A good day to all. Cypher 32 here, with chapter 4 in the books. I've come a long way since the day I uploaded my first chapter (Though it's only been a couple of weeks). To my followers; thanks for giving my story a read. You make uploading stories worthwhile! A little note: I've noticed that the spaces between lines are too little, so I will modify that accordingly. So anyways, back on topic:
Last time on Beyond the Academy
Seto Kaiba shocks the meeting room with his announcement of the world duel carnival. What are his true motives, and will it really lead to peace? Also, Chazz receives an invite for a reunion at duel academy. Will the gears of fate shift there next?
Without further ado, GET YOUR GAME ON!
Chapter 4: The Two Brunettes
Part 1
Kaiba's announcement shook everyone in the room to the core. A tournament, and a world class level tournament at that! Kaiba certainly had the power to host a carnival of this magnitude, as well as the funds to pay for it all, but this was just so sudden, and for Jaden at least, too good to be true.
After a brief silence, Axel finally spoke up. "Mr. Kaiba, no offense, but how will a duel tournament flush out the remnants of darkness and more importantly, how are we going to protect the citizens and participants? Isn't this measure a bit too…"
"Didn't take you for much of a talker, Axel" Kaiba interrupted with a glare.
Realizing his mistake, Axel apologized. "My apologies Mr. Kaiba. I was mistaken in my judgement."
"Hmph. Parker, show them the details" said Kaiba.
"Yes sir," she then reached for the projector right next to her, and turned it on. "This tournament," she began, "is expected to attract thousands of duelists from all over the world, and gather them all in Domino City. This gives darkness the perfect opportunity to strike. They will possess all manner of duelists, in an attempt to infiltrate and eventually take over all the duelists. But it also gives us the best chance of rounding them up, then defeating the darkness all at once. We might also be able to find the ring leader that's controlling all these remnants."
Kaiba continued after her. "You duelists are going to participate, defeat the darkness and win it all. Be careful, as any and all (including possessed) duelists are allowed entry into the tournament. Any questions?"
"Yeah!" Jaden answered with an excited smile, "What do we get for winning it all?"
"Hmph" Kaiba said with a smirk. "Of course. The winner of the tournament will get the absolute honor of designing his or her very own duel monsters card, courtesy of my business partner Maximillian Pegasus, as well as a direct invitation into the pro leagues, and a huge cash prize, which I will determine at a later date." The silent room was suddenly full of chatter and gossip from all sides.
"Sweet! I couldn't give a rat's ass about the cash, but my very own card! Now that's actually something!" Jaden exclaimed excitedly.
Bridget coughed loudly, and the room went silent. "Now listen up. The tournament starts in June, and we're in December, so has decided to loosen your leash."
"Loosen?" asked Jesse "What d'ya mean?"
"She means Jesse that you have a little over half a year to build your deck, train and prepare for the big tournament, on top of your duties as a Dragoon. However, there will be less pressure and less assignments. Basically, you're all free to train as you see fit. Think of it as somewhat of a paid vacation," said Kaiba. "Remember this though," he added "you are among the first group of people to know of this tournament. The official announcement isn't until next week, so until then, all information regarding the tournament stays here, understood!"
"YES, SIR!" was the response. "Now I have to go settle the final details with city hall, so feel free to let yourselves out" and with that final statement, Kaiba left.
"Well Jesse, looks like you've got that vacation" said Jaden with a stunned look.
"Sure have, Jay, sure have…"
Part 2
"So what are you guys going to do for training?" That was the question Jaden asked his comrades at the front door of Kaiba Corp.
"I'm going to continue surveillance. The darkness could appear at any time. Personally though, if it does, it would make the perfect test dummy for my deck," said Axel indifferently ."See you guys later."
After Axel left, Jaden asked, "And you Jesse?"
"Well Jay, I'll probably hit the beaches in Rio, and soak in some of that sweet, sweet sun. Well that is if it's still hot over there," Jesse said with a grin. "And you Jay?"
Bridget, who was right behind them, thought, "Maybe Jaden doesn't have a place to stay. He does look like the 'I'm perfectly fine with sleeping anywhere' type of person. If so, it's my chance."
"Um, well if you want, you could come stay at my place…"
Unfortunately for her, Jaden wasn't paying attention to her invitation, and said, "Well, I think I'll head home for a while, and try to see my parents and old buddies, then I guess I'll hit the road and train."
"Sounds like a plan, Jay. Well I'll see ya real soon!" Jesse smiled.
"Yeah, you too Jesse!" said Jaden, as the two exchanged fist bumps.
"See ya, Bridge," teased Jesse, then he for a taxi, and disappeared into the night, before Bridget had a chance to retort.
"Oh, sorry Bridge…um, Ms. Parker, you were saying?" he asked.
"N-nothing! Just make sure you report back on time, and train daily. W-we wouldn't want a useless member dragging us down in the tournament!" exclaimed a flustered Bridget.
"Yes, ma'am!" he smiled "Well, I'll see you around Ms. Parker." Then, he left into the night.
Bridget sighed. "Man, what an idiot. But I guess if I can love an idiot like that, that makes me the real idiot. Well, all I can do now is secretly support him" she said with a small smile.
"Well it's still 7 PM. What should we do?" Jaden was conversing with his spirits, as he made his way away from Kaiba Corp.
Suddenly, he heard a loud growl from his stomach. "Maybe you should eat first," laughed Yubel.
"Kurri Kurri!" laughed Kuriboh as well.
"Ha-ha you guys, verrrrrrry funny. But you're right, I could use some grub. Let's go to that mall over there. It should have some good food," said Jaden, while drooling over the thought of great grub.
"Yeah, right. Then you're going to search for Alexis, right," said Yubel.
"Don't start this now Yubel, please?" he groaned.
She sighed. "Fine, but you know I'm right. Soon, you might realize it too, I hope," she said, then disappeared.
"Now for some grub!" he smiled at the thought.
Part 3
An hour earlier, the Rhodes residency
"Hey Mac," said Atticus excitedly, "Let's go to the mall and hang out."
Mac looked up from her seat on the couch and answered, "Sure, why not? We could use a little distraction. Plus if I said no, you'd probably start bawling like a child."
"YES!" Atticus began jumping up and down while saying, "scored a date with Mac!"
She looked at Atticus while sighing "Why do your childish antics never surprise me?" she asked sarcastically.
"Well, you love that side of me, don't you?" he replied with a smile. "I know, I'll ask my sis if she wants to come with!"
"You know, it's not really a date anymore when you have 3 people, but still, it'll be good for her to get some fresh air…" she began to say, but then noticed that Atticus had already left the room. "Man, what am I going to do," she smiled as she thought "But that caring side is what made me fall for you."
Meanwhile, Atticus had already reached Alexis's room on the second floor, and began knocking the door. "Hey lex, wanna come with Mac and I to the mall. I promise it's gonna be fun," he said.
"It's okay, go on ahead. I'm just going to lie down today and think," came the response.
"Come on sis, it'll be fun. We'll go shopping, grab a bite to eat, and maybe, just maybe, we'll get you a boyfriend," he teased. Atticus then heard a cracking noise from inside, and he cringed as he braced himself for a potential beating. "Do you enjoy teasing your little your little sister that much?" she asked in an enraged tone.
"Yup, it's my god given right as the older brother. But that's beside the point," he said. He then dropped the smile, and began talking seriously "Alexis, do you really, truly miss him?"
The room was silent for a few minutes, until he heard, "Yes, I do. I still regret that I didn't confess to him that night, or during my last year. Now there's a chance I may never see him again. What should I do, brother?" Alexis asked as tears began to form in the corner of her eyes.
Atticus stepped in and began to hug her. "Lex, don't give up. I'm sure he'll come back to town soon, and I'm sure you will see him again. That much I can be sure of. You're attractive, smart, cute and great at dueling. Any guy would be a real idiot to turn you down," he said as he tried to cheer her up.
"But what if I see him again, and it turns out that he doesn't feel the same way?" she asked, while resisting the urge to sob.
"Then you just have to be strong and move on. But I know Jaden, and I have a hunch that he might feel the same way as you do," he said. After a few minutes, he let go of her and said "Well, I'll leave you to your thoughts. Don't worry, I'll get you something neat." With that, he left the room.
Part 4
Atticus heavily sighed as he and Mac entered the mall. It was currently 7:30 PM, and the mall was filled with a variety of people who came for a variety of reasons.
"What's wrong now? Bored, because you can't harass your little sister right now?" she asked in a mocking tone.
"No, no. It's not that. My sister is still in love with the same guy, and from what I found out before I left, her guilt and regret is worse than I thought, and the worst part is, I don't know how to help her," he replied while sighing again.
"Is it that Jaden guy you talked about?" she asked.
"Yeah, it is. I haven't seen him myself in a while, and finding him is easier said than done. I'm thinking that maybe, just maybe, if I can find him, and have the two meet and sort things out, maybe her insecurities will disappear. Honestly, I hope those two end up together. In my opinion, Jaden suits her best."
After a bit of shopping, the two reached the food court to grab a quick bite to eat. Atticus was still complaining. "I still can't get, though, how someone so easy to spot would be so hard to find. I mean how many people in the world have the same hairstyle he does? Honestly Mac, the answer will shock you."
Mac then spotted someone very similar to Atticus's initial description, sitting at one of the tables. "Hey Atty" she began.
"Yeah?"
"Did this Jaden guy have brown eyes?" she asked.
"Why yes he did" he answered. "Did he have a red jacket that looks like it's from duel academy?" she continued.
"Yeah, he did. Wow Mac, you've got a great memory!" he said in admiration. "Then isn't that boy at the table over there, Jaden Yuki?" she asked.
"Oh come on Mac!" he laughed "I know you're trying to cheer me up, but come on, it's not like the guy I need is going to pop-up like that…"
Atticus stopped when he noticed the same boy in Mac's description, and his jaw dropped in shock. There, eating like a slob at one of the tables, was the guy he needed, Jaden Yuki. "Mac, slap me," he stammered.
"Oh come on! Just go over and say hi!" she encouraged him to go over. "Slapping you won't change anything."
Atticus then nodded and begun to move towards the said table. When he got close enough, he called out, "J-J-Jaden, is that really y-you man?"
The boy in question stopped eating, and looked up to see the source of the voice. "Hey Atticus what's up? Fancy meeting you here! It's been ages!" Jaden exclaimed happily "Wanna join me for fried shrimp and hamburgers?"
Atticus stood in his spot stunned for a moment, before tears started welling up in his eyes, and then. "JAY-MAN, YOU'RE OKAY AND ALIVE!" he screamed at the top of his lungs, and cried out as he bear-hugged Jaden.
"Of course I am, why wouldn't I be? Now could you loosen up your grip, I ca…n't brea…the," he said while suffocating, but Atticus was too busy man-crying and hugging to notice.
"Atty, I think he gets it. So please, let him breathe a little at least. You don't want your sister knowing that you suffocated her crush to death," she sighed. "Plus, people are watching."
Atticus then noticed that he had caused a commotion, and let Jaden go, as he tried to regain his composure. "Still Jay, I'm glad you're back and in good health," said Atticus cheerfully.
"Yeah, glad to be back!" responded Jaden. "I've missed you and the others quite a bit, man. Anyways, what are you guys loitering around for, grab a seat! Food's on me today!" he said, as the two took their seats at the table. That's how Jaden's reunion began.
Several hundred kilometers away, in an old, run-down mansion, seven hooded figures sat down around a large circular table. "So that's what transpired in the Kaiba Corp. meeting?" one of the figures asked.
"Yes sir, that's what he said," was the response from one of the members.
The figure began laughing. "A tournament, Kaiba. How clichéd. Well, as long as it doesn't get in the way of our grand plans, then leave it be." He then stopped laughing and frowned "Soon, our supreme king; soon you will return to lead us"
Well, how's that for a cliffhanger. So, Jaden met up with Atticus. Could the fated meeting be coming? And what's this about the revival of the supreme king? Well, it's too early to tell. Still, please continue reading. You'll enjoy it; that much I can guarantee.
Now for the preview:
Next time on Yugioh GX: Beyond the academy
Atticus, meet the parents. While you're at it, try and convince his parents that Alexis is the fated one. Jaden talks about his adventures. Then, finally the gears start to move in motion. All this and more in Chapter 5: Parental Love
So for now, I guess I'll turn in. Looking forward to your reviews and support!
With that, I end my turn.