Ater dueling against Strings and saving Slifer the Sky Dragon, adding it to his Deck, though using it only for the most dire of circumstances, Jaden started to get himself ready for the tournament.
With the Duel Monsters World Championship now underway, Jaden made haste, arriving at the Kaiba Corp stadium, where he was told to wait within the preparation room until his name was called.
And though Jaden knew he could count on his Cards looking around, he could see he was up against some pretty tough competition, taking notice of many powerful Duelists that too wanted to obtain the title of the next King of Games, seeing amongst the competition were Duelists such as Rex Raptor, Weevil Underwood and even Marik Ishtar.
However, Jaden found his attention upon his competition as he heard someone call his name.
Turning, Jaden found himself somewhat surprised as he saw the friends he had made during his years at Duel Academy, seeing Syrus Truesdale, his older brother, Zane, Tyranno Hassleberry, Chazz Princeton, Jasmine, Mindy, Jim Crook, Jesse Anderson, Axel Brodie and even Aster Phoenix approach him, all pleased to see the HERO Duelist after so long.
Jaden: Hey, guys. It's been a while.
Syrus: Too long.
Unable to hold back his emotion, Syrus set his arms around Jaden, hugging the brunette.
And Jaden, though surprised and a little embarrassed by Syrus' actions, then returned the embrace.
Jaden: Alright, Sy. C'mon, I missed you as well, but you can let go now.
Through a combination of Jaden's nudging and his own strength, Syrus let go, wiping his eyes and refusing to show his more sensitive side.
Hassleberry: So Sarge, where'd you go after graduation? We searched high and low for you, but we couldn't find a single clue to your location.
Jaden: Sorry for not saying goodbye, but I needed to do something before I left Duel Academy.
Jesse: Either way, it's great to see you again, Jaden.
Chazz: Listen up, Jaden. We might be out of Duel Academy, but that doesn't change the fact you are still a Slifer slacker. So when we Duel, you better believe I'll beat you, then Seto Kaiba and I will become the new King of Games.
Seeing Chazz getting fired up, Jasmine walked up to Chazz, gently set her right hand on his shoulder and looked at him with a caring smile.
Mindy: Chazz, I can understand you when it comes to competition, but try and calm down.
Jaden couldn't help himself but to smile, both at Chazz's old attitude, as well as the chance to take on his friend in a Duel.
Jaden: Same old Chazz. But we'll have to wait and see if we even qualify. I'm guessing that this tournament is going to be a long road for all of us.
With Jaden's words, the others nodded, keeping Jaden smiling, before noticing how Jasmine then relaxed herself on Chazz, embracing him.
Jaden: So it looks like you two are together now.
Mindy: It was sometime after you left that I fell for Chazzie. While I had my share of crushes back at Duel Academy, after looking in my heart, I knew we were meant to be.
Seeing Mindy continue to show her affection, even seeing Chazz acknowledging it and not embarrassed by, Jaden gave a supporting smile.
However, though he was glad to see his friends, having missed them, Jaden noticed the group were a few friends short, leading to a curiousness within the HERO Duelist.
Jaden: So where's 'Lex and Chumley? I thought for sure I'd see them here.
Hassleberry: Private Huffington is still stationed at Industrial Illusions. Seems his strategic thinking and Card designs keep the company running.
Jasmine: As for Alexis...
Before the auburn haired girl could finish her sentence, an eruption of applause caught Jaden's attention, causing Jaden and a handful of the participants for the tournament to turn their focus upon the monitor set in the room, showing an interesting sight to Jaden.
Looking upon the monitor, Jaden saw that a Duel had already taken place, seeing on the screen was the Kung Fu Duelist, Vivian Wong, who held a disbelieving look on her face, sinking to her knees as he ace Monster, Dragon Lady, shattered apart and what remainder of Life Points dropped to 0.
But as impressed as Jaden was to see such a move, upon seeing the Monster up against Vivian, Cyber Blader, as well as seeing Vivian's opponent, Jaden found himself unable to speak, barely able to let out the name of the Duelist now on screen.
Alexis...
As Jaden remained staring at the screen, he found himself unable to look away from Alexis, not only recalling how amazing she was as a Duelist, but taking in her appearance, Jaden had forgotten how beautiful a woman she was, finding that while she no longer wore the Obelisk Blue dorm clothing assigned to her, but instead she now wore a red top, alongside a pair of deep blue shorts, while around her neck rested a necklace, sporting a golden locket with small shining red gem in center.
Alexis' blonde hair remained flowing down her back and her figure was even more developed than Jaden remembered, captivating the brunette as he focused on Alexis' face, seeing a shining spark fill her eyes.
Though Jaden was a little puzzled to these sudden feelings, Roland, Kaiba's right hand man, then made his way between the female Duelists, raising his arm toward Alexis.
Roland: And so the winner of the starter first matches of the tournament is Alexis Rhodes!
With that, the crowd continued to cheer, bringing a smile to Alexis' face as she accepted her victory, before Roland set his hand on Alexis' back, guiding her back to the preparation area.
But stopping, Alexis then turned back to Vivian, approaching the defeated Kung Fu Duelist and offered out her hand, not only to help her up, but as a kind gesture.
Alexis: That was a good match.
Looking upon Alexis, confusion fell upon Vivian.
Vivian: But you beat me, and in one move. How could you say I was any good.
Alexis: Because you put all your heart into your turn. I know if I hadn't drawn such a good hand, this Duel would've turned out differently.
From Alexis' care and the friendliness of her tone, Vivian gave a small smile, feeling better to the situation of her loss and accepted Alexis' hand as she propped herself back on her feet, keeping her hand gripped with Alexis and shaking it.
Vivian: I might've lost, but keep fighting. Show these boys some girl power.
Having said what she needed to say, Vivian turned and exited the stadium, actions Alexis copied as she headed on back to the preparation room, finding the moment she returned, Mindy and Jasmine showed their support.
Jasmine: Way to go, Alexis. That was an amazing Duel!
Mindy: Keep that up and you'll be facing Seto Kaiba in no time.
Though appreciative of the support, Alexis fell silent when she noticed the latest Duelist in the room, surprising her to see Jaden.
And like him, she found that their time apart had made her see him in a new light, seeing him as both the sweet and courageous Duelist he was back at Duel Academy, but also as a handsome young man, the same one she allowed to leave her without ever learning of her true feelings for him.
And after what felt like an eternity to both Jaden and Alexis, staring at one another in silence, Jaden was the first to speak.
Jaden: long time no see 'lex.
Alexis: Yeah... I... I missed you, Jaden...
Unable to remove the blush on his face, Jaden managed to reply
Jaden: I... missed you as well Alexis. And sorry to all of you for leaving without saying goodbye...
While the others could tell Jaden and Alexis had more to say, more on their minds, everyone found their attention drawn to Roland as he entered the room.
Roland: Your attention please. The next match will be between Jaden Yuki and Rex Raptor, so please prepare yourselves as the Duel will start very soon.
Knowing he was going to partake in the tournament quite soon, Jaden looked back at he friends with a confident smile, giving them thumbs up
Jaden: Wish me luck.
Rex: You'll need all the luck you can get.
Hearing the voice of Rex Raptor, Jaden and the others look over, seeing the Dino Duelist readying his Duel Disc, expressing an arrogant smirk the whole time he spoke.
Rex: Against me and my Dinosaurs, you're as good as extinct.
Jaden: We'll see about that. I have taken on Dinosaurs before.
With that out and said, Jaden started to walk out from the preparation room and headed out to the Duel Arena, finding the crowd fill with applause as he took to the field.
And watching as Rex approached him, taking to the opposite side, both Duelists set their Decks in their Duel Discs, ready to throw down.
Rex: Get ready to lose, like a chumpasaurus rex.
Jaden: That won't happen, so get your game on!
Rex/Jaden: Let's Duel!
With their Duel Discs active, their Life Point counters set to 8000, Jaden and Rex drew their five Cards, with Jaden taking the lead.
Jaden: I think I'll start of this round. (Draws) I Summon a monster face-down. Then I place one Card face-down to end my turn.
Upon seeing Jaden's opening move, Rex smirks.
Rex: If that's all you can do, you might as well hand the title to me. (Draws) Here's how a real Duelist plays. I'll start off by playing Polymerization, allowing me to fuse Gilasaurus and Kitoptera to bring out Horned Saurus. (ATK: 2000)
Rex: Next, I Summon Ipiria. (ATK: 500) When this little guy is brought out, I get to draw a Card. (Draws) But he won't be around for long. I sacrifice Ipiria to play Ultra Evolution Pill, allowing me to bring out another devastating dino, Black Tyranno! (ATK: 2600)
Watching as Ipira shattered apart, Jaden was left up against two powerful looking dinosaurs, both giving their own fearsome roars as they awaited to strike.
Rex: Now it's time for my dinos to feed. Horned Saurus, Attack Jaden directly!
Reacting to Rex's call, confusion fills Jaden to see Horned Saurus fly over his face-down.
Rex: If you haven't figured it out, Horned Saurus' special ability let's it Attack you on the turn it's Summoned. And with Black Tyranno's own power, if your Monsters are all in Defence mode, he can set his sights on you and slam out more of your Life Points. Now let him have it!
Opening its maw, Horned Saurus releases a stream of pulsating energy, while Black Tyranno's eyes light up with rage as it hears the command to Attack, jumping over Jaden's Monster and at the HERO Duelist.
Jaden: I activate my face-down: Negate Attack!
His Trap Card revealed, a barrier forms before Jaden, repelling both Dinosaurs, bringing frustration to Rex.
Rex: Lucky move. I end my turn with a face-down.
Jaden: (Draws) I reveal my face-down Monster, Elemental HERO Avian. (ATK: 1000) Then I activate my Pot of Greed, allowing me to draw two more Cards. (Draws 2) I activate Polymerization. See? You're not the only one who can fuse Monsters, so I fuse Avian and Burstinatrix to summon Elemental HERO Flame Wingman! (ATK: 2100)
As Avian and Burstinatrix combine, forming the HERO Monster, Rex just smirks.
Rex: Flame Wingman, more like Lame Wingman. Your Monster might have more fire than Horned Saurus, but Black Tyranno will crush it.
Jaden: You won't be saying that after I activate my Field Spell: Skyscraper.
Placing his Spell into his Duel Disc, a mass of giant buildings erupt around Jaden and Rex, the sight confusing the Dino Duelist and amazing many within the crowd.
Rex: What's with all the construction?
Jaden: With Skyscraper in effect, my HERO Monsters gain an extra 1000 Attack Points if they battle a Monster stronger than themselves, so it looks like Wingman top of the foodchain now/isn't as weak as you thought). (ATK: 2100 → 3100)
Jaden: Flame Wingman, attack Black Tyranno with Skydive Scorcher!
Reacting to Jaden's command, Wingman then engulfed his body in flame and charged at Black Tyranno, ready to Destroy Rex's Monster.
However...
Rex: I play my Trap: Fiendish Chain! Not only does this stop your Monster from Attacking, but so long as this Trap remains on the Field, Wingman loses all his abilities.
From Rex's revealed Trap Card, chains shoot out, wrapping around and restraining Wingman, leaving the HERO standing between Jaden and Rex, unable to move or Attack.
Jaden: I set two face downs and end my turn
Rex: I knew you were an amature and now I'm going to prove it to the whole world. (Draws) I activate the Spell: Cold Wave. With this Spell, it renders all other Spells and Trap Cards useless until my next move.
Circling around Jaden and Rex, the Field begins to freeze over, freezing the chains holding back Wingman and concealing the building set by Skyscraper in ice, while slowly encasing Jaden's face-down Cards.
But having prepared himself, Jaden reacts to Rex's Spell.
Jaden: I activate my face-down: Magic Jammer! Now by sending one Card in my hand to the Graveyard, Magic Jammer thaws out this snowstorm.
Discarding Necro Gardna, the icy effects of Rex's Spell ware off, earning a growl from the Dino Duelist.
Rex: You might've stopped my Spell, but my dinos still hunger for your Life Points. Black Tyranno, crush Elemental HERO Wingman with Rex Bomber!
Charging ahead, Black Tyranno jumps high into the air, ready to crush Wingman to bits with its landing.
Jaden: I activate Necro Gardna's ability! With Necro Gardna in the graveyard, I can remove him from the Duel to stop Black Tyranno's Attack.
Banishing Necro Gardna, the spirit of the Warrior Monster appears between Jaden and Rex's Monsters, holding back Black Tyranno's Attack, earning another groan from Rex to see his Monsters failing him further.
Rex: You're really testing my patience. I switch Horned Saurus to Defence mode and end my turn.
Switching to its defensive stance, Horned Saurus landed before Rex, shielding its body with its wings. (DEF: 1800)
Jaden: It's time for Wingman to get back in the game. I activate my face-down: Dust Tornado, which allows me to Destroy your Fiendish Chain Trap.
His Trap revealed, a great gust is then released, shattering Rex's Trap Card, alongside the chains holding back Wingman, allowing the HERO to Attack once again.
Jaden: Alright, Flame Wingman, its round two. Attack Black Tyranno!
Igniting his body in flame once again, Jaden kept a confident smile on his face, watching as Skyscraper's power returned Wingman's Attack to 3100.
And with no other ways to protect himself against the Attack, Rex could only watch as Flame Wingman slammed himself into Black Tyranno, Destroying his Monster in a great and mighty explosion, while dealing 500 Points of Damage alongside the Attack.
Jaden: And now I activate Wingman's ability. When he takes down a Monster in battle, the Destroyed Monster's Attack come out of your Life Points.
Stunned at what he heard, Rex could only watch on, shocked as Flame Wingman emerges from the flames and appears before him, opening his dragon-like arm and releasing a great surge of flame, causing Rex to cry out as his Life Points drop to 4900.
Jaden: I set one Card face-down end my turn.
Rex: Seems I underestimated you. (Draws) But I won't do that again. I activate Pot of Greed. (Draws 2 and grins at the Cards now in his hand) I activate De-Fusion, and I'll use it on Horned Saurus.
Through De-Fusion's power, Horned Saurus splits, reverting back to Gilasaurus and Kitoptrea, confusing Jaden a little, knowing Rex could've used the Spell on Wingman.
But seeing the continued smirk on his face, Jaden awaited Rex's retaliation.
Rex: I now sacrifice Gilasaurus and Kitoptrea to Summon Tyrant Dragon! (ATK: 2900)
As the set of Dinosaur Monsters shatter apart, a surge of flames erupt before Rex as the Dragon Type Monster appears.
Rex: Tyrant Dragon, scorch Flame Wingman with Dragon Flame Blast!
Gathering an intense flame in its maw, Tyrant Dragon then releases the growing onslaught of flames at Jaden and Wingman.
Jaden: I activate Magic Cylinder! This Trap not only stops your Attack, but sends it back at your Life Points.
Rex: Guess again. Due to Tyrant Dragon's power, he's immune to all Trap Cards!
As the set of cylinders appear before Jaden, they pale in comparison to Tyrant Dragon's power as they are consumed by the flames, as is Flame Wingman, bringing an arrogant laugh to Rex.
But as the flames die down, Rex is stunned, not only to see Jaden hadn't lost a single Life Point, but in Wingman's place were the HERO Monsters used to create him, Avian and Burstinatrix.
Rex: How did you stop my Dragon's Attack?
Jaden: Simple. I activated my own De-Fusion Card.
Though seeing Wingman and Burstinatrix now shielding themselves, alongside Jaden, Rex refused to show any weakness.
Rex: You might've saved your Life Points, but Burstinatrix is another story. You see Tyrant Dragon can Attack twice, so long as you have Monsters on your Field. So let Burstinatrix have it!
Gathering a secondary set of flame in its maw, Tyrant Dragon releases the flames, enveloping and burning away Burstinatrix, the sight slowly returning Rex's confident grin.
Rex: That's all from Tyrant Dragon, so I'll call it a turn. My move might be over, but Avian is a goner next turn.
Jaden: we'll see about that. (Draws) I activate Card of Sanctity. Now we both get to draw until we each hold six Cards in our hands.
Reacting to Jaden's Spell, Jaden and Rex each draw 6 new Cards, though with the Cards now in his hand, Jaden believed he could win.
Jaden: It's time to show you another of my fused Monsters. And through the magic of my Spell: Miracle Fusion, I fuse Elemental HERO Neos with Rainbow Dragon to Summon Elemental HERO Rainbow Neos! (ATK: 4500)
As the two Monsters combine into one, Rex and the audience look in awe as Jaden's Field fills with a great mass of light, dying down and revealing the HERO.
And seeing the overwhelming Attack of Rainbow Neos, Rex can't help but to sweat.
Jaden: I activate Rainbow Neos' superpower. By sending a monster on my field to the Graveyard, all your Monsters go back to your Deck. Sure, Tyrant Dragon might be invincible to Trap Cards, but let's see how he handles against special abilities.
Offering up Avian, Jaden and Rex's Monsters both leave the Field, leaving Rex open for a direct Attack.
Jaden: Now to give Rainbow Neos some extra power, I activate Neo Space.
Removing Skyscraper from his Duel Disc and playing his secondary Field Spell, the buildings surrounding Jaden and Rex are replaced by dozens of lights scattered throughout the cosmos, the sight amazing the crowd to the sudden change and beauty Jaden's Field Spell held.
Jaden: With Neo Space in effect, Rainbow Neos gets a 500 Attack bonus. (ATK: 4500 → 5000)
Jaden: Go, Rainbow Neos, Rex's Life Points with Rainbow Radiance!
With his power surging through him, Rainbow Neos' body shines with multi-coloured energy, which he then casts off from his fists, striking Rex, causing him to cry out as his Life Points drop to 0.
With the Duel officially over, the holograms from the Duel fading, Roland declares the winner.
Roland: With his victory, the second Duelist to advance to the quarter finals will be Jaden Yuki.
From that, the audience continued to cheer for the HERO Duelist, many amazed and inspired by Jaden's skills, especially to see him not only take down a Duelist such as Rex Raptor, but to win without losing a single Life Point.
And though Jaden wanted to show his good sportsmanship, from the time schedule and knowing there were more Duelists waiting their turns to prove themselves, Jaden headed back to the preparation area, finding Alexis and the others applauding him at his skill.
Alexis: Seems our time apart hasn't decreased the skill you showed as the amazing Duelist you were back at Duel Academy.
Jaden: Trust me, I'm not like the old me back from Duel Academy. You'll be surprised when you see the new HERO Cards, as well as the new Spells and Traps in my Deck.
Though expressing his continued pride and trust in his Deck, having taken down one opponent, Jaden was certain that there was a chance he would wind up Dueling any of his friends, it would be a long path to face Seto Kaiba for the title of the next King of Games.
And while Jaden found his friends supporting his victory, Rex didn't receive the same gratitude.
Weevil: Smooth Dueling, Rex. You got squashed in your first match.
Rex: Shut it, Weevil. If it had been any other Duelist, I would've destroyed them, but that Jaden punk was lucky.
Weevil: Seems luck is the reason you always lose.
But looking at Jaden, Weevil gave a confident, if not arrogant grin.
Weevil: He is good,but if I happen to face off against him, my insects will squash that grub.
Annoyed further at Weevil's teasing and not wanting to hang around for further ridicule, Rex left the area, being one less opponent for Jaden to confront.
But with Jaden, looking amongst the Duelists, seeing Joey had arrived, with Yugi and his friends to support him, the brunette knew whoever he would face next would prove more challenging.
