One week is not a long time in the grand scheme of things. Seven days may seem longer, but in the end it's all the same. Just a countdown timer on a wall leading to something new. That was the fate before Jackson as he made his usual trek around North Academy's permanently snow-covered campus with his fuzzy friend, now named Kitsune, resting comfortably on his neck.
The School Duel was now less than a week away, and Jackson had already set off two Pipebombs, with Pauline Heyman generously donating one of her own to the party, effectively burying Chancellor Foster in his own academy. There was no turning back now, not with everything that's happened. In many ways he felt undeserving of being the center of attention after speaking out as he had, especially since it was attention he'd rather be aimed elsewhere.
Jackson had pointed out Chancellor Foster's shady business practices and financial abuse of his students. Even basically got Foster to admit he had more pipe dreams than a plumber and poorer ethical standards than a lifelong con man. It was only a matter of time before Foster was ousted for good, and Jackson personally couldn't wait for that moment to happen.
Jackson's usual walk around North Academy's campus was normally a solo journey, but he elected to make an exception in today's case. After all, it's not every day you make a new friend. In addition to Jackson's new fuzzy companion, he was accompanied by Rose Wilson, and Rose had just handed him a bit of a Pipebomb of her own...
"Huh? You're jumping ship to Duel Academy?" Jackson fixed Rose with an incredulous gaze after hearing her little bombshell. The botanical duelist, having recently become a member of his trusted inner circle and one of his strongest allies, had evidently decided that now, less than seven days before the School Duel, was the best time to spring her imminent departure upon her friend.
"Yeah. Your little Pipebomb and Pauline's follow-up opened quite a few eyes around here." Rose said, raising her hand to block the sun's glare off the snow at their feet from rendering her snow-blind. "Apparently Foster's even under investigation. I'd rather not sick around longer than I have to with that little nugget of info floating around."
"Good point. I'm actually considering signing up with DA myself. All kinda depends on how good of a fight they put up at the School Duel."
"Jackson, it's Duel Academy. It's practically guaranteed that they're gonna mop the floor with North Academy. I mean, the only duel I see this academy possibly winning is the tag duel with you and Jess."
"Oh? It's 'Jess' now, is it?" Jackson cocked an eyebrow at that and smirked at Rose.
Rose flushed about as red as her namesake, softly punching Jackson's shoulder as she barks at him. "Oh shut up you!"
Jackson chuckled softly and reacted to the punch as if Rose was wearing a weighted boxing glove.
Since dueling one another, Rose and Jackson had become fast friends, though not quite as fast as she and Jesse had become friendly. Almost friendly to the point that Jackson was beginning to question whether his friend's interest in Rose was strictly platonic and nothing more, though Jackson really couldn't blame Jesse for his attraction to her. Rose was kind, intelligent, and admittedly rather easy on the eyes. Jackson couldn't help but smile as it seemed his friend was trying to throw a bit more trademarked Southern Charm her way whenever they were together.
Ten minutes later, Jackson and Rose had arrived at North Academy's main dueling arena, the cheers from those in attendance making the walls resonate slightly. With his last televised duel as a North Academy student on the horizon, Jackson had an inkling as to why Jesse had called him here. Maybe there was someone willing to put up a fight?
Stepping out into the stands, Jackson heard a voice that instantly made him nauseous.
"That's all you got? Some pathetic defenses?" Chazz Princeton taunted his opponent, each arrogant chuckle sounding like an insult. "It's no wonder you're at the bottom of the heap with a deck like that! You can't win with defense alone!"
Chazz stood tall, glaring at the young man standing across the dueling platform from him. His opponent, currently wilting under Chazz's torment, was a blond duelist that Jackson immediately recognized as Joshua Jericho. From what Jackson recalled of the Winnipeg native, Jericho played a mostly defensive strategy relying on Rock-Type monsters and had recently added an interesting combo involving Block Dragon and Castle Gate to his lineup. While Jackson had watched Jericho's gauntlet from the sidelines, he sensed potential in the young man, though only if he could get over his inferiority complex...
"Glad to see y'all made it! Chazz has been on his soap box since the duel started."
Jackson turned at the sound of the familiar southern drawl, finding Jesse Anderson leaning against the back wall of the arena. Jesse blushed slightly upon seeing Rose, but quickly regained his composure.
"Dunno if you remember, but Josh was poised to get promoted from the 40's into the mid 30's with a fight against a mid-level today. Somehow his promotion opponent got switched up to be Mr. Ego McBighead over there."
Rose snickered softly, sparing a glance at Jesse as she brushed some of her hair over her ear. Jackson could only roll his eyes as he focused on the duel, electing to leave the two to some sloppy flirting as he pulled his PDA from his pocket and cued up the duel in progress, though it took him a bit of time to find either participant. North Academy duels weren't very high on his list of viewing priorities...
Jericho had started strong, his first turn beginning with Catapult Zone and several high-defense monsters in quick succession. He'd loaded his Graveyard early with more than enough materials to execute his favored Castle Gate combo, and in almost record time. There was only one minor problem with Jericho's plan: Chazz was just a little bit faster.
By his third turn Chazz had gotten out Armed Dragon LV 7, and had used a combo of Light of Intervention and LV 7's own effect to effortlessly wipe Jericho's defenses down to almost nothing. Jericho's LP would be in a similar state after Chazz's current turn.
Jackson looked up from his PDA, having missed absolutely none of the action as Chazz had continued his rant over nearly five minutes. If nothing else, Chazz loved to hear the sound of his own voice. Jackson surveyed the current field as Chazz continued droning, the arrogant voice becoming little more than white noise to Jackson by now.
All Jericho had left was Stone Statue of the Aztecs in defense mode, nothing in his back row. and a respectable 3000 LP to his name. Chazz, however, had Armed Dragon LV 7 poised for an assault, his Continuous Trap Light of Intervention, and 4000 LP. With Chazz boasting even though his monster was 200 ATK too weak to end the duel, Jackson could easily guess what Chazz's next move would be.
"Time to end this!" Chazz cried out, his borderline battle cry amounting to more than enough evidence to tell Jackson his educated guess was on point. "I'll be evolving my Armed Dragon into his ultimate form! By releasing Armed Dragon LV 7, I can Special Summon Armed Dragon LV 10 from my hand! LV 10! Rise!"
Chazz's dragon roared in anger, its body bulking up with even more muscle, growing not only in size but also in obvious malice as it evolved into its final form.
"LV 10's effect activates now! By discarding a card from my hand, I can destroy all face-up monsters you control!"
At Chazz's order, the blades on his dragon's stomach began spinning before turning a blinding white and launched towards Jericho's Stone Statue of the Aztecs. The green and blue effigy barely lasted a second under the onslaught, exploding in a cloud of dust and rubble before Chazz's dragon opened its mouth for the finishing blow.
"Armed Dragon LV 10, attack him directly!"
A beam of black and red energy poured from the dragon's mouth, clearing away the dust from the statue's explosion, as well as the rest of Jericho's LP. Chazz didn't waste any time before gloating and celebrating, proclaiming the North Academy arena his yard, and he's the big dog running it. Jackson's only refuge from the dribbling bullshit was to seek asylum in the open air outside the arena, his two friends having long since departed on a coffee excursion for two that neither would admit was a first date.
XxXxXxX
"How could I lose!? My strategy was flawless!" Two hours after his defeat at the hands of Chazz Princeton, Joshua Jericho's frustration was still at a tipping point. Even worse, it showed no signs of diminishing any time soon. He'd improved so much since his entrance gauntlet, even adding in a combo that could pull off an OTK to his deck and had seen continuous success with it. But any kind of further advancement seemed out of reach for the young duelist.
Stewing in his own frustrations, Jericho was practically deaf to the world around him. He didn't even hear his PDA's ringtone until five minutes after it first went off.
"Josh, who-"
"Mister Jericho, I would like to see you in my office at once."
The sound of Chancellor Foster's voice made Jericho's blood run cold. There were very few reasons why the chancellor of North Academy called someone personally, and even fewer were situations in which that call was a request for an in-person meeting. Jericho figured he was either being promoted or expelled, and his recent defeat at the hands of Foster's golden boy made the former nearly impossible and the latter almost certain. Either way, Jericho saw fit to pack his belongings.
His packing done and his cleanest winter coat on, Jericho stood in front of Foster's office. A soft knock was all he could muster before hearing the Headmaster's instruction to enter. Taking a seat in front of Foster's desk, Jericho sat in anxiety-ridden silence. All he wanted was to get this over with.
"Jericho," Foster began, setting down a file that was clearly his current guest's academic record and dueling history. "I believe... there may be a way we can be of assistance to one another..."
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WELCOME TO TODAY'S EDITION OF NORTH ACADEMY'S LIVE WEEKLY DUELING BROADCAST!" Chancellor Foster hollered into his microphone. The headmaster had donned his more formal attire to address the audience this evening. He was joined on the dueling platform by Jackson Corvus, Jesse Anderson, Rose Wilson, and Chazz Princeton, each duelist dressed for the occasion in their stylized dueling attire.
"As many of you in the stands and watching at home may be aware," Foster continued, "North Academy will be taking on Duel Academy this coming Sunday at the School Duel. As many of you also may have heard, there's going to be a break in tradition this year. It's not going to be another one-and-done affair, but will feature three matches between both academy's best and brightest!"
Foster paused as Chazz raised both arms, gloating and taking the spotlight, believing himself to be the very best and brightest. It wasn't until Jackson raised a single fist skyward that Chazz realized who the crowd saw as North Academy's best. The ovation for Jackson was almost twice as loud as Chazz's, and both Jesse and Rose winced slightly from the surprise of the sudden reaction. Foster had to fight himself from a grunt of disgust as he continued.
"The card for the event will feature a two-v-two tag team match, a one-v-one women's division match, and the main event School Pride Match! I stand here before you today, to announce North Academy's side of the card!"
Another pause for applause, then a gesture to Jackson and Jesse.
"In the opening contest, I expect a clean and decisive victory from the team of Jackson Corvus and Jesse Anderson!"
Jackson and Jesse both raised their fists and hands respectively, Jesse waving to the crowd and playing to the ovation a bit more than Jackson, who remained mostly stoic with an air of calm confidence.
"Facing off against one of Duel Academy's powerful femme fatales, I expect nothing but the best from Rose Wilson!"
Rose stepped forward and bowed in her floral kimono, smiling as she raised herself back up to the cheers of the audience.
"And last but not least, I expect nothing but an absolute slaughter in the main event. Representing North Academy in the School Pride match! The Armed Draconian Devil! Chazz Princeton!"
Foster stepped aside, allowing Chazz to step up and soak in the glory of the moment.
"These four impeccable duelists, trained by the best my academy has to offer, will show no mercy to whoever they face! Not only that, but we'll see each of them in singles competition tonight on the final broadcast before the School Duel! So stay tuned, North Academy Faithful! The show! Begins! NOW!"
At Foster's word, pyrotechnics and fireworks began firing off from around the entrance tunnel as Linkin Park's "New Divide" began playing through the arena's speakers, signaling the official start of the televised broadcast as the four chosen North Academy representatives filed out backstage to the locker rooms, save for Chazz. Foster's Chosen One elected to rest in his own personal locker room, far away from the 'undeserving' lower ranks.
XxXxXxX
As the three friends arrived in the waiting room they saw the night's match card, showing who their opponents would be for the night. Rose would be in the opening contest, and would face off against a relative unknown in North Academy named Martin Riley. Currently ranked 50, Riley showed no signs of rising above that rank. A squash match if there ever was one. Jesse would be in the match immediately following, and would face off against Czar Ivanov. Jackson and Chazz would each be a part of a dual main event, with Chazz having the honor of closing out the night. Jackson's match would immediately precede Chazz's, and he would be facing off against Joshua Jericho. Chazz would be facing off against two of Czar's former lackeys, members of the Four Emperors of North Academy, in a two-on-one match to play the role of showstopper.
"Uh, I didn't pick Jericho." Jackson said with an air of confusion. "In fact, I hadn't selected anyone just yet."
Jesse scratched his head as he sat down on one of the room's couches.
"Duelists that are departing or graduating get to pick who their final opponents are, but I guess this means your final opponent was chosen for you."
"Doesn't really seem fair, does it?" Rose said, taking a seat next to Jesse as she pulled out her deck and went through a few practice drills. "Why would Foster put you against Jericho of all people? Isn't he somewhere in the mid-40's after yesterday?"
"He's ranked 48, actually." Jackson sighed and scratched his head. He was at a loss as well. Why would Foster place his top-ranked duelists against someone two rungs from last place? He shook his head in resignation. The why wasn't important right now. The card was set, and if there's one thing Foster hated, aside from sneezing and someone challenging his authority, it was changing an active card. Jackson sat back on one of the provided chairs, watching the promotional package for each of the night's duels. Each one was narrated by Foster himself, and Jackson had to fight himself from rolling his eyes so hard they almost rolled out of his head. Minutes later, Rose stood and smoothed out her floral kimono.
"Wish me luck, boys!" She smiled and waved, heading out to the arena. Jackson sighed and pulled out his PDA, tapping away at the keyboard as he glanced at his friend.
"Jess, roll your tongue back into your head. Drooling is unbecoming."
Jesse Immediately straightened up and shook his head clear of the random thoughts of Rose. Seconds later both men snapped their eyes to the TV, an instrumental variant of Welcome to the Jungle by Guns 'n' Roses blasting through the speakers. Rose came on screen seconds later, smiling from the top of the ramp and crouching in a respectful bow before standing with her head held high.
"Your girlfriend is pretty much poised to win this in a landslide, Jess." Jackson smirks, turning his head back to his PDA, leaving Jesse to sputter indignantly and stutter out a pathetic and utterly paper-thin, rebuke of Jackson's comment. Before Jesse could even fully compose his retort, a new duelist's music began playing, drawing curiosity as the young man entered.
"Say it to my face!
Should've been a man, but you don't know how
Play your hand you lost, but it's too late now
Have to pay the price for things you've said, yeah!"
"Is that-" Jesse began before Jackson interrupted.
"Downstait? Yeah."
"Do you think he-"
"Knows he'll be stepping on some toes? Definitely not. Only you, Rose, and one very well bribed A/V tech know about the little surprise."
XxX
Elsewhere, a young man looked up from the king-sized bowl of Jackson's gumbo which he was ravenously devouring. The student looked around in his studio as the other students worked on the broadcast.
"Someone mention me?"
"No, Clyde, shut up and wait until you get your cue then play the person's theme." Someone else barked from across the room.
XxX
"Martin Riley?" Jesse said, his brow wrinkled in confusion. "He's unranked. What's he doing on North Academy TV? I thought only Ranked duelists were allowed to perform?"
"Maybe Foster's so desperate for ratings that he's starting to take my advice?" Jackson smirked at his friend as the duel began, though both of them knew that the last thing Foster would ever do is take advice from anyone, even if the advice was "Breathe Regularly".
Rose started first, the two young men awaiting their turns watched on as she summoned her Lonefire Blossom, but the small explosive flower bulb wouldn't be staying around for long. Jesse winced as the bulb exploded, Jackson only smirked as the smoke faded and revealed Talaya, Princess of Cherry Blossoms.
"No way, a level eight on her first turn?!" Jesse was on his feet in surprise, While Jackson barely reacted. "How are you not freaking out right now?"
"Jess, I dueled her, remember? It's kinda how you two met?" Jackson couldn't help the bemused smirk spread across his face as he gestured back to the TV. "Look, she just set three facedowns. With that smile on her face? I'll bet you one of them is Overdoom Line, the other is Twin Twisters, and the last one is Plant Food Chain."
"How on Earth could you possibly know that?"
"With one duel I can tell a person's strategies pretty well. Took me two turns to figure out you were going for an OTK the first time we faced off..."
Jesse grumbled and sat back down, knowing his friend was probably right as Riley took his first turn, Opting to Summon Worm Xex in Defense Mode. Jesse physically recoiled at the reptilian creature, resembling a mutated Starfish and much more slimy.
"Worms? Really?" Jesse shivered. "I'm all for Reptiles, I mean Emerald Tortoise is a turtle, but an entire deck around those things? No thank you."
"He's playing them wrong."
"What?"
"Riley. He's playing his Worms wrong." Jackson pointed as riley used Xex's effect to send Worm Yagan to the Graveyard, then promptly resurrect it as a defensive with its own effect.
"I don't know what you're talking about. He seems to be using them pretty well to me. Especially since he just activated Double Summon. Bet he's going for Worm King or Queen."
"King. He's playing too aggressively with the Worms." Jackson sighs softly, rubbing his temple as Riley's Worm King is equipped with Reptilianne Rage, boosting the already powerful monster from 2700 ATK to 3500 ATK. "He's playing right into her hands."
"What do you mean by 'too aggressive'?" Jesse cocks an eyebrow at Jackson, simultaneously confused and curious.
"Just watch. Worms are a tactical deck, not a beatdown deck. He's acting like he's playing a Koa'ki Meiru setup."
Both young men watch as Riley sends his Worm King charging in for an attack, aiming to take out Rose's Cherry Blossom Princess. Instead, Rose countered with Rose Blizzard, a move that made Jesse cock an eyebrow and smirk at Jackson.
"I don't recall that card being in your little analysis..." The sarcasm and southern sass was rich in Jesse's drawl. Jackson could only reply with a mumble about nobody being perfect before sulking for a moment as Worm King was forced into Defense Mode. Riley merely growled and ended his turn after that, something that made Jackson facepalm so hard Jesse was certain he'd be woozy later. "Worm King's effect! How could he forget Worm King's effect!?"
Jackson sat forward and looked at his friend as Rose started her next turn. "Jess, Worm King can sacrifice a Reptile-type 'Worm' to destroy a card on the field. He had the perfect cost in Worm Xex, and the perfect target in Talaya. I thought that's what he'd have as a backup, but either he forgot or wanted to go for the direct route. Either way, it looks like Rose is about to finish this up."
"Huh? It's only her second turn!" Jesse blurted out before his eyes shot to the TV just as Rose triggered Raigekki. With Riley's monsters about to be destroyed in a massive lightning strike, Jesse knew what Jackson meant. Rose chained her Twin Twisters to her own Raigeki, discarding one card and destroying Reptilianne Rage. With the equip spell gone and the only monster Riley had on the field being an 1800 ATK monster in Attack Mode, he was pretty confident of his survival thanks to Reptilianne Rage lowering Rose's only monster by 800 ATK. With only 1900 ATK to her name now, there was no way Talaya would end him this turn. But Talaya wasn't alone.
Rose activated her Miracle Fertilizer Continuous Spell, Special Summoning the monster she discarded to activate Twin Twisters. Talaya was soon joined by her sister-in-arms in the form of Tytannial, Princess of Camellias. Jesse whistled in awe at the combo, and Jackson smirked as both Plant Princesses unleashed their full botanical fury on Riley. Jackson almost felt sorry for the kid, barely getting a single turn in before falling victim to an OTK at the hands of North Academy's Frosted Rose.
XxXxXxX
Ten minutes later, Rose had returned to the locker room with the expectation of at least some rest. Instead, she was greeted with a massive hug from Jesse in congratulations of her masterful showing. With a blush, she returned the embrace before Jesse had to bolt to the arena for his match against Czar. Rose sighed and flopped onto the couch, more frustrated than physically exhausted.
"How did they let that greenhorn into the academy in the first place?" She sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "That kid barely knew the effects of his own cards much less how to play them."
"I know how you feel Rose." Jackson's reply to her was accompanied by a bottle of water being offered in her direction, one she gratefully accepted. "The way he was dueling? It felt like he'd just re-read the rule book about ten seconds before his music hit."
"M-hm." Rose nodded in agreement, screwing the cap back onto the bottle after taking a large gulp from it. "Speaking of music, here's hoping his choice of Downstait doesn't deter you from your little surprise."
"Rose, at this point, not even the grandson of a plumber could change my mind. Neither the Nightmare, nor the Natural."
Both turned their attention to the TV, seeing the next promotional package play for Jesse's duel against Czar before the camera cut to the arena. A smooth electric guitar began playing, bringing a smile to Jackson's eyes.
"I am the shadow, and the smoke in your eyes,
I am the ghost, that hides in the night."
Jesse practically sprinted from his entrance tunnel to the tune of Shinedown's "Diamond Eyes", smiling and waving as he soaked in the energy of the crowd and added it to his own, truly playing to the cheers with a smile on his face. Rose cast a glance in Jackson's direction, noting the smile on his face.
"I'm guessing you had a hand in picking that theme? Because I know his original theme was Devil Went Down to Georgia..."
Jackson smirked and glanced around the room.
"I have no idea what you're talking about. Though I will admit a more high-energy theme fits him more than a young man sawing on a fiddle, no matter how hot it's played." Jackson returned his gaze to the TV as Jesse's opponent made his entrance, a single phrase coming through the loudspeakers.
"Survive... If I Let You."
Harry Slash & The Slashtones signaled the arrival of North Academy's Savage Siberian Machine known as Czar, their song "Survive (If I Let You)" was an apt description of the attitude that Czar exuded on a daily basis, looking down on anyone he deemed weaker than himself. In many ways he was a lot like Chazz Princeton, which explained why Czar and Chazz had become fast friends since the latter had showed up and started taking over the campus.
"Jesse won't have it too easy against Czar's Metalmorph deck." Rose muttered, chewing her lip as she watched Jesse and Czar shuffle each other's decks. Jackson smiled across the room at Rose and chuckled.
"Don't tell me you've lost faith in your boyfriend..." Jackson left the question hanging in the air, watching as Rose blushed furiously and hid herself behind her water bottle. A futile attempt, but one Jackson couldn't help but find comically adorable.
"One, Jesse's not my boyfriend. We're just friends." Rose squeaked out, making Jackson roll his eyes.
"If you think you're as good a liar as you are a duelist, you're greatly overestimating your skills at deception. Put simply, you're a terrible liar."
Rose went silent, refusing to admit the obvious to Jackson as the duel began, Czar taking the first move. He started strong enough, Discarding Zoa to activate Cost Down, then immediately resurrecting it with Monster Reborn and summoning Ushi Oni without tributes thanks to Cost Down. It was obvious that the two cards he set next were both Metalmorph. Jesse certainly had his work cut out for him, but it was nothing that Jesse hadn't overpowered before.
Jackson spared a glance at Rose, smirking at her attention solidly locked on the screen as Jesse drew his starting card. Jackson knew his Jesse and his dueling style well enough, so when Jesse activated Crystal Tree on his first turn, Jackson knew they were in for a show. Jackson smiled even more broadly as Jesse activated Crystal Bond, adding one Crystal Beast to his hand and turning Amber Mammoth into a Continuous Spell Card on his field.
"Rose, I think Jesse's about to pull off an OTK." Jackson smiles as Rose immediately leans forward. Jackson almost wished he had a bowl of popcorn for this match...
Jesse's next two cards immediately proved Jackson correct. Jesse summoned Sapphire Pegasus, immediately placing Topaz Tiger into his Spell and Trap zone. With the requirements fulfilled, Jesse activated Crystal Tree's effect, destroying it to place Amethyst Cat and Cobalt Eagle into the Spell and Trap zones, both from his deck. With just two cards from his opening hand, Jesse had everything he needed to end Czar in brilliant fashion. All that was left was...
"I activate Crystal Abundance!" Jesse cried out, happy as can be as his Spell destroyed everything on the field.
"And now," Jackson smiled at Rose, "Since four of Czar's cards were destroyed by Crystal Abundance..."
Rose shot up from her seat and cheered before dashing out of the room and towards the arena, arriving just as Jesse Special Summoned four Crystal Beasts from his Graveyard thanks to the second effect of Crystal Abundance. With Sapphire Pegasus, Amber Mammoth, Topaz Tiger, and Cobalt Eagle on his field, their combined ATK totaling 6500 and nothing standing before them, Jesse let his beasts loose. If Czar had any hope of victory, it vanished right before his eyes along with every last Lifepoint he had.
Jesse extatically lept into the air, smiling as Diamond Eyes began playing once again. Rose rushed out from the entrance tunnel and lept into Jesse's arms, hugging him tightly around his neck as he spun her around. Jackson looked on from his locker room, watching the broadcast with a smile.
"Yeah, definitely not boyfriend-girlfriend." Jackson smiled as he fit his jet black Duel Disk onto his arm, preparing for his own upcoming battle.
XxXxXxX
It was now Jackson's turn on stage, and he had a small surprise in store for Foster to boot. This was one on-screen duel he was actually looking forward to. Well, the entrance, at least. After slipping on his customary black long coat, Jackson headed towards his entrance tunnel and waited for Foster to make the introductions. Knowing Foster, he wouldn't be waiting long.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," Foster began not long after Jackson had taken position in the Red Tunnel, "the following duel is your penultimate Main Event of the evening!" Foster paused and smiled as the arena went dark, a countdown timer appearing on the main screen above the Blue Tunnel. Counting down from ten, with a tone being played with each digit flashing on screen. As the counter hit one, a voice broke through the speakers.
"ONE, BREAK THE WALL DOWN!"
A single spotlight shown on a figure standing with his back to the arena with his arms outstretched, the young man's blond hair in a loose ponytail whipped sideways as he turned around and fistpumped slightly in his leather jacket and jeans. Foster didn't miss a beat in his commentary, picking up immediately as Jericho made his way to the dueling platform, the young duelist rocking along to his own music.
"Introducing first, from central Canada, currently ranked at 48, Joshua Jericho!"
Jericho was all smiles as he stepped up to the platform, each step exuding a confidence the young man seemingly lost after his duel with Chazz the day prior.
"And introducing his opponent..." Foster paused again, expecting to hear the beginnings of Voices. It wasn't until an electric guitar started playing in concert with violins came through the speakers that Jackson's new entrance music was revealed.
"ADRENALINE, IN MY SOUL
EVERY THOUGHT, OUT OF CONTROL
DO IT ALL TO GET THEM OFF THEIR FEET."
Jackson smiled as he exited the Red Tunnel to a massive applause, walking in time to Downstait's "Kingdom". The theme fit the moment. After all, a certain member of the Rhodes Family wasn't the only one aiming for a revolution. That, and the look on Foster's face was well worth it, the headmaster continuing his commentary while trying, and slightly failing, to keep his irritation in check.
"A-and his opponent, currently tied for the top spot in North Academy, the Undefeated Dragon Lord, Jackson Corvus!" As Foster finished and Jackson stepped onto the platform, he wished both duelists luck and headed to his seat in the front row, a small knowing smirk on his face.
Jackson and Jericho both stepped up to the small platform rising out of the center of the dueling field and placed their decks atop it, each duelist taking his opponent's deck and shuffling it thoroughly.
"Gotta admit I'm surprised to see you here Jericho." Jackson's tone was cordial, if a bit curious. "Did you request to be my final opponent?"
"Nope, though just sharing a stage with you has me almost too hyped. Foster set this up. He called me after my match with Chazz and said I'd be put right into the Snow Caps if I beat you." Jericho smirked before scratching his head and setting Jackson's deck down and cutting it. "With that on the table, there's no way I'm going to give any less than 100%."
"I'd expect nothing less, Jericho. Just be warned, this time it's not gonna be a trumpet that makes the Walls of Jericho crumble." Jackson smiled, returning Jericho's deck to him. "This time, my Dragons will be the cause."
Both young men shook hands and headed to their respective sides of the field, activating their duel disks and nodding to each other. All that remained before the match got started was one simultaneous cry between the two duelists...
"DUEL!"
Jackson Corvus: 4000 LP
Joshua Jericho: 4000 LP
"The challenger takes the first turn, right? I draw!" Jericho says as Jackson nods an affirmative. "Let's begin with Terraforming, shall we? With this, I'll be adding a Field Spell from my Deck to my Hand, and why waste time waiting when I can just activate it now? I activate Mausoleum of the Emperor!"
Jackson cocked an eyebrow as the arena faded away, replaced by a yellow stone walkway with an army of terracotta soldier statues beneath it. The walkway bridged the chamber holding the sleeping stone army, stopping behind Jericho with a tall stone staircase leading to twin stone obelisks and a single burning urn between them in memory of the emperor entombed within the massive structure. Jackson immediately recognized the inspiration for the structure as being the tomb of the First Qin Emperor.
"This building is full of ancient stone soldiers, eager to serve their master." Jericho smiles as he pulls another card from his hand. "They give their souls willingly to strengthen their master's army... With Mausoleum's effect, I can pay 1000 LP, I can use two of the statues below as sacrifices for a Tribute Summon!"
Jericho smiled and raised his selected card as two of the millions of terracotta soldiers rose to be even with the stone bridge. They promptly shattered as Jericho slapped his monster onto the field.
Jericho: 4000 LP - 1000 = 3000 LP
"GUARDIAN OF THE PYRAMID OF LIGHT, TAKE HUMANOID FORM AND DEVASTATE MY ENEMIES! RISE! ANDRO SPHINX!" Jericho roars, a bipedal humanoid lion rising from a column of light where the two soldier statues had been. The beastly creature had a flowing mane of blond hair, blue and white armor in the style of a roman tunic, and spikes protruding from his shoulders and knees.
Andro Sphinx:
LIGHT / LEVEL 10 / BEAST / 3000 ATK / 2500 DEF
A chorus of gasps and shocked murmurs spread through the crowd as Jericho smiled with his monster. One of the legendary Sphinx series, the monster on the field was impossibly rare and powerful. So rare, in fact, that no duelist except for one had ever played against them except for the King of Games Yugi Muto himself. Jackson would have been intimidated, were it not for the purple manicure job the beast had on his nails.
"How did you get such a rare monster?" Jackson asked as Andro snorted, steam visible from his nostrils as he leveled his gaze on his much smaller target.
"I got lucky with a few packs when I was a kid." Jericho explained with a smirk. "I just didn't have the rest of the cards to finish the deck. But now that I have, I hope it lives up to your standards." Jericho smiled almost sheepishly as he scratched the back of his head. "You're kinda the gold standard around here with your perfect record and all..."
Jackson's eyes immediately darted towards Chazz, who was seated by Chancellor Foster. Though Chazz's loss against Rose just before Jackson's initial Pipebomb was a direct result of Jackson's distraction, and therefore expunged from Chazz's official record, the loss still existed in Chazz's mind, sticking out like a single hair out of place in the mirror. Jackson couldn't help but smile as Jericho continued his turn.
"I'll be setting twin facedowns, and that'll bring my turn to an end. You're up, Jackson!" Jericho smiled as he slotted two cards into his back row, Jackson drawing a sixth card after Jericho's cards appeared on the field.
"Alright then, my go!" Jackson scans his hand before surveying Jericho's field again.
"Alright, a beatstick, two facedowns, and a field spell," Jackson thought to himself "Pretty safe to say this new deck is geared toward high-level summons in a single turn, especially with Mausoleum..."
"If you start strong, I gotta start stronger!" Jackson calls out, pulling a card from his hand and slotting it into his Spell and Trap zone. "I'll open with the Continuous Spell Ruins of the Divine Dragon Lords!"
As Jackson's card rose on the field, the ruins of a one-great temple appeared behind Jackson and to his left. Shattered stone columns and broken walls surrounded a surprisingly still-intact statue depicting a smaller version of Felgrand Dragon. Though the remains of the building had fallen into shameful disrepair, the statue itself seemed to shine regardless, as if protected or cared for in spite of its age.
"Next on the docket, I summon Paladin of Felgrand!" Jackson says as a familiar blond-haired knight clad in royal blue and silver armor appeared before Jackson, kneeling to his summoner as if in an oath of honor before turning and kneeling with his blade before him.
Paladin of Felgrand:
LIGHT / LEVEL 4 / WARRIOR / 1700 ATK / 300 DEF
"And it's when this knight is summoned I can equip him with with a level 7 or 8 Dragon from my Deck. Felgrand Dragon, Bless this knight with your protection!"
At Jackson's order, a golden ghostly dragon wrapped its wings around his chosen paladin, the knight's armor in turn turning a bright gold as he stood with his blade aimed at Jericho.
"While under the protection of a Dragon's spirit, Paladin of Felgrand is unaffected by your monsters' effects, but that doesn't really apply at this point because I'm activating the effect of Ruins of the Divine Dragon Lords! By sending one face-up card on my field to the graveyard, I can Special Summon one Dragon Lord Token! So, Felgrand Dragon, allow your essence to be immortalized!"
Jackson's paladin looked up as his armor began returning to its original color, a stone effigy of Felgrand Dragon identical to the one in the shrine appearing at his side.
Dragon Lord Token:
LIGHT / LEVEL 1 / DRAGON / 0 ATK / 0 DEF
"But I'm not stopping there! Paladin! It's time, my friend. By offering himself and another face-up monster I control as a tribute, I can Special Summon one level 7 or 8 Dragon from my Graveyard!"
For Paladin of Felgrand's final act, he encapsulated himself and the Dragon Lord Token in a blinding flash of golden light. Jackson smiled as he held a single card aloft. As Jackson sets the card into his disk, a draconic roar rumbles through the arena. Raising his disk high, Jackson roars to the heavens.
"GUILDED WINGS OF ANCIENT POWER CARRY THIS PROTECTOR OF THE LIGHT! RISE FROM THE ASHES AND CONQUER THE DARKNESS AND THOSE WHO SERVE IT! ROAR AND TAKE FLIGHT! FELGRAND DRAGON!"
A golden bolt of lightning shoots high from Jackson's Graveyard, arcing through the air and striking Jackson's field before taking the physical form of a brilliant Dragon with scales the color of old gold. His roar spoke of an ancient power even fiercer than the fire in his eyes.
Felgrand Dragon:
LIGHT / LEVEL 8 / DRAGON / 2800 ATK / 2800 DEF
Jericho shuddered slightly at the sight of this Dragon, seeming to shrink under the Dragon's radiance. Jackson smirked at this, Felgrand roaring again in response as if sensing his opponent's fear.
"And if you're thinking your Andro Sphinx is strong enough to take my Dragon down, you're sorely mistaken. You see, when Felgrand is Special Summoned from the Graveyard, I can target one monster in my Graveyard and increase Felgrand's ATK by 200 times that target's level! Paladin! Come to the aide of your Lord! Sword of the Soul!"
Jackson held out his hand as Paladin of Felgrand's armor flew from the Graveyard and attached itself to Felgrand Dragon's torso, the Dragon unleashing another earth-shaking roar at his newfound power.
Felgrand Dragon:
2800 ATK + (LEVEL 4 X 200) = 3200 ATK
Jackson smiled as he leveled his hand at Andro Sphinx
"We're in the Battle Phase now! Felgrand, unleash your might on that false deity! WRATH OF AUREA DRACONIS!"
Felgrand Dragon opened his mouth, baring his fangs and charging a blast of brilliant white-hot flames before unleashing them at Andro Sphinx, only for the humanoid beast to vanish just as the flames were about to impact him. The missed shot instead exploded on one of the obelisks behind Jericho, obliterating the stone monument. Jackson's unspoken question was answered when the smoke and dust cleared, revealing one of Jericho's face-down cards.
"Sorry, Jackson," Jericho began, "But you triggered my Trap Card Beast Soul Swap! With this, I can return one Beast-Type monster from my field to my hand, then Special Summon a monster of the same level from my hand!" Jericho's snarky grin only broadened as he pulled a different card from his hand, speaking again as he laid the card onto his disk.
"SACRED PYRAMID OF LIGHT, SHADOW THE TRUTH BEHIND YOUR RIDDLES AND CALL FORTH A GUARDIAN TO DEFEND YOUR SECRETS! WHISPER THE ANSWERS TO ME AS I CALL FORTH YOUR TRUE PROTECTOR! I SPECIAL SUMMON SPHINX TELEIA!"
Jericho grins broadly as a white portal opens behind him, a lioness pawing forward through it with the head of a beautiful woman bearing crimson hair, small wings on its back, and fur as grey as a dense storm cloud. Teleia promptly sat before Jericho and licked her paws, the show if disinterest slightly rattling the broken chains attached to the collar around her neck.
Sphinx Teleia:
LIGHT / LEVEL 10 / BEAST / 2500 ATK / 3000 DEF
Another chorus of gasps and surprised murmurs rushes through the crowd at the second of the impossibly rare Sphinx monsters being summoned. Even Jackson was surprised, but more at the tactics Jericho utilized to get her out. He couldn't help but smile.
"A 'Relief Escape'. Normally with something like that a Replay would have happened, but since the number of monsters has stayed the same, and the attack target is gone, the attack is negated." Jackson's smile grew even broader. Not only was he facing off against a legendary set of monsters, but Jericho was actually putting up a fight. As he continued his turn, Jackson began to think that he just might have fun with this duel.
"Alright, I guess the only thing left to do is set two cards and end my turn. Show me what you can do, Jericho!"
Jericho nodded and drew to start his turn.
"For starters, I activate Pyramid of Light!" Jericho's roar turned his last set card face-up, revealing a golden pyramid seeming to glow with the radiance of the sun itself. "Now with that out," Jericho continued, smiling as he pulled a card from his hand I can pay 500 Lifepoints to Special Summon Andro Sphinx from my hand!"
Jericho: 3000 LP - 500 = 2500 LP
Jericho grinned, gleefully paying the cost as the pyramid on his field began to glow as a familiar humanoid lion pulls himself from within the structure. Andro roared proudly, in spite of the dragon before him.
Andro Sphinx:
LIGHT / LEVEL 10 / BEAST / 3000 ATK / 2500 DEF
"I'll toss out a facedown card, and I'll end my turn." Jericho smiled as he differed, a quizzical look on Jackson's face as he drew his next card.
"Why would you go and do that..." Jackson thought to himself, studying his opponent's field before looking at his hand. "An Attack Mode monster with less ATK than mine, and a single facedown? I smell a trap..."
"I'll start off with Dragon Shrine!" Jackson calls out while slotting the card into his Duel Disk. "With this, I can send one Dragon from my Deck to my Graveyard. Then, if the Dragon I sent was a Normal, I can send another Dragon! So, I'll be sending the Gemini Monster Darkstorm Dragon, who's treated as a Normal Monster in the Graveyard, and my second Dragon will be White Night Dragon!" Jackson pulls both cards from his Deck, sending both to the Graveyard as he eyes Jericho's solitary facedown card.
"Next, I activate Return of the Dragon Lords! Now I can Special Summon one level 7 or 8 Dragon from my Graveyard. So, RISE! WHITE NIGHT DRAGON!"
A blizzard wind began to howl from behind Jackson, carrying with it a torrent of snow and ice. The particles began slowly coalescing into a deep blue dragon made entirely of the purest ice. The Dragon roared powerfully, sending a cold chill down Jericho's spine.
White Night Dragon:
WATER / LEVEL 8 / DRAGON / 3000 ATK / 2500 ATK
"Battle Phase!" Jackson smiled up at his gilded Ace. "Let's try this again, shall we? Felgrand Dragon! Attack Andro Spinx! WRATH OF AUREA DRACONIS!"
Felgrand again charged another shot of white-gold flames, unleashing them at Andro Sphinx.
"Not so fast, Jackson! Reverse Card Open! Negate Attack!" Jericho's yell stopped the attack cold as his Trap Card flipped up, sucking the scalding flames into a vortex and banishing them from existence. Jericho smiled proudly, now having dodged two attacks from the Undefeated Dragon Lord. "I told you before we started," Jericho said with his eyes locked on Jackson's. "There's no way I'm going to give you anything less than my all. I'm not gonna let you harm me, or my Sphinxes."
Jackson nodded, a small smile creeping across his face. It was a smile his friends back in the dressing room recognized immediately. Jackson was enjoying this duel...
"Well, since I've nothing left on my to-do list right now," Jackson smiled back at Jericho and nodded. "Guess that means you're up. Show me what 100% looks like, Jericho!"
"Alright," Jericho smirked as he drew to begin his turn. "But I don't think you're gonna like it. I activate Dark Hole!"
Jackson's eyes widened, a cold shiver sneaking up his spine. Dark Hole? Destroying all monsters on the field, including Teleia and Andro? Only one thing could result from such a move...
"Jericho! Before you nuke everything," Jackson says as he pulls a specific Spell Card from his Graveyard. "I chain with the second effect of Return of the Dragon Lords! By banishing this card from my Graveyard, I can protect my Dragons from being destroyed!"
"Oh, that's fine," Jericho smirks. "It's not your monsters I'm interested in. You see, when both Andro Sphinx and Sphinx Teleia on my field are destroyed, at the cost of 500LP, I can Special Summon the greatest Sphinx of them all..."
Jackson's suspicions were confirmed in that moment as Andro Sphinx and Sphinx Teleia were sucked into the singularity of Dark Hole and destroyed. With its two protectors gone, the Pyramid of Light began glowing brighter than ever, a call to its final warrior. Jericho smiled as his hand raised, a single card clutched within.
Joshua Jericho: 2500 LP - 500 = 2000 LP
"The guardians have fallen, but from their departed souls forms a new terror! BESTOW THE OVERPOWERING GLORY OF THE PYRAMID OF LIGHT UPON THE VICTORY TO COME! DESCEND FROM THE ANCIENT HEAVENS! COME TO ME! THEINEN, THE GREAT SPHINX!" Jericho's battle cry was echoed by a roar of biblical proportions as a quadrupedal centaur-like beast dropped from the heavens with a deafening impact. The beast, with the body of a white horse, the muscled torso of a humanoid, and the head of a lion, towered over all else as it stood behind Jericho.
Theinen, The Great Sphinx:
LIGHT / LEVEL 10 / BEAST / 3500 ATK / 3000 DEF
Without warning, Theinen roared again, his muscles bulging as his strength increased to a level of power not seen since the Old Testament.
Theinen, The Great Sphinx:
3500 ATK + 3000 = 6500 ATK
Joshua Jericho: 2000 LP - 500 = 1500 LP
"When Theinen, The Great Sphinx is summoned," Jericho grinned, straightening up as his tone became slightly more haughty, "I can pay a further 500 LP to boost his ATK by 3000. Now, BATTLE PHASE! THEINEN, ATTACK WHITE NIGHT DRAGON! ROAR OF THE SPHINX!"
Jackson covered his ears as Theinen roared with an awe-inspiring might, shattering his target without mercy and sending the shards down towards Jackson as his Dragon crumbled before his eyes.
Jackson Corvus: 4000 LP - (6500-3000) = 500 LP
As the pieces that made the formerly frozen Dragon fell, each one landing on Jackson, Jericho chuckled. The soft chuckle was mirrored by Chancellor Foster.
"This is what you get when you cross the boss, Jackie." Jericho said with a smirk as he ended his turn.
"Cross the..." Jackson glared up at Jericho, then to Foster, then back at his opponent. "Foster. He put you up to this."
"It's about time you figured it out. Foster saw the potential in me, knew I could be the one to dethrone you."
"Dethrone?" Jackson thought, glaring at Jericho as he drew his next card. "It's going to take a lot more than a simple sellout and heel turn to take me down."
"Looks like I have no choice. I'll play Trade-In! By discarding one Level 8 Dragon in my hand, I can draw two cards from my Deck!" Jackson looked at his two new cards, deflating slightly as his voice lowers. "With... with that done... I'll turn Felgrand Dragon into Defense Mode," Jackson said, the golden-scaled dragon landing behind his Duelist and covering himself with his wings. "And then I'll summon Kidmodo Dragon in Defense Mode." At Jackson's word, a small orange-staled and yellow-bellied baby dragon appeared on Jackson's field, curling itself into a ball as it sought even the smallest form of protection against what was to come.
Kidmodo Dragon:
EARTH / LEVEL 3 / DRAGON / 100 ATK / 200 DEF
"End of turn." Jackson shuddered, closing his eyes as he spoke the words. There was nothing else he could do. Worst of all, both Jericho and Foster knew it.
"That's it? That's your turn?! PATHETIC!" Jericho's taunts stung, but only enraged Jackson further. "With my turn, I'll be paying 1000 LP to use two more of the terracotta soldiers below us as tributes to summon Beast King Barbaros!" Jericho smirked as two more stone soldiers rose from the pit below, shattering as they gave their essence as a sacrifice for another powerful monster: another centaur-esque beast with the head of a lion and wielding a large javelin and forearm-mounted shield.
Beast King Barbaros:
EARTH / LEVEL 8 / BEAST-WARIOR / 3000 ATK / 1200 DEF
Joshua Jericho: 1500 LP - 1000 = 500 LP
Jericho's grin couldn't get any broader as he readied his troops for their assault. "Battle Phase! Barbaros, attack Felgrand Dragon! Piercing Spiral!" Jericho's Beast King lept skyward and impaled Felgrand Dragon, leaving the once-great Dragon to shatter into golden pixels. Jackson shielded his eyes from the blast, not only to protect himself, but to spare himself the sight of one of his prized Dragons being destroyed so shamefully. Jericho aimed a finger at Jackson's last monster as he continued. "Theinen! Wipe that last pathetic monster from the field! ROAR OF THE SPHINX!"
Jackson once again covered his ears and his eyes from the resulting explosion, leaving Kidmodo Dragon dead on the platform. Foster's cocky smile was almost palpable, as was Jericho's arrogance.
"See what playing rebel gets yo-"
"WILL YOU SHUT UP!?" Jackson barked, forcing Jericho silent. "Don't get cocky just because you've got a powerful benefactor! 'Don't cross the Boss'? Are you kidding me? You didn't pull a single one of those cards, Foster gave you the entire deck!" Jackson was irate, and Jericho's paling expression told him that he was dead on. "I hope your thirty pieces of silver were worth it, Jericho, because when I'm done taking a pound of flesh from you, you'll wish you had a soul left to salvage after your deal with the devil."
Jericho smirked and chuckled at Jackson's words. "Big talk for someone with an empty field..."
Jackson grinned, then pitched skyward and roared, his roar echoed throughout the arena as it took on a more primal, animalistic tone that was clearly not Jackson's own. The roar that took over was the roar of Kidmodo Dragon himself, a last gasp of energy to plead for someone to avenge his death.
"Killing Kidmodo Dragon was your worst mistake. Because when Kidmodo is sent to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon one Dragon from my hand! SEIZE VENGEANCE FOR THE FALLEN! TAKE FLIGHT AND WEAPONIZE THE DARKNESS WITHIN! I SPECIAL SUMMON RED-EYES DARKNESS METAL DRAGON!" Jackson's cry was finalized when a black and red metallic Dragon appeared in the oculus above, screeching downward towards the field. The dragon landed in an explosion of black flames, his wings spread wide and his red eyes angrily eyeing Jericho.
Red-Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon:
DARK / LEVEL 10 / DRAGON / 2800 ATK / 2400 DEF
"And now it's my turn!" Jackson roared, drawing a card. "The LAST turn, Jericho! I activate Call of the Haunted!" Jackson's Trap Card turned upwards and shone brightly, a familiar dark gold Dragon soon flying from within the card itself.
"GUILDED WINGS OF ANCIENT POWER CARRY THIS PROTECTOR OF THE LIGHT! RISE FROM THE ASHES AND CONQUER THE DARKNESS AND THOSE WHO SERVE IT! ROAR AND TAKE FLIGHT ONCE MORE! WITH CALL OF THE HAUNTED, I RESURRECT FELGRAND DRAGON!"
Felgrand Dragon roared to life, shining like a deity coming to reap vengeance.
Felgrand Dragon:
LIGHT / LEVEL 8 / DRAGON / 2800 ATK / 2800 DEF
"But, as you know, Felgrand gains power from the souls of the departed! White Night Dragon! Lend us your strength!" Jackson smiled as Felgrand's armor was slowly frozen over with pure blue ice, the Dragon roaring skyward as his power grew.
Felgrand Dragon:
2800 ATK + (LEVEL 8 x 200) = 4400 ATK
Jericho shivered slightly, Jackson's Dragon easily strong enough to overpower his Super Ace Theinen. A realization shocked him when he saw Jackson's smirk. The Undefeated Dragon Lord wasn't done.
"Now I'll be using Red-Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon's effect, Red-Eyes Resurrection! With it, I can Special Summon one Dragon from my Graveyard! Even a handshake with the devil himself won't spare you from divine retribution..."
Red-Eyes Darkness Dragon roared and spread his wings, opening a black portal behind himself. A bright beam of golden light burst through seconds later and formed a column behind Jackson as he held a single card high, letting his voice carry what sounded like a prayer to a divine being above. "LET THE LIGHT OF THE HEAVENS SHINE DOWN ON THOSE WHO SEEK YOUR MERCY! THE RAYS OF JUDGEMENT SMITE THOSE WHO OPPOSE YOUR LAW! ROAR... ROAR AND TAKE FLIGHT! DIVINE DRAGON LORD FELGRAND!"
Jackson's prayer was answered as the deity he called broke through the column of heavenly light. Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand called out to her brethren gathered at her side, a call that was returned by the two Dragons on Jackson's field. She was ready for war.
Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand:
LIGHT / LEVEL 8 / DRAGON / 2800 ATK / 2800 DEF
"Remember what I said about divine retribution, Jericho?" Jackson smiled and held his hand out toward Lord Felgrand. "It's time you see just what the powers that be have in store for you! Lord Felgrand! Divine Law!"
Lord Felgrand nodded as her wings spread wide and she glared at Theinen, roaring as the Great Sphinx turned into beams of light and scattered towards her.
"When Lord Felgrand is Special Summoned from the Graveyard," Jackson explains with a smile, "she banishes one monster you control or is in your Graveyard, then she grows stronger by 100 ATK times the level of the monster she banished!"
Jericho shuddered as the math ran through his head. "Wait, since Theinen was a level 10, that means..."
"Nothing too good for you..." Jackson finished Jericho's statement for him as Theinen vanished.
Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand:
2800 ATK + (100 x 10) = 3,800 ATK
"My final card!" Jackson slots the last card in his hand, the one he drew at the beginning of this turn.
"Wha... SMASHING GROUND!?" Jericho's jaw hit the floor as a sinkhole opened beneath his Beast King, swallowing his monster whole and leaving him completely defenseless. No back row, no wall to protect him.
"End of the line, Jericho." Jackson snarled. "Not only have you disgraced yourself by selling out, but you've also managed to piss of my Dragons. Battle Phase! Triple Direct Attack! Draconic Trivium!"
All three of Jackson's Dragons unleashed their combined rage against Jericho, the three beams of energy combining into one and striking the young Duelist square in the chest. The resulting shockwave knocked Jericho off his feet, forcing him to watch as the last vestiges of his Lifepoints drained away.
Joshua Jericho: 500 LP - 11,000 = 0 LP
Jackson sighed as he packed away his cards, shaking his head as Downstait played over the arena's speakers. The cheers from the crowd didn't even register in his mind. His only thoughts were of leaving North Academy, especially if the Headmaster would stoop as low as to hire an assassin to try and take him out.
As Jackson left victorious and with little fanfare, the headmaster in question couldn't have been more irate. Foster snarled as he marched up to Jericho, who was just barely getting back to his feet.
"I'm sorry, Chancellor Foster," Jericho began, "I'm sorry I-"
"Not yet you're not!" Foster cut Jericho off by grabbing his jacket collar. "You failed me. When I gave you the weapons to succeed! You're worthless! As a Duelist and as a student!" Foster ripped Jericho's Duel disk off the student's arm and reclaimed the Sphinx deck he'd given Jericho the night before, then discarded the Disk as if it were little more than garbage to be disposed of. Foster glared at Jericho, eyeing him with much the same level of contempt he'd shone the student's Duel Disk. "Joshua Jericho, YOU'RE EXPELLED!"
A chorus of boos and jeers followed Foster as he stormed from the arena without a care that Jericho was on his knees in the area, the young man's dreams of becoming a pro duelist crushed in an instant all because he allied himself with the wrong person.
Later that night, Jackson had returned to his cabin in the Snow Caps, fully aware that it would be among the last that he would spend in the dingy wooden structure. He busied himself with packing up his belongings with the help of Jesse and Rose, the latter of whom had already secured her own effects for transport to Duel Academy after the School Duel was over.
Neither Jesse nor Rose thought it wise to bring up the match that Jackson had just participated in, especially considering the fallout with Foster effectively assaulting one of his own students and expelling him.
"So..." Jesse muttered, finally deciding to break the silence. "Have you given any thought to who we might be facing on Sunday?"
"Well, not exactly." Jackson shrugged as he folded up his pro-wrestling merch shirts, setting them in a box all to themselves. "I just know who I hope it won't be."
"Oh? Is the great Dragon Lord afraid of someone?" Rose snickered softly as she spun a label gun around her finger like a wild west gunslinger. Jackson returned her sarcasm with a sly look.
"Not afraid of them, but afraid of what it will mean if I beat them. If Jesse and I are facing off against Yuki and Yumei Hyoudou, then we're going to be fighting an uphill battle right from the start. Both of them are undefeated at Duel Academy, in singles and tag-team matches."
"And if- sorry, when we win," Jesse corrected himself, "you're worried what will happen to their undefeated streaks."
Jackson nods, sealing his box of clothes and moving to pack away his cooking supplies and self-made recipe books. "Hit the nail on the head, Jess. If I'm going to be involved in the end of an era, especially against one of those two, I'd rather it be one-on-one. That way, no matter who comes out on top, there's no doubt at all who won and why."
Jesse and Rose cast each other a grin, both of them expecting as much from their friend. All Jackson wanted was a true challenge, to feel alive when he drew a card. That fact left a singular question in Jesse's mind, one that he kept to himself until the packing was complete and he and Rose were set to leave. As he was departing, letting Rose leave first, Jesse cast a glance back at Jackson.
"Have you given any thought to what will happen after the School Duel?" Jesse asked Jackson as the latter had just sat down at his PC, apparently preparing to watch either his favorite crime drama or some recent duels. "Where will you go? What'll you do? Skills like yours are too good to waste, so if you even think about quitting I'll hunt you down and give you a good old fashioned Smackdown from the South."
Jackson couldn't help but crack up as he looked up at his closest friend in the school.
"Jess, the day I stop dueling is the day the world ends. I'll thing of something."
Jesse nodded, satisfied with his friend's answer as he departed. Just as the door closed, a tone sounded from Jackson's computer. Jackson looked at his notifications to find a new email in his inbox, sent from none other than Duel Academy's Chancellor Sheppard. Jackson's eyes widened when he read the name, and his curiosity spiked as he read the subject line aloud.
"Are you Tough Enough to be All Elite?" The question brought a smile to Jackson's face. "Yes, I believe I am..."
