Yu-Gi-Oh ! GX : Destiny's Dawn
CHAPTER 5
" Uhm, hi." Konrad bowed down to both Alexis and Zane respectfully. "I-I'm Konrad Amirian." He nervously introduced himself, these two gave off a different vibe than Jaden and his gang, like it would take some time for him to get used to be in their presence.
"Or Konami, too." Jaden said with a smile, "That's what his friends called him, and he's definitely our buddy."
Alexis, however, wasn't of the same mind. "I'll think about that, Jaden," She simply said before returning to Konrad with a faint smile. "Alexis Rhodes. Nice meeting you, Konrad."
Konrad, he did nothing but look at her in the eyes. "Something wrong?" He snapped back to reality as Alexis asked him.
"A-Ah! Sorry, I, uh, it's just that well…uh, you're stunning." He said, blushing red like a tomato; he was being a real nervous wreck now. Alexis didn't seem too moved by his statement; She had gotten used to it. She was easily getting these kind of compliments every day they were now dime a dozen. "Thanks. And this is Zane Truesdale," Alexis, quick to change the subject, glanced at the taller blue haired boy who stoically stood with a hand on his waist. "Best duelist of the academy."
Zane, however, was quiet as a mouse, contenting himself with glaring down at Konrad and Hiroto. His presence was imposing to say the least and both of them couldn't find the courage to utter even a single word.
Not too long after, he broke his silence. "So you two are new." He stated, enough to send shiver down a spine to anyone who wasn't familiar with him. "Zane, no need to scare the new guys." Stated Alexis, a bit exasperated, but one thing was clear; She was absolutely comfortable around him. "This is your first day in the academy, right? Hope we can get along. Anyways, Zane, let's get going, we're late. See you guys tomorrow at class."
After Zane and Alexis left the group, Konrad clutched his chest and panted. "You okay? You don't look so licious." Chumley asked, a sweatdrop dripping down his face. "Same goes for him, too." Syrus added, pointing at Hiroto who had an obvious expression of shock on his face. "That really was the Emperor..! I didn't expect myself to meet him so soon!" Hiroto spoke, struggling to get the words out of his system.
"H-He's talking about Zane?" Konrad asked, "Zane is that famous?"
"IDIOT! You have no idea!" Hiroto came out jumping, grabbing Konrad by the lapels of his coat, "Zane Truesdale- He's projected to be the next King of Games! Many dueling agencies are just waiting for him to graduate- While the average joe out of Duel Academy struggles to even find one willing to accept them!"
"You uh, seem to be knowledgeable about this." Chumley told Hiroto. "Hmph. I know people who are in the business. In fact, I have things lined up for me already, all I gotta do is spend my years in this academy then I'm set for life." The latter answered with a confident smile.
"That's…not fair." Syrus softly complained, the only response he got from the Ra Yellow was a shrug. "Deal with it, kid. Life isn't fair. Anyways, I'm going to your pathetic dorm, until I get my rightful place. See you losers later."
With that, Hiroto cleared the area. "Sheesh, for someone who actually lost, he's pretty arrogant. He reminds me of Chazz, actually." Jaden spoke, noting a similarity between Hiroto and this Chazz person. Yet another student Hiroto didn't know. "Who's Chazz?" He asked.
"Ah, right, you don't know him. Chazz Princeton," Chumley explained, "Youngest kid of the Princeton family."
Obviously, anyone would be shocked to hear this; The Princeton family is one of the most prestigious, powerful families in the world. It was an honor to even be on the same island as one of them. "There's a Princeton here, too?!"
"Heh, Konami, you're even more clueless than Jaden is. That's pretty impressive!" Syrus remarked, causing Jaden to pout before he spoke. "Anyways, let's go back to the dorm, it's getting late and we don't want to miss dinner." The energetic slifer red stated, once again running. This time, Chumley was quite eager to run; He couldn't afford to miss dinner, nothing in the world was worth that for him.
"Well, we better get going, too. Let's go, Syrus." Konrad told his small friend as he marched forwards. Syrus nodded and walked alongside him. "Say, what do you think of Bastion, Alexis and Zane?" He asked Konrad.
"I can't comment on the three of them since I need to know them better, but Bastion, he's alright in my books." Konrad started, "I'm amazed by his knowledge, though, I have a lot to learn from him. Alexis- She's not bad, too. She's pretty, and seems like a nice person. Zane, though, let's just say if stares could kill, He would have vaporized me."
At this, Syrus couldn't help but chuckle a little bit. "Yeah, everyone acts that way around Zane except us."
"Yeah, you guys seem to be fine around him. By the way, Alexis said Truesdale…Is Zane related to you?"
"Yep…He's my big bro. Everyone loves him." Syrus started to speak in a worshipping tone. "I honestly want to be as strong as him one day, but I got a long way to go. He's a bit rough around the edges, and quiet…but he's a good person. He just keeps to himself, is all."
"I see…" Konrad spoke, realizing how much Zane was adored. Syrus mentioned earlier that Jaden was the second-best duelist he had ever seen, and now he knew who the first was. "Don't worry, Syrus, I'll be cheering you on."
"Thanks, Konami, it really means a lot. You know, when Jaden stands by my side, I feel strong, like I could do anything. Hopefully, the same could be with you." Syrus replied with a smile.
The slifer duo reached their dorm but they had been too late; Whatever food remained was eaten up by Jaden and Chumley, making Konrad and Syrus two slifers as equally hungry as dejected. To make matters worse for Konrad, he had to share his room with Hiroto, who was also dismayed by this. They bickered but they knew they had to live together. So ended Konrad's first day at Duel Academy, eventful wouldn't begin to describe it.
The next few weeks were marked by days that were as eventful: Some of them included The tag duel between the Paradox Brothers, duelists who battled Yugi Moto himself against Jaden and Syrus. the Chazz Princeton vs Bastion Misawa duel which ended up being a scandal and ended with the disappearance of the Princeton Boy. And the theft of Yugi's deck by a Ra Yellow student called Dimitri. Of course, that's not including special scholar days such as exams, which Konrad barely managed to keep afloat in regards to.
It was the evening of a regular school day, the sun was setting down and class was over. The four of Jaden, Syrus, Chumley and Konrad were walking in the hallways, talking about banal subjects. Some of which included poking fun at Crowler, who had gone to great lengths to try and get Jaden expelled due to his personal vendetta against the boy.
"Jaden, if you know Crowler is trying so hard to get you expelled- Why don't you just report it to Sheppard? This is just straight up bullying." Konrad asked his friend.
"Well, I don't really mind it." Answered Jaden. "And it'd be hard to prove Crowler. Besides, he always tries to expel me by hiring some dudes to duelist me and you know me, I never back down from a duel!" He stated with enthusiasm.
"Really makes you wonder why he couldn't just go ahead and do it." Syrus pondered while Chumley sighed. "I guess it's because he can't just expel Jaden like he feels like it. Although Jay's horrible grades are reason enough to kick him out."
"Come on, Chum, how do grades even matter? All we do is learn about boring theoretical stuff, you learn dueling by well, dueling! If it were up to me it'd be less assignments, and more duels." Jaden defended himself.
"Well, speaking about grades, I really need to go and review today's lesson." Konrad told the group, "I'm just barely keeping up, these classes are pretty tough. So see you guys later for dinner."
"Ah shame! I hoped you'd be with us!" Jaden replied, a bit irritated. "Alright, see ya later then, Konami."
"Later." Both Sy and Chumley said before the trio headed into the shop, with Konrad going his own way. He found himself walking the lone path leading to the main gates of the academy, when suddenly, he heard a large explosion inside the forests followed by someone screaming at the top of their lungs.
"What was that?!" He thought aloud as he ran towards the source and eventually, he saw two people: One was an Obelisk Blue student down on his knees, with his cards falling into the ground. And the other, was a man wearing a black leather vest and gray pants. His short hair was blonde and his eyes brown. It was obvious he wasn't from this academy at all.
"Pathetic, and this is supposed to be the best Duel Academy has to offer?" He asked in a very condescending tone. The Obelisk Blue whimpered and grabbed the grass on the ground. Konrad walked over to him and crouched to his side. "You okay?" He asked him.
"Of course not, you slifer fool!" The obelisk blue student asked, still shivering. "I..I've just lost this duel! I'm an obelisk blue, the elite! I shouldn't lose!"
"Enough," The blonde haired man said with a wave of his hand, "You don't deserve to be a duelist, get out of my sight you pathetic dog, and don't you ever lay your hands on a duel disk ever again. BEGONE!" He yelled at him, causing the obelisk blue student to run away from shame, one could swear he was crying.
(Who is that guy? Is he the one who defeated that Obelisk?) Konrad pondered, the man started to walk away.
"Hey, wait!" Konrad stood up, and looked at him. "Who are you? You're obviously not from this academy. What are you doing here?"
The man stopped for a bit, before speaking, not even bothering to turn to face Konrad. "I don't have to answer the likes of everyone, let alone a Slifer Red, bottom feeders they are."
"Ah, so you're one of those guys?" Konrad asked, "I have the displeasure of dealing people like you every day. And sometimes…I prove them wrong." He stated as he grabbed his deck, pulled his duel disk and bam; Inserted his deck into it. "Let's duel, and if I win, you'll fess up everything!"
The man wasn't pleased with this and tsked. "You waste my time." He turned to look at Konrad, a piercing glare that nearly shot holes in his body. "Fine, Let's duel, this won't take long."
(As if I didn't hear that before. Let's see what this guy got.) Konrad gulped as it was time to duel.
Meanwhile, at the chancellor's office, Sheppard and Crowler were discussing about something.
"Chancellor Sheppard, we have to do something." Crowler stated, sounding like he was quite concerned. "This is the first this is happening!"
"Nothing to be concerned of, Vellian. Students are dropping out of our academy, it happens every year." Sheppard replied, he too was concerned but tried his best to look professional.
"Well yes, that's true," Crowler replied, "But never before have this many students drop out! And what's worse, most of them are Obelisk Blue students! The dorm is now a desert, Chancellor, we have to do something." He was on the verge of pulling his hair out. "This also extends to the other dorms. Ms. Fontaine is also troubled, so is Martyr."
"Sartyr, Professor Crowler," Sheppard corrected him. "And well, you didn't mention Dr. Banner. I take it, The slifer red students aren't dropping out?"
"Well, they are, that's the good thing. The bad thing is, the other dorms have a higher rate of drop outs." Crowler took on a frown while he spelled that sentence.
The door opened and two men in black suits appeared, one of them held a briefcase in hand. They were businessmen. Crowler and Sheppard recognized them instantly. "Wait, why are the Princeton brothers here?!" Crowler asked.
"We're here to do business." One of them, the younger one whose name was Jagger said. "Dr. Crowler, if you don't mind, would you please leave? I have an important meeting with them."
"I-I can stay, Chancellor." Crowler said, wanting to be part of this conversation, "After all, as Head teacher, I have a right to make important decision-"
"Get out, you lipstick wearing loser!" The older Princeton brother, Slade, yelled, "Or do you want to get in some legal troubles?"
"Aie! I-I'll leave!" With that, Crowler ran out of the room, leaving Chancellor Sheppard with the Princeton brothers. He was going to tell them to take their seats, but they did that on their own.
"So…what did he say?" Sheppard asked, his expression of that someone waiting their sentence.
The Princeton brothers smirked. "He said yes," Slade replied, crossing his arms. "We have discussed with Seto Kaiba, and he accepted our terms." Jagger added. "So now we're here to see matters with you. Not that you have a choice."
"If Kaiba said yes, then who am I to refuse?" Sheppard asked rhetorically, "After all, this academy belongs to him."
"Not for long, soon it'll be the property of the Princeton Group." Slade informed. "Just like the other academies are."
"We'll see about that," Sheppard replied, taking back his usual gentle demeanor. "The students of Duel Academy will fight against anything that threatens their home."
"Hmph." Both the Princeton brothers dismissed his words. "By the way, it's getting near, isn't it? The interscholastic tournament." Jagger announced, with a smile, as if he was looking forward to it. "Remember, if Duel Academy loses..then we'll have the rights to it." Followed Slade.
"Big if, my dear Slade Princeton. I have faith in my students." Sheppared replied.
Meanwhile, back to Konrad, he had started the duel with this mysterious individual. "Duel!" They both said outloud.
Konrad: 4000 LP
Mysterious Man: 4000 LP
"I'll go first!" Konrad said, drawing a card and looked at his hand. "So for this turn, I summon Gagagigo, in attack mode!" He said, summoning some sort of reptile man that boasted a high attack point. (ATK/ 1850 | DEF/ 1000)
"Then, I'll equip him with this! Steel Shell!" Konrad played a new card: a shell full of spikes appeared on Gagagigo's back, boosting his attack and decreasing his defense. (ATK/ 2250 | DEF/ 800)
"I end my turn." He stated, confident. (I summoned a powerful monster in my first turn. Let's see how he gets out of this own.)
"Disappointing move, but such a move is to be expected from a Slifer Red." The man said, drawing a card. "And if you think that monster is impressive, you haven't seen anything yet. This duel is already over."
"Man…if it's over, how about you finish it?" Konrad asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Gladly, I can't afford to waste anymore time with a low-level duelist like you." His opponent replied as he inserted a card into his duel disk. It was a spell card. "Abyssal Designator: I pay a thousand life points. Then, I declare a monster-type and an attribute, and my opponent will have to send one monster from their hand, or deck, to the graveyard. Are you able to keep up, pathetic fool?"
(Why would he play a card like that? To pay a thousand life point just to send a card to the graveyard isn't a really good effect.) Konrad got confused before he spoke up. "Yeah, yeah, I get it, just go ahead."
"Since you played this monster, plus with that equip card; You must be playing a deck full of WATER monsters. " The man said, pointing a finger at Konrad. "Well, yeah, anyone would have figured out." Konrad said. "In that case, send a WATER Aqua-type monster to your graveyard." The man ordered. (4000 LP – 3000 LP)
"You don't really need to say WATER; It's AQUA monsters we're talking about." Konrad commented but didn't dwell on it as he grabbed his deck and searched a suitable monster. "Alright, I'll send my Waterdragon fairy to the grave." He said as he revealed the monster card before sending it.
"Next, I summon Marauding Captain, in attack mode." The man said as a knight wielding two swords appeared. (ATK/ 1200 | DEF/ 400)
"His effect activates, When Marauding Captain is normal summoned; I can special summon a level 4 or lower monster from my hand, so I'll summon another Marauding Captain in attack mode."
"What?! Another?!" Konrad asked, as he was now seeing double and potentially, trouble. "Oh, and what's more, Marauding Captain has a second effect. When he is face-up on the field, none of my Warrior monsters can be targeted for an attack, except him." The man explained, "But since there are two of him, that means the captains themselves can't be targeted, alongside any other Warrior monster, of course. Let's see you try get out of this one."
"I will." Konrad nodded as he drew a card. He looked at his hand and more specifically, Nightmare Penguin, it was the card that allowed him to get out of the pinch in his first duel at the academy, and it was surely going to get him out of this, too."
"Alright, since I can't attack, I'll just set a monster, and a card face down." Konrad stated, "And I'll end my turn."
"My turn, and the last turn of this duel!" Mysterious man exclaimed, taking a card from his deck. "This duel was indeed a waste of time: let me end this. I activate Mystical Space Typhoon! I'll destroy that facedown card of yours." He said as a cyclone emerged from it, destroying Konrad's set card; It was Negate attack.
"No, my trap!" Konrad said, shielding himself from the typhoon. "Next, I activate my next spell card; Autonomous Action Unit. By sacrificing fifteen hundred of my life points, I can special summon a monster from your graveyard to my field, so I'll choose that monster you sent via my Abyssal Designator." (3000 LP – 1500 LP)
With that, Konrad's Waterdragon Fairy appeared on the man's side in attack mode. (ATK/ 1100 | DEF/ 700)
"Uh oh, you already have three monsters on your field…Still, none of them are stronger than my Gagagigo." Konrad stated, trying to act confident but he felt himself uneasy about what was going to come next; and for good reason.
"I'm not done. I tribute these three monsters and summon the powerful and almighty; Gilford the Lightning!" He stated as the three monsters disappeared and a lightning bolt from the skies struck in between him and Konrad and a being, a warrior emerged from it. (ATK/ 2800 | DEF/ 1400)
Konrad looked extremely shocked at this. "What?! But that card…That card is extremely rare! How did you even find one?!"
"Wouldn't you want to know?" The man asked, before clenching his hand into a fist. "Gilford's effect activates. Since I summoned him with three tributes instead of two; All monsters that you control will be destroyed. Gilford, Lightning Sword!" He ordered, with Gilford leaping high up in the air and raised his blade. Another lightning bolt appeared and struck his sword, before swinging it at Konrad's monsters and destroying them all. "Gagagigo, Nightmare Penguin! NO!" He shouted as he was defenseless.
"You are a shame as a duelist." The man said, "You have lost without so much a whimper; without putting out any shred of resistance whatsoever. And your deck- is horrible, perfect for a loser like you."
"That's not true! I can still win," Konrad said, he still had fight in him but it was slipping away. "Y-Your monster isn't strong enough to beat me this turn-"
"Monster Reborn." He said, putting the final nail in Konrad's coffin. "I summon my Marauding Captain from my grave in attack mode." He said, as Marauding Captain made his appearance for the third time this duel. The man simply crossed his arms and closed his eyes. "Attack, and finish this disgrace off."
First to attack was Marauding Captain who slashed his sword at Konrad. "Gah!" He went, taking a couple paces back as his life points decreased. (4000 LP – 2800 LP)
Then came the last blow as Konrad opened his eyes and looked Gilford glaring down at him, his sword burstling with electricity. Gilford let out a battle cry as he landed in front the slifer red and pierced his chest with the sword. Konrad did nothing but stare wide eyed, mouth agape, before falling to his knees once Gilford pulled his sword back. His duel disk bleeping until it stopped as his life points reached zero. (2800 LP – 0)
(Did…Did I really lose this pathetically? Without doing anything to change the outcome..?) Konrad wondered, disappointed with his performance in the duel, he had duel plenty of time, but never, and never, had he lost a duel this fast and easily. And also…he was crushed. Crushed by the immense gap that was between him and his opponent.
The man approached Konrad and cruelly, kicked him in the chest, throwing him on his back before he grabbed his deck from the disk and looked at it. Konrad was as stiff as a board and did nothing.
"As I thought, a mediocre deck for a mediocre duelist. I've seen enough." The man said as he threw the deck and scattered the cards on Konrad, and around him. "Begone from this place. You got off easy here, but if I see you again, I won't be so merciful next time." Were the man's last words before he left Konrad alone.
"My sight is fading…my mind feels heavy…I-I'm going to sleep." Konrad weakly muttered to himself before fading into unconsciousness.
Author's notes:
And Chapter 5 is here and with it, I am proud to say that we are entering into a story arc. Hopefully, it evolves into something nice. Keep the reviews coming, by the way, I appreciate them.
See you all next chapter.