Jaden
"I'm late! I'm late! I can't believe I did it again!" Jaden panted as he ran through the streets of Rassay. He finally arrived at the Duel Dome, site of many legendary Duels, and the place where he had to take one final entrance exam to get into Prince Dallian Academy, the prep school he needed to attend to get the last bit of credits needed to go to the university levels of Duelist Academy. Jaden had graduated from the academy's High School Division months ago and was set to travel the world looking to Duelists worthy of his talents. Someone who could force him to be at his best, all the while having a fun time doing so.
Upon hearing that Yuri Wallcroft, the Crown Prince of Termnnia, was about to attend the academy, Jaden returned to school at once. He heard of how he climbed the Pillar of Termnnia to claim the God Cards and secure his right to the Diamond Throne. But, like Jaden, the hubbub with finding the God Cards and the battle against King Forrest, held him back from taking a few courses needed to get to the school.
Prince Yuri. That was an opponent he longed to face. A future High King! What a Duel that would be. After many registrations, exams, and many months pooling money for his tuition, Jaden was set to go. If only he could make it to the exam Duel.
"Ah, well, well, well," said a kind woman sitting behind the registration desk. "Late again, I see."
"Sorry," Jaden panted, stopping in front of the desk. "Woo, gimme a second," he held up his hand and bent forward, placing both hands on his knees.
"Well, Jaden, fortunately for you, you are right on time. There are still many seats left before the exams end."
"Really? Sweet! Count me in. Maybe I'll face Crowler again this year."
"I highly doubt you want to do that, Jaden," said the woman. "Crowler's deck is reinforced with all kinds of support cards for his Ancient Gear monsters. None more scary that his Chaos Ancient Gear Giant. He just used it against a poor soul."
"Aww man, I missed it."
"Good thing, too. It was terrible. The kid challenged Crowler because he thought he could take him down the way you did. Crowler sent him right to the lowest pits of Slifer Red with that match."
"Yeah, well, that kid isn't me," Jaden boasted. "I've got a lot of new HEROES ready to take down the competition here."
The woman looked at her partner and shrugged. "Very well, Jaden. Just wait for your name to be called. Goddesses be with you if you get your wish."
Jaden thanked them, picked up his number, and hurried inside to find a place to sit. The arena was just as big as he remembered it. The Dueling Grounds below were separated by chain-link fences. On the grounds, Jaden saw monsters such as Desperado Barrel Dragon, Odd-Eyes Wing Dragon, Flame Swordsman, and so much more.
"Tyler the Great Warrior! Attack!" a young man shouted, commanding his unique monster to attack and destroy his Dueling Proctor's Master Pendulum the Dracoslayer. Tyer held his hands over one another until the formed an energy ball. "Kanneh! Kerah! KAAA!" He launched his most powerful attack and blasted Master Pendulum to pieces.
"Sweet monsters!" Jaden said, finding a place to sit. Before he could get comfortable, his name was called. Quickly, he took his deck out of his backpack, strapped it to his Duel Disk. He saw a great deal of Obelisk Blue students in the arena. Since they were the best students in school, they had no need to be here. But, many of them had taken their seats in the arena. Jaden guessed that they were here to scout out the competition. There was no doubt in his mind many of them were here to see the future High King of Termnnia Duel and get sorted into the right House at school.
He made it to the Dueling Grounds at last. Once he was inside the fenced field, two academy staff member locked it with a steel chain. He chuckled, standing there on his side of the field to face his Dueling Proctor. Deep down, he wished it was Crowler again. He sure made a name for himself taking him down all those years ago. Speaking of which, the good Doctor was nowhere in sight. He was there a few minutes ago watching the other exams take place.
"Meh. Probably still grouchy about being beat by a Slifer." He waited for the Proctor to put on his complicated Duel Armor. Pfft. Jaden thought of it as obnoxious. Was it so degrading for these elitist types to just strap on a simple Duel Disk? He sighed and said: "Well, another life at Duelist Academy. University-life!"
Oooooo! Hooted Winged Kuriboh, his beloved Duel Spirit and friend.
"Tell me about it. I hear the fraternities have some of the best Duelists around. Wanna see how tough they really are, huh?"
Oooooo!
"Just what I thought. As soon as this guy can get his stuff on, we'll show those university types what I can really do."
The Dueling Proctor was ready to begin at last. "So you're the legendary Jaden Yuki. I heard you were in Slifer Red throughout your years at Duelist Academy's grade-school levels. Pfft. This is gonna be an easy match. Since I'll have the honor of kicking your ass outta here, I'll go first. Hmm. I set a monster face-down. Come on, kid. Show me what you've got."
"If that's what you want so bad, sure. I draw! Sweet! First, I'm summoning Keeper of Dragonic Magic!"
Keeper of Dragonic Magic
ATK/1800 DEF/1300
LV 4
"Now, that keeper's out, I get to discard a card and add a Polymerization card to my hand. The card, I'm sending away is my buddy, Elemental HERO Sparkman! Now for Keeper's second effect. I choose a fusion monster in my Extra Deck and if one of those monsters has Sparkman listed as a material, I can Special Summon him face-down in defense mode. Next, I'm using Polymerization to fuse Elemental HERO Sparkman and Avian to create Elemental HERO Grandmerge!"
Jaden HEROE's jumped into a vortex. The vortex sparked and flashed then from it flew a new HERO to do battle against the Proctor. He landed with a loud thud by Jaden, then slowly rose up until he towered over him. He was armed with a thunder cannon on his right arm and sharp claws on the left.
Elemental HERO Grandmerge
ATK/0 DEF0
LV 6
The Dueling Proctor laughed.
"Really? Is that the best you got, Ace? Your pathetic monster has only zero attack points. Oooo, I'm so scared."
"Laugh it up, because this monster is going to end this Duel."
"How do you figure that?"
"Because Grandmerge's attack is equal to the combined levels of the monster fused together to make him times 300. So that means his attack increased to 2100! Attack his face-down monster!"
Grandmerge flew over the field, aimed his canon, and fired a vermillion colored laser beam at the monster, who was a Prevent Rat, a monster with 2000 DEF. it failed to defend the Proctor against Jaden's HERO.
The students Ooohed and Ahhed at the monster Jaden summoned. Already he was being recognized as the Slifer Red Ace. Only he knew how to use his HERO cards so well.
"Don't think it's over," said Jaden. 'Thanks to Grandmerge's effect, he can tap out to call another HERO from my Extra Deck. Let's give a big welcome for my man, Elemental HERO Sunriser!"
He summoned a brand new HERO monster, armored in brilliant scarlet complimented with gold and a sky blue cape flowing behind him.
Elemental HERO Sunriser
ATK/2500 DEF/1200
LV 7
"Now the fun begins," said Jaden. "First, since he was Special Summoned, Sunriser lets me add Miracle Fusion from my hand. With this, I can fusion monsters in my Graveyard for another one of my favorite HEROES. Grandmerge, Sparkman, and Avion, combined to form the one and only, Elemental HERO Core!"
Elemental HERO Core
ATK/2700 DEF/2200
And that was it. The proctor didn't even have time to pull off his best strategies. Normally, he would be taunting the future pupils with his superior skills. But this kid. He was going to take him down in one turn. How was that possible?
BOOM!
Sunriser and Core double-teamed against the Proctor and sent him flying across the field until he smashed against the fence.
"I'm back!" Jaden shouted, waving to the crown and blowing kisses. "I did it! I did it! I did it!"
Jaden was about to head out the door and stopped when he saw another Duel taking place on the field next to him. "Chazz?" he whispered. "What's he doing here?"
Chazz Princeton
There was no mistaking it. Chazz of the Great House Princeton. A very powerful family. Thanks to their ownership of the gold and silver mines from the Iron Fork to the Whispering Coast, they controlled the Blue Mountains, a northern region of Lorin. Had their family not been engaged in a long a bloody civil war with Queen Daria for the Aquamarine Throne, Chazz would have been the first in line as a suitor for Princess Alexis's hand in marriage. Despite this, he never stopped trying to woo her. He sent her flowers, candy, and balloons in front of her hotel room. Naturally, there was no response.
But Chazz was too preoccupied with taking down his Dueling Proctor to care about the rejections. Since he was an Obelisk Blue all his years during High School, there was no need for him to take part in the Sorting Duel. But Chazz being Chazz, never refused the prospect of showing off his skills to the newcomers. As his Dueling Proctor readied himself, Chazz scanned the stadium, looking for any sign of Prince Yuri and his friends, The Princes of the Alliance. There was no sign of them. Most likely they were running late.
Chazz's ego wanted to believe that they were running scared, but that was not likely. Fear. That's not something that these guys would be feeling for a Sorting Duel. After all, they faced cannibalistic giants, demons, sea monsters, and who knew how much worse during their quest for the God Cards.
The Dueling Proctor was ready at last. "So you're willing to demote yourself to Slifer Red if you lose this Duel, eh?" he said. "You are one dumb student, you know that."
The coin was flipped. Chazz was going first. He smiled and drew. "Heh! We'll see who's the dumb one. I use Graceful Charity to draw three cards and discard two. Next, I set a monster face-down and end my turn."
"Nice try, kid. That's not going to work against me. I summon Bazoo the Soul Eater in attack mode. Next, I send a monster to the Graveyard to activate Wicked-Breaking Falmberge - Baou."
The demonic sword wedged itself in the giant, purple, baboon's back, putting it in a wild frenzy and increasing its ATK to 2100.
"Now," continued the Proctor. "I will Banish the card from my Graveyard to increase Bazoo's attack to 2400! Attack!"
Bazoo pounded his chest and jumped. He slammed his fists on Chazz's Chthonian Soldier.
"I end my turn. Too bad, kid. Why don't you surrender now and save yourself the humiliation?"
Chazz chuckled. "Man, you really think you're gonna beat me? As if. I draw. It's over for monkey boy there. I summon Blade Bounzer (ATK/1800), and next, I'll boost his power with Bashing Shield, increasing his attack to 2800! Next, I use Premature Burial. By paying 800 of my Life Points, I can bring back the Gene-Warped War Wolf I discarded earlier. With an attack of 2000, you are toast."
The Dueling Proctor stepped backward and braced himself as Chazz's monsters struck him down and pounded him until every last Life Point was gone. A few of Chazz's greatest admirers cheered and whistled, none more than his group of friends. But in the midst of all the excitement, Chazz was beginning to wonder where the supposed High King was. He was nowhere in sight.
"Where are ya, Yuri? What are you scared?"
Yuri
Game on, get your game on!
Come on ya better play your cards right!
Yugi Muto forced open his heavy eyes and extended his arm to his night table, fumbling around for his phone and shut off the music. He knocked over a pile of cards, a ripped open booster box and his Millennium Puzzle before finally finding his phone and shutting off the music. He sat on the edge of his bed and rubbed his left eye to remove the night's discharge. He saw his new friend sleeping on his own bed near the window overlooking the town from inside their hotel room.
It was Yuri. Many months prior to being here, Yuri had to overcome horrible beasts to claim his right to the throne. The God Cards. Now Yuri needed to test his skills at the academy, for kings needed to be exceptional Duelists thanks to a decree called the Dueling Pact, which forced kings to Duel to settle their disputes. It was a better alternative to war. Dueling was quick, wasn't costly, and did not require thousands of men to die in battle. As his personal trainers, Yugi to help his new friend excel through school.
"You'd best wake him," said Yugi's doppelganger, Yami, a spirit living inside his Millennium Puzzle, and the one who entrusted Yugi to aid Yuri at the school. "He's going to be late for his entrance exam."
"My alarm was set at its loudest," Yugi said, scratching the back of his head. "He probably couldn't hear a dump truck driving through a nitroglycerin plant if he was camping next to one. Can the fate of our world really be resting upon the shoulders of such a lazy boy?"
Yami chuckled. "You have to go easy on him, Yugi. He's been through a lot. First, he had to climb the Pillar of Termnnia and face ten of the foulest monsters Zorc could come up with to stop him from reaching the God Cards and then he lost his wife. And let us not forget when he summoned Slifer the Sky Dragon to destroy an army. I imagine that will take a lot out of a person."
"Oh, man!" Yugi slapped both hands on his face. "With all the excitement about the Glass Towers, I forgot King Forrest is dead. Naralia must not be too pleased about this."
"You'd best watch the news," said Yami. "I think you're going to be surprised."
Yugi stood up and walked to the remote on the coffee table of the sitting room. He turned on the giant flat-screen television and changed the channel to the local news network.
"And so completes the coronation of Prince Stefan Ungard, now the new King of Naralia. Following the demise of his father Forrest Ungard at the hands of Prince Yuri; the Crown Prince of Termnnia and wielder of the God Cards, the citizens of Naralia beg the young king for war against the South in revenge for Forrest's death. But the twenty-four-year-old ruler had a smile on his face as he told his citizens to calm themselves, stating that a new era has dawned this day. And that he looks to join the alliance of princes set up by champion Duelist and famed diplomat, Yugi Muto, in an attempt to cease all hostilities."
"He can't be serious!" cried Yugi. "Yami, Prince...er...King Stefan is as Yeyunist as you can get. He despises magic and Duel Monsters. What reason do we have to trust him?"
"We don't," said Yami. "But he doesn't want to go to war with us because he knows he'll just wind up like his father. Naralia doesn't have a navy any more thanks to Slifer the Sky Dragon." He looked at Yuri, still asleep in his bed. "Yuri has the God Cards now, Yugi. And they are a very potent weapon against any who dares stand against their king. I don't like this any more than you do, but we have no choice but to allow him into our ranks and end all hostilities with the north. In this day and age, we need all the help we can get. Orcs are rallying in the Black Continent and they will raise Termnnia to the ground before they see a High King return to power."
"I guess you're right," said Yugi. "Let's see what the kid is capable of."
"Why not worry more about what that kid is capable of?" Yami said looking towards Yuri.
"I'll wake him," Yugi said, turning off the television. "Yuri…Yuri…Come on, man. It's time to wake up."
Yuri tossed and wrapped the blankets around himself. Yugi snarled and raised a finger into the air, summoning a superficial lightning spell with just enough voltage to sting Yuri.
"OW" Yuri shouted, jumping awake. "What gives?"
Yugi tapped his foot on the ground impatiently. "It's eleven o'clock, you're almost late for your entrance exam! Get dressed and hurry down. Dr. Vellion Crowler is the leading proctor at the Duel Dome, and he is not one to be kept waiting."
Jaden
As much as Jaden wanted to Duel again, he could not. Seeing everyone summon monsters all around him just excited him. He wanted to Duel and he wanted to Duel now.
"Sit your ass down!" said a Knight of the Academy. "You can only Duel once and only once! Keep asking me for a Duel again, and I'm tossing you out of here."
"Sheesh, take a chill pill, bro," Jaden said defeated. He sulked up the stone steps to the stands. He sat down and just watched the players below. There was a young man still clad in his high school, Obelisk Blue blazer taking on one of the Proctors.
"Who's he?" a girl with pink hair asked sitting behind Jaden.
"He's Andre Neromaki," her friend replied. "Some folks around town are calling him the Future World's Greatest Duelist."
"That's a bold statement. What has he done to earn that kind of name."
"I heard he beat Cora Kaiba and Princess Kasumi in a two-on-one Duel. And he won the Duel Carnival last summer. He aims to beat everyone at the Academy, even Prince Yuri. If he does, he's set to take on Yugi and Seto Kaiba."
"I bet he's all talk," said the girl with pink hair. "There's no way he'll beat Kaiba."
"Well, he beat his daughter, who practically runs the same deck he does. You never know, girl."
Jaden rubbed his chin. "Andre Neromaki, huh? Cool, let's see what you've got."
The Dueling Proctor stared Andre down and scoffed. "You may think you were somebody back in the kiddie levels of the school, kid, but you're in the big leagues now. If you want to make it to the academy, you have to get through me."
"This will be quick," said Andre, activating his Duel Disk. "You ever hear of Cora Kaiba?"
"Who hasn't?"
"I took her down no problem. She even had help from her friend, the Princess of Tenyi, and still lost. Do you honestly think you can beat me?"
"Oooo, you beat two little girls. I'm so scared."
Andre laughed. "Be glad Princess Kasumi didn't hear you say that. She would have beaten you dead."
The Dueling Proctor ignored him and flipped a coin, then called tails. He caught it and smacked the coin on the back of his hand. Heads. Andre was going first.
"I end my turn without playing a card," he said.
"What the hell did he do that for?" asked the girl with pink hair.
The Dueling Proctor laughed at him. "You think you're some kinda hotshot, huh? I'll show you. I play the spell, Ancient Rules. This will allow me to Special Summon a high-level normal monster without cost. Behold, Hyozanryu the diamond dragon!"
ATK/2100 DEF/2800
"Attack him directly!" shouted the Proctor.
Hyozanryu flapped its wings, its diamond body glittered and cast rainbow hues. It then released a glittery beam of white fire at Andre, dropping him to less than half of his Life Points.
"Is that all?" Andre asked. "Pathetic. My turn! Draw! I play Graceful Charity, allowing me to draw three cards and discarding two. Next, I play Monster Reborn to bring back my Suppression Collider, with an attack power of 2800! And now, I activate an Ancient Rules spell of my own to summon the legendary Summoned Skull. Now, I tribute them both to summon my great beast! Rise, Maju Garzett!"
Suppression Collider and Summoned Skull were consumed by geysers of blackish-purple gunk, which combined to form the monster that had given Andre countless victories throughout his career as a Duelist.
"His attack points are nothing!" laughed the Proctor. "Some all-powerful Duelist you are."
"You are as dense as you are incompetent," said Andre. "Maju Garzett's special ability activates! His attack is the combined attack points of the monsters I used to summon him. Suppression Collider had 2800 and Summoned Skull had 2500! For a combined total of 5300! But I'm not done yet, teach! You fell for my bluff. I wanted you to attack me directly so that I could have less Life Points than you. That way, I can activate this card, Riryoku! Now, I will cut the attack of your dragon in half and add it to my Maju Garzett, raising his attack power to 6350! Finally, the equip-spell, Bashing Shield, which will increase my monster's attack by one-thousand for a combined total of 7350! It's over! Attack! Sludge Regurgitate!"
Maju Garzett heaved and then spewed out a blast of acidic sludge that melted the Proctor's Hyozanryu down to paste and bringing his Life Points down to 0.
"Whoa," said Jaden. "A power-up deck. Looks pretty sweet. Can't wait to take him on. This is shaping up to be a very interesting year."
Zane
Zane Truesdale, the Steward of the Dalton Royal Family, and the second most powerful man in Eredas, yawned with boredom while pacing back and forth on the docks of Puerta del Sol, a thriving beach community at the Royal Port of Rassay. Though it was a scorching eighty-five degrees he was still adorned in his black royal raiment; long armored robes with the crowned gray lion of the Daltons emblazoned on his breast. The white sands and sapphire-blue waters looked so tempting, but Zane knew he had to wait for Ellerian princess to arrive with his friend Alexis Rhodes, the heir to the throne of Lorin and the City of Water.
He understood that they were somewhat shaken, for they were attacked by Forrest, the former king of Naralia, now dead at the hands of Prince Yuri. There was nobody to return to Naralia because Slifer the Sky Dragon completely atomized the fat king and the entire Naralian navy with one powerful blast.
Zane scanned the horizon again and still saw no sign of a ship in the distance, save for a few cargo transports and luxury boats and towers of luxury island cities reserved for the one percent of Emboldor. Once again, he paced on the pier, his heavy boots making the sea-soaked wood groan with agony with every step. He listened to the waves crashing against the shore of the beaches and the joyful laughter of the swimmers, some of the students going to the academy, possibly finished with their entrance exams.
Zane didn't have any need to take his because he was a student at the academy all his life earning straight A's and impressing even Seto Kaiba with his superb Dueling skills, thereby automatically settling him in the top dorm of the school: Obelisk Blue.
"Still no sign of them?" Prince Michael Octavius Dalton joined his steward, and childhood friend, at the pier to wait for Princesses Evelyn and Alexis.
"Your Grace!" Zane said, kneeling.
"I told you to stop calling me that." Michael grinned. "Do you want me to start calling you Cyber Knight?"
Zane shook his head. "Alright, all right. Hey, shouldn't you be at the Duel Dome preparing for your entrance exam?"
"I took it already," said Michael. "I'm still keeping my rank in Obelisk Blue."
Zane smiled and shook his hand. "Nice. So we're both in, it seems." He breathed in the fresh, ocean air. "University level. Feels like only yesterday we were down there making sandcastles with Princess Alexis, huh?"
"Time flies when you have fun, my friend. And all these years with you have been fun. This is going to be awkward; I haven't seen Alexis since we were ten. And how's her mother doing?"
"The Queen's health continues to diminish," Zane said grimly. "If she keeps going down this path, I feel we might see a new queen in Lorin."
"Alexis as Queen?" Michael said, rubbing his chin. "The fact she's the Knight of the Stars is already something to ponder about. Have you told Alexis of her condition?"
"She knows, obviously," Zane said, eyes still searching the blue horizon. "She wanted to stay home with her mother, but with King Forrest's harassment of Elleria and the semester fast approaching, she was greatly needed outside of the castle. Besides, the Queen forced Alexis to go to school. She had no choice. Poor kid. And how went your ten weeks with the Crown Prince of Termnnia?"
"An adventure worthy of song," said Michael. "I would tell you, but it would take all day."
"It's not like I'm going anywhere," said Zane.
"Some other time, perhaps," said Michael. "He is on his way to the Duel Dome for his entrance exam. Would you like to go see him Duel?"
"I do, but my duties to Alexis and Evelyn have me grounded here on the pier."
"Goddesses above," said Michael. "You've been on princess duty all week! First you and Jaden had to bring that Alexandra von Klause here to Domino, and now this. Speaking of which, where is the Slayer of Lords and Princes?"
"She's the one down there in the red lounge chair," said Zane, pointing at the blonde-haired beauty that was the Princess of Serania.
She was laughing blissfully in her lounge chair under a palm tree, drinking apple martinis from a tall glass with a little umbrella. She was surrounded by bags and packages from her trip to the shopping center downtown. She already made great use of her smartphone and was blasting music unheard of in the western lands.
"She's a handful, that one," said Zane. "And I fear she's fallen deeply in love with our technology. She bought herself a new phone, a gold-plated Duel Disk, new cards up the wazoo, and she even had her uniform heavily customized. And by customized, I mean stripped away until it shows her good parts."
"For a girl who comes from a bankrupt father, she sure has the cash to burn," said Michael.
"The gold comes from her uncle, Antilles Dragonheart."
"Ah, the King of Dragonrock. That'll do it. The Subterannean Vaults of Kara-Vanthuul will keep her financed at the school for eternity. Wish I was that rich."
"Ah, there they are now," said Zane. He raised his arm up with a loud whoosh and waved it to and from as a white barge approached the pier. He could see the raven-haired Evelyn Alteria and Alexis Rhodes on the bow of the ship waving back with their companions.
The dashing knight, Ser Dancer Firewing stood very close behind Evelyn while he began to wave. To his left stood the tall and muscular Sunborne, known as Antione. Next to him was the mage girl Ezra Bryce, jumping up and down with glee, finally seeing Domino for the first time. And all by himself, looking out to sea was Ethan Morris, the poor Duelist who lost the Emerald Marches to King Forrest's son in a Duel.
"So, that's the idiot who challenged Prince Malcolm to a Duel," said Michael. "Pathetic."
"I give him kudos for trying," said Zane.
"His trying almost gave Forrest the ground to conquer us," said Michael. "He's not going to last long in the academy with that kind of overconfidence."
When the ship was docked, Zane and Michael bowed to the two princesses.
"Welcome to the capital, Your Graces," Michael said formally.
"Prince Michael Dalton!" exclaimed Alexis. "My, my, my, you need to stop growing."
"I try," said Michael. He took her hand and kissed it. "You look more and more like your mother."
Alexis chuckled. "Thank you, Your Grace. I trust the city has been Aeon free with you heroes around?"
Zane coughed into his fist and shook his head. He hugged her then whispered in her ear: "Let's not talk about that, okay?"
"What of Aldric?" Alexis asked. "What of the Heart of Helios?"
"He got away again. We'll discuss it when we return to the academy."
"Your Grace," Princess Evelyn said doing curtsy. "I am honored to meet you."
"The honor is all mine, Lady Evelyn," said Michael. "Come, you must have had a harrowing journey."
"You couldn't possibly imagine," said Evelyn, walking down the ramp to the pier.
"I knew your brother, princess," said Michael. "He was a good man. Forrest has paid dearly for what he's done to him. You have Prince Yuri and Slifer to thank for that."
"Speaking of which," Ser Dancer said, jumping down from the ship. "Where is the little prince? I desire to speak with him and learn the whereabouts of our knight."
"You speak of Ser Kevin Garat?" asked Michael. "He's in the Duel Dome for his entrance exam. And if I were you I'd get in there and fast. The lines are long and the seats are too few. Everyone is eager to see our future High King Duel for the first time since coming to Termnnia."
"Fantastic!" cheered Antoine. "Our Prince is going to Duel! We must hurry, My Ladies, I want to see him!"
"Yes, let's take our places, quickly!" said Ezra. "Maybe this will give us a chance to take a peek at his Dueling strategies."
"Hold your horses, will you?" Ethan said, rather rudely. "Besides, he's probably not that good."
"Don't mind him," said Evelyn. "He's cranky about his loss to Prince Malcolm."
"It had to take a real Duelist to shut down King Forrest," said Michael.
"What's the supposed to mean!" Ethan countered loudly. "Why don't you and I have a match right here right now and I'll show you what a real Duelist can do!"
"Save it for the Duel Dome, boy," Michael grinned, unfazed by Ethan's lack of respect for a royal prince.
"Oh, dear, so much violence!" gasped Alexandra, strolling onto the pier.
"My Lady!" Ser Dancer said, bowing elegantly. "You are truly a sight to behold!"
"I beg your pardon!" snapped Evelyn.
"Ho-ho! What a darling!" said Antoine.
"Everyone," Zane said with a heavy sigh, "this is Princess Alexandra von Klause. Daughter of King Janis of Serannia and Ruler of the city of Dragon's Nest in Klause."
"And I am Ethan Morris!" Ethan boasted. "I suppose you've heard a great deal about me, My Lady?"
"Ethan Morris?" Alexandra said, gingerly placing her finger on her bottom lip as she thought. "Ah, you must be the Duelist who lost the Emerald Marches to Prince Maclolm!"
"Augh!" Ethan cried out.
"Guilty as charged," Alexis said, crossing her arms. "Long time to see Alexandra."
"It sure has been a while," said Evelyn. "The last time I saw you, you were no bigger than Yugi Muto."
"Complications in the House I assure you," said Alexandra, taking off her sunglasses and hanging them on her swimsuit.
"You mean the Battle of Bell Fields?" said Zane. "That was rather bloody don't you think? Feeding the families of the men who rode against your father to Des Volstgalph before their very eyes. There are some who have not forgotten that."
"Good," sneered Alexandra. "Let it remind them of what happens when they march against the Dragonhearts and see me as nothing but some prize to be won. I'm my own woman."
"I can respect that," said Alexis. "Well, let's no dally here. If I'm not mistaken, Prince Yuri is going to Duel."
"Come with me," said Michael. "I know an easier way for you to get in."
"Ah, may I ask but a teensy-weeny favor, Your Grace?" said Alexandra. "May I ask that a few good men, help me carry my things back into my room as I get changed? I must say I cannot go in like this. I could raise some unwanted attention."
"Me!" said Ethan.
"I shall!" called Antoine.
They sprinted towards the beach to get Alexandra's things.
Yuri
Yuri's heart beat faster and faster as he stood underneath the shadow of the large building. Not even the tranquil setting of the aquatic garden resting outside the building calmed him down. Joey and Yuri walked up the steps and entered the dome through glass doors into an office in the middle of a big foyer. The walls and floor were white and red banners bearing the Duelist Academy coat of arms hung from the ceiling. Yuri followed Joey to a registration desk.
"New student?" asked the man behind the desk.
"Yeah, that's him," said Joey, who had come to escort Yuri to the dome. "Yuri. Come on forward, man."
Yuri stepped in front of the desk. "Hello," he said.
"Okay son," said the man. "Name, date of birth, and age please."
"I'm Yuri Wallcroft Delgado; I was born October twentieth on the year 989 of the fourth age and I'm eighteen years old."
The man choked on his coffee and stared at Yuri. Joey grew impatient and snapped his fingers in front of the man's face. "Hey, can you hurry it up, man? We're running a little late."
"Oh sorry." said the man. He typed rapidly on the computer.
A machine suddenly popped out of a slot from the modem. The man opened it up and passed it to Yuri.
"Okay, son. This is your Personal Data Assistant, you'll need it to write down your assignments, E-mail your friends and so on. It's equipped with an encyclopedia of all the cards known to man and it gets updated automatically with each new expansion to the game. You can use this to get data on cards you don't know about, and there is a log here you can write on. The pen is right here in this slot. This is important. It is the only one you are getting EVER! So, don't lose it. Place your finger on this blue screen so it can scan your fingertip. After that, it'll know who you are and will only open when your fingers touch this blue lock here."
The man closed the PDA and pointed to a glowing blue scanner that seemed to be the lock.
"Your fingerprints are the keys to opening this device. I see that now is the time to head for your exam. Before you Duel you must take a written exam if you pass you will be asked to go to the arenas, they are over there down that way. Follow the signs. Good Luck to you."
Joey and Yuri walked down a long hallway. As they got closer Yuri began to hear the roar of the crowd and the roars of the monsters behind the doors.
This is it, thought Yuri. Yugi and I worked hard to make this deck. The whole city is here to watch me play. Now it's time to show them what I can do.
"I'll go get you registered," said Joey, as he opened the doors to the arena. The roar of the students got louder when he opened the door.
It was dark and warm in there. The air smelled of concrete and smoke.
BANG!
Yuri jumped. He saw that it was the rocket launcher of a Machine Attacker, a giant red robot monster.
Joey asked three ladies at the registration desk to give Yuri his number. Yuri could see they grew excited when they heard his name. One of them stood up to get a better look at him. Joey thanked them and walked back to Yuri, handing him his number.
"One-one-seven?" said Yuri.
"Yeah, you're only four Duels away; we got here just in time."
"I was hoping for a longer wait," said Yuri.
"Don't worry about it, man. Remember it's all about having fun. We'll right there cheerin' for ya."
Joey left.
It was just so dark in the arena. The only lights were that of the ones hanging above the ten fenced arenas below.
BOOM! went a Karbonala Soldier who got blasted by a Barrel Dragon. On another Dueling Ground, a Borrelend Dragon soared across the field to slice down an opponent's Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon. Yuri found an empty seat and sat down. For a while, Yuri sat watching more Duels and fidgeted with his ring. Just then, a familiar boy sat beside him. It was Prince Michael.
"Well fancy seeing you here," Michael said shaking Yuri's hand. "You ready for your test? I almost didn't make it."
"No, I haven't Dueled yet," said Yuri.
"Meh, they look hard but they're actually pretty easy. They spend most of the time taunting you and nagging about how you'll 'never' make it into the academy and how feeble you are compared to them."
A giant monster called Meteo the Matchless jumped into the air and kicked the examiner in the gut. Yuri spotted a warrior called Gearfried the Swordmaster attack another one.
"All right Jon won!" said Michael.
Prince Jon of Riftgaard happily marched out of his arena. When he spotted Yuri and Michael, he waved and climbed up the concrete steps to join them.
"Well, that was easy," said Jon. He saw Yuri and formed a big smile. "Yuri, my friend! So good of you to make it!"
"Good to see you again Jon," said Yuri. "Looks like we all fell short a few credits."
"Didn't have time to make them up with all that's been happening here," Jon chuckled. "Still, we may have to be in the Glass Palace for a few months, but I think it's a good time to sharpen our skills and get used to Master Rule Five."
There was a loud roar as four Duels finished below. Coming up the steps was Jaeyoung Shim, his pretty lieutenant, Xifeng, Ryon Baelor, Anastasio Trevelyan, and Marcel Walston of Akuuda began making their way up the steps waving at the crowds who cheered them for an excellent show.
"Good job gentlemen," said Jon.
"Thanks," said Ryon. "Well if it isn't Prince Yuri. I knew I'd see you again."
"Your highness," Yuri said shaking Ryon's hand.
"My prince," said Jaeyoung.
Xifeng held her hand out for a shake.
"Hi, Xifeng," said Yuri.
"How...is...you?" she asked.
"She spoke?" Yuri gasped.
"I taught her a thing or two," boasted Marcel. "And it's how ARE you?" he corrected Xifeng.
"Yuri, my friend!" said Anastasio grabbing Yuri's hand with a firm grip and shaking it. He looked around at his companions and asked them all the gather for a selfie with his new phone. "My friends, this is going to be a time we shan't ever forget."
Zane
Up high sat the higher-ranked students and upperclassman. One of them was Zane Truesdale. Next to him stood Alexis and her childhood companion, Evelyn.
"Pretty exciting night," said Alexis.
Evelyn was not impressed. "Those players are scrubs, Alexis. My Buster Blader and I could take them down in our sleep. So many Slifer Reds this year. What in the world is going on? Has mediocrity been turned mainstream or something."
"Indeed," said Zane.
Ser Dancer came out of the darkness of the hallway and hugged Evelyn from behind, kissing her neck and sniffing her sweet-smelling hair. "My love, you have become somewhat of a cocky young lady ever since you got Buster Blader."
"Dancer!" Evelyn giggled, feeling his fingers pinch her butt. "Darling, stop. That tickles."
Zane looked away while Alexis laughed. "Hey, get a room you two, " she said, lightly pushing Dancer off the Princess. So, is Ezra cleared for Dueling?"
"Yami - er - Master Yugi, gave her a special pass," said Dancer. "Due to the circumstances, she will not have to play the Duel Exams."
"Good for her," said Zane. "Two bolts from a crossbow can be life-threatening. I'm surprised she lived through two shots."
"That damn King Forrest though," said Alexis. "I'm so glad he's dead. What about that son of his, though?"
"Leave out the politics, Alexis," said Zane. "We're on our way to the academy. As of now, our only priority...is Duel Monsters."
Chazz
Two rows below them was another freshman in the college-level classes. His black hair was tall, wild, and spiky and he sat with two other boys. His name was Chazz Princeton, the young man Evelyn met when she saw Talion for the last time.
"I don't believe this," said Chazz. "These pipsqueaks call themselves Duelists? Why is the academy accepting these idiots? Some talentless losers who have 'good taste'? Yeah right."
"I know what' cha mean boss." said one of Chazz's friends, "But look at the bright side. These pipsqueaks aren't hard to beat. It's an easy grade."
"As true as that may seem. It'll just mean a dull year. Wake me when the exams are over."
Cora
Cora Kaiba stuck a piece of gum into her mouth and leaned back in her seat. Beside her, Kasumi was fixing her long ponytail as she scanned the arenas for other Duels. Thanks to Madame Angelman's corruption, Rosenkruz Academy had to be closed for some time, so she could not finish her studies there. Thankfully, she could find the opportunity to do so here in Prince Dallian Academy, where the Princes of the Alliance would be going to earn their final bit of credits for the university.
Down below, she watched as her friend Yumi Muto was beating one of the proctors with her new Endymion deck. There were two boys in the seats below Cora's who were watching her Duel very closely, marveling her skills as well as her beauty. Her face was on the giant screen over the pavilion of arenas below, catching the attention of a lot of players.
"Is it true?" asked the second boy, who sported a red beanie.
"Is what true?" asked his friend, using his phone to zoom in on Yumi's face.
"That she's Yugi Muto's daughter," said the boy in the red beanie. "I heard some guys outside saying that he has one and that the girl down there is her."
"It's true alright," said his friend. "One of my buddies went to that fancy prep school, Rosenkruz, and saw Yugi personally introduce her to the headmistress. I never heard of the King of Games having any relationships of any kind, so she's sort of a big mystery."
"Well, Seto Kaiba got a daughter from out of nowhere, too. Maybe it's a trend for the legendary players to start looking for offspring of some kind, know what I'm saying?"
"I don't know about that," said the boy in the red beanie. "But man, I would so love to Duel her and take her down. If I do that, they'll build a statue in my honor."
"Keep telling yourself that. I don't think a Slifer Red like you can get a chance at her. I mean look at her. She's Obelisk Blue material. So there's gonna be better Duelists on her sights. I don't know about you, but I'd settle for just looking at her. Daughter of Yugi or not, she's really hot."
Cora scoffed when she heard that. "Yeah, she is really hot."
"Think Yumi has what it takes to be in Obelisk Blue with us?" Kasumi asked.
Cora snorted softly. "Honey, there you go again being such a doubting Thomas. You saw how she flew up the rankings back in Rosenkruz. Oh, let's not forget she beat you in a Duel as well."
Kasumi giggled. "I was going easy on her. I didn't want my Tenyi fighters ending the Duel so early. I wanted to see what the daughter of Yugi Muto was capable of. How come I haven't seen Exodia yet? You'd think she would have used it for her exam."
"She figured it would be too easy if she used Exodia for her examination Duel," Cora said, followed by a scoff. "You gotta love her ego."
Kasumi started to twirl a lock of hair from her ponytail around her finger and watched as Yumi Pendulum Summoned her powerful spellcasters with ease to overwhelm her opponent and devastate his combos by preventing them with the special ability of her Endymion, the Mighty Master of Magic. It was the same magician Yumi used to defeat Kasumi when they attended Rosenkruz Academy. "I see she's using a magician deck like her father."
Cora wagged her finger. "No, nothing like her father. Master Yugi wanted his girl to use the Dark Magician as he did, but she refused. She wants to set up her own image, and her Endymion cards are working wonders for her. And I think she's looking to use The Legendary Exodia Incarnate for more worthy opponents. And it looks like our girl has her sights set on the Crown Prince of Termmnia."
Dr. Vellion Crowler
At the registration desk, a man with very feminine features sat down and ruffled some papers. His name was Dr. Vellion Crowler one of the professors at Duelist Academy. He had come back from a walk to get some fresh air. He was not at all pleased with the turnout today. Too many mediocre or poor students for his tastes. He began reminiscing of a time when students needed to perform their very best in order to get into the school. A time when dorms like Ra Yellow and Slifer Red didn't exist. Hell, dorms like Obelisk Blue weren't around either. In order to enter the School of Kings, you needed to be the very best. No exceptions. If you scored below the required score, you were out.
"Any talent this year ladies?" he asked.
"Well, some students passed with three out of four."
The man scoffed. "What happened to our esteem school? I remember when I was a student at the academy all the students needed four out of four to get in. Now that pointy-haired buffoon convinced our headmaster to let even two's get into the school. So, Winter, how many Duels left?"
"Just one more."
"Who is this person?"
"Duelist Number one-one-seven sir."
"Ugh, I meant the name," Crowler said sipping a cup of coffee.
"Oh, none other than Prince Yuri himself, sir."
Crowler spat out his coffee. "I BEG YOUR PARDON!"
"Prince Yuri, s-s-sir," Winter said trembling.
"Let me see that!" Crowler said swiping the list out of Winter's hands.
His eyes went up and down the list and he gasped when he spotted Yuri's signature.
"I don't believe it. It's about time he got enrolled."
Suddenly Crowler's face twisted into a sinister smile. "Get me my Duel Coat, Amber, I wish to be Yuri's Dueling proctor today."
"Calling Duelist number one-one -seven," Amber said through the intercom.
When Yuri heard the name, it felt like someone stabbed his chest.
"That's you?" asked Jon.
"Yeah." Yuri croaked.
"Don't worry dude you'll make it," said Jaeyoung. "Before you know it we'll be at the academy in no time."
"See ya," Yuri said getting up.
"Good luck," said Ryon.
Yuri went down the steps and was led by a guard into one of the fenced arenas. When Yuri walked into the arena, the guard locked the door behind him. Crowler walked in from another entrance which was also shut behind him.
"Good day to you, Your Highness. My name is Dr. Vellion Crowler and I will be your Dueling proctor today,"
"Pleasure to meet you, sir," said Yuri.
"It should be." Crowler snarled. "Now I have a few words to say before we Duel." Crowler pulled out a microphone.
"Ladies and Gentleman it appears that Duelist number one-one-seven is none other than the His Royal Highness, Prince Yuri!"
The crowd suddenly gasped.
Chazz stirred in his chair and yawned. "Was I dreaming or did Dr. Crowler just say, Prince Yuri?"
"No boss it is HIM!"
"WHAT!" Chazz shouted. He stood out of his seat to get a better look.
In the seats above Zane and Alexis were still in awe, neither of them could believe it.
"Whoa, can it be possible?" Zane asked. "Can the Eradicator of Anubis and future High King of Termnnia really be going to the same school as me?"
"It's really him, Zane. Wow," said Alexis.
"So, that's our future High King." Dancer said leaning against a column with his arms folded. Evelyn, Ezra, Antoine, Ethan and Alexandra ran from the lounge to the rails to join them.
"Oh, my!" gasped Evelyn. "It's really him!"
"He's finally going to Duel," said Antoine.
"Yuri, eh?" said Chazz. "Too bad."
"Why boss?"
"Because look who he's facing," Chazz replied. "That's Dr. Vellion Crowler and he has more experience than Yuri does."
"That's too bad," said Alexis. "Yuri isn't going to stand a chance against Crowler."
"Especially with that legendary monster Crowler has in his deck," said Ethan.
"But even with that thing in there, I wouldn't go start doubting Yuri," said Zane. "The kid might actually shock us all again."
Down below Yuri and Crowler got themselves ready.
"Well, Your Highness," said Crowler "Are you ready to begin?"
"Sure, I guess," Yuri replied timidly.
"Good," Crowler said turning a button on his coat into a massive Duel Disk.
Up in the east-side of the stadium, Jaden Yuki watched the Duel with two other boys. Syrus Truesdale and the last was named Bastion Misawa.
"Sweet," said Jaden. "Yuri's gonna Duel."
"But aren't you nervous he'll lose?" asked Syrus.
"Crowler may be a Duelist with more experience than Yuri," said Bastion. "But that doesn't mean Yuri is a bad Duelist. He just might win this match. And I do hope that he does. My parents would be most thrilled to know that he is my classmate."
"Better yet a close friend," said Jaden.
"Yeah, wouldn't it be awesome to hang out with the Eradicator of Anubis?" said Syrus.
"Hush now they're about to begin," said Bastion.
"I'll go first, Your Highness," said Crowler. "I summon my Ancient Gear Soldier in attack mode. Then I'll place this card face down."
Ancient Gear Soldier
ATK/ 1300 DEF/ 1300
"Okay then," said Yuri, drawing his first card. "I special summon Gilasaurus then I tribute him to summon my Megazowler."
Yuri summoned a triceratops the size of a bus. It was yellow and had glowing orange squared on both sides of its body.
Megazowler
Atk/ 1800 DEF/ 2000
"Wait, how could he summon two monsters in one turn?" asked Syrus. "Isn't that illegal?"
"Not necessarily," said Bastion. "Gilasaurus was a special summon which means it was summoned because of the effect of a card. In this case, Gilasaurus has an effect that allows Yuri to special summon it from his hand, at the cost of his opponent having the ability to revive monsters from the Graveyard. Of course, he needn't worry about that since the Duel is young and Crowler has no monsters in the Graveyard. Yuri then took that ability to normal summon a monster of a higher level and very strong too and I have to say that was an excellent move."
"Wow, I've got a lot to learn," said Syrus.
"Megazowler!" shouted Yuri. "Attack."
Megazowler roared and charged at Crowler's Ancient Gear Soldier. Megazowler smashed its head and shattered the stone monster.
Crowler lost 500 of his Life Points bringing him to 3500.
"Most impressive," Crowler said sarcastically. "I shall begin my turn now. I will place these two cards face down and then use Heavy Storm."
"Wait, wait?" said Jaden. "Doesn't Heavy Storm destroy all spell and trap cards on the field?"
"Yes," said Bastion. "It does."
"I don't believe it," said Syrus. "How dumb can you be? He's destroying his own traps, and he's supposed to be our teacher?"
"Wait," said Jaden. "I have a feeling Crowler is up to something."
When the storm cleared away Yuri saw two giant gold insects called Wicked Token. Tokens were like mini-monsters and Crowler intended to use them for sacrifice.
"Now!" Crowler shouted with obnoxious pride. "I tribute my tokens to summon my all-powerful Ancient Gear Golem!"
Crowler's monster towered high above the stadium. It was made of a clay-looking gray metal and had gears on its shoulder and helmet. A glowing red eye peered from the helmet.
Ancient Gear Golem
Atk/ 3000 DEF/ 3000
"Look at the size of that thing," said Ryon in awe.
"Forget the size," said Jon. "look at those attack points. Three-fucking-thousand?"
"Yuri will think of something," said Michael. "I hope."
Crowler ordered Ancient Gear Golem to attack Megazowler. With a titanic fist, Ancient Gear Golem sent Megazowler into oblivion.
"Ew," said Yuri as his Life Points dropped to 2800. Megazowler's body disappeared.
Yuri summoned Black Stego. Then placed a card face down.
Black Stego
Atk/ 1200 DEF/ 2000
"In attack mode? How foolish." Crowler sneered.
Joey watched from above and pounded the railing. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" he shouted.
"Honestly Yuri, is that the best you can do? To begin my turn I use polymerization to fuse my Gear Golem with another in my hand to summon the mighty Ultimate Ancient Gear Golem!"
Crowler summoned a centaur-like version of his Ancient Gear Golem. Its left arm was a massive melee weapon and it had two metal wires for tails. The crowd got out of their seats and let out a giant roar of shock and awe when the beast's attack points were displayed.
Ultimate Ancient Gear Golem
Atk/ 4500 DEF/ 3800
"Now, my mighty beast attack!"
"Sorry Crowler but Black Stego can switch to defense mode when he's attacked," Yuri said happily.
Alexis and Zane sighed with relief.
Chazz rested his elbows on his lap and clasped his hands together and rested his lips on them. "Hmm." He said as Ultimate Ancient Gear Golem karate chopped Black Stego in half.
"Oh, and don't you think your silly monster will protect your Life Points," sneered Crowler. "My Ultimate Gear Golem will deal damage even if your pathetic monster is in defense."
"Shit!" Dancer cursed.
"Hold on there," said Yuri. "I will activate the effect of this card, Ornithelestes!"
Yuri held out a black dinosaur with red glowing spikes. It was a level four Dinosaur monster, one of the many cards he got from Priscilla's shop. It's ATK was 2000 and its DEF was 1800
"What is that?" asked Crowler.
"I can discard this card from my hand and, all damage done to me will be reduced to zero this turn."
"So, you saved yourself this turn," said Crowler. "It doesn't matter if you play defensively. Remember that my golem can inflict damage to your Life Points even if your monsters are in defense position. Attack, defend; it doesn't matter, for you're finished!"
"Damn," said Alexis. "Now what?"
"Yuri's going to the Red Dorm that's what," said Zane.
Yuri activated a card called Card of Sanctity which lets both him and Crowler draw until they have six cards in their hands. This is it, Yuri said to himself.
"We believe in you, Yuri!" cheered Joey. "Kick his butt!"
Yuri began his turn.
"I activate Jurassic World!" said Yuri, putting the field spell card into the slot. The arena began to change. The hard floor turned into dirty soil with ferns and puddles and exotic prehistoric plants. Trees grew from the ground and the seats in the stadium turned into obsidian. Yuri turned the stadium into a dinosaur world. There were volcanoes smoking in the distance. A brontosaurus herd walked through the forest and Pterodactyls flew over the arena. Dinosaurs roared in the distance and many insects and birds sang along with them.
"Now I summon Gagagigo and use the trap card Zero Gravity, this switches Ultimate Ancient Gear Golem to defense mode. Next, I'll use the spell card Ultra Evolution Pill to special summon a dinosaur from my hand."
Gagagigo disappeared. There was silence.
"Well, where is it?" asked Chazz.
"You didn't summon anything, did you?" Crowler sneered.
"Oh no, he's coming," said Yuri.
"Alexis," said Zane. "Look."
Alexis and Dancer looked to the direction where Zane was pointing and saw that trees were moving. Something big was coming, shaking the trees as it walked towards Yuri. A flock of white birds flew away from the creature. The thing got closer to where Yuri stood and came to a stop as small dinosaurs ran in fear from the forest behind him. The insects stopped singing and the world went silent.
Crowler grew nervous.
There was another quiet pause.
CRASH!
Trees and splinters fell on the ground. Jumping from the forest was Black Tyranno. It stood forty feet tall and had jet black flesh. It had two shiny amber eyes on its head and patches of red flesh on its nose and arms. It had curvy black blades coming out of its elbows and spiked bands below the shoulders. It was the same baby Black Tyranno that cuddled with Yuri when he too was a baby. The moment the dinosaur stood over Yuri, he felt a strong bond with it.
Black Tyranno
Atk/ 2600 DEF/ 1800 + 300 (Jurassic World) = 2900
Crowler made a nasty grin.
"Pretty impressive monster, Yuri, but he is too weak to destroy my Golem; his defense is more than three thousand."
"I know," said Yuri. "But my Black Tyranno has a very special ability. If the only monsters you have are defense position monsters, Black Tyranno can attack your Life Points directly."
The spectators gasped.
"WAIT HE CAN DO WHAT!" shouted Crowler.
"Now I activate one final card. Megamorph. Thanks to this, Black Tyranno's attack gets doubled because my Life Points are lower than yours."
Black Tyranno's eyes began to glow as it roared into the sky. It could feel Megamorph fill its massive body with power. His attack points rose up to 5800. It roared so loud, that the mountains shook and a volcano erupted in the distance. "ATTACK!" Yuri shouted. Black Tyranno charged and smashed through Ancient Gear Golem and stomped on Crowler then crushed him with his massive tail.
The jungle faded away.
"I win!" cried Yuri.
Black Tyranno made one final roar as it disappeared. Yuri was back in the Duel Dome. The students applauded him and stood on their feet.
Joey jumped up and down with joy and gave Téa a hug.
"YEAH! That's it buddy!" he cheered.
"You did it, Yuri!" Yugi shouted.
Yami nodded. "Well done, Yuri," Yami said before disappearing back into the puzzle.
"I don't believe it." gasped Alexis.
"He took out Crowler?" gasped Zane.
"He has so much promise and I can't wait to go to school with him," said Alexis.
"Me neither," said Zane as he started happily applauding.
Chazz was not impressed. "Prince Yuri, huh?" he scoffed. "I bet I can Duel circles around this kid."
"That was sweet," Jaden said over the roar of the crowd. "I can't wait to Duel him."
"Me too," Bastion said clapping his hands. "I could use the competition."
Evelyn
She felt so out of place while following Alexis down the large hallways of the night club she and many of the other students flocked to after they were done with their entrance exams. Back home she was never given the luxury of modern technology. Her castle was lit by torches and fireplaces and lamp posts. But here the building was lit by a score of round ceiling lamps, hall lamps and bright neon trimmed along the walls.
Even the water fountains had lights in them. If Evelyn even tried to put a candle in the water, it would burn out, but these electrical contraptions were resistant to the water. Many of the students had their noses stuck in their phones or tablets ranging from small to large. Princess Alexis had given her a phone the year before for her birthday, and though she had grown used to it, Evelyn felt too timid to use the darn thing or discuss its uses with anyone. They all talked about apps and videos whatever those were. Alexis rolled her eyes while shaking her head, telling Evelyn it was for the best that she did not know what funny videos were. For if she did, she would be addicted to them.
Ezra Bryce, her mage friend, had already fallen under the enticing spell of the videos online. She trailed behind them laughing like a madwoman and shoving her phone in their faces so they could see the video that brought her such humor.
"Well I see you're feeling better," Alexis said, leading her friends into their own private booth. She was referring to Ezra's wounds which she sustained at the hands of the late King Forrest who shot at her with a crossbow the day the entire Naralian navy attacked their luxury barge.
"Josephine is an amazing medic," said Ezra. "I had a fever after she removed the bolts from my body, but it lasted but a day. She cured me quickly."
"But you will bear those scars forever," said Evelyn.
"You can barely see them," Ezra responded with a smile. "My runes hide them well, so I will have no trouble wearing those swimsuits you preach about back home, Alexis."
"You mean those bikini things?" Evelyn asked. "What are those exactly?"
"Oh, princess, you are going to look good," Alexis said with a click of her tongue. "Just wait till we get to school. You're going to love them."
"She has the body for it," Ser Dancer said as they passed him. They stopped as soon as they heard his voice.
"I see you've been waiting for us," said Ezra.
"I had the decency to," said Ser Dancer. "Antoine and Ethan couldn't control their hunger any longer and dashed for the dining hall."
"Leave it to them to put their stomachs before the princess." Alexis gave a heavy sigh. Those two will never change, she thought.
Evelyn could smell food coming from the dining hall. It was such a beguiling aroma that made even her tummy growl like an angry dragon.
"There is such a long line," Evelyn declared.
"Yes, my love, but it is not for the food," Ser Dancer replied. He took Evelyn by the arm. "The princes in High King Yuri's alliance are in there striking poses for the cameras. The girls are there mostly to see the handsome Prince Michael and the mighty Prince Stas, the conquering hero of the War of the Golden Summer."
"He gave his brother an ass whopping in that conflict," said Alexis.
"Princess, princess," Ser Dancer said feigning shock. "Must you use such language?"
"And all before he met with Master Yu-Gi-Oh in White Harbor to discuss the alliance," Ezra said impressed.
"He is a brilliant tactician, and a wise ally for Prince Yuri," Dancer said. He leaned forward and kissed Evelyn on the cheek.
She smiled and rested her head on his shoulder. It had been forever since she could hold him like this. Her mother and father were still intent on making her Prince Yuri's bride, and they would go to any lengths to make this marriage a reality. They threatened Dancer with his life should he get to close to their daughter. Even her lady-in-waiting, Josephine, showed aggression to the young knight when she spotted him kissing and fondling Evelyn in the gardens. It was a good thing Josephine had known Dancer since he was just a boy. Otherwise, he would be rotting in the Iron Dungeon or, worse, having a grand view of the kingdom from atop a pike.
But now King Helmsley, Queen Sera, and Josephine were many leagues from them, so Evelyn no longer feared displaying her affection for Dancer.
"You look amazing by the way," Dancer said complimenting Evelyn's customized school uniform. "Your skirt shows off much of your legs, though."
"Blame Sera for that," Evelyn scoffed. "She wanted me to show as much skin as possible for Yuri to feast his eyes. Alexis said she would lengthen it for me once we got to school."
"There is no need," Dancer said with a lick of his lips. "Don't walk about the academy looking like that for Yuri, but for me."
"Oh, you're horrible!" giggled Evelyn, playfully punching his arm.
"Oh, there's going to be plenty of eye candy for you, Ser Knight," said Alexis. "There's Princess Alexandra."
"Look at the state of her!" gasped Ezra. "She's almost showing everything!"
"She and Evelyn are not the only ones sent by their parents to entice Prince Yuri," said Alexis. "I saw a lot of girls with 'custom' uniforms. I can't believe the academy is allowing this sort of behavior."
"We are at the college level now," grinned Dancer. "And the school's founder Lord Aeryn Baelor was quite the womanizer, so no doubt he went no-holds-barred with the older student's dress code. This is going to be an interesting semester."
Alexis still found that no excuse. Seeing Alexandra stand there dressed the way she was, felt like a disgrace to a school meant for kings. The sons of Tiberius the Uniter walked those halls once. As did the likes of Gabriel the Black and Seto Kaiba and now they were going to be traveled upon by Yugi Muto the King of Games and The Eradicator of Anubis, Prince Yuri. "You'd think Chancellor Sheppard would have changed the dress code by now," she said.
"So long as they're clothed there's nothing he can do." Dancer answered with a snigger. "And I feel you're overreacting. She's wearing more than Mai Valentine did when she was a student at the academy. The stories I heard about her endeavors at the school are legendary."
"Enough of this," said Evelyn. "I wish to meet the Princes of the Alliance."
The excited chatter of students filled the air as they crowded around the princes, snapping photos and taking videos.
Stas, Michael, Jeayoung Shim and his lieutenant Xifeng, Jon, Ryon, Marcel and the mage girl Phoenix were standing in front of a glass wall giving a grand view of Domino City outside and of the three moons, Luvia, and the Twins. Yuri's best friend Ren and Evelyn's knight-champion, Ser Kevin Garat was there with them.
"That girl," said Dancer. "She's no princess. What's she doing with them?"
"No, she's no princess," swooned Ezra. "She's Phoenix Lockheart. The top mage in the Citadel. She was chosen by Master Yu-Gi-Oh to be Prince Yuri's Court Magician. Her skills in pyromancy are some of the best I've ever seen. She dances as she casts her spells. It's almost like an art when she casts magic."
"You sound rather infatuated with her," said Alexis.
"She's a dream." Ezra's face burned red like Phoenix's hair.
Ser Kevin split off from the princely group when he spotted Evelyn in the crowd. He had to push his way through a lot of bodies to get to her.
"My Lady," Ser Kevin said, bowing before her. "It has been long since I've seen you."
"Rise, Ser Kevin," said Evelyn. "You are my friend. There is no need to treat me with such formalities."
"I apologize for being the bearer of ill tidings," Ser Kevin said standing up. "I tried my best to convince the prince to marry you."
"Oh, Kevin, there was no need."
"It was the sole reason why your father sent me to Aurelia in the first place. And I had to do it. Otherwise, I would lose my title as a knight."
"Leave it to my father to make a tantrum if he doesn't get what he wants," Evelyn stomped her foot on the ground. "I see you've made good friends with Prince Yuri and his friends."
"Where is Prince Yuri?" Ezra asked. "I don't see him anywhere."
"Last I heard he went with Yugi Muto to Mai Valentine's apartment. We haven't seen them since."
"Mai Valentine, you say?" Dancer raised an eyebrow humorously. "I can see why Yuri and Yugi disappeared." Evelyn punched him in the arm again. Dancer laughed playfully and kissed the top of her head to calm her down. "You must have many tales to tell of your adventures," he said. "Were you with Yuri while he encountered the one-eyed giant?"
"No, I was still on the boat when Yuri had that horrible mishap. And thank the Goddesses I stayed behind. We lost two warriors to the giant's cannibalistic hunger."
"How awful," gasped Evelyn. "You must be thrilled to be back home."
"I am, yet when I look at the princes, I can't help but feel my heart breaking."
Evelyn nodded, but it was a heavy sorrowful nod. She understood what he meant. The princes of Termnnia were together, at last, all except for one. Her younger brother Talion. The year before he was sent to Naralia to claim lands in the name of his father, who was feeling confident after Talion won him a great victory in the Emerald Marches. King Helmsley felt his armies were ready to invade the Realm of the Bear, but that campaign was a disaster that cost Talion his life.
Evelyn asked her friends if she could speak to Kevin in private. They made way for them both. Evelyn led her knight-champion to the balcony outside overlooking the beach where large groups of students made merry having feasts or Dueling. Some even dipped their feet into the water. For some time, Evelyn and Kevin said nothing while staring at the blackness of the ocean only illuminated by the three moons in the starry heavens above. Evelyn noticed a ring on Talion's finger made of platinum and had a poem written in Elvish professing an undying love.
"That's a beautiful ring," Evelyn said at last.
"He gave it to me. The last night we spent together," Kevin said with a heavy sigh. "We were to be married before he joined Prince Yuri in the Termnnian Table. I miss him so much."
"I do too," said Evelyn. "My poor brother. Thank Slifer he has been avenged."
"King Forrest was the one who gave you Talion's head, not the one who chopped it off. The people responsible for the death of my beloved was the Church. For lack of a better name. They are no church. They are a cult of murderous lunatics who will kill to get the world they desire. And what they desire is the world without Duel Monsters. A world without magic. A world without…people like me."
"And just what kind of person are you!" snapped Evelyn. "Love is love, no matter who you are! It is nothing to be ashamed of."
"You should know," chuckled Dancer. "Seems like only yesterday I saw you and Alexis playing kissing games by the fountain at night. But you outgrew that. I didn't. I'm not normal, princess."
"You are not unnatural. The Goddesses love us no matter what. And you told Prince Yuri about your love for Talion, yes?"
"Aye, I have."
"And did you think any less of you?"
"No. He said for me not to worry. That he will not think any less of me." Kevin jeered and bit his lip. "He embraced me as a brother and even set a place for me at the table when he's High King in place of Talion."
"Wow, a Knight of the Termnnian Table? Congratulations Ser Kevin."
"He is a good boy. I think he would be a fine person for you to marry."
"Oh, Kevin, not this again."
"I fear for our country, Evelyn. The new king, Steffan, is no better than his father. I fear what he might do. He calls for an alliance, but even Yugi and Yuri have their doubts."
"I have my doubts too, but it is not wise to keep him out of the alliance. That would further increase the tensions in the North. The Naralians are not happy with the death of King Forrest and Prince Malcolm, Steffan's younger brother. I am surprised he has not marched south and invaded us in retaliation. What is he waiting for?"
"He claims that even though his father is dead, he will still honor the terms Master Yu-Gi-Oh set down in the Dueling Pact. I fear he is trying too hard to be a friend to us. For an Arch-Bishop of the Church of Yeyu, he is acting rather friendly with us magic-users and unbelievers. I can't trust him as far as I can throw a pebble into the sea. Forrest may be gone, but Elleria is still in danger. If you do not wish to be affianced to Prince Yuri, then I respect your wishes. But I beseech you to at least get close to him and become his friend. Give him a reason to call his Divine Beasts to aid you should Naralia seek to invade us."
"That I will do, Kevin. Have no fear of that. I received his letter of apology the day before he sailed for the Pillar. Marriage or no marriage I will get him to aid us in defending our nation. Our very way of life."
"Good luck to you then, princess. I fear dark times are ahead, but we will endure them so long as we stick together."
"Aye, we shall. Friendship is more powerful than the sword, Ser Kevin."
"You don't have to tell me about friendship," laughed Ser Kevin. "Lady Téa preached it about a hundred times during the welcoming ceremony. Come. Let's see what they're serving at the buffet. It's going to be a long voyage to Duel Island, and I don't want to go hungry."