North Academy: Chazz's Room
Chazz stood at his window which gave him arguably the best view of North Academy anyone could ask for. Today, the skies were clouded over as gentle snow fell over the school. Eventually, he moved to his wardrobe where he dressed in his standard attire.
Every day Chazz would wear a heavy black shirt, dark jeans, a sturdy pair of brown boots, and his trusty black trench coat. His former Obelisk attire had been discarded and pitched long ago while his room reflected who he was now.
Compared to how he lived as an Obelisk, these quarters were almost barren. The only thing in the way of personal value were his cards. Whether they be those he found on the ice, which he kept under lock and key, his current deck, or the extra cards he could switch in as demanded.
Beyond the things of personal value, he had a dresser beside his four-poster bed. Chazz was also one of the three students at North Academy who did not have a roommate, due to his status within the school. In the past, Chazz would have reveled in titles and statuses.
Now, what mattered to him was the respect afforded through all his effort. The position he once held as a Princeton or former Obelisk Blue held no sway over him now. That said, despite where it led him, Chazz would not forget what brought him here.
The ways in which his pride was shattered. In due time, he'd be back on Duel Academy Island where he hoped his opponent would be one of the people responsible. No matter who he faced, it would be their turn to be crushed.
Flashback…
Chazz walked down the road, towards the gathered students. They parted to allow him through before grouping up around the immediate area to observe the coming duel. Chazz's opponent was naturally Charlotte Knox, the current 2nd ranked duelist of North Academy.
"I'm about to correct that now with my new deck." Chazz thought.
"Remember the last thing I told you back when we met?" Charlie asked.
"Yeah." Chazz nodded. "If I want to take your rank and the right to represent North Academy in the coming school duel, I best come at you with everything I got." He activated his duel disk. "Rest assured, that's what I'll be doing now."
"Alright, let's see if you really got the skills that brought you this far…" Charlie activated her duel disk as well. "…or if it was all just a fluke."
"Let's Duel!"
(Chazz 4000 & Deck 35/Charlie 4000)
"Get ready because I'm not holding back!" Charlie drew. "I start by summoning Iron Chain Tiger(LV 4/1800/1500)." A tiger wrapped in iron chains appeared. "This cat has claws, though I'll only use one set of them now. Due to being normal summoned, you must now send the top three cards of your deck to the grave."
Chazz was no fool, like he might have been prior. He knew what his competition here was capable of, prepared to face it. As such, he simply did as the card instructed by sending the top three cards of his deck to the grave (C Deck 32).
"Since I now control an Iron Chain monster, I can special summon Iron Chain Lizard(LV 1/0/0)." Charlie continued as a lizard wrapped in chains appeared. "By being special summoned from my hand, you must send the next two cards from the top of your deck to the grave."
Chazz pitched his next two cards (C Deck 30).
"Now, my Lizard will give Tiger a tune up to synchro for 5." Charlie declared. "Soar high to cast your wings of oppression over the battlefield. Synchro summon Iron Chain Eagle(LV 5/1000/2500) in defense mode."
An eagle, wrapped in iron chains, appeared before taking flight. "Once per turn, I can banish any Iron Chain monster I wish from my deck to inflict you with 800 life points worth of damage. I'll be banishing Iron Chain Snake as the requirement, go Chain Feather Storm!"
Eagle beat his wings, firing off a storm of chains down at the opposing duelist (Chazz 3200/Charlie 4000).
"Well, looks like Charlie is holding true to her word." Sergei, the former Czar, noted. "She is not giving Chazz an inch."
"Eh, it's all part of her process." Jessie smiled, remembering his own duel with the girl. "She wants to see what Chazz is made of, so she'll push him with everything she's got."
"I'll now set one card to conclude my turn." Charlie declared with a smirk. "Now, let's see those skills of yours that brought you to this point, Chazz."
"You'll need to wait a bit as I have some preparation to get through first." Chazz drew before smirking (C Deck 29). "This will help me along nicely. I activate Soul Release to banish the five cards of mine you sent to the grave last turn."
"What is he planning?" Charlie contemplated, as her opponent stowed the five cards she sent.
"I now summon Armed Dragon Thunder LV 3(LV 3/1200/900)." Chazz continued, as an orange dragon, sparking with electricity, appeared. "By sending 1 monster from my hand to the grave, I can send Thunder LV 3 there as well.
Now, I'm permitted to special summon a Level 5 or lower Armed Dragon from my hand or deck." A card popped out of his deck (C Deck 28). "I level up into Armed Dragon Thunder LV 5(LV 5/2400/1700)." A larger, red dragon, with sparking electricity, appeared.
"Why stop there? I can pitch another monster from my hand to send LV 5 to the grave and now special summon a level 7 or lower Armed Dragon monster from my hand or deck." Another card popped out of his deck (C Deck 27).
"I level up once more. Emerge Armed Dragon LV 7(LV 7/2800/1000)." An even larger red dragon appeared with a mighty roar. "Rather than showing you this dragon's effect, I'll merely destroy that defensive monster of yours."
"That was impressive; however, I'll be activating my set Iron Chain Explosion. I target my Iron Chain Eagle(LV 5/1500/2500 effect) and fit him with an explosive device that boost his ATK by 500."
Eagle was fitted with an explosive collar before Armed Dragon LV 7 decimated him. This, in turn, set off the collar which attached to and destroyed Armed Dragon LV 7.
"What just happened?" Chazz asked.
"Through Eagle's destruction, Iron Chain Explosion was destroyed." Charlie explained. "Whenever it's destroyed in any way, I can target one card on your field and destroy it as well." She smiled. "All you had was Armed Dragon LV 7."
"I see." Chazz merely huffed. "In that case, I'll set two cards of my own and call my turn there."
"My move!" Charlie drew. "Since I have three Iron Chain monsters in my grave, I can special summon Iron Chain Lion(LV 4/2100/300)." A lion wrapped in iron chains appeared. "When he's summoned by his own effect, you send another three cards from your deck to the grave."
Chazz pitched the next three cards (C Deck 24).
"I'll then normal summon Iron Chain Inmate(LV 4/1000/2000)." Charlie declared, as a man in brown pants whose torso was bound by iron chains appeared. "Once per turn, he can force you to send another 3 cards from the top of your deck to the grave."
Chazz pitched the next three cards (C Deck 21).
"Now, Inmate will give Lion a tune up to synchro for 8." Charlie declared. "I call forth the guard dog to the bowels of the lowest cells. Synchro summon Iron Chain Cerberus(LV 8/2950/1750). A large, three headed dog bound by iron chains appeared.
"By banishing one Iron Chain monster from my deck and one from my grave, Cerberus lets me target and banish one card you control." She fulfilled the requirement before pointing at the card on the left. "I'll banish you left face down."
"I'll chain its activation, go Ring of Destruction." Chazz declared. "This card will be fitting your Cerberus with a collar before detonating in a similar way to your Iron Chain Explosion, only we'll both now be taking damage equal to the destroyed monster's ATK."
Cerberus's middle head was fitted with a collar before it detonated, the explosive waves washing over both duelists (Chazz 250/Charlie 1050).
"That was a gutsy move, one expected of The Chazz." Sergei complimented, with a smile.
"So, that's something like what he pulled off in the gauntlet." Jessie laughed. "If he ends up winning this, I think I'll be looking forward to a duel with him more than I already was."
"Er, when Cerberus is destroyed, you must send the top 5 cards of your deck to the grave." Charlie declared.
This time, Chazz spoke about having to discard (C Deck 16). "It'll be the last five I must discard."
"If you're that confident, let's see it." Charlie declared. "I set one card to end my turn. At said End Phase, as Inmate was sent to the grave for a Synchro summon, I can add any non-tuner Iron Chain monster I wish from my deck to my hand." She did just that. "Now, your move."
"No matter what I draw, it won't matter!" Chazz drew (C Deck 15). "First, I activate Return from the Different Dimension. By paying half my life points, every monster I removed will be brought back." (Chazz 125/Charlie 1050). "Appear…"
Armed Dragon(LV 3/1200/900).
Ojama Pink(LV 2/0/1000).
X-Head Cannon(LV 4/1800/1500)
Masked Dragon(LV 3/1300/1100)
Z-Metal Tank(LV 4/1500/1300)
"Now, start your engines!" Chazz declared, as X-Head Cannon and Z-Metal Tank ascended before merging as one. "Fusion summon XZ-Tank Cannon(LV 6/2400/2100)."
"Er, one of the fusions Seto Kaiba used to use." Charlie remarked.
"Then, you should be aware of what this fusion does." Chazz declared. "By sending one card from my hand to the grave, one face down spell/trap you control is destroyed." He pitched the only card in his hand. You only have the one, blast it away!"
XZ-Tank Cannon blasted the face down to reveal Shadow Spell before it was demolished. "Now, XZ-Tank Canon will end this with a direct attack!" Tank Canon blasted Charlie (Chazz 125/Charlie 0), and as the monsters faded, he held up a fist. "With that, I ascend to rank 2!"
Everyone cheered for the conclusion to the duel.
Charlie sighed before approaching Chazz. "Well, the better duelist won."
"I haven't dueled Jessie yet, but you're more worthy to hold that rank than anyone else at the academy." Chazz turned away from her. "Don't go falling apart over this." He walked away. "I'll need you fully committed to picking the best tag partner you can for the coming School Duel."
Charlie stared after Chazz before a small smile graced her face. The former Central Academy student had proven to her now that he was a true member of North Academy. Given his victory, she felt the school was in good hands for the coming School Duel.
As Chazz walked back down the path, students once again clearing the way for him, he locked eyes with Jessie. "I have the position as the singles representative for North Academy and am officially rank 2. Just know, I'm not stopping. I'm coming for your position next."
While Jessie couldn't read the guy's mind, he could tell by the look what Chazz was thinking. The Crystal Beast user gave a smile and nod, letting him know he was ready for the challenge. With said challenge conveyed, Chazz left the immediate area.
Mess Hall:Present…
Chazz descended the stairs that led from the student barracks to the mess hall. Upon entering, although he had not announced his presence, every head in the hall instinctually turned to acknowledge him. They nodded their heads deferentially before returning to their meals. Chazz then walked up to the lunch counter, giving a customary greeting to the cooks as he did so.
"Is there anything in particular you wish for this morning?"
"Just my usual." Chazz returned.
The chefs nodded and went to work. Within minutes, Chazz had a helping of fried eggs, a hearty amount of bacon, two biscuits, and a glass of orange juice. He then sat down, and no one made a move to sit with him. Although he was held in high regard by his peers, Chazz had no friends amongst the Northerners…bar two certain people.
Flashback
Chazz climbed a set of stone steps, up to a dais, where Jessie was already waiting for him. The rest of North Academy were gathered on nearby roofs, not willing to miss this coming duel for the number 1 of North Academy.
"Howdy there, Chazz." Jessie greeted. "Look like you're on time."
"I wasn't about to miss my ascension to rank 1." Chazz retorted.
"Someone certainly isn't lacking in confidence." Jessie laughed good naturedly as he activated his duel disk. "Of course, you can't exactly expect me to go rolling over."
"I hope you wouldn't even dream of it." Chazz activated his own duel disk. "I will not have this duel feeling hollow."
"Let's Duel!"
(Chazz 4000/Jessie 4000)
"I've seen what you can do going second, so show me what you got going first." Jessie declared.
"If you insist, here I go!" Chazz drew. "This move of mine might seem underwhelming, but it'll be farthest from it. I set one monster before calling my turn there. Now, show me just what the best of North Academy has to offer."
"Alright then, I think I got something mighty special for you." Jessie drew. "I'll start off by activating my Crystal Bond. This spell lets me take two Crystal Beasts from my deck. One will be added to my hand while the other will be placed as a continuous spell in my back row.
Two cards popped out of his deck before he threw one into his backrow, resulting in an amethyst gem stone appearing back there. "Now, I'll summon the Crystal Beast Sapphire Pegasus(LV 4/1800/1200) I just added to my hand." A pegasus with sapphire in its wings appeared.
"I'm ready Jessie!" Sapphire Pegasus called out.
"Alright, let's get things going with your effect." Jessie declared. "From anywhere but the banished zone, I can take a Crystal Beast and throw it into the backrow." A card popped out of his deck, so he put it in his backrow, which saw a topaz appear next to the amethyst.
"Now that I got two Crystal Beasts as continuous spells, I can activate Crystal Beacon to special summon any Crystal Beast I want from my deck. Rise up, Crystal Beast Rainbow Dragon(LV 8/3000/0)." A long, white dragon appeared with a roar.
"You ordained to summon me against some upstart peasant." The dragon called out haughtily.
"Sorry, Your Majesty." Jessie chuckled good naturedly. "Just trust me when I say this is an opponent worth dueling."
"If she doesn't want to be here, I say get her off the field." Chazz crossed his arms. "That dumb dragon seems full of herself anyways, especially for one 1000 ATK weaker than the real Rainbow Dragon I know you have in that deck of yours."
"You dare insult me!?" The dragon called out with a tick mark. "Jessie, I demand you let me teach this vulgar boy a lesson!"
Jessie and Sapphire Pegasus sweat dropped while the rest of North Academy could assume what was happening. Granted, none of them could see spirits like Jessie and Chazz assumedly could, but they've heard more than enough on what said spirits were like to guess what happened.
"I'll certainly give it my best, Your Majesty." Jessie declared. "For now, Sapphire Pegasus will attack that set monster of yours Chazz."
Pegasus flew in and speared the face down monster with his horn, which was revealed to be Ojama Pink(LV 2/0/1000).
"You destroyed Ojama Pink, meaning we're both permitted to draw one card before discarding one." Chazz declared, performing the action. "I just discarded Ojamagic. Firstly, that is an Ojama card, so Pink now blocks off any free monster zone of yours until your next end phase.
I chose that zone to your far right." A transparent Ojama Pink appeared to place a large, red x over that zone. "Secondly, Ojamagic was sent to my grave from the hand. That means I get to add Ojamas Black, Yellow, and Green from my deck to the hand."
The three cards popped out, so he fetched them, which in turn caused the three transparent spirits to appear around him.
"Whoa, I think this is the first time you've pulled the three of us out!" Yellow remarked.
"You must need us for something, boss." Black added.
"Yeah, who do we need to ruff up?" Green voiced.
"Soon enough, you three will contribute to my duel with Jessie." Chazz stated, getting the three of them to stare at the guy who waved at them. "For now, let me focus." The three spirits vanished at that. "Anyways, that's all from that combo."
"Alright then, Crystal Beast Rainbow Dragon will launch a direct attack." Jessie declared.
"Have at thee, vulgar peasant!" The dragon declared before breathing a rainbow hued attack which washed over him (Chazz 1000/Jessie 4000).
"Alright then, all I got left for this turn is one set card." Jessie declared. "Your move."
"I draw!" Chazz put the card he drew in his hand before exchanging it with another. "I now summon Ojama Red(LV 2/0/1000)." A small, red monster appeared. "Through his effect, I can special summon up to 4 Ojamas from my hand in ATK position.
Come on out Ojama Yellow(LV 2/0/1000), Ojama Black(LV 2/0/1000), Ojama Green(LV 2/0/1000)."
Yellow, black, and green variations of the red and pink monsters appeared.
"Five monsters in one turn, though none of them have any ATK."
"Do not doubt Chazz like that, given what he accomplished in the gauntlet." Sergei declared.
"I doubt he'd make a mistake, especially in a duel like this." Charlie nodded in agreement. "He has a plan."
"Since I don't quite like the sheer number of monsters you've managed to summon, I'll be activating my set Crystal Boon." Jessie declared. "Now I can special summon up to two Crystal Beasts from my spell/trap zone and gain life points equal to their combined ATK.
Come on out Crystal Beast Amethyst Cat(LV 3/1200/400) and Crystal Beast Topaz Tiger(LV 4/1600/1000)." A pink cat with an amethyst collar and a white tiger with a topaz in his neck appeared.
"This one does not look too terribly tasty." Amethyst Cat commented.
"Amethyst, this boy is a friend to Jessie." Topaz Tiger stated. "You shouldn't even be thinking about eating him."
(Chazz 1000/Jessie 6800)
"Aside from the reason you've given, I'll show that overgrown kitty why none of you should consider it." Chazz declared. "I now activate Ojama Delta Hurricane! As I control Ojamas Black, Green, and Yellow, this spell will wipe your field, Jessie. Let him have it, boys!"
The three original Ojamas levitated before spinning so fast that they generated a hurricane, which decimated Jessie's field. Given the effect merely destroyed the Crustal Beasts as monsters, they were still able to form into their respective gem stone within the back row.
"By putting Crystal Beasts in my spell/trap zone, you allow me to banish Crystal Boon from my grave." Jessie declared. "Now, I excavate the top card of my deck. If it's a Crystal Beast, I add it to my hand or special summon it. If it's anything else, I'll must send it to the grave."
He drew before smiling. "I just got Crystal Beast Ruby Carbuncle(LV 3/300/300), and I'll special summon her." The small minx appeared. "Now, it's her time to shine as being special summoned lets her get out as many possible Crystal Beasts as I can from my back row."
Crystal Beast Amethyst Cat(LV 3/1200/400)
Crystal Beast Topaz Tiger(LV 4/1600/1000)
Crystal Beast Sapphire Pegasus(LV 4/1800/1200)
Crystal Beast Rainbow Dragon(LV 8/3000/0)
"Not to be out done, Jessie just got out a field full of monsters!"
"That's why he's number 1!"
"It's still my turn, and I currently have five Level 2 monsters on my field!" Chazz declared. "With all five of my Ojamas, I construct the overlay network! Xyz summon Number 2: Ninja Shadow Mosquito(R 2/O 5/0/0)." A small, bipedal mosquito appeared with bulky arms.
"Chazz has a Number monster!?"
"Why is it that weak, yet can take 5 materials?"
"Well, that's a mighty impressive monster if it can take five materials like that." Jessie declared. "It must be strong for you to go creating it now."
"You're about to see how strong." Chazz stated. "For now, I'll just go about setting these two cards and call my turn there."
"Alright, I draw!" Jessie looked at what he got. "My zones are all filled, so I don't really get a way to get more Crystal Beast into rotation for Rainbow Dragon. Additionally, on average a monster like Chazz summoned is dangerous enough with 0 ATK/DEF.
The fact it's a number only makes this worse to the point I should try to end this with Amethyst Cat." Jessie nodded as he took a card from his hand. "I activate Crystal Release on Crystal Beast Amethyst Cat(LV 3/2000/400 effect) granting her eight hundred extra ATK.
That's mighty important as she can attack directly at the cost of only dealing half her ATK as damage. Since her ATK is now 2000, this means she has more than enough power to end this in one, fell swoop. Have fun."
Amethyst cat lept.
"I activate Half or Nothing, which forces you to make a choice." Chazz declared. "You can either attack me this turn with every monster you got at half strength or end your Battle Phase. What will it be?"
"I'll attack this turn at half strength." Jessie declared.
Crystal Beast Ruby Carbuncle(LV 3/150/300 effect)
Crystal Beast Amethyst Cat(LV 3/1000/400 effect)
Crystal Beast Topaz Tiger(LV 4/800/1000 effect)
Crystal Beast Sapphire Pegasus(LV 4/900/1200 effect)
Crystal Beast Rainbow Dragon(LV 8/1500/0 effect)
"You made the wrong choice." Chazz smirked. "As an attack was declared, I can detach 1 of Number 2: Ninja Shadow Mosquito(R 2/O 4/0/0)'s overlay units to place 1 Hallucination Counter on any one monster you control. I chose Crystal Beast Rainbow Dragon."
Amethyst Cat slashed through Chazz for half her now 1000 ATK (Chazz 500/Jessie 6800).
"There must be more to it than that." Jessie noted with a smile.
"You'd be right." Chazz declared. "Every monster you control is forced to attack this turn, if able. Additionally, Number 2 can't be destroyed by battle, and I take no battle damage from battles involving him,"
"What's the deal with the counters?" Jessie questioned.
"When an attack is declared, I can detach one overlay unit to put a counter on the field, or I can deal you damage equal to the current ATK of one monster holding a Hallucination counter. That's without detaching a unit. You do the math. Four attacks, 1500 ATK…"
"6000 damage…" Jessie realized.
"That's right." Chazz declared. "Go, Forced Offensive!"
Everyone of Jessie's monsters were forced to attack Shadow Mosquito, who then sprayed a large cloud of green gas over the crystal beast user (Chazz 500/Jessie 800).
"Well, you got me there Chazz." Jessie chuckled good naturedly. "I'll set one card of my own and end my turn."
Crystal Beast Ruby Carbuncle(LV 3/300/300)
Crystal Beast Amethyst Cat(LV 3/1200/400)
Crystal Beast Topaz Tiger(LV 4/1600/1000)
Crystal Beast Sapphire Pegasus(LV 4/1800/1200)
Crystal Beast Rainbow Dragon(LV 8/3000/0)
"Time to end this." Chazz drew. "I now declare an attack on Ruby Carbuncle, which allows me to activate Shadow Mosquito once more and deal you damage equal to Crystal Beast Rainbow Dragon's current ATK!"
"I chain my set Rainbow Life." Jessie countered. "By sending one card from my hand to the grave, all damage I'll take this turn will instead restore my life points."
"I chain my own set, Dark Bribe." Chazz declared. "You now draw one card in exchange for the trap you just activated being negated!"
Jessie drew as his trap sparked red before Shadow Mosquito clashed with Ruby Carbuncle. Once that was done, the number sprayed green gas over the crystal beast user, depleting the rest of his life points (Chazz 500/Jessie 0). As the monsters faded, all the other students were stunned.
Jessie grinned as he walked right up to Chazz, grabbed the wrist of his right arm, and held it up. "In accordance with the rules of North Academy, The Chazz is now our rank 1!"
Upon hearing that, North Academy broke out into a cheer so loud it could be heard across the icy wasteland beyond.
Mess Hall: Present…
"Howdy, Chazz!" Jessie clapped the guy on the back, nearly causing him to choke on his eggs.
"Jessie, we've talked about this." Charlie sighed. "Make sure when you clap someone on the back like that, they won't end up chocking on something."
"Oh, right." Jessie chuckled. "Sorry Charlie."
Hastily regaining his composure, Chazz turned to his companions. "Good morning, Jesse and Charlie."
The two, like with every meal since Chazz took the top spot, sat down to eat with him. Eating a spoonful of his cereal, Jesse took a glance at the Master List.
"Enjoying the view from second place, Anderson?" Chazz jibed.
"Actually, I don't mind it at all." Jessie smiled. "While I enjoyed being number 1, I never realized how freeing playing second fiddle could be."
"Just be happy I sit on the third seat; otherwise, I'd take what I've learned about your deck to take the first seat for myself." Charlie voiced.
"First you got to beat Anderson here, and even if you manage that, you haven't begun to see what this deck of mine is capable of." Chazz returned.
After saying that, the three of them broke out into laughter. From an outsider's perspective, it might seem like they were bickering; however, it was more of a banter between the three.
"Anyways, looks like some kid named Lucien Grimley just cracked the fifteenth spot." Chazz noted. "You two know him?"
"Never heard of him." Jesse shrugged.
"I have." Charlie nodded. "He's someone who seems luckier than your average duelist."
"In that case, maybe he struck a deal with the devil, eh?" Jessie voiced.
"Don't be ridiculous." Chazz scoffed before taking a drink of his orange juice.
"Says the guy with three duel spirits." Jessie reminded. "Stranger things have happened. You know, there is an old ghosts story around here about the grim reaper's spirit. They say it's trapped in one of the cards out on the ice."
"They say a lot of things, and it gets harder to tell which are true." Chazz grumbled. "In any regard, if I am wrong, it will make itself known to us soon enough. For now, I have to prepare for the School Duel."
"I suppose." Jesse admitted, tabling the matter for another time. "If you're going to beat Zane Truesdale, your strategies will have to be top-notch."
"Actually, Foster recently spoke with Sheppard about it." Charlie informed. "Apparently, Truesdale decided to step down. Since our representative is a freshman, it's only fair his opponent is a freshman."
"That's good news for Chazz then!" Jessie grinned. "I hear Truesdale is a crazy strong duelist. Honestly, I wouldn't mind taking him on one day."
"Well, I'm not out of the woods yet." Chazz replied.
As he spoke, the memory of his defeats at the hands of Greg, Topher, Jaden, and Kai came to mind. Given he knew dueling records would play a part, he figured the former two could be eliminated from the running. That left Yuki and Delmar as likely candidates for his opponent.
"No matter who stands in my way, I will prevail." Chazz stated. "Charlie, I hope you've found an adequate partner given our Crystal Beast user here has classes to make up for."
Sergei has agreed to partner up with me." Charlie informed. "Given he's bolstered his deck since the duel I heard you had with him, I like our chances against whatever tag team we face."
With each passing day, the School Duel drew nearer. With North Academy's reps set, the only thing they could do was prepare for that day. Prepare Chazz would for the day he set foot back on Duel Academy Island.
Charlotte Everett Knox's deck is comprised of mostly fan made Iron Chain cards. This is done because generally I like to stick with one archetype per person. Exceptions like Dimitri and Kai do exist, but it's generally one archetype per person. Given I like the Iron Chain cards for this character, I decided to do this. Of course, I did run this by her creator, Vital Info, who approved this decision.
Vital Info: They had to give it one more try with Jaden. As for Raynos, his creator didn't give me a lot of information to work with, so I decided to give him a story line. One that may technically be revealed far earlier than they actually reveal if people pay attention to a certain event I have planned to happen roughly around the end of this first year, in story. Beyond that, it was a most productive chapter for everyone.
The Duelist of Dawn: I don't think many people will actually catch onto what Greg has been with Raynos, though admittedly it's not much he's actually gotten in the grand scheme of things. In the end, people got the chance to step up while others simple couldn't. In the end, Central Academy will be all the stronger from this.