Hello, you beautiful people, had to divide this chapter in two, it was too big, and didn't want people thinking that 10k word chapters were the new normal lol.

Had to move the duel spirit from the poll to the next chapter, (Silent Magician is winning with a sliver over Horus)

Also, there will be a cameo of a character form another universe, they are not the same character perse just what that character would have been if they were born in the world of YU-GI-OH (or at least what I think they would be).

I think Duel Academy is a little barren without an OC or two running around, and this one was a gift to my first ever reviewer on my first ever story.

It won't happen again so don't ask me to insert your favorite characters, because I won't do it.

25dmccown1: Thank you, and I will think about it.

Crywolfseven: Thanks for the great review, and it makes me really happy you enjoyed what I am doing with Jasmine.

I am sorry that you got the impression that Jaiden would end in Ra, there simply isn't a dimension were beating Crowler doesn't end with him there. I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Sam the binge reader: We will see where the story gets us

Saying Duel Island Academy was big, would be a considerable understatement. The building itself without taking into account the dorms was already huge.

I will admit I was a little jealous seeing both blue academy dorms, but the Ra yellow one wasn't bad either, cozy would be a good word for it, like the kind of place you would want to spend summer with your friends in.

After listening to the speech of Chancellor "I have a card dojo" Sheppard, I face the problem of how to make this banana yellow jacket look good. After much consideration I decided to just turn it inside out and tied it around my waist.

That crisis resolved, I decided to Head up to the card store in the building, I needed to add some cards to my deck and see if there was anything worth making a second deck from.

Fun fact, the PDA allows you to look at a card catalogue, it has everything from which cards are new, to what booster packs or singles are available, to a card of the week section where they put several cards at a discount during the week.

Using the app, I put on reserve a copy of Athena, it cost me 5000DP, which honestly fucked a little with my head and my concept of money.

It is a strong card no doubt, and I am sure that the same stats and effect on a Dragon Type card would cost almost double that, but my previous world sensitivities took a beating, paying 500 bucks on a card, what have we devolved into.

At least I ended at a net neural amount, the money spent on betting in Aster Phoenix yesterday's match brought me back to 10000 DP.

Arriving at the card shop I see the store clerk, Dorothy if I remembered correctly. Wasn't she and object of romantic competition between Sheppard and the other Duel Academy Chancellor?

"Excuse me Ms. I am Jack Greywarden , and I was wondering if you had the car I have recently bought? Athena is the name of the card."

She turned from the back of the counter to face me, it didn't even take her a second glance, to show recognition to what I was talking about. Guess that's what working at retail for so long gets you.

"Yes, I think we have that card around here, you must be one of the first duelist to come to the shop this semester." we continued with the idle chatter, she introduced herself, and I asked her questions about how it is like to have to manage a shop like this one (a pain in the back was her simple answer).

"Here it is, one copy of Athena just as asked" Looking at the card, I was slightly disappointed, that it wasn't a duel spirit, but it was to be expected.

"Thank you very much I will make sure to come again, but before that how much are those sandwiches? "Damm I was hungry.

"Sure, that will be 100 DP" she says with a smile that tells me she knows my predicament.

(Later)

Walking through the corridors, exploring the academy while eating a BBQ pulled pork sandwich was great.

Looking at the card that I got from the sandwich, I knew my luck was good, but this is ridiculous.

Honest (Level 4/ Fairy/ Light/ 1100 ATK/ 1900 DEF)

During your Main Phase: You can return this face-up card from the field to the hand. During the Damage Step, when a LIGHTmonster you control battles (Quick Effect): You can send this card from your hand to the GY; that monster gains ATK equal to the ATK of the opponent's monster it is battling, until the end of this turn.

Honestly one of the best cards from the Fairy type, one of the original "hand traps" also. But more importantly, there was an OTK with this card Athena and Ultimate Offering. I just need to get the trap card now.

Walking aimlessly, I soon stumbled upon two familiar faces.

"Sup guys, how has the island been treating you so far?" Jaiden is still a Slifer Red, but I expected that, even if the test was somewhat more accessible to him than in the original series, there simply isn't a universe in which Jaden dueling Crowler at the entrance exam doesn't end with him there, Crowler literally oversees who goes to which dormitory.

"Oh hey, Jack, right? Jaiden and I are looking for the academy's dueling arena, they say it's one of the best out there" They meet Chazz today don't they, oh well I am sure a visit wouldn't hurt, though if he tries to "Chazz it up" while I am there, I will whoop his ass.

"Sure, sounds fun, let's go" Walking through the corridors it doesn't take long for Jaiden sixth sense for dueling to bring us to the arena, it is big, though I don't see the point of making the arena as small as you can (duel disks) just to use it in a bigger arena.

I suppose the gladiatorial feel appealed to many people's primate brain.

"Hey Jack, wanna duel here, it is our arena after all" Now there is an interesting offer from Jaden, sadly I don't get to answer before someone interrupted us.

"Wrong, this is the Obelisk blue arena, there is no place here for Slifer slacker or Ra rejects" Oh my god, pft, "Bahahaha!" I can't believe that fucking voice.

"Hey what are you laughing about you Ra reject my friend here is serious" I can't believe it the other one is the same, they sound so stupid.

"I am laughing at both of you, ehehehe, excuse me is just your voice sound so dumb I couldn't stop myself" That drew a snort from Jaiden though these two guys seemed about ready to scream.

"Whatever you reject, just get out of here this our turf, look at the symbol a top of you wastes" Looking at the symbol of Obelisk, it doesn't really make a good argument I have seen them everywhere it's just Kaiba's fetish with his god card nothing else.

"Maybe we should leave guys" Syrus seemed really nervous, though locking eyes with Jaiden we sent each other a message with our eyes and a smile "No fucking way".

"Oh, and are you going to make me?" I am literally superhuman in strength thanks to Joan, I could literally shatter someone's bones with a full-strength punch, I spent an entire day lifting weights at the closest gym to home before coming here, I am sure of it.

And some part of their brain seems to know if their paling expression is any indication.

"Hey Jack, what do you think if we tag duel these guys?" Tag dueling already, I am touched truly.

"Hey, wait a minute, you are that applicant that beat Crowler, and you are that Fairy guy. Hey Chazz, those guys we talked about are here" Some guys may have been offended to be called "Fairy Guy" but those kinds of people don't have literal superpowers thanks to a Fairy, it is not like I need to compensate for something with big mean dragons or menacing burly warriors.

If you give me a choice between beautiful fairy and macho man warrior, well the choice is a no-brainer. I would take Joan over something like Neos any day of the week.

Hearing movement from the stands, I see Chazz appear, he seemed to be standing behind the stairs to the stadium.

"So do you make a habit of lurking behind stairs so people can't see you or what?" I swear these teens love being dramatic a tad too much.

"Hey, watch your mouth, his name is Chaz Princeton, he was the best duelist at our prep school, so why don't you just understand when you are outclassed and leave." Like that means anything to me.

Though for these guys that prep school is their entire life, the cornerstone of their confidence, that is sadder than anything really

"Yeah, he is going to become the King of Games" I couldn't help but chuckle with that comment.

"No offense meant, but your friend has no chance in hell to become King of Games, maybe Dungeons and Dice Monsters is more his speed" I said as offensively as I could sound.

"Yeah, besides if someone here is going to become King of Games it is me!" Now there is a guy with a solid chance, maybe not now but definitely in the future, that is if I don't steal the title for myself, mmm is the attention worth it though?

"Huh?!, maybe I should go there and teach you your place you reject" Ha! I knew that would get him.

I didn't get more time to play with them before a female voice cut my fun.

"Really Chazz? First day in the Academy an already causing trouble. You know the Obelisk welcome dinner is about to start, don't you? "Oh, she brought Jasmine and Mindy with her.

Whatever Chazz was going to say was interrupted by me walking to Jasmine giving her a quick hug and kiss on the cheek.

"Jasmine, so good to see you again, how you doing~?" Not hearing her response, I look at her face turn bright red, looking around I see people looking at me with gaping mouths.

I was confused for a second before I realized that I am in Japan, they are nowhere near as comfortable with casual displays of physical affection, in comparison to me born and raised in a country in which kissing a girl's cheek is just a way of greeting, for them, it must be a brazen way of flirting.

OH… well I am just going to roll with it.

"So Jasmine, who are your friends?" That seemed to reboot her a little, though she still had a lite blush on her cheeks.

"Hi Jack, this two are my best friends Alexis Rhodes and Mindy Hamaguchi, we came here because Alexis said she heard a familiar voice in the arena" Looking at the other two girls I throw them a friendly wave that they both return Alexis much more awkwardly than Mindy.

"Hey, you get your hands of Jasmine, a Ra reject has no place touching one of the prettiest girls in Obelisk Blue" I suppose that I am maintaining skin contact without realizing. Though really dude? I don't deserve to touch her he says. What is she a princess?

"Hey, Jasmine does funny voice guy have a crush on you?" Seeing her expression paling slightly and said guy blushing makes me chuckle a little.

"What so funny you reject!" well if he is going to leave that open like that.

"Your voice" man he is getting mad, not that I care. I am the type of guy that believes that you have to respect others if you want respect, they were the ones who disrespected me first, so it is free game with the insults for me.

"Thats it we are dueling now" Who would have thought, he actually has some modicum of bravery, or foolishness maybe.

"Sure, let's go" I said pointing to the arena.

"Wait what about the welcome dinner, Ra has one to you know?"

"I don't care if I arrive late to it, it is the first day, there are literally a hundred excuses we could use" Besides how much time does a duel take? ten minutes on average I would say, she makes it sound like we would stay here the whole night

"You don't know how much over your head you are, funny voice guy"

"Wait a minute you don't know my name, don't you?" I really don't nor do I care, this guy betrays Chazz when he loses to Jaiden, he is a waste of space.

"Stop talking and let's start this duel, I heard that the Ra welcome dinner serves salmon"

"Oh, you reject! just you wait when I am done with you will beg to know my name" These types of guys are really annoying man I want to sleep.

"Unless your stupid voice gives you any skill at card games, I am afraid you don't stan a chance"

"DUEL". Drawing five cards, I already have a strategy in mind "I will let you start, reject, may as well let you get one turn in!"

If being a reject means not being a rich asshole, I will happily be one.

Jack LP: 4000

Funny voice guy LP: 4000

Turn 1

"Draw, I activate the spell card Graceful Charity which allows to draw three cards, but I have to discard two afterwards, then I summon Freed the Brave Wanderer in attack position."

In the field a blond knight materialize himself into the field, "man a lot of Yu-Gi-Oh characters have that haircut"

Freed the Brave Wanderer (Level 4/ Warrior/Light/ 1700 ATK/ 1200 DEF)

"With that and two set cards I finish my turn" not the craziest start, but they can't all be OTK's.

Turn 2

"It's that the best you can do, then this will be easy, I will start my turn by summoning Lord of D in attack mode and active the spell card Flute of Summoning Dragon, which allows me to special summon two dragons from my hand" Oh my, now isn't that a nice card, I wonder how much begging he had to do to his daddy fir him to buy him it.

"I will use its effect to summon Blackland Fire Dragon and Mikazukinoyaiba!" Honestly the fact that he was able to pronounce that last card names is the most impressive thing I have seen him do yet.

Lord of D (Level 4/ Spellcaster/ Dark/ 1200 ATK/ 1100 DEF)

Blackland Fire Dragon (Level 4/ Dragon/ Dark/ 1500 ATK/ 800 DEF)

Mikazukinoyaiba (Level 7/ Dragon /Dark/ 2200 ATK/ 2350 DEF)

"Now Mikazukinoyaiba attack Freed and finish this fool!" Do people just ignore face-downs in this universe, I am pretty sure that just having a game plan involving more than one turn is already genius material in this world.

Hell, I remember in the anime that Zane MST one of Jaden's set cards and they treated it like he was some Megamind level genius.

"I activate the trap card Draining Shield, negating your attack and adding your monsters attack value to my Life Points." An image which funnily was of Freed himself was raised from my backrow making so my monster could withstand the dragon's assault.

Jack LP: 6200

"Stalling with life points won't save you!" Man does this guy like to scream we are not even that far away.

Turn 3

"Draw, I activate the spell card Fissure, destroying your weakest monster, say goodbye to Lord of D" Seeing him fall to a randomly appearing chasm, brought me memories of watching the looney toons.

"I then activate Freeds effect, by removing from play two Light monsters from my Graveyard I can destroy one monster with more attack than Freed itself and I chose your Mikazukinoyaiba" Seeing a knight stab a dragon in the hearth, looks as cliché as it sounds, it is cool though.

He is about to say something again, but I have no intention of this duel lasting one more turn.

"I activate the continuous trap card Miraculous Descent, which allows me to special summon one fairy-type monster that has been removed from play, I will be summoning the newest addition to my deck, go Athena!"

From the sky to the ground Athena has arrived, and she looks great.

Athena (Level 7 / Fairy/ Light/ 2600 ATK/ 800 DEF)

"But I still have my normal summon so, go Dunames Dark Witch in attack mode"

Dunames Dark Witch (/Level 4/ Fairy/ Light /1800 ATK/ 1050 DEF)

"And because I summoned a Fairy-type monster Athena effect activates, dealing 600 direct damage"

Funny voice guy LP: 3400

"Now Dunames Dark Witch destroy his Blackland Fire Dragon" And so she did brutally and efficiently, she flew towards the dragon grabbing it by the neck and lifting it before slamming its head back into the ground.

Funny voice guy LP: 3100

"Now Athena, Freed, finish this Goddess Spear!" Defeat seemed to finally dawn on the guy, but truly I couldn't blame him I had just turned this duel around in a literal minute.

Funny voice guy LP: 0000

"Well thank you for playing, I hope we see each other again literally never, bye!"

Athena is already putting in work.

Walking away from the arena I was stopped by a voice calling my attention.

"So, are you Jasmine's knight in shining armor or what?" asked Mindy, and honestly she enjoys teasing Jasmine too much.

"Oh, there is a little bit of that, but being perfectly honest I just enjoy the feeling of destroying the feeling of self-importance of those that annoyed me, and this island is looking to be a place where that happens often" I was also itching to try Athena in a duel.

"Well, if that is all I do have a welcome dinner to attend, bye Jasmine." Walking to Jaiden and Syrus I was once again interrupted today, this is getting ridiculous.

"Wait Jack, do you want to exchange contact information? so we can hang out later?" Oh, I can't even be mad with her, it looks like it took some courage from her to ask that.

One exchange number later, I was talking with Jaiden and Syrus before they went to their dorm dinner.

"Hey guys, we can hang out later to make up for this" I tell them, and who knows maybe I will give Jaiden his duel.

(At the Ra dorm welcome dinner)

Man is the food here good, I guess one benefit of building your academy on the island is the fresh fish.

While building a tuna taco with all the salsas, affectionally named tacozilla, I almost dropped it when I saw a familiar face piling a small mountain food on her plate.

"Is that fucking Penny Polendina?!". Thankfully Joan was there to calm me down, I probably send the message through the bond in my surprise.

"I was wondering if this would happen, Jack no matter how much she looks like someone you knew, she probably is the same as you were, a counterpart of an existent person, she doesn't know you, and whatever bond that you had with her don't apply with her so be careful"

Joan seemed to think, I personally knew her, thankfully that wasn't the case.

Well, grandma always used to say that when hit by the unknown a man must unravel it with his own two hands.

(Later)

"So, you run a Perfect Machine King deck? That is pretty cool." through my conversation with Penny, I felt all my nerves fade away, she has some characteristics from the version I know but their lives were wildly different.

I calmed myself, even more, when Joan told me not everyone has parallels in the same universes, or even parallels at all, so the possibility of there being a parallel of someone like Aizen for example is so small, that I would have a much better chance of being struck by lightning twice.

Leaving dinner and going to my room, after promising Penny to hang out with her one of these days.

I had my attention pulled, by my PDA receiving a message, is that Chazz ugly mug?

"Hey, Ra reject, if you thought that you could get away from what happened scot-free, then you better think again, I challenge you at midnight in the Duel Arena, and to make it more interesting, we will be betting our rarest card" If this absolute idiot thinks I am going to bet Joan in anything, he is even more mentally challenged that I thought.

"Hey Chazz, nice night we are having, right? Just wanted to tell you that, betting cards in duels is prohibited on the island, did you know they can kick you out for it? I wonder what your family would say if they knew you screwed things this badly on your first day"

Was it a low blow to attack his toxic inter-familiar environment? probably. But he made me mad, to even suggest to betting Joan is an extreme show of disrespect, I know I could beat him.

It doesn't matter how easy the duel would be is the principle of the thing.

Would you bet your sister's life against a fight with a kid? You would win with as close to 100% certainty as you can get.

But I respect Joan too much to bet her in any duel, she is literally a part of me now, if someone tried to steal her, I honestly don't know what I would do, probably break someone.

So no, I don't feel bad for poking on some asshole's family issues.

"Hey jack there is someone in your room you may want to see, they feel powerful though, I don't know if I could beat them, so be careful"

Processing what she told me, I came to the obvious conclusion that there was a duel monster spirit in my room... great,

Entering my room for the second time today (the first I just dropped my stuff and left), I was thankful that I knew that the Ra dorms were soundproof, no need to have people think I talk to myself in my room.

Closing the door, I swallowed the expression I was going to make, to maintain a neutral expression on my face.

"Is that Splendid Venus, shit does this mean Tragoedia is a thing here?" She was just floating there in all her almost humanoid glory.

"Yes, I can't tell now that we are closer, you are the duelist I have felt when I arrived on this island" I know that Joan said that duel spirits would be able to sense me, but know I have to wonder just how powerful of "signal" I am sending. Also, her voice puts me slightly on edge, is so close to being human, but it falls just short of it.

"My name is Jack Greywarden, now what business does one of the legendary planets want with little old me?" I said like it is not a big deal, but if she thinks I would let her turn me into living battery for dear old Tragoedia, she is dead wrong.

"You know of us? that is odd. wherever would one like you get such knowledge?" She sounded curious though you couldn't tell with her face lacking literally any defining characteristics.

"I know many things, more than maybe even you do, and for that reason, I must inform you that I don't do business with ancient evil Egyptian Ka's" The room seemed to grow colder at that, and I was already informing Joan to get ready for battle.

"So you know of Tragoedia, impressive considering all he did to remain hidden, but that matters not. The being known as Tragoedia was permanently slain, by the one you duelist call the King of Games in his crusade to eliminate ancient evils before they surfaced, I am no longer bound to him more than your friend there is."

Yugi beat Tragoedia? I mean it makes sense he had Winged Kuriboh so he could technically do it, and beating evil before its surface, that is exactly what happened to the sacred beasts, sure they were sealed, but those three are dark counterparts of actual gods.

"Was your creator Edo Phoenix, and did he make other cards besides the legendary planets?"

I mean if I possibly going to have a legendary planet I need to know if Aster is going to chase me for having one of his dead father's cards.

She tilted her head (which was surprisingly human) before answering.

"Yes, Mr. Phoenix was possessed by Tragoedia, to make the planets, but he also made a series for his only son, it was the investigation related to the death of Mr. Phoenix which lead Yugi Moto to Tragoedia"

Tragoedia is gone, that is great news, awesome news really one less pain in the ass to deal with it, Yugi putting some work it seems.

"So that leaves us, with your reason for being here" I am curious, though hopeful for her answer.

"Do you understand what it means to be free?" well that came out of nowhere.

She seemed to expect an answer, so I gave her the first thing that came to my mind.

"The ability to choose, which path to take from the options given to you by life" It isn't the best answer, there are multiple types and definitions of freedom after all.

"Before Tragoedia's existence was extinguished, I had never experienced freedom, my purpose was to siphon energy from duelist that used me nothing more than that, now I find myself with so many options it has been too much at times I will admit."

Experiencing something like real freedom for the first time must have been overwhelming, especially after your creator just got destroyed.

"Through my travel I have seen many things, but one thing that remained constant were duelists, and their love for cards, I am choosing with my freedom to subjugate myself to you as duelist and monster spirit to experience what is like to be wielded by a great duelist."

"Joan, has she seen me duel?" I asked through the bond, and she answered back by the very same. "It's a Duel spirit thing Jack we can tell how strong a duelist is instinctively, and you give quite the feeling"

Huh, neat I suppose. Though why would someone who just earned their freedom wish to be subjected to someone else again?

"I don't think I can accept that, Venus?" her body language seemed slightly disappointed, but I continued my counter-offer.

"I am not the master of anyone, Joan is my partner, I can offer something similar, what about becoming independent together?"

I have no need for a duel spirit slave, I have decided to treat my duel spirits like they were my family, not only does it make our relationship better, but well there is a part of me that misses my old family and this idea makes me feel better.

"Independent together? I don't think I understand what that means." It is an expected question, I think.

"It means, that YOU are your own master, you are with me by your own volition, you can leave whenever you desire if you want something and it is in my power to achieve, I will make an honest effort to do it, in exchange if I need you, I expect you to help me. We can both say no if we think what the other is asking is too much."

That is, it, I have no intention of having any crazy quest put in front of me, but I also do not expect to have the loyalty of a legendary planet with no conditions.

"I think I can accept these terms; I have my requests then" Well then let's see if I can accept this.

"First, I will ask for you to duel any duelist who holds one of my fellow legendary planets, we may have been created together, but my pride demands me to prove myself better than them" Oh is that an iota of pride that I am sensing? Good.

I nodded to her request; I probably will duel them anyways.

"My second and last request is that you beat the one known as Yugi Moto, in a duel, it doesn't have to be a shadow duel, just a regular duel will be sufficient"

Now, this just got more complicated, dueling Yugi probably would be one of the hardest challenges in this world.

"Why do you want me to beat Yugi Moto?" If this is some kind of revenge for Tragoedia I will have nothing to do whit it.

"He defeated the strongest existence that I knew, defeating him in a duel would be the greatest show of power I could think of"

Duel spirits sure are prideful.

Okay let's think this through, it doesn't have to be a shadow game, that takes the risk factor of it, and being honest I would probably have challenged him Kaiba or Joey the first opportunity that I got.

On the other hand, I get a powerful duel spirit to join me, for things I probably would have done anyways.

Welp sorry Jaiden, there is another competitor for the title now.

"I agree to your terms Venus, welcome to my family" I smiled warmly at her, while she just nodded and turned into a flash of light.

Will have to work on reading her.

Looking at what I expected to be a single card, I am left gaping at the multitude of cards that I see.

The Splendid Venus (Level 8/ Fairy/Light/ 2800 ATK/ 2400/ DEF)

All non-Fairy monsters lose 500 ATK/DEF. The activation and effects of Spell/Trap Cards activated on your field cannot be negated.

Divine Sanctuary (Spell/ Field)

Non-Fairy-Type monsters lose 500 ATK. Level 5 and 6 Fairies can be Summoned without Tributes. Level 7 or higher Fairies can be Summoned with one Tribute.

Seraphin Blaster (Level 4/ Fairy/ Light/ 1800 ATK/ 1200 DEF)

This card gains 300 ATK for each other Fairy-Type monster on the field.

Were just some of the cards left behind, this seemed to be Reggie Mackenzie's deck or at least part of it.

I could help I burst out laughing "ahahahahahahahah" this was it, the thing that would elevate me and my deck.

Before I was slightly worried about dueling someone of Aster Phoenix level, but now I am already planning how to bait him into a duel, and I think my newest spirit monster could help with that.

After all, wouldn't Mr. Phoenix come running for a clue on his father's murder? I already know who did it anyway, so I think a public duel with mister unbeatable is just what I need to get my name out there.

I will even help him find his father's murderer, so I hope he forgives me for using him.

Not like he doesn't get off humiliating his opponents

Yeah, it is all coming together, I can't wait for tomorrow.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter.

I am trying to do something with Jack, and that is him having meaningful interactions with his spirits.

Because of that they can't be many, Jack will get one more spirit next chapter (vote to decide what spirit) and then he will not get one for a long time.