Chapter 62, Bye bye Chumley.
A couple of weeks pasted and everybody had returned to their usual routine, however the exams was still on everyone's minds, many was still anxious about their results and they wondered when they would get their test scores back.
Jaden was one of the few who wasn't worried about his test scores at all, instead he just went around the school challenging people to duels like he always did, Chumley on the other hand was more worried then anyone, he was so anxious that he could hear the words drop out in his sleep.
Today however was a good day for Chumley, it was art class which was his favourite lesson, Chumley always enjoyed drawing it made him feel relaxed, Chumley was just finishing a picture when Jaden leaned over and peaked at his work.
"Wow Chum, that's great" said Jaden, Chumley quickly covered his drawing suddenly feeling self-conscious, "Ur, it's nothing really" said Chumley his face turning red, "Come on Chum your like a pro" said Jaden as he pulled Chumley away from his drawing.
Jaden wasn't wrong, Chumley's picture looked like it had been drawn by a professional, it was a picture of Ayers rook and it included even the tiniest of details that many would have missed.
Chumley now feeling very embarrassed was revealed when the bell finally rang and the lesson ended, Chumley was about to leave with the others when he was stopped by Professor Sartyr, "Mr Huffington would you please stay behind for a moment" he said.
"What's wrong" asked Chumley as everybody else left the room, "Chancellor Sheppard wants to see you in his office immediately, he said that it's of the utmost importance" explained Sartyr, Chumley felt his heart stop, if Chancellor Sheppard wanted to see him so badly then he doubted that it could be anything good.
Chumley was led away from the classroom by Sartyr "So what's this about" asked a very nervous Chumley, "The Chancellor didn't say, he only told me it was important" said Sartyr, this only increased Chumley's worries, he had a nasty feeling that he was about to drop out of Duel academy.
Chumley didn't say another word for the remainder of the journey, once they reached Sheppard's office Sartyr went in first, "Their ready for you" said Sartyr as he opened the door for Chumley.
When Chumley walked through the door and into Sheppard's office he was very surprised, Sheppard was there along with the other teachers and there was also a man with long white hair and wearing a expensive red suit.
Chumley recognized the man with white hair instantly, anyone at Duel academy would know who this was, he was Maximillion J Pegasus the owner of Industrial illusions and the creator of Duel monsters.
"You must be Chumley Huffington, Chancellor Sheppard here was just telling me all about you" said Pegasus as he shook Chumley's hand, Chumley didn't know what to say, he had no idea why Pegasus would come to Duel academy let alone talk to him.
"Perhaps you should explain" suggested Ms Fontaine who had noticed Chumley's utter confusion, "Yes, that may be best" said Pegasus.
"Mr Huffington as you know you have recently completed you exams and some of the artwork that you submitted for you art test happened to reach me" said Pegasus, "More likely he has some of the examiners in his pocket" thought Crowler silently.
"And I must say that I'm very impressed, you may be one of the finest artists that I've seen in years" continued Pegasus, Chumley brushed slightly at reserving such a compliment from a man who was known to be a great artist himself.
"Mr Huffington, I've come here today because I would like to offer you a job as a card artist at Industrial illusions" said Pegasus, Chumley was completely stunned, this was a dream come true for him, he simply couldn't believe what was happening.
"So what do you say, are you interested I I'm offer" said Pegasus finally bringing Chumley to his senses, "Yes of course Mr Pegasus, it would be an honer to work for you" said Chumley eagerly.
Everyone in the room had smiles on their face, all of them happy for Chumley, except for Dr Crowler who looked very worried about this, "Wait, I'm not sure if this boy is ready for that yet" said Crowler.
"What do you mean by that" asked Sartyr, Crowler looked at everyone until his eyes finally stopped on Chumley, "Mr Huffington would you please step outside for a moment, I would like to speak to everyone in private" he said.
Chumley stepped out of the office and felt a horrible sense of dread as the door closed, was Crowler really about to stop Chumley from getting his dream job, was he really that petty, Chumley tried to listen to what was being side inside the office but he couldn't make anything out and he soon gave up.
After several tense minuets the door finally opened and Pegasus and Crowler walked out, "Well it seems that I may have been mistaken, Dr Crowler here was just telling me that your not nearly a good enough duellist to work at my company" said Pegasus.
"That's right, your test results are simply atrocious" said Crowler, Chumley couldn't believe this Crowler was really going to stop him from getting this job, Chumley felt overwhelming hopelessness consume him, maybe he really was going to end up working in his father's sake factory.
At that moment something inside of Chumley snapped, he wasn't going to just stand here while Crowler ruined his life, he was going to fight like Jaden always did, "No, I am good enough, I am a good duellist" he burst out.
"You've never won a duel in your life" said Crowler, "I could beat you, in fact I challenge you to a duel right now" said Chumley speaking with more confidence then he ever had I his life, "Very well then, we can duel at 6pm that will give you time to prepare" said Crowler
"I'm afraid that I won't be here to see it, I have a meeting with Zigfried von Schroeder to get to, but I look forward to hearing about the outcome" Pegasus as he looked at his watch.
"Well Mr Huffington I suggest you go and prepare for the most important duel of your life" said Crowler, "Right, I'll show you, I'm going to win this" said Chumley as he started to run to the red dorm to make what ever improvements that he could to his deck.
As he watched Chumley leave a smile appeared on Crowler's face, however it wasn't a smile of arrogance or cockiness but one of pride.
Word of Chumley's upcoming duel travelled fast around the school, soon everyone knew about it, almost no one believed that Chumley could defeat Crowler not even the other Slifer reds.
Chumley was currently in the red dorm making some last minute changers to his deck with help from Jaden and Syrus, Syrus was focused on helping Chumley while Jaden was too angry at Crowler to be of much help.
"I can't believe that bastard, how could he do something like this" said Jaden as he clenched his fist, "It does seem strange, I mean why does Chumley need to be a good duellist in order to be a card artist" added Syrus.
"It's because Crowler likes to make people miserable" said Jaden barely able to control his rage, "Don't you think that that's a little harsh Jaden, he did try to help when the Shadow riders attacked" said Syrus, Jaden didn't answer.
Soon both Chumley and his deck was ready, Chumley made his way to the duelling arena with Jaden and Syrus right behind him, "Don't worry, we'll be cheering you on all the way" said Syrus, "Tear him apart" said Jaden sounding far more vicious then normal.
The room became silent as the two duellists took their positions and everyone else found a seat, Chumley's friends know that if he didn't win this duel then his dream would be over.
"You can go first Mr Huffington, after all, you'll need all the help that you can get" said Crowler with a wide smile.
Chumley took a deep breath, a single card hadn't even been played yet and he was already starting to sweat, however Chumley knew that he couldn't let his nerves get the better of him this time, he was going to get that job and he was going to go through Crowler to get it.
Chumley started the duel, "I play one monster in defence mode and I'll place one card face down, now I end my turn" he said, a lot of people was surprised by Chumley's move, usually he would have made an amateur mistake by now.
Crowler's turn started, "To begin I'll activate the continuous spell Ancient gear castle, now all of my Ancient gear monsters will gain 300 ATK point, also whenever I normal summon a Ancient gear monster this card will gain a counter" explained Crowler.
"Next I'll summon Ancient gear hunting hound, when this card is normal summoned it deals 600 points of damage to your LP" said Crowler as his monster appeared on the field while Ancient gear castle gained it's first counter.
Ancient gear hunting hound ATK 1000 DEF 1000 LV 3 EARTH machine.
Chumley LP 4000 – 600 = 3400.
Ancient gear hunting hound ATK 1000 + 300 = 1300.
Ancient gear castle 1 counter.
"Now I attack with my monster" said Crowler, Hunting hound attacked Chumley's face down monster which was revealed to be Des koala, Crowler's attack failed and he took damage.
Des koala ATK 1100 DEF 1800 LV 3 DARK beast.
Crowler LP 4000 – 500 = 3500.
"Since Des koala was flipped face up he deals 400 points of damage to you for each card in your hand" said Chumley finally remembering how to use his cards properly.
Crowler LP 3500 – 1600 = 1900.
"Impressive Mr Huffington, it seems that you have learned a thing or two during your time here" said Crowler surprising Chumley with his compliment, "Now lets see if you can handle this" continued Crowler.
"I activate Hunting hound's effect, once per tern it lets me fusion summon a Ancient gear monster by using cards from my hand and field as fusion material, so now I'll fuse Ancient gear hunting hound with the Ancient gear cannon in my hand to summon Ancient gear howitzer in defence mode" said Crowler.
Ancient gear howitzer ATK 1000 DEF 1800 LV 8 EARTH machine.
"Now I can use Howitzer's effect, once per turn this card can inflict 1000 points of damage, and by the way don't even try to use your card effects on this monster because Howitzer is unaffected by all card effects" explained Crowler as Chumley lost 1000 LP.
Chumley LP 3400 – 1000 = 2400.
Chumley's turn started and he couldn't help but smile at the card that he drew, "I activate Polymerization, with this I'll fuse Big koala and The earth – hex-sealed fusion to create Master of oz" he said.
Master of oz ATK 4200 DEF 3700 LV 9 EARTH beast.
"Usually I would have to use Big koala and Des kangaroo to fuse Master of oz, but The earth – hex-sealed fusion can substitute for one of the fusion materials" explained Chumley.
"Now I'm going to switch Des koala into attack mode and I'll boost him with the spell card Wild nature's release, this will increase his ATK by his DEF but he'll be destroyed at the end of this turn" said Chumley.
Des koala ATK 1100 + 1800 = 2900.
"Go on Des koala attack his Howitzer" said Chumley, Des koala attacked and destroyed Ancient gear howitzer.
"I'm afraid that when Howitzer is destroyed by battle it allows me to summon a Ancient gear monster from my deck while ignoring it's summoning conditions" explained Crowler as Ancient gear wyvern appeared on the field in defence mode, Wyvern also gained a ATK boost from Ancient gear castle.
Ancient gear wyvern ATK 1700 DEF 1200 LV 4 EARTH machine.
Ancient gear wyvern ATK 1700 + 300 = 2000.
"And since Wyvern was special summoned I can add a Ancient gear card from my deck to my hand" said Crowler as he added Ancient gear catapult to his hand.
"Right, Master of oz attack his monster" said Chumley continuing his turn, Ancient gear wyvern was destroyed.
With nothing else to do right now Chumley ended his turn, this coursed Des koala to be destroyed because of Wild nature's release's effect.
As Crowler's turn started he looked at the cards in his hand and for a second he considered not playing the card that he was holding, however everyone saw him add Ancient gear catapult to his hand a second ago so there was no hiding the fact that he had a move to make.
"You've fought very well today Mr Huffington, but I'm sad to tell you that it's over" said Crowler as he prepared to play his card.
"I activate Ancient gear catapult, I can only use this card while I don't control any monsters, it allows me to destroy one face up card that I control in order to special summon a Ancient gear monster from my deck while ignoring it's summoning conditions" said Crowler as he summoned Ancient gear golem.
Ancient gear golem ATK 3000 DEF 3000 LV 8 EARTH machine.
"Now I'll use the spell card Limiter removal, this will double my Golem's ATK points but it will also be destroyed at the end of my turn" said Crowler however he wasn't finished, "Next I'll summon Ancient gear frame in attack mode".
Ancient gear golem ATK 3000 + 3000 = 6000.
Ancient gear frame ATK 1600 DEF 500 LV 4 EARTH machine.
"Ancient gear golem attack" ordered Crowler, the powered up Golem destroyed Master of oz leaving Chumley wide open.
Chumley LP 2400 -1800 = 600.
"Now Ancient gear frame finish him off" said Crowler although there was no satisfaction in his voice, Frame attacked Chumley directly.
Chumley LP 600 – 1600 = 0.
There wasn't any cheering from the crowed as Chumley's LP hit 0, everybody could see that Chumley had done his very best and he had still lost.
Chumley's friends was silently staring at the arena where the monsters had been, all except for Jaden who had an almost murderous look in his eyes and was trying to make his way passed everyone and get to Crowler.
Crowler approached Chumley who had fallen to his knees and was trying to hold back tears, "Stand up Mr Huffington that's no way for a card artist to act" he said as he helped a very confused Chumley to his feet.
"What are you talking about, I didn't win" said Chumley, Crowler couldn't help but laugh, "Mr Huffington the truth is that this duel was never about your duelling skill, this was entirely to do with your confidence and courage" he said.
Chumley clearly didn't understand so Crowler continued his expansion, "You see when I heard about your new job I was worried for you, not because of your duelling skill but because of your nervousness, the world of business is not always easy there are people who will put you down at every chance that they get" he said.
"I had to know that you would be able to look after yourself, that you could stand up for yourself, that's why we arranged this duel, because if you can stand up to me then you shouldn't have any trouble out there" said Crowler.
"So that was the real test" asked Chumley who was starting to feel his hope return, "Yes, and I'm happy to say that you passed with flying colours" said Crowler with what sounded like pride in his voice.
"Now then you should go and pack your things, the helicopter will be here tomorrow to take you to the mainland" said Crowler as he walked away.
Chumley spent the rest of the day packing all of his belongings and saying his goodbyes to his friends, when the next day and the helicopter came Chumley was more then ready to take the next step in his life.
"We're really going to miss you Chum" said Jaden, "It won't be the same without you" said Syrus, "I'll miss you too guys and thanks, I don't think that I would have ever made it this far without you cheering me on" said Chumley.
Chumley climbed into the helicopter, as they flew away Chumley looked out of the window and wished his fiends luck for the future.
