Beach: Sunday, Day…
Jaden rushed up to the net and spiked the volleyball with a great deal of force. Topher attempted to hit it back from his side but just missed it, which resulted in the ball slamming down into the sand.
"Nice one!" Raynos exclaimed as he high fived his volleyball partner.
"Yeah, another point for us!" Jaden voiced happily.
"Don't go getting cocky now." Topher warned. "Delmar and I are still ahead."
"Yeah, also game point on our end while you guys are two points behind from reaching the same." Kai added.
After determining the reps for the coming School Duel, the group convened and decided today would be a celebration of the achievement as well as to relax. Since it's been quite a while, they settled on a beach day. Currently, Kai, Topher, Jaden, and Raynos are playing volleyball.
Jasmine, Mindy, Alexis, and Sadie are sunbathing. Bastion, Chumley, and Syrus are preparing food. That left the two remaining Ras…Dimitri got out of the water and was about to head over to see if the cooking crew wanted any help when he noticed Greg.
The gladiator beast user was sitting under some shade, off by himself. Granted, Dimitri had been out swimming alone, but that was because he wanted to swim. If someone wanted to be alone today, well it's not like the group's ever minded you skipping out.
"Hey man." Dimitri greeted, his former roommate. "You look a little down in the dumps, especially given we got such a beautiful day here."
"Guess I'm just not feeling it." Greg sighed.
"Well, something is clearly up." Dimitri plopped down beside him. "Not feeling it generally means there's something up, so why don't you talk about it?" Greg turned to him with a raised eyebrow, only for his fellow Ra to grin. "Come on, it's me."
"Tsk." Greg shook his head. "I don't know." He sighed again. "Guess I'm just becoming a bit dissatisfied with where I am as a duelist. I never once thought it'd be easy, but I assumed I'd be in Obelisk by now."
"You should stop fixating on what's ahead." Dimitri voiced. "Heck, we all saw what that did to Kai. Also, stop fixating on whether you're strong or weak. From personal experience, the spiraling that comes from that isn't fun.
Put those two issues into one person, and I don't even want to know what they'd look like if it goes unchecked." He shook his head with a chuckle. "Look Greg, everyone here has their own goals, dreams, and aspirations. For many, those can overlap.
At the end of the day, for everything that comes with making dueling a career, it's still a game. I know for a fact everyone in this group loves said game. Not to mention, we're all just first years. Even Kai, for all his strength, can't beat the third best in the world.
Forget about the people close to his level, which someone on the teaching staff seems to think you're there, doing it. Bottom line, the future is uncertain. If you keep on keeping on, I think you'll eventually end up in a place where you can be content."
"Keep on keeping on, huh?" Greg looked down before then looking around the beach at everyone and letting off a small smile. "You know, perhaps I should be content with where I am now." He nodded. "I mean, I'm coming along well as a duelist, and I got great friends."
"That's the spirit." Dimitri patted his shoulder. "Now come on, let's go help with the food."
The volleyball game between the two Slifers and two Obelisks had come to an end. While it was close, Jaden and Raynos managed to reach game point themselves, Kai and Topher secured the win. The four of them had gone to the coolers and grabbed sodas.
"So Yuki, have decided on your partner for the coming School Duel?" Topher asked, genuinely curious and a bit hopeful he might get that shot.
"From the moment I won, I'd thought to pick Syrus since we have all that practice preparing for those suspension duels." Jaden voiced. "When I asked him, he actually suggested I should ask Dimitri."
"You two teaming up makes sense." Raynos voiced. "You both run your own HERO decks, so there's a great deal of synergy to be had."
"That's exactly what Syrus had to say about it, along with the fact he thinks it'll be quite the sight to behold." Jaden shrugged. "Honestly, Dimitri was my second choice anyways. After making sure it was fine with Sy, I asked him."
"Sounds like you, me, and Dimitri should get together over the week to talk shop about our decks." Kai voiced. "Even though I'm taking the singles duel while you guys got the tag duel, three heads are better than two or one separately."
"Not to mention is stands to be a good time." Jaden declared, happily. "We can let Dimitri know later and set up a time to meet come tomorrow."
"Come on you four." Jasmine patted Kai's back as she joined in on the conversation with a smile. "We agreed today the School Duel would be off limits as a conversation topic."
"Sorry." Kai smiled back at her. "I should have shut it down."
"Just keep in mind, today is about relaxation and fun." Jasmine grabbed his hand in hers. "Speaking of which, you and I are going swimming."
Kai let her lead him to the water while the other three guys decided to go build sandcastles. From there, the day was long. There was plenty of food, drinks, and fun to be had until the group, even those of boundless energy like Jaden and Dimitri, were all tuckered out.
North Academy: Days Later, Night…
The night before the School Duel, North Academy was racked by a fierce thunderstorm, but these conditions didn't change the mood of the students inside the giant wall. Everyone was gathered in a huge crowd, facing the temple at the end of one of the streets. Atop said temple stood Chazz, Charlie, and Sergi, facing the rest of the school.
Chancellor Foster stepped up to join them. "Students of North Academy!" He raised his arm. "I present our school's trio of duelists who will face off against our rival!" The rest of the students gave a thunderous cheer. "Now, I give you our top duelist and singles representative, Chazz!"
That got the crowd to cheer as Chazz stepped out ahead of the Chancellor.
"Chazz it up! Chazz it up! Chazz it up! Chazz it up!"
"There are a lot of words I could say, but they would prove meaningless." When the cheering died down, Chazz spoke up. "All I will say is, watch me." He raised his fist into the air. "Tomorrow, I bring North Academy the win it rightly deserves!"
The crowd cheered as they punched the air and chanted once more.
"Chazz it up! Chazz it up! Chazz it up! Chazz it up!"
Duel Academy: Arena, Next Day…
Jaden, Kai, and Dimitri met at the empty arena before the competition would arrive.
Feeling psyched up, the Slifer had an idea as he activated his duel disk. "Hey guys, how about we call out our monsters for the final rally?"
"Sure, why not?" Kai smiled as he activated his own.
"Don't start the party without me!" Dimitri declared, following their lead.
"C'mon out, Elemental HEROs Avian, Burstinatrix, Clayman, and Sparkman!" Jaden declared, summoning forth the four heroes Koyo Hibiki had loved most.
"Let's go, Heroic Challenger Halberd and War Rock Fortia!" Kai called out, bringing the two monsters that could fetch nearly every other monster in his deck before then dipping into his extra deck. "Join them, Utopia and Star Cestus!"
As this obviously wasn't a duel, the Obelisk could then add the two Xyz monsters, which were his brother's, to the equation.
"Don't leave me out!" Dimitri declared, slapping four of his cards down. "Masked HERO Fountain, Masked HERO Dusk Crow, Vision HERO Faris, and Vison HERO Vylon!"
There wasn't any form of sentimental attachment, beyond the fact this was the deck which worked for Dimitri. Ultimately, he just brought them out because they seemed like a neat addition to the eclectic group of monsters already out.
"Yeah!" Jaden cheered. "We've got the sweetest monsters ever!"
"With these guys on our side, North Academy's team is in trouble!" Dimitri added.
"We'll give them duels to remember!" Kai declared.
"Hey guys!" They turned to see Syrus running into the arena. "What are you doing? C'mon, everyone's waiting for you three!"
"What for?" Jaden asked.
"The Meet 'n Greet." Syrus pointed back the way he came. "North Academy is here!"
"Why didn't you say so?" Jaden leapt off the platform, his monsters disappearing, "Let's go!"
"Right behind you!" Dimitri declared, running after Jaden as his monsters vanished too.
"Let's get the let-out Syrus!" Kai turned off his duel disk and followed suit.
"Oh, wait up!" Syrus called out, trailing behind them.
Docks
Everyone at Central Academy turned up to see North Academy. With their gaze focused solely on that, it was relatively easy for a Kaiba Corp. helicopter to fly overhead. Upon disembarking Foster disembarking his academy's sub, Sheppard and Vice Chancellor Mokuba met him.
"Foster, it's been far too long." Sheppard beamed and shook the balding man's hand. "You seem to be well."
"I've been well since getting over that defeat you handed to us at last year's match." Foster chuckled.
"Oh, it was a close one." Sheppard said dismissively.
"Not really." Foster smiled. "This year though, I have a feeling it will be."
"Yes, I'm sure it will be." Sheppard nodded. "Here's to spirited duels between our two schools."
At that moment, Jaden, Dimitri, and Kai arrived, with the Slifer most eager as he looked at both Chancellors. "Yeah, yeah, spirited. Now, where are Dimitri and I's opponent?"
Sheppard pulled away from the handshake and looked at his tag representative. "We were about to get to that."
"I can't help but feel the same way as Jaden." Dimitri stated happily.
Kai nodded. "Same."
Foster looked at the trio curiously but settling on the war challenger user at Kai. "Kai Delmar, I've heard you actually managed to overcome Zane Truesdale not long ago now."
"It was a close duel." Kai nodded. "Since then, we've dueled a few more times. In the end, we're sitting at a record of three wins each."
"C'mon, c'mon!" Jaden interrupted. "When do I get to meet Dimitri and I's opponent?"
"If you're that insistent, it would be us." Charlie voiced, as she and Sergi stepped into view. "3rd seat Charlotte Everett Knox."
"4th seat, Sergi Vier." Sergi stated.
"Huh, what an interesting pair." Dimitri noted to himself.
"Alright, who's my opponent them?" Kai asked.
"That would be me." Chazz declared, stepping into view to the shock of Jaden and Kai. "Chazz of North Academy, 1st seat."
"Whoa, hold on!" Jaden was in shock. "Am I seeing things, or is that Chazz?"
"Talk whatever you want Jaden because it won't change the facts." Chazz folded his arms. "I'm here to duel."
"You are?" Jaden questioned, confused.
"When did you transfer?" Kai asked.
"Transferred at the conclusion of Winter Break." Chazz responded simply, seeing no reason to discuss Seto's involvement.
"You two shall have your match after the tag team have a go." Sergi declared.
"Rest assured, North Academy as a whole are not here to play." Charlie voiced, her eyes firmly on the prize. "Each of us are here to secure the win for North Academy."
Central and North Academy's representatives stared each other down; however, such a contest would not last as a loud whirring sound filled the sky. It was followed by a powerful wind which made everyone cover their heads.
"Now what!?" Jaden turned to see two helicopters coming down from the sky behind the crowd.
In one of the helicopters, two men stood near the open entry way. One had a goatee while the other didn't. The only things that were similar about them were the color of their hair, which was black, and the dark suits they wore. IT was Slade and Jagger, respectively.
"Hey, Chazz!" Jagger called out.
"What's going on, Little Brother?" Slade added. "Mind if we drop in?"
Chazz's eyes narrowed. "What are you two doing here!?"
"Why else?" Jagger yelled as the helicopters landed, and the engines began to die down. "We're here to see your big dueling victory!"
Slade nodded as they stepped out of the helicopter, glaring at Chazz. "You are going to win, aren't you Chazz?"
Chazz's narrowed eyes turned to a firm glare, but just before he could speak…
"That's it! Beautiful! Just act naturally."
The area was soon being invaded by men in things that looked like cherry picker trucks. Large cameras, hundreds of feet of cable, and almost any other electrical device was soon carried around by the growing number of new people.
"Set on Camera 1!"
"We're almost ready on Cameras 2 and 3!"
Foster turned to the nearest person, "What's going on here?"
"What's going on? I think you mean when are you going on, and the answer is primetime baby!" The director answered. "This School Duel will be broadcasted worldwide!"
Jaden's eyes widened as he turned to the nearest camera, only for Chazz to push him out of the way.
Before the Slifer could speak, the 1st seat of North Academy looked to the director. "Is this footage already being shown?"
"Of course!"
"Then listen up because I got something to say." Chazz declared. "I don't know what Slade and Jagger Princeton fed you, but I was disowned by them before winter break of last year." Both brothers paled upon hearing that. "You can check with the Kaiba Corporation.
Seto Kaiba himself ensured to get the documents saved in triplicate, both with the company and in my own personal accounts. I am no Princeton. I am The Chazz or Chazz of North Academy. Today, that academy is what I duel for!"
With his peace said, Chazz turned on his heels. He was flanked by Charlie and Sergi as he strolled towards the academy, leaving behind utter disbelief in Central Academy and his former brothers. As for the rest of North Academy…
"Chazz it up! Chazz it up! Chazz it up! Chazz it up!"
"Whoa, it's almost like they really like Chazz." Syrus commented, stunned.
"I don't think there's any sort of 'almost' in there." Topher noted. "Chazz is a different person from who any of here remember."
Duel Academy: Later…
While everyone was settling in the arena, Chazz's brothers brought said 1st seat, Charlie, and Sergi to the locker room. They had attempted to get just Chazz, but his companions refused to leave his side while he would not be kowtowed into dismissing them.
"What was the meaning of that display, Chazz?" Jagger asked, frustrated.
"Whatever you think that was, it was deserved." Chazz retorted. "Whatever you think I owe you for raising me, it ended the day I was disowned by you two. I'm not some tool to be discarded when there's no use left, only to be picked up when you think I can be used again."
"You were disowned because you couldn't fulfill your part…" Slade began.
"…in your stupid plan." Chazz interrupted firmly. "So called World Domination through Politics, Finance, and Duel Monsters. Give me a break!" He stood. "Jagger, you like to claim you're at the top of the economical world, but Industrial Illusions and Kaiba Corp have you beat.
As for being the top of the Duel Monster World, I'll occupy that spot without either of you. If you want to take it from me yourselves, because apparently dueling is so easy to you, you two are welcome to try.
As I've said, you two walked out on me before, and I won't let you waltz back in like nothing ever happened. You disowned me, that means neither of you have a say in what I do." He walked out. "Now, I have a duel to prepare for."
Both brothers were stunned.
"You two are awful people." Sergi moved to follow the 1st seat. "North Academy shall be to Chazz what you two should have been."
"I couldn't agree with him more." Charlie waved them off as she followed. "No matter your status, don't think you can come messing with Chazz again. North Academy has weathered worse than some people too big for their breeches."
Both Princeton brothers were left angered over what happened.
Jagger kicked a locker. "What a load of garbage!"
"The only garbage at my academy is within this room." A voice rang out, drawing the pair's attention and stunning them as there in the doorway stood Seto Kaiba. "They won't be here long because I'm about to have them removed."
"You think you can toss us out, just like that?" Slade asked.
Seto snapped his fingers, resulting in four of his men storming the room. Slade and Jagger were instantly restrained.
"Seto Kaiba never thinks he can do anything, he just does them." Seto retorted. "Beyond that, this is my island you two neanderthals wandered onto. I may not be the chancellor, but my money made this. Consider yourselves fortunate I'm too busy to work on trespassing you.
I find it easier to have you escorted off. The only thing you two have done right is the publicity, which I've usurped to film everything as it happens rather than the show you'd try to pass off." He looked to his men. "Get them out of here, quietly."
Once they were gone, Seto stepped out of the locker room with the intention of taking his leave. He'd see the duels on his helicopters' personal TV. He was, after all, a busy guy who spent a little too much time on the island, in recent time, in rather quick succession. In truth, dealing with the Princeton Brothers had been all he really had time for today.
Arena
Every single seat in the arena was filled with students from Duel or North Academy. Everyone screamed and cheered from the top of the lungs, chanting their favorite's names, as the camera crews made their rounds.
Foster and Sheppard sat side by side, in the large crowd of North Academy students, with the balding man smiling as he glanced at his colleague. "Same bet as usual, eh Sheppard? You do remember, don't you?"
"Absolutely." Sheppard nodded. "After all, old friend, it's what makes this all worthwhile."
On the sidelines, Jaden, Dimitri, and Kai looked onto the field while only Syrus and Topher were there to give them a pep talk. The rest were already in the stands, having snagged and kept seats for the two.
"With Chazz being the North Academy singles rep, I bet you're a bit bummed not to be up against him, huh Jay?" Syrus asked.
"Not really." Jaden shrugged, stunning his roommate. "I mean, I bet Chazz developed a lot over at North Academy, but if I spend time thinking about the duel I don't get, I won't be able to enjoy the duel that's right in front of me."
Kai chuckled. "That's Jaden for you."
"Just careful you don't underestimate Chazz, Kai." Topher warned. "It's like he's a dragon who hasn't honed his claws until he took off to a different treasure horde."
"While I certainly did underestimate who Chazz used to be, rest assured I won't make that mistake with who he is now." Kai voiced.
"All I have to say is that while you two were chosen for these roles, I promise I'm not going to weigh Jaden down." Dimitri declared.
"Never thought that in the first place." Jaden declared with a hearty smile.
"Yeah." Kai nodded in agreement. "You've come plenty far as a duelist, and while you weren't considered to be a potential rep by the teachers, I know you'll do great out there."
"Attention students!" Sheppard rose from his seat with Foster following suit. "Welcome to the School Duel!"
Foster raised his hand. "And now..."
"Let this year's competition commence!" They both cried.
Sheppard looked at Mokuba. "Vice Chancellor, introduce the duelists for the event!"
"With pleasure, Chancellor Sheppard." Mokuba walked onto the platform, a microphone in hand. "First, from Duel Academy…" The section of Slifers, Ras, and Obelisks erupted into a huge uproar. "Alright, settle down."
He waved his arm to one side of the platform. "Introducing, Kai Delmar, Jaden Yuki, and Dimitri Thompson!" More cheers erupted from Central Academy's side, with Kai looking calm while the tag team waved ecstatically. "From North Academy…"
"I'll take it from here, with the traditional speech the singles rep of North Academy gives." Chazz declared as he walked up with Charlie and Sergi.
"If you insist…" Mokuba shrugged before handing the mic over.
"They're Sergi Vier and Charlie Knox while I'm Chazz of North Academy." Chazz declared. "For those who don't know, I once attended this academy, so it's likely people here might have some preconceived notions of just who I am.
If that's the case, I'm telling you to throw them out. The Chazz is a changed man, one who everyone should watch because I'm going to let the duel do the talking for my skills. What I can say for certain is that The Chazz is here to…"
"Chazz it up! Chazz it up! Chazz it up!"
"See that!?" Chazz nodded as he spoke once more. "North Academy knows exactly what I'm here to do. Of course, it's not just me who stands here today, but I'm not about to speak on their behalf. All I'll say is their dueling will do the talking, just as mine will."
Chazz then passed the mic back to Mokuba before approaching the tag team pair and walking in between them. "You two are up." He walked on. "Show them how we roll at North Academy."
"Right, Chazz." Sergi returned.
Charlie nodded. "We won't give them an inch."
"Looks like that's my cue." Kai turned to his academy's tag team before nodding. "Give your best."
"You know it!" Dimitri declared.
"Of course!" Jaden added.
Kai smiled before departing for the sidelines. It was finally time for the School Duel to commence. First the tag teams would be going at it before the single representatives had their shot, all for a prize only the chancellors and older students were aware of.
I know you guys might have expected the Belowski chapter, and while I like the character, I don't particularly like what is implied. While yes, he does have this supernatural power, just think about the implications. He's sealed off with his only real interactions coming from being visited or being unleashed as some sort of chill attack dog. Given I've already excused Wheeler(the monkey) in my story, I'd rather not try to explain that away.
Moving on from that, Chazz has already had his chapters to the point I could just steer things right into the topic of the School Duel. As I want to try and keep the duels within one chapter, I left all the set up for this chapter. It also serves as a bit of a decompressive break from the duel royale before just getting into these arguably bigger duels by proxy of what they stand for. Hopefully, you can all understand my choices here.
3bodyjaa: Thank you.
The Duelist of Dawn: There were just so many characters to the point I wanted to keep track of everything.
Vital Info: With all the work I've done in various Yugioh fanfictions, that was the first time I've ever had five opponents at once, so I can understand why it'd be rough to some people. All I can say is that I learned a lot, which I can apply the next time larger scale duels like this comes up. When it comes to this Bastion, the only decks he has left to use at least once are his Wind & Earth(which people should have clocked by know are Magnet Warriors) decks.
I will say I have it in my head how he'll end up using both, at least once, before the end of year one. As for Kai taking the singles representative spot, I honestly mulled over giving it to every other character involved in this duel at one point or another. Ultimately, I recognized that Kai needed to be rep for a specific reason I will not get into here. All I'll say is watch me because their is a method to this I think you might enjoy as it pans out.
To go more in depth, I did eventually settle on Kai and Jaden being the reps; however, it wasn't cemented who would be which rep. What ultimately sold it for me was the fact that if Jaden is the tag team rep, I could easily write a way to make Dimitri his partner. Given I've made this Dimitri a HERO user of his own, I just had to snatch this prime opportunity to make them duel together.
I do have to say that this place did not stick, so we are now looking to move in October to another new place. You know, just be potentially prepared for all the usual stuff I've talked about before when it comes to this.