Back to Duel

A lot of new students have enrolled in the Academy.

A pair of males were running down to the docks. The first was Dr. Crowler, Obelisk Blue Headmaster and the other was a short, fat man wearing a green blazer with short brown hair on the back of his head.

The two had received word a famous individual was at the Academy.

"Get the lead out." Crowler instructed.

"Who is this guy anyway?" Vice Chancellor Bonaparte asked.

"Aster Phoenix." Crowler opened a magazine and showed Bonaparte a picture.

"He's ranked number one in the Pro League! What's his reason for enrolling in the Academy?"

"I don't know, but he'll make the Academy famous."

Near the Slifer Red Dorm...

The dorm had gone through some major changes. It was a lot larger than it used to be and there was a new headmaster. Kaiba had a hand in the selection based on a suggestion from the Shiba siblings father.

Her name was Rumiko Igasaki and she used a dragon deck.

The Obelisk Blue girl's dorm also had a new headmaster. Her name was Kathy McBride and she was the Shiba siblings aunt with a son named Adam. She was going to help the girls in the blue dorm become better duelists since a majority of them were lacking in the skill department as well as resolve the bullying problem.

A duel was underway.

Syrus was watching the duel from the edge of a cliff.

*'This guy looks familiar.'* He thought.

"What's your name?" Jaden asked his opponent.

"You can call me AP." He greeted.

"Well then, AP, let's throw down." Jaden said.

They activated their duel disks and drew their starting hands.

AP: 8000

Jaden: 8000

While AP drew his first card, two more people joined Syrus. They were Chazz and Alexis.

"Jaden doesn't waste time." Alexis said.

"I'm not surprised he's going after the freshmen." Chazz scoffed.

"On the contrary." Syrus replied. "He showed up at our dorm wanting to battle the best duelist on the island'. And that's what led to this."

"You know, this guy looks familiar."

"He's probably like Chazz. A stuck up, rich kid." Syrus grinned.

"This guy's nothing like me."

"I play Ojama Yellow in defense mode."

Ojama Yellow: 0/1000

"Ojama Yellow?" Jaden wondered. "Is he taking pointers from Chazz?"

"I wouldn't start with something like that!" Chazz yelled.

"You're right you'd pick something more along the lines of Ojama Red." Kaoru said. "Considering your duel with Slade last year."

"Don't remind me." He didn't want to recall that duel.

"What else is he going to do?" Davis asked.

"Not a whole lot."

They saw Dorothy, the Academy's card shop owner with Pharaoh in her arms.

"He came to the shop this morning and asked for what was remaining. He created a 40 card deck full of random cards."

"So Jaden's facing someone with a mix-matched deck." Syrus whined.

"Weak..." Chazz muttered.

"It probably isn't his real deck." Davis guessed.

"That probably makes sense because he wants to see what Jaden can do." Kaoru said.

"It's my move." Jaden drew his sixth card. "Time to meet your teacher! I summon Elemental Hero Burstinatrix in attack mode."

Elemental Hero Burstinatrix: 1200/800

"I also increase it's attack with H-Heated Heart."

"Attack with Flare Storm." Burstinatrix threw a fireball at Ojama Yellow.

AP: 7300

Jaden: 8000

"There are countless other cards for him to use. Why Ojama Yellow?" Kaoru asked.

AP then drew and looked at the cards in his hand. *'Soon I'll know all of Jaden's strategies. I just need to play a few more weak monsters before the stronger ones.'*

He then focused on the duel.

"How about this?" He placed a card on his duel disk. "Meet The Agent of Creation - Venus."

The Agent of Creation - Venus: 1600/0

"Now I bring out Mystical Shine Ball."

Mystical Shine Ball: 500/500

AP: 6300

Jaden: 8000

"Destroy Burstinatrix with Shining Orb of Light." A ball of light was thrown at Burstinatrix.

Jaden: 7600

"Then both Mystical Shine Ball attack."

Jaden: 6600

"Then I'll end my turn with a face down." AP said. "How was that?"

"Better." Jaden said. "I'm the one with catching up to do."

"Someone with a mix-up of cards is getting the better of him." Chazz said. "How did he beat me?"

"Your arrogance for one." Davis said. "And Kaoru's tutoring on how to handle Elemental Heroes. Well the City Elemental Heroes anyway."

"It's my move." Jaden drew.

"And I use the Solar Ray trap card." AP declared. "You're about to lose 1800 life points."

AP: 6300

Jaden: 4800

"Why activate it now?" Alexis asked. "He left himself wide open for a attack."

"I play Elemental Hero Bubbleman in defense mode."

Elemental Hero Bubbleman: 800/1200

"Now I fusion summon Elemental Hero Tempest."

Elemental Hero Tempest: 2800/2800

"Overkill, isn't it?" AP asked.

"Maybe, but this is a good way to show you that nobody will go easy on here." Jaden shrugged. "Now attack Mystical Shine Ball with Powerhouse Plummet."

AP: 4000

Jaden: 4800

"Jaden's in the lead." Syrus said.

"What does it matter?" Chazz asked. "His deck's nothing special. This isn't a challenge."

"You're probably right." Alexis said.

"Alright, your move." Jaden exclaimed. "Let's see what you can do this time."

"Okay." AP drew and looked at the cards in his hand.

*'Just what I needed.'* He thought. "I activate..."

There was a ringtone.

"What's going on?" Jaden asked.

"Hold on." He removed a cell phone from his pocket. "I have to answer this."

"Hello. No, I'm not that busy."

Jaden was on the verge of freaking out, but managed to put himself at ease.

"What is he doing?" Davis sweat dropped. "There's still a duel going on."

"If I had to guess, I'd say it's his boss from home." Kaoru said.

"Yeah, we're dueling as I speak." AP talked to the person on the other end.

Kaoru had no idea she was correct.

The person speaking on the other end was inside a white room at a unknown location. He wore a white cloak and some tarot cards were placed on a table in front of him.

"Excellent!" He replied.

*"Any last minute suggestions?"* AP asked.

He flipped a card over. There was a grim reaper with a long scythe on the card. But it was upside down.

"The Reaper of Souls is upright." He said. "You know what must be done!"

Back at Duel Academy...

"Sorry about that." AP closed his phone and turned his attention back to Jaden.

"Now get off your cell phone and get your game on." Jaden exclaimed. "So you're gonna play a better card, right?"

"I use the Reload spell. Now I get a new hand."

AP shuffled his entire hand back into his deck and drew a new one.

"What was that about?" Jaden asked.

"You asked if I was gonna play a better card, I'm just doing what you suggested."

"At least he's honest." Davis said.

"Way to follow my advice!" Jaden sighed. "What did you learn dueling a upperclassman like myself?"

"This. I activate the field spell The Sanctuary in the Sky."

"I've seen this before and it's not pretty." Kaoru said. "Sanctuary in the Sky pretty much means the controller of a Fairy type monster doesn't take damage when a Fairy type monster is destroyed in battle."

"He probably intends to do something else with it." Davis added.

"Yeah and each option is more dangerous for Jaden than the last." Kaoru spoke.

"I summon Warrior of Zera."

Warrior of Zera: 1600/1600

"And with both these cards on the field, I can summon Archlord Zerato."

Archlord Zerato: 2800/2300

"And here's another surprise. I can toss a card in my hand to destroy all your monsters."

Tempest was destroyed.

"Now attack Jaden directly with Sacred Surge!"

AP: 4000

Jaden: 2000

Zerato then descended next to Mystical Shine Ball.

"I change Mystical Shine Ball to defense mode and that'll end my turn." He then saw Jaden kneeling.

"You okay?"

"Yeah? I'm having lots of fun. I've been waiting for a duel like this all summer." He drew. "I use Legacy of a Hero. With Sparkman and Bubbleman in my graveyard I can draw three cards."

He drew three cards.

"Now I play Elemental Hero Clayman in defense mode."

Elemental Hero Clayman: 800/2000

"Then, I discard Metamorphosis and Clayman to special summon Clay Guardian."

Clay Guardian: 0/2800

"Time for it's special ability Patrol Penalty."

Clay Guardian then went over to AP's side of the field and struck him with the shield.

"What gives!" He exclaimed after getting to his feet.

"When Clay Guardian is special summoned, you take 200 points of damage for every card on your field. Say goodbye to 600 life points."

AP: 3400

Jaden: 2000

"Then, I'll throw a face down and take a break."

"That new guy's in trouble." Dorothy noted.

"No kidding. He wasted so many resources to bring out Archlord Zerato, he's forced to top deck." Alexis added.

"I'd say you have a 95% chance of winning this duel." Jaden told his opponent.

"This is no time to get cocky." Kaoru warned him.

"Aren't those good odds, O wise one?" AP asked.

After realizing what he meant, Jaden started to laugh.

"Oh, I was testing ya!"

"Real smooth." Alexis sweat dropped.

"How'd he get past the review board?" Chazz wondered.

"My move." AP drew. "I bring out Rocket Jumper."

Rocket Jumper: 1000/800

"With your monster in defense mode, it can attack you directly."

Rocket Jumper leaped over Clay Guardian and rammed into Jaden

AP: 3400

Jaden: 1000

"That's it for now!"

"Those are all cards from Ancient Sanctuary." Kaoru noted.

"How do you know that?" Alexis asked her.

"She runs the card shop." Kaoru said, pointing to Dorothy.

"I activate Monster Reborn to bring Sparkman back."

Elemental Hero Sparkman: 1600/1400

"Jaden has the advantage for the moment. Aster has no cards in his hand, so he's not able to use Archlord's effect to destroy Clay Guardian and it's attack is the same as Clay Guardian's defense, so it can't destroy Clay Guardian in battle."

"For now, but if Aster draws a LIGHT attribute monster next turn, he can use Zerato's effect and attack Jaden directly to end the duel." Alexis pointed out.

"Which means it's in fate's hands now." Davis said.

"Let's see what I draw next."

"It's not about fate, it's about listening." Jaden said. "For example, I always listen to what the cards have to say."

"You really are nuts. You expect me to have a conversation with my cards?"

"You could use your cell. Maybe if you send a text, they'll actually respond."

*'This Jaden kid isn't who I expected. He has some dueling skills, but nothing special and he thinks he can actually talk to his cards. Guess it's time to end this duel and move on with my life.'*

"My move."

He looked at what he drew. It was Monster Gate.

"Bad card? You might wanna work on that poker face a bit."

"Perhaps. Or maybe I want you to think that. Or could it be I have no desire to win?"

"What does he mean?" Davis asked.

"When you accepted my challenge, did you ever stop and ask yourself "What do I want?", "Why did I come here" and "Out of everyone in this school, why did I challenge you?" Well the truth is, I heard you were the best and I wanted to test you."

"Considering Zane chose Jaden to be his opponent in the graduation match, I can see why." Davis said.

"You can't be serious. I mean, this is Duel Academy. We get tested here all the time. Of course, they're never as sweet as this."

"Of course they're not, because this isn't about grades, it's about destiny."

"What?" Jaden blinked.

"Maybe my Beckoning Light will clear things up. I get rid of my hand and add two LIGHT monsters back to my hand."

"Not good." Syrus gulped.

"And with Mystical Shine Ball in my hand again, I'll discard it to activate Zerato's effect. Your Guardian's a goner."

A beam of light destroyed Clay Guardian.

"Oh no, he's wide open!" Alexis gasped.

"Tell me about it." Davis said.

"Zerato, end this duel with Sacred Surge!"

"Not so fast. I activate The Flute of Summoning Kuriboh to summon Winged Kuriboh from my deck in defense mode."

Winged Kuriboh: 300/200

"Fine Zerato, destroy that Kuriboh."

Zerato released energy blasts from his wings that tore straight through Winged Kuriboh.

"Thanks pal. Now what were you saying about destiny."

"It's simple. Everything that happens to us is planned out from the day we're born. Losers are born to be losers, and legends are born to be legends, it's as simple as that."

"And samurais are born to be warriors." Davis said.

"Legend? Who, me? I wouldn't say that. I'm just a guy who loves to duel."

"Just make your move."

"Alright. I summon Elemental Hero Bubbleman."

Elemental Hero Bubbleman: 800/1200

"Next I use Silent Doom to bring Sparkman back."

Elemental Hero Sparkman: 1600/1400

"Then I fuse both to summon Elemental Hero Absolute Zero."

Elemental Hero Absolute Zero: 2500/2000

"He's done." Davis said. "Ryan, care to comment on this."

"Sure." He shrugged. "As soon as Absolute Zero is destroyed, all of Aster's monsters will be destroyed."

"Attack Zerato with Instant Freeze." Jaden commanded.

"What?" Aster exclaimed. "My monster's stronger."

"Obviously someone doesn't know it's effect." Kaoru said.

Archlord Zerato's counter attack destroyed Absolute Zero. Then Zerato was destroyed.

"Why was Zerato destroyed?" Aster asked.

"Absolute Zero's effect. When it leaves the field, the opponent's monsters are destroyed."

Jaden: 700

"Now his opponent's field is empty."

"I end my turn." Aster said.

"My move and I use Miracle Fusion. I banish Sparkman and Absolute to summon The Shining."

Elemental Hero The Shining: 2600/2100

"At the rate this is going, I may need a new deck." Kaoru said.

"Next I normal summon Elemental Hero Wildheart."

Elemental Hero Wildheart: 1500/1600

"Attack AP directly with Optical Storm and Wild Slash."

AP: 0

Jaden: 700

"That's game." Jaden said.

"Nice duel." AP replied.

"You were pretty good as well. Let's duel again sometime."

"Believe me, we will."

AP turned around and Jaden reunited with his friends on the cliff.

"Did you guys enjoy the duel?" Jaden asked.

"Yeah." Davis said.

"You rocked." Syrus said.

"Especially considering your opponent's identity." Alexis added.

"You guys know him?" Jaden asked.

"Ever heard of Aster Phoenix." Ryan remarked.

"He's the top ranked duelist in the Pro League."

"And he is not to be taken lightly." Kaoru said.

"Well, I guess the pro got a schooling from a student."

"That wasn't Aster's real deck by the way." Kaoru told him.

"It was a mishmash deck." Davis said.

"Wait, you're telling me I beat someone that was using leftover cards?"

"Well, you beat me so that has to mean something."

"I guess so. And that means I can look forward to our rematch that much more."

"Either way Aster put up a fight and those leftover cards in his hand were strong." Kaoru said.

*Over at the docks...*

Nearly all the students had gotten off the boat and Crowler and Bonaparte were waiting for Aster.

"Well, I guess he's a no-show." Crowler sighed, disappointed.

"Who's that?" Bonaparte asked.

The two saw one more person get off the boat, a muscular Ra Yellow student with a dinosaur themed bandanna.

"You ladies mind telling me who's in charge round here?"

"Ladies?" Crowler and Bonaparte repeated.

"You heard me. Who's top in command in these parts?"

"That would be me. Is there something I can help you with?"

"I got a bone to pick, ya got that?"

"I suggest you listen to him." Tyson said.

"10-4."

"I'm the best duelist west of the Rio Grande, so why am I stationed in the yellow barracks?"

"Well, you see, uh feel free to jump in Bonaparte."

"Listen, I want in the blue dorm!"

"Bonaparte, feel free to chime in any time now."

"Right. What my colleague here is trying to say is that you don't want to be in the blue dorm."

"Yeah, why is that?"

"You're far too daring. A thrill seeker like you doesn't belong in the blue dorm."

"Yeah, you have way too much charm. Not to mention Joie de vivre. And tons of je na sais quoi."

"Well thanks. At least, I think so. You two are alright."

He patted Crowler on the shoulder and then left.

Tyson stayed behind to listen to what Crowler and Bonaparte were talking about.

"Thanks Bonaparte."

"I was just worried he would come after me next."

"Well I think it's time to face facts. Aster isn't coming. Oh, the whole school will be a laughingstock after this. What are we going to do?"

"Well, if we can't have a star enroll at the school, we'll turn one of our students into a star."

"Hmm, that could work."

"And I have just the idea where to start. The Red Dorm."

"Well I suppose Jaden is one of our best duelists, but he's far from a model student."

"You misunderstand Monsieur, we don't make a Red student a star, we get rid of the Red Dorm."

"What?"

"Out of the question, Bonaparte."

"But why? The red students are the worst at the school. We get rid of them and the whole school looks better."

"The Slifer Red students stay. That's my final word on the matter."

*'Fine. If you won't get rid of the Red students, I will.'*

Tyson heard everything and decided to warn the headmaster of the Slifer Red Dorm.