Hi everyone! Cypher32 here. Just a few notes about the story.
Before that, I'd like to thank everyone who took the time to review the first chapter. Thanks for the support! You ROCK!
First of all, I'd like to make it clear that some of the characters are from the manga, but might have slightly different backgrounds or personalities. An example is Reggie Mackenzie, whom I will debut in this chapter. If you've read the manga, you would know that she's technically one of the bad guys (I say technically, because she was being possessed). In my story, she is a childhood friend of the Rhode's siblings, but she is fully a good person in this tale.
Secondly, I am planning to split this story into several story arcs, with each arc spanning several chapters. Currently, I've dubbed this first arc, the reunion arc. If you think the arc length is too long, please let me know in the reviews.
Lastly, I plan to make several references to characters from the original Yugioh series. If I plan well enough, I might even include a little 5D's Easter egg at the end of the day.
Again, thanks for the support! Without further ado, GET YOUR GAME ON!
Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh GX, or any of the cards in the series. My OC's are my own.
Chapter 2: Hope and Reality
Halfway across the world, on a cold December afternoon, at the Domino City airport, a certain attractive, blond-haired female stepped out of the arrivals section, waiting for a limo to show up and drive her home, though she wasn't alone. "Wait for me, Lexi!" The blond turned around to find a brunette dressed in a Hawaiian shirt, running to catch up to her.
"Geez Atticus, one second you're hyped about being back, the next you're struggling for air. It's embarrassing that we are actually related." The girl's name was Alexis Rhodes, a former Obelisk Blue Duelist of Duel Academy, and Jaden's former classmate. The other was Atticus Rhodes, Alexis's older brother and, due to various circumstances, was also one of Jaden's former classmates. The two were related by blood, though all the people who didn't know them, couldn't believe they were actually related, thanks in part to their contrasting personalities.
"BRRRR" Atticus began to shiver as he stepped out the door. "Its freezing!"
"Of course it is," said a third voice behind Atticus. "It's the tenth of December, two weeks to Christmas. That's why I told you to wear a jacket before we left. Honestly, sometimes you never listen to me, but I guess people like you learn through actions, not words. Still Atty, I wish you'd at least listen to me at times like these," sighed Reggie Mackenzie, the childhood friend of the Rhodes siblings, and Atticus's girlfriend and colleague.
The three of them are currently taking a well-earned, end of the year vacation. They had just finished their end of term finals at Duel College USA, and were currently headed back to the Rhode's family mansion. As they were leaving the airport, they noticed that a lot of people were staring at them, and whispering things like "Wow, what a beautiful group of people." "Man, those two chicks are hot!" "Kyah! That guy is so cute!" and so on.
Atticus was the first to speak up. "Man, we must be famous or something. I mean, look at the attention we're getting," he said.
"I don't think so, Atty. I think they are focusing more on our looks, and less on us," Alexis pointed out, "Though, I think Mac is getting most of the attention."
Reggie Mackenzie, or 'Mac' to the people close to her, was probably what a man would describe as overly attractive. She had light brown hair, cut to shoulder length, and deep blue eyes, with a small mole right under her left eye. Her body was overly attractive, with curves in all the right places, and a voluptuous bust, that could shake the heart of any man. "Really?" she asked "Are foreigners really a rare sight here? I mean, I'm not exactly dressed casually, unless you consider a business suit casual."
Alexis then said, "Let's just ignore them for now, and get going. Our ride is probably here." After the limo arrived, they all got in and began making their way home. On the way there, Alexis began thinking to herself about how much she really missed this place. "I've been away for a while, yet the city hasn't changed much. Which reminds me, I wonder how the others are doing. Especially Jaden. I haven't seen him since graduation." As she remembered the boy who she had feelings for, she remembered that night, the night after the two had won the pair tag-team dueling contest, the night she was going to confess her feelings, but couldn't. That was a moment she had since come to regret. "I hope he's doing okay, and I hope I can see him soon" she thought.
Atticus, noticing his sister's facial expression, put on a mischievous smirk. "Hey Lex, thinking about your boyfriend" he teased.
Flustered, she responded, "Boyfriend! W-what are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about a certain boy your age with brown hair…" he began, before she interrupted him. "I told you before, it's not like that!" Alexis defended herself, but Atticus carried on "Sure thing Lex, but remember the Venice incident, you know, the one where Jaden appeared on the news, and how much you were hoping and begging that he would come out of there alive." "Of course I did. Any friend would want their friend to be safe and sound" she stammered, a hint of annoyance in her tone. "Yeah, but remember that time when…"
SMACK
"Owww! What was that for, Reg?!" Atticus cried out.
"Enough. Can't you see you've gone too far," said Mac, while glaring at Atticus.
"Thanks Mac, if you didn't do that, I might have beaten him half to death," said Alexis, as she began to calm herself.
"Hey sis, that's not something you say to your older brother…" he began protesting, before he was quickly shot down by glares from both girls. "I'm sorry! It's my fault!" Atticus begged for forgiveness.
"(Cough) Anyways," Mac began, as she tried to lighten the mood, "boyfriend stuff aside, I've always wanted to know about this Jaden Yuki boy you and Atticus always talk about."
"Well, where to start." Alexis began to ponder for a while, before saying, "He was one of the top duelists in the academy in our year, if not the best."
"Even though he graduated a Slifer?!" Mac interrupted. "Yes, but Jaden remained a Slifer by choice, not because he was inferior or weak. Anyways, he had this weird power to attract others. He could make friends instantly, and while he was an idiot, and frequently got himself into trouble and made us worry all the time, he was kind and he always had the brightest smile," Alexis paused, and without realizing, had begun to smile, in a way Mac never thought possible.
"This confirms it, she's still totally into him. That explains why she turned down all those other guys," Mac thought to herself.
"That's our Jaden, the best, brightest and strongest duelist out there. Not to mention Alexis's groom-to-be," Atticus, who had recovered, cheerfully said.
SMACK
"OUCH!" he screamed. Mac had given Atticus another whack with her purse.
"Anything else you'd like to add?" she asked with a glare.
"No, ma'am!" Atticus replied. He then leaned in closer, and whispered in her ear, "But you see, Jaden's been the only one for her. You can tell by her reaction."
"I suppose," she whispered back, "but please stop bugging her about it. If you really want to help, why don't you go find him for her, so they can sort things out."
"That's the thing, I have no idea where to look, or even where I can find a lead," he sighed, as the limo pulled into the driveway of the Rhode's residence.
"Home sweet home," Atticus said joyfully, as he took the luggage and stepped in.
"Atty, I'm going to my room to rest," said Alexis.
"Ok Lex, but remember, tomorrow we have to give Mac a tour of the town," he said.
"Sure thing," she replied. Alexis climbed the steps to her room, and after she got in, she just jumped into her bed, got under the covers and began to rest. As her consciousness began to fade, she thought "Jaden, where are you know? Are you okay wherever you are? Please come back to me safe." With that, sleep claimed her.
Jaden yawned, as he was listening to Axel's boring lecture about 'duty'. It was currently 10 AM over in England, and he really wanted to get some sleep having had little sleep lately, due to the constant attacks from darkness, but Axel had other plans. "Look," he sighed, "I know the both of you are worn out, but unfortunately until we fully confirm that the darkness has disappeared from this area, and I get a call from HQ, we need to be on high alert."
"Aw! If I knew, I wouldn't have teamed with you guys," complained Jaden.
A little over a year after the events that took place in Venice (and the faithful events of Bonds Beyond Time), Jaden was in the outskirts of Johannesburg, South Africa, tackling the darkness in the area. As he was struggling with this particular darkness, he was unexpectedly aided by his old pals, Jesse and Axel. After exchanging pleasantries, and grabbing a bite to eat, Axel had offered Jaden a job, one where Jaden would continue fighting the darkness, only he would be better prepared, and in much better health.
You see, Seto Kaiba, owner and CEO of Kaiba Corp., had been studying the darkness and its effects for a while. After reaching the conclusion that the darkness needed to be eliminated, he initiated the 'Dragoons' project, where he would hire a select few of the most talented duelists from around the world, and create small groups of three-man teams to send on assignments to fight, and ultimately defeat the remnants of darkness. The project was a well-kept secret; only a select few, outside of the duelists involved, knew of this project. On the outside, the said duelists would be simple Kaiba Corp. employees or field agents, but on the inside, they would be 'Dragoons', fighting for the freedom of their world.
Axel, already an employee, was selected, along with Jesse, who was convinced to do so by Axel. When Kaiba asked for a recommendation for a third member, the first name that flashed in Axel's mind was Jaden Yuki. After checking his profile, seeing as he was one of the best duelists to ever graduate from duel academy, and based on a statement from Chancellor Sheppard, had experience fighting the darkness, so he decided to hire him. The problem was that no one knew where he was at the time. So Axel and Jesse continued to battle the darkness, knowing Jaden would turn up during one of those incidents, and sure enough, he did.
To summarize; Jaden would join as one of Kaiba's 'Dragoons', and have free roam just like he used to, but he had to report in every once in a while. Jaden accepted of course, but not out of a sense of duty, or for the money, but because it would be fun to duel alongside Jesse and Axel again, and even he had to admit; the darkness was putting up more of a fight then he thought.
Back to the present, Jaden began thinking "Man, the time sure flies. I've really got to go visit my parents and such."
"Come on, Axe-man, let's just take a quick breather," Jesse begged "Please?"
"Like I told you…" Axel began to retort, until he heard a loud buzzing coming from his communications unit. "Yeah, Axel here. What, right now?!" Jaden and Jesse looked at each other confused, before focusing their attention back on the Axel, who put a serious expression on. "Got it, we'll report back ASAP." Axel put the phone down, and looked at his confused comrades, before saying, "Guys, we've got a call from the boss." Jaden and Jesse looked at Axel in astonishment. "Looks like he wants all 'Dragoons' to gather for an important meeting. Well Jaden, looks like you'll get your sleep on the flight back," said Axel, as he patted Jaden's shoulder.
Jaden was stunned; he couldn't believe what he had just heard. "So, we're finally heading back to Domino City, back to where it all began," he thought to himself, "Maybe that wish of mine, might come true after all." All Jaden knew for sure, was that he was finally homebound.
YAY! Chapter 2 is finally in the books, and what a kickass chapter it was. So Seto Kaiba was the boss. I think it was obvious, but if you didn't know, let me know in the reviews.
On a side note, for those wondering, Fujiwara was not the last boss of darkness in my story; he was a general, a leader. But he wasn't really the top dog. Food for thought…
Now for the preview:
Next time on Yugioh GX: Beyond the academy
What is the true purpose of the Dragoons, and what is the shocking announcement that Kaiba is going to make? Also, what's going on with Chazz, and where is Yubel? All this and more in Chapter 3: Homebound.
So for now, I guess I'll turn in. Looking forward to your reviews and support!
With that, I end my turn.