Chapter 1: 1 Pilot
Disclaimer:
The wonderful world of Yu-gi-oh Gx belongs to Konami. I only own my original characters and plots.
"Talking"
'Thoughts'
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"So this is my life now, ha?"
A 15 year old boy patted himself, trying to get rid of the dust. He had blonde hair with light blue tips, aquamarine eyes and a charming smile. He had above average height and sported a rather well-balanced fit body.
Behind him a line of freshmen was coming out of the helicopter. Excitement and wonder was showing on their faces. Understandably so, they were officially now part of the renowned Dueling Academy.
"A shame I didn't have the time to change my deck before the flight." The teen sighed.
Robert Cross suddenly found himself thrown into the world of Yu-Gi-Oh Gx. He knew something was wrong when his parents packed him up and dragged to the airport. But because he wasn't a morning person he just went with the flow. They wouldn't have done something outrageously bad to him, wouldn't they?
"Anyway," he touched the red jacket he was wearing," it's not surprising I landed with the dregs of the school." His deck was abysmal. Even the infamous Bat was in there.
Suitcase in hand he followed the stream of red wearing students towards their dorm. On the way a brown haired teen started up a conversation with him.
"I'm Jaden, nice to meet ya." He introduced himself with a wide smile.
"Robert, likewise." He shook the teen's hand. "Quite the picturesque island if I do say so myself."
The Academy was located on a volcanic island. It had everything Robert wanted in a place. Mountains, lakes, beaches and many more attractions waited for him to explore in the tropical forests.
"Hopefully the food is equally as good." Jaden Yuki's stomach growled. "I can't wait for some grub."
"Apparently there's a welcoming feast planned later for today." Robert heard it from other students.
"But that's so long."
"I've got some sandwiches if you're okay with that?"
"We're going to he the bestest of pals!"
"And what am I, chopped liver!" A blue hair, rather on the short side student exclaimed.
"You're also my best friend, Sy." Jaden grinned.
"Is there somebody you don't like, Jay?" Robert chuckled.
Eventually they reached their new accommodations. With the sole exception of Jaden, everyone else was shocked by the underwhelming building that was their home for the foreseeable future.
"The fact that it's right next to a cliff shows how meaningless we are." Syrus Truesdale remarked with sadness.
"Hopefully you're not a sinker." Robert sniggered. "I'm not pulling you out from the hands of Mother Ocean."
"I need to reevaluate my life choices." Syrus said tearfully.
"Let's check out the rooms!" Jaden ran towards the dorm with stars flashing in his eyes.
"At least one of us is enjoying this abomination." Some black haired guy remarked.
"Should've applied to North Academy instead." His brown haired friend added.
Robert checked the corkboard before the cafeteria. There was a note posted with the accommodations listed. Surprisingly, he found out, he was the lucky devil to have a room only to himself.
"There's always a silverlining." He whistled while opening the door on the first floor, number 17.
The room had a bunk bed and a small desk with a lamp. The interior despite its minimalist approach felt rather nice and cozy.
"It'll do for now." He opened the window, letting in the fresh ocean breeze. "I'm going to need to get some new cards." He sighed while leaning against the window sill and enjoying the wind tickling his face.
After emptying his suitcase he walked out of the room only to see a familiar duo. "Jaden, you're still here?"
"We're waiting for you." Syrus remarked unhappily.
"We're going to check the island before dinner." Jaden grinned.
"As long as the card shop is on your list, we can have ourselves a deal." Robert winked.
"Card shop already?" The blue haired midget asked.
"I can't walk around so casually with an abomination for a deck." The teen shrugged. "And it's located at school so we may as well visit."
With a resounding agreement from Jaden the trio made their way into the depths of the island. With occasional twists and unexpected ravines they finally saw the main body of the school.
"It's rather unique." Robert always wondered about the decision to build such unusual structures. It looked cool on paper, but the interior must be one logistical nightmare.
"It looks like a forest of mushrooms caught in some kind of ritual circle." Syrus said.
"You'd know that wouldn't you." Jaden grinned and explained how Syrus had everything ready for a makeshift Slifer shrine.
"You could've just spent that time on extra practice." Robert watched as the short boy wiggled in embarrassment.
Thankfully for the trio there was a map at the entrance. After following it and reading some signs on the way, they eventually found themselves at the card shop.
"Wow, so much stuff." Jaden's eyes shined with stars in them. With a quick jump he was already plastered to the window. "It has a better collection than my local store."
A giggle reached the trio's ears. "We are up to date with every pack and card."
"Hello, Mrs. Dorothy." Robert read her name tag. "Are you open for business today?"
"Yes, but we still haven't finished refreshing our inventory." She pointed to the boxes at the back.
"If you have problems with getting rid of your old packs then I can take them off your hands. Free of charge of course." He winked.
"Ho ho ho." The woman chuckled. "The best I can do is 20 percent off."
"Come on, throw a bone for the reds in red." He pleaded with puppy eyes.
"If you buy a box you'll get a structure deck for free." She ignored the fake tears.
"Wow." Jaden watched the back and forth.
"He's got game." Syrus Truesdale gave the boy a thumbs up.
With a lighter wallet and two boxes of cards coupled with 3 structure decks Robert sat down at the table.
"Why did you buy three decks?" Syrus asked.
"Technically he bought one." Jaden tried to take a pack only to get his hand smacked away.
"No pilfering, Jaden." Cross smirked. "I need all the help I can get to survive on this island."
"Your deck can't be that bad?" The brown haired boy massaged his hand."
With a toss a deck of cards landed before Jaden and Syrus. "You can see for yourselves."
Curious the duo started shuffling through the deck.
"There are only normal monsters?" Truesdale remarked in shock.
"This is really Bat." Jaden couldn't even laugh at his own pun.
"And worst of all, no good spell or trap cards." Robert opened his first pack. "Even these 9 cards are more useful then what's over there."
"How did you pass the exams?" Syrus asked.
"The teacher was so shocked by my awful cards he delt himself burn damage."
The proctors couldn't believe how was that possible. However, in the end it was deemed that the proctor has surrendered. Making Robert Cross the unexpected winner by default.
"But why did you buy those structure decks?" Syrus felt a need to wash his hands after touching those rubbish cards.
"To have a foundation." He got three Zombie Madness structures. "And consistency is key."
"Consistency?" The duo asked with puzzled faces.
"Yeah. You want to raise the odds of getting your best cards so you max out on those." Duelists could have up to 3 copies of the same card in their decks after all.
"And by buying three of the same structure decks I've got my work mostly done." He smiled. "I'm surprised nobody buys these."
"They do." Syrus remarked. "However buying three was never done before."
"The best part of it all is that you'll finally duel me." Jaden said with a grin.
"Then get ready for your first loss at Duel Academy." The blond smirked.
"Oh its on." Jaden replied with a smile of his own.
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Not wanting to waste the day opening packs the duo pulled Robert out of the school and continued their exploration of the island.
"That's a grand building, don't you think." Robert commented on the white blue mega mansion.
"It looks like a triple 5 star hotel." Syrus felt so small.
"What are you three red losers doing at our dorm." A rather high pitched male voice reached the trio's ears.
"We're in a free country that's what shit face." Robert taunted the four Obelisk students.
"Oh, a wise guy." A stupid looking black haired freshman showed his clenched fist.
"You're lucky Crowler wants us at the hall." A dirty blond sneered.
"Shut the hell up." Robert responded. "Either you want to throw down or go back to that poor excuse of an educator."
"That'll be enough." A female voice interjected before a fight could break out.
"What do you want Rhodes?" The ginger of the bunch asked.
"There's security coming your way." She turned to face the Slifers. "And you could learn some manners."
"How about nope." Robert said with a pop. "Let's go guys. We don't want any blue stains on our fresh red fits." He went pass the frowning girl student.
"We're sorry for troubling you." Syrus apologized.
"No, we're not." Robert's distant voice made him blush in embarrassment.
Not caring about the rogue behavior of the boy Alexis Rhodes turned towards Jaden. "That was some duel at the entry exams. Hopefully, that wasn't a fluke."
"Yes, that was a sweet duel." Jaden grinned. "Can't wait to have one with you."
A small smile appeared on the girl's face. "We shall see."
"Are you going Jaden." Syrus shouted. "Robert's smile is creeping me out."
"And you had to ruin the mood." Robert slapped the boy's back. "Oh, was this your intention?"
The blue haired teen whistled while trying to run away. "I won't admit to nothing."
"Get back here." The duo ran away leaving a gobsmacked Alexis and puzzled Jaden.
"Sorry Lex, I'll catch up with you later." The slifer followed behind his friends in haste.
Watching as the teen's back disappeared at the distance she couldn't help but say with a genuine smile. "This won't be a boring year."
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"Why were you so confrontational back there?" A tied up Syrus was hanging on a tree. "And why do you carry a rope with you!?"
"Too loud." Robert made the boy spin. "Finally finished talking up the girl?"
Jaden approached the living piñata and blond with a grin. "She loved my duel."
"That's great." Robert gave him a thumbs up. "But the way there'll be a feast shortly with our names on it."
Robert Crow showed the email that was sent towards their PDA's. "But I wouldn't count on anything extravagant."
"As long as there is shrimp I'm golden." Jaden pulled a dizzy Syrus down.
"You'll pay for my suffering, ouch!" Robert hit him with the side of his palm.
"Leave your cheesy oneliners for when we duel." The blond smirked.
"Watch out for the hair." He replied. "It's my most redeeming feature. Not to mention a chick magnet."
"Whatever you say, munchkin." This time Syrus was trying to catch Robert with rage in his eyes.
Eventually the pursuit lead them back towards their dorms. Syrus was piggybacked by Jaden as he copped out of the race in the middle.
"You have way too much energy if you managed to run and carry deadweight at the same time, Jaden." Robert was sitting on the stairs while leaning against the handrail; a muffled voice of displeasure came out of Syrus.
"That's a sweet workout for my appetite." The goofy response made their friends sigh in indignation.
The trio went their separate ways as there was still an hour before dinner. Placing his purchase on the nearby desk, Robert then went to take a shower.
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"That was some nice grub." Jaden was patting his belly while Syrus was fighting with Chumley, their roommate, over the last piece of shrimp.
"Leave it alone and I shall give you peace." Syrus gritted his teeth.
"The only piece I want is firmly lodged between my chopsticks, you runt."
"Where two fight the third escapes with the treasure." With a mock pirate voice Jaden tried grabbing the last portion with his hand.
"No!" The pair yelled and stabbed the offending hand.
"Yeowch." The Slifer yelped in pain. "The shrimp!" The piece of food lunched into air.
Time seemed to stop. The trio watched as a blur shot above them, making the shrimp disappear.
"Nice catch, Pharoah." The trio recognized that voice.
"Meow." The shrimpnapper turned out to be their Dean's cat.
"Surprisingly agile." Robert scratched behind the feline's ears. Pharoah purred, asking for more.
"Beaten by a cat." Syrus with teary eyes watched as the shrimp quickly made it's way into the furball's stomach.
"As long as neither of you got it." Chumley 'the human koala' remarked.
"I'm so putting laxatives in your grill cheeses." Syrus replied.
"Jokes on you, we're roommates." The blue haired evil smile faltered.
"Did you just arrive here?" Jaden couldn't remember if the blond came for dinner.
"And be part of this sweat fest?" He rolled his eyes. "I had dinner at my room. Curry from home and chocolate cake."
"And you didn't share?" Jaden and Syrus grabbed the youth by his legs.
"Leave, pests." He shooed them off. "Be nice or I'll make you into his scratch post.
"Nya." The cat raised its paw showing everybody a set of shining blades of destruction.
"This isn't fair." The trio mumbled.
"Anyway," Robert quickly dismissed their tales of sorrow, "I've just came by to say hi to the Dean and I'm going back to my room. My deck screams build me. Toodle loo, fellow reds."
"And he's off." Jaden said. "Anyone wants to duel?"
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"With that put of the way, let's check the packs."
Robert already took apart the structure decks and made the core of his future deck. As the name suggested it was going to be Zombie themed. The main strategy for now seemed to be getting out Vampire Genesis with the help of Pyramid Turtle and then Vampire Lord; or wasting away the opponents hand and deck with Vampire Lord and Spirit Reaper.
"I need more staples." He frowned. "Mostly negates as I've already got good removals."
The structure deck had many cards that dealt with spells and monsters. The trap compartment was slightly lacking and he didn't have any cards that could negate effects.
"Supposedly there's a chance for a Solemn Judgement." The odds were slim as there was only one in every 6 boxes.
"Just one copy costs more than I paid for this." He felt pain when he handed over the cash. Fortunately, the shop keeper gave him a discount.
With one box opened he looked over his pulls. "A playset of Mezuki's, One Mirror Force and an Armageddon Knight. Not bad for now." The rest of the cards were rather underwhelming or missing core pieces to even consider playing them.
"It's a good thing I've picked up the Zombie deck. Otherwise I'd have to play a beat down strategy heavily reliant on top decking the best one offs." He sighed while opening the second box. "Maybe I should get Jaden to open my packs. His luck could move mountains."
One pack after the other Robert's belief was challenged. It seemed as if each box had a hidden theme. This one mostly consisted of Insect monsters and their tech cards. The only respite he got was getting another copy of Armageddon Knight and a Dark Grepher.
"This is the last one." He sat with his arms crossed. "Just where do these people get their Monster Reborns?"
Tapping the pack for luck he ripped it from the top. Inhaling the fresh smell of cards he started flipping the cards one by one.
"Armageddon Knight, good."
"Petit Moth, BBQ kindling"
"Reinforcement of the Army, not bad as I have search targets."
"Parasitic Ticky, don't have a Scapegoat and I don't think people use a lot of tokens."
"Rivalry of Warlords!? I didn't think this card was so old." Robert's eyes couldn't believe he pulled a floodgate type of card. "But it's worthless right now as most decks nowadays are monolithic; having monsters of one typing."
"The next card is... Pot of Greed." A pulsing tick appeared on his forehead. "This is my seventh copy. If it's that easy then why don't they play three in their decks?"
"Three cards left." He streched them out side by side face down. "Let's see if there is any heart of the cards within me."
Robert raised his hand and hit the table with his palm, making the cards jump in the air. They landed softly on the table top, revealing their secrets.
"It seems," a smile crept onto his face, "I've hit the jackpot."
Three Solumn Judgements laid before him.
"I can't wait for tomorrow." The teen started cackling.
Unbeknownst to him the dorm couldn't sleep that night; scared of the laughter of a vengeful ghost.
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