Going Pro

Chapter 21: Las Vegas

The moment his flight landed in Las Vegas, Jesse felt something off. However, it had been a terribly long set of flights and he did not sleep well along the way. Tracking his own schedule, he knew he had plenty of time to lounge his hotel room before the event preparations were scheduled to begin. When he went outside to get a taxi cab to take him to the hotel, he noticed how hot it was. He had to take off his Academy jacket.

Luckily he got to his hotel in one of the resorts along the Strip and was checked in quickly. The first thing he did was shower and change into his tournament clothes. Then he flopped on the bed and sorted through his deck, trying to decide which supplementary spells and traps to include this time. Mirror Force was a great card, but Jesse was not a huge fan of actually using it due the nature of the effect. He put it in his deck anyway. It just wasn't his style, but he knew how others dueled sometimes.

Then he remembered to text his mother to tell her he got to the U.S. fine. An Industrial Illusions manager was supposed to come by eventually to take him to the event to get ready. He was advised to stay in his room since there were a lot of places we wasn't supposed to be in since he was still underage. That sounded boring. He didn't want to be in Las Vegas and not get to see anything. The Strip was loaded with cool things and sightseeing.

One place caught his eye in the pamphlet he picked up at the airport. The place called Caesars Palace. Even though it was just an attraction, but he still wanted to take the Crystal Beasts there while he had this opportunity.

He made sure he had his things before leaving the room, like keycard and identification, before leaving. There were a lot of people heading in all directions. It was hot too. Like the foreign tourist he was, he pulled out his pamphlet and looked at the map. He wasn't sure if how well his accent speaking English would translate to the locals if he tried to speak to them, but Caesars Palace was supposed to be really close, so there was no way he would get lost.

He got lost.

"Why am I in Venice?" Jesse wondered as he wandered through a resort that was meant to look like Venice, Italy. He wanted to be in Rome. Instead there was what appeared to be tall, elaborate buildings and even a canal with row boats visitors could ride while the rowers sang. The canal went under bridges and through tunnels. There was even an artificial sky on the ceiling. Jesse could hardly believe this was all done in an indoor resort.

Jesse continued on as he looked for a way back outside. At first he only noticed a change in scenery. At least he wasn't in Venice anymore. He was sure he got outside when he found a street car, but then he realized he was several stories up and the street car was actually a monorail.

Jesse looked at the map closely. "So I want to go one stop, down through the building, and then across the street to get to Caesars Palace." Looked simple enough, even though he wasn't sure how he ended up where he was in the first place.

"Why am I in Paris?" Jesse soon wondered as he looked at the Eiffel Tower. Frustrated, he looked at his own map wondering how he missed his stop. "That monorail must have moved too fast. Okay, this time, I'm following the street," he declared.

He would get there.

Eventually.

Part of him regretted following the street. It was so hot here compared to North Academy. With how much energy he felt like he was expending in this heat, he thought he might as well actually be walking to Rome.

"Bi-bi!" Ruby Carbuncle exclaimed to get his attention.

Jesse looked up and sighed in relief. He was finally there. So much time was wasted in just getting there, he knew there was not much time left for more than a walkthrough. The manager supposedly had his phone number in case anything came up, so if they got to his hotel early and he's still not back, he hoped they would call.

"Alright, I know it's not the real thing, but I want you guys to check it out," he said to the Crystal Beasts once he was inside.

With architecture and artwork in the resort's Roman setting, there was plenty for them to look at. People were everywhere throughout the Palace's mall. It was actually a little loud and an echo carried throughout the domes.

"Look Jesse, the strange sky in changing," Cobalt Eagle observed.

Jesse looked up and the clouds on the ceiling were slowly fading as stars appeared. "Neat," he said, but didn't stop. When he reached the other end of the mall and noticed an aquarium, he stopped to look around to find out where he was. "The rainbow dragon couldn't be in Atlantis…" Though that could explain why it was so hard to find. He wasn't so sure what kind of research he could do on the subject. His gut simply told him that wasn't the place. Not to mention, Industrial Illusions would have way more information on the subject than he ever could.

That was when a he felt a prickly sensation along the back of his neck. Jesse carefully scanned his surrounding for anyone that could be watching him. He didn't see anything, but he took it as a sign to leave. Blending into the crowd was not difficult was he returned the way he came.

"Ruby, do you remember the way back to the hotel?" Jesse asked as he looked at the street outside.

"Bi-bi!" Ruby appeared and ran ahead.

Jesse sighed. He did not feel like running in this heat, so he walked briskly instead. Ruby Carbuncle waited up for him.

Once he reached his room, he freshened up and sat down on the bed. "So what did you think, guys?"

"What a lively place," Emerald Tortoise smiled with crinkly eyes.

"Too crowded for my taste," Amber Mammoth said. Jesse gave a short chuckle.

"I like this room much better, Jesse," Amethyst Cat said as she stretched out on the bed and extended her claws through the covers. Had she been a real cat, she would have ripped right through it.

"Is it common for such places to exist so far away from their points of origin?" Topaz Tiger asked.

Jesse thought for a moment. "I am pretty sure there are tourist attractions all around the world meant to resemble other places. Tokyo Tower is meant to resemble the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and we just saw another one here, not to mention there are more."

"Really, there's that many of that thing? Human's sure are strange," Cobalt Eagle shook his head.

"Not a fan of architecture, are you?" Jesse chuckled.

When Jesse's phone chimed with a notification, he found a message stating the event manager was in the lobby. He knew he would hear from them soon, so he was glad he got back to the room with time to spare like he did. With his duel disk and other personal items ready, he got up to leave.

"Guess it's time to go," he said.

Jesse met up with a few other young duelists and they were escorted to an arena. They went over the schedule and what to expect before being ushered off into the dressing rooms to be primped to perfection for the cameras. Jesse felt like he had to have his picture take more than a dozen times as the crew collected headshots for the aftereffects for the viewers on screen.

He learned there were three parts to this event, mostly based on age. He was a part of the junior pro league group, which was the second group. The first was recent Duel Academy graduates from around the world, and the last was group were senior pros and although not world class pros, they were well known. Jesse recognized most of them. If this were a fan event, he might ask for their autographs. Jesse briefly wondered who exactly he was filling in for. Even the junior pros held faces and names he recognized.

"Hey, Jesse Anderson, right?" A tall man greeted.

"Yes," Jesse nodded.

"I'm Jordan Wright, just thought I'd introduce myself while I had the chance," he smiled and shook his hand. "I've heard rumors about you, so I expect to see you alongside the other pros someday soon," he chuckled.

Jesse smiled. "Well I hope so, someday." At the rate he was going, he knew he would get there soon, but he was polite enough to be humble.

"I'm pretty new around this crowd, so I like to get to know other duelists during these events," Jordan said.

"Sounds like a good idea, talking is better than reading duelist profiles," Jesse commented.

"You're right about that, though my profile still needs to be updated, I changed decks."

"Oh really?" Jesse tried to remember any information on his man, but couldn't recall details. Only his name and face was familiar.

"Kind of, it's still has the same base, but I worked on it a lot lately so it's like a whole new deck, and I'm still working on it, but I just can't wait to show it off," Jordan grinned.

Jesse smiled at that. "Well I will keep an eye out for it during the show, good luck," he said.

"Thanks, you too!" Jordan waved as he moved back to where he was supposed to be.

"Mr. Anderson?" The event manager called.

"Yes?" Jesse stepped forward.

"You're up, please step up to the blue duelist box," the director instructed.

Jesse did as he was told and prepared to duel. Due to language barriers, he and his opponent had to rely on translation screens off to side, causing a short lag and creating a staged feel to the duel. Not something he particularly enjoyed, but he still did his best to impress. He was vaguely aware how the duels of these events were going to be edited like crazy for television. Today was more about showmanship than skill. Once Jesse realized that, he understood why he was only a replacement duelist. Pegasus seemed to prefer when Jesse was a part of events that actually required more skill and cunning.

The duel wasn't completely staged. However, he won easily, only playing three of his beasts and dominating with their special effects and spell card combinations. He honestly didn't mean to win so easily. Maybe the televised version of the duel would be edited to look more even.

Jesse dueled five times in total, and won easily each time. He wouldn't have thought so before, but he wondered if he really was on a whole different level. Every time he didn't even get to show off all his Crystal Beasts. Overall each one got to come out at least once.

When the duels were over, he was taken to a green room and asked to summon Sapphire Pegasus and pose for some extra footage. Since he won all five of his duels, he was going to be shown a lot in the final production after all the special effects were done.

He thought it was kind of embarrassing. Jesse was no actor or model, but he tried to do his best and follow the instructions of the staff. Apparently the camera liked him, so he hoped that meant he looked cool.

When he was done, Jesse got a bottle of water and finally got to sit down again with the other duelists.

"Wow, Jesse you were on fire!" Jordan praised.

"Thanks," Jesse smiled.

"I think you should have been in the higher level with those skills, but hey, I'm sure it made you look good with that winning streak," he grinned.

Jesse hadn't thought about it like that. It certainly had made him look good and it would surely boost his reputation. "Guess so," Jesse laughed it off. "As long as the others had fun too, that's what is important today."

Jordan smiled at that. "You're a good kid," he patted Jesse's shoulder and then looked surprised. "Ah sorry it's my phone, gotta take this," he said and reached for a cell phone in his pocket.

Jesse watched Jordan walk towards the hall so he could take his call privately. He found it odd Jordan didn't return after that, but the rest of the duelists were soon set to leave when the last of the event was finished up.

When Jesse stepped outside, he was surprised to find it was dark. There were lights and people everywhere, but this was the Las Vegas strip after all. Being a minor, he was urged to return to his hotel with the others in his group the same as he arrived.

"Bi-bi?" Ruby Carbuncle caught his attention. The little spirit gestured the sky as everyone started to enter the lobby.

Jesse thought it looked like a Summoned Skull monster gliding over the building, quickly disappearing out of view. It was a famous card and highly desired by many duelists and fans around the world for once being a part of the King of Games multi-tournament winning deck. Every copy of the card was worth a lot. One with a duel spirit attached to it must be priceless. He wondered what a spirit like that was doing here.

"Ahh!" Someone cried out suddenly inside the lobby, immediately drawing Jesse's attention.

"What happened?" he called as he ran inside. He saw one of the duelists from his group, a teen girl with boyish hair sitting on the ground.

"That guy just stole my deck pouch!"

Everyone turned looked in the direction she pointed, only just in time to see someone bolt for the doors right behind him. Jesse frowned and wordlessly took after him. He wondered if it was a duel spirit trapper. Another one… If so, just how many were there?

Jesse vaguely noticed the shouts for him to return to the hotel, but he ignored it. He would accept the repercussions. Besides saving the deck, there was something he had to know, something that he had to be sure of.

There were plenty of spectators when he caught up to the thief. Jesse was obviously in much better shape than his man and was able to run ahead of him to block his path. They both stood there breathing for dreadfully long moments as Jesse stared at him.

"Jordan, why?" Jesse said sternly. "Why are you doing this?"

"I need the spirit in this deck, you wouldn't understand," he said.

Jesse's eyes narrowed. "Give it back, Jordan, you know it's wrong."

"I can't," he said.

"Please," Jesse held out his hand.

"I can't!" Jordan repeated loudly.

"Then I'm not letting you go without a fight," Jesse challenged. No duelist would back down. "Let's duel!"

Jordan sighed and watched his duel disk engage as he accepted the duel. "I knew this would happen," he muttered, but Jesse heard it.

Throughout the duel, Jesse saw no duel spirits on Jordan's side of the field. This guy did not act like a trapper. He did not give off the vibe of a thief either. There was one thing he had to admit, this guy was a decent duelist. This was definitely more on his level.

Jordan actually had him on the ropes for a while, but Jesse was ready. With a skillful combination of Ruby Carbuncle's and Sapphire Pegasus's special effects Jesse was able to pull a strong lead that Jordan was unable to recover from, so in the next turn, Sapphire Pegasus wiped out his remaining life points.

The duel lasted plenty long enough for others to catch up. Before Jordan could recover from his loss or get op off the ground, Jesse was standing close and looking down on him. "At first, I thought you were a duelist worthy of respect, so tell me, what are you trying to accomplish?"

Jordan looked around before up at Jesse. There was a clear image of shame upon his face. Jesse could not fathom the reasons behind all this.

That's when he heard it. Somewhere in the gathered crowd, a familiar laugh sent a chill up his spine. Jesse eyes went wide and searched around him fanatically, when a thought hit him like a ton of bricks. "You… you were working for him… right?"

"Him?" Jordan looked confused.

Jesse felt the impulse to use violence and had to suppress it as he held his hands in tight fists. Instead he reached for Jordan's collar, pulling up to his knees. "Where is Trapper?" He spoke slowly, ensuring Jordan would understand.

"How did you know?"

"Tell me," Jesse insisted.

"I don't know, I only met him once, he promised to help me create a stronger deck."

Displeasure was evident on Jesse's face. In fact, he was disgusted. "Do NOT tell me you thought that guy would help you…" he muttered through his teeth.

"I…I…"

"Stop, give back what you stole." Jesse's tone was level, but his body was stiff. Just the thought of that man possibly being nearby, no matter the reason, put him on edge. He had so many questions, including why Trapper would be here, but it was a question that he knew could not be answered now.

Jordon nodded and then hung his head in shame, finally presenting the deck pouch that belonged to the other junior professional duelist. Jesse took it and checked to see if the cards were inside. Luckily, they appeared to still be there, but only the owner would be able to check if all of them remained.

"You probably do not want to hear this, but listen," Jesse began. He was not normally the lecturing type, but this man and everyone around, perhaps even Trapper himself had to hear it. "I understand you must be going through a tough time, but you have no idea what those cards could mean to their duelist and what they have gone through together, it not for you to determine who needs them more no matter the reason."

"…You're right." He said it factually. "You really are a good kid," he added quietly.

Jesse turned around and returned the deck its rightful owner. There was much more discussion around him, including a scolding for going after the thief alone. Jordan was in much more serious trouble. Jesse was too busy scanning every face in the crowd. He was not allowed to find Trapper in the end and was escorted back to the hotel.

That night, Jesse tossed and turned. The duel against Jordan had not been enough to release his frustrations. He just didn't understand people like that. Who would ever agree to work with a scoundrel like Trapper? Every time he heard of the man, Jesse hated him even more. He was not normally one to hold a grudge, but Tom's despaired eyes and Jerry Beans Man distressed whimpers would forever be etched into his mind, never allowing him to forget. Jesse chose not to forgive such actions against a child and his spirit partner. Even if he wanted to forgive, he knew he could not.

Ruby Carbuncle nuzzled his hair in an attempt to comfort him.

"Sorry," Jesse said and turned over again. He wished he was stronger, and not just as a duelist. In moments like this, he could dream of being like a superhero, able to dash off into the night, find the culprit, and save the day.

He smiled at the memory of being able to outrun Jordan. Jesse did not realize he could do that. He only now wondered how fast he was going. Everything was just a blur and his sights were so focused on his target.

Jesse threw an arm over his face. "Superheroes heh, what am I thinking?" He could not exactly imagine himself in such a role.

On his way back to North Academy, Jesse received a message from Pegasus. He wanted to know what kind of information Jesse had on Jordan and Trapper. Jesse wasn't sure what he had to tell that Pegasus didn't already appear to know. But since Pegasus was very aware of duel spirits, he likely made it his business long ago to make sure things would not get out of hand regarding his company.

Jesse couldn't he sure, but he also suspected Pegasus chose him to go to the Las Vegas event because he suspected a duel spirit hunter would be there. Jesse was a shining target for them. Not that Jesse minded. He wanted them to come after him, that way he could stop them.

His mind was plagued with all these thoughts until he finally reached the Academy. His friends welcomed him back, asked about the event, and even helped him catch up on the weekend homework he had been unable to focus on. The normality put him at ease.

Chancellor Foster gave Jesse permission to skip class so he could rest, but he respectfully declined in favor of not falling behind. After sleeping very little all weekend between all the planes and the hotel, he slept like a rock when the day was finally done after that first day back at class.

After class the next day, he was called to Chancellor Foster's office again to listen to another message from Pegasus.

"This message came in yesterday," Foster explained. "Please take a seat."

Jesse sat and watched the display. "In regards to the incident that took place after the Las Vegas event, I bring you a warning along with some new decisions," Pegasus spoke with a serious expression. "I have decided that public events are compromised and I will no longer allow Mr. Anderson to be exposed as a potential target for the time being. The duel spirit hunters are increasing in number and power and until my team gets the situation under control, I would rather not put anyone at risk. Please take good care of yourself, Mr. Anderson, and I hope to bring good news next time." With that the message was over.

"Just to be clear, this doesn't mean you will no longer attend school here, we still believe North Academy to a safe place for you to reside and continue your training and studies," Chancellor Foster added.

"So I just won't be traveling for duel events for a while?"

"Yes, that is it."

"I understand, I just wish I could help," Jesse said.

"Mr. Pegasus has high hopes for you and does not want your flame to be snuffed out before it can truly burn," he said.

"Yes sir," Jesse said quietly. He understood the reasoning, but it still didn't take away a feeling of helplessness. Sure he could protect himself, he had proved that, but there must be a lot more going on out there which Jesse was not aware of and Pegasus did not want him to be aware of, at least not yet.

With a full scholarship to make the most of, he eventually decided it might not be a bad thing. There was a lot to learn. With the excellent reputation he had already gathered as a professional duelist, he wanted to get even stronger and blow everyone away with his skills the next time he will step out onto an arena.

- - - - - - - - Another Awesome Line - - - - - - - -

Author's Note:

Little bit of a delay getting his chapter up, sorry about that. I thought I'd get more stuff done during my time off for the holidays, ha, nope. I was busier than I anticipated.

Not sure how many of you are aware of the Bonds Beyond Time movie as well as the Abridged version. I couldn't resist making the reference to it since the setting was almost perfect. Venice.

The Las Vegas strip is actually pretty easy to navigate on foot. Jesse just has a special talent for getting lost in new places.

Thanks for reading and reviewing. Thank you.