So I've finally gotten a reader who doesn't like how I've made out Jaden. To them, I say this; if you didn't like the first chapter, why did you not simply drop the story? You could have just made a review of chapter one voicing your displeasure and be done with it. Yet you didn't. You continued on and made reviews of Chapters two and three. From my perspective, you are interested, but not in the way I handle things. So I got one thing to say to you even though I know I'm just beating a zombified horse here.
Do. A. Story. Of. Your. Own.
Moving on to answer your 'accusing question' about the Sealed pieces being a Jaden exclusive, newsflash, they are not. The Sealed Pieces are overlooked because most duelists in the anime and thus in this story don't see the POWER in them, writing them off as weak in stats and effect. But Jaden didn't follow these guys, he saw the potential of the cards. Pegasus didn't make them exclusively for Jaden, he made them for all. It's not his fault that some duelists have more brain cells then others (looking at you Rex and Weevil). Now, with that bit of unpleasantness out of the way, how about some shorter review answers?
DZ2 - I'm glad you loved it! I never did like how in the anime Kaiba never seemed to really care about his school nor did I like how a lot of the school kept things from him. Something I plan to correct here in this chapter.
Crimson AXZ - I'm glad I got you interested in this! I try my best at making things interesting for this story. DIMA was my firstborn, but this...this is quite possibly a masterpiece in the making.
Guest(s) - Kaiba will be setting the record straight here and as for Hassleberry, I'll be having him show up early like the DS Game Spirit Caller before becoming a slightly different character, one a tad more willing to accept change.
Now that is out of the way, onward with the story!
The week after the expulsion duel were mayhem for the school. Once it was out that Jaden was the infamous pro duelist the Supreme King of the Ring, everyone was now trying to suck up to him.
Their attempts were met with cold anger. He stated that him being a pro shouldn't have played a factor at all in their treatment of him. Since most of the students treated him as a fellow student and not as a 'Ra Yellow belly', they were welcomed to hang with him. But for the ones who mocked him, jeered at him, or treated him like something that they scrape off their shoes, there was no second chance.
Naturally, it pissed off the ones that felt they were getting the short end of the stick and many tried to complain to Crowler. Sadly for them, they were stonewalled by the Chancellor. He told everyone that Jaden being a Pro should not play any factor whatsoever in how they initially treated him and to leave the boy alone. They had no one to blame but themselves.
As for the study group, more had joined them, not to meet the pro, but to actually learn. Bastion was impressed at the status of some of the students and even offered to help teach in terms of trap card usage. Jaden happily accepted.
The group was busy studying again when there was a sonic boom outside. They all looked at one another and then headed out. As they got outside, they caught a glimpse of a dragon that was pure white.
"Was that a Blue-eyes white dragon!?"
"I thought Kaiba only had those cards!"
"He does...that was a jet in the shape of the Blue-Eyes." Jaden said, jumping over the railing.
Landing on the ground, the boy broke into a run to the school.
"Jay, where are ya going?" Syrus shouted.
"To give that man a piece of my mind over the condition of the Slifer Red dorm!"
EODGX
Chancellor Sheppard was working on his backlog of paperwork. After the big reveal, Sheppard was very scared. Jaden had come to find out about the missing students and had his attempts stonewalled. That alone was not bad...but what was bad was the amount of pull the boy had. Being a pro, people would LISTEN to him and not to mention the parents who hired him must have that same amount of pull.
No wonder he was so confident of the media outlets. He had all the cards in his hand, no pun intended. Shaking his head, Sheppard sighed.
"Out of the frying pan and into the fire..."
The door slid open suddenly and a pale Crowler came rushing in.
"Chancellor!" Crowler screamed shrilly.
Wincing from the shrillness, Sheppard glared at the doctor.
"Crowler, if this is another petition to take Mister Yuki's cards, I told you once, I feel like I told you a THOUSAND times, NO! Keep this up and I WILL see your title of Vice-Chancellor is revoked and given to another more worthy professor here on the island!" Sheppard bellowed.
"That's funny, I'm actually here to ask you about that, John." came a cool, stern voice that made the Chancellor's blood to go cold and Crowler to become paler.
Seto Kaiba walked in, his signature trench coat on, his eyes icy. The man walked to one of the several chairs that Sheppard had and sat down, crossing his arms and legs.
"I just got a report about a incident that happened here on my Island. But it seemed to missing some key details." Kaiba explained, Sheppard's face getting stormy and glaring at Crowler.
"I know what it is about. Very well, but this is a sensitive matter involved so I will not be giving out names. To start, nearly two weeks ago, Titan, a triple S class criminal, managed to get onto the island. He not only avoided the security patrols, but also knew the rotations." Sheppard started.
The chancellor explained the entire incident, how twenty students were now MIA and four females on the island had been attacked. That made Kaiba sit up straight with a scowl. He got the idea now why Sheppard wanted to keep names out. Then a student was contacted by an unknown PDA and shown the four females. Said student first tried to contact security.
"Then the force did their job." Kaiba said, a tad smug.
"Sadly, no." Sheppard said, making Kaiba grunt in shock. "Earlier in the night, Vice-chancellor Crowler ordered Jeremy Fritz, our newest recruit, to bed. There was no one manning the station that night. It wasn't just the aforementioned student... a classmate of his and several girls from the Obelisk Blue Girls' Dorm reported the four females missing but got no one."
Now pressed for time, the student had to do something both brave and reckless. He had gone to the Abandoned dorm.
That caught Kaiba off guard.
"Abandoned dorm? We have one of those?" Kabia asked, curious.
Shocked beyond belief, Sheppard asked if Kaiba ever got reports from the man's predecessor about the dorm. Receiving a negative, Sheppard sighed wearily and began to explain the entire sordid mess. How the dorm was meant to study the ancient Egyptian form of Duel monsters under his predecessor's eye.
THAT made Kaiba blow up.
"YOUR PREDECESSOR HAD KIDS STUDYING THE SHADOW REALM?! Even I know how dangerous and stupid that is! I saw its powers first hand and trust me, that is not something I wanted taught at my school!" Kaiba thundered, making the two present flinch.
"Believe me, Mister Kaiba, I'm just as shocked as you are! When the entire dorm's students went missing with fruitless months of searching, we let the place rot and made it a forbidden place." Sheppard said.
"Idiot! You tell someone something's forbidden and they will do everything in their power to at least explore it. Even more so with teens who are rebelling against authority!" Kaiba snapped.
Sheppard sighed, nodding. He had to expel a few great up and coming duelists because of that, more from the Blue dorms then the Red or Yellow dorms. Continuing, the student dueled Titan and defeated him. Originally, it was believed that the twenty students were his first few victims.
"Originally?" Kaiba asked incredulous.
"Yes. It was only after that the four captured females came forward after hearing the student's expulsion duel that myself and Miranda, head of the DAS, reached a more...disturbing conclusion."
He reminded Kaiba again that Titan knew the rotations and how to get the four females. This led to the thought that the twenty, all who were males he pointed out, students weren't victims.
"They were aiding Titan." Kaiba grounded out.
Sheppard nodded. After hearing the story, Kaiba demanded to know of the duel. He had gotten a massive energy spike similar but different to the summoning of a god card. That made Sheppard go quiet.
Wordlessly, the Chancellor directed Kaiba and turned on the TV screen. On it was Rick Grange and Lucius Kaine, former students of his school and now a pair of minor pros. Kaiba watched a golden eye teenage boy walk out on to the field.
Narrowing his eyes at the blackness surrounding the deck, he watched the moves with a critical eye. Right away, he could tell that the kid was playing the two up and coming minors. Evil Heroes...he knew of the series, a very rare and mostly sought after for the power. That and many wanted to replicate the deck that was owned by the infamous Supreme King of the Ring.
It was when the Wicked Eraser made its debut that Kaiba's jaw dropped and he recognized the golden eyed teen.
"No way...that's the same energy spike we registered. It's...the Supreme King." Kaiba said in disbelief.
"Exactly. Many students here who have seen the card in action want it." Sheppard said, his tone growing cold.
That made Kaiba scowl.
"Then they need to know that if the Wicked Gods were based with the intent to counteract the Egyptian Gods, they chose the duelist and if anyone takes it...the consequences will be dire." Kaiba said, recalling the fake Winged Dragon of Ra card.
"But certainly we should confiscate such cards if they exist..." Crowler butted in.
The glares he got from both Sheppard and Kaiba would have frozen hell over twice.
"No. Jaden Yuki obviously is their chosen duelist. Any attempt to confiscate or even outright steal those cards will see the person banned not just from this school, but ALL branches, regardless of their background. And that brings me to my next order of business regarding you, Doctor." Kaiba said, his eyes on the now sweating doctor.
"M-m-m-m-me?"
Kaiba nodded and told the doctor that he was being relieved of his duties as Vice-chancellor effective immediately. Clearly the man had abused his position of power one too many times. As of right now, he was now just the Headmaster of the Blue dorm and Professor of Dueling 101. But even those would be taken if he was to step out of line one more time.
Kaiba felt he was taking a big risk, keeping Crowler here. But professors with Crowler's credentials were hard to find in this day and age. Not impossible, just time consuming. He was sure he would find a replacement, but not for the next few months.
Crowler let out a strangled scream as he finally processed what was being said before he passed out. Shaking his head at the dramatic man, Kaiba looked at Sheppard.
"Inform the faculty of the change. Now there is a spot open, I want you to fill it with someone here."
Sheppard nodded.
"I may have just the people for the job. Professor Jason, Professor Banner, Professor Stein, and several others."
Kaiba nodded, but before he left the doors slid open and in walked Jaden.
"Yuki..." Kaiba said, grudging respect in the man's voice.
"Kaiba." Jaden replied, his tone icy and matching Kaiba's respect.
Sheppard's head went between the two duelists as they sized one another up. He could feel the tension rise when Jaden stepped up to the man and glared at him. Kaiba returned the glare with his own, crossing his arms.
For several tense minutes, the two held the glare. Sheppard himself started to sweat at the amount of Duel Energy the two were putting out. The contest lost its luster when Crowler who had come to suddenly sneezed, waking everyone up.
"Jaden, what brings you to my office?" Sheppard asked, recovering.
"It's about Slifer Red...and I'm here to air my complaints to the man who made the school." Jaden said, scowling.
"Slifer Red? I'll admit its not as Grandiose as Blue, but its faculties should be on par with Ra." Kaiba said.
All Jaden did was shake his head.
"Dunno who told you that, but you really need to keep a closer eye on this school of yours. Vanishing students, Triple S class criminals, potential rape. I mean, this island is massive, lots of places to hide the deed." Jaden said, still staring with his dead look.
That seemed to be the magic words for Kaiba. Uncrossing his arms, he nodded.
"Alright, let's go see the dorm. But I assure you it cannot be that bad."
EODGX
Kaiba let out a cry of shock at seeing the Slifer Red Dorm. This was NOT what he had in mind at all! He had intended it to be similar to the Ra Yellow Dorms in stature with state of the art computers and everything! Not this shack of a dorm! He watched several of the Reds were once again plastering up the walls, fixing several windows and nailing down the stairs. Jaden stood at his side, a cheeky grin on his face.
"You're right, Kaiba, its not bad at all. It's much, much worse." The boy said, barely containing his laughter.
"WHAT THE HELL HAS BEEN HAPPENING HERE AT MY SCHOOL!?" Kaiba roared to the heavens, making several birds take off.
All the Reds paused in their work, looking up to see the founder of their school. Kaiba staggered up to the dorm, shock clear on his face. This was a safety inspector's wet dream and nightmare all rolled into one! He opened one of the doors to darkness. Flipping on the light, he let out a cry of disgust seeing the ENTIRE four walls clear up at the sudden light.
Banner walked out carrying his cat, sighing.
"I'm very sorry for the state of the dorm, Mister Kaiba."
"Sorry?! You shouldn't be sorry at all! This dorm was meant to be similar to the Ra dorm in build!" Kaiba exclaimed.
"Well, obviously someone cheated you big time, Mister Kaiba." A female voice came.
Everyone turned to see the Girls' dorm population with Jasmine, Mindy, and Alexis in the lead. They joined the group and told Seto Kaiba about the dangers of the dorm, despite the constant repairs done to it. Kaiba listened with a keen ear to the complaints and his scowl got deeper and deeper with each one heard. Finally, he looked around.
"It seems you were right, Yuki. I really DO need to keep a closer eye on my schools. I thought I could trust the people here...seems I was mistaken. As of right now, I will be personally investigating this and if the School Board is behind this, so help me God, I will have someone's head!" Seto exclaimed.
The entire dorm cheered at that. Holding up his hands, Kaiba quieted them all down.
"It's true that I let my rivalry with Yugi become legendary. But when I made this school, I let the rivalry go. This was NOT my intention to cheat the Slifers out of my bitterness at Yugi defeating me. Slifer was and is one of the Stronger Gods, even to Obelisk. The fact that this...shack...was made for Slifers is an insult to me, to you, and most importantly, the God." Kaiba explained, once more getting cheers.
It was true. After the years had passed and Kaiba focused on his other work, Kaibaland and the schools, the sting of his defeats lessened over time. He in fact made up with the 'Geek Squad' as he still called them from time to time. While not friends, he was very well acquainted with them. He too had respect for the Gods and knew that if they were still around, they'd be pissed with him several times over.
"Glad that's taken care of." Alexis said, sitting with the study group.
Suddenly, there was a rustle of bushes making everyone look up. A brown blur shot out and into the yard, chattering.
It was a monkey, a chimpanzee to be more precise. That was not the odd part. The REAL odd part was that it had a duel disk on its arm, a bizarre helmet on its head and several odd machines attached to it. It looked at the group of students who in turned stared back.
"Is that a...Monkey?"
"Ain't no Sea critter."
"What's with the duel disk?"
"I feel like I'm missing something here..." Kaiba said, hopelessly lost about the entire situation.
"You and me both." Jaden said, staring at the chimp.
Another rustling made the group look up. Three men walked out; a short bearded man in a green business suit, a tall muscled man in a black business suit, and finally, a young scrawny man with black glasses and an ear piece. In the third's hands was a net. The three's gaze locked onto the chimp who snarled at the three.
"There he is sir!" The tall one hissed.
"Excellent. Now retrieve him before..." The short man said, suddenly noticing the kids. "...we're...seen...oh shit."
Jaden and the entire dorm sat up, staring at the group.
"This just keeps getting odder and odder by the minute." Alexis said, getting into a fighting pose.
"No kidding." Mindy said.
"Sir, I only have one shot...but all these brats have seen the subject!" Shades said, growling.
"I know..." The man said, sighing in anger.
"Sir, I say we dispose of them all." The tall man said coldly.
That drew a round of protests and several Slifers getting into fighting stances. Kaiba himself stepped up, eyes narrowing when he saw the three, or rather, the single short man in the group.
"Doctor Grule." Kaiba growled.
Seeing the man, the three quickly grew scared. The CEO walked up, each step making the group back up. Once he was in front of them, he could clearly see them shaking in fear.
"I thought I terminated your work on grounds of animal cruelty. So what the fuck are you still doing on my island?" Kaiba said.
"You may have terminated my research, but there are others out there who want to see progress! So what if a smelly, dirty primate gets hurt? The end result is what matters!"
"Un-fucking-believeable. I came here to find out what's going on with my school and I find this! So help me Grule, I will have you in court for this!" Kaiba thundered.
"I seriously doubt that. We don't exist after all." Grule said mockingly.
"Then maybe I can help." Jadne said stepping up.
The four looked at him, Kaiba suddenly smirking and the three looking uneasy.
"Who are you?" Shades asked, ready to aim.
"Jaden Yuki, Supreme King of the Ring."
Shades dropped the gun in shock, the assistant frowning hard. They knew of the King of the Ring and how brutal he was, both on the duel field and off it. All Grule did was just shake it off and smirked.
"Please, what can a spoiled brat like you do?" Grule snapped in a mocking tone.
"Well, there is the matter of missing students. A lot of powerful parents want to know what happened and it just so happens that you don't exist...but your name said to the right media outlets, they'll be a worldwide manhunt for you. After all..."
Here, Jaden squatted down, staring the man in the eyes.
"A doctor and group that doesn't exist, on an island conducting experiments, throw in those missing students I mentioned...oh the people will come to the wrong conclusion, but it'll put you on the run."
That made the man very scared; it was true. Even if he could prove it, it would put such a black mark on his record that it would NEVER come off. Growling, he glared at the two.
Suddenly, a thought struck him.
"I propose a challenge to you two." Grule said.
"A challenge?" Both Jaden and Kaiba asked.
"Yes. A duel challenge." Grule continued. "That monkey is named Wheeler and is a dueling monkey. My challenge is this; choose one duelist among these brats to duel Wheeler. They win, I set him free. Wheeler wins, I stay on the island and continue my work."
"Out of the question." Kaiba snarled.
"Then I have no choice but to kill him. I've already have more means to continue my research." Grule said smugly.
Everyone was confused at what the man was saying. It was only when Syrus heard whimpering that he looked up. He saw several other chimps nearby, all looking at Wheeler. His exclamation of shock made everyone look. Kaiba's eyes narrowed dangerously, Jaden's eyes became darker. The two shared a look and nodded.
"Alright, Grule. You got the challenge. But don't think I'm letting you get one over me. I just don't want to see more harm come to animals."
"Excellent! I'll allow you a moment to confer your options." Grule said, a smug smile on his face.
EODGX
The group of Reds, Yellows, and Blues were all discussing who would duel Wheeler. Jaden had eliminated many of his own Slifers, making many of them protest. Bastion bowed out, citing that he had a pressing engagement already. Many of the girls were also hesitant to duel...save one.
"I'll do it." Jasmine said, putting on her duel disk.
"Jazz!" Mindy exclaimed.
"Jasmine, are you-?" Alexis started.
"Yes, I'm sure." Jasmine replied bluntly.
The girl explained to her friends that she had been terrified of dueling for days after arriving at the school. Talking helped, but it could only do so much. It still didn't get rid of the feeling of being inadequate to her two friends. Alexis had dueled Jaden and held her own. Mindy crushed Jerome easily. Plus she felt compelled to duel Wheeler.
Like in some alternate life, she was turned into a damsel to the chimp.
She pulled out two decks, already Jaden quirking an eyebrow in curiosity.
"Wheeler!" Jasmine called out, the monkey looking at her. "I have two decks here; Grace in my right hand and Power in my left. Which do you want to face?"
The monkey walked up to the girl, hooting and chattering. He looked back and forth between the two decks, humming. Raising a hand, he chose Jasmine's left hand. Nodding, she placed her Grace deck back into her deck box.
"Alright, Wheeler! Get your game on!" Jasmine said, using an old catchphrase.
"Duel!" Wheeler said, the eyes of the helmet lighting up.
"Whoa!"
"That chimp talked! How'd they train him to do that!?"
Kaiba scoffed, but understood the teen's amazement.
"They didn't. That helmet scans the brain and translate the electrical pusles into digital noise. In other words, its using his mind to talk and translate it into words we can understand." Kaiba explained, Grule laughing.
"That's right!"
Wheeler: 8000/Jasmine: 8000
"I'll start things off if you don't mind, Wheeler!" Jasmine said, drawing a card.
Looking at it, she smirked, adding it to her hand. Choosing another, she placed it on her MZ.
"I play Amazoness Swords Woman in attack mode!"
(Amazoness Swords Woman – LV/****, Attribute/EARTH, ATK/1500, DEF/1600, Type/Warrior/Effect. Your opponent takes any battle damage you would have taken from battles involving this card instead.)
A massive and buff woman appeared, roaring as she preformed a few sword tricks. Jasmine followed it up with another card, sliding it into the Field slot.
"Next, I'll activate the Field Spell card, Amazoness Arena!"
(Amazoness Arena – Type/Spell/Field.
When this card is activated, increase the Life Points of both players by 600 points. Each time a player declares an attack with a monster, they can pay 100 Life Points to inflict 100 points of damage to the opponent's Life Points at the end of the Damage Step.)
The area around the two became covered in a large spiked cage. A glow surrounded both Wheeler and Jasmine.
Wheeler: 8600/Jasmine: 8600
"With this spell card in play, even if I don't deal damage to you, Wheeler, I can still pay a hundred to take a hundred away. Vice Versa for you." Jasmine explained, taking one final card. "I play Amazoness Heirloom and equip it to my Swords Woman."
(Amazoness Heirloom – Type/Spell/Equip. Equip only to an "Amazoness" monster. Once per turn, that monster cannot be destroyed by battle. When the equipped monster attacks, after damage calculation, destroy the attack target.)
A totem of stone and wood appeared on the belt of the Swords Woman, a white glow coming around her. Jasmine nodded.
"That's that. Your move Wheeler!" Jasmine said.
"My turn, my turn! Draw." Wheeler 'said', drawing a card.
Looking at the card he drew, he added it to his hand and chose another.
"Summon Berserk Gorilla in attack mode."
(Berserk Gorilla – LV/****, Attribute/EARTH, ATK/2000, DEF/1000, Type/Beast/Effect. If this card is in face-up Defense Position, destroy this card. This card must attack if able.)
A massive gorilla appeared, roaring and pounding its chest. Wheeler chortled and did a few back flips. Kaiba watched with a critcal eye, Grule laughing.
"Now that little girl is in for it." Grule said, watching Wheeler attack.
The Gorilla charged at the Swords Woman who raised her blade. The big ape's fist clashed with the blade, a shockwave coming it. Grule and his two lackey's eyes went wide in shock when Jasmine's monster wasn't destroyed nor did her life points drop. The shockwave struck Wheeler who landed in a heap, chattering up a storm.
Wheeler: 8100/Jasmine: 8600
"What?! HOW?!" Grule demanded.
Hearing Kaiba laughing made the doctor turn to the CEO.
"You know science but not Duel Monsters. Amazoness Swords Woman's effect allows it to inflict any damage her controller would take to the opposing player instead. Combine with the Heirloom, Swords Woman is immortal in battle." Kaiba explained.
The CEO then went on to explain Berserk Gorilla's effect. While it had high attack power, the effect made it so all it could ever do was battle. If it ever went into Defense mode, it would be destroyed. Jasmine had turned it around on the chimp.
Getting back up, Wheeler chattered angrily. Grule, hearing the chattering, smirked. Jaden frowned at seeing the doctor so smug all the sudden.
"Sir, I highly doubt that Wheeler will make that same mistake again." Shades said, Grule nodding.
"Indeed."
Wheeler finished the rest of his turn with a facedown card. Jasmine drew her card and looked at it. Smirking, she added it to her hand.
"I use the effect of my Amazoness Spy! By revealing a Amazoness monster in my hand, I can special summon her from my hand. So, I reveal my Amazoness Paladin." Jasmine explained.
She placed the small warrior onto the field, the monster's dagger gleaming. Jasmine then explained that she wasn't staying around, being the offering to summon her Amazoness Queen monster.
In place of the tiny warrior, a larger one took her place. She sat on a throne, almost looking bored, a sword at her side. She eyed the monkey with a scowl. Jasmine smirked.
"Now I attack with Swords Woman!"
Kaiba smirked, watching the swords woman attack. Gorilla roared and threw a fist out, catching the sword. The shockwave came but it didn't blow off Jasmine. Rather, it knocked Wheeler for another loop.
Wheeler: 7600/Jasmine: 8600
"Now I pay a hundred LP to inflict a hundred! Forgot about this little effect didn't you, Monkey boy?" Jasmine said, a ghostly image of her appearing.
A similar image appeared by Wheeler. The two charged at one another, Jasmine landing a right left cross on the Wheeler ghost. Said chimp winced at the loss of points.
Wheeler: 7500/Jasmine: 8500
Gorilla suddenly began to show cracks as the Heirloom glowed brightly. Gorilla exploded into a shower of light. Jasmine explained that Heirloom would automatically destroy a monster after damage had been dealt. Wheeler suddenly began to screen and scream, a glow coming from one of his cards.
"Summon! Summon! Summon Green Baboon, Defender of Forest! Attack mode! Attack!" Wheeler shouted via his helmet.
Wheeler: 6500/Jasmine: 8500
(Green Baboon, Defender of the Forest – LV/*******, Attribute/EARTH, ATK/2600, DEF/1800, Type/Beast/Effect.
If this card is in your hand or Graveyard when a face-up Beast-Type monster you control is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard (except during the Damage Step): You can pay 1000 Life Points; Special Summon this card.)
A massive green, armored baboon appeared where Gorilla was. It roared, pounding its chest. Wheeler began to do backflips, chittering in excitement. Jasmine grunted, staring at the monster. She looked at her hand and nodded.
"I play Requip! This spell card allows me to switch an Equip spell card to another target. I move my Heirloom to my Queen."
The tiny stone object moved from Swords Woman's hip to the Queen's. Placing another card facedown, she ended her turn. Wheeler drew, looking his card. Seeing it, he began to chatter excitedly.
"Fighter Ape, attack mode!"
(Fighter Ape – LV/****, Attribute/DARK, ATK/1900, DEF/1200, Type/Beast/Effect. If this card destroys an opponent's monster as a result of battle, this card gains 400 ATK. If this card does not attack during your turn, its ATK returns to its original value.)
A muscled ape wearing a helmet, pants and combat boots appeared, snarling. Wheeler then looked field, frowning. He looked at his facedown and chattered excitedly.
"Activate Trap card, DNA Surgery! Beast Type, Beast!"
Ape and Baboon were both unaffected by the trap, but the Amazoness were a different story. They morphed, growing more muscle and fur. A few guys blushed at that as the more well endowed parts became...bigger. Jasmine frowned; what was that monkey doing? Wheeler chose another card and revealed it to her.
"Play spell card, Big March of Animals!"
(The Big March of Animals – Type/Spell/Quick-play. Until the End Phase of this turn, All face-up Beast-type on your side of the field gain 200 ATK for each Beast-Type monster on your side of the Field.)
Baboon – ATK/2600 → 3000
Ape – ATK/1900 → 2500
"Baboon attack Queen!"
The larger beast roared, charging at the Queen. Jasmine grunted when the sword parried the trunk the green ape had and splinters hit her in the arms.
Wheeler: 6500/Jasmine: 7900
"Effect of Arena!" Wheeler hooted, his LP dropping and a ghost appearing.
The ghostly monkey went after Jasmine's own ghost, the monkey doing a cartwheel into her stomach. The red head winced in pain.
Wheeler: 6400/Jasmine: 7800
"Now, Ape fight. Fight!"
Ape Fighter charged forward at the Queen, screaming. Her eyes widening, Jasmine braced herself. The ape struck the Queen hard in the stomach with several powerful punches, the Queen losing her sword and making it crash into Jasmine.
Crying out, Jasmine nearly fell to her knees. Another ghost appeared before her and winced. The two clashed, Jasmine losing even more of her LP.
Wheeler: 6300/Jasmine: 7700 → 7600
Ape – ATK/2500 → 2900
"Huh? Why'd that Ape's power go up?" Mindy asked, confused.
"It's Fighting Ape. It's own effect states that when it destroys a monster, its power goes up by four hundred. However, should it not battle, its stats return to normal." Kaiba explained.
"I thought Amazoness Queen prevented her own destruction." Bastion commented.
"In the past, she did. But a recent ruling change made it so that she is no longer affected by her own effect." Jaden explained.
Jasmine's turn started after Wheeler placed a card facedown. Everyone of his beasts returned to normal when Big March effect ended.
Baboon – ATK/3000 → 2600
Ape – ATK/2900 → 2300
Drawing, Jasmine looked at it and smiled. She had just drawn the card needed. Selecting a spell, she revealed it.
"I play The Warrior Returning Alive. Your surgery may affect my monsters, but only if they're on the field, not in my grave. I regain my Queen from my grave. Then I'll follow that up with the spell card, Polymerization!"
"How? I mean, most of the Amazoness Archtype doesn't have a fusion card." Syrus said confused.
"At first, they didn't. But Pegasus released a new fusion cards for the two in the last five years. They're Amazoness Empress and Amazoness Pet Liger." Kaiba explained.
That had many all looking at Jasmine in excitement. They watched as she placed her Queen and Amazoness Archer in her grave, the two entering the vortex. A woman stepped out in royal robe, dressed the same way as the other Amazonesses.
She quickly grew fur and a muzzle, becoming a humanoid white wolf.
"Meet Amazoness Empress!"
(Amazoness Empress – LV/********, Attribute/EARTH, ATK/2800, DEF/2400, Type/Warrior/Fusion/Effect.
"Amazoness Queen" + 1 "Amazoness" monster
Other "Amazoness" cards you control cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects. If your "Amazoness" monster attacks a Defense Position monster, inflict piercing battle damage to your opponent. If this face-up Fusion Summoned card is destroyed by battle, or leaves the field because of an opponent's card effect while its owner controls it: You can Special Summon 1 "Amazoness Queen" from your hand, Deck, or GY.)
"I'm not done yet! Next I play Pot of Greed, allowing me to draw two cards." Jasmine said, drawing.
Seeing what she drew, she revealed one.
"I then Summon forth my Amazoness Tiger in attack mode! I'll then follow that up with the Special Summon of Amazoness Lion!"
(Amazoness Tiger – LV/****, Attribute/EARTH, ATK/1100, DEF/1500, Type/Beast/Effect.
You can only control 1 "Amazoness Tiger". This card gains 400 ATK for each "Amazoness" monster you control. Your opponent cannot attack any face-up "Amazoness" monsters, except this one.)
(Amazoness Lion – LV/****, Attribute/EARTH, ATK/1500, DEF/1100, Type/Beast/Effect.
You can only control 1 "Amazoness Lion". If "Amazoness Tiger" is on the field, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand). This card gains 300 ATK for each "Amazoness" monster you control. Once per turn, you can add 1 "Amazoness" card from your Deck or GY to your Hand. You must have "Amazoness Tiger" on the field to use this effect.)
Two massive beasts rose with roars; a lion that wore leather armor and had several jeweled bands on its legs. Attached to its tail was a Mace that swung with each swish of its tail. A scarred tiger wearing a a collar and several cuffs on its paws appeared next to it, growling low.
Jasmine explained that the two gained an attack power bonus from each Amazoness on the field. Tiger gained four hundred while Lion gained three hundred.
Tiger – ATK/1100 → 2700
Lion – ATK/1500 → 3100
"Alright, Lion! Attack that Ape! Fercious pounce!"
The lion roared, charging at the ape who assumed a fighting stance. The lion easily wove through the defense of the ape and slashed at it with its claws. The ape fell into digital dust, crying out. Wheeler growled at the loss of his LP.
Wheeler: 6100 → 6000 (Arena)/Jasmine: 7600 → 7500 (Arena)
"Swords Woman! Go and attack that Big ape!"
Jasmine explained that Empress prevented the destruction of her own Amazoness monsters. The two monsters clashed, the shock wave hitting Wheeler.
Wheeler: 4900 → 4800 (Arena)/Jasmine: 7400
"Tiger! You're up! Take down Green!"
"Wait, why didn't she do that to start with?" Mindy asked confused.
"I get it. Green Baboon would revive itself with its effect when Ape was taken out." Syrus pointed out, making Mindy 'ah' in understanding.
The tiger devoured the larger creature, covering its maw in blood. Wheeler chittered in anger at the loss.
Wheeler: 4800 → 4700 (Arena)/Jasmine: 7500 → 7400
"Now Empress, its your turn! Strike hard and strike deep!"
The Empress charged, Wheeler activating his trap card.
"Reveal facedown, Call of the Haunted, Haunted!" Wheeler chattered. "Berserk Gorilla return!"
The large ape returned roaring. Jasmine hastily called off the attack, Mindy frowning.
"Damn. So close." She said.
"Yeah, but now Wheeler has put himself in a tough spot. He can't switch his Gorilla to defense since it'll destroy itself. And he has to attack, no matter what." Chumley pointed out.
"Don't count him out yet." Kaiba said, scowling.
Wheeler drew his card after Jasmine ended her turn. He looked at the card he had drawn and nodded. He revealed a spell card, Jasmine's eyes widening.
"Play Wild Nature's Release on Gorilla!"
"Oh that's not good." Banner said, frowning.
The Headmaster of Red explained that Wild Nature would increase the Attack power of a Beast by its defense points. Since Gorilla had a thousand, combined with its two thousand attack, it would be strong enough to get through Tiger's own points. Seeing the confused looks, Kaiba further explained that thanks to Amazoness Tiger's effect, no other Amazoness monster could be targeted. Jaden then pointed out Empress' effect, making all the Amazoness monsters immortals. Jasmine would still lose four hundred LP despite the immortality.
The gorilla roared charging at the Tiger. The fists clashed with fangs, the tiger gaining a couple of new scars and barely standing its own four feet. Jasmine grunted from the attack and the ghost striking her.
Wheeler: 4600/Jasmine: 7400 → 7000
"Battle end!" Wheeler proclaimed, the Gorilla exploding.
Bastion told everyone that Wild Nature would cause the destruction of a Beast type at the end of the Battle Phase. Jaden's eyes went wide at that.
"Wait, destroyed?! Shit!" The boy swore making Kaiba look at him. "You'll get your answer in a second."
"Return, Green Baboon!"
Wheeler: 3600/Jasmine: 7000
The hulking monster returned to the field, roaring. Jasmine glared, but she saw Wheeler revealed a Spell card.
"Play Beast Fangs! Increase power of Baboon by three hundred! Turn end." Wheeler said, playing the equip spell.
The fangs of Green Baboon grew larger, roaring with anger.
Baboon – ATK/2600 → 2900
"Well, that's not good...now he can get to Empress." Syrus said.
"Don't forget that Jasmine still has Swords Woman in play!" Chumley pointed out.
Wheeler seemed to recall that and began to panic. True, his monster wouldn't be destroyed, but he'd still take the damage! Jasmine drew her card, adding it to her hand. She chose another card and revealed it.
"I play Amazoness Fighting Spirit. This is like Skyscraper for the Elemental Heroes, but instead of it being a field, its a continuous spell. Now whenever an Amazoness attacks a monster whose own attack points are higher, my Amazoness gains a thousand."
"Wait, wouldn't that lessen the damage Wheeler would take from Swords Woman?" Syrus asked.
"Normally, yes, but Jazz has something planned." Alexis said, smiling at her friend.
Jasmine then revealed another spell, this time an equip. It was Shooting Star Bow – Ceal. She explained that it took away a thousand of her monsters attack points, but then made her monster able to attack directly. She chose Swords Woman. She then struck with the woman, but not at Wheeler directly.
The Swords Woman charged at Baboon, her points jumping back up to her original one thousand five hundred. The two clash, but due to Empress' effect, Swords Woman surivived and Wheeler got the knock back.
Wheeler: 3200 → 3100 (Arena)/Jasmine: 6900
"Alright, Tiger! You're up!" Jasmine shouted.
The beast roared, growing bigger as its power rose.
Tiger – ATK/2700 → 3700
The two animals clashed, the Baboon being slashed to ribbons. Wheeler went skidding back, growling low and in worry.
Wheeler: 2300 → 2200 (Arena)/Jasmine: 6800
"Sorry, Wheeler. But its over. Empress? End this!"
The bestial woman howled, charging forward with her sword drawn. Wheeler watched the monster, chattering in remorse. The blade cleaved through the remainder of his life points, making him howl.
Wheeler: 0/Jasmine: 6800 (Winner)
The two's disks deactivated and the holograms faded. Grule snarled, reaching for the gun. He was stopped by Kaiba slamming his foot down on the hand, making the old man yelp.
"I knew you'd try to welch on the deal. I contacted my security force before the duel even began." Kaiba said coldly, several familiar trucks to Jaden roaring up.
Men and women numbering in the hundreds charged out and surrounded the three. While this was going on, the teens were getting the gear off of Wheeler who was chattering sadly.
"Hey, no need to feel bad, you gave a hell of a duel." Jasmine said, smiling.
She took off the helmet to see the face of the chimp who blinked several times. Hearing the chattering of his family nearby, he left and joined them. Turning back, he gave a wave before heading off with his family. Kaiba had the three in handcuffs and scowled.
"Glad my force can deal with an old man and his goons." Kaiba said, making many of them flinch.
They just couldn't get a break!
EODGX
The sun was setting when the Coast Guard took away the last of Grule's personal and Grule himself. Kaiba climbed into his jet, stopping, turning around and staring at Jaden.
"Yuki, you run a tight ship here. If I could, I'd have you take over Crowler's job as Professor of Dueling 101." Kaiba said stiffly.
"You'd offer it, but I wouldn't take it. Dueling on the circuit is my life, my passion, Kaiba. I'm not about to teach some snot nosed punks to try and dethrone me full time. I'm only here to find those missing kids...and to take back what is mine." Jaden said, staring pointedly at Kaiba.
Said man smiled, shaking his head with his eyes closed.
"Knew you'd sense them the second you arrived. Well, good luck." Kaiba said, sitting down in his jet.
With a roar of the engines, the CEO took off into the sunset.
EODGX
Night - Obelisk Blue Girls' Dorm – Jasmine's room
After the excitement of the duel and day, Jasmine was bushed. She got into her nightgown and sleepwear, laying on her bed. She sighed, closing her eyes. Instantly, sleep took her into the land of dreams.
Unlike before when she would find herself back in the Abandoned dorm, this time she was in a coach with soft velvet cushions. She looked down and saw her wearing a dress fit for a princess. At her right side was a muscular woman, a sword in hand.
She stifled a gasp of shock; it was her Amazoness Swords Woman! At her left was a woman dressed like a cat. The two looked out the windows and then at Jasmine.
"We are here, Princess Junko." Swords Woman said in a soft, but gruff tone.
"So soon?" Jasmine found herself saying automatically. "Well, let's meet the man I am to be engaged to..."
"It'll be fine my lady." The Cat lady said.
"I expect this boy to be just like the other princes of the Kingdoms. Even though the people of this kingdom seem to be happy with him, I still think he's like the rest I have met." Jasmine/Junko replied.
The three exited the coach and were escorted by several monsters. Several Jasmine recongized as the Heros; Elemental and Evil it looked like. They were taken to a massive white marble castle and to the main throne room. There, a woman wearing red spandex and had fireball earrings walked in first, annoucing them.
"Presenting Princess Junko of the Amazoness and Lunalight Kingdoms."
A teal haired human in a butler outfit smiled kindly at the woman and bowed to her.
"Thank you lady Burstintrix." The butler said.
Burstintrix returned the bow and walked out. The butler then clapped his hands and Jasmine/Junko prepared for the worse. The side doors opened slowly, sounds of foot steps echoing. A young man walked through, wearing bright colored armor and a white cape behind him. He carried an air of power around him, but no arrogance. He smiled warmly at seeing the princess. Jasmine/Junko gasped at seeing two golden eyes staring at her own.
Jaden!? The girl thought in shock, the butler announcing him.
"May I present his royal majesty, Prince Haou Judai to her royal majesty, Princess Junko. Please, enjoy the tea and biscuits." The butler said.
"No tea or treats, Johan." Judai said, his eyes burning. "Let the Princess decide what she wants to do."
"I hear you are good at sword play, your majesty." Jasmine/Junko felt herself say. "Perhaps a demonstration?"
The man's smile grew even wider. Soon, Jasmine/Junko was in her gray armor, a sword at her side. Judai's sword lay at his side, relaxed, but ready to spring at a moments notice. The two took positions at the end of the hall, each one looking at the other. Johan looked at the two and brought his hand up.
"Contenders ready?"
"Ready!" The two consented, each one getting into a battle stance.
Nodding, Johan dropped his arm.
The two vanished and clashed, sparks flying from metal meeting metal. Jaden didn't try to overpower her, nodding in approval. She hadn't budged from his strike nor did he. Pushing off, the two charged again, clashing.
What began then was a dance so dangerous but so graceful, all were caught in the motion. Duck, parry, thrust, defend, dodge, swing.
On and on it went, the two's blades singing with each strike. Jasmine/Junko had a wide big smile on her face. Judai/Jaden was most definitely not like her former suitors. He did not demean her nor demand her respect. He asked what she wanted, joined her even and was giving her a workout that was breathtaking. He laughed in joy at a beautiful parry done by her.
"I'm glad to see that the Amazoness Fighting Spirit is in you, Princess Junko and the gracefulness of the Lunalights as well. You had extraordinary teachers." Jaden/Judai said, ending the little bout they had.
"And I am glad you praise them for it and I thank you for the mock battle." Junko/Jasmine said. "I now see that you are different then the rest of the Princes."
She turned to the two women who were both smiling and she returned a smile of her own.
"In that battle, I learned that Prince Judai is powerful, but he does not let that power go to his head. He has tempered it with kindness and respect. He seeks others council for matters of state and listens to their advice. I have found my true mate."
"Princess Junko, you do realize that you will have to share me correct?" Judai/Jaden said, his face now serious. "I am betrothed to the Princess of Cyber Angels and Princess of the Frightmares."
"I am glad you actually told me. They are my oldest and dearest friends! They told me that a boy had their respect and love. Now you have mine for being kind to them when many have been unkind and for telling the truth when you could have hid it." Jasmine/Junko said, her mind reeling.
She sat up in bed, gasping and blushing.
No way. What is all this?! Jasmine thought. And...why am I so at ease about it?
A new mystery had landed in her lap...and she was not alone in it.
Okay, now things are getting interesting. I didn't want Kaiba to show up and then see the school because that'd be a very short chapter. So I threw in Wheeler the Dueling monkey too. As for Kaiba not getting the Wheeler name, don't worry, I plan on addressing that in a future chapter. Jasmine has seen her past life and this sets the stage for the other four. I figured on the use of the Japanese names for their past lives was inspired when I was listening to Precious Time, Glory Days during a slump I had. Hope you all enjoyed it and leave a review.