I was in a huge creative block for ages, real life bummed me out big time to say the least and loads of crap happened. But then I just started writing a bunch of random ideas when the mood struck and before I knew it, I had a growing plot for a new story going, so I figured why not try it out? So, this is me letting my imagination out to play with the yugioh gx world.

I'm taking ideas and inspiration from both the sub and the dub versions of gx as well as the manga. I've mostly watched the dub so I'm sticking to the English names since they're the ones I'm familiar with. Except with Jesse, who's Johan Andersen here. I just really liked the name after I found what it means and I think it really fits with what I'm planning for him here.

Anyway, this story starts after the duel with the Paradox brothers. Johan's attending duel academy due to story related reasons which I plan to reveal eventually…


The boat finally came to a stop at its destination, the large island completely dwarfing the vessel. A teenager began to disembark minutes within its arrival, turning as one of the crew called out to him ''Are you sure you don't want one of us coming along, young master? Leaving like this…''

''It's all right, Ludwig, really. I know how to get there. Besides, it'll take too long and if you keep staying, you'll be the ones in trouble. I don't want to slow anyone down.''

He immediately regretted the words, for the entire crew was quick to protest. All of the firm opinion that it'd certainly not be an issue and they would absolutely love to help should he say the word.

The boy couldn't help smiling. While they could be a bit much, he truly did appreciate how much the staff cared for him. ''Thank you all…but you know why I decided to come now. I'll be fine but if anything happens, you'll be the first to know.''

Ludwig sighed, conceding with a grin ''We'll be holding you to that, young master. Good luck!''

The boat departed within moments, the boy looking back at the building looming in the center of the island. There it was…Duel Academy…

To think he'd be coming here with such mixed feelings after so long…it just went to show how much changed…

Mentally shaking himself, the boy taking in a deep breath before exhaling. It wasn't the time to worry about that. He just had to put his best foot forward.

'That's better.'

A smile came unbidden to his lips at the familiar voice, looking to his right to find the figure of a knight in blue and silver armor watching. This was the duel spirit of Jack's Knight. 'That was quite eventful. Although given your track record, their concerns are understandable.'

The boy appreciated the attempt to lift the mood, easily rolling with the job ''You know it's not that, if Ludwig gets started on making sure everything meets his standards again…''

'Ah, there is that.' Both shared a chuckle. The man meant well, really but his high standards were exasperating 'Well then, shall we, old friend?'


Sheppard looked up at the knock on his door ''Come in.''

His face lit up at the sight of the boy entering, jade eyes softening with his smile ''It's been a while, Sir. Good to see you again.''

''You too, my boy, have a seat.'' The man returned jovially. ''I wasn't certain if you'd be joining us after all.''

''I…almost didn't.''

Despite the simplicity of these words, the weight behind them was undeniable. And how could they not? Given what happened earlier this year…

''Once I again, I can only apologize. It crossed my mind so many times but…if I had just realized…''

''It wasn't your fault. That…that could've just as easily happened any other way. I never blamed you.'' The boy closed his eyes for a moment ''A lot happened but I made up my mind to come because I need to figure out how to keep moving. If being here helps me find answers, then that's what matters most.''

Sheppard's expression softened at the strength in the boy's gaze. The apple certainly didn't fall from the tree ''I'm pleased to hear it. If you ever need any help, don't hesitate to ask.'' He cleared his throat ''Now given that classes are almost over for the day, the actual introduction to your classmates will have to be tomorrow. But I believe your things should be ready in the blue dorm by now.''

''About that, is it really okay that I'm there? Since I transferred now and all…''

The chancellor seemed to guess what he was really getting at ''Yes, more than, actually. Given your excellent record in prep school, it was all but settled. The only thing really needed was to sign you on officially anyway. Now, let's see…'' He reached for the phone and dialed a number but received no response. Sighing after the second attempt, the man shook his head ''…honestly, what's he doing?'' The boy gave him a curious look ''Ah, sorry-I was trying to get a hold of Dr. Crowler. As the head of your dorm, he ought to help you settle down but he just won't pick up. I wouldn't mind helping myself but I have a meeting I need to get ready for soon.''

''Oh, that's all right, I wanted to take a look around anyway.'' The boy shook his head when Sheppard tried to insist ''Really, it's fine. It'd help if I get used to the school sooner anyway. I can just ask for directions to the dorm.''

While still feeling bad that he couldn't do more, Sheppard did see his reasoning. It was just a matter of bad timing, unfortunately ''Fair enough, I suppose. Good luck.''


With lessons over for the day, most of the students and teachers had scattered to different parts of the island. But this gave him more of a chance to take everything in. He'd seen a few pictures in the brochures but being here in person was certainly different.

A low groan reached his ears just as he passed another of the classes ''…So hungry…''

''That's your own fault.'' A second voice huffed in irritation ''That's the third time I wind up in detention and I was just trying to wake you up. It's starting to get old, Jay!''

''Ah, come on-it's over, right? I can't help that this history stuff puts me to-oh!'' The first speaker was a boy with two toned brown hair, his brown eyes lit up in curiosity as he spotted the boy ''Don't think I've seen you around, did you, Sy?''

His companion shrunk back, gray eyes lingering on the blue uniform before. But the former put in his piece ''Actually, I'm new, I technically start tomorrow.''

''You're a transfer? Cool! Name's Jaden, Jaden Yuki. And the little guy trying to hide is Syrus.''

Shooting him an annoyed look, the blue haired boy's retort was cut off when the newcomer bit back a smile ''I'm Johan Andersen. I thought to take a look around before seeing about the dorm stuff.''

''Oh, I totally get it. This place rocks, you're in for a blast! Things were exciting right from the get go!''

''Yeah, you would say that.'' Syrus put in blandly ''Not many people wind up beating a teacher and then getting challenged by two Obelisks before we even started out here.''

Jaden just laughed, Johan gave them a quizzical look ''Hey, it worked out great. Besides, Chazz made sure those two couldn't get us in trouble. And look at us now!''

''I really don't get how you brush all that stuff up so lightly…''

''Well, his enthusiasm is commendable. Seems like you've had some lively times here.'' Johan's lips quirked as Jaden nodded happily. Syrus inwardly sighed, thinking that to be quite the understatement.

''Anyway, we should be going, right? No point sticking around here now.''

Neither of the others boys missed yet another wary glance aimed at Johan, who stepped back ''Actually, I'd better get moving anyway. It's been good to meet you but I guess I'll see you around.''

Jaden spoke once he was out of earshot ''He was really nice, Sy, you didn't have to do that.''

''You know what the obelisks are like! He's probably just going to be like them in the end.''

''That's not fair. We're friends with Alexis. Zane and Chazz are all right too.''

''I think we've got pretty different definitions of all right…''


'The more things change, the more they stay the same, it seems.'

Johan nodded to Jack; both had seen enough in prep school to understand the root of Syrus' wariness around him. The school had certainly not been without its fair share of entitled bullies who just loved to lord their perceived superiority over others. And it looked like the issue was still running strong here as well.

''Something to keep…'' As he passed a couple of students, a gleam caught Johan's eye, bringing his attention to a plastic wrapper with a couple of cards inside. A few more cards had also been tossed aside nearby, Jack's gaze narrowing. Honestly, he really wouldn't put it past some of these brats to treat cards like this but that didn't make it any less upsetting.

A sentiment he knew Johan shared, the boy immediately beginning to pick them up without a word. It wasn't the first time they saw this and he felt it was even sadder. No card was ever worthless, it was up to what people made of them.

The sound of footsteps brought their attention to the nearby room, which seemed to hold quite the display of cards on sight. A curious Johan entered, noticing numerous packs and cards behind the windows of what he now realized had to be a card shop. And one with quite the varied selection too, as expected of Duel Academy, he supposed…

His eyes traveled to the cards in his palms, wondering what he could do with this. Was it all right to keep them? He had no idea how they did things here so…

''See something you like?''

Blinking, he looked back at the counter lady, her warm brown eyes matched by her smile. Johan nodded after a moment ''It's a great place. I was wondering, Ma'am…I found those outside-'' He held up the cards ''-it didn't feel right just taking them so if you'd like them back…''

The woman's expression told him that she'd figured out what happened but her displeasure was quickly replaced with happiness ''Don't you worry about that, dear, you're welcome to keep them. In fact…'' She bent down for a moment, producing another pack from a lower shelf ''…why don't you take this? Consider it thanks for going through the trouble. It's nice to see more students who understand the cards' value.''

''Oh…ah, if that's okay…?''

''Sure, I insist.'' The woman beamed ''I heard we were getting a transfer student; it must have been you. I hope you like it here.''

''Thank you.''

Johan turned to leave as she soon found herself busy with other students, taking a seat as he decided to give the cards a once over. A couple of the cards gave him an idea, couldn't he…?

''Now this is different…'' The speaker paused, now sheepish as he realized what he'd done ''…sorry for startling you. I was just passing by but given what I've seen this week, it's refreshing to find an obelisk treat cards with such respect.''

He was clad in the uniform of Ra Yellow, his dark hair swept back and grey eyes brimming with intelligence. Johan gave a small smile ''It's only right. I don't know if any of these cards would mesh with my decks but I was thinking I could send them back home. I did that once before and I know a bunch of kids who were really happy.''

''That sounds like a wonderful idea.'' The boy returned warmly ''But decks, you say? So, you use more than one as well?''

''You too?'' Johan immediately noticed his expression darkening, wondering what he'd said. Either way, perhaps it would help to elaborate ''Sorry if I offended you, I actually just transferred here. I was supposed to come earlier but…a lot happened.''

His expression turned contrite ''Oh, I'm sorry…I just jumped to conclusions. I'm afraid I've had people here and there mocking me about how I use six decks just to stand out since I'd be another face in the crowd. It just started to wear on me after a while.''

''Six decks? That sounds amazing.'' His face lit up in pleasant surprise at Johan's praise. ''I've only received my second deck recently and I'm still getting used to it. It's a great deck but it doesn't feel like I can use it well until I figure out how to make it fit my style.''

''Oh, yes-I know just what you mean. It took me a good number of calculations and much effort to construct my decks into what they are today. It simply wouldn't feel right unless every card is one that suits me.'' The other boy blinked ''Ah, there I go rambling and yet I never even asked for your name. Sorry…''

''I don't' mind. It's Johan.''

''I'm Bastion, it's a pleasure.''

''Likewise. I'm curious, I've had some experience deck building but you clearly have your own methods. How does that work?''

''Well, actually…''


The two continued to talk as they left the shop, exchanging tips and previous stories about their duels. Bastion paused as they reached the door ''By the way, do you actually know how to reach the blue dorm?''

''Mm, I asked around and one of the seniors pointed me in the right direction.'' And Jack had readily gone to check and was now waiting to show him the way.

''Ah, that's good. Then I'll see you tomorrow.''

Johan nodded, waving back before they headed their separate ways. Bastion soon came across a couple of familiar faces, Jaden grinning ''Hey, Bastion-you look like you're in a good mood.''

''Yes, I've had quite the pleasant encounter with what I understand is a new student.''

''Oh hey, you met Johan too?'' The brunet returned ''He's cool-Sy just got all antsy because he's an Obelisk but he wasn't anything like them.''

''I concur, he actually picked up cards some of those snobs threw away carelessly and he certainly seems to understand their worth.'' Bastion looked at their companion. ''I do understand your apprehension but it doesn't seem like you have anything to fear. He was nothing but friendly and courteous the whole time.''

The blue haired boy looked away, wondering if he really had it that wrong. But then something caught his eye ''…Wait, you said Johan went to the dorm on his own since no one could find Crowler, right?'' A nod ''Then what's he doing there?''

Startled, Jaden and Bastion followed his line of sight to spot the tall blond man under a tree. While he was somewhat obscured by the bushes, they could tell he was writing something while occasionally taking a peek at a nearby book before chortling to himself.

''…Goofing off, by the looks of it.'' Bastion concluded, unimpressed. Honestly, what in the world was he thinking?

''You know, I keep thinking Johan's name sounds familiar but I'm not sure why…'' Syrus confessed.

''Ah, funny you should mention that…''


Johan let out a breath as he sat, having checked that everything was in order. The Obelisk blue dorm was every bit as extravagant as he heard, to the point that it honestly seemed a bit over the top. What were the other dorms even like if this was the highest ranked one?

He hadn't come across too many people on the way, just one teacher who had apparently been alerted to the situation and so showed him where his room was. The man had also been irked with Dr. Crowler for shirking his duties like that, since he'd also been needed earlier but apparently no one could get a hold of him for hours. Well, things may have been a bit awkward but he did meet some nice people.

Although now that Johan thought about it, Jaden had mentioned Chazz earlier…

A flash of light brought his gaze to the window as a little purple kitten like spirit with bright red eyes and a red crystal at the tip of her tail jumped in, her big ears flapping ''Oh, you're back, having fun?''

The minx purred, curling up next to him ''The forest's nice but you like the mansion better? That's nice to hear.''

'It seems she enjoys exploring much like you do, although she definitely has the better sense of direction.' Jack put in, the boy laughing weakly, not even trying to refute that.

Their remaining companion looked puzzled, purring a question that he proceeded to answer 'Oh, Johan's a bit of a free spirit but he does tend to get lost quite easily. Why do you think I went ahead to check the dorm's location?'

Giggling, she went to the boy's lap with an idea ''That might be fun, actually. Thanks, Ruby.''

Jack looked amused 'Well, the adventures are going to have to wait, you two. It is getting late and things are going to get busy again tomorrow.'


The following morning…

It was as he was heading to the hall where breakfast took place that Johan finally got to see more of the dorm and the other obelisks. Some gave him curious looks while a few seemed to recognize him (and he had a good guess of the reason why). There were also quite a few familiar faces from prep school.

Including…

''Chazz?''

The boy started, turning, surprise clear in his slate-colored eyes ''You were the transfer student all along? After what happened, I thought…''

''Ah, about that…'' Johan remembered their surroundings ''…I'll explain later.''

Chazz nodded, a few of the students swiftly turned away from his glare. Shaking his head, Johan carried on ''Good to see you though. How's it been?''

''Nothing much to write home about.'' He waved a hand dismissively. ''Anyway, how about we get some food? It won't be long before classes start and I've got a few pointers you could probably use about the way things go around here…''


It wasn't long before the two set off for class, arriving with a number of others. Johan looked around curiously, noting how the seating seemed to be arranged according to the dorms. Chazz waved him over to a bench ''So, what was Crowler trying to suck up to you back there for?''

''Ah…'' Both thought back to the brief encounter with the teacher earlier. He'd been immensely apologetic and quick to promise that yesterday was an off day for him and he was always in top form with his duties. ''…apparently people were looking for him yesterday and he was supposed to guide me and help with the dorm but no one could find him.''

A scoff ''Figures he'd try to save face, maybe that rumor about him being a poetry nut is true.'' The former made a questioning sound ''Just something I heard, apparently, he keeps a whole bunch of poetry and literature stuff and he likes reading them so much that he's probably memorized the lot.''

''Oh…so I've been wondering since yesterday, things aren't really that different from prep school, are they?''

''Not in the slightest.'' The answer was immediate ''And that's just another reason why it's annoying, those years should've taught the idiots a thing or two but a lot of them are still the same brainless, arrogant morons even now.''

''You wouldn't have thought so back when we started there.'' Johan remarked with mild amusement.

'I blame you.'' While attempting to display some annoyance, it couldn't be clearer that Chazz didn't mind in the slightest. In a lot of ways, meeting and getting to befriend the teal haired boy had been a wakeup call he really needed.

The somewhat familiar cheery voice startled him out of his thoughts, Chazz seeming unimpressed as Jaden made his entrance ''So you can actually make it on time?''

''Hey, it happens! I didn't know you guys were friends.''

''We met at a few tournaments before prep school.'' Johan offered, Jaden noting with interest that Chazz didn't refute their friendship either. Something he was sure the standoffish boy would've done normally.

''Oh, speaking of-Sy and Bastion recognized your name so we looked it up. Wouldn't have thought we'd be getting a real rising star. That last tournament you got over in France was awesome!''

The former became aware of a number of eyes on them, laughing sheepishly ''That's a bit much…most of the fanfare is because of my family anyway.''

Jaden looked like he wanted to argue but Chazz could understand where Johan was coming from, even if he disagreed. A lot of the talk about him really had been about his family name for a long time. Johan's passion for dueling drove him into growing stronger and making his own mark in the world that way. While others in his position would be strutting like peacocks, Johan just wanted to improve and grow as a person and duelist, something Chazz truly respected.

It wasn't long before Crowler arrived, the tall man calling the class to settle down.

''And before we get things under way, I'll introduce our transfer student, Johan Andersen!''

''Hello, everyone. I'm glad to be here.''

Johan was relieved he'd thought ahead and asked Dr. Crowler to tone down the introduction if possible. Judging by their earlier encounter and the dramatic way he'd taken the request, he could just picture how the man would spin things over the top and he really wanted to avoid that.

The consequent murmurs had been more or less expected, only emphasizing that Jaden and his friends certainly weren't the only ones who recognized him.

''Hey, so it is…''

''Yeah, I told you, it's him!''

''Wow, so if even he's here, I guess it shows he's got a way to go too?''

''No way, didn't you see his duels? Even that pro he faced over in Finland was impressed!''

Chazz watched with mild amusement as a number of the students eyed the teal haired boy with a mixture of wonder, admiration and even envy. A few of the girls were pleasantly surprised as Johan averted the gazes bashfully, finding his modesty endearing. He agreed, actually, while his old self may have been jealous of the boy, things had changed.

Even as he directed Johan to take a seat at a vacant spot near Chazz's own seat, Crowler had clap his hands a few times and call the students to attention for things to calm down.

''You might as well get used to it already, you'll be getting a lot of this.'' Chazz reminded his friend.

''Even if you say that…''

Both missed a number of curious eyes heading their way, this time more focused on Chazz. While admittedly annoyed, Crowler did understand that they were generally confused this time. For Chazz had kept to himself for the most part, only associating with select few in his dorm and even fewer outside of it. Even the boys who used to look up to him in duel prep school had begun keeping their distance once he made it clear that he had no patience for their attitude. Thus, his interactions with Johan so far were a complete one eighty.

He cleared his throat ''All right, focus! Class is starting…''


Welp, let's stop here.

I figure this should be good enough for an introduction. A certain incident happened months before the story and it delayed Johan's arrival to this point. Sheppard feels responsible especially because Johan's parents are his friends. Since the canon doesn't really go into Johan's past, I've decided to use that to implement my own ideas. So, his family's a big deal, sort of like the Princetons but not quite the same. He ran into Chazz a few times while taking part in some competitions and they became rivals before duel prep school and it's through getting to know Johan and his family that Chazz mellowed out somewhat.

Johan won't be using the crystal beasts right away because he only recently got the deck and he wants to prepare a bit more before that. The thing Crowler doesn't get is that Chazz is just sick of the Obelisks' being so cocky when they have nothing to show for it and he doesn't' want to put up with that.

Anywho, thanks for and I hope you enjoyed it. Till next time!