Chapter 3: Pride
Summary: Pride always come before the...
One month has passed at Duel Academy and outside of Jaden and Chazz's illegal midnight ante duel and what is now known as the "Girls Dorm" incident, that Takashi lightly lectured Syrus for, the month had gone by without any incidents. Though Syrus had spent the last two weeks stressing about the upcoming "Start of the Month Promotion Exam" Takashi had tried and failed to calm Syrus's nerves, he also failed in his attempts to get Jaden to take it seriously.
On the morning of the exam Takashi was on the main walkway heading to the main building for his test when he heard the sound of running and then a thud behind him. Turning around he sees that Syrus had face planted on the walkway. Chuckling he walks over and offers Syrus his hand. "Come on Syrus you can't take the exam from down there."
Syrus laughs nervously and let's Takashi help him up. "Thanks Takashi. I think I tripped over my own feet in my mad dash to make it on time." Takashi smiles softly.
"It happens to the best of us. Now where's Jaden? I doubt he got there early." Syrus's face falls.
"He slept through the alarm, and I couldn't get him to wake up." Syrus starts waving his hands in panic. "I mean I tried to wake him up! But he wasn't budging, and I didn't want to be late! Also, Chumleysaidweareenemiesinthexamso!" Takashi pats Syrus on his head to cut him off.
"It's alright Syrus, me and Jaden know how much this test is stressing you. Go, I'll go get Jaden. I'm pretty confident that even if I'm late I can pass the test, with your test anxiety you should use all the time you can so you can calm your nerves."
"But Jaden was dead asleep what if you can't wake him up and miss the test entirely?"
"Well, I'm not planning to be promoted this year either way so it wouldn't be the end of the world. But regardless we won't miss the test, with these prosthetics of mine I'll grab one of his uniforms and carry him to the test if I have to." Syrus chuckles at that and quickly bows to Takashi before running off waving.
"Thanks Takashi I really appreciate this!" Takashi gives a small laugh and starts making his back to the Slifer Red Dorm.
/RFSXPL/
Takashi enters Jaden's room and looks up towards Chumley on the top bunk. "Chumley I know you think you're helping but you know Syrus is anxious it's not nice to take advantage of that to try to sway him to your mindset." Chumley just shrugs while lying on his side facing the wall.
"Whatever I don't even know why I tried to help him, it's not like I'm taking the test this month anyways." Takashi sighs sadly and walks over to the sleeping Jaden.
"Alright Jaden time to get up." Jaden snores and Takashi begins shaking Jaden by the shoulder. "Jaden wake up!" Jaden continues to snore and Takashi sighs tiredly, before getting a small smile. "Alright don't say I didn't try to do this the nice and easy way." Takashi grabs Jaden by the ankles and yanks him off the bed dangling above the ground and starts shaking Jaden who jolts awake.
"I'm up! I'm up!" Takashi gently sets Jaden on the ground who sits up cross-legged and starts laughing. "Man, you sure know how to wake someone up!" Takashi chuckles.
"And you can sleep through almost anything." Takashi points to his alarm clock. "You might want to look at the time." Jaden looks over at his clock, sees the time, and begins scrambling to get up.
"Gah I'm late!" Takashi just watches as Jaden runs around the room frantically getting ready.
"Have you considered investing in a louder alarm clock?"
"Why would I need that when I got you?"
"Are you demoting me from friend to alarm clock?"
"You can be both!" Jaden laughs while saying that and Takashi just shakes his head in amusement. Jaden gets his deck box. "Alright I'm ready to go lets book it!" With that he runs out the door followed by Takashi, closing the door behind them.
/RFSXPL/
Jaden and Takashi are running up the hill leading from their dorm to the main building. Up ahead of them is an older woman trying to push a van up the hill. Takashi veers towards the van yelling to Jaden. "You go ahead and keep going Jaden I'm going to help this woman!" As he's yelling, Jaden has already run up next to him.
"Sorry I'm a sucker for things like this too!" Jaden pushes from the right backside behind the woman while Takashi opens the front left door and pushing across from the woman. "We'll help you ma'am."
The woman looks at them in worry. "No, you'll be late… Don't you have a test today?" Takashi just smiles at her.
"If we're late we're late. We couldn't just stand back and leave someone in trouble." The woman smiles gratefully at the two.
"You boys…" Jaden gives a thumbs up.
"With the three of us we'll get this up there in no time!"
"I'm so sorry." The woman apologizes which Takashi shakes his head at.
"No need to be sorry ma'am. No should ever be sorry for needing help."
/RFSXPL/
Upon reaching the classroom, after helping the woman get her van up the hill Jaden and Takashi find Syrus who had fallen asleep at his desk. As they walk up to the seats next to him Syrus jolts awake and looks up at the two.
Jaden grins. "Come on, don't waste all that studying by sleeping through the test!" Takashi nods.
"Studying is important, but you really should remember to get the proper amount of sleep too." Syrus nervously grins.
"B-Bro…"
"Shut up, Slifer Red! Some of us are trying to take a test! If you aren't taking the test, get out!" Chazz interrupts the trio shouting from two rows up. Jaden turns around and glares at Chazz.
"Give us a break… We came all the way here; we're not going home now!" Takashi puts a hand on Jaden's shoulder.
"We were being a bit loud." He gives Chazz and apologetic look and bows slightly. "I am sorry for the noise Chazz." Chazz glares harder looking at Takashi and is about to say something when Professor Banner calls out from the front desk.
"Jaden Yuki and Takashi Mirai, come get your question sheets already. There isn't much time left." Jaden turns to Banner smiling.
"Sure, be right down!"
"Be right down Professor." Takashi turns to Chazz and bows one more time. "Sorry again Chazz we'll be quiet now."
While Bastion, Alexis, and some of the other students are about how carefree the two are about being thirty minutes late for the test Chazz is glaring down at Takashi. "I'm going to wipe that condescending smile off your face you coward!"
At some point during the test Syrus fell back asleep leaning on Jaden who had also fallen asleep. Takashi finished the test with five minutes to spare. Across campus the PA system blared.
"The written test is now over. The practical exam will take place at two PM, in the gym."
Once the announcement finished most people in the classroom bolted to get to the school store. All hoping to get their hands on a new shipment of rare cards in hopes of giving a boost to their decks before the practical. Chazz followed his friends at a slow pace while they frantically ran ahead. Alexis went the opposite way from the others content with her current cards for the test. While Bastion and Takashi stayed behind to wake the sleeping Jaden and Syrus.
"Hey, wake up, you two! The test already ended!"
"Sometimes I don't know what I'm going to do with you guys." Syrus is the first to wake up, jumping out of his seat.
"I'm done for. What was even the point of all that studying?" Jaden wakes up and looks at Syrus with a mischievous grin.
"Don't sweat it. The real test is the practical in the afternoon." Takashi shakes his head.
"That is a very you answer Jaden. Not too surprised though, it's easy to see you are a tactile learner." Jaden looks at Takashi confused while Bastion gets a look of realization.
"A what?"
"Now that your saying it, that does make a lot of sense." Takashi looks at Jaden.
"Best way to describe it is someone who learns through practical application and in this specifically you learn all you know about Duel Monsters, by well, dueling." Jaden and Syrus nod at that in understanding.
"That does sound like me."
"Yeah that's bro to a tee. Also not to derail the topic. But where is everyone?" Jaden looks around just noticing the room is empty besides them.
"Yeah is it lunchtime already?" Bastion gestures in the direction everyone ran.
"They went to the school store." Takashi nods.
"Yeah, apparently there's a big shipment of new rare cards coming that are going to be available this afternoon." Syrus freaks out at this.
"A big shipment of rare cards?!" Bastion leans on the desk.
"Everyone went to buy stuff to buff up their decks before the practical test." Syrus looks between Bastion and Takashi.
"A-Aren't you guys going?"
I have faith in my current deck. I don't need any new cards." Takashi pipes in after Bastion.
"Well remember my job here is to test and show off these new cards before Pegasus releases them. So, I already have all the cards I'll need." Takashi rubs the back of his head. "I also would have felt bad ditching you guys." Syrus looks at Jaden.
"B-Bro?"
Jaden jumps out of his seat. "I'm… curious! I've just gotta see what kind of cards they have! Let's go, Syrus, Takashi!" Jaden runs out of the room with Syrus running after him.
"Okay!" Takashi follows after them at a slower pace waving to Bastion as he goes.
"Bye Bastion I guess I'll see you at the practical."
"Have fun Takashi."
/RFSXPL/
"Miss where are the new cards?"
"A student came and bought most of them. This is all that's left." The cashier sliding a single pack in front of Jaden and Syrus is the sight Takashi saw upon entering.
"O-Only one?" Syrus and Jaden exclaimed in disbelief at the same time.
"Well considering the stampede I saw coming this way I can't say I'm surprised." Takashi chuckles coming into the room. Syrus starts looking nervous.
"What do we do now, guys? I bombed the written test badly. I was really hoping to build up my deck with some new cards." Jaden just smiles in defeat.
"It's okay. You should buy it." Syrus looks at Jaden in surprise.
You'll let me have it? But it's the last pack!"
"No worries." Takashi just shrugs.
"Yeah I don't have a need or desire for it, and Jaden's offering, I would just take it Syrus."
"But guys… Today's an important test. And we're all enemies." Jaden looks sad at that while Takashi sighs and shakes his head.
"Enemies? Why?"
"Syrus you have to stop letting Chumley's negative outlook get to you. We're all friends and rivals we want to lift each other up. After all the stronger our friends and rivals are the stronger we can get to trying to keep up." Jaden gets a big smile.
"Takashi's totally right Syrus. Anyway, we still have time before the practical test. Let's go work on our decks!" Takashi pipes in.
"I already have a few decks picked out depending on my opponent for the practical, so I'll probably just hang out with you guys."
"Hold it!" The trio and cashier look to the back where voice came from as the woman who Jaden and Takashi helped comes out of the backroom. Jaden and Takashi are happy to see her.
"You're the lady from before!"
"It's a pleasure to see you again ma'am." The woman just gives them a large grin.
"No need to call me "lady" or "ma'am". Call me Dorothy! Dorothy!" Syrus looks between the three confused while Jaden grins and Takashi gives a small smile.
"So, you run the school store, Ms. Dorothy?"
"I'll keep that in mind Ms. Dorothy."
"Wait you guys know her?" Jaden laughs scratching his cheek.
"Yeah, we sort of met." Dorothy waves the trio over.
"Anyway, step right this way." Dorothy starts laughing. "I've got something good to sell you!"
/RFSXPL/
Chazz and his friends are walking through the halls discussing the card situation.
"Who was the guy that bought up all the cards?"
"I couldn't buy any… What will we do about this afternoon's test?" Chazz comes to a stop.
"Stop panicking. There's no point in integrating new cards for a mere monthly test. No one in Obelisk Blue could beat me anyway."
"But what if your opponent were Jaden Yuki?" The trio look up the stairs they were passing to see Professor Crowler in a black hat and trench coat.
"What?" Chazz asks. Crowler just smirks.
"Can you beat Jaden Yuki with your current deck?" Taiyou looks angry.
"You're the one who bought all the cards!" Crowler's smirk widens.
"Those cards are right…" He throws his coat open revealing some of the rare cards. "in here!" Raizou and Taiyou look confused.
"Who are you?"
"Why did you buy all the cards?!" Chazz just looks at his friends in disbelief.
"Are they joking? That's clearly Professor Crowler in a hat and jacket." Crowler continues his speech.
"You still do not know, Mr. Princeton, my true identity?" Crowler whips the hat and coat off fully revealing his face to the shock of Raizou and Taiyou. Chazz raises an eyebrow.
"You're Professor Crowler, who lost to Jaden Yuki." Crowler nearly falls over in shock before catching himself.
"First thing it's "doctor" I earned my PHD thank you very much. Secondly a Slifer slacker like Jaden Yuki must be crushed, posthaste, by an elite like yourself! That is why I have come to ask you. Fight Jaden!" Chazz crosses his arms looking up at Crowler.
"But the practical test is conducted among members of the same dorm."
"Just you leave that to me! And then that slacker will learn how rare elites, such as we, really are." Crowler starts laughing but is interrupted by Chazz.
"I want a different opponent!" Crowler stops laughing and looks at him in shock.
"B-But don't you want to prove how elite you are over that…" Crowler is cut off.
"I already showed that loser I could beat him. No, I want to face the other guy who beat you! Takashi Mirai!" Chazz grits his teeth. "You think you're too good to duel me Mirai? I'll show everyone that behind those fancy cards is just a loser and a coward." Crowler looks hesitant at that.
"A-Ah well I suppose I could arrange that. But what about that other Slifer Slacker Jaden?! Who's going to crush him in front of everyone?!" Chazz just points at his two friends behind him.
"Just pick one of these guys. Give them a few rare cards. They might not be as good as me but with some buffs in their decks I'm sure they can handle that loser." Chazz's friends look smug. While Crowler looks nervous.
"I guess we can do that." Crowler turns around to bit his handkerchief. "I suppose this could work. Mr. Mirai has connections to Pegasus so I doubt I could ever expel him, not that the goodie-goodie gives me many ways to try. So, I'll just have to settle for one of my Obelisk elites crushing him. Surely one of my other Obelisk can handle lucky trash like Jaden with some rare cards."
/RFSXPL/
"Why am I dueling one of Chazz's friends?" Taiyou flips his bang looking smug.
"For your information the name is Taiyou Torimaki. Also, what's the matter you scared to face an elite." Crowler walks up to the two.
"You see, you and Mr. Mirai performed so well on your entrance exams, no one in Slifer Red is a balanced match for either of you. Hence, I have determined that Mr. Torimaki would be a more appropriate opponent for you! Of course, should you beat him, you will be promoted to Ra Yellow. What do you think, Jaden Yuki?"
"Sounds great! I want to duel with all kinds of people. I want to accept any challenge, from anyone!"
"Wonderful!" Crowler then points to Takashi off on the side. "As for you Mr. Mirai since you have no desire to move dorms this year, and you are here to promote new cards for Mr. Pegasus, we have special plans for your duel. Once everyone else has finished you will face off against Chazz Princeton." Takashi scratches his cheek chuckling nervously.
"After everyone has finished?" Crowler laughs.
"Of course! You and your cards will get the spotlight as you duel someone with the skills needed to overcome those cards of yours." Chazz smirks.
"No backing out of this duel like the last one coward! I'm going to wipe the floor with you and show everyone how trash you really are!" Takashi stops chuckling and calmly smiles at Chazz.
"Well, I'm happy your my opponent Chazz." Takashi walks up to Chazz and holds his hand out. "Here's to a good match." Chazz's smirk morphs into a scowl as he smacks the hand away.
"Oh, it will be. For me at least." With his piece said Chazz walks away leaving Takashi standing there with a concerned frown. Crowler ushers Takashi back to the sidelines.
"Aright Mr. Torimaki, Mr. Yuki, with that out of the way. Let the duel begin!"
Jaden and Taiyou stare each other down, Jaden with an excited grin, Taiyou with a look of arrogance.
"Duel!"
Jaden LP/Hand: 8000/ Two Elemental HERO Sparkman, Pot of Greed, Hero Signal, Monster Reborn.
Taiyou LP/Hand: 8000/ Meteor Dragon, A Wingbeat of Giant Dragon, Stamping Destruction, Lord of D., Dragon's Gunfire.
Taiyou smirks holding his free hand out to Jaden. "I'll let you go first Slifer Slacker. After all, dueling an Obelisk elite like me means you're only going to get so many turns this duel."
Jaden draws. "Fine by me!" Jaden adds the drawn Fusion Sage to his hand. "First I'll play Pot of Greed and draw two cards!" Jaden draws Elemental HERO Stratos and Winged Kuriboh. "Next I'll play Elemental HERO Stratos…"
Elemental HERO Stratos Atk / Def: 1800 / 300
"and when he's summoned I can add a Hero monster from my deck to my hand!" Jaden adds Elemental HERO Clayman to his hand and sets Hero Signal facedown. "Finally, I'll throw down a card facedown and end my turn." Taiyou sweats a little but regains his smirk when he draws Blackland Fire Dragon.
"Well slacker all the work you put into that turn is about to go up in smoke! I summon Blackland Fire Dragon!"
Blackland Fire Dragon Atk / Def: 1500 / 800
"Then I'll play Dragon's Gunfire and activate it's second effect and since your Stratos has less than 900 Defense points, I can target and destroy it!" Blackland Fire Dragon opens its mouth and shoots a fireball that destroys Stratos. "Now let's get rid of that facedown of yours by playing Stamping Destruction!" Blackland Fire Dragon flies over and stomps on Jaden's facedown shattering Hero Signal, the shrapnel of the card hits Jaden inflicting 500 points of damage to him.
Jaden LP: 8000-500=7500
"And when Stamping Destruction destroys a spell or trap card you take 500 points of damage! Now attack Blackland Dragon." Blackland Fire Dragon lets loose a stream of fire on Jaden.
Jaden LP: 7500-1500=6000
"I'll end my turn at that, your move slacker!" Jaden just grins and draws The Flute of Summoning Kuriboh. "That was a sweet turn Taiyou, now it's time for my comeback! First I'll play Fusion Sage and add one Polymerization from my deck to my hand. Next I'll play Polymerization and fuse Elemental HERO Sparkman and Elemental HERO Clayman from my hand to fusion summon, Elemental HERO Thunder Giant!"
Elemental HERO Thunder Giant Atk / Def: 2400/1500
"Now I'll activate Thunder Giant's effect, I'll discard one card to target one monster on the field with original Attack less than his Attack and destroy it! So, say "see ya later" to Blackland Dragon!" Jaden discards The Flute of Summoning Kuriboh and Thunder Giant charges towards the dragon and unleashes a blast of lightning from its palm destroying it. "Now Thunder Giant attack!" It now hovers it's palm over Taiyou blasting him.
Taiyou LP: 8000-2400=5600
"And with that I'll throw it back to you Taiyou." Taiyou grits his teeth and looks annoyed with drawing Dragon's Rage.
"Lucky play you slacker." Taiyou growls under his breath and sets Lord of D. and Dragon's Rage facedown.
Lord of D. Atk / Def: 1200 / 1100
"I'll set two cards and end my turn!" Jaden draws Reinforcement of the Army. "Alright in that case it's my turn again! I play Reinforcement of the Army which lets me add a level four or lower Warrior monster from my deck to my hand." Jaden adds another Elemental HERO Stratos to his hand. "Now I'll summon the monster I just added! Say "hello" again to Elemental HERO Stratos!"
Elemental HERO Stratos Atk / Def: 1800/300
"I'll then activate his other effect which lets me destroy spells and traps up to the number of HERO monsters I control other than Stratos." Stratos destroys Taiyou's facedown Dragon's Rage with a blast of wind from his wing propellers. "Now Stratos attack his facedown monster!" Stratos dive punches Taiyou's facedown destroying Lord of D. "Now Thunder Giant attack Taiyou directly!"
Taiyou LP: 5600-2400=3200
"And with that I'll end my turn, your move Taiyou!" Taiyou glares at his deck in disdain.
"These rare dragon cards were supposed to boost my deck. Guarantee my victory over this loser trash, but instead he has me on the ropes. Me, an Obelisk elite! It doesn't matter one card! All I need to win is one good card!" Taiyou draws Dragon Treasure, and his look of anger turns to defeat as he puts his hand on top of his deck. "I-I forfeit."
Jaden's eyes widen. "Wait really! Alright, that was a fun duel!" Syrus runs up with Bastion and Takashi walking behind.
"Hey! Hey, Bro!" Chancellor Shepard's voice coming from the speakers sounds across the room.
"With your exemplary dueling skills, ability to stay calm under pressure, and beating a classmate two dorms higher than you with relative ease. I believe everyone can agree you have earned this promotion. Jaden Yuki, you are hereby advanced to Ra Yellow." The crowd cheers in congratulations for Jaden as Syrus hugs him.
"Amazing! You really are amazing! I'm so impressed, you beat the Obelisk guy like it was nothing!" Jaden grins.
"I am amazing aren't I?" Bastion walks to Jaden with his hand held out while Takashi stands back with a knowing look.
"Jaden Yuki, congratulations. And welcome to Ra Yellow." Jaden shakes his hand.
"Thanks!" He lets go and turns back around to face Sheppard in the examiner box. "But.." Takashi nods with a small grin while everyone looks at Jaden in surprise.
"And here we go."
"I really appreciate the opportunity Chancellor, but I think I'll take a page out of Takashi's book and stay in Slifer Red." The whole room goes silent and at once all the students in the room, other than Jaden and Takashi shout.
"What!"
Jaden just laughs at everyone's shout as Sheppard speaks up with amusement in his voice. "Well, if that's what you wish we can't force a promotion on you, so for now you will remain a Slifer Red." Jaden thanks him still laughing at everyone's expressions. "On that note, for the last round one duelist is Obelisk Blue and the other has already stated he doesn't desire to be promoted this year. So, while both players will be graded still please feel free to view this as an exhibition match. Chazz Princeton vs Takashi Mirai, both duelists please make your way to the arena."
Bastion, Jaden, and Syrus make their way of the field wishing Takashi luck with Jaden patting him on the back. Taiyou slinks off the field passing by Chazz who doesn't even acknowledge him to Taiyou's growing shame.
"So, are you ready to finally duel me you cowardly trash!" Takashi sighs.
"I never said I never wanted to duel you, just that I wouldn't under the circumstance of that night."
Chazz activates his duel disk and inserts his deck. "Just be quiet coward and activate your duel disk!" Takashi holds out his left arm activating his duel disk and inserting his own deck.
"I've heard you call others "trash" before, even me just a minute ago. So, I'm going to show you the power of "trash" this duel!" Chazz and Takashi grab their first five cards and shout.
"Duel!"
Kind of a short simple duel, Jaden mopping the floor with one of Chazz's flunkies leading up to the duel between Chazz and Takashi. The moment I decided that, outside of extenuating circumstances, Takashi would be a bit of a rule follower I kind of knew Chazz would push to duel Takashi during the promotion exam. What Chazz hated about Jaden is that some nobody came in and was making waves while claiming to be better than him. So I thought "What would he hate more?" and it occurred to me, someone that, in his mind, didn't even think he was worth dueling. So he viewed Takashi not willing to break the rules to accept his challenge as a slight against him, even more than Jaden saying he would beat him in a duel. But yeah tell me how I'm doing representing the canon characters personalities, particularly pre-character development Chazz.