Disclaimer: I don't own GX. That's all. I'm cutting this close to the wire as is.
I followed Alexis as she left Duel Academy's main building. Whoever this sponsor she had in mind was, they'd better be worth all this trouble.
"Lex, I really hope you're not pranking me." I said.
"Come on, Jaden, you should know me better than that." Alexis said. "You'd know if I was pranking you."
"Just what someone would say if they were pranking me!" I said.
We both got a chuckle out of that, but Alexis quickly stopped and shushed me.
As we walked, I could figure out where we were headed. Duel Academy's gymnasium.
"What are we doing here?" I asked.
"Keep your voice down, Jaden." Alexis said in a hushed tone. "Just because we used to wander around wherever we wanted when we were kids doesn't mean we can now."
"Huh?" I asked.
"I mean, if you get into trouble now, you won't be able to get away with detention." Alexis said. "You could end up kicked out of the tournament, or in jail."
Jail?!
I nearly screamed that too, when Alexis placed a finger to my lips.
"Just. Kidding." Alexis said, with a wink.
I let out one of the heaviest sighs of relief ever.
"Guess you really can't tell when I'm pulling a prank." Alexis said. "Seriously though, we could get into trouble for this, and you could get kicked out of the tournament."
C'mon. I was just a 23-year old sneaking into his old high school gym to meet someone and- Okay, that makes sense, actually.
The two of us approached the door quietly. The doors were already unlocked, so we just slipped in as silently as we could.
The gym was fairly dark, with no lights on, but the moonlight shining in through the windows was enough to make out a person standing by a tennis court. Aw, don't tell me…
"Ah, hey, Alexis!"
That sleazy voice was coming from none other than Harrington Rosewood, the guy who'd dueled me to decide who would be Alexis' fiance, back before I knew what the word meant.
"Alexis…" I started. "Don't… Don't tell me this guy is the sponsor you meant."
"He is." Alexis said. "His family runs a sporting goods company. If there's anyone who can help you, it's him."
"Wait, you mean the guy you called about was Jaden Yuki?!" Harrington asked, incredulously. "The guy who beat me to become your fiance?!"
"Well, are you game or not?" Alexis asked.
Harrington thought it over for a minute, then smirked.
"Sure, but on one condition." Harrington said.
"What is it this time?" I asked, already exasperated.
"A duel." Harrington said. "If you win, my company will sponsor you. I came here looking for a student to sponsor, but a no-name like yourself will do too."
"And if you win?" I asked.
"You give up your claim to being Alexis' fiance." Harrington said.
"Huh?!" Ignoring that I didn't even take that title seriously, did this guy really think if he beat me, Alexis would go with him?
"Go on, Jaden." Alexis said. "I'm fine with those conditions if you are."
What?! Alexis was going along with this too?!
'Oh, wait, I get it.' I thought. 'We're not even together anymore, so it's not like that old bet holds any weight. But he doesn't know that, so I'm not risking anything. Smooth, Lex.'
"You got yourself a deal, Harrington!" I said.
"There's a couple Duel Disks by the court." Harrington said, motioning over to the tennis court. "Let's go!"
So, we went over, strapped on the Disks and activated them.
"Duel!" We both yelled.
"I'll get the ball rolling!" Harrington said. Great, already with the sports puns. "I summon Ultra Athlete Libero Spiker in Attack Mode!"
A volleyball player in hi-tech equipment appeared on Harrington's field. It had 1800 Attack Points.
"I'll pass the ball to you now." Harrington said.
"Huh, I was expecting Big Server again." I said.
"Hey, you gotta change your plays every now and again, or the other team knows your strategy." Harrington said.
"Good point." I said. "But y'know, I still love me a good Elemental Hero every now and again. So I'll play Polymerization and fuse Sparkman and Necroshade in my hand to summon out Elemental Hero Darkbright!"
Sparkman and Necroshade appeared briefly on my field, before swirling together to make the golden armored Darkbright. With 2000 Attack Points, he was more than a match for Spiker.
But…
"I activate Libero Spiker's effect!" Harrington said. "I can return one Level 5 or higher Ultra Athlete in my hand to my deck, and call out another to the field!"
After Harrington added one of the cards in his hand to his deck, a basketball player in the same hi-tech gear as Spiker appeared on the field.
"Jaden, let me introduce you to my draft pick for the season, Rival Rebounder!" Harrington said. "Of course, doing this means Spiker returns to my hand."
Rebounder held up a hand, as Spiker slapped it, tagging him in.
"But that's not all!" Harrington said. "When he's special summoned during the opponent's turn, Rebounder gets to call a teammate out to the field from my hand. So, I'll send in Ultra Athlete Blockbacker in Defense Mode!"
A linebacker in hi-tech armor appeared, holding his giant hands up between Darkbright and Harrington.
Between Rebounder's 2200 Attack Points, and Blockbacker's 2300 Defense, I couldn't do anything with just Darkbright. But I could combo his effect. Like with my Change of Hero - Reflector Ray.
"I'll lay down a facedown and end my turn." I said.
"Alright, Jaden, let me show you the true strength of the Ultra Athletes!" Harrington said. "See, I can bench one of my active players and bring out a teammate more suited for the job. So, tag out, Blockbacker!"
A quarterback in Ultra Athlete equipment took to the field and tagged Blockbacker out.
"Ultra Athlete Playmaker will take on the offensive!" Harrington said. "Next, I'll switch Rebounder to Attack Mode and bring Libero Spiker back."
Spiker reappeared, bumping fists with Playmaker.
"But he won't be out for long." Harrington said. "I have a roster change again. So, I'll return Spiker to summon out Ultra Athlete Dreadnought Dunker!"
Another basketball player appeared, as Spiker took to the showers. Great, now he's got me doing it!
The two new monsters had 2600 and 2500 Attack Points respectively. Along with Rebounder's 2200, this didn't look good.
"Dunker, attack Darkbright!" Harrington cried.
Playmaker threw a ball to Dunker, who leapt up and slammed the ball against Darkbright, shattering him. My Life Points dropped to 2700.
"Hey, what's up with my points?" I asked.
"Jaden, when an Ultra Athlete attacks, Playmaker can lower his Attack Points by 800 to increase his teammate's Attack Points by the same amount." Alexis explained from the sidelines.
Now she tells me.
"Teamwork makes the dream work!" Harrington said.
"Well, luckily for me, when Darkbright is destroyed, I can destroy one card on your field." I said. "And since Playmaker is weaker now, let's sack Rebounder."
Dark energy zapped Rebounder, who shattered.
"And since one of my fusions was destroyed, I can activate Change of Hero - Reflector Ray!" I called out, only for nothing to happen. "What gives now?"
"When Dreadnought Dunker deals damage to my opponent, I can destroy one card on the field." Harrington said. "So your facedown is down and out!"
"Great." I said, sarcastically.
"Playmaker, you're up!" Harrington said.
Playmaker charged at me, dropping my Life Points to 900.
"Now, before I end my turn, I'll swap Dunker and Playmaker for Blockbacker and Ultra Athlete Goalkeeper.
Blockbacker was back, alongside a goalie in Ultra Athlete gear. Blockbacker had 2700 Defense Points, while Goalkeeper had 2800.
"Using monsters with high Attack on his turn, while using monsters with high Defense to guard during his opponent's turn." Alexis said. "He really has gotten better."
"You know it!" Harrington said. "Court's your's, Jaden."
I had 900 Life Points and two cards. Whatever I drew needed to be good.
"Convert Contact, alright!" I said. "This card lets me send a Neo Spacian from my hand, and one from my deck, to the grave. Then I get to draw one card, along with a card for every monster on your field."
For those keeping track at home, that meant three cards for me.
"I summon Elemental Hero Bladedge to the field!" I said.
Bladedge appeared and immediately held up his blades.
"But that should require two tributes!" Harrington said.
"His Necroshade lets him bring it out, as long as Necroshade is in the graveyard." Alexis said. "You should know how teamwork can help bring out stronger monsters, Harrington."
"Uh, right." Harrington said. "I was just testing him."
Yeah, right.
"Anyway, that Bladedge can't cut through my lineup." Harrington said.
"Maybe not yet." I said. "But with a little boost from H - Heated Heart, he's got this under control."
Bladedge was surrounded by a burning aura as his Attack Points raised to 3100.
"Now, Bladedge, attack Blockbacker!" I yelled.
Bladedge leapt for Blockbacker, but Goalkeeper leapt at Bladedge in turn, tackling him to the ground, as Bladedge barely scratched Blockbacker.
"Sorry to disappoint you, but once per turn, Goalkeeper can keep one other Ultra Athlete safe from destruction." Harrington said.
Still, his Life Points took a hit, dropping to 3600.
"I'll lay a facedown and call it a turn." I said.
'I hope this works.' I thought.
Harrington smirked as he drew his card.
"Let's go the distance!" Harrington said. "Of course, we need all our cheering fans first. I activate my Field Spell, U.A. Stadium!"
A holographic stadium, full of screaming fans calling for the U.A's victory, appeared around us. Alexis seemed to notice something when this happened.
"Next, I'll rotate my players again." Harrington said.
Goalkeeper and Blockbacker returned to the benches, and out came Dunker and Playmaker again. Dunker first, then Playmaker. Why was that important?
"Now, I activate U.A. Stadium's effect!" Harrington said. "Once per turn, after I summon a U.A. monster, I can raise the attack of all Ultra Athletes on the field by 500!"
This took Dunker's attack to 3000.
"But that's not all!" Harrington said. "I'll equip him with Ultra Athlete Powered Jersey for the big finish!"
A hi-tech jersey with "ULTRA" written on it appeared over Dunker's body.
"This baby gives Dunker 1000 more Attack Points!" Harrington said. "Then, when he attacks an opponent's monster, any battle damage is doubled!"
"Whoa, that's overkill!" I said.
"Hey, everyone loves a good slam dunk." Harrington said. "And with Playmaker's effect, this is gonna be the strongest slam dunk anyone's ever seen!"
Dunker began charging at Bladedge, as Playmaker tossed him a ball again, raising Dunker's points from 4000 to 4800.
"Dreadnought Dunker, Dreadnought Slam!" Harrington yelled.
"Guess it's time for my Hail Mary pass!" I said. "Go, Mirror Gate!"
A mirror appeared between Dunker and Bladedge, reflecting them on the other sides of the field. When the mirror disappeared, Dunker was on my field, and Bladedge was on Harrington's.
"Wait, what?!" Harrington yelled.
"Sorry, bud, guess we traded players." I said.
Dunker finished his attack, slamming a basketball down on Bladedge, who shattered. Harrington's Life Points lowered to 1400. The basketball rebounded off the ground and flew at Harrington, hitting him and dropped his Life Points to 0, thanks to Jersey's effect.
"And that's game!" I said, doing my winning pose. "Gotta say, Harrington, you've gotten better since we last dueled. You really had me down for the count there."
"Darn it!" Harrington said, tossing his Duel Disk at his feet in frustration. "I should've just attacked without those cards!"
"I told you, your showboating would cost you one day." A voice came from the sidelines.
Harrington and I both turned towards the voice. Next to Alexis stood… Mindy?!
"Oh, honey!" Harrington said, running over to Mindy and grabbing her hands. "You know I wanna make the duel as spectacular as possible for you, baby!"
Honey?! Baby?!
"What is going on here?!" I shouted.
Alexis, Mindy, Harrington and I all went back to the "guest suite" Harrington had booked.
Alexis and I were sitting on a couch opposite Harrington, who'd sat in an armchair with a small table between us.
"Someone wanna explain what's going on?!" I asked.
Mindy placed a tray on the table, then sat down in another chair.
"Oh, just drink some tea and listen." Mindy said.
We all took a cup and began drinking.
"Ah…" Harrington sighed. "Nothing soothes me more after a match than your tea."
"Oh, quit it!" Mindy said, in a flirtatious voice. "You're embarrassing me in front of Lexi."
"I guess it must seem weird to you." Harrington said, turning to me. "That time we dueled years ago, I was gaga for Alexis."
"Yeah." I said. "And now… this? But what about the terms of our duel?"
"It's a long and beautiful story, but I'll give you the cliff notes version for now." Harrington said. "A couple years ago, my family was sponsoring this game. Naturally, I wanted the most beautiful woman to go with me."
"Do you mean Alexis, or Mindy?" I asked.
"I can't answer that, or I'll be in the penalty box tonight." Harrington said.
"Oh, you can tell him." Mindy said. "He wanted Alexis."
"But I couldn't find her number in the book." Harrington said. "And when I called her brother, I got told off by his roommate."
Alexis shot me a questioning look.
"It was Chazz, I swear." I said.
"After our duel all those years ago, Mindy had slipped me her number." Harrington said. "I gave her a call, thinking she'd have Alexis' contact information, but there was a misunderstanding, and she ended up going instead."
"It was great!" Mindy said. "Harry had a fun time too!"
"I hadn't expected to." Harrington said. "But, one thing led to another, we started dating, and now…"
Mindy held up one of her hands, which had a wedding ring on it.
"What?!" I yelled. "When… How…"
"I can't believe you didn't notice it sooner, Jaden." Mindy said, with a chuckle.
"Jaden was always oblivious." Alexis added.
"The point is, in a weird way, it's only thanks to you beating me that I ended up with the love of life." Harrington said.
Yeah, cause if I didn't, Alexis totally would've married him.
"The only reason I set the stakes of your loss was because I didn't want Alexis being held down by my old stupidity." Harrington said. "I didn't want to think you'd be pestering her about that if she didn't want it."
"I wouldn't." I said. "I'm not a creep like that."
Harrington was taken back by this, then smiled.
"I guess not." He said. "It's just sometimes easier to think everyone was like that, instead of thinking I just had a lot of growing up to do."
After that, Harrington left the room, and when he returned, he was carrying the body of a Duel Disk.
"You won the duel, so here." Harrington said.
"A broken Duel Disk?" I asked.
"You need a sponsorship, right?" Harrington said. "This is something Rosewood Sporting Goods is gonna put out in a few months. I was here to drum up publicity for it, and what better way than by having you use it in the tournament!"
"Uh, thanks." I said. "But where's the card zones?"
This thing looked like it was just the circular part of the disk, with only a deck slot. There wasn't even a graveyard!
"Ah, that's the genius of it!" Harrington said, strapping the disk to his arm. "Watch!"
Harrington placed his deck in the deck slot. One monster card zone ejected out of the opposite end. Two slots folded out on either side, producing the blade of the disk, while the area those slots had been became the graveyard.
"Nice, huh?" Harrington said.
I was too busy marveling at it to respond.
"I call it the Compact Duel Disk." Harrington explained. "The old models have been far too big and bulky. This baby, you can bring with you anywhere. Throw it in your backpack or purse. Heading out on a business trip with your duel loving boss? Just put this in your suitcase, and you'll have hours of fun on your first class trip overseas!"
Harrington's little ad went on for a bit, so I'll spare you. Still, this was awesome!
"This is just a prototype, but it functions just like any other Duel Disk, and it'll feel lighter on your wrist." Harrington said. "I have a few more, but please, don't lose it."
"I won't." I said.
"This should also help with that problem of yours." Alexis said.
"Wrist strain?" Harrington asked.
"My Duel Disk's safety." I said. "A reporter warned me about the gamblers who've come to the island, looking to make a buck."
"And how they'll destroy your gear." Harrington said, nodding. "I get it. Plus, you have the other competitors to worry about."
"Chazz wouldn't do anything like that." I said, then remembered early in our first year at the Academy. "Okay, he wouldn't do anything like that now. And Marcel is a good kid. Plus, if he did try anything, I could take him."
"I meant Dimi." Harrington said. "You caught his duel with Aster Phoenix, right?"
"Yeah." I said. "You're talking about how he tried to trash Aster's rep after Aster beat him."
"If he was willing to do that, you can bet he's not above destroying an opponent's Duel Disk." Harrington said. "As a sports guy, I've seen people like him before. They get caught, but not before bringing too many good athletes down with them."
After that ominous warning, things settled down a little. Alexis and Mindy talked about this and that, Harrington showed me all the ins and outs of the Compact Duel Disk, the night was pretty chill.
Since it was getting late, Alexis and I eventually said our goodbyes and headed out.
"He sure has changed." I said. "Though, I'm not sure his and Mindy's relationship started as cutesy as they acted like it did."
He wants arm candy for some event, can't find the girl he wants, ends up calling up her friend, takes her instead. Truly, the next great romcom!
"We've all changed over the years." Alexis said. "Well, except you."
"Well, sorry." I said, sarcastically.
"I meant that as a compliment." Alexis said, smiling. "It's like, no matter what happens, I know Jaden Yuki is out there somewhere, the same lovable fool he's always been."
"I don't know." I said. "I like to think I've grown up a lot."
"Well, it has been a long time since we've just hung out together." Alexis said. "If you've got time, wanna chill in my room?"
"Sure." I said.
Alexis and I went back to her place after that.
Guys! She still used the room Aster gave her after the whole Society of Light incident! The one I won for her!
"Well, where else do you expect the Slifer Headmistress to stay?" Alexis asked, after we entered.
"You're the Slifer Headmistress?!" I asked.
"Nobody else wanted the position." Alexis said. "After we all fought so hard to keep it around, I felt like I should take responsibility for it. Besides, it showed my students I wasn't kidding when I said there was nothing wrong with being a Slifer!"
I couldn't have been more proud at that moment.
"Anyway, you know the room, make yourself at home." Alexis said. "I'm gonna get changed."
Alexis went off to her bedroom, while I hopped on the couch.
"So, teaching must be fun then." I said.
"It is!" Alexis called out. "I really can't thank you enough for talking to my students today. I think you really helped encourage them!"
"It's what I do!" I said, a cocky smile on my face. "Still can't believe those other students just left like that though."
"We did it all the time." Alexis said.
"Yeah, for important stuff." I said. "Like finding Chazz, or saving the world, not getting an autograph."
Granted, if it had been someone worthwhile, I can't say I wouldn't have left too.
"Well, if that's all they did, that's not too bad." Alexis said.
Huh?
Was I dreaming, or was there some sadness in Lex's voice?
"Like that one student you told me about?" I asked.
"Jaden, let's not talk about work." Alexis said.
Alexis walked out in her street clothes, an oversized shirt and a pair of sweatpants. Guess she wasn't gonna change into a nightgown with me here. Not that I expected that or anything.
"I wanna hear all about how you've been in Domino City." Alexis said, sitting down next to me. "Like, living with my brother and Chazz can't be easy."
"Atticus is okay." I said. "He's goofy a lot, but in the best way."
"He always has been." Alexis said, smiling.
"Course, he's not there often." I said. "And lately, Chazz hasn't been around much, so it's pretty much just me at home."
"That must be nice." Lex said.
"Shouldn't you know?" I asked.
"You don't have students to keep an eye on." Alexis said.
"Yeah, but I've got a mean landlady." I said. "She makes Crowler look kind and understanding in comparison."
"Ooh, that bad?" Alexis asked.
"Pretty much." I said. "But, yeah, I guess having the apartment to myself is nice. It's really lonely at times, like my childhood. But, hey, nobody's around to tell me not to eat ice cream tacos for dinner!"
Alexis laughed at that. Yes! Score one for Yuki!
"Then again, nobody was around to stop me from eating soup naked." I said.
"Jaden, stop." Alexis said, between chuckles. "Your jokes are gonna make me bust a gut laughing!"
"Who's joking?" I asked. "I really did make soup naked one night. Ruined Chazz's favorite chair too."
Alexis was now wiping tears from her eyes.
"Thanks, Jaden. I needed that." Alexis said. "I really need to stop by Domino on my next vacation."
"That'd be great!" I said. "I know Atticus would love to see you more often, and you and I can finally have a rematch!"
"You know, I've actually been thinking about getting a job there." Alexis said. "Being closer to two of my favorite people, and Chazz is okay, I guess."
Alexis was clearly expecting me to laugh, but I was more concerned with something else.
"I thought you always wanted to teach here at Duel Academy." I said.
"Jaden, it's nothing." Alexis said. "You've already helped me enough for one lifetime."
"So there IS a problem." I said.
"Uh…" Alexis stared at me in shock. "When did you become so perceptive?"
"Since a minute ago." I said. "Now, what's up?"
Alexis sighed in defeat.
"I never imagined being a teacher would be this hard." Alexis said. "I mean, when I finally see a student excel, or put everything they've got into a duel, it's the best! But there are some who just…"
Alexis gripped my shirt tightly, fighting the urge to cry into my chest.
"You wouldn't believe the mouths on some of them." Alexis said. "And at least the insults are just words."
For reference, Alexis told me some of those "words". The only one I can repeat here is "pig".
"I can take a bucket of water above the door, I really can." Alexis said. "But when they're using razors, or threatening to tell Crowler I've done things I haven't…"
That was it. Alexis sunk into my chest and just cried.
"I…" I started, trying to figure out what to say. "I don't remember any of us being that bad. How'd it get to this?"
"I don't know." Alexis said. "I think it's because of a few celebrity duelists."
"Hmm?" I asked.
"It's become trendy to trash and disrespect your opponents these days." Alexis said, still not looking up at me. "The kids pick up on that. At least, I think…"
All I could do was pat Alexis on the back, until she could bring herself to look at me again.
"I'm sorry about that, Jaden." Alexis said. "I shouldn't have put that all on you."
"It's cool, Lex." I said. "Actually, it isn't, but you know what I mean. You need to tell Crowler about this, or Fontaine, Sartyr, Sheppard, Dorothy, someone!"
"After they gave me this job?" Alexis asked. "How would that look? The first time I have trouble, I go running to them, begging them to deal with my problem?"
"Alexis, you don't need to suffer like this." I said.
"Just, forget I said anything." Alexis said.
"No way." I said. "I don't want you to have to deal with this!"
"And I don't want you to have to get yourself into trouble over me again." Alexis said.
"When have I ever gotten myself into trouble over you?" I asked.
"That time with the Shadow Duelist." Alexis said. "Getting me out of the Society of Light. Dueling Zane when he kidnapped me. Fighting that Duel Monster who possessed my body. You're always putting yourself in danger because of me."
"Most of those were because of me in the first place." I said. "Besides, I don't mind putting myself in danger for you."
"But I do." Alexis said. "I don't want to see you hurt anymore. Especially not for my sake."
"It's the least I can do." I said. "You're one of the people who saved me from my loneliness."
"Jaden, I…" Alexis started.
Alexis stared into my eyes, as I stared into hers. I'm not sure who was the first to move, but in a split second, we kissed each other.
"I can deal with being wounded, helping you." I said.
Looking back, that was a pretty corny thing to say. But I still remember that night fondly and warmly.
Alexis and I had opened up to each other, our scars and weaknesses bare. Rather than intentionally harm one another, we gladly took on pain for the other person's sake.
We kissed again after that, several times. And then… Well, I'll leave it at that.
After I got up the next morning, I rushed to Obelisk Arena, where the first two duels would take place.
When I got there, Chazz, Marcel and Atticus were already there.
"Took you long enough, Slacker." Chazz said, with a smirk.
"Hey, at least I'm not late." I said, smirking back.
Chazz chuckled, while Marcel stared at my clothes.
"Uh, Monsieur?" Marcel asked. "Are those the same clothes from yesterday?"
"Yeah." I said. "How'd you know?"
"The smell." Chazz said. "What happened after you left last night?"
"Nothing." I lied.
We waited there for a while longer. The camera crew had finished setting up. Crowds were filling the seats. I could see several security guards keeping reporters out of the arena. This was crazy!
"So, Chazz, about that plan of yours." I said.
"I've talked it over with my brothers." Chazz whispered. "They'll rig it so that you end up against Dimitri, and I'll duel the runt over there."
"How'd you convince them of that?" I asked.
"No matter which of you makes it to the final round, it'll be rating's gold." Chazz said. "If he won, it'd be their rising star against their own blood. When you win, it'll be our rematch."
Good plan. I'm not sure why they didn't set him against one of us in the first round and expect the other to meet him in the finals, but I'm not a duel promoter.
"Anyway, I was just gonna let you, don't expect me to throw our duel." I said. "I've got a reason to keep dueling."
"So, you're finally done with that plan to quit dueling?" Chazz asked.
"Definitely!" I said, pumping my fist.
Problem was, I couldn't duel Dimitri until he appeared.
"Where is that guy?!" Chazz shouted after about half an hour.
Everyone was getting bored in the stands. Atticus had been trying his best to keep the crowd entertained, but considering a large number of them were gamblers, they were probably just interested in the profits.
"So, then I summoned Indomitable Fighter Lei Lei, and-" Atticus started.
"Hey, Atticus!" Chazz yelled. "Quit with that lame duel recap and ask the officials where the no-show is!"
"Uh… You heard the man!" Atticus said. "If anyone knows where Dimi is, we need them to speak up right now!"
Chazz pulled out a cell phone.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"Having my brothers get a move on with this." Chazz said. "The three of us are here. We'll figure out our positions and he can get whatever spot's left."
Chazz waited for a moment for one of his brothers to answer.
"Hey, bro, can we start without that copycat?" Chazz asked.
In the meantime, Atticus was covering his one ear, listening intently to the wireless microphone he was wearing on the other.
"What?!" Both asked at the same time. "Who?!"
Marcel and I gave each other looks that screamed "You have any idea what's going on?"
"Send him in!" Chazz said.
"Let him through!" Atticus said.
I was now thoroughly confused.
"You guys find Dimitri?" I asked.
"No." Atticus said. "He-"
"He ran off, crying like a baby!"
The voice was entering the arena.
I turned to look, and being escorted into the arena was Zane.
"Zane?!" I asked in shock.
"What are you doing here?" Chazz asked.
Zane held up a bronze Genex Medallion and said, "I just thought I'd stop by and show the world what the professional dueling world was actually like!"
Author's Note: So, finally, after the final chapter of Fiore, over a year after this fanfic started, I got the two leads back together.
I actually had the idea to have Harrington in this fanfic from the very start. Although, the plans, and his functions in the story itself, are different. But I'll talk about my original idea for this story done other time.
And given the day this was posted, I should note, no. The title isn't a reference to the Walton's. Now if only Little House on the Prairie had a Homecoming movie.
I wonder how many people get that joke.
