Before we get into the story, I have a request. Please stop PM of asking to do concept art for my stories. I'm a bit strapped for cash and cannot afford to pay for your services. I'm flattered that so many of you are interested, but please don't ask. Thank you.

Chapter Seven- The Rally

"Welcome everyone to another year at Duel Academy," Sheppard said, beaming at his students. "To begin, freshman Blair Flannigan will recite the Duel Academy oath."

Chazz inwardly moaned at this. The oath was a bit embarrassing to hear, let alone recite it. Blair came up to the front and proudly gave the oath before the entire school. The students clapped and as she headed back to her seat, she gave a smile and a wink to Jaden.

"I thought she had a crush on you, Chazz," Hassleberry said. "I mean, that's what everyone else was sayin',"

"Not anymore, obviously."

"Now, we are having four duelist joining us this year, one from each of our branch schools." Sheppard cleared his throat. "From East Academy, Adrian Gecko."

Gecko! Chazz thought as said student came onto the stage. Her eyes narrowed. Adrian's family's company was a rival to Princeton Corp though she wasn't exactly sure why. She did, however, know that Adrian's family was richer than hers and she disliked him on that alone. She knew that was a weak excuse, but that was how she felt. I must duel him.

Chazz was so lost in her thoughts about Adrian, she missed the next two introductions but the last one seized her attention as Sheppard said, "And finally from North Academy, Jesse Anderson."

"Jesse Anderson," she murmured, certain that he became the top duelist after she left and when year two stared for Jesse was not at North when she had been there; she would have remembered him when she went through the fifty man duel gauntlet.

"You know him?" Jaden asked.

"Not personally. I've heard that he possesses the Crystal Beasts cards." At her friends' curious looks, she continued, "The Crystal Beasts are a series of seven cards Pegasus created but never released and then gave them away as a tournament prize and it says Jesse Anderson won that tournament."

"Sweet. I'd love to duel him."

"Go ahead, Slacker. I have my sights on Adrian Gecko."

"Why? You got a crush on him?" Hassleberry teased.

Chazz scowled at him. "Of course not. His family is richer than mine and he's a snob, besides. I can't stand someone richer than me. Furthermore, I may be a girl, but it's only my body that's changed."

"I don't know, I thought I saw you blush faintly when Sy commented on how you look in your uniform."

Chazz now glared at him. "You would do the same if someone complimented you."

Jaden grinned. "She's got you there, Hassleberry. So, Chazz. Is it that important that you duel Adrian?"

"There's only room at this school for one spoiled, rich kid," she muttered in response as she watched the foreigners leave. I'm sure they're staying at Obelisk. That's fine with me.

Suddenly, Jaden stood up, mouth agape before saying, "Chazz, look!" He pointed and Chazz looked to see a duel spirit hovering above the shoulder of Jesse Anderson!

"You think Jesse can see duel spirits too?" she asked.

"I do and I'm gonna ask him about it." He turned and grabbed Chazz's hand. "Come on, Chazz."

"What? Why me?"

"Why? 'Cause you can see them too and it's like Neos said earlier. People like us often find one another. Aren't you a little curious?"

Honestly, Chazz was curious. She wondered if that spirit was one of the Crystal Beasts and, if so, she wanted to see it up close as well as the other cards. My brothers would be jealous if I got to see them while they didn't. She stood. "Yeah, I am curious. Let's go." She joined Jaden on the stairs and hurried after where they had seen the foreign duelist go as the rally ended.

Adrian, Axel, and Jim were nowhere to be seen, but they spied Jesse climbing the stairs to the roof and seemed to be talking to the spirit that looked like a purple cat with a red jewel on the end of its tail. It's pretty, Chazz thought. It has to be one of the Crystal Beasts. She felt a bit smug at having laid eyes on one while Slade and Jagger had not. Oh, I would love to throw this moment in their faces.

Jaden and Chazz hurried after Jesse and when they go to the roof, Jaden called, "Jesse!" He turned and flashed a warm, friendly smile. "Howdy. You are?" He held out a hand.

"Uh, I'm Jaden Yuki and this is Chazz Princeton." Jaden took Jesse's hand and tilted his head at Chazz.

Jesse released Jaden's hand and held it out to Chazz. "I heard about you, Chazz from when you attended North briefly, though they mentioned you as a guy."

"I was a guy until a month ago. A formula was mixed into a drink and I became a girl overnight. Believe me, I did not want this." She shook Jesse's hand.

"Well of course you didn't."

"Jesse," Jaden said. "Can you see duel spirits?"

Jesse blinked and then grinned. "Sure can. You too?"

"Yeah. Chazz can too."

"Cool. Nice to know I'm not the only one."

"You have the Crystal Beasts cards, right?" Chazz asked. "I'd like to see them."

"I can do better than that," Jess said. "Come on out, everyone."

Chazz startled slightly when seven spirits materialized suddenly but recovered from it.

"Chazz, these are Ruby Carbuckle, Amber Mammoth, Emerald Tortoise, Amethyst Cat, Cobalt Eagle, Topaz Tiger, and Sapphire Pegasus."

Chazz breathed softly before saying, "They're beautiful. You're lucky to have them. My family's company would be willing to pay millions for them."

"Well, they are one of a kind cards. Actually, there is one card I'm looking for to complete my deck."

"What's it' called?" Jaden asked.

"Rainbow Dragon. It can only be summoned when all seven Crystal Beasts are on the field or in the graveyard. It's supposedly a very beautiful card and I'm tryin' to pick up leads on its location."

"I have no doubt it's beautiful," Chazz said, thinking of the other seven cards who had vanished after Chazz's comment about their beauty. "I hope you find it."

"Same here and when you do, I'd like to duel you," Jaden said.

"Why wait 'til then? We can duel sometime this year."

Jaden flashed a grin at this. Jesse turned to Chazz. "We can duel too."

"We can but I want to take on Adrian first."

"Oh? How come?"

"Well…I know this will sound stupid but he's richer than me and I don't like that."

"Oh." Jesse shrugged. "If that's what floats your boat, go for it. I'll be rootin' ya on."

"I appreciate your support."

"So, where are you staying?" Jaden asked.

"Over there." Jesse pointed at Obelisk, which confirmed Chazz's suspicions.

"Oh, we live over there." Jaden pointed off toward Slifer.

"Mind if I take a look?"

"Sure, but they're not much to look at, except my place," Chazz said.

"Maybe but it might be nicer than my quarters at North."

"You're right about that," said Chazz as the trio left the rook and headed for Slifer.