Jaden and Bastion were in the middle of a duel. Bastion had his Water Dragon on the field and Jaden had Flame Wingman and Sparkman out.
Jaden: My move. I play Polymerization to fuse Sparkman and Flame Wingman to summon Shining Flare Wingman!
Level 8/Light/Warrior
ATK 2500/DEF 2100
Jaden: Now attack Water Dragon with Shining Emerald Orb!
Bastion: 0 LP
Winner: Jaden
Jaden: That's game Bastion.
Bastion: Good show. You'd be the academy's top pupil if you actually attended class.
Jaden: Who needs class?
Bastion: All I'm saying is that good grades help. You do hope to be a professional someday, don't you?
Jaden: Yeah, but the problem is that I've already beaten pretty much everyone here. What I really need is a challenge. Then I'll be ready to duel with the pros like Zane and Michael.
Syrus: Jaden!
They turned to the entrance to the arena and saw Syrus running up to them.
Syrus: Jaden, guess who's dueling tomorrow.
Bastion: Zane?
Syrus: Way to ruin my surprise.
Bastion: Sorry.
Syrus: Okay, but you'll never guess who he's dueling.
Jaden: Aster?
Syrus: No fair.
That night, the whole gang was in Chazz's room to watch the news about the big match, and they had even invited Professor Drake to join them.
Drake: Thanks for inviting me kids. I needed the break from work.
Lily: You're welcome, Professor.
Alexis: Who do you guys think will win?
Chazz: Zane obviously. I mean Aster couldn't even beat Jaden.
Jaden: Yeah, but when I dueled Aster, he wasn't using his real deck. He just slapped together a bunch of random cards before we threw down, and he almost beat me.
Syrus: You worried Jaden?
Jaden: No way. Zane'll win for sure.
Bastion: Need I remind you that Aster has yet to reveal the power of his true deck? For all we can fathom, Zane is about to embark on the greatest challenge of his career.
In the Chancellor's office, Bonaparte was on the phone with Aster's manager trying to convince the man to get Aster to come to Duel Academy.
Bonaparte: Listen to me s'il vous plait, we can't wait until next year, we need Aster toute suite, our future depends on it. We'll pay anything you want for him.
Crowler: Bonaparte, aren't you being hasty?
Bonaparte: Quiet. You had your chance to make something out of this school, now leave it to someone with a brain. No, I was just talking to my secretary.
Crowler: Secretary? In your dreams.
Bonaparte: Will you clam up? The whole school is going down the toilette, and you're responsible for this mess. Thankfully I'm here to clean it up, so take your ponytail wearing cheap suit buying derrière out of here!
Crowler: Alright fine, but that really hurt.
Meanwhile, Zane had just met with one of his sponsors and the man was walking to his limo.
Sponsor: I hope you're ready for tomorrow. As our newest spokesman, we expect a victory. Do I make myself clear?
Zane: You can count on me. I haven't lost yet, and I don't plan to start now.
Sponsor: Care for a ride?
Zane: Thanks, but I like to walk, especially before a big match.
Sponsor: Just be careful.
Zane: What for?
Sponsor: Don't you read the paper? There's some sort of demon on the loose.
Zane: Demon? Give me a break.
Sponsor: Don't forget, we want a victory.
Zane began walking to his hotel room, but his mind wandered to his conversation with his sponsor.
Zane: I have bigger things to worry about than a figment of someone's imagination.
?: Someone help me!
Zane ran to an alley just in time to see a man collapse as another figure, very similar to the picture of the demon in the newspaper, leave.
Demon: You can't hide from destiny.
Zane ran down the alley to help the person that had been attacked.
Zane: Are you alright?
Man: That thing, it wasn't human.
Just then, two police officers ran up to the pair and checked the victim for injuries.
Officer 1: Are you alright Mr. Truesdale?
Zane: I'm fine.
Officer 2: What could've done this to him?
Zane: A demon.
In an unknown location, Aster was meeting with his manager, who was doing another tarot reading.
Manager: I trust your evening was fruitful?
Aster: You could say that. So what's up?
Manager: I wish you would spend less time on your juvenile games and more time preparing for your duels. You're on the heels of the greatest challenge of your life.
Aster: Please, you know I'll win.
Manager: Yes, the cards do predict a victory, but Zane is merely a steppingstone on the path to your true destiny.
Aster: Any chance you're gonna tell me what my destiny might be?
Manager: No, but you shall find out in due time, and until then you must put your complete trust in me.
Aster: What about Jaden? I threw that match for you, do you have any idea how embarrassing that was? I've got my career to think about ya know. It's bad enough you made me enroll in that lame school, but insisting I lose to that Jaden kid?
Manager: It was the only way to test him. He has more ability than you know.
Aster: But he's not even a pro.
Manager: Often the greatest power can be found in the most unlikely of places. Now, after you defeat Zane, you will return to Duel Academy where you will challenge Jaden Yuki to another duel.
Aster: Alright, but do I get to win this time?
Manager: Of course, but first things first, your public awaits.
Aster: Yeah good point, I've got a big night ahead. After all, it's the night I reveal my new deck.
The next night, the whole academy had gathered to watch Zane's duel in one of the classrooms.
Alexis: I can't believe Crowler sprung for cable.
Lily: Of course he would. His star pupil is about to take on the top ranked pro.
Announcer 1: Good evening folks, I'm Jean Collins.
Announcer 2: And I'm Arthur Mannings.
Jean: And we're here to bring you all the pulse pounding action tonight at the Kaiba Dome.
Arthur: That's right Jean, and this capacity crowd is split right down the middle. It's the Zaniacs versus the Aster Phoenatics.
Jean: And the game is underway. Tonight's big mystery: what's in Aster's deck?
Arthur: Looks like we're about to find out.
Zane: I've heard a lot about you Aster. 30 professional duels and not a single defeat? That's not too shabby for a little kid.
Aster: You're too kind. Thanks gramps.
Zane: Grr. Let's do this.
Both: Game on!
Aster: 4000 LP
Zane: 4000 LP
Aster: Alright, beauty before age.
Jaden: Time to check out Aster's real deck.
Aster: I'll start by summoning Elemental Hero Avian in defense mode!
Jaden: That's my card.
Level 3/Wind/Warrior
ATK & DEF 1000
Zane: No way. A deck of Elemental Heroes?
Aster: Exactly. Just like your old academy chum Jaden. Like my surprise?
Jaden: Come on bro, that's not cool. Show some originality.
Aster: I'll throw down a couple of face-downs and end my turn.
Jean: A solid opening move by Aster Phoenix.
Arthur: I have to agree Jean. Plus, a sneak peek into that new mystery deck of his.
Zane: Alright, my move. And I summon Cyber Dragon in attack mode.
Level 5/Light/Machine
ATK 2100/DEF 1600
Zane: When the only monsters on the field are on your side, I can special summon this card from my hand. And before I start my battle phase, I play the Trap Booster spell card. By discarding one card, I can play a trap card directly from my hand this turn. Now Cyber Dragon, attack Avian with Strident Blast!
Cyber Dragon reared its head back before firing a beam of blue energy at Avian.
Aster: I play the trap Draining Shield, so not only is your attack cancelled, but I gain life points equal to your monster's attack points.
Zane: Not so fast Aster. Since I used Trap Booster, I can play a trap from my hand, like my Trap Jammer, meaning your Draining Shield is negated, junior.
Aster: That's your move? Come on Zaney, don't you realize a card like that is a dime a dozen? I play my own Trap Jammer, which means my Draining Shield is activating after all.
An energy barrier appeared in front of Aster, blocking Cyber Dragon's attack.
Aster: 6100 LP
Bastion: What an even match.
Hassleberry: They're neck and neck. Now this is what I call combat.
Jaden: I wonder what else Aster has in his deck.
Jean: You can smell the tension in the air folks.
Arthur: Let me tell you Jean, I haven't seen two pros go at it like this since Kaiba and Yugi.
Aster: It's my move, and I play Pot of Greed, which I'm sure you know lets me draw a couple more cards. And now I'll kick it Polymerization style and fuse Elemental Heroes Avian and Burstinatrix, so give a big Kaiba Dome welcome to Elemental Hero Phoenix Enforcer!
Level 6/Fire/Warrior
ATK 2100/DEF 1200
Syrus: Elemental who? But Aster fused Avian and Burstinatrix, so where's Flame Wingman?
Chazz: Somebody tell him.
Syrus: Tell me what?
Bastion: Whenever you fuse Elemental Heroes, you have a choice of what monster to make.
Alexis: Yeah, and each one has different powers.
Syrus: Oh, so when Jaden fuses Burstinatrix and Avian, he can choose to summon Flame Wingman or Phoenix Enforcer.
Jaden: Wait, I can? Wow, who knew?
Chazz: Wow, you're even dumber than I thought, and that's saying a lot.
Jaden: I'm smart enough to have whooped your butt every time we dueled.
Chazz: You, I, aggh!
Aster: Pretty rad outfit, don't you think Zaney? Now Phoenix Enforcer, attack Cyber Dragon with Phoenix Flame!
Hassleberry: But they got the same strength! It's a wash.
Bastion: Not quite.
Phoenix Enforcer raised its arm and raked its claws against Cyber Dragon, destroying it, but when the smoke cleared, Phoenix Enforcer was unharmed.
Aster: Guess I forgot to mention Phoenix Enforcer's special ability. He can't be destroyed in battle. I'll set one card face-down and end my turn.
Zane: Alright kid, settle down. What do you know, I drew Pot of Greed, so I'll draw 2 more. And now I play an old favorite: Power Bond!
Jaden: Wicked.
Lily: Now Zane can summon a powerful monster.
Zane: I use Power Bond to fuse the two Cyber Dragons in my hand to summon Cyber Twin Dragon!
Level 8/Light/Machine
ATK 2800/DEF 2100
Zane: And due to the effect of Power Bond, its attack points double.
Twin Dragon: 2800-5600 ATK
Zane: And now Cyber Twin Dragon, attack Phoenix Enforcer with Dual Strident Blast!
Aster: 2600 LP
Zane: And due to the effect of my Cyber Twin Dragon, it can attack twice each turn.
Chazz: Which mean Aster's gonna lose.
Cyber Twin Dragon unleashed twin beams of energy from its mouths at Phoenix Enforcer, kicking up a dust cloud that obscured him and Aster from everyone's sight.
Jean: Good night Irene, this duel is over.
Aster: 100 LP
Arthur: Unbelievable Jean, he's still standing!
Jean: You're right. Somehow Aster survived with 100 life points left.
Zane: How? I should've won.
Aster: Fraid not. I played the Elemental Recharge trap card, giving me 1000 life points for every Elemental Hero on my field, giving me just enough to survive your attack. And due to your Power Bond's effect, you take damage equal to your Twin Dragon's original attack points, for a total of 2800 points of damage.
Zane: 1200 LP
Zane: I end my turn.
Aster: My move! And I summon Elemental Hero Sparkman in attack mode!
Level 4/Light/Warrior
ATK 1600/DEF 1400
Aster: Now I play the equip spell Spark Blaster onto my Sparkman. But before I use it, I play the Guard Penalty spell card on your dragon. Now, every time he changes to defense mode this turn, I draw a card. With that done, I'll use my Spark Blaster to change it to defense mode, and while he's napping, I'll draw a card.
Bastion: Not good. Aster can use that effect two more times.
Aster: Am I going too fast for you Zane? Why don't I use Spark Blaster to switch your dragon back into attack mode? Now then, how 'bout an instant replay? Back to bed little dragon.
The whole crowd began laughing at Zane.
Jean: I don't believe it, the crowd is laughing at Zane.
Arthur: Can you blame them? Aster's playing with that dragon like a pup on a leash.
Aster: Hear that? Sounds like the crowd's on to you. They know you're a joke.
Zane: Shut it!
Syrus: I've never seen Zane like this.
Chazz: He can't lose to some kid.
Bastion: Here's more than some kid. Just look, in just a few rounds he's made a laughingstock of our number one graduate.
Aster: Since I've used Spark Blaster three times, it's destroyed, but not before I draw another card. Now I play Polymerization to fuse Phoenix Enforcer and Sparkman to summon Elemental Hero Shining Phoenix Enforcer!
Level 8/Fire/Warrior
ATK 2500/DEF 2100
Zane: Oh great.
Hassleberry: Man alive, that thing's way bigger than any of those hero guys in your deck Jaden.
Aster: The fun doesn't stop there Zaney. My Phoenix Enforcer gains 300 attack for every Elemental Hero in my graveyard.
Enforcer: 2500-3700 ATK
Aster: Now show him how you got your name with Shining Enforcement!
Phoenix Enforcer surrounded himself in a bright light before he crashed right through Zane's monster.
Aster: I'll place one card face-down and end my turn.
Jean: What a move by Aster Phoenix.
Arthur: You said it Jean. And if Zane can't pull a miracle, his pro career may be over.
Zane: Sorry Aster, but the joke's on you, and it's time for the punch line. I draw! And I play the spell Cybernetic Fusion Support! By paying half my life points, I can banish fusion materials from my hand, field, or graveyard to summon a machine fusion monster this turn, which is great for me because I can now play Polymerization to fuse the three Cyber Dragons in my graveyard to summon Cyber End Dragon!
Zane: 600 LP
Cyber End Dragon
Level 10/Light/Machine
ATK 4000/DEF 2800
Jean: Listen to that crowd. Their laughter has turned to cheers of admiration.
Arthur: You said it Jean. Zane-a-mania is running wild here at the Kaiba Dome.
Zane: It's been a blast kid, but all good things must come to an end. Cyber End Dragon, attack with Super Strident Blaze! Nice knowin' ya.
Aster: I gotta say, you talk a wicked game. Guess the only thing for me to do is spring my trap card.
Zane: What?
Aster: I play Destruction of Destiny! This card sends the top 3 cards of my deck to the graveyard, but I take 1000 points of damage for every spell or trap sent to my graveyard with this effect.
Bastion: If he sends three more heroes to the grave, Phoenix Enforcer will have enough attack points to finish Zane off!
Alexis: But if he sends a single spell or trap to the grave, he'll lose.
Aster: Alright, first card! Elemental Hero Bubbleman.
Enforcer: 3700-4000 ATK
Aster: Second card! Elemental Hero Bladedge.
Enforcer: 4000-4300 ATK
Syrus: Come on, spell or trap please.
Aster: And now the third card.
Aster looked at the final card before he smirked and showed it to Zane.
Aster: Elemental Hero Clayman.
Enforcer: 4300-4600 ATK
Zane: No way!
Aster: Looks like your little dragon picked the wrong fight. Phoenix Enforcer, counterattack with Shining Enforcement!
Phoenix Enforcer intercepted Cyber End Dragon's attack and pierced right through it, causing it to explode.
Zane: 0 LP
Winner: Aster
Jean: Unbelievable! Ladies and gentlemen, Zane has lost!
Arthur: History has been made here at the Kaiba Dome.
Zane: How could I have lost?
Aster: It's simple, you can't hide from destiny.
Zane: Wait a second, you're the demon!
Aster didn't respond and just walked off.
Syrus: I can't believe Aster beat my brother.
Bastion: He can't be beat.
Jaden: We'll see about that.
