Yu-Gi-Oh! XT

Chapter 1: The First and Final Duel (Part 1).

Welcome to the first chapter of Yu-Gi-Oh XT, an OC fanfic set a decade after the final episode of GX. The story revolves around two final year students at duel academy, Xander Solmon and Tamas Fletcher. In the first installment, Xander is the narrator as the two friends duel in a graduation final. Hope you enjoy!

As I walked down the marble corridor, its walls lined with statues of champions past and present, the tension I had been harbouring all day began to evaporate, like fog lifting on a summer morning. Ahead, the sound of the crowd grew louder with each measured step, finally hitting me in a wave as I entered the auditorium.

'Xander Solmon!' Screamed the announcer, and the scores of my classmates that filled the great, domed arena cheered my name in one great voice. I waved to some, flashing a grin at Dyson and Ria who sat away to my left. Dyson waved in response; Ria looked on, pensive. Both were old friends, capable duelists in their own right. Neither, however, compared to my opponent, who now entered the arena: Ria's brother, my oldest friend - and the most respected duelist in the entire academy.

'And our second finalist…' the announcer's metallic tones rang out again. 'Ladies and gentlemen, the Dragon Prince, Master of White Night… Tamas Fletcher!' Noise rocked the chamber as Tamas stepped out onto the platform, a grin plastered across his friendly features, his trademark goggles holding back an unruly mess of red-black hair. I smiled, and Tamas returned my glance with a knowing wink.

No-one in the academy had been surprised when Tamas had battled through to the graduation tournament final, nor that I stood before him as my opponent. For three years we had both proven ourselves as the most capable students in the school, duelling alongside each other through many challenges and becoming firm friends in the proccess. This was not the reason for the incredible sense of anticipation in the room, however; Tamas and I had never duelled one and other in all our time together, so this final duel marked a first and a last for both us and the audience.

Tamas smoothed his short-sleeved jacket, taking a moment to gawp at the size of the audience that had gathered to watch the duel. Neither of us were in uniform, having both decided that for this final duel we were no longer true students but graduates-in-waiting. Both our blue, Obelisk coats - mine full length and old, having been worn since the first year, Tamas' shorter and new, having been won through promotion thanks to his dueling prowess - were hung back at the dorm. Instead, I wore a long overcoat over my customary waistoat and tie, while Tamas wore a casual jacket in a shade of red that matched the highlights in his hair.

'Are you ready, Xander?' Tamas smiled, igniting the duel-disk on his left hand. 'I'm not gonna go easy on you, mate.'

I laughed in return. 'Too right. Its about time I get to prove myself the better duellist.'

'Duel!' bellowed the announcer, and our battle began.

== Tamas (4000)== vs ==Xander (4000)==

'Mind if I begin?' I asked. Tamas shrugged, his usually friendly face suddenly calm and collected.

'Be my guest.'

'I'll play my Radiant Jeral in defence mode and call it a turn.' The emerald and glass monster hunkered down before me, offering a solid wall of protection from any attacks Tamas' might launch. Across from me, Tamas drew, his eyes glinting as he planned his strategy.

-Radiant Jeral (1000/2000)-

'Not bad, but try this on for size.' Tamas met my gaze, a broad smile cutting through his measured exterior. 'I play Gladiator Beast Andal in attack mode!' The thick set creature rose up to confront my own, but I my cool exterior remained un-ruffled.

-Gladiator Beast Andal (1900/1500)-

'I hate to point it out, Tamas,' I said with an air of confidence, 'but that isn't going to be enough to break my defence.' Tamas' smile merely widened.

'No… but this'll help. I play banner of courage, giving Andal a power boost!' He spread his arm, reveling in the roar from his supporters. 'Andal, destroy Radiant Jeral!'

-Banner of Courage-

-During your battle face only, all face up monsters gain 200 attack-

The backlash from the battle pushed me back, steam and smoke billowing out from it's epicentre. High above, Ria was on her feet, applauding her brother with undisguised delight, while Dyson sat on, looking thoughtful. He knew both our strategies better than most, having been a friend since my first day at the academy, and was well aware that this battle had many more twists in store.

Tamas raised a fist in triumph at first blood struck. 'I'll call that a turn.'

==Tamas(4000) == Vs ==Xander (3900)==

'My turn!' I drew, knowing nothing but a good draw was going to be enough to stop Tamas and regain the momentum. My deck responded as I hoped it would: Hecatrice. Now it was my turn to smile. 'I send the Hecatrice in my hand to the graveyard in order to draw Valhalla, Hall of the Fallen from my deck!' Tamas gritted his teeth and I gave a knowing half smile.

'You know what comes next. Valhalla lets me special summon one fairy monster from my hand when my field is empty, regardless of level. I'll choose Tethys, Goddess of Light!' With a flash, my heavenly monster descended to our mortal plain, feathered wings framing her graceful but deadly form. For the first time, a flicker of concern broke across Tamas' buoyant features.

-Tethys, Goddess of Light (2400/1800)-

'Tethys,' I screamed, lost in the moment and the sweeping noise in the auditorium, 'Destroy Andul!'

Tamas grunted with the shockwave as the angel's strike hit home, obliterating the beast, but came up laughing. 'Nice move! Classic Xander.'

I nodded in reply. 'That'll do for now.'

==Tamas (3500)== Vs ==Xander (3900)==

Tamas dusted himself down and drew. 'I'll set one card face down and summon giant soldier of stone in defence mode.' The giant obsidian figure hunched down before Tamas, who nodded to me. 'I end my turn.'

-Giant Soldier of Stone (1300/2000)-

I stood perplexed for a second, aware that Tamas must be planning something, but knowing that to not attack would hand him the initiative.

'I draw!' Turning to the card in my hand, I smiled. My ace, Splendid Venus - the card that had saved me more times than I cared to admit.

It had been given to me by my father on my eighth birthday. A wealthy industrialist, he and my mother had often been away from home on business for long periods and, though my childhood had been a luxurious one, it had also been lonely. I found it hard to make friends, shut off as I was from other children by the walls of my glamorous home. To compensate, I had taken up duelling with a deck given to me by my father, the same cards he had used as a young man. I would duel the staff of the home whenever I could, revelling in the act of something that made my family feel close, even when they were half a world away. Even now, Splendid Venus was a fond reminder of happy family days that I had left behind to attend the academy.

I regarded the card fondly, certain that with it in my hand, victory was near. But now was not the time to play it; with no lower level monsters in my hand I would have to be cunning to get her on the field. With Valhalla, Hall of the Fallen in play anything was possible, but for now I figured attack was the best course of action.

'Tethys attacks your giant soldier of stone!' I sensed victory, but Tamas cut through my vainglory.

'Reveal trap card! Skull Dice!' The card at Tamas' feet sprung up. 'Now your monster gets its attacking points docked by whatever I roll with my dice multiplied by a hundred.'

The dice materialised from the card and rolled across the duel arena, rattling loudly in the now still, expectant air. It rolled one final time and came to rest: a four. Tamas sighed deeply, along with much of the audience. I clenched a fist at my old friend's luck. Tethys struck at the obsidian warrior but came up short, her attack thwarted.

'You always were quite the gambler. I'll place one card face down and end my turn.'

Tamas drew again, his brows knitted as he tried to deduce what trap I was hiding. Thinking better of it, he picked a card from his hand. ' I summon Lord of D in defence mode!'

'Not so fast! Reveal trap: Torrential Tribute!' Cutting across his introduction I spread an arm as the card flipped face-up.

'What?' Tamas stammered.

'As you summoned a monster, all the monsters on the field are destroyed!' I swept an arm across the arena as blinding light crashed down around us, eradicating both Tethys and Tamas' skull helmeted Lord.

'What are you planning?' Tamas readjusted the googles that pushed back his chaotic hair, a classic sign of concern. 'You destroyed your own monster - which was much stronger than mine…'

'You'll see.' I was enjoying the opportunity to confuse an opponent who normally knew my strategies by heart. 'Now, I use the power of Valhalla, Hall Of The Fallen, to once again special summon a fairy from my hand - and I choose Splendid Venus!'

'No…' Tamas stood disbelieving as the heavenly angel descended, a corona of incandescent light playing across her gleaming figure.

-Splendid Venus (2800/2400)-

'Now, Venus, attack him directly - heavenly feather storm!' I roared in triumph. Tamas disappeared momentarily as the blindingly bright explosion engulfed him. The cheering and applause rolled around the arena, and I felt victory step closer.

==Tamas (700)== Vs ==Xander (3900)==

To Be Contnued…

Thanks for reading. Please review: any input would be massively appreciated!

Next Time: Xander and Tamas continue their duel to see just who is worth of being academy champion...