The School Duel: Part 3 - What's Worth For Dueling
It was finally time. The third match of the School Duel. And now, Jaden and Chazz were facing each other in the center of the arena, ready to play.
"Alright, go time!" Chazz announced. "Let's see what you got, Jaden."
"With pleasure." The Slifer replied.
"No, the pleasure's going to be all mine, because you're going down!"
"Duel!"
Jaden: 4000
Chazz: 4000
"Chazz it up! Take him down, Chazz!" The North Academy students cheered.
"Ask and you shall receive!" Chazz said as he drew his sixth card. "For my first move, I'm going to summon a monster with some bite. Rise, Masked Dragon!" A dragon appeared in a defensive curl. It had red covering that went from the end of its long serpentine neck to the tip of its elongated tail. The rest of its body was beige grayish colored, save for the inside of its wings which were purple. And like the name suggested, its face looked like it was covered by a mask. (ATK: 1400 DEF: 1100 LV: 3) "That'll do for now."
"Not once you see what I got for ya." Jaden replied as he drew his sixth card. "Just what I wanted. I play, Elemental HERO Burstinatrix, in attack mode!" The red clad female hero rose in a spout of fire. (ATK: 1200 DEF: 800 LV: 3) "Actually, on second thought, I should say slayer mode, cuz that's just what she's gonna do to that dragon!"
Clover grimaced at that. "Oh no, bad idea."
Andrew and most of his friends looked at her confused. "What? Why?"
Burstinatrix formed a large fireball in her hands and threw it at the dragon.
"Now he did it." Clover said.
"What do you mean?" Syrus asked. "Jaden took the lead just now."
Chazz smirked. "Actually, he took the bait."
"Uh oh." Jaden said.
"I activate my Masked Dragon's special ability! You see, when this card is sent to the graveyard due to a battle, I can summon a dragon type monster with 1500 or fewer attack points from my deck. And I have just the one. Go ahead and see for yourself. Come out, Armed Dragon LV 3!" At that command, a smaller dragon appeared on the field. Its body was mostly orange, except for its neck, the top half of its head, the back of its hands, small wings, as well as its subbed tail, which were a dull brown. (ATK: 1200 DEF: 900 LV: 3)
"Another LV monster?" Andrew asked in shock.
"Yeah, and 3 is the lowest. If Chazz plays this right, that dragon will get a lot bigger."
"Indeed." Bastion agreed. "I just wonder where Chazz ever got such a powerful card."
"It was Chancellor Foster." Clover replied. "He really wants North Academy to win, so he gave Chazz North Academy's top dueling cards."
Jenny turned to her. "Then I suppose he gave you that Horus the Black Flame Dragon?"
"That's right." Clover admitted. "To be honest, I was pretty hesitant to add it to my deck. But then, in the end, I decided it would be a good addition to my deck."
"Well, you certainly gave me a run for my money with it." Andrew said.
"But now it's Chazz who's using a LV monster. So Jaden better be careful." Shiori added.
Sheppard gasped at the new dragon. "It can't be…"
"It is." Foster replied with a proud smirk. "Like I said, I want that prize, and I'm going to get it."
Sheppard stood up. "Oh yeah? Well, we'll see about that! Let's go, Jaden! Come on! Jaden it up! Jaden it up!"
"Yeah... uh, sure." Jaden scratched his nose as his headmaster tried to cheer him on. "Anyway, sweet card, Chazz. I can't wait to see what that Armed Dragon card can do."
Chazz smirked. "Don't worry. You'll have a first row seat."
"Til then. But now, I'm throwing down a facedown and ending my turn." A card appeared behind Burstinatrix.
"Great, now I can start ending you." Chazz drew his next card and grinned in anticipation. "You see Jaden, during my standby phase, Armed Dragon's effect activates. So by sending 1 card to the graveyard and sacrificing his level 3 form, I can summon Armed Dragon LV 5 directly to the field."
"Say what!?"
"This isn't good." Syrus said.
"Now then, let's go ahead and get to it, shall we? Armed Dragon LV 5, rise!" The small dragon disappeared in a flash of light, and was replaced by another one. This one was built the same general way as the last one. However, this one was bigger. Its orange and brown body parts became red and black. It also had spikes on its knuckles, shoulders knees and back, amongst others. (ATK: 2400 DEF: 1700 LV: 5) The North Academy students cheered for Chazz at this.
"Yikes! And I thought it looked dangerous in its previous form." Matt commented.
"Be careful Jaden!" Bastion warned him. "By leveling up, Armed Dragon's power has substantially increased! And he was plenty powerful before!"
"Aww man." Syrus moaned.
Sheppard watched as Foster snickered evilly.
"Wow, Chazz. That thing's pretty sweet. But then, so is my trap. Hero Ring! And I'll equip it to Burstinatrix!" Jaden's facedown card flipped up before it dissolved and materialized as a medium-sized red shield attached to the female hero's arm. "Now monsters with 1900 or more attack points can't attack. Hence the breaks!"
Chazz just laughed at that move. "You want breaks? I'll give you breaks, Jaden. Because even with that Hero Ring shield out, my Armed Dragon LV 5 is going to crush your creature!"
"How?"
"Armed Dragon's special ability, that's how. You see, by discarding a monster to the grave, I can destroy a monster of yours whose attack points are equal or less than the one I tossed."
"Wait, so…"
"So, since Flying Kamakiri #1 has more attack points than your monster…" Chazz started as he slid a monster card into his graveyard slot.
"Then any monster with up to 1400 attack points is destroyed!" Jenny said.
"Like Burstinatrix…" Michael added.
"I'm sorry, Burst. My bad." Jaden apologized to his hero monster.
"Go, Armed Dragon LV 5, Shrapnel Blast!" The big dragon roared as the spikes all around its body shot out like missiles, sailing through the air before coming down on the red female hero, blowing her away in an explosion. "And that was just his special ability. Now, time for his direct attack! Inferno Roar!" Armed Dragon let out a roar as blades of red energy shot out from its body and slammed into Jaden, blasting him off his feet and sending him crashing into the ground further back.
Jaden: 4000-1600
Xander, who was watching this at the railing surrounding the stands, cringed at the damage. "Ow! That's gotta hurt."
Chazz scoffed. "So that's Duel Academy's best, huh?"
"Come on! Get up, please!" Sheppard called out.
In response, Jaden flipped up to his feet. "Nice shot." He complimented as he rubbed the back of his head. "Although, I've gotta say, I think for the next TV broadcast, I'd like to arrange to have a stunt man." Jaden laughed at this."
"Whatever. I'm placing one card facedown and ending my turn." Chazz concluded as he inserted a card into his duel disk.
"He's finally acting like a Princeton." Slade commented.
"That's true. I just hope he doesn't win too fast." Jagger said, getting a confused look from his bearded brother. "Hey, the longer he trashes this kid, the more we make of commercial revenues."
Both brothers turned back to the duel, laughing at their plan of personal gain.
"My go!" Jaden announced and drew a card. "You're in trouble now. I play Elemental HERO Bubbleman, in attack mode!" The blue-armored water hero appeared on the field, his cape billowing behind him. (ATK: 800 DEF: 1200 LV: 4) "And when Bubbleman is summoned and there are no other cards out on my field, like right now, I'm allowed to draw two more cards." He drew his extra cards. "And now I'll use one of them, Polymerization! To fuse Elemental heroes Avian and Sparkman with Bubbleman to create... wait for it…" The green wind hero, along with the blue and golden electric hero appeared before all three changed into a swirl of blue, green and yellow light which began to intertwine. "Elemental HERO Tempest!" The lights merged to form the cannon armed, powerful winged hero. (ATK: 2800 DEF: 2800 LV: 8)
"Alright! You got him now, Jay!" Syrus cheered.
"With fly boy there?" Chazz sneered.
"You'd better believe it. And he gives a new definition to the term 'air power'. Glider Strike!" Tempest flew into the air and pointed the cannon on his arm at the red and black dragon. He then fired a blast of blue energy which destroyed it.
Chazz: 4000-3600
"Thanks for that. It lets me play... my trap! Call of the Haunted!" Chazz's facedown card flipped up.
"Uh oh." Jaden said.
"Not that one." Shiori said.
"Do you believe in ghosts? Well you're about to. Because this card lets me summon back any monster I want from my graveyard. And I bet you can guess which one I'm gonna pick. Armed Dragon LV 5, rise!" The big red and black dragon rose again on Chazz's field. (ATK: 2400 DEF: 1700 LV: 5)
"Chazz it up! Chazz it up!" The North Academy students cheered. "Show no mercy!"
"Well, I guess I'll just throw down a facedown and hope for the best." Jaden said as a card appeared between him and his hero monster.
'Go ahead.' Chazz thought to himself. 'Because with what I have for you, even your best won't be enough.'
"Get ready for me to mop this low rent Duel Academy floor with you, Jaden. Cuz now..." Chazz said as he drew his next card. "I'm using Armed Dragon's special ability. I'm discarding Despair from the Dark from my hand to the graveyard." He slid a card into his graveyard slot. "And since it has 2800 attack points, your birdman's headed to the pet cemetery. Now, Armed Dragon, destroy hero Tempest with Shrapnel Blast!" The dragon's spikes shot out towards the hero monster.
"I activate, the spell De-Fusion!" Jaden's facedown card flipped up. "Quick, de-fuse Tempest!" Just before the spikes blasted the platform, Tempest turned back into the three fusion materials, avoiding the blast. (ATK: 1000 DEF: 1000 LV: 3) (ATK: 1600 DEF: 1400 LV: 4) (ATK: 800 DEF: 1200 LV: 4)
"Talk about close." Syrus commented.
"I know." Chumley replied. "He barely saved his monsters."
"Whatever, my Armed Dragon still has his attack to use." Chazz retorted. "And now I'm going to use it! Go, Inferno Roar!" Once again, the big dragon roared and unleashed blades of red energy and this time, they destroyed Sparkman in an explosion that obscured the field. When the smoke cleared, Chazz spoke up again. "And now to take this duel and my dragon to the next level."
"What?" Jaden said.
"Don't tell me…" Andrew said worriedly
"It's time to upgrade my Armed Dragon LV 5 to Lv 7! Won't you join me Jaden? In welcoming... the ultimate and the all powerful…" Chazz threw his arms into the air. "The LV 7 Armed Dragon!" And in a red flash, the dragon evolved once again. And as anyone would predict, this form was bigger than the last. Its tail and neck were longer, black armor covered much of its body, including its head and it had large steel wings extending from its back. And on top of that, the spikes of its body were replaced by blades. (ATK: 2800 DEF: 1000 LV: 7)
"Chazz it up! Chazz it up! Chazz it up!"
While the North Academy students cheered, Jaden stared at the new dragon. "Okay, so he's big. But who knows? I mean, he could be friendly."
"Nuh huh. That dragon can obviously not be friendly." Michael commented.
"And with that kind of level and those attack points, its special ability must be really nasty." Andrew added.
"That's strange." Jagger said, frowning at the sight of Chazz's dragon. "That monster wasn't in the suitcase I gave Chazz."
"What!?" Slade looked at him.
"Armed Dragon LV 3 and 5, that's for sure. But that LV 7 wasn't in there."
The bearded Princeton then turned back to the duel with a hard glare. "Does this mean... Chazz isn't using our cards!?"
Sheppard glared at Foster who watched this the progress of the duel with a smug expression. The Duel Academy Chancellor then stood up. "Jaden, we're with you! Come on everybody! Jaden it up! Jaden it up!"
The North Academy booed for his words.
"Tell him how it really goes!" Chazz said.
"Chazz it up! Show him no mercy!"
The young Princeton turned back to Jaden with a smirk. "Aww, what's wrong? You're not so talkative anymore? You don't have anything to say, Jaden?"
To his surprise, Jaden stared at the dragon with a smile. "Yeah, I do. I've gotta get me one of those! He's so cool! Trade for him?"
"No! I won't trade for him!" Chazz replied annoyingly. "What's wrong with you!? You should be scared of him, not admiring him!"
"But how could I not? He's an incredible monster and this has been an incredible duel!" As he spoke, Jaden jumped up and down on his place like an excited kid. "How can anyone not be excited!? I mean, this is as good as it gets! I'm stoked! This is what dueling's all about! Thanks Chazz!"
"Thanks? You're pitiful, Jaden. Jumping up and down like some fool, never taking anything serious, that's why you'll never be a champion. You see, it takes discipline to win. You need to have a sense of duty. You need to have some kind of plan. And I have a plan, and I have a sense of duty, that's why I'm going to beat you, Jaden! That's why I'll beat anyone in my way! I can conquer anyone! You got that! I'm gonna conquer the whole world!"
Xander started to get nervous. "Oookay, now I'm really worried."
"Geez, he's got serious trouble." Clover commented.
"No kidding." Jenny agreed while everyone, minus Zane, nodded.
"Okaay, well if you don't mind, can I take my turn firs?." Jaden asked, being somewhat weirded out.
"Make it quick!" Chazz demanded angrily.
"Chill." Jaden drew a card. "Alright, I'll call up Wroughtweiler in defense mode!" The metal dog appeared between the two hero monsters. (ATK: 800 DEF: 1200 LV: 3) "And I'll throw down a facedown. How's that for quick?"
"Not bad, but downright sluggish compared to how quick my dragon's gonna take out all your monsters. Watch this. I'm using my Armed Dragon's special ability. Now, by discarding a monster from my hand, I can destroy all monsters you have out with equal or fewer attack points."
"That's not good."
"Oh no! That'll leave Jaden wide open!" Alexis noted.
"Dear me!" Crowler said.
"That is one impressive special power." Zane commented.
"I discard Armed Dragon LV 3 to the graveyard, so... all your monsters with 1200 or less attack points... will be completely wiped out! Go, Serrated Sonic Disk, destroy! Destroy!" Armed Dragon LV 7 roared as its underbelly glowed blue, and then shot out two spinning disks of blue energy which struck down Avian and Bubbleman.
"Jaden, no!" Syrus exclaimed.
"This is bad." Matt said worriedly. "With no monsters to protect Jaden's life points, that dragon can end this with one strike."
"It's okay Jaden!" Sheppard called out. "You can still come back! Jaden it up!"
"Chazz it up! Chazz it up! Chazz it up!"
"Well, before Wroughtweiler goes belly up, his special ability gets to activate. One…" Jaden took a certain spell card and Burstinatrix from his graveyard slot. "that lets me bring Polymerization and an Elemental HERO to my hand."
"As if it'll matter you Duel Academy stooge!" Chazz retorted. "This duel's over! It's time for you... to go bye-bye! LV 7 Armed Dragon, attack Jaden directly with Dragon Talon Terror!" The giant dragon raised its right arm and swung it towards Jaden.
"Jaden!" Andrew called out.
"Not so fast there, Chazz!" Jaden pressed a button on his duel disk, making his facedown card flip up. "I play a trap, Hero Spirit!" And then, Avian appeared between Jaden and the dragons talons, taking the hit instead. The result of this was an explosion.
"What the…? How did …? Why didn't my attack go through!?" A shocked Chazz asked.
Jaden lifted his head as the smoke from the explosion cleared. "Didn't you know, Chazz? When a HERO is destroyed and Hero Spirit is on the field, all damage goes right down to zero, zip, zilch, nada."
"Congratulations, you could use a thesaurus." Chazz said before smirking. "But it'll take a lot more than words to beat my Armed Dragon. And a lot more than any pathetic monster you have!" He laughed. "Face it Jaden, you're toast!"
"I gotta get something started…" Jaden muttered as he drew his next card. And that card was a certain duel spirit.
"Coo."
"Huh? Oh hey there, Kuriboh. Maybe you can help me get out of this jam." He then placed the card on his duel disk. "I summon Winged Kuriboh in defense mode!" His winged companion appeared with his claws protectively over his fur. (ATK: 300 DEF: 200 LV: 1) "That'll do for now."
"Why'd you bring him out, Jaden? You planning to dust around here or something?" Chazz taunted.
That comment caused Winged Kuriboh to squeak something angrily.
"What? Did I hurt his widdle feelings?"
At that moment, Ojama Yellow appeared next to Chazz's head. "It's okay if you did, Boss. I mean, those furballs give me the creeps. Just look at them, all that hair. I mean, where did these monsters come from? So weird."
"Get lost!" Chazz shot back. "If I want your opinion, I'll give it to you! You got that!?"
"I got it, Boss. Sorry." The spirit answered dejectedly as he floated behind his shoulder.
Even though the spirit was very small, Andrew was able to get a glimpse of it. And speaking of spirits, Phantom Magician appeared above him. "Andrew, can you see it?"
'Yeah. I didn't expect Chazz of all people to have a duel spirit.' He replied.
Jenny looked at Chazz and blinked. For some reason, she saw something... yellow. Alexis noticed her confused look.
"What's the matter?"
Jenny heard her and gave her an assured look. "Oh, it's nothing."
Winged Kuriboh hopped onto Jaden's left shoulder and pointed to Chazz while letting out hoots.
"What're you squeaking? Chazz's got a duel spirit?" Jaden turned back to Chazz and noticed the yellow spirit floating behind him. "Hey, I see him! So Chazz, who's your little friend?"
That question made Chazz briefly nervous before he waved his arms frantically at Ojama Yellow. "It's nothing! Just a figment of your imagination! Nothing to see here! No duel spirits at all! Leave me alone!" He managed to make the spirit disappear by catching him between his hands.
'Geez, that was overreactive.' Andrew thought.
"True, but then again, I can't really blame him though." Phantom Magician said. "I myself met some of the Ojamas. And well… Let's just say they left a bad impression.'
Andrew looked at him curiously before turning back to the duel.
"Now back to business! It's my turn!" Chazz drew a card. "And your Kuriboh's turn to get blasted!"
Winged Kuriboh glared at him, squeaking angrily again.
"Armed Dragon LV 7, attack, with Dragon Talon terror!" The mighty dragon raised its arm and brought its claws down, tearing through the furry duel spirit. "And I'll leave it at that."
"Wait, but, why didn't Chazz use his Armed Dragon's special ability?" Syrus asked, blinking in confusion.
"Because Kuriboih's would cancel it out." Bastion replied. "The turn in which he's destroyed, Jaden takes no damage."
"It would have been good if Chazz forgot about it and used his dragon's ability instead." Matt commented.
"My go now." Jaden drew a card and looked at it. He smirked. "Well, what do you know? Looks like I got this…" He revealed the new card. "The spell card, Legacy of a Hero!"
"Huh?" Shiori widened his eyes. "I've never seen Jaden use that card before."
"Me neither." Michael added. "I've only seen Andrew use it."
Andrew smiled. "That's because that card is a spare copy I had."
Everyone turned to him.
"For real?" Chumley asked.
Andrew nodded.
Flashback
Andrew and Jaden were sitting at a table in the card shop and looked over their cards, preparing for the upcoming School Duel. Andrew had a bunch of spare cards from his wooden box on his left side.
"Alright! This will be perfect. I can't wait for the School Duel." Jaden said.
"Same here." Andrew replied. He then looked at one of the spare cards and picked it up. "But I think you might need something extra. Like this…" He handed Jaden a spell card in particular.
The Slifer widened his eyes when he recognized it. "Legacy of a Hero? Don't you use this card?"
"It's okay. That's a spare copy. Besides, one copy of that spell is more than enough for me."
Jaden smiled. "If you say so. Thanks."
Flashback end
"And that's that." Andrew concluded.
They all nodded before turning back to the duel.
"Thanks to my Legacy of a Hero, if I have at least 2 level 4 or higher Elemental heroes in my graveyard, I get to draw three cards from my deck. Here's one…" He counted while drawing. "And here's two... and finally, card number three." He looked at the three extra cards. One of them in particular. "Alright, just the card to turn this duel around, and around and around."
"Say what?" Chazz asked confused.
"Here, see for yourself…" Jaden replied as he slid a card from his hand into his graveyard slot before inserting another card into his duel disk, making a spell card appear. "Go, Special Hurricane!"
"What the…!?"
"That's right. By discarding one card from my hand, I can use this spell card and destroy any monster on the field that was special summoned." A very strong whirlwind erupted from the spell card and collided with the Armed Dragon, making it explode.
"No way…!" Chazz glared at Jaden through the smoke. "It can't be!"
"Oh it be, alright." Jaden replied. "And now, you be in some big time trouble, because your best monster is off the field, and you're all alone on it."
"So lishus!" Chumley said. "Totally what I'd have done. You know, if I had those cards, and if Jaden were walking me through it step by step."
"That's all?" Bastion questioned him. "Maybe he should hold your hand as well?"
Everyone else chuckled at that.
"Way to play!" Syrus cheered. "Now follow through and take it to Chazz's life points, Jay!"
"You got it, Sy! I summon Elemental HERO Wildheart!" The muscular tribal hero appeared in front of Jaden. (ATK: 1500 DEF: 1600 LV: 4) "And now Chazz, you're in for some heartbreak…" The Slifer stopped and thought about what he said. "Uhh… actually, that doesn't make any sense! Oh, just attack!" The hero jumped up in the air and drew his large sword, hitting Chazz with a downward slash that sent crashing back.
Chazz: 3600-2100
"Whoa!" Xander gasped upon seeing Jaden take the lead.
"Ha ha! The prize is so mine!" Sheppard said as he turned to Foster with a big grin on his face. "After all, looks like your boy is down for the count. Sooorry~!"
Foster growled and turned back to the duel. "Oh no he's not! Chazz, get up!"
"Chazz, get up!" The North Academy students repeated.
"Jagger, what does Chazz think he's doing?" Slade asked, obviously angry at their younger brother. "We've given him the best cards in the world, but he's not using them!"
"It's… my… turn…" Chazz panted as he slowly got up on his feet and drew his next card. "I play... a spell card, Graveyard in the Fourth Dimension! This baby lets me take two monsters from my graveyard and shuffle them right into my deck. Sure, they have to be special kind of monsters, but it's just the kind I need. My Armed Dragons!" He held up Armed Dragon LV 3 and 7 before shuffling them into his deck. "Oh, and I happen to have another one in my hand as well. I summon the Armed Dragon LV 3!" The dragon crouched down on Chazz's field in its level 3 form. (ATK: 1200 DEF: 900 LV: 3)
"Chazz it up! Chazz it up!"
"Yeah…" He nodded, hearing his fans. "And now Jaden's about to be washed up! I'll place one card facedown and end my turn." He inserted a card into his duel disk. 'I have to win this. I can't let my brothers down!" He thought as the images of his brothers appeared in his mind.
"World domination is ours for the taking!"
"You need to become Duel Monsters' best!"
Chazz turned to the audience to see his brothers sitting a few yards away, looking at him intently.
"I'm trying!" He yelled.
"Uh... trying what?" Jaden asked, confused by his opponent's current behavior. "To weird me out? Hello? Earth to Chazz…" He then followed Chazz's line of sight to see the two men in dark suits. "That's right. His brothers..." He muttered.
Flashback
"Come on! You got to show them that Chazz Princeton is no slacker! That you're worthy of the Princeton name! That you can win! Over and over! That you're the best!"
Flashback end
'I almost forgot that Chazz's brothers are putting all the pressure on him. Poor guy. He's gotta realize that the only thing worth dueling for is fun.'
"Jaden!" Syrus called out. "Come on, buddy. You gotta turn this duel around! You gotta show everyone what's up, Jay!"
"Wait a sec. That's it!" Jaden said. "I got to win this duel now. To show Chazz what dueling's really about. Alright, Jaden. It's time that you get your game on. Let's duel!"
"What do you think we've been doing?" Chazz yelled back as the North Academy students laughed at the Slifer.
"Chazz it up! Go! Beat him!"
Jaden sighed before beginning his turn. "Alright, try cheering this!" He drew a card. "Wildheart, attack that Armed Dragon! Wild Slash!" The tribal hero charged forward and struck Chazz's dragon with his sword, making it explode.
"Thanks for that! Now I can play my trap…" Chazz's facedown card flipped up. "It's called The Grave of Enkindling. And since a monster was destroyed in battle, it lets us both take a monster from our graveyard and summon it to the field in defense mode. And I choose another Armed Dragon, and he's level 5." The level 5 version of the dragon let out a roar as it rose on the field, shielding with its arms. (ATK: 2400 DEF: 1700 LV: 5)
"Grave of Enkindling made that way too easy." Syrus said. "It's practically unfair. Isn't there any drawback to using it?"
Bastion rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "If I recall correctly, by rule, the resurrected monster must remain in defense mode. Of course, that's really a mood point. After all, with LV 5's special ability, by discarding a monster from his hand to the graveyard, Chazz can destroy one of Jaden's monsters whose attack points are less or equal to the monster Chazz discarded."
"Which means Jaden won't be completely safe." Clover said.
"Maybe, but since that dragon's ability can only destroy one monster at the time, he might survive long enough to get through it." Andrew replied.
"Well, what're you waiting for?" Chazz asked. "Resurrect! Take a monster out of your graveyard. But let me tell you, it's gonna be a round trip!"
"Uh, monster? Sorry, but I think you mean monsters." Jaden corrected.
Chazz just scoffed. "Please, what are you talking about? That Grave of Enkindling only lets you bring one monster back."
"What's he planning?" Bastion asked as he and the others were wondering what Jaden was up to.
"I bring back Hero Kid from the graveyard!"
"What the…?" Chazz said in shock.
"Huh? A kid?" Slade asked.
A young boy wearing a red and white astronaut like suit with a dome helmet and wearing a red eye mask flipped onto the field. (ATK: 300 DEF: 600 LV: 2)
"He wasn't in your graveyard, Jaden!" Chazz protested.
Jaden smirked. "Think again..."
Flashback
"That's right. By discarding one card from my hand, I can use this spell card."
Flashback end
"Oh yeah." Chazz scowled at the memory.
"And like I said, it's not just him, cuz when Hero Kid is special summoned, just like he was by that Grave of Enkindling, well then Chazz, I get to call out every other Hero Kid that I have in my deck." Two more young boys, identical to the first one, appeared on the field, crouching. (ATK: 300 DEF: 600 LV: 2) x2 "And now, I'll throw down two facedowns and call it a turn." Two cards appeared behind Jaden's monsters.
Chazz smirked. "I see, by playing three monsters, you think I'll have to discard three cards to destroy them, right? You wish! I don't have to discard of three cards, I just have to play one."
"Okay, this is bad." Syrus whimpered.
"That's for sure." Michael replied.
"Wait, one!? I don't like the sound of this one bit." Sheppard said worriedly.
"Alright, here goes." Chazz drew a card. "I activate the spell card Level Up!" The image of the named card appeared.
"Uh oh." Jaden widened his eyes.
"What's Level Up do?" Sheppard asked.
"Wow, guess it's true. Those who can't duel teach. What it does is let me level up a monster. And I choose... Armed Dragon! Now, LV 7!" The dragon's body glowed as it morphed into its level 7 form. (ATK: 2800 DEF: 1000 LV: 7) Chazz was laughing maniacally.
"Yes!" Slade said as he and Jagger smiled at their brother's comeback.
"Yes!" Foster said, smirking at this turn of events.
"No!" Zane leaned forward. "With that, Chazz can destroy all of Jaden's monsters again."
Syrus was trembling nervously.
And Andrew was gritting his teeth.
"Chazz it up! Chazz it up! Chaaazz it uuup!"
"I've been waiting for a long time to tell you this, Jaden. So listen up! I got my game on! And I'm about to turn yours off!"
The huge dragon roared and flexed its claws. The camera crews circled the platform, the film still going.
"That's it baby!" One of the members said into his megaphone. "The whole world's watching you shine!"
Chazz smirked. "Then they better watch as I take this duel and my Armed Dragon to the highest level!"
"Say what!?" Jaden exclaimed.
"Are you kidding me!? LV 7 isn't the highest!?" Shiori asked in shock.
"Apparently not." Jenny grimaced.
"I sacrifice my LV 7 dragon in order to summon its ultimate form… The almighty Armed Dragon 10!" In a very bright flash, the giant dragon evolved and became much more bigger. It was now wearing black and silver metal armor covered most of its red body. From its head to shoulders and its front. All the sharp blades became sharper and the claws were longer. (ATK: 3000 DEF: 2000 LV: 10)
"Oh my god." Xander said staring widely from his spot.
"LV 10!?" Andrew gasped.
"The highest I've seen was 7!" Clover added.
"Not anymore, apparently." Matt replied.
"Man, and I thought it was bigger before." Jaden muttered.
"Well, you couldn't be more wrong." Chazz responded. "And... my Armed Dragon's special ability is even bigger than before. Now I can destroy all monsters you have on the field by discarding any card I want from my hand."
"Any card!?" Jenny exclaimed.
"Oh no!" Alexis gasped.
"This is bad!" Andrew said.
"That ability will crush any monster, regardless the attack points." Zane added.
Chazz slid a card into his graveyard slot. "Now Armed Dragon, crush his monsters with Hyper Sonic Roar!" The giant dragon inhaled and then let out a powerful roar, creating a sound wave that blew away all of Jaden's monsters. And once again, Chazz laughed maniacally. "Looks like your Hero Kid just got grounded!" He laughed at his joke. "Grounded up! He he he! Tell you what. If you surrender now, I promise not to embarrass you…. on global TV! Wait, I already did!" He then laughed even more.
"Hey, it's not that funny." Syrus said.
"Well, this situation isn't funny either." Shiori said. "Now with all those monsters gone, Jaden is wide open for a direct attack."
"i hope you're ready, Jaden. Because this duel is mine! Armed Dragon LV 10, attack him directly with Static Orb Thrust!" The Armed Dragon created a ball of sizzling black and purple energy in the palm of its hand and threw it away. The orb flew in Jaden's direction with high speed.
"Jaden!" Andrew called out.
"I play my trap…" One of Jaden's facedown cards flipped up. "Call of the Haunted! And just like you, I'll use this to bring back a monster from my graveyard. So let's all welcome back... Elemental HERO Sparkman!" At that, the blue and golden hero appeared on the field again. (ATK: 1600 DEF: 1400 LV: 4)
"Fine, then I'll just crush him, instead!" The electric orb collided with the electric hero and created an explosion that took away most of Jaden's life points.
Jaden: 1600-0200
"Whoa! That was close." Chumley said.
"Tell me about it." Michael replied.
"Jaden! Keep fighting, don't give up!" Sheppard called out.
"Who's giving up?" Jaden asked with a smirk. "I mean, I'm having way too much fun to give up. After all, that's what dueling's all about. Win or lose, cuz if you're having fun, you win every time."
"Gag me." Chazz scoffed.
"It's true. If I can have fun right now losing, shouldn't you be able to winning? It's seriously not that hard. Despite what your brothers may want you to believe."
"What!? What do you know about my brothers!?" Chazz snapped at him.
"Well, for starters Chazz, I know they're the ones you're dueling for. And the ones putting all this pressure on you too." He paused as Chazz growled. "Oh come on, Chazz. Remember when you dueled for the excitement of it?"
"…I only duel to win…"
"Well, we'll see where that gets you!" Jaden drew his next card and looked at it. "I play The Warrior Returning Alive! Now I can bring a warrior back from the grave and to my hand. And I think I'll choose, my favorite feathered friend, Elemental HERO Avian." He took the named card from his graveyard before he held it up, along with the rest of the cards in his hands. "And then, with Polymerization and Burstinatrix, I'll make, the Elemental HERO Flame Wingman!" The two heroes merged and created Jaden's headliner. (ATK: 2100 DEF: 1200 LV: 6)
"So? He doesn't stand a chance against my monster. After all, the Armed Dragon LV 10 has 3000 attack points. You're way outmatched!"
"Wrong, Chazz." Jaden smiled. "Cuz I'm inviting my three Hero kids to come back out and play." Many people were surprised by this statement.
"To play?" Chazz asked confused.
"Yeah... with your points! I play Miracle Kids!" Jaden's facedown card flipped up. Here's how it works. For every Hero Kid I've got in the grave, your Armed Dragon loses 400 attack points. And since I have 3, Armed Dragon's attack points decrease by 1200." The spirits of the Hero Kids came out of the trap card and lunged at the dragon, fading upon contact. And not too long after that, it became weaker. (ATK: 3000-1800)
Chazz gasped.
"Now who's outmatched? Actually, don't answer that, Flame Wingman will for ya!" The named hero fired a stream of flames from his dragon head arm that engulfed the giant dragon.
"Ahh! Chazz is gonna lose!" The man with the megaphone exclaimed. "Cut the Transmission! Cut it right now!"
TV screens all around the world that were showing the duel went blank, to the disappointment of the countless people watching. And just a second later, they were showing a newswoman with short hair. "Um… hello. We interrupt this duel for a special news... bulletin to report that everything's fine."
Chazz screamed as his Armed Dragon was destroyed by the flames of the Flame Wingman.
Chazz: 2100-1800
"Alright! Jaden just took out the Armed Dragon with just one attack!" Syrus cheered.
"And the assault's not over yet, Syrus." Bastion replied. "The Flame Wingman still has his super power. It comes next."
"Yeah, and it's gonna really burn Chazz." Alexis commented. "His life points will now take damage equal to his destroyed monster's attack points. 1800."
"NOOOOO!" Chazz screamed to the loss of points.
Chazz: 1800-0000
The Duel Academy students cheered wildly for Jaden's victory.
"That's game!" Jaden did his signature victory pose.
"Alright, Jaden!" Matt cheered.
"Awesome!" Shiori exclaimed.
"Great job, dude!" Michael added.
"Nice." Jenny said.
"I knew Jaden would pull it through." Andrew said with a smile.
Despite the result, Clover was smiling as well. "Well, I am quite disappointed that North Academy lost, but I gotta admit, this duel was amazing."
Even Xander was impressed. "Wow! I didn't see that coming. Huh?" He then noticed two people approaching Chazz.
And even though he was on his hands and knees, staring the floor, he could see two pairs of black shoes. And he didn't have to look up to know who they belonged to. "You loser! You dog! You've disgraced yourself! You've disgraced the Princeton name!" Slade said angrily.
"You are no brother of ours anymore!" Jagger added.
"Just give me... another chance." Chazz begged.
"Another Chance!?" Jagger repeated. "Do you know how much we spent on this duel!?"
"The cameras, the rare cards, none of which you used, I might add!" Slade jabbed.
"Sorry, I thought I could win this by myself."
"Yourself!" Jagger grabbed Chazz by the front of his shirt and held him up in front of his face.
"When could you do anything by yourself, Chazz!?"
"Let him go!" The two older Princetons only had time to turn to Andrew, before he grabbed Jagger's arm and pushed him away, causing him to lose his grip on Chazz.
Xander, who just arrived, approached him. "You okay, Chazz?"
"I'm fine." He said dejectedly.
The two older Princetons glared at Andrew, who glared at them back. "You two have no right to treat Chazz like that!"
"Why you…" Slade said.
"I think you two have done enough!" They turned to Jaden, who was standing in front of the rest of the gang. "Yeah sure, he lost. But how could he not with you two jerks breathing down his neck?"
Jagger glared at him. "Two jerks? Do you have any idea who we are!? We could have you crushed, kid!"
That statement got Crowler's attention, as he was listening at the edge of the platform. "Oh my. They could have Jaden crushed? Maybe these two aren't so bad after all."
"Why defend Chazz anyhow?" Slade asked. "He's a nobody now. Disowned by us. And by the whole world! I mean, the cameras caught enough of it! He got schooled, he got mocked off."
"That's right! And then worst of all, he got beat!" Jagger added.
"Wrong…" Jaden countered with shoulders shaking.. "There's one fight he did win. The fight... against you two! Sure, Chazz may not have won the duel, but hey, at least he fought it on his own terms. It's like he said, he used his cards, not what your money could buy!"
"Right on, Jaden!" Crowler said, with tear filled eyes. "I mean... you no good Slifer Slacker."
Jaden turned to Chazz. "Tight duel, Chazz. And I know it's cheesy, but I think the truth of it is, we both won here."
"You're just saying that." Chazz said, with his head, facing the floor. "I mean, come on. Nobody else believes that."
But not too long after Chazz said those words...
"We do, Chazz!" A North Academy student called out.
"Same here!" A Duel Academy student added.
And then, the whole place was filled with chant from all students from both schools, some of them with tears coming from their eyes.
"Yeah! Chazz it up! Chazz it up! Chazz it up! Chazz it up! Chazz it up!"
While everyone was cheering, Slade and Jagger looked around in anger. "I don't have time for this garbage!" The former said as they both left the arena.
Later that evening, as the sun begun to set, Chazz stood on a small cliff, and watched his brothers' helicopters fly off into the distance. It was clear as the day that he was not longer a Princeton in their eyes.
'Guess now there's just one last matter to settle.' He thought.
And now, everyone was on the docks, with all North Academy students on the submarine, ready to take off. However, there were two students who weren't aboard. One of them was Clover, who was talking to Andrew. The other one was Chazz, who was standing in front of all Duel Academy students, with Jaden speaking to him.
"Well Chazz, I guess this is goodbye. Now don't forget to write."
"Jaden, I'm not going back." Chazz responded, getting a surprised look from his rival, and horrified gasps from many of the North Academy students. He looked over his shoulder to his newest schoolmates. "Look guys, I don't belong with you."
"Then where do you belong?" Czar asked confused.
"Right here. Duel Academy was always my home."
"But you're our best duelist, Chazz! You sure?"
"I am." Chazz turned back to face his former Chancellor. "If Chancellor Sheppard will have me back that is."
Sheppard smiled warmly. "Well Chazz, you were one of the best students we had. How could I say no?"
"That was unexpected." Andrew commented.
"Tell me about it." Clover replied.
He then faced his childhood friend. "Well, it was nice to see you again, Clover. I'm looking forward for our rematch. You better take care of yourself." He then held out his hand for a handshake.
Clover stared at it for a moment before closing her eyes, making Andrew confused.
"What's wrong?"
She spoke up. "I think we'll have our rematch sooner than you think…" She then opened her eyes and looked up with a smirk. "Because I've decided to stay here at Duel Academy!"
"What!?" Andrew exclaimed.
"WHAT!?" The NA students yelled.
"For real?" Jaden asked, surprised by this as well.
"You heard me." Clover said, facing Andrew. "Since we were kids, you and I have always dueled each other and always enjoyed it, no matter who won or lost. And most important, you're the closest friend I ever had, and it hasn't been the same without you. So therefore, I'm staying here."
Andrew was more or less speechless. He never thought that Clover would decide to transfer here. But, he was happy for that. He finally snapped out of his shock and smiled. "You know what, fine by me. Glad to have you here!"
Clover smiled. "Thanks."
"She's not the only one who transfers here." Someone spoke up. Everyone turned to see Xander with his arms crossed over his chest. "I'm joining Duel Academy as well."
"For real?" Andrew asked in shock.
Clover nodded. "It's true."
"And you're joining our school because…?" Jaden asked.
"Well, mostly because out of all North Academy students, Clover is the only one who actually treated me like a friend. All the others never showed me some respect. Apparently, they found my mechanic talents nerdy. Not really a fun experience."
"You don't say." Bastion say.
"Oh right, I almost forgot about that." Foster muttered as he pulled out some papers from his pocket and handed them to Sheppard. "Here you have it."
The DA chancellor examined the papers and nodded. "Yes, everything's fine." He then turned to Xander and Clover. "Then let me welcome you both to Duel Academy."
"Thank you, sir." They both replied.
"Um, doesn't Chazz need some paper forms for this as well?" Shiori asked confused.
"Oh, that won't be a problem." Sheppard said assuringly.
"Guess I'll be going." Foster said.
"May I have your attention, please?" They all turned around to see Crowler on a stage erected nearby, speaking in the microphone. "And now, to present the prize in this year's match between North Academy and our esteemed university, I give you the most beautiful woman on the island, Miss Duel Academy!"
At those words, almost every male student rushed the stage.
"Whoa! Sounds hot!" Jaden said.
"Jay, be my wingman, okay?" Syrus said, standing right next to him.
"Hmm." Even though Andrew didn't rush the stage like the rest of the boys, he was really curious about this Miss Duel Academy.
Jenny noticed this and pouted at him cutely. And Clover, who noticed his reaction as well, let her left eye twitch as if annoyed.
"Here she is!" Crowler announced as the woman in question rose from the stage. But to everyone's disappointment and slight horror, Miss Duel Academy turned out to be the card shop owner Dorothy, wearing an orange dress and make up.
"DOROTHY'S MISS DUEL ACADEMY!" Jaden exclaimed.
Even Andrew was freaked out upon seeing here. "W-what the…?"
Jenyy couldn't help but giggle at Andrew's reaction while Clover burst out in laughter.
"Will the winning chancellor please approach the stage?" Sheppard walked up to the stage and stood next to Dorothy. And then, she planted a kiss on his cheek.
"A kiss!? That's the big prize you two were talking about?" Jaden asked incredulously.
The sight of this made Foster cry loudly. "I can't bear to watch! Wait for me! I'll be back next year, my lady!" at that, he ran to the sub, tears streaking down his face literally.
"That's a chick?" Chazz asked in confusion.
After the North Academy people all got on their sub, they pulled back the bridge and pushed off. "Bye Chazz!"
"Don't worry Foster!" Sheppard called out. "I'll take good care of her for you!"
This cause Foster to cry ut even more.
"We'll miss you, Chazz!" Czar called out, with tears falling from his eyes as well.
"Just one last cheer!" Kyle proposed.
"Chazz it up! Chazz it up! Chazz it up! Chazz it up!"
"See you next year!"
The Duel Academy people, including Clover and Xander, watched as the sub drifted away.
It was then Sheppard broke the silence. "There is one thing, Chazz."
"What's that?" The Princeton asked.
"Banner?"
The Slifer Headmaster approached Chazz. "Since you dropped out of Duel Academy and are now coming back, you are technically a new student. And therefore must start from the bottom, at Slifer Red."
"Slifer!?" Chazz exclaimed.
"Yes. Welcome. We'll get you fitted for a blazer as soon as we get back to the dorm. Then, we'll find you a roommate."
"Roommate!? Look here! Chazz Princeton rooms alone! You guys got that!?"
"Alone, huh? Do cockroaches count?" Syrus asked.
"What!?"
"The dorm's got a few." Jaden said. "And some rats"
"RATS!"
"Rats, huh?" Xander said. "I've seen plenty of them in the junkyard back home, so I think I'll manage."
"I don't know if I can deal with that." Clover said, slightly unsettled by the thoughts of having some rodents walking around in her bedroom.
It was then Miss Fontaine approached her, smiling brightly. "Oh, you don't have to worry about that so much. Since all female students are traditionally Obelisk Blue, we have a special school rule for female transfer students. They stay at the Slifer dorm for a little while. And then, they become Obelisk students after passing a special test. Both written and practical."
That seemed to calm Clover down. "Oh, okay."
Chazz however, started to lose it due to his situation. "I CHANGED MY MIND! TURN THE SUB AROUND!"
Laughing, Jaden turned to the others. "Guys, how about we give him the Slifer cheer?"
Chazz looked at him with very annoyed look on his face. "I don't want it!"
"S-L-I-F-E-!" They, minus Chazz, chanted.
"Can't we just stick with Chazz it up!?" Chazz begged.
"Or Slifer it up!" They all then surrounded him for a group hug.
Chazz groaned as he sat on the ground, covering his head with his arms. "This stinks! My new family is already dysfunctional!"
They all laughed. Andrew found this end of the day very exciting. 'Well, this School Duel couldn't end in better way.' He then glanced at Clover and Xander who was also laughing. 'Especially with our new addition here.'
While the Duel Academy people were laughing, Foster called out from the submarine. "Dorothy my dear, I'll come back for you! I'll come back!"
And the School Duel is over. Now then, normally, the Shadow Riders arc is what comes after this. But... during the time I've been writing up to this point, I was thinking about writing about a special adventure first. To be honest, I haven't decided how many chapters that adventure will have. Maybe 3-4? I don't know. But I'm going to write it. So, until next time.
