Chapter Three
Promotional Exams...of DOOM!
As time went by, Jaden and Hayato eventually forgave each other fully and eventually became friends, much to the relief of Shou, Daitokuji, and most of the Osiris Red Dorm (seeing as they could hear their fighting and couldn't concentrate on homework or sleeping). Though that didn't exactly stop Hayato's teasing, but it did stop the fighting.
Jaden found out Asuka knew that she was a girl from the start having been told by Samejima to escort her around the dorms…had she been transferred from Osiris Red to Obelisk Blue, that is. During that time, Jaden found out Asuka had all kinds of dueling materials and stuff…that the gender-mistaken duelist began to borrow often. Although when the Osiris Red duelist kept borrowing the Asuka's card catalog when she needed it as well, she had no way to contact Jaden. And due to that fact, Asuka had to go all the way from her dorm, the Obelisk Blue dorms, to Jaden's dorm, the Osiris Red dorms. Thankfully, Shou managed to help them by suggesting for them to swap numbers to keep in contact.
More to the point and off that subject, Asuka was the only one aside from Hayato, Shou, and some of the Duel Academy staff that knew Jaden's true gender. It was quite a surprise seeing that it had been almost a full month (I'm making a guess and monthly exams is that guess) since she's been in Duel Academy and she had worn the different gym uniform. Either the guys are too oblivious, or they don't seem to pay attention to gym uniform much. And what was supposed to have taken a few weeks was now taking longer since Jaden still didn't get her separate room, not that she minded, of course.
A/N Of course it would've taken longer to make a room, I mean there's the design, the dimensions of the room, structure…I could go on seeing as I've had Geometry, but I won't and the chapter title is OBVIOUSLY exaggerated…sorry, but I ran out of ideas!
Aside from the 'No Assets' fiasco, as Shou calls it, the 'catalog contacts' incident, and the fact that Jaden's gender was still officially male by students' standards (pronouns didn't do any good seeing as everyone who knew her gender referred to her as male, which she also didn't mind correcting and due to that, it's been a force of habit), Academy life went through it usual ups and downs…That was until Exam Day.
A/N Cue the thunder/lightning and dramatic music…CRASH! BOOM! FLASH! *dramatic music* Excellent…eww, I feel like Mr. Burns.
As everyone studied for their exams, most were anxious seeing as these were the promotional exams where if you do well, you get promoted to a different dorm. And within that anxious majority of students, was Shou Marufuji, who, after many hours of studying and last minute studying, was so anxious, that he resorted to praying to a poster of an Egyptian God Card in his room.
Hayato, on the other hand, decided to just screw it and stay in bed. Jaden seemed to agree with that, though she was too busy sleeping to confirm her answer. Shou faced the poster of the Egyptian God Card monster (which resided by the desk) that his dorm was named after while wearing a headband with three cards in them. A Monster Reborn card stood on a small pedestal on the desk along with a lit candle each on both sides of Shou in front of the poster.
"I beseech thee…" Shou said while looking down at the small shrine he made (I call it a shrine, so live with it!). "O Duel God, depending on how I score on today's monthly test, I can get promoted from Osiris Red to Ra Yellow! This is sure to be my…Resurrection of the Dead!"
Shou clasped his hands together and closed his eyes.
"Please save poor Shou from the cemetery!" Shou said pleadingly, his voice almost cracking from anxiety. "I beg of you, please!"
A sudden loud ringing startled Shou out of his praying request to Osiris the Sky Dragon as he shrieked. He gripped the desk and turned around. He sighed when he realized it was from the alarm clock, which was standing by the side of Jaden's bunk bed, though somewhat wary.
"Oh, it's just the alarm clock…" Shou said, getting up from his seat.
Shou frowned as he walked over to Jaden, who was surprisingly still soundly asleep…even with the ringing alarm clock which happened to have been set down by her side. Shou stared at her, somewhat envious on how calm Jaden really was.
"Aniki sure is relaxed…" said Shou. "She doesn't do any studying for the test, comes back to the dorm and just sleeps away."
A/N Reason Shou refers to Jaden as 'Aniki' instead of 'Aneki' is because he mixed them up and now, due to a force of habit and not being corrected, he refers to Jaden as 'Aniki', which Jaden doesn't mind…Hey! It can happen! I sometimes mix up two of my older brothers' names with the others and since they don't correct me, I have to do it myself! It's kinda annoying and now it's somewhat a force of habit when both of them are together or sometimes on the phone! But I digress, back to the story.
Shou placed his hand on Jaden's shoulder and attempted to wake her up.
"Aniki, you're gonna be late for the test!" said Shou. "Aniki!"
Jaden turned in bed so suddenly, that Shou didn't have a chance to brace himself when she threw her hands into the air. Poor Shou was knocked back a few feet onto the floor after receiving an unintentional punch to the face from Jaden's fist.
"My turned!" Jaden yelled in her sleep. "Draw!"
Shou clenched his teeth as he elevated his back off the ground slightly. He glared at Jaden, somewhat annoyed with being knocked back.
"Geez!" exclaimed Shou. "Your turn's over! I said you're gonna be late for the test!"
Hayato, having woken up from the alarm clock and Jaden yelling in her sleep, looked down at the knocked back Shou.
"Shou, you're way too soft and I wouldn't if I were you," Hayato warned as Shou looked up to him. "Remember, she took self-defense and if she was able to do that in her sleep, then imagine what else she can do."
Shou grimaced at the thought. Apparently, at a younger age than she was now, Jaden was targeted to bullying by kids slightly older or around her age. Being the protective parent that her father was (as Jaden stated), he made Jaden take self-defense classes until he deemed her 'protected'. As Shou remembered what Jaden told him, he sweat dropped when she admitted that her bullies didn't know her exact gender…and fell back anime-style when she also added that they still didn't know.
A/N The self-defense was for a comedic affect and…I dunno what else it's for. Damn, I'm so unprepared! Please don't flame me for that!
Hayato looked at Jaden before looking back at Shou.
"The test has you compete in your own dorm in both a practical and written portion," explained Hayato. "That means all the members of Osiris Red are your enemy."
Shou looked at Hayato with disbelief.
"N-No way…my enemy?" he asked.
Hayato nodded and added, "And since she beat Professor Chronos, Jaden's especially closest to Ra Yellow out of all the Osiris Reds here."
Shou looked at Jaden as she slept before looking back up at Hayato. Hayato grinned.
"If we just leave her be and don't wake her up, we'll gain ourselves the advantage," said Hayato.
Shou glared at Hayato with daggers.
"I couldn't possibly do that to my Aniki as his otouto!" Shou snapped, attempting once again to wake Jaden up. "Aniki! Wake up, Aniki! The test is gonna start, Aniki!"
Shou scowled as his attempt failed. He stood up and started to make his way out of the room.
"Aniki… damn it!" Shou swore as he barged right out of the room. "Aniki!"
Hayato looked over at the door as Shou slammed it behind him. The koala-resembling boy sweat dropped.
~outside~
Shou ran towards the Main Academy Building, his thoughts focused on something else.
"That's right," he thought. "This is a duelist's battlefield. I have to beat them before they beat me. I'm trying to be a hard-boiled duelist!"
Shou had just run onto the pathway when he tripped and landed flat face-first. So much for trying to look epic…
~later~
Jaden dashed out of the dorm, wearing a nervous expression after realizing she slept in.
"I'm late!" yelled Jaden. "I'm late! I'm late!"
Being as fast and agile as she was, it didn't take her very long to have gotten far away from the dorm and closer to the Main Academy Building.
"I'm late!" yelled Jaden. "I'm late…and I sound like that rabbit from Alice in Wonderland!"
A/N Yeah, I kinda couldn't resist putting that in when he said it in the original (not the dub).
However, something along the way caught her eye as she ran past it. It was a woman, probably within her mid-thirties or so with brown eyes behind oval-lensed glasses and long, brown hair in a braid, trying to push a van up the slope in the path. Having past the woman in her haste, leaving a trail of dust behind, Jaden's conscious caught up to her. Sliding to a stop, Jaden turned around and looked at the woman.
Groaning in annoyance, Jaden placed her hands on her head.
"Ugh, I'm a sucker for situations like this!" lamented Jaden. "Oh, well…"
Jaden, deciding the exam could wait, ran towards the woman and proceeded to help her push the van up the slope.
"I'll give you a hand, old lady!"said Jaden.
The lady looked back at Jaden, baffled.
"You'll be late!" she said. "Don't you have a test today?"
Jaden shook her head and tightened her fists.
"So what if I'm late?" said Jaden. "I can't ignore an old lady in trouble!"
The van slid back down, dragging the lady with it. Jaden smiled nervously, seeing as it was her fault that happened, and ran after them, stopping behind the van to keep it from going any further down. The lady looked at Jaden kindly.
"Boy…" said the lady.
Jaden looked at her and grinned.
"I can handle that thing you just mentioned," said Jaden. "Just leave everything to me!"
Jaden grinned widely and laughed, helping the lady push the van up. The lady smiled as she proceeded to move the van up, with help from Jaden.
"Thanks a bunch!" she said.
Both Jaden and the lady managed to get the van moving after a few tries and proceeded to push it up the hill.
"Don't mention it," said Jaden. "We're both in a pinch, you know!"
~later within the Main Academy Building~
Everyone within the room was taking their exam…well, everyone except Shou. Shou had fallen asleep right on top of his exam.
"Aniki…" he said in his sleep. "Aniki…I'm sorry…Aniki…"
"Unforgivable!" snapped a voice. "Absolutely unforgivable!"
Shou woke up wide-eyed and turned to look at Jaden, who had her hands on her hips. She grinned at him.
"There's no point in studying to the bone just to doze off, you jerk!" said Jaden.
Shou laughed awkwardly.
"A-Aniki…" he said.
Manjoume, having been taking his exam, overheard Jaden and Shou. A vein popped out on his forehead as his eye twitched slightly. He stood up from his seat and placed his hands on his desk as he looked down at Jaden and Shou.
"You're a pest, Osiris Red!" snapped Manjoume. "Shut your trap! If you don't plan on taking the test, then beat it!"
Jaden scowled and faced Manjoume with tightened fists.
"Quit joking around!" remarked Jaden. "I came all this way! You think I'm just gonna go back?"
Having overheard everything from at the center of the room was Daitokuji. Seeing Jaden, he grinned and called out for her.
"Jaden Yuki-kun, come down here and get a testing sheet-nya!" said Daitokuji. "There's not much time left-nya!"
Jaden's expression turned from miffed to nervous. Turning around, she raised her hand into the air and answered back.
"Yes, sir!" she called out.
From within her seat, Asuka's expression was stern at Jaden's behavior as well as a few others.
"H-He's mocking us…" thought someone.
"Being thirty minutes late means she has no consideration for the written test," thought Asuka.
Daichi watched from his seat as Jaden took her test from Daitokuji.
"How could you be so negligent and yet have such considerable skills, Jaden Yuki?" Daichi thought as he watched Jaden run back up towards his seat.
An Osiris Red member scowled at Jaden.
"How did a guy like him beat Professor Chronos?" he thought.
Asuka wondered that herself.
"How…?" she thought.
A few moments later into the test, the students sitting by Jaden and Shou glared at them as they were both asleep. Laughing to himself as he watched them sleep on was Professor Chronos.
"She finished herself off on the written test, just as I suspected!" Professor Chronos said to himself as he grinned. "All that remains is the practical skills test…"
Professor Chronos laughed to himself again, his grin never leaving his face as he covered his mouth.
"I look forward to that!" he thought.
The test was over once the voice on the intercom announced it.
"In addition, the practical skills test will take place in the gymnasium at 2:00 PM!" added the intercom.
With that announced, everyone quickly rushed out of their classes to get the new cards that the store would have received today. They were like animals in a stampede as they ran out of the Main Academy Building.
Manjoume straightened out his test papers as his two groupies, Taiyou and Raizou, walked up to him.
"Let's hurry!" said Raizou. "We have to hurry up!"
Manjoume looked over his papers.
"I know," he said.
Manjoume's groupies ran out of the room to go check out the new cards. With that, the whole room was nearly empty save for Jaden, Shou, and Daichi, who was trying to wake them up.
"Hey, you two!" said Daichi. "Wake up! The test is already over!"
Shou immediately woke up wide-eyed and stood up in his seat at the same time. After a few seconds, a stream of tears ran down his cheeks as his spirits sank low and he shrugged.
"Now I've done it…why did I even study?" Shou sighed in depression.
Jaden woke up a few seconds ago and overheard Shou. She lifted her head from her desk and grinned at Shou with her eyes closed.
"Don't sweat it," reassured Jaden. "The skills test this afternoon is where it counts."
With that said, Jaden set her head back down on her desk. Shou looked around in the room and noticed how empty it was.
"Huh?" said Shou. "Where is everyone?"
Jaden lifted her head from her desk and stood up.
"Is it lunchtime already?" she asked.
Daichi answered that question for Jaden.
"They're at the store," answered Daichi. "They're getting a large quantity of brand new cards during the lunch break, after all."
Shou went wide-eyed as he looked astonished.
"H-Huh!" exclaimed Shou. "A large shipment of cards?"
Daichi grinned and held out his hand.
"Everybody went down there to buy some, trying to reinforce their decks for the practical skills test this afternoon," explained Daichi.
"W-What about you, Misawa-kun?" asked Shou.
Daichi kept grinning.
"I'm confident in my deck as it is," he said. "I don't need any new cards."
Shou looked at Jaden.
"W-What about you, Aniki?" asked Shou.
Jaden blinked.
"I'm…really interested!" Jaden exclaimed wearing big grin. "I've just gotta see what kind of cards they've got!"
Jaden dashed out, calling after Shou to follow. Daichi watched as Jaden and Shou ran out of the room.
~meanwhile~
At the store, students were banging their fists on the overhead door that prevented them from entering. Most were impatient to see the new cards and were shouting for the store to open.
"Open up!" they yelled. "Open up! Hurry up and show us the rare cards!"
The sounds of cars screeching as they came to a stop followed by men wearing the same uniform and holding the same baton made everyone stop what they were doing and look back. Everyone looked wide-eyed at the men.
"Who are they!" they yelled.
The men surrounded the students and ordered them to step back. Afterwards, the men lined up in two separate lines facing each other on the opposite sides. A man in a white uniform walked in the middle of them carrying a suitcase.
"What you guys want…" he said, holding up the suitcase with a big grin. "…is right in here!"
The students cheered and clapped as the man lifted up the overhead door to enter the store. Before entering, the man looked at the students.
"And we're selling them…right now," he said, walking into the store.
The students all smiled widely and ecstatically.
"At last, the rare cards are…" said everyone.
The overhead door was opened up fully, revealing an opened suitcase set on a table with a small package within the suitcase that said…'Sold'. The students fell back anime-style as they wailed.
"…not here!" they wailed. "What is the meaning of this!"
The counter girl gestured at the man in the black trench coat standing by the empty suitcase.
"This person has purchased them all," she said.
The students looked at the guy as he held up his hand.
"I have already paid the price in full," he said.
Outbursts and complaints filled the room as the students glared daggers at the man who purchased the cards.
"That's low!" said someone.
"Hogging them all to yourself, huh!" said another.
"You fiend!" added someone else.
~meanwhile~
Jaden and Shou dashed out of the door as they made their way to the store.
"Hurry!" said Jaden. "Hurry!"
"Wait for me!" said Shou.
Both Osiris Reds slid to a stop and noticed the store was completely empty…save for the counter girl.
"What happened…?" asked Jaden.
"If no one's here…" said Shou.
Jaden and Shou looked at each other worriedly.
"Does that mean they've been bought already!" they exclaimed.
Jaden and Shou ran towards the counter.
"Granny!" yelled Jaden. "Granny!"
The lady at the counter turned and glared at Jaden, who smiled nervously.
"Uh…miss," corrected Jaden. "Where are the new cards?"
The lady at the counter's expression softened, seeing as Jaden just made a mistake. Both Jaden and Shou stopped by the counter.
"Well, there were a lot of students here to buy cards…" she explained, sliding down a green package onto the counter to show them. "…and this is the only one we have left."
Shou and Jaden looked at the package with shock.
"Huh!" they both exclaimed. "J-Just one!"
Shou looked at Jaden with concern.
"What should we do, Aniki?" Shou asked Jaden, his expression turning anxious. "We bombed the written test, so if we can at least beef up our decks for the practical part…"
Jaden waved her arms in front of herself as she smiled at Shou.
"It's okay," she said. "You buy it, Shou."
Shou looked at Jaden awestruck.
"You're letting me have it?" asked Shou. "It's the very last pack!"
"It's fine," said Jaden.
Shou frowned.
"But Aniki, today's a really big test!" said Shou. "And we're both mutual enemies, too…"
Jaden opened her eyes and looked at Shou perplexed.
"Enemies?" she said questioningly. "Why?"
Shou kept his frown as he explained.
"Well, you see…" he said.
Jaden cut Shou off as she surprised him with a wide grin.
"Still, there's still some time left until the skills test!" said Jaden. "Let's hurry up and get working on our decks!"
Shou's eyes began to water at Jaden's generosity.
"Aniki…" said Shou.
"Wait just a minute there!" said a voice.
Shou, Jaden, and the counter lady turned to see an older lady walk up to them. Jaden smiled, recognizing the lady as the one she helped out earlier.
"Ah, it's Granny from this morning!" said Jaden.
The older lady looked at Jaden kindly.
"It's not 'Granny'," she said. "Call me 'Tome'."
Tome winked at Jaden as she enunciated her name.
"To-me!" said Tome.
Jaden smiled at Tome.
"So, you work at the store, Tome-san, huh?" said Jaden.
Shou looked at Jaden questioningly.
"Do you know her, Aniki?" asked Shou.
Jaden scratched the side of her head idly with her finger.
"For certain reasons, I guess," she said.
Tome waved at Jaden to catch her attention.
"That aside, come on over here," said Tome.
Both Jaden and Shou looked at Tome, who was covering her mouth as she giggled.
"I've got something that's very nice, ma'am," she said, giggling a little harder.
Jaden looked at Tome perplexed, as did Shou and especially the counter girl.
"How'd you know?" asked Jaden.
Tome waved her hand as she giggled.
"Daitokuji mentioned your late arrival," explained Tome. "I already knew about your gender misconception, and I put two and two together, so you must be Jaden."
Jaden nodded as Tome smiled and motioned at the gender-mistaken girl.
"Now come here," said Tome.
~meanwhile~
Manjoume and his groupies walked together as they explained to him about the cards.
"Who was that guy?" asked Taiyou. "How dare he buy up all those cards…"
Raizou nodded in agreement.
"We weren't able to buy a single thing…" he groused. "What'll we do about this afternoon's test?"
Manjoume stopped walking, his groupies doing likewise.
"Just keep calm," said Manjoume. "You don't need to stock up on any new cards just for some dumb monthly test."
Manjoume looked at the two boys, his expression calm.
"There's nobody in Obelisk Blue who can beat me, anyway," said Manjoume.
"But what if your opponent was Jaden Yuki?" asked a voice.
Manjoume turned, scowling at the mention of that name.
"What?" he said.
Manjoume and his groupies looked at a man in a black trench coat standing at the top of the steps.
"Can you beat Jaden with your deck as it is?" the man asked.
Manjoume's groupies scowled at the man, recognizing him as the one who bought all the cards.
"You're the one…who bought up all the cards!" said Taiyou.
"Those cards are all…right here!" the man exclaimed, opening his trench coat to reveal an array of cards lined up on the inside of the coat.
Both Taiyou and Raizou gasped.
"Who are you?" asked Raizou.
"What's the point in buying up all those cards?" asked Taiyou.
The man laughed.
"Still clueless, Signore Manjoume?" asked the man. "As to…who I really am!"
The man had taken off his trench coat and hat, revealing him to be…Professor Chronos.
"It's the guy who lost to Jaden Yuki, Professor Chronos!" said Raizou.
Professor Chronos fell back anime-style and recovered quickly.
"A dropout boy like Jaden Yuki must be crushed by elites such as yourselves before it's too late," Professor Chronos said as he pointed at Manjoume. "That's why I'm instructing you to do it! Fight against Jaden!"
"But the practical test is conducted between members of the same dorm!" said Manjoume.
"Leave everything to me!" said Professor Chronos. "And we'll make that Dropout Boy remember that we elites are the rare ones around here!"
Professor Chronos laughed.
~later~
The expression Jaden showed was priceless to Professor Chronos after he explained who she was dueling.
"Why am I dueling Manjoume?" asked Jaden.
Professor Chronos walked up to Jaden and Manjoume.
"Since you scored so well on the entry exam (obviously sarcasm), you wouldn't match up evenly against any Osiris Red student," Professor Chronos explained as he pointed at Manjoume. "Which is why we have judged that Signore Manjoume is a much more suitable opponent for you… Of course, if you win, you will be promoted to Ra Yellow."
A bead of sweat rolled down the side of Jaden's face as she looked at Manjoume. Manjoume leered at her, enjoying the fact that she was slightly nervous.
"So, how does that sound to you, Jaden Yuki-kun?" Professor Chronos asked, putting emphasis on the 'kun'."
Jaden looked fiercely at Professor Chronos as she realized that he was using her gender misconception as an insult. Grinning inwardly, Jaden decided to take up on the offer as everyone within the gymnasium watched with eager fascination. Shou was by all means surprised with what was going on.
"I knew that Aniki was awesome," he thought.
Standing next to Shou, was Daichi, who watched what was going on below with a serious expression.
"If Jaden wins, he'll be in the same dorm I am," thought Daichi. "He just enrolled here and already he's…"
"Fine by me!" exclaimed Jaden.
This caught everyone by surprise in the gymnasium, especially Daichi, whose expression was astonished as Jaden continued on.
"I want to duel against all kinds of people," Jaden stated, holding up her fist as she grinned. "I want to take on challenges, no matter who they're from!"
Professor Chronos grinned.
"Then, you'll accept the duel with Signore Manjoume?" asked Professor Chronos.
Manjoume smirked at Jaden, amused with her reaction.
"All right," said Manjoume. "I'm going to settle what we started before."
"Yeah!" he and Jaden exclaimed.
Both duelists placed their decks within their duel disks as Professor Chronos ran away from them as the duel began.
"Duel!" they said.
Jaden:
LP
4000
"Let's go, Manjoume!" said Jaden.
Manjoume:
LP
4000
"That's Manjoume-san!" snapped Manjoume.
Jaden ignored Manjoume and reached for her deck.
"I'll go first," Jaden said, drawing a card. "Draw!"
A 'kuri kuri' sound was made and Jaden knew who it immediately was. Looking at her card, she smiled at the winged fur ball.
"So it's you, Winged Kuriboh?" asked Jaden.
Smirking at Manjoume, Jaden felt reassured.
"Partner…you coming out right from the jump is reassuring," thought Jaden. "In that case, I'll…"
Jaden held up her card as she exclaimed, "I'll summon Elemental Hero Clayman in defense mode!"
The golem-like Elemental Hero appeared on the field in a defensive stance.
DEF 2000
Everyone except Manjoume was surprised with Jaden's actions.
"I end my turn," said Jaden.
Manjoume laughed quietly at Jaden's actions.
"Your worthless Hero deck full of smallfries…" said Manjoume. "I'll show you just how fragile you are!"
Jaden's smile ceased as Manjoume called out his turn.
"Draw!" said Manjoume.
Manjoume smirked at Jaden's changed expression and the fact that the card he drew was the one he got from Professor Chronos.
"And already, it's a rare card I got from Professor Chronos…" thought Manjoume. "I activate the spell card, Magical Mallet!"
Jaden clenched her teeth as she prevented herself from gasping. Like hell she was going to show Manjoume what he expected her to do. However, the same could not go to her vocal reaction.
"What!" she exclaimed.
Manjoume smirked and began his explanation.
"By shuffling this card, along with any cards I don't want in my hand, back into my deck…I'll draw that many new cards!" explained Manjoume. He looked at all four cards in his hand and smirked. "And now, I'll…"
Shou gasped.
"Huh?" exclaimed Shou. "He's going to replace all four cards!"
Daichi, keeping his expression neutral and serious, explained to Shou, Manjoume's intentions.
"If you can drop any cards from your hand you don't want and replace them…your chances of getting the cards you want into your hand gets higher," said Daichi.
"What's more, Magical Mallet isn't a one-time use card," said Manjoume. "Since it'll keep returning to my deck, it'll keep going right back into my hand."
As if to prove his point, Manjoume drew one card and showed it to Jaden. Jaden's eyes widened as she gasped. It was Magical Mallet.
"No way…" thought Jaden.
Smirking, Manjoume activated Magical Mallet again.
"I'll return Magical Mallet and another card into my deck and draw two cards again!" Manjoume said, holding up a card he drew. "Come forth! I summon V-Tiger Jet in attack mode!"
A huge, tiger-like jet appeared on the Manjoume's side of the field.
ATK 1600
However, Manjoume's turn was far from over.
A/N Yeesh, this is gonna be a long one. Curse you Manjoume and your uber long turns!
"Next, from my hand, I activate the continuous spell card, Frontline Base!" said Manjoume.
At that moment, Jaden cursed mentally after hearing the word 'continuous'.
"Let's see what Manjoume has in mind…" thought Jaden.
"Once each turn, I can special summon a Level-4 or below monster from my hand!" explained Manjoume. "And this turn, I'll special summon W-Wing Catapult in attack mode!"
Jaden clenched her teeth as a blue, plane-like monster appeared on Manjoume's side of the field.
"Gentlemen start your engines," said Manjoume. "Now merge!"
W-Wing Catapult and V-Tiger Jet flew up into the air and merged with each other by connecting to one another (V-Tiger on top, W-Wing Catapult on bottom).
"VW-Tiger Catapult!" said Manjoume.
ATK 2000
Manjoume's turn was interrupted by something that annoyed him to no end…a loud yawn from Jaden. Jaden closed her eyes and opened her mouth wide, covering it with her hand, as she yawned loudly, tears welding up in her eyes. As she rubbed her eyes, Manjoume glared at her with daggers.
"Think you're funny, huh?" said Manjoume.
Jaden blinked and stared at VW-Tiger Catapult.
"Holy Ra, when did that get there?" exclaimed Jaden.
Everyone within the gymnasium (after sweat dropping) swore they could've seen the red rage emanating from Manjoume (ironic, ain't it?) as a vein popped out on his forehead. However, he quickly calmed down after seeing the look on Jaden's face.
"Shocked, are you, Jaden?" Manjoume asked, smirking at Jaden. "However, my turn has far from ended yet."
Jaden clenched her teeth and growled.
"Oh, c'mon!" said Jaden. "You're like Safer Sephiroth when he's using Super Nova! The only difference is you're missing the badass soundtrack and the fact that this is going way over two to three minutes!"
Manjoume didn't know whether to take that as a compliment or insult (hey, he was just compared with one of the ultimate badass villains in video game history). He decided to do the most obvious thing anyone would do in a situation like his…ignore Jaden.
"Next, I activate VW-Tiger Catapult's special effect!" said Manjoume.
"That's not good," said Jaden.
Manjoume smirked.
"By discarding a card in my hand, it switches an opponent's monster into attack mode!" said Manjoume.
Jaden's eyes widened.
"What?" exclaimed Jaden. "Aw, crap…"
Shou and Daichi were surprised as Jaden was.
"No fair!" said Shou. "If his 800-ATK Clayman gets hit with an attack…"
Manjoume laughed as Clayman switched from his defensive stance to an offensive one. The card underneath Clayman shattered into multiple pieces as Manjoume made his next move.
"Here I go, Jaden!" said Manjoume. "VW-Tiger Missiles, fire! Eradicate Clayman!"
Missiles were launched from VW-Tiger Catapult and aimed right where Clayman was. One of the missiles hit Clayman while the others around Jaden, covering her side of the field in smoke while Clayman was destroyed.
Jaden:
LP
2800
Once the smoke cleared, Jaden stared at her now empty field. Shou looked at her with concern.
"Aniki!" said Shou.
Watching the duel from above in a different room, were Professor Chronos and Samejima. Professor Chronos grinned as he pressed his hands against the glass to support himself as he got a closer look at the duel.
"Bravo!" he said. "Signore Manjoume has certainly mastered the tactics he's added in to their fullest!"
Samejima watched the duel closely as Manjoume placed a card face down to finish his turn. Jaden clenched her teeth and swung her arm.
"That's nothing!" said Jaden. "The duel has just begun…literally no thanks to your long turns, Safer Sephiroth!"
Manjoume scowled at Jaden, whom ignored him as she reached for her deck.
"Here goes…draw!" Jaden said, drawing a card. "I summon Elemental Hero Sparkman in defense mode!"
Sparkman appeared on the field with a somewhat glamorous entrance before taking a defensive stance.
DEF 1400
"I place a card face-down to end my turn," said Jaden.
Shou looked at Jaden surprised.
"Huh?" said Shou. "Defense mode isn't like Aniki at all…"
"With what he's facing at 2000 ATK, it must be the only thing he can do," said Daichi.
Shou looked at Daichi.
"B-But…" he said.
Asuka, somewhere within the gymnasium, looked at Jaden concerned.
"Jaden, this can't be all you've got…" thought Asuka.
Jaden grinned at Manjoume.
"Your turn, Safer Sephiroth!" said Jaden.
Manjoume scowled.
"Quit it with that!" snapped Manjoume.
Jaden grinned.
"Make me, mother lover," said Jaden. "If ya can, that is."
A/N Sephiroth loves his mommy…even though Jenova isn't his mother. Dammit Lucrecia! All because of a stupid experiment…
Manjoume drew a card and looked at it, smirking afterwards.
"Try me," Manjoume said, playing the card. "I summon X-Head Cannon in attack mode! Next, with the effect of the continuous spell card, Frontline Base, I special-summon Z-Metal Tank!"
With X-Head Cannon (ATK 1800) and Z-Metal Tank (ATK 1500) on the field with VW-Tiger Catapult, Jaden looked at them, astonished.
"Y-You couldn't…!" said Jaden.
Manjoume's smirk widened.
"As I said before, try me," said Manjoume.
Shou and Bastion looked at Manjoume's monsters agape.
"Since he has X and Z, that means the only card left is…!" said Shou.
"Reverse card, open!" Manjoume said, his face-down card turning up. "I can use Call of the Living Dead's effect to revive a Monster card from my graveyard! And that monster is…"
A red, robotic-like dragon appeared on the field.
"It's Y!" exclaimed Shou.
Daichi clenched his teeth.
"T-This is bad!" said Daichi.
Jaden looked up and spotted Daichi. She was already anxious enough… she didn't need anyone pointing the worst out.
"Not helping!" exclaimed Jaden.
Daichi jolted and looked down nervously. Manjoume noticed Jaden's anxiety and continued on.
"Here we go, Jaden!" said Manjoume. "I combine X, Y, and Z together!"
As the said monsters merged together, Jaden snorted and placed her hands by her mouth's sides and whispered/shouted at Manjoume.
"Safer Sephiroth!" echoed Jaden. "Watch out for Cloud's Omnislash!"
A vein popped on the side of Manjoume's forehead.
"Shut the hell up!" snapped Manjoume.
Everyone within the gymnasium looked at the field agape.
"There are two monsters on the field with an ATK of 2000 or higher…" said Daichi. "Does Jaden have any chance of winning?"
Jaden clenched her teeth as she tried to calm down…however, Manjoume prevented that.
"There's more!" said Manjoume.
Jaden gasped and growled.
"Nobody…say…a word!" yelled Jaden. "That means you two, Daichi, Shou!"
Daichi and Shou clamped up and blushed slightly in embarrassment.
"I'm not done yet!" said Manjoume. "I'm going to use my VW-Tiger Catapult and my XYZ-Dragon Cannon (ATK 2800) for a combination summon again!"
Jaden growled through her clenched teeth.
"Again?" said Jaden.
XYZ-Dragon Cannon and VW-Tiger Catapult flew into the air and combined with one another, forming into a huge, bipedal-monster (A/N Transformers anyone?).
ATK 3000
"This is my V-to-Z Dragon Catapult Cannon!" said Manjoume.
Jaden, as well as the rest of her friends, looked at V-to-Z Dragon Catapult Dragon agape in shock.
"And V-to-Z's special ability activates!" said Manjoume.
A small whirlwind surrounded Jaden's Sparkman and caused him to disappear. Jaden gasped at the lost of her Elemental Hero.
"Sparkman…!" said Jaden.
Jaden looked at Chazz and V-to-Z Dragon Catapult Cannon slightly intimidated. Manjoume noticed this and was amused.
"A pity, isn't it, Jaden?" asked Manjoume. "V-to-Z is able to remove an opponent's card once per turn. Taste and savor it. The sadness of the one who has nothing…"
Jaden clenched her teeth and growled.
"Are you even done yet, Aerith-murderer!" snapped Jaden.
Something within Manjoume snapped.
"That's it!" said Manjoume. "Your life points are mine!"
~meanwhile with Samejima and Chronos~
Professor Chronos watched the duel eagerly.
"This is simply the best!" said Professor Chronos. "That dropout boy will be dropping any moment now!"
~back to the duel~
"V-to-Z, attack that player directly!" said Manjoume.
Jaden grinned.
"Heh, you fell for it…" said Jaden. "Reverse Trap, open! A Hero Emerges!"
Professor Chronos, watching the match, pressed his face against the glass.
"What?" he said.
Manjoume was taken aback with Jaden's sudden resilience and trap card.
"A Hero what?" said Manjoume.
Jaden grinned at Manjoume.
"A Hero Emerges…and you say you're the top best in your class?" asked Jaden.
Manjoume scowled as Jaden laughed a bit.
"Here goes!" said Jaden. "You have to choose a card from my hand and if it's a monster, I get to play it."
Jaden closed her eyes and smiled at Manjoume as she held up her finger.
"C'mon and choose, Manjoume!" said Jaden.
Manjoume growled at Jaden's cheery voice, but found it slightly cute. Eyes widening, he killed whatever thought within his mind made him think that.
"It's Manjoume-san!" corrected Manjoume. "The leftmost card!"
Jaden opened her eyes and moved her right hand over her card. She froze, causing Manjoume to smirk.
"What's wrong?" asked Manjoume. "Not what you expected?"
Jaden shook her head and…laughed.
"My left or your left?" asked Jaden.
Everyone watching the duel (including Manjoume) fell back anime-style from Jaden's question. Manjoume recovered and growled at Jaden.
"Your left, you idiot!" said Manjoume.
Jaden laughed awkwardly as she rubbed the back of her head. She looked over at the leftmost card in her deck and made a serious face as she picked it.
"Lucky!" said Jaden. "I summon Elemental Hero Burstinatrix in defense mode!"
The fire-manipulating and only woman among the Elemental Heroes (A/N That's what it says on her card!) appeared on Jaden's side of the field in a defensive stance. Manjoume smirked.
DEF 800
"I won't let it be in defense mode!" said Manjoume. "When V-to-Z attacks, the monster's battle mode is completely up to me!"
Jaden growled.
"Just get on with it, One-Winged Angel Menace!" snapped Jaden.
Manjoume growled.
"That is it!" said Manjoume. "Your life points are mine and there are no more cards on your field to help you this time! V-to-Z! Ultimate Destruction!"
Burstinatrix stood up from her defensive stance into her offensive one (ATK 1200). She yelled in pain from the laser shots shot at her from V-to-Z. Jaden braced herself from the life point-reducing attack.
Jaden:
LP
1000
Shou looked concerned at Jaden whilst Professor Chronos laughed.
"Aniki!" said Shou.
Manjoume smirked.
"I end my turn," he said. "Once again, you're totally exposed."
Jaden's face turned red as she yelped and covered herself as she looked herself over.
"Where?" yelled Jaden.
Manjoume sweat dropped. Jaden took him seriously…in a different way. He growled and stomped his foot.
"Not in that way, you Square Enix-villain-referring dropout!" snapped Manjoume. "I meant your field!"
Jaden blinked and laughed awkwardly as she rubbed the back of her head.
"Ehehe…" said Jaden. "By the way…nice comeback."
Manjoume growled and ignored Jaden.
"You don't have a single monster on your field," said Manjoume.
Jaden crossed her arms and diverted her eyes on something else.
"Tell me something I don't know!" said Jaden. "Now shut up and let me have my turn! And that's not a request! It's an order, you Jenova-loving 1st class SOLDIER!"
Manjoume was taken aback with Jaden's outburst, though he glared at her because of the Sephiroth reference. Jaden ignored his glare and reached for her deck.
"I…believe in my deck," said Jaden. "As long as there are monsters that'll fight by my side until the very end in here, I'll keep on fighting! Draw!"
Jaden picked out a card and looked at it, gasping as realized what it was.
"T-This is…" thought Jaden.
~flashback~
Tome giggled as she called Jaden over.
"Come on over here…I nabbed this for you!" Tome said as she held out a green packet. "This is my thanks for helping me push my car. Because I thought an Osiris Red fellow like you probably doesn't have a single rare card!"
Jaden looked astonished at the packet presented to her.
~end of flashback~
A 'kuri kuri' brought Jaden out of her flashback. Bring her cards closer to herself, she spotted Winged Kuriboh.
"Winged Kuriboh, do you sense something?" Jaden asked her partner.
Winged Kuriboh responded with a 'kuri kuri'. Jaden nodded.
"If you insist, I'll bet everything on this card!" Jaden said, playing her card. "I summon Winged Kuriboh in defense mode!"
The green-pawed, brown-furred furball with wings appeared on the field looked at the opposite side of the field with his big, brown eyes.
DEF 200
About most of the female population residing in the gymnasium all squealed over Winged Kuriboh.
"Cu~tie!" they squealed.
Hearts were literally floating around in the air from the girls, and Manjoume had to wave his arm about to get rid of them since Jaden decided to blow the hearts in her directions at him. Shou and Daichi stared at the squealing girls next to them.
A/N Let it be known, Winged Kuriboh will get you chicks. XD
Jaden placed a face-down card and finished her turn. She fixed her gaze on Winged Kuriboh and inwardly squealed. Shou stared at Jaden, concerned with her choice.
"Defense mode, again…" said Shou. "Have you run out of options, Aniki?"
Asuka, expression surprised, overheard Syrus.
"No, that Winged Kuriboh is his option!" she thought.
"My turn," said Manjoume. "Draw!"
Manjoume drew a card and smirked at Jaden.
"It's useless!" said Manjoume. "Even if that annoying furball that reduces battle damage to 0 is there, V-to-Z's special effect will remove it!"
Jaden clenched her teeth.
"Then just try!" said Jaden.
Manjoume grinned.
"With pleasure," he said. "Wipe out that Winged Kuriboh, and then attack Jaden directly! Ultimate Destruction!"
Shou and Daichi stared at Jaden wide-eyed.
"Jaden's done for!" said Shou. "Winged Kuriboh won't last a second against it!"
"Not helping!" yelled Jaden.
Shou clamped up again and watched in horror as V-to-Z shot at Winged Kuriboh with its laser.
"Here it is, Partner!" said Jaden. "I sacrifice two cards and play…Transcendent Wings."
Professor Chronos exclaimed in astonishment at the surprise attack.
"What?" said Professor Chronos.
Winged Kuriboh's wings elongated and outstretched themselves as the laser hit him. The laser has absolutely no affect. This shocked Manjoume, his eyes widening.
"W-What's happening?" asked Manjoume.
Jaden grinned.
"Thanks to Transcendent Wings, Winged Kuriboh evolves!" said Jaden. "Now, Winged Kuriboh's a Level-10!"
Everyone watching the duel gasped at Winged Kuriboh's sudden appearance change.
"His effect lets him sacrifice himself to destroy all monsters in attack mode…dealing their ATK as damage to the opposing player!" explained Jaden.
Manjoume's eyes widened as he stared awestruck at Jaden. Jaden wagged her finger at Manjoume as she winked, sticking out her tongue at him.
"Nyah~!" said Jaden. "Bet you didn't expect that!"
Despite being shocked, what Jaden just did was without a doubt, cute. As everyone (about half of the male population in the gym and Manjoume) killed that thought violently before burning it to a crisp for good measures, it was replaced with an even more fitting and less-flustering word…immature. Jaden grinned inwardly at catching Manjoume off guard and directed her attack at him.
"Now, Winged Kuriboh, send all that energy right back at him!" said Jaden.
The laser's blue energy surrounded Winged Kuriboh in a sphere. He used his wings to send it back at V-to-Z.
"Kuri kuri!" yelled Winged Kuriboh.
V-to-Z was immediately destroyed, making Manjoume lose 3000 of his life points.
Manjoume:
LP
1000
Manjoume scowled at Jaden.
"I end my turn," he said.
"Manjoume!" said Jaden.
Manjoume gasped and looked at Jaden.
"Now our life points are at 1000 a piece," said Jaden. "But it'd be interesting if I draw a monster with an ATK of 1000 or higher, wouldn't it?"
Manjoume scowled at Jaden.
"What crap are you spewing?" snapped Manjoume. "As if it'd be that simple!"
Jaden grinned at Manjoume, her hand by her deck.
"But it'd be interesting if I draw one, wouldn't it?" asked Jaden. "My turn. Draw!"
Jaden stared at her card and held it up.
"I summon Elemental Hero Avian in attack mode!" said Jaden.
ATK 1000
Elemental Hero Avian appeared on the field, shocking Professor Chronos and Shou with his appearance.
"And I attack the player directly!" said Jaden. "Go, Avian!"
The wind manipulating Elemental Hero flew straight at Manjoume and slashed at him. Manjoume fell onto the ground on his knees, gritting his teeth from the attack.
Manjoume:
LP
0
Shou watched astonished before breaking into a wide smile and cheering like the rest of the students.
"You did it!" yelled someone.
Shou jumped up and pumped his fist into the air, his grin never leaving his face.
"You did it, Aniki!" said Shou.
Professor Chronos stared at the outcome of the duel with disbelief. Samejima had his hands on his hips.
"To have that many rare cards and lose…" said Professor Chronos.
Samejima stared at Professor Chronos and grinned.
"It appears that there were grounds for her beating you, Professor Chronos," said Samejima.
Professor Chronos froze and began to walk out of the room.
"You really must excuse me!" said Professor Chronos.
Chuckling, Samejima stared at Jaden as she made her hand gesture by extending her index and middle finger in a quick salute and winked.
"Gotcha!" she said. "That sure was a fun duel!"
Manjoume was still on the ground from his loss. He looked up at Jaden and glared at her with daggers.
"Jaden…" said Manjoume.
Jaden kept smiled as Shou and Daichi ran up to him.
"Hey!" shouted Shou. "Hey, Aniki!"
Jaden looked back at Shou and Daichi. Suddenly, Samejima spoke on the intercom.
"You have shown me, Jaden Yuki," said Samejima. "Your trust in your deck, your passionate friendship with your monsters…and most importantly, a dueling soul that never gives up in a fight… These are things I'm sure everyone here has acknowledged. So, as the winner, Yuki-kun, you are…being promoted to Ra Yellow!"
The crowed congratulated Jaden for her promotion. Jaden rubbed the back of her head and yelped slightly when Shou jumped and grabbed her around the waist, giving her a hug.
"You're incredible!" said Shou. "You're just awesome, Aniki! You've overwhelm me!"
Jaden laughed and smiled.
"Aren't I though?" said Jaden.
Daichi placed his hand on Jaden's shoulder, causing her to look up.
"Jaden Yuki, congratulations, and welcome to Ra Yellow," said Daichi.
Holding out his hand, Daichi smiled at Jaden. Jaden smiled and took his hand.
"Yeah!" said Jaden.
Daichi pulled Jaden closer to himself and ruffled her hair.
"Sorry, but I've wanted to do that for a while," said Daichi.
Jaden smiled and laughed as confetti was thrown down from the ceiling. The students cheered for Jaden. As Jaden laughed, Shou stared at her with awe and happiness.
"So, now, Aniki is an official Ra Yellow student," thought Shou. "It's gonna be lonely being separated from my Aniki, but…I suppose this is for the best."
Jaden waved to everyone as they clapped for her.
"Congratulations, Aniki…" thought Shou. "Congratulations!"
~later in the Osiris Red dorm~
Shou had just explained to Hayato what had happened.
"Pretty strange…" said Hayato. "There's no way a guy could switch from Osiris Red so quickly, after all."
Hayato stared at Shou, who was sitting by the desk, from his bed.
"That may be, but Aniki's already off in Ra Yellow…" said Shou. "And remember, Aniki's a girl."
"Then why don't you call her 'Aneki'?" asked Hayato.
"Force of habit," said Shou. "She doesn't mind."
A/N Told ya.
The door suddenly opened and the person Shou least expected to come back entered.
"'Sup, guys!" said Jaden.
Shou stood up from his seat, ecstatic though surprised at the sight of Jaden.
"'Sup…guys…?" repeated Shou. "What're you doing here?"
Jaden had her hands on her hips.
"Why am I here?" asked Jaden. "This is my room, ya know! Well…for a few more weeks, it is, but I digress."
Jaden shrugged.
"Where's the harm in me coming back to my room?" she asked, grinning and placing her hands on her hips. "That's right! I like it here!"
Jaden threw her hands into the air.
"I like Osiris Red, the same red as seething flames, boiling blood…er, and fervent zeal!" said Jaden. "I never ever plan on leaving!"
For some reason, something within Shou was overjoyed at that statement. To show it, Shou ran towards Jaden.
"Aniki!" said Shou.
Shou wrapped his arms around Jaden's waist and hugged her tightly as he cried in happiness. Jaden's eyes widened as she found it rather surprising for Shou to be this close to her and not to mention, this emotional.
"You dummy!" said Jaden. "Let go of me, Shou! You're smothering me!"
Shou looked up at Jaden with water eyes.
"I'm so happy, Aniki!" sobbed Shou. "To think that we still get to stay together!"
Shou buried his face within Jaden's chest, unintentionally causing her to blush.
"Hey!" said Jaden.
Shou tightened his hug as he continued to cry.
"Please, just let me cry for today!" he said.
"You're in my personal bubble and pressing against my chest!" Jaden said, pushing Shou's head away from her.
Shou's tears streamed out of his eyes he kept his hold on Jaden.
"Aniki!" said Shou. "I'm going to follow you forever!"
Jaden, beginning to get a bit freaked out, tried to pull Shou off.
"Aah!" said Jaden. "Back off! This is too awkward!"
Shou ignored Jaden as he cried.
"Aniki!" said Shou. "I'm going to follow you forever!"
Jaden continued to push Shou away.
"I don't care if you'll follow me, just back off!" said Jaden. "May I remind you, I'm a girl and this…this is just too awkward!"
Jaden couldn't help but laugh. She laughed so hard, she was to tears as she realized how she was reacting.
"Haha!" she said. "I guess you called this 'Passion Red'!"
Shou continued to cry in happiness and managed to break Jaden's hold on him. Pressing himself against her as he left a wet spot on her shirt, he continued to cry as he hugged her tightly.
"Anikiii!" sobbed Shou.
Jaden laughed hard as she tried to pull Syrus off.
"Koala-man, help me!" said Jaden.
Hayato burst into laughter at the sight of his roommates' antics.
"Oh, c'mon!" said Jaden.
"This is better than television!" said Hayato.
"Aniki!" wailed Shou.
Daitokuji walked into the room after hearing complaints from the other students.
"What's going on-nya?" asked Daitokuji.
Daitokuji sweat dropped at the sight of a laughing Hayato, crying and clingy Shou, and Jaden…he didn't know what to say. After a few seconds he laughed along with them. Jaden continued to try and pull Shou off, her eyes turning huge and shining unshed tears (AKA, puppy dog eyes).
"Guys!" she whined.
"Aniki!" said Shou.
"Shut the hell up!" yelled the other residence of the dorm.
Daitokuji sighed and grinned. This was just another average (in his definition of average) day.
A/N End of chapter and I already had this chapter typed up. I was just editing the names and that took about an hour. And again, this chapter was actually part of another that together made 35 pages and over 15,000 words. Expect the next chapter up somewhere either today or tomorrow. Aside from that…the comparison between Sephiroth and Manjoume was just something caused by watching an FFVII walkthrough and realizing how long their turns lasted and…yeah, pretty much that's where Jaden picked up the tease.
Well, remember! Constructive criticism is welcomed, reviews…it be nice of you, but I'm not pushing it. Flames…HELL NO! I'm trying as hard as I can with the limited time I have today, and if you don't like it…then why the hell are you reading it? I just put this story up because this plot bunny involving this came up and keeps plaguing me! So yeah…whatever.