Disclaimer: All official Yu-Gi-Oh! GX characters & cards are property of VIZ, Shonen Jump, and Konami.

This fic a joint project with one of my friends, Comic Master Alpha.

These new ban rules came into effect as of March 1, 2008.

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EPISODE 1-12

The Teacher Tournament

The announcement of the new rules that would be coming into effect had the attention of every person at Duel Academy, including the staff. All over the island, people were gathered around computers, reading the latest issue of Duel Monsters Weekly magazine, or tuned into the Card Game Channel on television. Mikey and Max were seated on the floor of the Osiris Red dorm common building with all their other fellow Reds watching a press conference being held by Industrial Illusions president Maximillion Pegasus and Kaiba Corp. president Seto Kaiba. Mikey had seen pictures on the net, but he had never seen them live before. Seto Kaiba had aged quite a bit since he retired from dueling, now sporting a more mature face and darker hair. By contrast, Pegasus looked like he hadn't aged one bit.

"Mr. Pegasus! Mr. Kaiba!" one reporter called out, "When the ban rules were first released, Monster Reborn was one of the first cards to be forbidden. So why, after so many years, have you decided to bring it back?"

"As you know, Monster Reborn was definitely one of the most overpowered cards at the time," Pegasus explained, "But we released more and more cards over time. It wasn't long before we had created so many more powerful new cards that Monster Reborn just didn't seem to be as overpowered as it used to be. So we've decided to bring it back. But in exchange, we have placed bans on cards like Magician of Faith and Call of the Haunted to help balance things out."

"And what's with the sudden increase in the amount of starting Life Points?" another reporter asked.

"Quite simple, my good fellow. Duelists just want their fun to last. And what better way to do it than to double their Life Points?"

"Then how do you explain the fact that tag team duels still remain at eight thousand Life Points per team?"

"Long-lasting duels are fun," answered Pegasus, "Long dragged-out duels, however, get boring."

"Mr. Kaiba, do you have anything to say to this?"

"Kaiba Corp.'s staff is now programming the new rules into the Duel Disks that are being constructed," Kaiba answered, "At this point, I will also announce that all current duelists are required to update their Duel Disks as soon as possible. The new rules are available for download at the Kaiba Corp. and Industrial Illusions websites. For those who don't have the USB Duel Disk cable, stations will be set up all over the world for people to go and update their Duel Disks with the new rules."

"Max, do you have a USB cable?" Mikey asked as he turned to his roommate.

"No, do you?"

"No."

"Coming up next," the Card Game Channel announcer's voice suddenly boomed, "we'll be bringing you live coverage of the exhibition tournament organized by Industrial Illusions and Kaiba Corp. to demonstrate the new rules."

"The teachers are so going to add this to the curriculum," Mikey thought out loud.

ooo

"What do you mean we're not going to add the new rules to the curriculum?" demanded Dr. Snappe.

"You may not realize this, Trevor," said Alexis, "but not all students can learn through textbooks and lectures. Some learn through experience. We need to consider the best way to include the kinetic learners in our student body."

"And this 'tournament' is supposed to do that?"

"Even them textbook types'll learn the new rules no prob this way," added Hassleberry.

"What about a prize?" inquired Mr. Bibby, "Students won't participate if there's no prize."

"We already have that covered thanks to Mr. Pegasus," answered Alexis, "He's agreed to award the winner a trip for four to the Industrial Illusions headquarters."

"Sounds mighty interestin'," commented Hassleberry.

"And since Industrial Illusions makes Duel Monsters cards, it's like a field trip for the winner," Miss Marina added.

"It's like a special lesson," said Mrs. Jackson.

"Mr. Pegasus has also agreed to give the winner and those accompanying him or her a free sneak preview of Industrial Illusions' next set of cards."

"A trip to their headquarters AND free cards? Now no one will pass this up!" Miss Frost said excitedly.

"Very well. You've convinced me," said Dr. Snappe, "So how shall we structure this tournament?"

ooo

The next day, an announcement was made for all students to gather in the auditorium for a special presentation. Mikey, Sammie, Max, and Coltyn sat together as always. Like everyone else, they wondered what the assembly would be about.

"Considering that the new rules were announced yesterday, I'm sure this has something to do with them," Mikey put in his two cents.

"They're probably going to tell us how they're going to teach them to us," said Max, "It's probably going to be classroom learning."

"Classroom learning wouldn't be preceded by an auditorium presentation," Coltyn replied, "They've got something special planned. I say it's a hands-on thing."

"You willing to bet on that?" asked Sammie.

"Sure. You know I'm not a wuss like Mikey."

"Hey!"

"Ten bucks on a duel day," wagered Coltyn.

"And ten bucks on a tournament," answered Sammie.

"Is gambling even allowed at this school?" Mikey whispered to Max.

"I guess so," the redhead whispered back, "considering that the school itself has condoned it before."

As discussions among students continued, the noise slowly died down as Alexis took the podium on the stage. As she looked out at her pupils, she slowly began reciting her speech in her head before broadcasting it out to the student body.

"Welcome, everyone. As you're all well aware by now, Industrial Illusions and Kaiba Corp have announced the new rules. And as you're all likely guessing, this assembly is about how we intend to teach you these rules. Now as one who does not take a particular liking to 'beating around the bush', the school staff has decided to organize a tournament." Coltyn slipped Sammie ten dollars and they resumed listening to the announcement.

"Here's how it will work. First, each and every one of you will be required to update your Duel Disks and modify your decks accordingly. Once that is done, you are to report to your respective dorm heads. The tournament will be done in a sudden death elimination format, meaning you're out as soon as you lose even one duel. Each of you will begin dueling your dorm heads. Following that, you will duel your dorm's other head. From that point, you will proceed to the other dorm heads. The movement will be done in a cycle. Osiris Reds will move to Ra Yellow, the Ra Yellows will move to Obelisk Blue, and the Obelisk Blues will move to Osiris Red. This will continue until you have dueled all six-dorm heads once each. Any participants remaining after that will then proceed into the school itself and duel the other teachers. After that, anyone who remains will duel me."

"Sounds simple enough," Mikey commented, "But to duel every teacher at this school? That sounds a bit much."

"And if you win this tournament, you will be awarded with a base of four thousand DP plus additional DP based on the conditions of your victories. The winner will also receive a trip for four to the Industrial Illusions headquarters where Maximillion Pegasus himself will give you a tour of his facility and give you a sneak preview of the next Duel Monsters booster set," Alexis announced.

"A sneak preview?" Mikey inquired.

"It means you get a whole bunch of free cards from the next set before it comes out," explained Coltyn. This announcement caused many murmurs among the students.

"Master Kaiba, you'll win this easily!" a member of Saito's followers exclaimed to the heir of Kaiba Corp.

"For sure!" another agreed.

"Can you idiots do anything else besides stating the obvious?" Saito replied emotionlessly.

"I wish all of you the best in this tournament and may the best win," Alexis concluded.

ooo

The line for the Duel Disk update stations was enormous. It seemed that most of the students didn't own a USB cable as Mikey guessed as he looked around. Nearly two hours had passed before it was finally his turn. The brunet plugged his Duel Disk into the machine and downloaded the new rules.

"Ten machines and only one minute for the update and it takes two full hours to wait in line?" he thought out loud in disbelief. As Mikey left the building, he saw Sammie conversing with Saito a ways away. After the young man left, the meek Osiris Red walked up to the blonde.

"Sammie, can I ask you something?"

"What is it, Mikey?"

"Well, I always see you talking to that guy," Mikey began, "Any reason why? I mean, like, are you guys seeing each other or anything?"

"Oh, nothing like that," answered Sammie, "He's the number one duelist at this school, but so am I. We're like co-number ones. It's kind of a friendly rivalry."

"I see."

"But this tournament will determine which of us is better. And then we'll see who's the real number one: that rich bastard or me!"

"Um, Sammie? You're getting unnecessarily competitive again."

ooo

The following week, the "Teacher Tournament", as the students had dubbed it, began. All students reported to their dorm heads as they had been instructed and began dueling them in alphabetical order by surname. Since Mikey was the only Osiris Red boy whose last name began with A, he was naturally first.

"Hope yer up for another duel, Mikey," said Hassleberry.

"I am, Mr. Hassleberry," Mikey replied as he activated his Duel Disk, "Let's duel!" As the card game began, Max watched from several places back in line.

-------------------------------

Mikey: 8000

Hassleberry: 8000

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"Black Stego, front an' center!" Hassleberry summon a black stegosaurus and ended his turn. (ATK/1200 DEF/2000)

"I set two cards facedown and Normal Summon Beast King Barbaros in attack mode," Mikey declared, "I end my turn."

"I activate Big Evolution Pill and sacrifice my Black Stego to do it. Now I summon Dark Driceratops." Hassleberry sacrificed his monster and summoned a mutated triceratops (ATK/2400 DEF/1500), "Dark Driceratops, attack!"

"I activate Skill Drain!" announced Mikey, "I pay a thousand Life Points to negate every monster effect on the field. Meaning my monster gets boosted up to his original three thousand attack points."

-------------------------------

Mikey: 7000

Hassleberry: 8000

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There was a loud crash as Dark Driceratops was killed instantly against the might of Barbaros' lance.

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Mikey: 7000

Hassleberry: 7400

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"I set a card an' end my turn." Once Hassleberry's turn was over, Mikey began his.

"I summon Majestic Mech – Okha from my hand in attack mode. Then I activate my other facedown, Ultimate Offering. Now I can perform extra summons by paying five hundred Life Points for each one."

-------------------------------

Mikey: 6500

Hassleberry: 7400

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"I summon Sangan. Now I sacrifice Sangan to summon Majestic Mech – Goryu."

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Mikey: 6000

Hassleberry: 7400

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Sangan vanished and in its place rose Mikey's majestic white dragon-like monster. (ATK/2900 DEF/1800)

"Now I play Mystical Space Typhoon on your facedown, Mr. Hassleberry." Mikey played his spell and a gust of wind blew down and destroyed his opponent's facedown, "Now I attack you directly with all three monsters. Beast King Barbaros, Death Sentence! Majestic Mech – Okha – Majestic Ray! Majestic Mech – Goryu, Majestic Blaze!" The three monsters fired their attacks at once and blasted away Hassleberry's Life Points down to zero.

-------------------------------

Mikey: 6000

Hassleberry: 0

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"Good game there, little soldier. A'right, next in line!" shouted Hassleberry.

"This is just the beginning," replied Mikey. If his life was like a movie or a television show, a good majority of the tournament would be summed up in a series of montages.

ooo

"Ruin, attack with Dies Irae! Demise, you finish up with World Ender!" ordered Sammie. Her two ritual monsters launched their respective attacks and won their owner her first victory in the tournament.

ooo

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Saito: 8000

Dr. Snappe: 8000

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"I summon Skilled Dark Magician in attack mode," announced Dr. Snappe, "Now I play Spell Absorption and conclude my turn." Then Saito began his turn. His Blue-Eyes White Dragon Duel Disk shone with the luster of having been recently polished and his cards had all been encased inside shimmering card sleeves emblazoned with the image of a majestic white dragon.

"I summon Troop Dragon and then remove it from play from my field to Special Summon Red-Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon!" A giant machine-like black dragon appeared and roared (ATK/2800 DEF/2400), "Now I use its effect to Special Summon Tyrant Dragon." A massive brown dragon appeared beside the black one. (ATK/2900 DEF/2500)

"Now I play Future Fusion and I send these five dragons to my graveyard." Saito selected five random monsters from his deck and sent them to his graveyard, "Now I play Dragon's Mirror and remove those same five to bring out Five God Dragon." The giant five-headed monster appeared and let out five simultaneous roars. (ATK/5000 DEF/5000)

"I play Trade-In to discard Felgrand Dragon in exchange for drawing two new cards and then I use Fissure on your Skilled Dark Magician. Now my dragons, strike!" There was a massive torrent of power as Saito's dragons unleashed their might at once.

-------------------------------

Saito: 8000

Dr. Snappe: 0

-------------------------------

ooo

Coltyn had two Solar Flare Dragons protecting his Life Points and one facedown card while his opponent had filled his entire field with monsters. He looked at his hand and then prepared his move.

Let's see if these new ban rules work, he thought.

"I activate Monster Reborn and I'll use it to bring back Ultimate Baseball Kid in attack mode. Next I play Inferno Reckless Summon to bring out two more Baseball Kids, bringing all three up to forty-five hundred attack points. Now I activate my Trap Card, DNA Transplant. It works just like DNA Surgery, but it works for attributes. And I pick the Fire attribute." With Coltyn's opponent's monsters now all converted into Fire monsters, his Ultimate Baseball Kids each gained an additional five thousand attack points.

"Ultimate Baseball Kids, strike him out!"

ooo

Max's turn eventually came and he had total control over the field as he executed his moves with fluidity. His Stumbling proved to be a big nuisance to Hassleberry since the teacher's dinosaurs were made to attack as soon as possible.

"Dream Clown's effect activates and so Super Conductor Tyranno is destroyed. Now I activate Zero Gravity to change the battle positions of all monsters on the field before switching my Crass Clown back into attack mode to send Black Stego back to your hand. Then I play Giant Trunade to return Stumbling to my hand and then discard it and another card from my hand to Special Summon my two The Tricky cards. Put on a fabulous show, boys!" The four clowns attacked at once and completely depleted the rest of Hassleberry's Life Points.

ooo

The dorm heads were all exhausted by the end of the day. Having dueled each and every one of their students for the duration of the entire day had been nothing short of grueling. All of them now sat together in the staff meeting room with the results of their duels.

"Eighty-five percent of my students successfully defeated me," Dr. Snappe said as he handed in his report, "Mr. Kaiba was able to defeat me on his very first turn, as it was to be expected."

"Likewise, Sammie managed to defeat me within the first five turns of the duel," Miss Marina added.

"That's ten extra DP to each of them for their quick finishes as well as another five for no trap cards," calculated Mr. Higsby, who was in charge of keeping track of DP during the tournament.

"Mr. Mandala, Miss Leena, and Mr. Reproba all succeeded in getting five monsters on their fields," Mr. Bibby reported. He droned on for another fifteen minutes before Mrs. Jackson gave her report on the Ra Yellow girls. Then it was down to the Osiris Red dorm. Miss Frost handed over her report and then Hassleberry submitted his.

"So thus far, thirty-five percent of the student body has already been eliminated from the competition," Mr. Higsby announced, "That's more than we expected."

"How are the students taking to the new rules?" inquired Alexis.

"We get a lot of mixed reactions," replied Miss Frost, "Some students have taken an immediate liking to the new rules, others prefer the old ones, and there are those who have no preference. But as far as learning them has been, they've all been pretty quick. A lot of them are still used to the four thousand Life Point count. But then again, the same can be said about us."

"So is everyone prepared for tomorrow's duels?" Alexis asked.

"Ten-four," replied Hassleberry.

"Yes," said Miss Frost.

"Of course," Mr. Bibby answered.

"Not really," was Mrs. Jackson's response.

"I teach girls' PE. I'm sure I'm ready," said Miss Marina.

"You didn't even need to ask," Dr. Snappe replied.

ooo

The next day was the second of the Teacher Tournament and now all students were to duel the teacher in charge of their respective dorms' other half. Once again, the duels were played in alphabetical order of student surnames. At the Obelisk Blue dorm, Saito and Sammie were literally blasting through their duels with incredible ease.

"I play Future Fusion." Saito played his card and discarded Tyrant Dragon, Red-Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon, Darkblaze Dragon, and Felgrand Dragon from his deck to his graveyard, "Now I play Dragon's Mirror to summon Five God Dragon." The five monsters he sent to his graveyard were now removed from play and his giant five-headed dragon appeared and roared.

"Now I equip it with Twin Swords of Flashing Light – Tryce." The son of Seto Kaiba discarded his Decoy Dragon from his hand to decrease his monster by five hundred attack points, but in doing so allowing it to attack twice during that Battle Phase, "Now I activate Dragon's Roar, giving all my dragons piercing ability. Go, Five God Dragon! Double Penta-Dragon Blaze!" The first helix of fire, water, earth magic, darkness, and lightning blasted the card in front of him, destroying it on contact. The second shot straight across the field and struck Miss Marina hard, winning Saito the duel.

Meanwhile, Sammie was in the midst of her duel with Dr. Snappe, the head of the Obelisk Blue boys' dorm and the chemistry teacher. She had expected him to run a deck themed around his subject, just as Miss Marina ran a Water deck to compliment her swimming classes. However, it turned out to be quite a surprise when she discovered he played a Spellcaster deck.

"I summon Skilled Dark Magician. Now I play Toon Table of Contents. It lets me search my deck for any card with the word 'Toon' in its name or 'Manga Ryu-Ran'. And so I shall bring a second Toon Table of Contents to my hand." Dr. Snappe repeated this until three Toon Table of Contents cards had been played and he had placed a Toon Gemini Elf into his hand, "Skilled Dark Magician gains one Spell Counter for every Spell Card played and when he has three, I may tribute him to Special Summon one Dark Magician." Three glowing orbs appeared around Skilled Dark Magician, but he did not stay for long as he held up his staff and the spheres moved in front of him. They spun around in a circle, creating a portal. At that moment, Skilled Dark Magician stepped in through the back and emerged from the other side as the mighty Dark Magician. (ATK/2500 DEF/2100)

"I play End of the World. Now by tributing Ritual Raven from my hand, I can summon Demise, King of Armageddon." Sammie played her card and her massive axe-wielding monster appeared (ATK2400 DEF/2000), "Demise, I activate your effect. Wipe out the field." After paying two thousand Life Points, the blonde girl watched as her creature slammed his axe into the ground and blasted away Dark Magician with one enormous blast.

-------------------------------

Sammie: 6000

Dr. Snappe: 8000

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Sammie then looked at the remaining cards in her hand and continued with her turn.

"I summon Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands and use its effect to bring another End of the World to my hand. Next I play Double Summon and bring out another Manju to bring Ruin, Queen of Oblivion to my hand. Now I play End of the World and sacrifice my two Manjus to summon Ruin in attack mode!" Mere seconds passed following the sacrifice of the two multi-armed creatures before the white-haired queen of the Apocalypse appeared beside Demise (ATK/2300 DEF/2000), "Ruin and Demise, attack directly." Ruin, Queen of Oblivion held her staff in both hands as she unleashed a devastating blast of dark energy at Dr. Snappe followed by Demise as he slammed his axe down on the chemistry teacher.

-------------------------------

Sammie: 6000

Dr. Snappe: 3300

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"I believe it is my move now." Dr. Snappe drew his card and proceeded, "I shall begin with Premature Burial. Now when I give up eight hundred of my Life Points, I may return one monster in my graveyard to my field."

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Sammie: 6000

Dr. Snappe: 2500

-------------------------------

"Dark Magician, arise." A burst of light erupted from the ground and Dark Magician leapt out onto the field, "Attack Ruin, Queen of Oblivion. Dark Magic Attack." With his free hand, Dark Magician thrust his open palm out and all the colors turned negative. Ruin cried as the magical attack hit her and she died instantly.

-------------------------------

Sammie: 5800

Dr. Snappe: 2500

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"I set the rest of the cards in my hand onto the field facedown and end my turn," concluded Dr. Snappe. Sammie drew and smiled when she saw what she got.

"Demise, destroy everything with your effect," she ordered.

-------------------------------

Sammie: 3800

Dr. Snappe: 2500

-------------------------------

Another massive explosion resulting from an axe hitting the ground wiped out every single card on the field save for Demise, King of Armageddon. Once the field was cleared, Sammie played the card she had just drawn.

"I play Monster Reborn. Now Dr. Snappe, let's see how you like it. Dark Magician, you're in my services now." Dark Magician appeared beside Demise, but now bore the expression present only on the faces doomsday bringers. Upon his new master's command, he thrust his empty palm at Dr. Snappe and inverted all the colors on the field as his magic blasted away the rest of the teacher's Life Points.

-------------------------------

Sammie: 3800

Dr. Snappe: 0

-------------------------------

"You've dueled well, Miss Korangar," said Dr. Snappe.

ooo

"I activate Flame Ruler's effect as I sacrifice him to summon Infernal Flame Emperor." Coltyn sent his monster to the graveyard and replaced it with a massive flaming liontaur, "Attack for game!" His monster unleashed a raging inferno and incinerated the last of his opponent's Life Points.

"Mess with fire and all you're gonna do is get burned!"

ooo

Mikey had never dueled Miss Frost before and in all honesty he wasn't even sure how her deck worked. From what he had heard, the head of the Osiris Red girls' dorm ran an ice deck. Right off the bat he knew that she would have some kind of Water attribute deck, but that still left him in the dark as to what sorts of cards she actually used.

"I hope you're ready, Mikey," she said as she stood with her Duel Disk activated.

"As ready as I'll ever be, Miss Frost," Mikey answered.

-------------------------------

Mikey: 8000

Miss Frost: 8000

-------------------------------

"I'll go first." Miss Frost drew her first card and set one monster. Afterwards, she set two cards facedown and ended her turn. Then it was Mikey's turn. He drew and made his move.

"I summon Voltech Kong in attack mode." He played his card and summoned an electric gorilla (ATK/1800 DEF/1000), "Voltech Kong, attack with Shock Slam." His primate pounded its chest and lunged forward with an electrically charged fist. It struck the card and it flipped up into a blue penguin in a black tuxedo. (ATK/900 DEF/1800)

"This is Nightmare Penguin," Miss Frost introduced, "When he's flipped face-up, he sends one card on your side of the field to your hand. In addition, while he remains face-up, all Water monsters on my side of the field gain two hundred attack points. So first I'll return that Voltech Kong to your hand." A chilly blast burst across the field and Mikey's gorilla was returned to his hand.

"I'll set two facedown cards and end my turn," the young brunet announced.

"Then it's my turn." Miss Frost drew her card, "I sacrifice Nightmare Penguin and summon Mobius the Frost Monarch." Her penguin vanished from sight and a giant explosion of ice stalagmites erupted from the ground before shattering into several pieces, heralding the entrance of a majestic creature in ice-blue armor and a long sapphire cape, "When Mobius is Tribute Summoned, I can use his effect to destroy up to two spell or trap cards on the field. So now I'll be destroying the ones on your side of the field, Mikey."

No question, I have to use one of my cards, thought Mikey.

"I activate Compulsory Evacuation Device. I can return one monster on the field to its owner's hand and I pick Mobius." Even though his trap successfully sent Mobius back to Miss Frost's hand, he cringed as his other facedown was destroyed.

"He'll be back soon enough, Mikey," said the teacher, "It's your turn now." Mikey drew his next card and proceeded.

As long as she has Mobius in her hand, my spells and traps aren't safe on the field. If I have to put something down, it better be something that I can activate right away without having it linger around, he thought. He summoned Voltech Kong again and launched an attack.

-------------------------------

Mikey: 8000

Miss Frost: 6200

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"And when Voltech Kong deals Life Point damage, you have to send one card from the top of your deck to the graveyard for each Light monster I have on the field." Miss Frost took the top card from her deck, which was a Penguin Soldier, and placed it into her graveyard.

"I'll set a card facedown and end my turn," concluded Mikey. His opponent then drew and she proceeded.

"I summon Blizzard Dragon in attack mode." She brought out an icy-blue dragon (ATK/1800 DEF/1000), "Once per turn, I can use its effect to select one monster you control and that monster can't attack or change its battle position until the end of your next turn. I choose Voltech Kong. Now I play the Field Spell called Umiruka. It increases all Water monsters' attack points by five hundred but lowers their defense by four hundred." Once her Duel Disk registered the card, the entire field suddenly transformed into the Arctic Ocean. Both duelists and their monsters stood on ice floes floating on the frigid water.

"For a hologram, this card sure made it cold," Mikey said through chattering teeth as he hugged himself for warmth. Even his breath was visible despite the fact that this arctic environment was just a projected image.

"Blizzard Dragon, attack his Voltech Kong," ordered Miss Frost, "Ice Shard Rain." Blizzard Dragon hissed as it spread out its wings and took to the sky. It hovered in the air for a few seconds before it began to beat its wings faster and unleashed a hailstorm of icicles.

"Reveal Trap Card: Waboku!" A trio of women in blue cloaks blocked the attack and Mikey's gorilla was spared.

"I end my turn," declared Miss Frost, "Remember, your monster cannot attack or change its battle position until the end of your turn."

"I'll remember that." Mikey drew his card and began his move, "I sacrifice Voltech Kong to summon Airknight Parshath." His gorilla vanished and in its place appeared a centaur with wings and armor (ATK/1900 DEF/1400), "Now I tribute my Parshath so I can Special Summon another card. Come out Neo-Parshath, the Sky Paladin!" A brilliant light came down from the sky and engulfed Airknight Parshath. His body vanished until all that remained was his armor and weapons. The sword fused with the right gauntlet and the shield with the left. The upper wings merged with the shoulder guards while the lower pair closed around the waist area. A human-shaped being of light filled the armor as two large white metal wings appeared on either side of the monster connected to a single golden crescent by gold and blue ribbons. A shining golden halo of light appeared behind the helmet and the light from above finally died down, revealing the newly summoned Neo-Parshath, the Sky Paladin. (ATK/2300 DEF/2000)

"Mikey, my Blizzard Dragon has twenty-three hundred attack points thanks to Umiruka," Miss Frost reminded him.

"I know, but that's why I activate this next card, Enemy Controller." Mikey played his card and a giant game controller appeared in front of him and the buttons began to move with each command he issued, "Up, left, left, down, A, C, Start." Once the code had been entered, the cable lashed out and struck Blizzard Dragon in the chest. The data was fed in and the monster was switched into defense mode.

"Neo-Parshath has piercing and when he inflicts damage, I get to draw a card," Mikey added before issuing his attack, "Neo-Parshath, attack Blizzard Dragon. Crusader Strike!" Neo-Parshath flew forward and spun around as it struck Blizzard Dragon with its sword, destroying it with one swing.

-------------------------------

Mikey: 8000

Miss Frost: 4500

-------------------------------

Mikey drew his card and placed another facedown before ending his turn. Then it was back to Miss Frost. First she played Foolish Burial and sent Frostosaurus from her deck to her graveyard. Then she activated one of her two facedowns, Birthright, and brought back the freezing brontosaurus. (ATK/2600 DEF/1700)

"Now I play Cold Wave," she announced, "With this card played, neither of us can activate or set Spell or Trap Cards until my next turn." A chilling wind froze all facedown cards on the field and then Miss Frost ordered her monster to attack. Frostosaurus charged in and spun around to smack Neo-Parshath, the Sky Paladin with its tail. The holy creature shattered on contact.

-------------------------------

Mikey: 7200

Miss Frost: 4500

-------------------------------

"I end my turn." With Miss Frost finished for the time being, Mikey started his turn. With Umiruka on the field, Frostosaurus had a total of thirty-one hundred attack points and thanks to Cold Wave he didn't have too many options. He set a monster and ended his turn. Miss Frost began hers and summoned Giant Red Seasnake, bringing out a large red sea serpent. (ATK/1800 DEF/800) She ordered it to attack first and it bit down on what turned out to be Sangan. Mikey used its effect to bring Marshmallon to his hand. Then Miss Frost ordered Frostosaurus to attack and he took the maximum damage from it.

-------------------------------

Mikey: 4100

Miss Frost: 4500

-------------------------------

She ended her turn and Mikey drew his next card. He set Marshmallon facedown and ended his turn. Miss Frost knew that the card was the one he had just selected and decided to pass her turn. Mikey's next draw made him set that card down as well. Miss Frost attacked it when her turn came up and it turned out to be Skelengel, allowing her opponent to draw one card. Mikey drew when his turn came up and passed. As long as Marshmallon was on his field, he knew he was safe. Both duelists continued to pass, being able to do nothing until they both had six cards in their hands. The passes finally ended when Mikey drew his seventh card.

"I summon Copycat." He played his card and summoned a small wizard covering its face with a mirror (ATK/0 DEF/0), "This guy copies the original attack and defense points of any monster my opponent controls and I pick Frostosaurus. Now I activate Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy Birthright." The face-up Trap Card was destroyed and Frostosaurus roared as it died.

"I activate Driving Snow." Miss Frost flipped up her facedown, "When you destroy one or more of my Trap Cards, I get to destroy one Spell or Trap Card on the field. Like that facedown of yours."

"I activate it in response. Go Shrink! Halve Giant Red Seasnake's attack points." Giant Red Seasnake hissed as it was weakened before Mikey continued with his move, "Now I play my field card, Luminous Spark, which is the Light version of Umiruka." The ice floes vanished and a radiant light illuminated the entire field.

"Copycat, attack Giant Red Seasnake!" commanded Mikey. A ray of light shot out of Copycat's mirror and pierced through Giant Red Seasnake.

-------------------------------

Mikey: 4100

Miss Frost: 2300

-------------------------------

He ended with a facedown before turning the duel over to his opponent.

"You've made an excellent move, Mikey," Miss Frost complimented as she drew her card.

"There's more where that came from," Mikey replied.

"Well I hope you're ready for this then, Mikey. I play Hammer Shot. This card destroys an attack position monster with the highest attack points and as it stands your Copycat is the only attack position monster on the field." A giant hammer suddenly dropped from the sky and smashed into Copycat, killing it instantly.

"Next I activate Premature Burial." Miss Frost continued with her turn and sacrificed eight hundred Life Points to return a monster from her graveyard to the field.

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Mikey: 4100

Miss Frost: 1500

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Her creature of choice turned out to be Blizzard Dragon. However, it wasn't meant to stay because she then sacrificed it and summoned Mobius the Frost Monarch. As soon as her monster appeared, she activated its effect and a rain of icicles shot down from the sky and impaled Mikey's facedown and his Luminous Spark.

I still have Marshmallon, thought Mikey.

"Next I play Nobleman of Crossout." An armored soldier appeared and stabbed the facedown Marshmallon with his sword. The small monster was destroyed and removed from play.

"Mobius, attack directly with Ice Lance," ordered Miss Frost. Mobius held out his hand and formed a long javelin made entirely of ice. He gripped the shaft and drew back his arm before letting his weapon fly right into Mikey's heart.

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Mikey: 1700

Miss Frost: 1500

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"I'll end with two facedowns," announced Miss Frost, "It's your turn, Mikey."

"And I'm going to make it count." Mikey drew his card and his eyes widened. It was just the thing he needed to win the duel.

"Are you ready, Miss Frost?" he asked as he played the card he had just drawn, "First I play Lightning Vortex and I'll discard my Majestic Mech – Goryu to use it." After he had sent his card to the graveyard, a giant torrent of lightning shot down and destroyed Mobius.

"Now I play this," Mikey played the card he had just drawn, "Monster Reborn! And I'll use it to bring back Majestic Mech – Goryu in attack mode." There was a flash of light and the boy's shining white dragon-like creature appeared on the field and roared. (ATK/2900 DEF/1800)

"Majestic Mech – Goryu, attack directly for the win!" commanded Mikey, "Majestic Blaze!"

"You're being too hasty, Mikey," said Miss Frost as she revealed one of her two facedowns, "I activate Magic Cylinder. This negates the attack and redirects the damage to your Life Points."

"Oh crap," Mikey realized. Majestic Mech – Goryu opened its mouth and fired a golden stream of fire. As it shot across the field, two large purple tubes appeared. The attack flew straight into one and then came back out from the other straight towards the young duelist. It struck Mikey with maximum power and depleted the remainder of his Life Points.

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Mikey: 0

Miss Frost: 1500

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"Sorry Mikey, but the tournament ends here for you," said Miss Frost.

"Aww, man! The first one out," Mikey cried, "The guys are never gonna let me live this down."

"Being the first one out isn't that bad, Mikey," Max said, trying to console his friend, "But it does mean I now owe Coltyn and Sammie twenty dollars each."

"Wait. You guys bet on me?" Mikey asked in disbelief.

"I bet for you. They bet against you."

"I don't believe this." Mikey got up, gathered his cards, and deactivated his Duel Disk, "I'm going to do my homework." He unstrapped the machine from his arm and tucked it underneath it instead and went upstairs to his room.

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Next week on Yu-Gi-Oh! GNext

Max faces off against his greatest fear. His task doesn't get any easier when his opponent's deck is chock full of the one thing he fears the most. Can the aspiring actor pull himself together long enough to win? Find out next Friday on Yu-Gi-Oh! GNext!