Alright! we're in the final five chapters! Hey, you know something? We surpassed Review numbers for DIMA. No joke, I went on to see how I handled the Grad Match from ten years ago and noticed there over four hundred on that story. This one has over six hundred! How wild is that?! It warms my heart that this story has captured all your attention and imaginations!
So! Grad match pt 1! A lot of you know this already, but yes, Chazz-anova is NOT happening here. Yes, there is some good comedy in that episode, it...just didn't set right with me since in this story, Chazz knows that Jaden and Alexis are dating. So, I opted to have the grad match first. Sides, all that dueling energy from Zane and Jaden, I'm surprised that the gates just didn't reopen in the anime! Seriously, that was intense duel! Oh well, missed oppertunity for the anime people, not for Fanfic authors! Now, some review answers!
Hellsink Bathhall - Wow...must have been quite a few OP decks that had an OTK with the original effect. The new effect makes Ring of Destruction become Ring of Defensive Destruction! Still, for the sake of my sanity, I'm going to have Ring of Destruction keep its original errata effect. As for topping the Grad Match anime, yeah, I don't think i can...but I sure as hell am gonna try!
Dragonkeeper - Kaiba already left Central DA LONG before Pegasus called. So he wasn't on the island when all this went down. Still, he's proud to have a student working on new cards. He loathes to admit it, but Industrial Illusions makes the cards to keep the game going.
Gan315 - Well, sorry to burst your bubble, but Yugi will be keeping the Egyptian God cards. Franz is...well, he's gonna have a far worse fate then what happened in Season 2.
Alright, read on everyone!
It was finals week, just two weeks before Summer vacation started. The years had been cramming hard for the finals, everyone nervous. The exams were brutal to say the least and it made many who were unprepared suffer hard. But for the Reds, it was a breeze.
There were four divisions; First Year, Second, Third, and Fourth years. Each division had the highest ranking duelist. Naturally for the First Years, it was Jaden Yuki at the top. Rounding out the top ten was Eric, Alexis, Jasmine, Mindy, Chazz, Syrus, Harry, and James.
Second years had Bastion at the top with several other Ras taking the spots under him.
But it was the third years everyone was watching as there were no fourth years in this year. The top names of the ten students who aced the exams appeared, at the very top was Zane's. Everyone looked to the boy, Crowler beaming with pride.
"You've done it again, Zane. You've gotten the highest scores out of your year!"
The boy thanked his teacher, Crowler explaining that because of that, he was the headliner of the Graduation match and could chose his opponent. The question was who was it going to be?
Everyone chattered quietly among their peers, Zane's a face of stone. He knew right away who it was going to be. The only one worthy. This was more then a duel for him...this was a test. A test to see if he was worthy to stand up in the pros.
EODGX
At the red dorm, many of the reds were celebrating passing their exams and moving onto second years AND into the Ra Yellow Dorms next year. Jaden was sitting at the head of the Red Table, holding a cup of soda.
"To our first year at the Academy! It was truly a remembered one." Jaden saluted.
"And to our fallen Professor...may he smile on us from on high." Syrus spoke.
A moment of silence came, everyone looking at the picture of Banner. At that time, the door to the Red Dorm opened and everyone turned to see who it was. Many gasped at seeing the Kaiser of Duel Academy in the doorway. The boy smiled gently.
"Sorry to interrupt the celebrating, everyone." Zane said, walking through the throng.
Jaden knew right away why he was here.
"So...you decided." Jaden said, standing up and setting his cup aside.
The boy nodded, standing just feet apart from the Supreme King of the Ring. Jaden smiled, shaking his head. Confusion ran amuck when Jaden asked a single question.
Who did Zane chose though?
That made Zane confused. He had chosen Jaden. He thought that was obvious. Again, Jaden shook his head, the smile still on his face.
"No...did you choose Jaden Yuki, the student of Duel Academy, a Slifer Red turned Obelisk Blue, or did you chose Jaden Yuki, The Supreme King of the Ring, scourge of Duel Pros, and monster?"
That made Zane pause and think. Did he chose one or the other? If the Kaiser was quite honest with himself, both were the same. Yet he understood the question now. Who was he really dueling? Was he dueling the student, the one who dueled for fun or was he dueling the man who played for keeps?
The choice was clear. This was a test of his skills to be in the pros.
"I am facing...The Supreme King of the Ring."
Hearing that made everyone gasp and Jaden's smile to become full blown.
"I need to see if I'm actually ready for the Pros...and you're the perfect one to test that, Jaden. So...don't hold back. Let loose that REAL power you have been keeping back." Zane demanded, letting his own duel aura out.
Jaden saw a massive rainbow appear around Zane, the King's smile faltering slightly. Now he saw Zane's commitment to the duel. So he returned the favor. His own aura was let off the chains, surging forward and surrounding him. Both titans of their own making faced down one another, the smiles wide and infectious.
Recalling his aura, Zane turned and walked away.
"See you at the Grad Match, Jaden."
"You as well, Zane. Be prepared...for you will face my third and final Wicked God."
The declaration made Zane falter and many of the Reds to look back at Jaden in shock. Zane looked back, still seeing the large grin on Jaden's face. Returning the grin with his own, he walked out the door.
"Nice place...glad Kaiba updated it for you kids."
Hearing that just made Jaden explode in laughter.
EODGX
Word quickly spread across the island. Everyone heard it; it was going to be Zane vs The Supreme King. Alexis, Jasmine, Mindy were with Bastion and Chazz. The group were shocked to say the least.
"Like, everyone knows how powerful Jaden is on the Circuit." Jasmine said.
"And Zane wants to face Jaden in that persona." Alexis said, smiling. "It'll be one hell of a match."
Bastion nodded. Researching the final Wicked God was not easy. Jaden rarely, if ever, brought it out in his matches. Whose to say what it was and how powerful. Chazz grumbled that it should been him in the final match. He was interrupted by Atticus swinging down from the tree with a laugh. Landing on his feet, he added in his own two cents.
"Calm and collected against calm, collected, and experienced. Jaden has been on the Circuit when I was here at the Academy, that gives him an edge over Zane."
"Zane is tough, no doubting that, but Jay is in a whole other league." Mindy agreed.
"Quite. Not to mention...Jaden may adjust his deck again." Bastion said, frowning.
"That's right. He adjusted it to take on the Riders and has no doubt readjusted it again to bring out this final Wicked God." Alexis said.
The group departed, heading back to their dorms.
EODGX
Jaden stood over the cliff, the nightly air casting his cloak hither and dither. He looked out at the sea, his eyes shining with untold glee as he remembered the days leading up to this moment. Finally, he would get to see what Zane was made of and if he was truly worthy of the title, Kaiser. Next to him, Yubel, Winged Kuriboh, and his three Wicked Gods stood behind him.
"This is going to be fun, Judai." Yubel said, looking at the Evil Hero deck he had remade.
Jaden nodded, hearing Kuriboh warn him. Turning slightly, he saw Zane walking up to him. The two stared one another down.
"Truesdale...your little brother has come a long way." Jaden said coolly.
Zane nodded, proud of how his brother held himself now. Zane admitted his way was not the correct way. He was being a coach, not a brother and for that, he was a failure. Jaden chuckled.
"We all are just human, Zane. If we were perfect, we wouldn't have so much strife in our world...and it'd be too easy to be King of Games." Jaden said, turning back.
"Indeed. I just hope...that I'm ready."
"We all hope that, Zane. So...be ready and expect a duel to end all duels."
The two walked their own paths, each one intending to get a decent night's sleep.
EODGX
The day broke clear, the sun shining high. Everyone was on edge, the air tense with energy. All had shuffled into the stadium, many sitting with friends they had made in the other dorms. The former Key Guardians sat with the Teachers, Professor Sweet leaning in his chair.
"The air is thick with tension...you could cut it with a knife."
Everyone around him nodded. As the last student entered, the doors were closed. Everyone turned to the two doors at the ends. From the far left, Zane entered...alone? Where was Jaden? The boy walked to the arena, keeping his eye on the other door. Jaden had made an entrance back then and was going to make one now. The Kaiser was sure of it!
He got onto the arena, brought out his disk and attached it to his arm. No sooner had he done so, the doors at the other end blew open. Fires so black it rent the light around it surged out, many gasping. The fires became a large towering figure, wings unfurled. Alexis gasped, recalling that monster.
"The Wicked Dreadroot!"
Its eyes glowed red, kneeling onto one leg. A large head made itself known, an unholy screech echoing. The Eraser fully formed. On its head, a single figure stood in black armor, spikes jutting out of the back. Zane tensed. This was it.
The Eraser's head lowered and Jaden stepped off, patting its head. It became darkness and traveled into the deck, the Dreadroot taking something offered by Jaden and doing the same. Lifting his faceplate, Zane met the cold, golden eyes of Jaden. The Kaiser felt a bead of sweat roll down the back of his neck.
This was not Jaden, the boy who lightened up thanks to his friends and allies. No, this was the real Jaden, The Supreme King of the Ring. The two walked toward one another, not breaking eye contact. Once they were in the middle, they handed off their decks and shuffled them.
For five long minutes, there was a stillness. As he shuffled, Zane felt the power of the three Wicked Gods and shivered slightly. He would soon be facing off against one of them, the most powerful according to Jaden. Finished, he handed the deck back to Jaden who did the same with his deck.
"Zane...may the best duelist win." Jaden said, offering his armored hand.
Zane reached out and took it, giving a firm handshake. The action done, they traveled back to their sides of the arena. The two's disks came online, Jaden's spinning like a buzzsaw before deploying.
Zane: 8000/Jaden: 8000
Both duelists drew their opening hands. Sheppard looked at Midori and gave a slight nod. She stood up, holding a microphone.
"AND NOW LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE COMMENCE WITH THE GRADUATION MATCH BETWEEN ZANE TRUESDALE AND JADEN YUKI!"
"Enough small talk, DUEL!" The cry went out.
"So, who makes the first move?" Zane asked.
"I guess I will." Jaden said, drawing. "Not a big start, but I'll place one monster in facedown defense mode and play another two cards facedown. Your move."
Zane drew his card. He revealed it to be a Polymerization card. Jaden quirked his eyebrow, watching as the man fused his three Cyber Dragons together.
"Meet my Cyber End Dragon!"
The triple headed beast appeared, roaring. Everyone's eyes went wide; this wasn't Zane's usual style of playing! He felt an opponent before going big! Jaden looked at the monster, grinning. Zane was caught off guard; most that knew him would be shocked at his big play and they were. But Jaden? He was...smiling. Looking at the two facedowns, he had an inkling why. Still, he was not going to waste this chance!
"Cyber End Dragon, attack with Super Strident Blaze!"
The three heads all charged their attacks and let loose, the beams coming together. Jaden revealed one of his two facedown cards.
"I play Draining Shield! Now, I gain Life points equal to your monster's attack points."
"No you don't! I play De-Fusion and return my Cyber End to my Extra deck and regain my three Cyber Dragons!"
The monster's attack fizzled out, the three splitting back into its individual dragons. Jaden was still smiling, making Zane go on edge. Had he predicted that? No...he needed to stop overthinking this. He ordered one of his Dragons to attack the facedown. The monster flipped up to reveal a plant with a face. It was consumed in the bright fire, Jaden smirking.
"Thank you Zane. That was Mystic Tomato!"
(Mystic Tomato – LV/****, Attribute/DARK, ATK/1400, DEF/1100, Type/Plant/Effect.
When this card is destroyed by battle and sent to the GY: You can Special Summon 1 DARK monster with 1500 or less ATK from your Deck, in face-up Attack Position.)
"When he's destroyed in battle, he allows me to summon from my deck a dark attribute monster with less then fifteen hundred points. So...come out and give a big welcome...YUBEL!"
Zane hissed. That was one monster he didn't want to deal with so early. Her power made her the perfect stonewall and all Jaden had to do was give up a monster to keep her in play. What's worse, if he destroyed her by an effect, that would bring out her second form. He called off his other two dragons and thought for a second. He played Different Dimension Capsule, placing a card in it.
"In two turns, the card will be mine. I'll end my turn at that."
Jaden drew, revealing it to be Gold Sarcophagus. He took one card, placed it in his golden box and sent the box to the grave. Zane felt the power radiating off the card and knew it was Jaden's Wicked God. But which one?! Jaden then played Dark Fusion, combining his Evil Hero Malicious Edge and Wild Heart. The Evil Hero Slicer appeared, roaring. Jaden ordered the monster to attack all three of Zane's Dragons. The monster nodded, charging. It struck the middle, followed by the right and finally left Dragons. All three sparked heavily before exploding.
Zane covered his face, grunting as his life points dropped.
Zane: 5900
Jaden finished his turn with summoning Sinister Serpent, sacrificing it to keep Yubel in play.
"I use my facedown trap card, Return Soul!" Zane declared, making all gasp.
(Return Soul – Type/Trap/Normal.
Activate only during the End Phase. You can return up to 3 monsters destroyed this turn from the Graveyard to their owners' Decks.)
The three Cyber Dragons returned to the deck, Jaden still smiling. Zane drew, stating that the card he had banished now activated. It was Cards from a Different Dimension and they both were allowed to draw two cards. The two duelists did, Zane revealing one of the cards drawn.
"I play Future Fusion. I'm sure you know this card effect, but for those that don't, I can send my three Cyber Dragons to the grave and summon my Cyber End Dragon!" Zane explained.
Taking the three cards out, he slid them in his grave and brought back his dragon. Sadly, he couldn't attack thanks to Future Fusion's effect. Still, that gave him time. He ended his turn.
The King drew, regaining his Serpent and playing it. He passed, tributing his Serpent to keep Yubel in play. That made everyone confused save Bastion.
"Jaden has the perfect stall. Yubel cannot be destroyed in battle and any damage Jaden would take, is given to Zane instead."
"Yeah, not to mention that if Zane destroys Yubel by card effect, her second form is summoned." Jasmine pointed out.
"There's still Slicer, but yeah, Jay may have a counter for that too." Syrus mused aloud.
Zane drew, frowning. He knew he was going to be pushed into a corner in this duel, but not this soon. Still, he was having a blast. Matching wits with the Supreme King of the Ring, what could be better? He started to lightly chuckle, Jaden's grin growing again.
"I am having quite a bit of fun here. So...let's really ramp it up! I play my second De-Fusion. You know what I'm doing so return my three Dragons!"
Throwing out his Future Fusion card, he revealed another card. Everyone heard the name Power Bond and gasped. Zane was fusing his three Machines together to remake his most powerful card. Add in Power Bond's ability to double a Machine Fusion's power, the already fearsome monster was even more fearsome.
The dragon returned, roaring. Jaden watched as Power Bond doubled its strength. Zane followed that up with Cyber Kirin, tributing it to negate effect damage this turn. Here, Jaden chuckled.
"Very good play, Zane. But! You still have to get around Yubel."
Zane grimaced, knowing he spoke the truth. There was also the other facedowns Jaden had. Humming in thought, he asked a question.
"Jaden, you know Yubel's effect far better then I...would the damage I take fall under Effect Damage or battle damage since its my monsters attack points?"
Here, Jaden crossed his arms, thinking. Even Yubel looked confused for a minute. Opening his eyes, the king looked at Zane.
"That is a good question actually! Care to try and find out?!"
Zane frowned, looking at his dragon and then nodded. He ordered an attack Slicer, but Jaden was ready.
"Go, Attack Guidance Armor! Equip yourself to Yubel!"
The fiendish looking armor attached itself to Yubel, said woman smirking. The blast was redirected to her, her dragon wings stopping the attack dead. Blowing the attack away, everyone waited for the vine that would come out.
But it never showed.
"Huh...look at that. Guess it is considered Effect Damage." Jaden said, shocked.
"Zane just took a massive gamble and it paid off." Bastion said, sighing.
"No joke." Chazz breathed out.
Zane sighed in relief, not wanting the duel to end so soon. He ended his turn, Power Bond's effect negated. Jaden drew, regained his Sinister AND his Gold Sarcophagus returned. The top slid off, revealing the card which Jaden added to his hand. Everyone felt the sinister power erupt from the card and Zane went on edge.
This...this was the card. It had to be! Jaden added the card to his hand, smirking. He revealed his Dark De-Fusion card, getting back his Edge and Wildheart. He looked at Yubel, who just nodded. Jaden smiled, looking at Zane.
"Congratulations are in order, Zane. Very few ever meet the Wicked Gods...even fewer meet the final one. I offer Yubel, Malicious Edge, and Wildheart as sacrifices!"
Everyone felt it. The air became charged as the three monsters vanished in a golden light. The energy made everyone's hairs stand on end, their hearts to quicken.
Outside, clouds gathered, black and heavy. The winds became a howling gale, lighting split the skies. Everyone felt the entire island shudder, as if something was coming.
"Something wicked this way comes." Syrus quipped making many nervously laugh.
"Behold Zane...the final and most powerful of ALL Divines! I summon THE FINAL WICKED GOD!"
As Jaden slammed the card onto his disk, he crossed his arms, his whites becoming black and his golden eyes glowing brighter.
"Mighty beast born from Darkness moste dark, strike terror into my enemies heart! Consume this land and its light, secure my victory in this fight! I command thee, as King Supreme, grace our game! Now I summon you by your name! WICKED AVATAR!"
(The Wicked Avatar– LV/**********, Attribute/DIVINE, ATK/0, DEF/0, Type/Divine-Beast/Effect.
Requires 3 Tributes to Normal Summon/Set. Your Opponent cannot Tribute this card. Control of this card cannot be switched. Unaffected by Spell/Trap card effects that would make this card leave the field. Unaffected by other monsters' effects except for monsters of the same or lower Divine Hierarchy. When this card is attacked by a monster with lower Divine Hierarchy, you can negate the attack. Once per turn, during the End Phase, if this card was Special Summoned: Return this card to the location it was Special Summoned from. Other Cards effects last only 1 turn. This card has a Divine Hierarchy of 2. This card's ATK and DEF is 1 points higher then the face-up monster with the highest ATK on the field.)
There was silence when Jaden finished his chant. Then a din so loud that it drowned out everyone's thoughts erupted. Black energy exploded off the card made everyone's hair get blown back. Winds moaned and screamed, the gale force winds swirling around the Arena. Outside, the Volcano shuddered and belched fire. The Oceans churned and roiled, the sea life swimming far from the island, scared of the Beast that was coming. Over the din, Zane watched as the shadows of everyone stretched, lengthen, joining together and rising from the ground.
"You guys can feel that right?!" Atticus called out over the howling winds.
"WE CAN TASTE THAT ATTICUS!" Everyone screamed back, holding themselves down.
A massive orb soon formed above the arena, Jaden staring Zane down.
"Zane! This is it! Your best beast...against my most powerful Wicked God!"
All Zane did? He just gave the largest grin he ever gave.
Short? Yes. Now, I'm admitting it...I've struggled with this part and part 2. Why? Well, its not because of Jaden. No, it's Zane. All throughout the match with Jaden at the end of Season 1 was summon Cyber End Dragon. Yeah, it led up to a big finale, but at the same time...made writing this duel tricky. That's why I shifted things a bit. Yeah, I could have had Jaden summon Wildheart and follow the canon...but that wouldn't make it original now would it? One thing I am trying to do is follow canon, but add in my own twist on things.
Lets be honest...no fun in reading what you already saw in the anime am i right?