academy will become a battlefield of duels." Crowler narrowed his eyes, he was really getting into it. "That mean there will be duels every hour of the day. They won't stop until the number of duelists have been cut down considerably: Sixteen, to be exact. Then we'll move on to the next phase of the tournament, the finals."
"Interesting." Zane said, "But how will you be able to keep track of that? I'd imagine there will be easily over a hundred duelists participating here."
"That's not an issue, Zane." Crowler affirmed. "Your duel disks will be modified, and we will be able to receive data from every duel. Be warned, though, you lose once and you're out of the tournament." The professor stated. "And if you were wondering, in the case of a draw, both duelists are required to do a rematch. When a duel starts, only one duelist will walk out of it. If they don't agree to those terms, then they are disqualified for breaking the rules."
"Pretty tough rules, if you ask me!" Chumley stated. "So you have to win, you can't even go for a draw. Not 'licious at all."
"It's okay, we were going to go winning, anyways." Jaden said, smiling as he relished the challenge. "Sy, Chum, you two better step up your game."
"Roger that, Jay." Syrus said with determination.
"And that's about it, you win, you proceed, you lose, it's goodbye!" Crowler grinned, "So you slifer slackers better bring your A-games in the tournament. Oh, and before I'm done, there's one last rule. Tag duels are allowed. You are free to team up with anyone and face off another team, but at the end, all of you will be on your own. Anyways, you're all dismissed. Come back later with your duel disks!"
"Aha, this is just what I needed." Bastion spoke, "This tournament will be vital in my growth as a duelist. I am looking forward to the many rivals that I will have to surpass, the many formulas I have to create!" He then turned to Konrad, "You should be happy, too. If you are a duelist worth your salt, then you're looking forward to this. Use this occasion to learn. I want you to become a formidable rival for me."
"Huh? Oh…sure." Konrad replied, having spaced out for a bit. "Well, I'll see you later for the tournament, Bastion. I have to go say sorry to Jaden now." Konrad rose up from his seat and walked over to Jaden. Who turned his head when he saw the boy in the cap approaching them.
"Oh…Hey, Konami." Syrus awkwardly said. Chumley was real quiet. "Guys…" Konrad went, but quickly found himself at a loss of words. He then took a deep breath and sighed.
"I came to you because…I want to say sorry to you!" He bowed down. "Even though you were all trying to help me, I pushed you all away! Saying these mean things to you. I am sorry, I really am. Especially to you, Jaden! I understand if you hate me, but I wanted to let you know that I was a jerk to you."
"Heh. Took you long enough, Konami." Jaden said, turning to him with a smile. "I was wondering when you'd come to me and say sorry. I appreciate it, I really do." He stated. "And besides, I never hated you. There's no point in hating someone, you know?"
"Yep, Jay's right. We didn't hate you," Syrus replied, "But at the same time, you owed us an apology. Took a bit longer than we expected, though…"
"You guys…It feels great to talk with you again. I really missed it." Konrad said, nearly on the verge of tears as a large burden was lifted off his shoulders. "I want to say to you all, that you are my friends. The best ones I ever had."
"That's the spirit. But you know, Konami, I thought of something," Jaden said. "If you really feel sorry for what you did, and that you learned something from it…then you better reach the finals with us. If you don't, I will never forgive you, you hear me?" Asked Jaden with a fierce grin.
"It's a promise, Jaden. All of us, we'll make it to the end. I have faith in myself, and you all, too." Konrad said, shaking hands with Jaden.
Meanwhile, Hiroto raised from his seat and walked away. He was determined, however, there was something rather dark about his determination. "I'll crush everyone in my way, no matter who it is. So that I can be the best in history." He simply muttered to himself, leaving the classroom.
"And this tournament…it will be where my legacy starts."