Yuuna never really met other trans people or gay people before. She wasn't allowed to go to Pride Parades and she wasn't allowed to own a phone, so she couldn't really see them online either.
But that doesn't mean she never heard about trans people existing. It wasn't just that moment in the park either, when she first heard the term.
"Joey Wheeler Comes Out As Transgender!"
She remembers seeing the video and the newspapers. She remembers the teachers whispering about how if it's really okay to let the children pretend to be Joey Wheeler after it was announced. She remembers seeing fewer Duels of Joey Wheeler after that.
But eventually Yuuna saw the news herself.
"Mr Wheeler, the public are dying to know what was it that motivated you to come out in such a public way?"
"Well, ya see Jeff, pretty recently at a meet and greet I met a brave little boy who told me that he asked his parents to name him after me, since I gave him the courage to tell his parents who he was. And well if a little kid is brave enough to tell someone like me who he is, then I gotta lead by example! I want boys and girls and anyone who isn't either of those things to know that it's okay to be yourselves and it's okay to be whoever you wanna be. That's what Duelling is all about, ya know?"
Yuuna remembers how her heart raced knowing that the Joey Wheeler of all people was trans like her. That he wanted her to be herself and be accepted.
It gave her hope that maybe her parents would change.
That one day she would be safe.
As the dust settles, Yuuna stares at the Arena in awe.
She…
She beat Alexis.
She beat the Princess of Light.
That fact echoes in Yuuna's head as the audience goes wild.
"Does this slacker ever lose?" Crowler whimpers as he slides off the Arena, falling on the floor.
"So the winner is…" Chancellor Shephard stands up, holding his hand high. "Yuuna Yuki!" He smiles and lowers his arm. "Well done. You will be Duel Academy's rep at the School Duel."
"YUUNA!"
Yuuna yelps as Blair leaps at her waist, laughing as she hugs her. The rest of her friends follow, gathering around her.
"Way to play, Yuuna!" Syrus calls, standing at her side.
"Good job!" Chumley pats her shoulder.
"That was a close match, but I knew you'd get there in the end." Bastion offers his hand. "And I look forward to Duelling you with a new and improved Deck."
Yuuna smiles and shakes his hand. "I can't wait for a new and improved Duel then, Bastion."
"I'm so proud of you, Yuuna!" Mindy throws her fist up.
Jasmine nods. "You're gonna be great."
Yuuna looks at her friends and smiles so wide. It feels like nothing could hurt her now.
But then her eyes fall on Alexis.
Alexis, who's standing there, staring at her with a vacant look on her face.
Yuuna standing there, staring at the other kids playing with a vacant look on her face.
Yuuna blinks.
She's the enemy! She hurt Blair! She hurt you! A voice in Yuuna's head rages.
But…
Yuuna frowns.
But she knows what it's like to be alone. She doesn't want anyone to feel that way. Not even Alexis.
"Alexis!" Yuuna calls out.
Alexis jumps, staring at her a little less vacantly.
Yubel turns their eyes on Yuuna, sharp. "Yuuna."
Blair tightens her arms around Yuuna's waist, growling.
Yuuna has to be careful.
One wrong move could ruin everything.
"I'm sorry for how I acted at the beginning of our match. I was angry and not thinking straight." Yuuna smiles. "But I still had a fun time Duelling. And I'd like to Duel again some day, if we can put our anger behind us."
Alexis's eyes widen.
Yuuna smiles wider and closes her eyes, hoping the gesture of trust is enough.
She doesn't want to fight anymore. She just wants everything to be okay. Please just for once…
Let everything be okay.
Yuuna opens her eyes.
Alexis turns around and walks off the stage, her head hung low.
Yuuna's smile falls. She looks up near the top of the arena.
Zane is staring at them both, his arms folded tightly. Then he drops his arms and walks in the opposite direction of the exit Alexis used.
Yuuna frowns.
She wishes she could help Alexis. Maybe then…
"Who cares about the sore loser." Blair huffs, letting go of Yuuna's waist and jumping in front of them, pumping her fist. "I say we all have a party at the Slifer Dorm to celebrate Yuuna being the first Slifer in Duel Academy history to be in the School Duel!"
"YEAH!" Everyone shouts, raising their fists.
Yuuna stares at everyone and shakes her head fondly. She looks up at the arena.
I wonder who I'll be fighting from North Academy…
Out across the ocean, on a stranded yacht, a lone survivor sneezes.
Chazz groans as he stares out at the dark, murky sea. "Great. On top of everything else, I'm sick now. Fucking fantastic."
He's cold, he's tired, he's out of clean water, he's out of food, he has no more fuel for the engine, he's runaground but the water isn't shallow enough to walk through and he can't see land anywhere because of how thick the fog is even if he could get to it.
Chazz sighs as he stares at the dark, thick clouds. If it starts raining soon he'll be wet and cold, but at least he'll have clean water. He hopes.
He pulls out the water bottle from his bag. He uncaps it and drinks the very last drop.
At least since he's this far out, he doesn't have to look at any mirrors. That's the one benefit, there's no one where to tell him that his body is fucked up and his mind is unnatural and there's something wrong with him.
Chazz snarls as he thinks about the words of his brothers.
He wishes just once… just once he was good enough for their plans. For them.
Chazz groans and rubs at his eyes, trying to banish the tears before they form. He can't afford to waste any water. And men don't cry. So he refuses to do so.
Besides, it's not because of his brothers he's out here. Not just because of them at least.
"Nothing. I just thought you had more self respect than to run away from all your little problems."
"You're the reason I have to run away, you fucking tattletale! It's all because of you!"
"No it's not. You know exactly who to blame and it's not me."
That fucking bitch. She's not the only one.
"Chazz. You stole, you lied, you cheated, you lost. You're a wanker, a bully and you deserve to be demoted."
That shitty nerd. And of course.
"Wait a second."
"You're the one who threw Bastion's Deck into the ocean, aren't you?!"
"Liar!"
The Slifer Slacker and her little pests.
"Bastion Misawa, congratulations and welcome to Obelisk Blue."
Not to mention the snivelling shit Crowler.
It's because of them that he's out here.
It's all because of them.
"Oh shut up, Blue Blood!"
Chazz snarls and throws. "I HATE YOU!"
Oh no. He just threw the water bottle.
"SHIT!" Chazz shouts.
He jumps after the water bottle and catches it-
Then he crashes into the water, sinking to his death, only one thought on his mind.
I'll get you Slacker, one day I'll get you!
"Chazz."
He looked in the mirror as he said the name.
And then he started crying.
"I'm Chazz."
A tiny puzzle piece, something that's been missing since he was born, finally slides into place.
"My name is Chazz Princeton. And I'm a man."
He smiled a little, the tears turning happy.
"My name is Chazz Princeton and I'm a great man!"
"Jun?"
He gasped and turned around.
Slade and Jagger glare down at him.
"Jun, what are you doing in our old clothes?!"
"Didn't we teach you if you're going to steal, you can't be caught?!"
Their hands reached out to him.
"NO!"
The clothes are taken.
"No please!"
They hit him.
"No please, I wanna be like you!"
They stopped.
"I wanna be a man like you two! I wanna be strong! I wanna help with the plan! I wanna control the world with you two! Please let me help!"
They stared at him.
"I have a Duel Monster Deck. I'm a great Duelist, I won the school's tournament!"
They glared at him.
"Let me help with the plan, let me become the King of Games! Let me stand with you! Please!"
They grinned at him.
"PLEASE!"
"Boss..."
When he wakes up, he's somewhere dark and wet but he's not drowning so it's better than the ocean.
"Hey, boss."
Chazz groans. Who's that?
"Hey, boss, might wanna wake up, there's some creepy dude in front of you."
Chazz grits his teeth, forcing his eyes open.
He has no idea where he is, but it's dark and damp and gross. Also looks like it's made of metal and wood and seaweed, which is not reassuring when combined with all the water. It also stinks to Hell of salt and rotting seaweed.
"Good morning, young Duelist."
"What's going on?" Chazz sits up and turns to the sound, glaring. "Or better yet, what are you?"
Some guy (is it a guy?) in a metal mask is sitting in front of him, wearing seaweed, silver gloves, some brown robes and an orange scarf. It's one of the ugliest outfits Chazz has ever seen.
Fashion Disaster chuckles. "I'm the person who saved your life." He looks at the cards in his hands. "And for now, that's all you need to know."
"Hey, wait a sec." Chazz looks at his Duel Disk.
Empty.
"Those are my cards!" Chazz demands, holding his hand out. "Hand 'em over!"
He did not fight tooth and nail with his brothers to even be allowed to Duel only to lose his cards to some Fashion Freak!
"Oh certainly, how very rude of me. Here you are." Fashion Freak opens his hands and drops his cards in the fucking puddle. "Whoops."
"You jerk!" Chazz shouts, gearing up for a fight.
Then the guy chucks a card at him.
Chazz catches it.
"Relax, that card more than makes up for it." The Seaweed Freak says.
"Yeah, well it better." Chazz hisses.
Then he looks at the card.
Card Profile: Ojama Yellow
[A small humanoid yellow creature, with a big bulging head and wide drooling lips. It's eyes are antennae hanging from the top of it's head and it's only clothed in a dark red thong.]
Monster Card. Level 2. LIGHT.
Type: Beast, Normal
ATK: 0/DEF: 1000
"WHAT?!" Chazz shouts.
He's never seen such a lame monster! Even the stupid Slifer Slimes have better cards than this!
"This stinks!" Chazz lifts his hand up, ready to throw the fucking card.
"Stop!" Seaweed Cluts shouts out. "That is the card that will change your life."
Chazz turns to him, lowering his hand. "Aww gimme a break, Seaweed Freak."
A card that can change your life? Dream on.
"I'll give you something far better." Seaweed Creep offers. "Another chance to beat Yuki."
"What?!" Chazz hisses. "How do you know about her?!"
Seaweed Guy says. "You talk in your sleep."
Chazz hisses.
"From what you said, it sounds like this Yuki beat you badly in a Duel." Seaweed Stalker hums. "Which seems to have led you to make many enemies."
Chazz scoffs, looking to the side. "That Slifer Slacker was just lucky."
There's no way it was anything else. He refuses to believe someone so stupid relies on her brain to win.
"Do you often run away from just luck?" Seaweed Freak asks. "I can see you're wearing blue, but you seem to turn yellow quickly, young Duelist."
"THAT'S IT!" Chazz shouts, turning to him. "I'm not a coward! I am a man! No one calls Chazz Princeton a coward!"
"Talk is cheap, young Duelist." Seaweed Geek huffs.
"That may be. But I'm rich!" Chazz stands up. "And I'll spend whatever it takes to be the best out there!"
He has to be the best. He has to! Or else-
Fashion Disaster Seaweed Freak laughs.
Fucking laughs at him!
"That's just your problem." Dickhead says. "No amount of money can buy you the victory you crave. You must earn it, if you can." He lowers his head. "And that is precisely what we're going to find out. Good luck, young Duelist."
Then the water comes gushing in and Chazz's time in the submarine ends.
And a long trek through the frozen tundra, looking for 40 cards, begins.
Jesse whistles as he watches the door to the school finally open up.
Looks like the new student got in.
Ruby perches on his shoulder, curiously calling out. "Ruby? Ruby, ruby?"
"I don't know who he is either, girl, but Foster is pretty interested in him." Jesse shrugs, reaching up to pet her head. "Let's see what he's made of."
So they watch.
They watch the new student, Chazz Princeton, enter the 50 Man Duel Gauntlet. It doesn't take him long to defeat the first 10 students. Then the next 20 students. He gets through the 40 ranked students fast and even beats Ezar quickly.
Which only leaves one man left for Chazz to Duel.
"That was mighty impressive, Chazz Princeton." Jesse says, applauding him from where he's sitting on top of one of the dorms.
Chazz turns to look at him. "And who the Hell are you?"
Jesse waves at the guy. "Well I'm Number 50 around here. So I'm next if you wanna be the best."
Ruby nuzzles him. "Ruby…"
"I'll be careful girl." Jesse whispers to her.
Then he jumps from the roof, landing on his feet.
Chazz huffs. "Are you here to show off, or are you here to Duel, Twinkle Toes?"
Oh he's funny!
Jesse laughs, turning on his Duel Disk. "Surely we can do both, can't we?"
"I'm only here to win!" Chazz shouts.
He sure is a determined little fella.
"Then let's both do our best!" Jesse calls out.
"DUEL!"
CHAZZ PRINCETON: 4000
JESSE ANDERSEN: 4000
"I'm going first!" Chazz draws. "I'm gonna summon my Giant Rat in DEF mode and that's all."
Beside Chazz appears the Giant Rat, a large dark blue rat holding a skull, curled up with 1450 DEF points.
Jesse smiles. "Guess it's my go now. Draw!"
He does so and smiles at his hand. Ancient City - Rainbow Ruins, Crystal Beast Amethyst Cat, Crystal Beast Ruby Carbuncle, Crystal Beast Topaz Tiger, Crystal Beacon and E Force.
"Let me sink my fangs into that boy." Amethyst Cat purrs.
Jesse smiles. "As you request, Amethyst. But first I gotta set the scene." He picks a different card and plays it. "First off, I'm gonna play my Ancient City - Rainbow Ruins Field Spell!"
He places the card in his Field Spell zone and the arena is transformed. From the frozen tundra, to the old crumbling coliseum with a grand rainbow overhead.
Chazz scoffs. "And what does this do?"
"You'll see soon enough. And now I'm gonna summon my Crystal Beast Amethyst Cat!" Jesse calls out, summoning her. "Come on out girl!"
A jewel of amethyst appears on the field then it breaks into a million pieces, revealing the pink lioness wearing the purple gem proudly with her 1200 ATK points.
Chazz's eyes narrow. "Wait a sec. Crystal Beast?"
Jesse smiles wider.
It's kinda funny whenever people recognise him. He still can't believe he's famous enough to be recognised!
"No fucking way." Chazz's eyes widen. "You're that Jesse Andersen?! The guy who got the cards my family offered to pay millions for?!"
Amethyst Cat scoffs, glaring at Chazz. "As if we'd ever let your type take us with your worthless currency."
"What was that?!" Chazz gasps, looking around.
Jesse's eyes widen.
So he can talk to Duel Monster Spirits! Guess Foster was right about that.
"Yep, that's me." Jesse laughs. "And now it's time to show you what they can do!"
Chazz scoffs. "Please, that kitty can't even put a scratch on my rat."
"She doesn't need to!" Jesse grins. "When Amethyst Cat cuts her points in half, she can attack you directly!"
Amethyst Cat glows a gentle red, her points dropping to 600 ATK.
Chazz hisses. "Shit."
"I don't like humans who swear a lot. It's time to teach you some manners!" Amethyst Cat roars.
Then she charges, jumping over the Giant Rat and making a huge swipe with her paws, slamming into Chazz's face, making him shout as he's scratched.
"FUCK!" Chazz screams.
CHAZZ PRINCETON: 3400
JESSE ANDERSEN: 4000
Amethyst Cat returns to Jesse's field, her points rising back up to 1200 ATK as she licks her paw. "Tasty, though the texture wasn't all that fun."
Jesse laughs. "Easy girl, the poor fella is probably all tuckered out from fighting everyone else."
Chazz snarls. "In your fucking dreams. End your turn!"
"Okay, okay, I'm ending it." Jesse holds up his hands in peace. "You should learn to chill out a little, Blue Blood."
Chazz's eye twitches. "I am going to kill you."
Jesse laughs.
Oh how he can't wait to see Chazz try.
This'll be a blast!
"My draw!" Chazz shouts, looking at his hand.
Battle Break, Thunder Crash, Despair from the Dark, Disc Fighter, Final Flame and Flying Kamakiri #1.
"I'm gonna start by summoning my Flying Kamakiri #1 and turning my Giant Rat from DEF to ATK mode!" Chazz declares.
The giant praying mantis with 1400 ATK points joins the Giant Rat on his field, changing to 1400 ATK points.
"And I'm gonna get revenge on that kitty. Flying Kamakiri #1, take out that Amethyst Cat!" Chazz throws his fist forward. "Go!"
Flying Kamakiri #1 flies right towards the kitty, who roars, rising up high to meet him in a big explosion.
But ultimately the bug comes out and the kitty does not.
CHAZZ PRINCETON: 3400
JESSE ANDERSEN: 3800
"Ha!" Chazz grins. "Giant Rat, attack him directly!"
Giant Rat squeaks and throws his skull directly at Andersen, hitting him head on. Andersen shouts as the skull breaks on his chest, shattering into a million pieces.
CHAZZ PRINCETON: 3400
JESSE ANDERSEN: 2400
"Those Crystal Beasts ain't so hard to get rid of after all." Chazz rolls his eyes. "I don't know why my useless brothers went through so much trouble."
"You should think again, Chazz!"
"What?!" Chazz shouts.
He carefully looks at the field, watching the smoke clear.
And sure enough, in Andersen's spell and trap card zone is a tiny hunk of ugly purple stone.
"When my Crystal Beasts are destroyed, they stay in my Spell and Trap Card Zone as Continuous Spells." Andersen smiles, pressing his hand to his heart. "They're always here, supporting me no matter what."
"You better believe it. I never back down from a challenge, especially when someone insults my monsters. I gotta defend their honour."
Chazz groans, rolling his eyes.
Ugh, this guy is reminding him way too much of Yuki. It's pissing him off.
"Whatever, dork." Chazz rolls his eyes. "I end my turn."
"I'll draw then!" Andersen does that. "I'm gonna start by summoning up my Crystal Beast Topaz Tiger!"
A new monster takes to the field, a white tiger with black stripes and pieces of topaz embedded in it's neck, with 1600 ATK points.
Chazz curses. "Fuck."
Topaz Tiger turns to Andersen. "This kid's language really is starting to bug me. Can I do something about it?"
Why is Chazz still hallucinating all these Duel Monsters talking?! Isn't seeing that little yellow freak enough?!
"In a sec, Topaz, first of all I'm gonna use my E Force Spell Card!" Andersen holds it up high. "This allows me to special summon a Crystal Beast from my Spell and Trap Card Zone! Welcome back, Amethyst Cat!"
The ugly hunk of purple breaks apart and out of it pops out Amethyst Cat with 1200 ATK points.
Chazz curses. "Shit!"
"Guess I'll have to teach you some more manners, little one." Amethyst Cat hisses, showing off her claws.
"And I'll help ya with that Amethyst with my Crystal Release spell!" Andersen slides the spell in. "This is an equip spell that'll give ya 800 more ATK points!"
Amethyst Cat purrs as she glows with a rainbow light, points rising up to 2000 ATK. "Thanks for the boost Jesse."
"Well I had to make it up to ya for not watching out for you properly earlier." Andersen grins. "Now, who wants to go first?!"
"I will!" Amethyst Cat snarls. "I'll take out the bug!"
"And I'll handle the rodden problem." Topaz Tiger growls.
"Oh and Chazz, before I forget to mention it, Topaz Tiger gains 400 ATK points when he's fighting." Andersen giggles.
Chazz wants to fucking scream.
"Go on in, kitties!" Andersen waves them off.
"On it!" The two shout.
Amethyst Cat yowls and runs right for Flying Kamakiri #1, destroying it on impact.
CHAZZ PRINCETON: 2800
JESSE ANDERSEN: 2400
Chazz shields his face from the wind. "Nice try, but when Flying Kamakiri #1 is destroyed by battle, I can summon a Wind Monster with 1500 ATK points or less from my Deck."
He pulls his Deck out, looking for the first monster to meet those qualifications.
"Come on out, Spirit of the Breeze!" Chazz demands.
A green fairy in a yellow dress with blue hair and 0 ATK points shows up on his field.
"Nice work! But I ain't done yet." Andersen throws his fist forward. "Topaz, it's your turn!"
"Right on!" Topaz Tiger shouts.
And Topaz Tiger roars, diving for Giant Rat, destroying it instantly.
CHAZZ PRINCETON: 2200
JESSE ANDERSEN: 2400
Topaz Tiger returns to Andersen, his points dropping to 1600.
Chazz grins. "Thanks for that, because now I get to use Giant Rat's ability! When he's destroyed, I get to summon up an Earth type Monster from my Deck so long as it has 1500 ATK points or less!"
Chazz pulls out his Deck once again.
"Come on out, Soul Tiger!" Chazz orders.
His own tiger appears on the field, made of mist and smoke, with dark blue stripes and 0 ATK points.
Andersen whistles. "Damn, I'm impressed Chazz. I'll hand the turn over to you."
"Oh, I'll show you impressive, just you wait!" Chazz snarls, drawing.
Double Summon.
"First of all, since I'm in my Standby Phase and Spirit of the Breeze is in ATK mode, I gain 1000 Life Points." Chazz grins, turning to the Monster.
Spirit of the Breeze glows a gentle blue and then that glow transfers to Chazz.
CHAZZ PRINCETON: 3200
JESSE ANDERSEN: 2400
"Next, I'm gonna use my Double Summon Spell card to bring out one extra monster this turn!" Chazz declares, using the spell. "Get out here Disc Fighter!"
A knight weidling 2 disc shaped weapons appears with 1000 DEF points.
"And now I'm gonna sacrifice my Spirit of the Breeze and my Soul Tiger to bring out-" Chazz slides the two Monsters off his field and brings out "Despair from the Dark!"
The two monsters vanish in a great blast of light.
And from that light comes darkness, a great fiery and shadowy monster with huge purple hands and 2800 ATK points to spare.
Amethyst Cat snarls. "That is one scary Monster."
Chazz grins. "And he's coming right for your pink kitty! GO!"
Despair from the Dark roars and makes a fist, swinging it down on Amethyst Cat, crushing her and turning her into a sad little purple lump.
"Amethyst!" Topaz Tiger and Andersen shout.
CHAZZ PRINCETON: 3200
JESSE ANDERSEN: 1600
Andersen grits his teeth. "Amethyst may be a crystal now, but she left a gift on her way to the Spell and Trap Card Zone! When Crystal Release is sent to the Graveyard, I get to look through my Deck and put a Crystal Beast monster in my Spell and Trap Card Zone with her." He pulls out his Deck and picks his card. "And I'm gonna choose my Crystal Beast Emerald Tortoise!"
A hunk of green stone appears in the Spell and Trap Card Zone next to the hunk of purple stone.
Chazz grins. "Not bad, Andersen. Now it's your turn."
He hates to say it, but this guy is actually good. Every time Chazz has attacked him, he's found some way to make it a useful play for him. Sure, Chazz is winning when it comes to life points, but it's not always about that.
It's about being able to play your cards just right.
Andersen grins. "I'll do my best to give as good as you just did, Chazz!"
He draws.
Chazz rolls his eyes.
"First of all, I'm gonna play my Crystal Beacon!" Andersen holds up the Spell Card. "If there are 2 or more Crystal Beasts in my Spell and Trap Card Zone, then I get to Special Summon a Crystal Beast from my Deck. Come on out Crystal Beast Amber Mammoth!"
There's an elephant trumpeting and then a giant elephant with 4 tusks and an amber jewel on its forehead appears on the field with 1700 ATK points.
Amber Mammoth turns to Topaz Tiger. "I take it you two had a little trouble with the new guy?"
"You could say that again. Just look." Topaz Tiger snarls at Despair from the Dark.
Amber Mammoth whistles while looking at Despair from the Dark. "That sure is a tough big guy. Hope you got a plan back there Jesse."
"Come on guys, you know me!" Andersen laughs. "I don't!"
"The trash talking, the action, it's all so great! I don't care what happens, there's no way you can get me to leave Duel Academy now!"
Topaz Tiger and Amber Mammoth groan and Chazz just groans with them, honestly.
This guy is just as stupid as Yuki.
"But for now, Topaz Tiger, sink your teeth into that Disc Fighter!" Andersen makes a fist.
Topaz Tiger's points rise up to 2000 ATK. "It'll be my pleasure."
Then he roars and pounces on Disc Fighter, taking him out with ease, though leaving Chazz's life points untouched.
"And that's all she wrote for me." Andersen shrugs.
Chazz grins. "Finally."
He draws.
"Hey Boss."
"NOT YOU!" Chazz screams.
Yet there Ojama Yellow is. Sitting there all innocent and ugly and as gross as ever!
"Aww, geez, no need to be so sad to see me boss. We're partners, pals, best friends." Ojama Yellow climbs out of his card, clinging to his face. "Please don't send me away Boss, that hurts my feelings."
"You're not real, you don't have feelings!" Chazz screams.
Ojama Yellow bursts into tears.
"HEY!"
Chazz turns to Andersen. "What?!"
"That's no way to treat your Spirit Partner. Say you're sorry!" Andersen orders.
"Yubel isn't cheap and neither are any of my other Monsters, Blue Blood. Now who did you take Rescue Cat from?"
Chazz hisses. "Oh fuck off, don't tell me you're seeing him too?"
"Of course I can. I've been able to see Duel Monster Spirits since I was a kid, couldn't you?" Andersen asks, tilting his head.
"NO!" Chazz screams. "I don't see them because they're not real, they're only a fairy tale!"
Topaz Tiger lifts his head. "Watch your tongue, little boy. We're as real as you are and you know it."
"How else would you be able to hear us?" Amber Mammoth asks, stomping his foot. "I know you can, even if you ignore us!"
"No, I CAN'T!" Chazz screams. "If I could see Spirits, then why-"
Why didn't they help me back then?
Memories of his brothers bearing down on him their expectations and demands.
Tripping up in skirts and being scolded for getting dirty and hating his body.
Begging and pleading and bargaining to be allowed to be himself.
Why didn't they help me back when all I wanted was someone who understood me?
Chazz huffs and shakes his head.
It doesn't matter.
The past can't change and he doesn't need someone who understands him.
He just needs to be a winner.
Then he'll make them understand him!
"Despair from the Dark!" Chazz orders. "Destroy that Amber Mammoth!"
Despair from the Dark roars and makes a fist-
"Not so fast, I got a Quick Play Spell: Crystal Flash!" Andersen shouts, turning around and revealing his cards. "If I put a Crystal Beast from my hand in my Spell and Trap Card zone, I can prevent a Crystal Beast on my field from being destroyed in battle or experiencing any Battle Damage this turn!"
A red hunk of stone appears in Andersen's Spell and Trap Card zone and then it creates a bright red shield, protecting Amber Mammoth.
"Thank you Jesse, Ruby!" Amber Mammoth trumpets.
Jesse grins. "That's what you do for family, Amber Mammoth! You protect each other!"
"Or is so low they'd throw out their own family! Because that's what your Deck is!"
Chazz scoffs.
Oh please.
"If the three of us control them all, we can control the world. So be the best. The future of the Princeton name and your future as our brother depend on you."
Families don't protect each other. They just use each other.
Ojama Yellow coes. "Aww, that's so sweet. I wish my brothers were here so we could protect each other too."
Chazz groans. "Gag me. It's your turn Andersen."
"Sure is!" Andersen draws. "And I'm gonna activate the effect of my Ruby Carbuncle! Whenever she's in my Spell and Trap Card Zone, I can special summon her!"
The red hunk of rock breaks apart, revealing a tiny blue cat-thing with 4 ears and 300 ATK points.
"And whenever I special summon Ruby, she can special summon as many Crystal Beasts from my Spell and Trap Card Zone as possible!" Andersen throws his fist up. "Shine bright Ruby!"
"Ruby, Ruby!" Ruby Carbuncle cheers.
Then the stone on the end of her tail shines bright red, breaking open the hunks of green and pink stone.
Out of them burst Amethyst Cat with 1200 ATK points and a giant tortoise with a bunch of spikey emeralds on his back and 600 ATK points.
"It's about time, Jesse, my neck was getting stiff all curled up like that." Amethyst Cat grins viciously.
Emerald Tortoise looks around. "Ahh, we're up against Despair from the Dark? I haven't faced that fellow in a very long time. He's rather tough."
"Don't worry, Emerald, we got this." Andersen smiles. "I'll end my turn with a facedown and that's everything. I'm all set."
The facedown shows up.
Chazz huffs. "Big deal. You're just set up to get knocked down!"
He draws.
Enchanted Fitting Room.
Maybe useful later. For now-
"Despair from the Dark!" Chazz orders. "Destroy that Ruby Carbuncle-"
"Not so fast there!" Andersen interrupts. "Amber Mammoth's special ability means I can change any attacks you make to him!"
"Then I'll just get rid of him!" Chazz pumps his fist. "Despair from the Dark, destroy that stupid pacaderm!"
Despair from the Dark raises his fists.
"I got a trap card out, my Amber Crystal Circle!" The trap flips up on Andersen's side of the field. "All the ATK points of my Crystal Beasts on the field combine with Amber Mammoth until the end phase!"
"WHAT?!" Chazz shouts.
The gems on Amethyst Cat, Topaz Tiger, Emerald Tortoise and Ruby Carbuncle glow and duplicate, heading into Amber Mammoth's gem on his forehead.
He glows with a pink, yellow, green and red light and his ATK points rise to 5400.
"Shit!" Chazz turns to the monster. "Despair from the Dark st-"
Too late.
Despair from the Dark slams his fist into Amber Mammoth, which then shatters, the monster being destroyed and Chazz screaming as the damage hits him.
CHAZZ PRINCETON: 600
JESSE ANDERSEN: 1600
Chazz snarls.
"Well Chazz? Got anything else up your sleeve?" Andersen asks.
Chazz hisses. "I'll play one card facedown."
He sets his Battle Break.
"And I'll use my Final Flame Spell card!" Chazz shouts. "This little thing will hit you with 600 points of damage!"
A tiny flame jumps from Chazz's Duel Disk and slams into Andersen's.
CHAZZ PRINCETON: 600
JESSE ANDERSEN: 1000
"And that's all I got." Chazz huffs.
"Oh come on boss, you haven't summoned yet, you could put me out there, I could protect you, please!" Ojama Yellow squeaks. "It's a little scary, but I can do it!"
"As if!" Chazz shouts. "You couldn't protect me from a paper cut!"
Ojama Yellow bursts into tears.
"Stop bullying your Spirit Partner! It's my turn!" Andersen draws. "Who wants a shot at this guy?"
"You young ones mind if I take a shot?" Emerald Tortoise offers.
"Sure you can handle it, old man?" Amethyst Cat turns to Emerald Tortoise
"Don't forget I taught you how to fight, Amethyst. I can handle this." Emerald Tortoise raises up his head.
"If you insist then." Andersen smiles. "Emerald Tortoise, hit Chazz with all you got!"
Emerald Tortoise draws his arms, legs and head into his shell, which starts to spin-
"Not so fast! I got my Battle Break out there!" Chazz shouts, flipping up his trap. "Unless you got a Monster in your hand, your Emerald Tortoise is destroyed and the Battle Phase ends!"
Andersen looks at his drawn card and groans. "Ahh man. Sorry Emerald."
Emerald Tortoise sighs. "That's just how the cards fall sometimes."
And then a burst of lightning strikes him from Chazz's trap, destroying him, leaving a hunk of emerald in his Spell and Trap Card Zone.
"Guess that's the end of my turn." Andersen shrugs.
"And I'm gonna knock you out." Chazz draws.
Thunder Short
And in his hand…
Chazz blinks.
Then he laughs.
"And it's all over for you, Andersen!" Chazz shouts.
Andersen narrows his eyes. "What do ya mean?!"
"Because I just drew my Thunder Short spell card!" Chazz slides it in, activating it. "With this, you take 400 points of damage for every monster you control!"
"NO!" Amethyst Cat, Topaz Tiger and Amber Mammoth call out.
"Ruby, ruby!" Ruby Carbuncle squeals.
Then they all get struck by lighting from Chazz's card, which doesn't destroy them, only bouncing from them to Andersen who screams.
"You go bye-bye!" Chazz shouts out.
BANG!
Andersen hits the floor and his life points follow.
CHAZZ PRINCETON: 600
JESSE ANDERSEN: 0
WINNER: CHAZZ PRINCETON
Chazz smiles and for the first time, he feels like he really earned his victory.
It wasn't from the family money.
It wasn't from the cards they bought.
It wasn't from the things Chazz did to cheat.
It was all him.
Chazz laughs and smiles and it feels like victory.
Foster watches the fall out, if only for a bit.
Jesse groans as he sits up. "Oh man, that was quite the fall." Then he turns to his side, smiling. "Aww, I'm okay girl, thanks for worrying. You're a great friend, Ruby."
Foster couldn't be more proud of that boy.
He's glad he recommended Jesse to the tournament that led him to meeting his Deck. He didn't even get to the quarter finals, but he came back with the Crystal Beasts instead.
He's grown so much.
Chazz turns to him. "Well, Andersen, sorry ya lost yet?"
"Nah." Jesse gets up, grinning. "Win or lose, Duelling is all about making friends and learning. So I'm not upset about losing! And I had a lot of fun!"
He laughs harder.
Chazz groans and rolls his eyes. "Ugh, you are definitely Yuki's long lost twin brother. If I ever have to share a room with both of you, I'll just throw myself out the window instead."
Jesse grins. "Well, I better keep a close eye on ya to make sure you don't do that."
Seems now would be the perfect time to make his entrance.
"Well done." Foster applauds. "You've earned the right to be called the best."
Chazz turns to him, calling out. "Huh?! It's you, the guy who rescued me!"
Well that's certainly better than Seaweed Freak. It would seem the 50 Man Duel Gauntlet also taught the boy some respect. Not a lot, considering how he treated his Ojama Yellow card, but some respect is better than no respect.
It's a start.
"But how did you get into the school?" Chazz asks, taking a few steps towards him.
"You let me in, of course." Foster says, taking down his scarf, off the hat and mask.
Chazz gapes at him, running over. "Huh?! Wait, now you're the bald guy?"
"I'm the school's Chancellor, the name's Foster." He smiles, holding up his hand. "And the camp outside, that sub out at sea, it was all just to get to you, Young Duelist."
Foster does so love his reveals, it's always funny seeing the Duelist's face. Ezar's face was pretty funny and Jesse's was too, but he thinks Chazz's reaction is his new favourite.
"To me?" Chazz glares at him. "What for?! If you wanted my money, why didn't you take it when you could?!"
"It was never your wealth I was interested in, Chazz. I was interested in your gift, I sensed it as soon as you touched that Ojama card." Foster lowers his hand.
"I hate that stinking card." Chazz hisses.
Foster shakes his head. He's been the one helping Spirits find their Masters for over 20 years now. Even if at first the two don't get along, they always end up thankful for the partnership in the end. Especially if it starts out rough like this.
He just hopes it won't cause too much conflict between Jesse and Chazz.
"You might now, but you'll learn, hopefully in time for the School Duel. You see Chazz, you're now the best Duelist at North Academy, you will represent us." Foster declares.
Chazz's eyes widen. "So I'm going up against someone from Duel Academy?"
"Yes." Foster looks at Jesse, glaring at him just a bit. "We had chosen Jesse at first, but he's a bit of a rule breaker and trouble maker."
Jesse laughs as he turns around. "Geez, you break curfew one too many times and this is what you get? Thanks a lot Foster."
Foster is just trying to help his boys out as best as he can, even if he has to be tough on them sometimes. But there's only so much he can help them if they refuse to listen to him.
And breaking curfew to sneak out into the frozen waste land because he heard a Duel Monster Spirit crying for help in the middle of the night for the 5th time that week is not something Jesse should be proud of doing.
"It doesn't matter now." Foster looks up at Chazz. "You're the top Duelist now, it's to you the school bows."
"So who's the unlucky punk I'm Duelling?" Chazz scoffs.
Foster can't help but smile wider as he replies. "Who? The one I promised you, of course." He turns to Chazz. "The one named Yuuna Yuki of course."
"Yuki?!" Chazz gasps. "You're kidding me."
"No, Duel Academy had a little Tournament and Yuki beat Misawa and Rhodes for the top spot." Foster explains. "This is your chance for revenge."
"Revenge…" Chazz grins. "I can't wait. I'm gonna beat her so bad, she's never gonna wanna Duel again!"
Chazz bursts into some rather wicked laughter.
Foster can't wait to see what happens next.
"Now, I want a hot meal, the best room and a new wardrobe, I'm sick of this stinking Duel Academy uniform." Chazz demands, looking around. "Which one of you is gonna show me around?"
Jesse jumps up, smiling. "I can do it if you want, Chazz!"
Chazz scowls. "No thanks Andersen."
Foster smiles. "Actually I think Jesse is the best person to show you to your room Chazz. Since both of you can speak to Spirits, I'd appreciate it if you'd get to know each other better."
Chazz snarls and Jesse laughs.
And Foster knows the two of them will eventually be friends. He's sure of it.
Jesse lays the new uniform on Chazz's bed. "Well Chazz, your new clothes are here."
He turns to the bathroom door, which has been closed for a while now.
"Everything okay in there?" Jesse calls out, louder just in case Chazz didn't hear him.
Nothing.
Ruby jumps up onto his shoulder. "Ruby, Ruby?"
"It is strange, Ruby." Jesse replies.
Then he hears a scream from Ojama Yellow. "BOSS YOU'RE BLEEDING!"
"WHAT?!" Jesse shouts.
He slams into the bathroom door, busting it open-
"DON'T LOOK AT ME!" Chazz shouts, throwing his blue jacket at him.
Jesse catches it and pulls it down. "Dude, I heard your partner screaming, how can I help if I can't look-"
So he looks.
Chazz has blood on his thighs, leading up to…
Oh!
Ojama Yellow is crying and screaming. "Jesse what do I do, my Boss is dying?! Help me!"
"It's alright, Ojama Yellow, Chazz isn't dying." Jesse turns to Ojama Yellow, reaching into his back pocket. "He's just on his-"
"DON'T FUCKING SAY IT!" Chazz shouts, turning around and getting up in his face.
Jesse stops.
Chazz is glaring at him with tears running down his face and he huffs, looking away.
"Men don't do this." Chazz crosses his arms, as if hiding his chest. "Real men don't have to deal with this." He growls and the tears run faster. "I'm a fucking man, this isn't happening."
Jesse stares at Chazz for a bit.
Well, if that's how he feels about it, then Jesse will respect that. But he's still going to help him.
"You're no less a man for going through this than I am, Chazz." Jesse assures him. "You're also not the only man here who goes through it."
Chazz turns his head to him, eyes wide. "What?"
Jesse grins. "Why do you think Ezar is so buff? He's been on T the longest and he's pretty proud of himself and how far he's come. He's a pretty big supporter of the other guys in school like him too, even heads our club."
"Your club?" Chazz turns his body to him.
Jesse nods. "Yeah, I'm in the club too. If you want, I can invite yo-"
"NO!" Chazz shouts, hissing in his face. "No one is allowed to know! You're not supposed to know!"
Jesse holds up his hands in peace. "Okay, okay then, I'll respect that. But I'm also gonna get you some supplies, okay?"
With that, Jesse heads out.
And when he gets back later, with a discreet box of the needed supplies, Chazz actually thanks him, which is more than Jesse thought he'd do.
Maybe Foster is right and they will become friends.
Eventually.