"OK, I got my deck, my duel disk and my stuff packed. Oh, I sure hope I can get into Duel Academy!" A boy said as he ran towards the building where the entrance exam was being held. He had neatly combed black hair and amber eyes as well as a huge smile on his face. He had a back pack slung over his shoulder with his duel disk strapped to it. He wore a black t-shirt with the picture of the Dark Magician on it and blue jeans with brown shoes. On his belt was his deck case. "Oh, I hope I'm not late!"
"Hey, ZK!" someone called the boy, dubbed ZK. ZK stopped and turned to see who had called him. He smiled.
"Hey, Steve!" ZK greeted his friend who walked over to him. They traded high-fives. "So, you here for the Duel Academy entrance exam?"
"Yep… well, not really the written part. But my deck is gonna kick butt in the duel!" said Steve. He had spiky blonde hair and blueish-gray eyes. He wore a dark gold colored shirt with a picture of a pyramid on it. He wore black jeans and dark blue shoes. His deck was also attached to his belt. He had his backpack slung over his shoulder as well, duel disk attached. He also wore an Indiana Jones-esque hat and jacket.
"Yeah, I mean a written exam? Please. Dueling is about being on the field and letting our monsters do the talking! You can't just do it on paper," Steve nodded in agreement. "Well, let's go, the written exam will start in a few minutes and I don't wanna be late."
"Weren't you always late for class?" Steve chuckled.
"Not the point," ZK retorted. "Let's go."
The two teens entered the examination hall in the building and took their seats based on the numbers given to them at the door. They both sat down and answered the questions to the best of their knowledge. An hour later, they, along with other applicants, were exiting the examination hall.
"Okay, those questions were hard," ZK said.
"Should've studied, huh?" Steve asked.
"Yeah. I didn't even know half the cards they were asking us about even existed."
"Well, the practical part is starting soon. Let's go." They entered a large arena like area. The two boys walked toward the front desk and registered. They were told of where to go, as well as when their exam would start.
When they entered the stadium, they were surprised to see how big it was. On the field down below were some pretty intense duels.
"Woah, when will I be up?" asked ZK.
"Probably soon," Steve said and then the PA system sounded.
"Will Ezekiel Richards please report to Duel Exam Field No. 5? Repeat; will Ezekiel Richards please report to Duel Exam Field No. 5?"
"Ok," ZK said, "That's me." He said to Steve, "Wish me luck, Steve."
"Good luck, man," Steve nodded before ZK went down to take his Duel Exam.
The duel proctor in front of ZK was wearing what looked like a blue coat over a black shirt with matching pants and shoes. He also had long straight black hair in a ponytail, a moustache, and glasses. On his arm was an Academy Duel Disk. ZK went onto the field and the proctor regarded him, fixing his glasses.
"So, you must be the new applicant. Richards, was it?" the duel proctor asked.
"Yep, and call me ZK," ZK smiled at the proctor.
"Charmed," the proctor said in a bored tone. "You may call me Professor Ivan Robertson. You have to get past me if you want to enter Duel Academy."
ZK activated his duel disk after sliding his deck in, "That's what I'm here for," ZK smiled confidently.
"LET'S DUEL!" both of them announced.
ZK: 4000 LP
Prof. Robertson: 4000 LP
"I shall begin," the professor said as he drew a card and added it to his hand. "I first lay one card facedown and summon Pyramid Turtle in defense mode." Playing his cards, the facedown appeared on the field and his monster, a turtle with a pyramid for a shell appeared on the field.
(Pyramid Turtle: 1200 ATK/1400 DEF)
"It's your move, applicant," the proctor said.
"Okay, I draw," ZK said as he drew his card and added it to his hand. "OK, first I activate Mystical Space Typhoon, destroying your facedown card," after he played the card, a gust of wind blew at the facedown card of the professor and shattering it. "Next, I summon Insect Knight in attack mode!" His monster, a humanoid insect armed with a sword and shield appeared on the field.
(Insect Knight: 1900 ATK/1500 DEF)
"Okay, Insect Knight, attack that turtle with Insect Slice!" ZK commanded. The monster flew forwards and sliced the monster in half. However, it was soon replaced by another identical monster. "Huh? What happened?"
"You must be new at this game," the proctor jeered, "Pyramid Turtle has a special ability. If it is destroyed through battle, I can special summon from my deck any zombie monster with a defense of 2000 or lower and Pyramid Turtle fits that criteria. Now then, what will you do now?"
ZK looked at his hand and said, "I set two cards facedown and end my turn."
"My move," the proctor said, drawing. "I set another monster facedown onto the field and end my turn."
"My draw," ZK said. "And now I summon Luster Dragon in attack mode!" The blue scaled dragon appeared on the field.
(Luster Dragon: 1900 ATK/1600 DEF)
"Next, I activate Heart of the Underdog, but I won't use its just yet effect yet." The spell card appeared on the field. "Okay, now, Luster Dragon, attack, Sapphire Slash!" the dragon charged again and attacked the facedown monster, slashing at it. It shattered. But then, ZK looked down at his life points as they went down.
ZK: 3500 LP
"What? How did that happen?" ZK asked.
"Because you attacked my Giant Germ (1000 ATK/ 100 DEF)," the proctor stated. "It does 500 points of damage to your life points if it's destroyed through battle and also…" two identical Giant Germs appeared on the field. "I can summon two Giant Germs in attack mode from my deck."
"Well, Insect Knight, go!" ZK ordered, "Destroy another Giant Germ! Insect Slice!" the insectoid monster charged forward and sliced a Germ in half. It shattered and 500 more of ZK's life points were taken.
"Did you forget about its effect that takes away 500 of your life points?" the proctor asked as ZK's life points dropped.
ZK: 3000 LP
"Sure I did," ZK smiled, "But you still take damage too."
Prof. Robertson: 3100 LP
"Just a small loss of life points, no big deal," the proctor drew a new card and then smiled. ZK did not like the way he smiled.
"What did you draw?" ZK asked nervously.
"Let me ask you, young scholar, do you know the myth about the phoenix?" the proctor asked.
"Huh?" ZK asked.
"The phoenix is such a beautiful creature. A bird of flames."
"So, what're you getting at?" ZK asked. 'What he just drew must be good.'
"I shall show you," the proctor began, "By sacrificing my Pyramid Turtle and Giant Germ, I shall summon my SACRED PHOENIX OF NEPHTHYS!" flames consumed both of Robertson's monsters only to be replaced by a golden armored firebird. A flaming aura radiated from its body. ZK looked at the creature in awe.
(Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys: 2400 ATK/1600 DEF)
"Oh…man…" ZK's eyes widened.
"That ain't good," muttered Stave, eyes wide as he watched the Sacred Phoenix glaring at his friend. "I hope you know how to beat it, pal."
"Now, my Sacred Phoenix! Attack his Luster Dragon with Flames of the Sacred Phoenix!" Robertson pointed and then the monster loyally obliged and began its attack.
"I counter with Mirror Force!" ZK announced as he activated one of his facedown cards. The attack was absorbed and shot back at the firebird, destroying it. "It destroys your monsters." ZK looked at the proctor but the guy wasn't fazed a bit.
"Yes, I was a bit hasty. Well, I'll set this card facedown. It's your move," the proctor stated.
"Right, I draw," ZK drew and then smiled. "Right, my Heart of the Underdog activates. When I draw a normal monster, I show it to you, so I draw again." ZK showed Robertson his card. "I drew Soul Tiger, so I draw again. I drew Labyrinth Wall, so I draw again. I drew my Vorse Raider, so I draw again. I drew my second Soul Tiger so I draw again." Now ZK had 8 cards in hand. "Right, now I summon my Vorse Raider." The grinning beast warrior appeared, brandishing its weapon.
(Vorse Raider: 1900 ATK/1200 DEF)
"OK, Vorse Raider, attack!" ZK commanded. "Use Raider Slash!"
"I activate Negate Attack!" the proctor shouted and the attack came to a halt.
"Crud!" ZK cursed under his breath. "Well, I set one card facedown and end my turn."
"I draw," Robertson said and then flames erupted onto the field. It then reformed into the Sacred Phoenix again.
"But…I destroyed it!" ZK shouted in protest.
"You did, but then you neglected to realize its special ability. If my Phoenix was destroyed NOT through battle and was destroyed by spell, trap or monster effects, it returns to the field and with an added bonus." The flames rose up to ZK's side of the field and his Spell and Traps were destroyed. "All spell and traps on the field are destroyed."
"My cards!" ZK shouted in horror.
"Jeez, you think he would have remembered that from the written test," sighed Steve.
"Now, I'll attack! Sacred Phoenix, attack Luster Dragon! Flames of the Sacred Phoenix!" the phoenix soared into the air and blasted the dragon to death.
ZK: 2500 LP
"I end my turn," the proctor said. ZK drew his card.
"I shift my Insect Knight to defense mode and sacrifice my Vorse Raider for Labyrinth Wall in defense mode." ZK said and his beast warrior was replaced by a large wall of stone. The insect warrior kneeled, holding its shield out in front of it.
(Labyrinth Wall: 0 ATK /3000 DEF)
"I then activate Swords of Revealing Light!" ZK stated and the cage of light-swords contained the Phoenix and the proctor. "Now you cannot attack for three turns." ZK looked at his hand, thinking, 'OK, got nothing strong enough to destroy it yet and if I use a spell, trap or monster effect to destroy it, that thing will just come back and wipe out all my spells and traps. Not good.'
"I can wait," Robertson said, not bother. "I draw a card and end my turn."
"I draw," ZK drew, "And summon another Insect Knight into defense mode. I end my turn."
"Then it's my move," Robertson drew. "Hm…well, looks like I shall break your defense. I activate Heavy Storm!" The Swords of Revealing Light were blown away. "Now I use Stop Defense on your Labyrinth Wall."
"No!" ZK shouted.
"Now, Sacred Phoenix, attack his Labyrinth Wall! Flames of the Sacred Phoenix!" Robertson commanded and the phoenix destroyed the solid wall, shattering it to bits.
ZK: 100 LP
Robertson said, "You did well, applicant, but now you see the power of my phoenix? It is immortal, unstoppable, and beautiful. You've lost already."
"C'mon, ZK! You can beat this guy!" exclaimed Steve.
"As long as I have life points, I can still win. I draw!" ZK said and then looked over at his opponent's field. He hadn't bothered to set any cards facedown. ZK looked up at the Sacred Phoenix. He looked at the card in his hand and nodded. "I summon my third Insect Knight in attack mode!"
"Attack mode?" Robertson gaped. Was the applicant so eager to lose? "What for? It's too weak to stand up to my Phoenix."
"I then shift my two other Insect Knights into attack mode," ZK said before the two other insect warriors rose up to full height.
"You're wasting your time. None of those bugs can stand up to my Sacred Phoenix," Robertson scoffed. "Just forfeit and be on your way. It'll save you the humiliation."
"No way!" ZK said defiantly, "Even if there isn't a chance, I fight to the end! And now, with this card in my hand, I will finish this."
"Go ahead and play it," Robertson dared.
"OK, you ask for it! Go: Delta Attacker!" ZK announced as he activated his spell card, which depicted three scorpions in a triangle formation.
"Now he's got him," said Steve, proud of his friend.
"Delta Attacker?" Robertson parroted.
"This spell card works well with normal monsters, which the Insect Knights are. Now, if I have 3 normal monsters with the same name, which I do, I can attack my opponent's life points directly with ALL three!"
"WHAT!?"
"Go, Insect Knight!" ZK shouted, pointing at Robertson, "Attack his life points directly. "Triple Insect Slice! (Total ATK: 5700)"
The three Insect Knights soared right past the Phoenix and attacked Robertson with their swords simultaneously. Robertson was thrown back by the attack and fell on his back.
Prof. Robertson: 0 LP
Steve smiled widely, "Nicely done."
Two students were on a landing overlooking the duels. One was female and the other was male. They both wore Obelisk Blue uniforms. "Wow, that kid may have a future ahead of him," whistled the girl. She had short black hair and violet eyes.
"Maybe, but it seemed more like luck than anything else," said the other student, cynically. He had shoulder length brown hair and dark blue eyes.
"Now that is how the game is played!" ZK proclaimed proudly as he snapped his fingers. He then walked over to the professor and held out a hand. Robertson took the hand and ZK helped him up. "Are you okay? Sorry if that was a bit too much, sir."
Prof. Robertson stared and smiled at ZK, "It's alright, young applicant. You dueled well and showed excellent sportsmanship. Congratulations and welcome to Duel Academy." Both teacher and new student shook hands.
"But I still got a lot to learn," ZK said.
"Well, so do I," Robertson replied.
ZK walked up to meet with his friend. "Hey, did you see me? I was awesome."
"Yep, that was great man," said Steve.
"Will Steven Tyler please report to Duel Exam Field No. 4? Repeat; will Steven Tyler please report to Duel Exam Field No. 4?" the PA called.
Steve grinned widely. "Time to show 'em what I can do!" He walked down towards the field.
"Good luck, Stevie!" ZK called. He was then tapped on the shoulder. He turned his head to see a girl with short black hair and amber eyes. She also wore a yellow tank-top with jeans and sneakers. "Um…Hi?"
"I saw your duel and it was amazing!" the girl squealed.
"Um…thanks?" ZK responded. "And you are...?" The girl extended a hand and shook his vigorously.
"Amara Sefton," the girl introduced.
"My friends call me ZK," ZK introduced.
"Hey, is that your friend?" Amara pointed down as Steve faced off another proctor. She then recognized the proctor. "Uh-oh, I think your friend is gonna have some trouble."
"You think so?" ZK asked.
"She knows so," spoke another voice, this time male. He wore a white buttoned up shirt and blue tie with black slacks. His hair was black and neatly combed and he also had amber eyes. "I'm Sebastian Sefton, Amara's twin brother."
"Hey, I'm-" ZK began but was interrupted.
"Ezekiel "ZK" Richards. Yes, I watched you duel. That was an amazing finish," Sebastian said.
"Thanks," ZK nodded but then looked over at his friend and his opponent. "So, what's the skinny on this proctor?"
"She utilizes a burn deck," was Sebastian and Amara's unison answer.
The proctor who stood before Steve was female with long red hair and green eyes. She wore a blue coat over a black shirt with matching pants and shoes. On her arm was an Academy Duel Disk. "So, you are the new applicant. Tyler, correct?" the duel proctor asked.
"Yep, but everyone just calls me Steve."
"I am Professor Ellen Baker. You will need to defeat me in order to gain acceptance into this Academy."
"I'm fine with that!" said Steve as he slid his deck into his duel disk.
"DUEL!!!"
Prof. Baker: 4000 LP
Steve: 4000 LP
"I'll start," Prof. Baker said, "I summon my Solar Flare Dragon!" A large snake-like dragon appeared on the field, surrounded by flames.
(Solar Flare Dragon: 1500 ATK/ 1000 DEF)
"Then I end my turn. Thanks to my Dragon's effect, you lose 500 life points." Flames shot out at Steve.
Steve: 3500 LP
"Draw!" exclaimed Steve. "I set a monster facedown and one more card facedown and that's my turn." The two facedown cards appeared on his field.
"I draw. I set a monster in defense mode. Then I'll activate my Wave-Motion Cannon." A facedown monster and a large cannon appeared on the field and pointed itself at Steve. "I end my turn. You take another 500 points of damage. " More flames hit Steve.
Steve: 3000 LP
"I draw… I set a monster facedown and end my turn," said Steve. Another facedown monster appeared on Steve's field.
"I draw. Since this is my first standby phase, my cannon powers up. Now I destroy it to deal 1000 points of damage to you life points." The cannon exploded as a beam of light shot and hit Steve, knocking him backward. He readied himself.
Steve: 2000 LP
"Then I summon a second Solar Flare Dragon and end my turn." A second dragon appeared next to the first. "You now take 1000 points of damage because of my Dragons." Twin blasts of flames hit Steve.
Steve: 1000 LP
"It seems your friend is in a bit of trouble," Sebastian observed. Amara nodded in agreement.
ZK bit his fingernails and muttered worriedly, "Man, Steve's down to only a quarter of his life points and that proctor hasn't even attacked yet. One more turn and Steve's out of the duel."
"Jeez, is that kid going to make any moves? He's only been defending and Prof. Baker won't attack him. Hasn't he figured out her strategy yet?" said the girl.
"I don't think he cares. He's been setting up his own strategy this entire duel," said the man.
"What do you mean, Victor?" asked the girl.
"Look at him, Stephanie. He's been setting up the duel to go her way this entire duel, just leading up to this moment. He has some skill," said Victor.
"You should reconsider your dueling career. My life points remain untouched," said Prof. Baker.
"Yeah, but you see… I'm just getting started!" exclaimed Steve as he drew his card. He smiled widely. "I discard my Gravekeeper's Commandant to search my deck for my Necrovalley field spell!" He discarded his card and searched through his deck. "Now I use my Nobleman of Crossout to remove your facedown monster from the game." The facedown card shattered. "Then I flip up my facedown Gravekeeper's Guard!"
(Gravekeeper's Guard: 1000 ATK/ 1900 DEF)
His card flipped over to reveal a large bald man in robes carrying a staff. "Its effect lets me send one of your Dragons back to your hand." One of Prof. Baker's Dragons vanished from the field. "Now I flip my Gravekeeper's Spy!"
(Gravekeeper's Spy: 1200 ATK/ 2000 DEF)
Steve's card flipped over to reveal a young woman in robes similar to the Guard's. "Her effect lets me search out a monster with Gravekeeper's in its name with 1500 or less attack points and bring it to the field. I choose my Gravekeeper's Assailant!" A new monster appeared. It was completely clad in robes and wielded twin daggers.
(Gravekeeper's Assailant: 1500 ATK/ 1500 DEF)
"Now I summon my Gravekeeper's Spear Soldier!" A monster that looked like the Spy, only male, appeared on the field holding tightly to his spear.
(Gravekeeper's Spear Soldier: 1500 ATK/ 1000 DEF)
"Now I activate my Necrovalley field spell!" The room they were in began to shift as sands rolled in and mountains grew around them. "This card gives all my Gravekeeper's 500 extra attack and defense points! Lastly I activate my facedown trap card, Rite of Spirit! This let's me bring a Gravekeeper back from my Graveyard, and I choose… my Gravekeeper's Commandant!" A final monster appeared. He wore gold body armor and robes. He also wore what appeared to be a jackal's head. He held on to a staff.
(Gravekeeper's Commandant: 1600 ATK/ 1500 DEF)
Gravekeeper monster's stats with Necrovalley, all receive 500 point boost to ATK and DEF
(Guard: 1500 ATK/ 2400 DEF)
(Spy: 1700 ATK/ 2500 DEF)
(Spear Soldier: 2000 ATK/ 1500 DEF)
(Assailant: 2000 ATK/ 2000 DEF)
(Commandant: 2100 ATK/ 2000 DEF)
"Now, my Spy will attack your Dragon. Thanks to Necrovalley, my Spy's attack points are up to 1700 points! Go my Spy, Sneak Attack!" The Spy vanished and appeared behind the Dragon. It drew a blade and stabbed the Dragon in the back causing it to shatter.
Prof. Baker: 3800 LP
"Now to finish this! All of my remaining Gravekeeper's attack directly for a grand total of 7600 points of damage!" The Gravekeepers charged at the Professor.
Prof. Baker: 0 LP
"You did it, Steve!" ZK cheered.
"Superb," Sebastian said, impressed. "I have rarely seen anyone utilize a Gravekeeper's Deck so flawlessly."
"Yay!" Amara cheered, clapping.
"Excellent work, Mr. Tyler," said Prof. Baker. "And welcome to Duel Academy."
"I told ya, call me Steve."
"Wow Victor, you called it," said Stephanie.
"This year may be interesting…" said Victor, smiling.
Shadow Element 13: Ok, what did you all think? This is my first Yugioh GX fic. Steve belongs to me. That's all you need to know.
ZK Chromedragozoid: Well, my first attempt at a Yugioh GX fic. Whaddya think? Oh and ZK is mine, thank you. Got any ideas for other characters or decks? Review and/or PM me, OK? Also, go to my forums too if you like.
Characters and Decks:
Ezekiel "ZK" Richards is a young duelist who loves playing duel monsters and plays for the love of the game. His greatest dislikes are cheaters and dishonorable duelists as well as winning by default at tournaments. He originally collected Duel Monster cards out of fun but when he saw how fun duelling was, he learnt the rules and assembled a deck to play with others.
Strategy: Beatdown with Normal Monsters that have high attack and defense stats as well as supporting them with a variety of spells and traps
Deck (so far):
Monster(s):
Vorse Raider
Insect Knight
Labyrinth Wall
Soul Tiger
Luster Dragon
Spell(s):
Heart of the Underdog
Swords of Revealing Light
Delta Attacker
Mystical Space Typhoon
Trap(s):
Mirror Force
Steve Tyler is the son of an archeologist. His father used to take him on digs in Egypt, where he learned about ancient duels. His father taught him how to duel and gave Steve his Gravekeeper deck. Growing up, he didn't have many friends because he traveled a lot, so he sought friendship in his deck. He may not be one of the brightest candles in the bunch, but when he starts dueling, watch out!
Strategy: Swarm the opponent with Monsters
Deck (So far):
Monster(s):
Gravekeeper's Spy
Gravekeeper's Guard
Gravekeeper's Assailant
Gravekeeper's Spear Soldier
Gravekeeper's Commandant
Spell(s):
Necrovalley
Nobleman of Crossout
Trap(s):
Rite of Spirit
Professor Ellen Baker is the professor of alternate winning conditions, dealing with all different ways to win a duel without having to attack. She is an expert on fire-type monsters. She is also the female head of the Slifer Red Dorm.
Strategy: Burn
Deck (So far):
Monster(s):
Solar Flare Dragon
Spell(s):
Wave-Motion Cannon
Trap(s):
None So Far
Professor Ivan Robertson is a professor at Duel Academy. An intellectual who studies mythology. Has a love for phoenixes which is evident in his strategy which revolves around his Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys
Strategy: Using the Sacred Phoenix's special ability to bring it back and destroy his opponent's facedown spell and traps.
Deck (so far)
Monster(s):
Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys
Pyramid Turtle
Giant Germ
Spell(s):
Heavy Storm
Stop Defense
Trap(s):
Negate Attack